Pet Health

Covid19 Response

Now that we are in the thick of efforts to keep the Covid19 curve as flat as possible we want to advise of some changes in how we will be managing medical and surgical visits for your pets, as well as re-supplying you with medicines, foods and pet supplies.

We firstly want to reassure you that between our two clinics, we are taking steps to be able to offer your pets the care they need throughout this whole crises. We believe Veterinary Services will be considered essential and with some simple steps, are better placed to handle disease control than most other small businesses – we are the experts on disease after all.

No matter the reason why you are coming to the clinic – please stay in your car and phone and await instructions from us. If you have an emergency, please phone ahead before leaving the house. PLEASE BRING A PEN WITH YOU IN CASE YOU NEED TO SIGN DOCUMENTS.

Please see below for how consultations, surgery admits and discharges, and collection of needed medicines will be handled until we have controlled this pandemic.

Additionally stay tuned for updates on the introductions of video consultations for our existing clients

We thank you for your support and ask that you consider us for all your pet supplies. We have a knowledgeable team who know what are effective and safe pet products.

For a small family-owned business without the resources of large pet/vet chains, we realise it isn’t going to be easy; We are committed to remaining open for you, your pets and for the jobs of our dedicated team vets and nurses.

We will get through this

Drs Bernie and Megan, Practice Owners

For Appointments, regular business

The Open sign will be out but the front door will be locked - please phone before entering

Routine treatments (like vaccination, desexing, dentals) are still being booked in but this advice could change at any time

At time of the appointment being made, clients will be asked to advise us if in quarantine or isolating because of return from overseas or contact with a Covid positive person or sick but not tested or isolating yet.

Clients will be asked to limitthe  number of people AND pets coming with you to speed up time in clinic and reduce crowding – please limit to just one person and one pet

Phone when you arrive but stay in your car with your pet and we will ring when ready to see you

Please bring your own pen in case you need to sign anything

When Clients Call from car:

You will be asked again if you are sick or quarantined or if you have been in contact with a person sick with Covid

You will be told when one person and one animal may come in and take a seat in main reception room at Northgate Vets  or Consult Room 2 at St Vincents Vets 

Vets will discuss problems with owners from doorway with at least a 1.5m distance 

Vet/nurse will take the pet into the main consult room

Owners will not weigh dogs – just staff will weigh dogs

The nurse and vet will examine the animal and then discuss with the client in the waiting room from a distance of  at least 1.5m away

Owners are to please pay with the receptionist at a distance – tap preferred. If pin needed then sanitise hands before and after

Clients calling re medications/food pickups

Staff will advise regular approvals are to be sought and that we will call back once the medicatioon is ready and take payment over the phone. Once the medication is ready clients may collect. Client to phone from outside to be let in. When client enters the medication bag will be placed on a trolley in the waiting room to picked up 

Admits and discharges

Please phone us on your arrival to the carpark

Nurse to go through admit form on phone and advise price may vary according to weight and can advise later after weighing in

Arrange approx. discharge time

Ask that they consent to GA

Ask if opting for preanaesthetic blood test, pain relief  etc if relevant

Ask that they consent to the costs

The consent form will completed by the nurse and scanned and attached to the patient file 

Owners will be asked to to come to the side door where admissions nurse can take pet with outstretched arms. Cats can be left in box. Client to please bring their own pen and sign original consent for surgery document and place document in box. 

Discharge to be done by Vet on phone during afternoon, or nurse before or after pickup. Payment to be taken over the phone.

For discharge - Owner to call when they  arrive. Similar process for leaving. Animal to be handed to the client with distance. 

General info:

These measures are being taken for the health and safety of our clients and staff. As an essential service they are for the pets' safety that we remain open.

We are unable to offer any routine house calls including home euthanasias at this time

We regret that we are unable to offer client-present euthanasias at this time

We will be making great efforts to minimise those in  the waiting room to one person at a time or if absolutely necessary to at least two metres between two clients at a time.

Posted in: Pet Health at 22 March 20

Guinea Pig Teeth

iStock/terry6970; https://www.scitecheuropa.eu/research-on-why-herbivores-have-dental-issues/97471/

Dental disease is a common condition that affects guinea pigs. Guinea pigs teeth continue to grow throughout their life and can become overgrown if not properly maintained. Overgrown teeth can cause root impaction, abscesses and diseased gums leading to a loss of appetite, weight loss and excessive drooling. A guinea pig showing these clinical signs should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

The best way to prevent dental disease in guinea pigs is with an appropriate diet. Their diet should be 70% good quality high fibre this includes grass and hay (oat, timothy or orchard hay). A high fibre diet helps grind their teeth down to a healthy length. The remainder of their diet should include 20% fruit and vegetables and no more than 5-10% guinea pig pellets. A diet too heavy in pellets will lead to overgrown teeth and a painful mouth. It is also important to supplement guinea pigs daily with 25-50mg vitamin C for healthy gums.

Dental disease is a painful condition that can be difficult to treat so prevention is always much better than a cure. If your guinea pig is showing any signs of a painful mouth such as a reduced appetite, weight loss, drooling or matting of fur around their chin then they should see a veterinarian as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.

References:

University of Queensland Small Animal Hospital Dr Bob Donnelly; https://small-animal.hospital.uq.edu.au/guinea-pig

Sydney Birds & Exotics Veterinarian Dr Alex Rosenwax; http://www.birdvet.com.au/frame.htm

Written by Dr Emma Chester BVSc(Hons)  © Northgate Vet Surgery, Queensland  2019

Posted in: Pet Health at 08 October 19