| PET DENTAL MONTH
The Mackie Family Pet Health Centre will be offering free dental checks for any dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig in September. These checks will take 5-7minutes, and require an appointment. If Dr Mackie has examined your dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig in the last 12 months you will have noticed that a dental examination is a vital part of a thorough check up. If any other non-dental disease requires examination or treatment then normal fees apply.
Periodontal Disease is when plaque containing harmful bacteria accumulates on teeth and this bacteria attacks gums, ligaments and bone that surrounds, supports & attaches the teeth. These bacteria can then invade the bloodstream and infect vital body organs.
Signs of Periodontal disease:
- Bad breath
- Yellow-brown crust (tarter)
- Bleeding gums
- Pain or pawing at mouth
- Changed chewing/eating
- Tooth loss
- Drooling, excessiva saliva
Symptoms of tarter and gum disease can be seen at examination. Detection of periodontal disease can only be made during anaesthesia by exploring with instruments under the gum line into the space where the tooth attaches.
Rabbits & Guinea Pigs are susceptible to overgrown, crooked and sharp edged teeth. We recommend plenty of quality hay for them to chew on.
CLARE'S CORNER
This year I embarked on an Honours year for my Bachelor of Arts, and simultaneously a part
time position opened up here at the Mackie Vet that fit in perfectly with my university
commitments. Having only worked casually in the past, it has been a fantastic experience
to learn more about this industry, and further my knowledge about Veterinary Nursing. I
am very grateful to have a part time job that is different from my degree and stimulates
me mentally! Furthermore it is wonderful to touch base with clients I have known since I
was a 15 year-old Saturday ‘Kennel Girl’ . It goes to show that not only is the Mackie Family Vet a family business,
but our clients are like family too.
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VACCINATION PROTOCOLS
The Australian Veterinary Association has published modified guidelines for dog & cat vaccinations in Australia. For those individual pets with a low risk of catching viruses & bacteria from other pets you may choose to have a minimum of “core” vaccines every 3 years. This might apply to the indoor dog or cat that never socialises with other dogs or cats and would never be boarded. For cats this has risks as the core vaccines (Feline enteritis, Herpes & Calici viruses) are only registered for 12 months cover and an owner choosing 3 yearly vaccination is making an informed choice and accepting the risk of disease. For dogs the Forte Dodge Adult C3 vaccine (Canine Distemper, Hepatitis & Parvo viruses) that we use is registered for 3 years protection.
All other pets whose location, environment and lifestyle place them at risk of contracting other “non-core” viruses & bacteria should receive specific vaccines according to manufacturer’s guidelines (1 to 3 boosters when indicated and annually thereafter).
For dogs in Melbourne who don’t travel interstate who may go to boarding kennels, puppy crèche, Obedience clubs or socialise with other dogs we recommend annual Bordetella and Parainfluenza vaccine.
For cats who may go to any boarding cattery we recommend annual F4 vaccination (Enteritis, Herpes, Calici virus and Chlamydia vaccine).For cats who have unsupervised roaming outside the home we recommend annual Feline Aids (FIV) as well as F4 vaccination. For cats in groups (breeding colonies or multi cat homes) Feline leukaemia vaccination should be considered.
All Vet Health authorities recommend Annual Health Checks for all pets whether receiving vaccination or not.
VACCINATE & WIN!
The lucky winner “Buster”McBride
will receive the cost of the annual check/vaccination refunded on next visit.
You can see the cat runs by clicking here
Mackie Family Pet Health
Centre's Cat Boarding
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We are a member of the Australian Veterinary Association.
315 Centre Road
Bentleigh, VIC 3204
Melways reference page 68 D12
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SHOP RENOVATIONS & HOLIDAYS
Mark will be away on holidays from Mon 12 Oct till Wed 4 Nov. The shop & clinic will be closed for painting & redecorating from Mon 12 till Friday 16 Oct. Clare & Melissa will be supervising the renovation and answering the phone during normal hours to assist with queries & medicine requirements & sick pets. We will have arrangements with neighbouring practices to attend to any routine sicknesses and the Southern Animal Emergency Centre is on call 24 hours a day for emergencies. The shop will reopen on Sat 17 October but there will be no vet appointments till Thurs 5 Nov. Please make sure you have come in for repeat prescriptions before Sat 10 October and you have enough medicine to last for a month if required.
The Vet Clinic & shop will be closed on all public holidays eg Cup day Tuesday 3 Nov. There will be some days when Mark is unavailable to consult but the shop will be open. Please phone for an appointment first.
EMERGENCIES-AFTER HOURS
When the clinic is unattended urgent and emergency cases can be helped at the Southern Animal Emergency Centre,
248 Wickham Rd., Highett (Mel 77-H8) 9532-5261.
Or for those clients who are closer:
The Animal Emergency Centre,
37 Blackburn Rd., Mt Waverley
9803-8122.
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Phone: 03 9557 9500