Veterinary Services
Byron Bay Roaming Vet offers the following veterinary services:
Routine Health Check
Depending on your animal’s age or state of physical or mental health routine health check should be conducted once a year or perhaps more frequently throughout the year.
A typical health check will involve an in-depth chat about all aspects of your pet’s physical and mental health care. A full physical examination will also be undertaken, including any testing or treatment that may be required at the time of consultation, plus scheduling of any further treatment that may be required in the future.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations play an important role in the health and wellbeing of your pet. The specific vaccines required for your pet will vary and this will be discussed during your pet’s routine health check.
Some of the more common vaccinations are:
DOGS:
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Canine adenovirus (CAV)
- Canine parvovirus (CPV-2)
- Parainfluenza virus (PI)
- Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb)
CATS:
- Feline parvovirus (FPV)
- Feline calicivirus (FCV)
- Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1)
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
- Chlamydia felis
More information about vaccines, their use and their importance for your pet’s health can be found on the following webpages:
The Australian Veterinary Association: https://www.ava.com.au/policy/66-vaccination-dogs-and-cats
RSPCA Pet Insurance: https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/new-pet/about-pet-vaccinations
Mircrochip Implantation (Dogs and Cats)
Microchip implantation is not only a legal requirement but is also extremely helpful in identifying and returning your pet to you should they become lost.
Microchipping your pet is a very fast and easy procedure which should cause only slight discomfort to your pet for a matter of seconds. The procedure simply involves the implantation of a small (size of a grain of rice) microchip just underneath the surface of the skin. Once implanted, the ID number of the microchip is recorded on a central register. Your nominated address and contact details will be linked to the microchip ID number. It is important that you keep these details up to date in case your pet goes missing.
More information about Microchipping, registration and owners’ responsibilities, can be found here:
RSPCA: https://kb.rspca.org.au/why-is-it-important-to-ensure-my-pet-is-microchipped_500.html
Anal Gland Expression:
The expression of anal glands is something that is infrequently required in most dogs but something you would probably want someone else to do.
Anal Glands are basically two sacs that sit on each side of your pet’s anus. Their function is to impart a scent on their faeces to act as a form of communication to other animals in the area. If these glands become blocked, overfull or infected they can cause great discomfort to your pet.
Signs that your pet may have an issue with their anal glands can be:
- Excessive licking at and around the anus
- Scooting (dragging their bottom on the ground)
If you are concerned, please call to arrange a routine health check.
Nutritional Advice / Prescription Foods:
Basic nutritional advice can be provided during a routine health check. (link to Routine Health Check page/section) However, some animals with specific medical conditions may benefit from a prescription diet.
Prescription diets that I recommend tend to be made by:
Hills (https://www.hillspet.com.au/prescription-diet )
Royal Canin (https://www.royalcanin.com.au/products/products/vet-products/vet-diet-canine )
Pharmaceutical Services:
Byron Bay Roaming Vet can supply medication to treat most common pet ailments. We can also supply prescriptions for certain medications if necessary. If you require any medication or advice for your pet, please call to arrange a consultation. We cannot supply or prescribe medication to animals which have not examined.
Dental Checks and Assessment:
Dental health in pets is very important. Unlike humans, animals tend not to show obvious signs when they have dental problems and will continue to eat normally even though they may be in excruciating pain. Additionally, poor dental health can disrupt the normal functioning of your pet’s heart and kidneys.
You can help keep your pet’s teeth in good condition by use of certain foods and products. The best way to care for your pet’s teeth is to brush them regularly, but only if your pet will tolerate this process. We can tailor specific advice for you and your pet upon consultation – for your piece of mind and your pet’s wellbeing.
Blood Testing / Diagnostics / Laboratory and Pathology Services:
Blood tests and diagnostics:
We can carry out the collection of blood which will be analysed and assessed off site. Most results can be reported back to you within 24 hours of collection. The in-house collection of blood samples is generally more convenient for our clients and less stressful for their pets.
Laboratory and Pathology Services:
We have access to all major laboratory and pathology services so we can better diagnose and monitor any health conditions your pet may have.
Specialist Referral:
Your pet may need a referral for specialist treatment, such as for complicated surgeries or for medical conditions requiring specialist diagnostics (ultrasound, CT & MRI scans etc). If this is the case for your pet, we would be happy to provide you with the required referral upon consultation. We cannot provide a specialist referral without an examination of your pet.
Home Pet Euthanasia and Aftercare Advice:
Euthanasia
Saying a final farewell to your pet is never pleasant, however the experience can be made far less challenging by arranging for the euthanasia of your pet at home. The procedure can be quickly and painlessly carried out, often under sedation, in a place of your choosing (such as your pet’s favourite cushion or armchair).
Aftercare Advice
Following the procedure, owners can elect to bury their pet themselves or arrange for us to attend to all aftercare arrangements. This is an often overlooked aspect of the procedure and we can help you make all the necessary arrangements ahead of time to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.
Pet crematorium services can be provided by:
Tick and Flea Control advice:
There are a number of very effective flea and tick control products on the market these days. The suitability of them can be discussed during your consultation and advice can be given to ensure it is going to work for you and your pet. Tick paralysis can be fatal, is generally very expensive to treat, and is best prevented rather than treated.
Pet Insurance Claims Processing:
If your pet is insured, the vast majority of Veterinary treatment and medications can be claimed for, depending on the specifics of your policy. Pet insurance is best taken out when your pet is young and before it has any health complaints.
Following a consultation with Byron Bay Roaming Vet, a claim form can be completed, history provided and a full invoice/receipt can be conveniently emailed to you to help with your insurance claim.
Veterinary Pet Supplies:
We can order in and deliver many different Veterinary diets and products if necessary.
Behaviour consultations:
From a veterinary point of view, it has long been recognised that the basis of a large number of behaviour problems are due to anxiety. They may have concurrent or influencing medical conditions and the animal is question must be treated with a holistic approach to help resolve these issues.
Many common behaviour problems include: separation anxiety, thunderstorm or noise phobias, aggression and toileting issues.
A behaviour consultation would run for at least an hour in your home, with the need for a questionnaire to be completed prior to the consultation. During the consultation your pet’s behaviour will be assessed and a treatment plan that is tailored to their needs will be outlined. This usually involves some basic techniques to gain your pets calm focussed attention, manipulation of the environment and perhaps medication, if it is deemed to be helpful to your pet. Blood testing may well be recommended to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Some further information can be found on Pet behaviour problems from the following websites of the two Veterinary Behaviour Specialists in Australia:
Worming:
There are two main categories of worms that can infest your pet. Intestinal worms – of which there are a number of different types – and heart worm. Heart worm is spread via mosquitoes and intestinal worms have a number of different methods of infection. There are many products available to treat and prevent infestations in your pet. These can be discussed and a suitable parasite protection plan can be made at the time of consultation.
Pick up and delivery for scheduled surgeries:
If your pet requires a scheduled surgery, we can help with transport to and from your local clinic for a small fee. Dr Susie can also carry out any procedures that may be needed and return your pet to you. This service is very convenient for clients who either face difficulties transporting their pets or would otherwise have to take time off work.
*Please note that we do not operate on account. Payment should be made at the time of consultation. Portable EFTPOS machine available. All major credit and debit cards are accepted.