Preventative Health: Vaccinations

Vaccinations are the number one way you can protect your beloved pet from serious infectious diseases that were once responsible for the death of many dogs and cats. They prepare your pet for exposure to certain viruses and bacteria so the immune system can destroy the invaders before your pet's body becomes overwhelmed.

For people not wanting to vaccinate we recommend titre testing where we can check your pets blood to check their immune levels against the above diseases.

At the time of vaccinating we also suggest dogs receive a proheart injection to give a years prevention against Heartworm.

Microchipping

We've all seen the sad, lost pet notices posted throughout our neighbourhoods. When your pet gets lost, however, it's more than just an inconvenience: It's the number one cause of pet death. Studies have shown more than 10 million pets get lost each year, and approximately 90% of those found would not be returned to their owner if they hadn't had some form of permanent lost pet identification.

The team at Para Hills Veterinary Hospital considers microchipping a fundamental part of protecting your pet and an essential part of responsible pet ownership. Each microchip registers your pet with a unique identification number, filed in a national pet recovery database with your contact information. The contact information can be updated at any time, and it is important to remember to do so whenever your information changes.

Over the years, we have witnessed many pet parents successfully reunited with their beloved companion's thanks to microchips. 

If your pet is lost, the microchip can be scanned by councils, RSPCA, animal shelters and vet clinics to reunite you with your pet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By microchipping your pet, you are also eligible for a discount on council registration, and certain councils require pets to have microchips. Check with your local council for regulations.

Microchips are safe, unalterable and permanent identification that lasts for your pet's lifetime. The entire implant procedure takes less than 10 seconds, and can be done at any age, even at birth!

Microchips can also be done in birds, rabbits, rats and ferrets, in fact any pet that you are wanting to find if they get lost!

Senior Pet Care 

Your pet experiences a gradual reduction of their physical capabilities as they transition into their senior years, just as humans do. Para Hills Veterinary Clinic staff can help you manage this process through proper veterinary care, offering your beloved pet an extended period of vitality and good health. Additional care at this age may involve more frequent check ups to check the heart and blood tests to monitor and pick up on common age related conditions such as kidney and liver problems. Athritis is one of the most common problems afflicting older pets, and luckily there are many medications available that can keep them comfortable and active for longer!.

There is also an important role for you to play as your pet's primary caregiver. While you cannot control age-related decline, you can influence your pet's activity level, living conditions, access to quality senior veterinary care and daily nutrition. With help from your veterinarian at Para Hills Veterinary Clinic, you can manage these factors to prolong your pet's good health and vitality and increase their wellbeing, even as their pace slows.

Heartworm Disease Prevention

Heartworm disease is a severe and life-threatening condition transmitted by mosquitoes. It affects dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats. To best protect your pet's health, our veterinarians recommend various highly effective preventatives; for dogs, we advocate annual injections that protect against Heartworm disease.