News - Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital

What foods NOT to share this Christmas with your dog

While Christmas is a time when many of us enjoy eating too much, there are a number of festive foods that you shouldn’t let your dog indulge in. Certain food items can be toxic for dogs, so it’s important not to leave certain leftovers lying around or give them to your pets as a special treat. We list some of the popular Christmas foods you should avoid sharing with your dog – and a few they can enjoy too! Chocolate Chocolate is a big no-no for dogs and is one of the most common reasons people need to make an emergency visit to the vet over the Christmas break. Certain dogs can find the smell and taste of chocolate quite irresistible, however, it can make your pet very ill. Exactly how unwell they will get depends on the type and

December 14, 2022

Preparing your pet for a stress-free visit to the vet

A visit to the vet can be a pretty stressful experience for many pets. We poke and prod, and sometimes take blood or give injections – all in an environment surrounded by unfamiliar people and other animals. It’s no wonder that some cats and dogs aren’t too keen to come to the vet. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At Moorabbin Vet Hospital, our aim is to make your visit – for both you and your pet – as stress-free as possible. While we do all that we can to make your dog or cat feel comfortable and relaxed, there are also a few things you can do before arriving at the clinic to ensure an even happier pet. Read on to find out our top tips for a stress-free vet visit. Don’t be in a rush If

November 29, 2022

What does an annual health check for your pet include?

Even if your pet seems perfectly healthy, it is still important to book in that annual health check with your vet. Dogs and cats are living longer than ever before, so it’s crucial that the beginnings of any health issues are detected before they become serious. What happens during an annual health check for your pet? Regular check-ups are the best way to make sure your pet is in top shape. During the appointment, your vet will undertake a thorough physical examination. They will check your pet’s eyes and ears, take their temperature, and listen to their heart and lungs. They will also feel for any abnormalities in the lymph nodes, legs, and abdomen, as well as having a good look at their coat and skin to check for any signs of irritation or lumps and bumps. A dental check

November 14, 2022

Leptospirosis Outbreak

There has been some concern over recent outbreaks of the disease Leptospirosis. At least two confirmed cases have been diagnosed in eastern Melbourne. Leptospirosis can be life threatening in dogs, and has the potential to be passed on to humans and cause serious illness.The disease can be transmitted directly, or from infected mice and rats, soil and food. It can also be contracted from contaminated waterways. Dogs can be vaccinated against Leptospirosis. Please call us on 9555 4808 if you have any further questions, or would like to discuss the vaccination regime.Photograph: blickwinkel/Alamy

December 6, 2019

Potential Calicivirus Outbreak

Due to the large volume of rain Melbourne has had this Winter and Spring, there is a lot more water about. When water is combined with warmer weather, this unfortunately makes perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed.Therefore, with all of this combined, it can mean the potential for a severe outbreak in highly contagious and fatal diseases for our pet rabbits. One of these diseases is Calicivirus, which can be fatal for rabbits, and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Signs of Calicivirus can be:∙ Inappetance∙ Lethargy∙ Bleeding from the nose, mouth or rectum (caused by internal haemorrhage)∙ Death (without any of the above mentioned signs) Rabbits can be vaccinated against the original strain of Calicivirus, and there are also other ways of preventing transmission of other strains, such as using mosquito netting around their cages, and keeping them indoors. At Moorabbin

December 7, 2016

Snakes and Your Pet

We recently treated Coco, a young German Shepherd, for a suspected snake bite after she presented to us with hind limb weakness, dilated pupils and bloody urine. Her owner searched his property after Coco got sick and found a dead Tiger snake, that appeared to have been bitten, a likely culprit! We are happy to report that Coco has made a full recovery after a few days of treatment, including the all important snake antivenom. Please be careful when walking your dogs off lead in parks and beaches, there are many snakes in the Bayside area. The most common snakes causing bites in Victoria, are the Eastern Brown and Tiger snakes, they are much more active in the warmer summer months and are often found near water. Signs of a snake bite include: • Sudden weakness, often followed by collapse • Shaking,

December 20, 2015

Bayside Pet Expo 2015

We will be heading down to the Bayside Pet Expo 2015 on Sunday, November 8, and we’d love to see you there! It’s a free event with a whole bunch of vets, behaviouralists and other experts there to answer your questions. There is even discount pet registration for dogs and cats aged 6 months or less and discount microchipping. Bring the family and your furry friends along for: Animal farm Pony rides Face painting Food stalls Demonstrations Giveaways Bayside Pet Expo Sunday, November 8 10am – 2pm Royal Avenue Park, Sandringham

October 25, 2015

Fight Animal Cruelty with Cupcakes!

This year our very own Nurse Michelle is participating in the RSPCA’s annual Cupcake Day. If you are anywhere near Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital on Monday August 17, be sure to drop in to buy one of Michelle’s scrumptious cupcakes for a very good cause. There will be some dog friendly treats available too! If you can’t make it in on the day, you can still support Michelle by donating online here. And of course, any amount over $2 is tax deductible. Great idea Michelle and a big thank you to everyone who has already donated!

August 11, 2015

Happy retirement Brian!

After 38 years working and growing with Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital, Dr Brian Goy is set to retire at the end of June. Brian has been part of the furniture at MVH since 1977 and we are all going to miss him! “Brian made my first experience of veterinary nursing very welcoming.” – Rickie “Brian made coming to work so enjoyable because of his ever positive outlook.” – Valerie “I will miss Brian and his jokes, his relaxed manner always made working with him fun!” – Michelle “I have found Brian to be a very calming influence, he has given me some very sound advice to never get ahead of myself and to take one step at a time!” – Natalie So thank you Brian, for being a great personality around the office but especially for the thousands of furry friends you have helped through

June 21, 2015

Feline Infectious Enteritis & Feline Parvovirus

Feline infectious enteritis (FIE) is a potentially fatal disease caused by infection from feline parvovirus (FPV), also known as feline panleukopenia virus. The virus is highly contagious and is spread by direct or indirect contact with faeces, urine or blood of infected cats. While vaccination has dramatically reduced the amount of deaths associated with FPV over the past 20 years, there has been a recent increase in diagnoses, primarily in animal shelters. Death rates range from 50-90%, with young kittens (3-5 months) being the most vulnerable due to a waning in maternal immunity (fewer antibodies passed on by their mothers). The incubation time is 2-14 days, meaning infected cats can appear clinically normal over this period while still being contagious. Clinical signs of FPV/FIE are: – Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody, and can range from mild to severe) – Lethargy – Fever – Death FPV can be cured, though infected cats

May 19, 2015

Mia for Cat of the Year!

We are super happy to announce that Mia, our resident cat and clinic supervisor, has been nominated for the Felimazole Clinic Cat of the Year! But she needs your help to win… There are hundreds of veterinary clinic cats from around the country that have been nominated, finally getting the recognition they deserve as an essential part of veterinary practice families. There are a lot of cuties in there! Click here to read the story of how Mia came to join us at the clinic and vote for her to take out the big prize. Be sure to show her your support in person next time you drop by Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital.

May 19, 2015

Happy Easter! – Dogs and chocolate

All of us at the Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital hope you have enjoyed the long weekend! One of the best parts of Easter is all the chocolate, but it’s important to remember that chocolate is NOT good for your dog! As tempting as it is to share your eggs with your little friends, it is best to stick to specialty pet treats that are nutritious, delicious and available right here at the Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital. Chocolate contains the alkaloid, theobromine, which many animals have a lot of trouble metabolising. Ingesting chocolate can even be fatal for dogs so it is important to contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pet has gotten into your Easter stash. Signs of chocolate toxicity include: – Diarrhoea – Increased heart rate – Increased thirst and urination – Hyperactivity – Hypersalivation (excess drooling) – Muscles tremors – Panting

April 5, 2015