Vaccination is a hot topic in the media at the moment. There's plenty of misinformation and scare tactics floating around on social media and so when it comes to vaccinating your pet, we want you to get the right advice.

The take home message is that vaccination is one of the most important tools we have available to help keep your pet healthy. Vaccinations are safe, have minimal (if any) side effects and the reason we recommend vaccinations is because they work.

These are the top reasons vaccinations are so vital:

1. They protect against deadly diseases: many dangerous diseases are completely preventable with the correct vaccinations.
2. Vaccinations save money: vaccinations are substantially less expensive than the cost of treatment for the diseases they prevent. 
3. You can board your pet with other animals: if you ever plan to board your dog or cat he must be up to date with his vaccinations - what would happen if you had a family emergency and boarding was the only option?
4. Visits to the vet hospital: if your pet has to stay in hospital he needs to be vaccinated. If your pet is sick, his immune system may be already be compromised so you want to know he is protected.

There are many diseases we are able to vaccinate against but your pet's health, lifestyle and where you live may affect which vaccinations are deemed necessary - we can help you make an informed decision and are always happy to discuss vaccinations with you.

When it comes to vaccinating your pet, we will give you the right advice to keep your pet healthy!

The warmer weather is here and it's time for days at the beach and ice cream in the sun. With the warmer weather comes an increased risk of heat stress for your pets.

Heat stress or heat exhaustion is a common condition seen in Australia. It is more common in dogs as they have very few sweat glands for heat loss and are generally more active than cats, but we also see it in rabbits and guinea pigs that live outdoors.

Signs of heat stress:

• excessive panting
• drooling
• extreme lethargy
• staggering
• weakness and collapse
• seizures

Heat stress can kill your pet. All pets are at risk but brachycephalic dogs with a short nose (such as pugs and bulldogs), overweight pets, pets with heart or respiratory problems or those with thick, furry coats are at greater risk.

So what's the best way to avoid heat stress?

• Never leave your pet in the car as the temperature can reach dangerous levels in just a few minutes, even on a mild day. Parking in the shade or leaving the windows partially open is not acceptable
• Make sure shade and cool water is available ALL DAY - more than one water source is recommended. On extremely hot days, your pet may need to be kept inside. 
• Never exercise your pet on a warm day - stick to the cool of the morning or evening (or skip exercise all together.)
• Some pets will need to have their heavy coat shaved to provide some relief from the heat.

If you think your pet is suffering from heat stress you should seek veterinary attention immediately as heat stroke is an emergency. 

If you are ever worried about your pet you should call us for advice, we are always here to help.

Here are some pretty cool cats!

Check out their crazy fur markings - from cinnamon rolls to the cat burglar, which one is your favourite?

Click here to view them at Bored Panda.