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Your vote counts - and I am not talking about the upcoming elections - your vote counted in the Local Business Awards, as we won the Outstanding Pet Care section for the first time (and our second year of being involved).
What does it all mean though? We hope that it shows to you that we are serious about what we do, and about remaining part of the local veterinary community. Like any other business, we can only continue to do what we do if we have pets that need and visit us. Thank you for allowing us to continue on with Russell Vale Animal Clinic.
Enjoy, and come along to Pandora's party to celebrate!
Dr Liz
 PS Thank you to those who have reviewed us on WOMO. If you haven't reviewed us yet, why not do so now? Everyone can review us... it is a great way to let others know what you know we are like.
Did you know we have a google+ page too, if facebook or twitter is not your thing?
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Pandora's "Surprise" Party - You are invited  |
 | | Pandora's Box will Open! |
Pencil this into your diary, share the invite with your friends... Russell Vale Animal Clinic is having a party. It is for Pandora, even though she probably will play shy!
When? On Saturday, 28th of September 2013
More? Starts at 9.30 am (finish about 12.30 pm).
Like any party, we will have a jumping castle, and other fun activities.
And we will also be celebrating our "Outstanding Pet Care" win in the Local Business Awards with some super prizes.
We will be holding tours of our vet hospital, so you can see the "back rooms" where all of the work is done to look after all pets.
For extra fun, there will be a "cat and dog toy making table", where you or your kids can make some fun play toys for your pets. We will provide the ingredients, you provide the enthusiasm and creativity!
Creative Appetite will be our caterer, and Delaneys are making her cake, so there will be yummy food!
More is planned, so keep an eye on Pandora's page, and come along!
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A Wollongong first! In-clinic Vaccine Titre Testing!
For Dogs! | |
Did you  know that we were the first veterinary hospital in the Illawarra to offer the three year canine vaccination?
And that we were one of the first to offer titre testing to check for antibody status against Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus after vaccination or infection? In those days, we used to send the blood away, and it would take up to two weeks for a result.
Many of you are probably unaware that vaccination protocols and recommendations have changed. Many are you who bring their pet in for their annual vaccinations, would probably have heard me ask about any reactions to the needles, or their risk of exposure to disease. And then after the full check up, a decision is made about whether to vaccinate or not. Most of you wouldn't be aware of this decision making process in my head.
Vaccinations are beneficial, and have protected our current population of pets, but there are some pets who cannot be vaccinated, such as those who have cancer or undergoing chemotherapy, those with a history of auto immune disease, or those with a previous vaccination reaction. What are the options to protect them? How can we make sure that they are as protected as they can be?
Find out more about the 1 vs 3 vaccine discussion on my website and my blog.  Even without the need for vaccinations, every pet should have two regular vet visits each year - one for their weigh in and pet-dental check (which is free with us), and the second one for their full physical examination (aka the "check up"). And what about the Canine Cough? - there is no titre test for this, so annual vaccination still applies for this. Do you have any questions about this? Feel free to email me directly, click reply on this email, and ask away! Cost including the vet check is $105.00 |
| Are you prepared for a disaster? | |
 Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it be a missing pet, a severe thunderstorm, flooding or fires .... dealing with it is stressful.
September is "Disaster Preparedness Month" - so how do you prepare for an emergency?
September is also the start of Spring, so the ideal time to get your smoke alarm checked and gutters cleaned.
If your pet is edgy when it comes to thunderstorms, now is the time to start planning on how to help them cope.
What to do:
Get your Pet First Aid Kit together, as well as your own.
Get your pet's Emergency checklist together or update your current one. This should be done each six months.
Visit here for the instructions on how to do both. Our Emergency checklist is a word.docx format, so if you are unable to open that, please let us know.
A reminder that in the event of an Emergency in Wollongong (or surrounds), we are able to provide short term (1-3 days) emergency accommodation for pets (for free) if we are able to ourselves. It is just another thing we do for our animalclinic family!
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 Let PocketVet app keep you app-dated. |
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PocketVet is more than just an app so we can keep in touch with you You can put in information about all of your pets, and set up your pet's reminders. It has a link to off leash areas, Lists lost and found pets (New feature), and handy pet care information.
Of course, select Russell Vale Animal Clinic, and be kept in the loop of times of when we are open/closed, special events, medical alerts etc.
Mine is on my ipad and phone! So I get updates to know what I am doing too!
Get your PocketVet app now.
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| National Pet Memorial Day |  We will light a candle on September 8th in remembrance of all of the pets that we have lost, but not forgotten.
It is one of the saddest duties that I have to perform as a vet, holding a pet's paw during their final living moments. It is with love and kindness that we help our pets peacefully leave our side. It is with understanding that we share the grief with loving pet owners during this very sad time in their lives. In loving memory.
The Rainbow Bridge
Inspired by a Norse legend, a poem by Steve and Diane Bodofsky
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over... together. |
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 | | Pandora "the boss" |
Thank you to those who open and read Animail Tails. Please come along to celebrate Pandora's birthday and our Open Day.
Yours sincerely,
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| For Fun! |  |
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Woo Hoo! You WON!
Thank You!
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For Happy, Healthy Pets..Always!
Local Business Awards
Outstanding Pet Care
On August, 14th, Dirk, Tegan, Haiden and I
were with other energetic local business owners and their awesome teams celebrating the Local Business Awards at Dapto Leagues Club. Were you there too? If so, sorry we didn't see you!
It would be fair to say we were shocked when our name was called out! We were at the the table furtherest from the stage. It was a long walk to the stage! At our table were the staff from Black Pepper (women's clothing), and Apollo (Dream Patio's), which kept us company throughout the entire evening. We listened to inspirational acceptance speeches by other successful businesses - all spoke about their gratitude to their family, their staff, and of course, the people who use their services daily.
A Big Thank You - it is only because of you choosing Russell Vale Animal Clinic as your family pet doctor, that we can continue to do what we do.
RSPCA Cupcake Day
We raised $257.50 this year - so a big thank you.
Thank you to Helen (Lexie and Tabitha's mum), and Creative Appetite for the donation of some yummy cakes to add to the ones that my family baked.
Thank you to everyone who purchased them and donated to our tally for the RSPCA.
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How to make your pet's mouth a "Healthy Mouth"
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I am sure some of you know the frustration of knowing that a particular service or product is available in another country, but not here?
For the past two years, I have been dreaming of Healthy Mouth coming to Australia. The Canadian and American dental specialists love it! I have tried to order it (importation not allowed), tried to cajole colleagues of mine experienced in importation to arranging it, to no avail until now. I was almost close to booking a flight over to grab a few "jugs" of it (well, almost - would've got side tracked in Hawaii, I think and not come back home.)
Finally.... Healthy Mouth.... a water additive, which has the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approval is available in Australia, and is available from us.
It is suitable for dogs and cats, and we recommend it's use in all pets where periodontal disease has been diagnosed.
Those of you who are familiar with Aquadent (the green liquid), this is not the same thing.
It is available for dogs and cats, and in the 250 ml size.
We will be offering it an introductory price of $55.00 (normal retail price is $61.95) until the end of October 2013. |
| Preparing for Spring | 
Spring is a busy time for the birds, the bees, and many insects. Grass grows faster, the days are getting longer, and we are alot more active. And things go wrong with our pets! What are the most common conditions vets see during the Spring? 1. Ear infections - with humidity, swimming and allergies, comes the dreaded recurring ear infection. Check your pet's ears weekly, and keep them clean. 2. Flea bite allergies, Flea bite dermatitis & Mosquito bite allergies - For those of you who might've stopped their flea/insect control over winter, now is the time to re-start. For those who didn't stop - well done! You have set your pet up for a insect free summer 3. Hot Spots in Dogs- these are intense itchy sores which come up quickly. Clip up the area with scissors or clippers, and wash it down with antiseptic wash (we like betadine). If it is small, dab it with witchhazel. - Cat fight wounds (in cats) - as cats are out and about, they are getting into mischief too. Make sure your outdoor cat is protected against Feline AIDS before you let them venture out. Any unusual swellings, or areas of pain, need to be checked out urgently. 4. Sore legs - As our dogs before more active, they are more likely to sprain an ankle or rupture their cruciate ligament in their knee. Start your summer exercise regime slowly, and build your pet up. Keep your pet nice and lean ( if they haven't been weighed in the past three months, bring them in for a weigh in!) 5. Overheating in cars - we forget that even in spring, the car can overheat very quickly. Do not ever leave your pet in a car, even in the shade with the window down. We love spring for other reasons - I love getting home when it is still daylight. |
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Pet Dental Month is gone... but has your pet's bad breath?
Flip the Lip - is it Grade 1? |  | |
Red gums and smell is a sign of disease in your pet's mouth. Bad breath in pets is not normal.
Early intervention of any disease is my goal, but in the pet's mouth Grade 1 is the perfect time, as disease can be treated and any damage done, can be reversed.
For a cat or dog < 20 kg only $170.00
For a dog > 20 kg $195.00
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What to know about what is involved in a dental packages? We have information on Grade 1 disease, Grade 2 disease online.
The reality is, if there is any redness of the gums, smell from the mouth or brown stuff sitting on the tooth - then that is dental disease, and it should not be ignored.
Call us on 42 845 988 or txt 0401349849 or book online for your pet's FREE dental check.
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