Armstrong Creek Vet Practice in Armstrong Creek | Pet service

Armstrong Creek Vet Practice

Locality: Armstrong Creek

Phone: +61 3 5264 5822

Address: 74 Carter Road 3217 Armstrong Creek, VIC, Australia

Website: https://www.armstrongcreekvetpractice.com.au/

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• Pet service
• Veterinary surgeon

25.01.2022 Please note that as per the latest Victorian Government directives, the use of masks will again be mandatory when attending our practice. We understand that wearing masks is frustrating, but to keep our staff and community safe, and to continue to offer your pets the best of care, we need to take every precaution necessary. We ask that you wear a mask before entering the clinic, practice appropriate hand hygiene, and that if you are unwell in any way, please arrange for so...meone else to bring your pet to the practice. We will provide further updates as things change, and appreciate your patience and understanding during these difficult and ever changing times. By working together, we hope everyone can stay safe, healthy and COVID-free!

25.01.2022 Although Victorian weather is unpredictable at best, we all know we're about to head into heatwave season - so this week we thought what better time to brush up on your knowledge of heat stroke than to do a three-part series to provide you some information! Part 1: What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is an increase in your pet’s body temperature above normal (hyperthermia) in the absence of a fever, and is not a ‘one size fits all’ scenario it can happen for a number of reaso...ns, at anytime, anywhere even in your own backyard! Although we often use the blanket term ‘heat stroke’, there are actually three different levels of severity of hyperthermia. In order of least severe to most, these are heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Overheating can occur rapidly, and with little to no warning. Once clinical signs of over-heating occur, your pet can deteriorate rapidly and serious damage can occur (in some cases, your pet could even lose their life). Our furry friends do not have the ability to sweat effectively as a cooling mechanism when their body temperature rises the way humans do. They do have sweat glands in the pads of their paws however these offer minimal help with heat dissipation. Animals use panting as the main behaviour to help eliminate heat from their body’s - if they are unable to eliminate the heat, then their core body temperature starts to rise, and the signs of heat stroke begin. Watch out for Part 2: What are the signs of heat stroke? on Wednesday!

25.01.2022 Our resident clinic puppy, Chief, is being very helpful in the office, he agrees with our recycling protocol! Show us your fur babies helping with chores!

25.01.2022 Do you need to collect medications or food from the clinic, but have furry or human family members in the car with you? If it is a bit of a juggling act for you, or if will save you a few minutes and a lot of stress, we can provide a carpark service for you! Give us a call on 5264-5822 when you arrive into the carpark, and one of our friendly staff can bring your items out to you!

23.01.2022 Baby Ace was our first kitten to partake in the City of Greater Geelongs cat desexing month! Kittens can be desexed as soon as they reach 1kg body weight which is usually at 10 weeks of age. Ace was also registered with council, microchipped, flea treated with Advocate and received a voucher for 50% off Royal Canin cat food - all for just $99! ... Dont miss this opportunity to provide your cat with the greatest chance at a long and happy life for a heavily discounted price.

23.01.2022 Whilst we never do wish that our pets have to undergo a surgical procedure in their lifetimes, sometimes this does become a reality. Rest assured we are here to help you! At Armstrong Creek Veterinary Practice we offer a wide variety of surgical services, and this is augmented by the skill and expertise of the specialist vets and nurses at Mobile Surgical Solutions (MSS). Dr. Adrian Wallace, of MSS, is a travelling surgeon which means he does the mileage for you! Arriving fro...m Melbourne with his professional instruments and utilizing our facility, he is able to provide this specialist surgical service right on your doorstep at an affordable rate. By eliminating the travel to more distant referral centres for our clients and patients on the big day, we are also able to reduce some of the stress involved! Dr. Wallace performs cruciate repairs, fracture stabilization, upper airway procedures, skin grafts, arthroscopy and a wide variety of other surgeries your beloved pet may require. He is generous with his advice and we are fortunate to be able to pop him an email for an opinion, or to consolidate the information we provide to our clients, for those more complex cases. Have a browse of the Mobile Surgical Solutions website (https://www.mobilesurgicalsolutions.com/) or give us a call if you have any queries.

23.01.2022 Ticks are an external parasite that feed on the blood of their host, which includes wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. There are approximately 75 different species of tick found in Australia, of which there are three main types that we see affecting pets: the brown, bush, and paralysis ticks. The brown and bush ticks tend to cause localised irritation, whereas the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) causes paresis and is one of the most dangerous parasites. Paralysis tick...s are found along the Eastern coast of Australia (from North Queensland to Northern Victoria), and are most active during Spring and Autumn, generally found on animals residing near the beach or bushland. In searching for a host, all ticks exhibit a behaviour called questing where they climb to the top of the nearest vegetation, and then wave their legs back and forth, waiting to make contact with a passing host. Once they do, they will crawl onto the host (which could be your dog or cat), bury their head into the skin, and attach themselves using their strong, barbed mouth parts. Once securely anchored to a host, the tick takes their blood meal. Before a meal, the tick is quite small, but as they feed, they become engorged and increase markedly in size. Unlike the brown and bush ticks, after they have started feeding, the paralysis tick injects a toxin into their host. This toxin causes progression from mild signs of weakness, to full paresis and respiratory failure, resulting in death if left untreated. Signs to be aware of (which start 48 hours to seven days after tick-attachment) include: Incoordination, wobbliness and/or weakness (generally noted first in the hind limbs, progressing to forelimbs) A different tone when your dog barks Increased breathing effort, panting or grunting Coughing, retching and/or vomiting Increasing paralysis and respiratory failure If you think your pet is suffering from tick envenomation, contact your veterinarian immediately to seek advice and treatment. There are many different products available on the market to protect your pet against ticks, ranging from spot-on treatments to tasty chews. Often these products are paired with other parasite protection too - remember, preventative treatment is the best way to ensure your pets are kept safe and well!

23.01.2022 You may have noticed this gorgeous fresh face floating around the clinic over the past few months. Meet our nurse director Rach! We were tickled pink when Rach agreed to join our brilliant team. Rach has been nursing since 2006 and holds a certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing with an award in Emergency and Critical Care. You may recognise Rach from her time in general practice or she may have guided you through some tough times at the Geelong Animal Emergency Centre. Rach... is a fitness fanatic who is very excited to be allowed back inside a gym! And she is also a lover of all things cat, with four feline housemates. **Please note we ask that you dont approach Rach with a request to foster cats or that number is likely to increase! She also has an uncertified knack for all things IT however Rach would describe her philosophy as very similar to that of the IT Crowd. We are so pleased to be able to share Rachs exceptional knowledge and skill set with the Armstrong Creek community. Rach is pictured here with her most recent foster fail, Freddy Purrcury.

22.01.2022 **IMPORTANT NOTICE** Just a reminder that on Wednesday 8th July, our clinic will be closed for the day for staff training. Please ensure that if you are running low on food or medications that you get your orders in on Monday, so that we can supply them to you.... For non-urgent matters, you can still contact us via Facebook, email or leave a message on our phones. For any emergencies, please contact the Geelong Animal Emergency Centre on 5222-2139 for advice. We will reopen as normal at 8am on Thursday 9th July, and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

22.01.2022 From all of the team at Armstrong Creek Veterinary Practice, our sincere thanks to everyone for your patience while we navigate through the current restrictions, and what that means for visiting our clinic with your beloved pets. Please rest assured that even though you cannot be with your pets during their consultations, we are there to hold their paws and keep them as comfortable as possible. Bayley certainly welcomed some cuddles from our team while he was in recently for a health check!

22.01.2022 * November is Pet Diabetes month * Did you know that our pets can get diabetes too? The typical signs of diabetes in pets can include:... increased thirst more frequent urination change in appetite weight loss lethargy These signs can also be common in other diseases, so it is important to consult your vet if you notice any of these symptoms on an ongoing basis. Dogs are more commonly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas is not producing enough insulin. Cats on the other hand are more commonly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, where the cells of the body become resistant to insulin and can’t use it the same way that normal cells can (this means that diabetes in cats is similar to the most common type of diabetes in people - Type 2). Diabetes is a serious but manageable disease in dogs and cats. Initially your pet will need a series of tests to determine their insulin requirements, but luckily in most cases diabetes can be managed with insulin injections, a controlled diet and regular exercise. Daily insulin injections can seem a bit daunting at first, but our vets can help you become more comfortable with these. Visit www.cat-dog-diabetes.com for demonstration videos and plenty of other useful resources to help you become more comfortable in managing your pet’s diabetes.

22.01.2022 Intestinal worms Otherwise known as pesky little free-loaders, intestinal worms are parasites that infect a host often your dog or cat (or even you!). As their name suggests, these worms reside in the intestines of an affected host, and feed from either the hosts blood, or food within the intestines. An intestinal worm burden can be either symptomatic (shows signs of infection) or asymptomatic (does not show signs of infection), and some can also be zoonotic (able to trans...Continue reading

22.01.2022 Canine cough Part 1 So something doesn’t seem quite right with your dog maybe they are lethargic, off food a bit, they might have recently returned from a boarding facility and they have an occasional cough, they’re retching or even had a vomit here and there. The most likely cause is going to be canine cough. So why do our pets always seem to pick up this virus when they are in a high dog use environment? ... Well let us learn a little about canine cough, and how it spreads. Just like us, dogs can catch many different types of virus. One of the most common causes of canine cough is a bacterium called Bordetella Bronchiseptica, which is why canine cough is often called Bordetella. Just to put it into perspective, this bacterium is closely related to the same pathogenic bacteria that causes pertussis (whooping cough) in humans. Dogs inhale bacteria or virus particles into their respiratory tract which then causes inflammation of the trachea and bronchial tubes. Some common factors that increase the risk of contracting canine cough are: Exposure to crowded and/or poorly ventilated conditions, such as are found in many boarding facilities, dog parks and shelters Cold temperatures Exposure to dust or cigarette smoke Travel-induced stress Look out for Part 2 Canine cough symptoms and treatment on Wednesday!

21.01.2022 ** Essential oils and pets ** Did you know that some essential oils that you might have been diffusing in your house, or using on yourself or your pet could be toxic to your animals? Click on the link to head over to our website to find out more!... https://www.armstrongcreekvetpractice.com.au/ See more

20.01.2022 Coronavirus and your pets You might have been wondering if there is a chance your beloved furry family member could catch or transmit COVID-19 to you and your family? The Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment states that the current transmission of COVID-19 is due to human-to-human transmission. At present, there is no evidence of transmission of the virus from domestic animals, livestock, or wildlife, to humans in Australia. Isolated cases have been reporte...d overseas where domestic animals have tested positive for COVID-19 after close contact with their owners who themselves tested positive. COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, of which there are many different strains. Some of these coronavirus can infect animals and cause them to become ill, however these are different to the COVID-19 virus. Scientists all over the world are continuing to study COVID-19, including if and how animals may be affected by the virus. Thankfully, the World Organisation for Animal Health has confirmed that there remains to be no evidence companion animals have spread the disease, or that they play a significant role in the transmission of COVID-19. If you become ill, or are confirmed to have COVID-19, it is recommended that you avoid close contact with your pets as a precautionary measure (including sharing food, having them sleep in your bed, face-to-face contact etc). It is worth preparing a just-in-case plan, where alternative arrangements for your animals care can be made in the event you do become unwell or need to self-isolate, such as having a friend or family member take on their care whilst you are unwell. We do understand that sometimes this is not possible, and where this is the case, it is strongly recommended to continue practicing good hand hygiene, including washing your hands before and after contact with your pets. If you are self-isolating and your pet becomes ill, you must not leave your home. Instead, contact us to seek veterinary advice over the phone, and we can then assist you in making alternative arrangements for health care if your pet does require veterinary treatment. (Infographic sourced from: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ho/covid-19/covid-19-animal-care)

19.01.2022 Looking for a unique Christmas gift? We are pleased to be able to offer support to the wonderful Geelong Animal Rescue by selling their 2021 calendar to help raise much needed funds. The calendars are $15 each, and are for purchase at the clinic We have a limited number in stock, so get in fast before they all sell out!

19.01.2022 We had a milestone birthday in the clinic this week, with our superstar Nurse Manager Rachel celebrating her 40th! She assures us that the fireball birthday present will only be consumed out of work hours!

18.01.2022 Just a reminder that for any emergencies outside our normal business hours, the Geelong Animal Emergency Centre (located at 102 Fyans Street, South Geelong) is open to help you and your pets. We would always suggest you call ahead of arrival (on 5222-2139) to alert the emergency team that you are on your way - this gives them the chance to prepare for your arrival and provide instructions over the phone (such as first aid measures, wait times etc), should they need to do so.... Emergency centres run on a triage-based system, with those animals in more immediate need seen to first - the staff do their best to keep waiting times to a minimum, however sometimes long waits are unavoidable. Please also note that the University of Melbourne Emergency Centre located in Werribee is now only offering 8am until 8pm emergency services.

17.01.2022 Part 2 Canine cough symptoms and treatment Usually, symptoms begin to show three to four days after exposure, and as with the human flu vaccination, vaccination will not prevent canine cough but will significantly reduce the symptoms for your pet. What are the symptoms you need to watch for if you suspect your dog has contracted canine cough?... A persistent dry cough is the most common symptom Coughing throughout the night that keeps them awake, which may even have a honking noise to it Retching/vomiting Watery nasal discharge and/or sneezing Lethargy, however in mild cases dogs are often active Off food, however in mild cases, dogs are often eating normally If left untreated the cough can cause pneumonia and even death in severe cases How do we treat canine cough? Treatment for canine cough will depend on your dog’s symptoms. If they are still bright and active then the veterinarian may just insist on rest, a good diet and plenty of fluids to help recover. However, some pets may require syrups, antibiotics and even hospitalisation depending on the severity of the virus. Things to keep in mind: Canine cough is HIGHLY contagious and transmissible. It is very important that if you suspect your dog has canine cough, you isolate them from other dogs and arrange to have them seen by a vet as soon as possible. Due to the nature of canine cough, you’ll likely be asked to remain in your vehicle when you arrive to prevent exposure to other dogs at the clinic.

17.01.2022 With one week left of desexing month make sure you dont miss out on the opportunity available to all cat owners residing in the City of Greater Geelong. Bandit is now living the good life #testiclefree!

17.01.2022 A 'quick' note about nails! Do you struggle to know when your dog or cat needs a nail trim? Does merely thinking about it cause you stress, or does the experience make your pet anxious? Head on over to our website to find out more information about our recommendations for pet nail trimming.... https://www.armstrongcreekvetpractice.com.au/

17.01.2022 **Exciting Community Desexing Program** ACVP is dedicated to doing our part to improve the health and welfare of the animals in our community. The single most important part of ensuring optimal feline health is desexing. This also reduces unwanted cat numbers that end up under the care of Geelong Animal Welfare Society and Geelong Animal Rescue. ... We are excited to announce that we are joining a number of brilliant Geelong vet clinics participating in the City of Greater Geelong councils cat desexing month. As part of this wonderful program, each cat is desexed, microchipped and registered with the City of Greater Geelong, as well as de-flead and de-wormed for a greatly reduced cost of $99 for males and $130 for females. Call us today to find out more, and to book your feline companion in for desexing. Please share this post widely to ensure this important message reaches everyone who may need it.

17.01.2022 Did you know that there is a first aid app available for your pets? Head over to your app store, and search for "First aid for Pets". Set Armstrong Creek Vet Practice as your vet clinic when you download the app, and it will provide you quick access to our contact information. The app can provide you with some general knowledge about illness and injury for both dogs and cats, what to do, and when to contact us for advice.... The app is available for both Android and Apple users, and it is totally free!

15.01.2022 Spring is in the air and the days are slowly getting longer with the promise of warmer weather! However, with warmer weather and humidity changes, along come all pet owners nightmares fleas!! Here are a few flea facts: * Did you know that the life cycle of a flea is a month - thats from the egg, larvae, pupa and into an adult flea? * Each adult flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. This is equal to their body weight and they can lay this many eggs because they suck up 15 ti...mes their body weight in blood .. a day!! * On average a flea can live for two to three months in carpet, however if no flea prevention is in place they can stay in your carpet without end if they have a host (your pet) to feed on. * An adult flea can live up to one year in ideal situations (on your pet). * Flea eggs live for two to three days before hatching, and female fleas lay eggs 24-36 hours after first feeding on your pet. So now we have totally freaked you out .. how do you protect your pet and prevent fleas from invading your home environment? A good flea, tick and worm prevention can come in many forms from a monthly all-in-one chew, to a three-monthly separate flea and worm treatment, depending on your busy lifestyles. Here at Armstrong Creek Vets, we can offer lots of advice on which prevention is the best for your pet and send reminders when your pet is next due for their preventative treatment.. easy! Prevention is better than cure as it can take upwards of three months to rid your home environment from these pesky invaders once they take up residence! *Contact us today to find out about our special Spring promotions on parasite control*

15.01.2022 Are your pets microchipped with your current contact details listed on the registry? On Friday we were reminded of the importance of these lifelong identification devices when Molly the cat walked through our door. A lovely family had been feeding Molly for the past couple of months after she appeared on their doorstep. They were finally able to earn her trust enough to capture her and they brought her straight down to the clinic to check her for a microchip. ... Thankfully Molly has a responsible owner and a quick scan revealed a name and contact number that allowed us to reunite owner and pet after seven long months apart. Molly had been missing since November of last year! Welcome home Molly!

15.01.2022 Rat Bait Ingestion We cannot emphasis enough just how AWFUL rat bait can be! Over the years more potent toxins have been developed to control suburban rodent populations but sadly, they are not an environmentally or pet safe way of handling the problem.... Rat bait is sold under various trade names including Ratsak, Talon, Contrac etc. They act to cause fatal haemorrhage once the pellets or blocks are ingested and absorbed by the animal. We are fortunate to have a direct antidote to the rodenticide so it is important to seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog or cat has had an encounter with rat bait. If the ingestion has occurred within an hour of presenting to the vet, we tend to induce vomiting which decreases the potential amount of toxin in the blood stream. We are able to run tests within a certain time frame in order to establish whether the toxin has influenced the blood and then treat accordingly. The test essentially tests whether the blood is able to clot, thereby avoiding the uncontrolled bleeding that leads to death. Symptoms you need to look out for include bruising of the skin or gums as well as diarrhoea and vomit with frank blood in it. Your pet may also develop a cough due to bleeding that sometimes occurs into the lung space. Keep in mind, that access to rat bait may not be dependent on your use of such products on your property and your pet may have encountered the nicely flavoured lethal snack in a neighbours garden or whilst on a walk. Generally the consumption of a rodent that has been poisoned is not an issue for our pets unless the rat bait is still present in the stomach of the rodent and your pet gobbles up the whole thing. Be particularly vigilant if your pet is a famous hunter! Whilst you may view the preliminary treatment for a suspected rat bait ingestion as an unnecessary expense- it can be life-saving. Treatment once your pet is symptomatic may also be costly given that it may involve blood transfusions and intensive nursing care. If your pet exhibits any of the symptoms mentioned above or if you suspect your pet has munched on something he or she shouldnt have- please visit us or your closest emergency centre as soon as possible!

15.01.2022 When your vet nurse signs your cast Poor little Louie broke his leg a few weeks ago and has to be in a cast while it heals. It hasn't stopped him from being a happy little puppy though - we're wishing you a speedy recovery Louie!

14.01.2022 Today we celebrate our very first birthday! Armstrong Creek Veterinary Practice first opened its doors on 19th August 2019, and we would love to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to the local community for the support we have received during our first year! We have welcomed many fresh new faces into the practice throughout the year, from new clients and patients, to expanding our team, which now includes two full-time vets, three qualified nurses and our wonder...ful reception and administration staff. Our practice focuses on giving back to, and investing in our local community. We are privileged to have become the major sponsor for Armstrong Creek Primary School, and were proud to have been able to provide the students with brand new sporting uniforms. 2020 has been a bit of a challenging year thus far, and we are so grateful for the support and flexibility of the Armstrong Creek community whilst we navigate the current COVID-19 situation. In celebration of our one-year landmark, from Thursday 20th August until Wednesday 30th September, we would like to offer 10% off veterinary consultations and routine surgery (conditions apply). Thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you and your pets again soon!

14.01.2022 ** IMPORTANT NOTICE ** If you need to order any food or medication for your pet to get them through the Christmas period, please let us know before 10am Wednesday morning. Our last wholesaler delivery prior to Christmas will be on Wednesday December 23rd in the afternoon (the next order after this will be on Tuesday 29th December). Some medications must not be stopped suddenly, or are special order and not held at the clinic, so now is the time to ensure you have adequate s...upplies! Please feel free to call us on 5264-5822 to place your order.

14.01.2022 Summer coat care - hot spots, shedding and clipping: You may notice coming into the hotter months that your pet has started shedding to keep cooler! Shedding unnecessary hair allows cool air to circulate around the animal’s skin and is your pets natural cooling mechanism. ... Coming into summer, it is a great idea to keep on top of your pets grooming with regular brushing to help rid them of unwanted fur, keeping them cooler and preventing matting or hot spots. Some breeds of dogs such as Pomeranians, Huskies, Maremmas, Border Collies, Burnese Mountain Dogs and more, have a double coat or under coat, which is an extra layer of fur that grows during winter to keep them warm. These dogs especially need help when coming into summer and their coat is best maintained with regular brushing as well as a summer blow-out to shift the dense undercoat! Long-haired cats benefit from a good brush too - although they may not be quite so keen for a grooming session! Pictured here is one of our nurses cats "Dot", just cooling herself in the sink!

12.01.2022 Penny wasnt going to let a chilly morning stop her from enjoying her first vet visit!

12.01.2022 The handsome Dash was in for surgery with the travelling specialists recently to have his anterior cruciate ligament (knee) repaired. He was a model patient, and got the chance to enjoy some afternoon sunshine and plenty of cuddles with our team

11.01.2022 Allow us to introduce the newest veterinary nurse to join our ever growing team, Amanda! Amanda is a lady of many talents, sharing a passion for both human and veterinary nursing. We managed to coax Amanda back to the dark side purely on the proviso we allowed her to cuddle all the toothless chihuahuas that walked through the clinic door. Amanda worked for many years at Geelong Animal Welfare where her love of animal welfare and rescue animals grew exponentially. She has tw...o rescue cats, two rescue rats and her pictured rescue pom, Heidi. Amandas dream is to start her own welfare organisation for elderly dogs who are in need of some extra TLC. When Amanda isnt working she is a free spirit who cherishes long drives to far away campgrounds in the other love of her life, her old Landcruiser Larry. She also enjoys time spent with her big dog, Rip, building on his agility and training repertoire. Amanda brings a warm smile and reassuring sense of calm to all that she does and we know that your animals will love her extra cuddles, treats and comforting words during their times of need.

11.01.2022 Here's a high five from Douglas to celebrate the start to a warm Summer weekend!

10.01.2022 Part 3: Please don’t. You’ve very likely seen warnings over the years not to leave your pet in a hot car, but do you know just how quickly this can cause an issue? It is astounding how rapidly the temperature in a small, unventilated space within a car can rise within six minutes, it could already be too late! So please don’t leave your pet in a hot car! There are many other scenarios we recommend avoiding too, to prevent your pet succumbing to heat stroke. Here is a lis...t of some more please don’t scenarios. Please don’t: Leave your pets unattended outside in the heat even in the shade, your pet is still exposed to the warmth in the air and is still at risk. Where possible, we recommend to bring your pet indoors where the temperature can be better controlled Take your dog for a walk during the heat of the day not only will their body temperature naturally rise due to exercise, but their poor paws are at risk of being burnt too. A good rule of thumb is that if it is too hot for you to walk without shoes, or rest your hand on the ground, it is too hot for your pet to walk on! Allow your dog to run madly at the river or beach on a hot day although it is nice to be able to take them for a swim, running around prior to/afterward can put them at risk of overheating Have your dog sitting in the tray of a ute directly on the hot metal placing a light colour non-slip mat over the metal will help prevent your pet’s paws being burnt Allow your pet to become obese this increases their risk not only for heat stroke, but for a number of other ailments Forget to top up your pet’s water bowls. It is also a good idea to offer them more than one water source just in case they knock one over, or are unable to get to one of the bowls for some reason Please get in contact with the veterinarian immediately if you think your pet may be showing the signs of heat stress every second counts!

09.01.2022 Did you know that for certain smaller breed patients, Dr. Steve can perform anterior cruciate ligament repairs at our practice? Pictured below is Penny undergoing surgery to repair her left cruciate ligament. A few months prior to this surgery, Pennys right cruciate ligament required repair - often once one side goes, dogs require their other side repaired in the future. We are pleased to report that Penny is going well at home, and getting lots of snuggles in recovery!... For larger breed animals, or more complicated cases, we are able to arrange a specialist surgeon who visits our clinic to perform the surgery.

09.01.2022 What a wonderful, professional and caring team we have created at Armstrong Creek Veterinary Practice. Our clinic dog, face of ACVP and the owners dog, Daisy, required an emergency caesarean this morning. The staff all worked together to deliver 3 beautiful, healthy puppies. Daisy and her babies are now recovering well at home. Heartfelt thanks to all the staff that dropped everything to assist. So incredibly proud of our ACVP team

09.01.2022 Here we have Clancy perfectly demonstrating the stages of waking from a very deep snooze post-operatively - she was a pleasure to have in, and didn't even snore! Have you caught your pets snoozing in funny positions before? Feel free to share your snaps with us below!

09.01.2022 When you wake up and realise something is missing....... We work in conjunction with the wonderful rescue organisation, Geelong Animal Rescue, to health check, vaccinate, microchip, desex and provide care for their foster animals. Pictured here is gorgeous little "Dave", a kitten who was recently desexed with us. ... Keep an eye on the Geelong Animal Rescue website (https://www.geelonganimalrescue.org.au/) if youre looking to adopt a new furever friend some time.

08.01.2022 When all you have ever known is a world in the midst of a pandemic, social distancing is a breeze!

08.01.2022 Just a couple of cool doggos waiting for their car park consult! #avaandclyde A friendly reminder that during the current Stage 3 restrictions, we are undertaking car park consultations. Please give us a call when you arrive on 5264-5822, and one of our friendly team will come out to collect your pet from the car and bring them in for veterinary assessment. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone for their continued understanding and patience during this time!

08.01.2022 Todays focus: Heartworm Heartworm is a nasty parasitic roundworm that can be spread to your pet via infected mosquitoes. Between 2014 to the present, over 2000 cases of heartworm have been reported in Australia!* Heartworms live inside the arteries of your pets lungs and heart, and feed on their blood - they can grow up to 30cm long and 2cm thick with populations over 200! ... Heartworm is a slow onset disease meaning months or years can pass without your pet exhibiting any signs of a heartworm burden. Heartworms cause interference with the movement of the heart valves, creating turbulence in the blood and leading to the vessels being blocked, putting the heart under immense strain. The first stage of the heartworm life cycle begins when an infected mosquito bites a host animal injecting it with heartworm larvae. These larvae then develop in the animals tissues for 3-4 days before migrating to the heart, lungs and blood vessels. From here the larvae mature into adult heartworm in the heart, lungs and blood vessels. The adult females release microfilariae into the blood stream in approximately 4-6 months. Once these microfilariae are free in the blood stream, they can then infect a new mosquito if it bites the infected animal, thus beginning the cycle again. Symptoms of a heartworm burden include: Dry and persistent cough Lack of stamina/lethargy Weight loss/loss of appetite Dry coat Breathing difficulties The good news is that heartworm is super dooper easy to prevent! There are many high-quality products on the market which prevent heartworm - these include spot on, oral tables/chews or a yearly injection. It is important to remember that if you have not used a heartworm treatment in 6 months or more, your pet will need to undergo a heartworm test before commencing treatment. If you have a puppy or kitten, prevention should begin at 6-8 weeks of age and be continued as per package instructions for life. *Heartworm Surveillance Progam. https://www.zoetis.com.au/vets-austral/heartworm/index.aspx

06.01.2022 Part 2: What are the signs of heat stroke? The signs of heat stroke to watch out for include: Rapid breathing or excessive panting... Signs of discomfort (unable to settle) Drooling Red gums Wet pads Over-grooming Uncoordinated movements Vomiting (especially if blood present) Diarrhoea (especially if blood present) Mental dullness/lethargy Disorientation Muscle tremors Weakness or collapse Seizures Cardiac arrest Some breeds of animal are more prone to developing heat stroke then others such as brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, Persians, Boxers and other flat-faced breeds), animals with a thick or double coat (Arctic breeds), geriatrics, working dogs, overweight pets and those suffering medical conditions such as laryngeal paralysis or heart disease. It is important that you are aware of ambient temperatures too, and take appropriate preventative measures. Rabbits are particularly susceptible to heat stroke, and should be placed inside in cooler climates when the temperature rises about 25C. Heat stroke can be prevented by ensuring your animal is not exposed to hot or humid environments for long periods, has plenty of access to water to drink and cool off in, and adequate amounts of shade. If travelling in a car then ensure your furry family member is well ventilated and is NEVER left inside a car, even if your car is parked in the shade, the windows are down and you will only be a few minutes! If your pet is showing any of the above symptoms, then you should seek immediate veterinary attention. Please do not give any medications at home, rather place your pets into a secure carrier, and attend your closest vet practice. It is best to call them to advise that you are on your way, so that they can prepare for your arrival, or direct you elsewhere should there be a need to do so. Keep an eye out for Part 3: Please don’ton Friday!

06.01.2022 Spring has well and truly sprung and nesting season is well underway! This means that many fledglings are taking on the big wide world beyond the nest. With parental supervision of course! These cute, sometimes noisy balls of fluff and feathers leave their nests when they are roughly only 4 weeks of age, at this time they may look too young and defenceless to be out on their own, but rest assured they are fed and chaperoned for a further 4 weeks by their parents. In these f...our weeks out of the nest they learn all the skills necessary to fend for themselves in the wild. So what do you do if you see a small fledgling? The Magpie Whisperer has designed this ingenious flow chart with pictures and descriptions to help you determine if the fledgling does in fact need any help or if it simply leaning life skills with mum and dad close by. We strongly recommend using this chart before attempting to assist any fledglings in the wild. Further resources by the Magpie Whisperer can be found at: http://www.magpieaholic.com As always if you need any assistance, please feel free to call us on 5264-5822.

06.01.2022 ** We are still open! ** You might have been wondering what the increase to Stage 3 restrictions means for your pets and their veterinary care? Thankfully, the provision of medical care for your pets falls under the banner of one of the four reasons to leave your home (care and health care) - as such, we are pleased to be able to continue to offer our veterinary services to you and your pets during this time. ... We are still open for our normal business hours, albeit with modifications to the way we run our days, which include: We are continuing on with our clientless (or contactless) consultations. We ask that you please phone us from the car park when you arrive, and one of our nurses will come out to collect your pet from you - please ensure that your dog is secured on a lead or in a carrier, or your cat (or pocket pet) is in a secure carrier. Our vets will then conduct a phone consultation with you so that we can discuss the best treatment plan for your beloved furry or feathered family member. Please phone ahead to order medication, food and parasite control so that we can process payment over the phone, and bring the items out to you when you arrive. We would prefer cashless payment - for transactions over the PayPass limit, we will process manual payments so that you do not have to handle our EFTPOS machines. If you are UNWELL in any way, please DO NOT attend the clinic. Please have someone else bring your pet in for you. Face coverings are now mandatory for all Victorian residents that are 12 years of age and over unless having a lawful excuse. Please ensure you are observing social distancing requirements at all times (you must maintain at least 1.5m distance). We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time - by adhering to the guidelines, we have the best chance of keeping both our staff and our clients safe, and remaining open to care for your pets. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 5264-5822, and one of our friendly staff will be happy to assist. Safe wishes to you all, from the team at Armstrong Creek Vet Practice.

06.01.2022 Happy International Dog Day to all of our wonderful canine companions Drop us a pic below of your dog celebrating their day! #internationaldogday #happypuppy #dogsareamazing

06.01.2022 Sometimes when you're feeling unwell, all you want is for someone to hold your paw We are pleased to report that Bowie has recovered and is now back to her normal happy self!

05.01.2022 ** IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE ** With the recent rise of a second wave of COVID-19 cases in Victoria, and local cases on the increase, we have reviewed the way we practice, ensuring that our staff, the local community and their pets are kept as safe as possible. Given the nature of ours jobs, it is quite difficult for us to maintain a safe 1.5m distance when we are examining and treating your pets. To safeguard all, we have made the difficult decision to go back to clientless ...consults, but rest assured, this does not change our standards of patient care. We ask that upon arrival to our clinic, you remain in your vehicle and phone the clinic on 5264-5822. We will check you in, and one of our nurses will come out to collect your pet and take a history to pass on to our vets. The nurses will take your pet into the clinic and have one of our vets complete a thorough assessment, then we will either phone you or undertake a car park consultation to formulate the best treatment plan (please bring your dogs securely attached to a lead or in a pet carrier, or your cats and pocket pets in a secure cage). Please also note that we will no longer be accepting clients into the clinic, unless you have arranged prior to arrival to wear a mask and can limit your contact time with us. We ask for your understanding as we navigate this challenging time as best we can hopefully by putting these extra measures in place, we can keep everyone safe, and remain open to provide the best of care for your furry or feathered family members.

05.01.2022 Friday furry friends Here we have Freddy Purrcury and his friend Chester, relaxing and ready for the weekend!

05.01.2022 When you're asked to get on the scales and you don't want to, so you compromise and put your tail on! This is the lovely little Archie, who was all smiles when he came in for his puppy vaccinations last week

04.01.2022 ** Fear free clinics ** Does your dog hate coming to see us at the vet clinic? Does he or she show signs of fear, anxiety or even aggression when seeing our vets? If this sounds like your dog, our fear free consults might be a great idea for you and your dog!... Our fear free consults are not for medical concerns, rather to help your dog overcome their fears relating to vet visits. We understand that dogs don’t always like coming to the vet, as most trips end with a needle or yucky medication! These simple consults are booked with one of our wonderful nursing team, who will try to give your dog a positive experience by providing lots of pats, praise and treats (where allowed!), and then you and your pooch simply leave - no needles or medication in sight! We will try our very best to make coming to the vets a rewarding experience for your pooch - as you can see by the smile, this little one quite enjoys visits to the clinic! If you are at all interested in one of our fear free consults, please feel free to call the clinic on 5264 5822.

04.01.2022 ** IMPORTANT NOTICE ** Please be advised that the clinic will be closing at 11:30am today (rather than 12:30pm). We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to you or your pets. We will be back as normal from 8am on Monday morning, and wish everyone a safe and happy weekend.

03.01.2022 What does it mean if your dog ruptures their cruciate ligament? There are two cruciate ligaments in the knee of your dog - an anterior (cranial) and posterior (caudal) ligament. Ligaments act to prevent forward or backward movement and to limit rotation of the knee. Often the first sign that we notice when a dog ruptures their cruciate ligament is lameness, which can be either acute (sudden) or chronic (gradual) onset. Your dog may seem to limp on and off, or this could be an... on-going symptom - with rest and anti-inflammatory medications, often the symptoms resolve to some degree, however this is normally temporary and the limping often recurs, or becomes worse. If your dog exhibits signs of cruciate rupture, we recommend coming in to visit our friendly team to ensure the correct diagnosis of your pets problem.

03.01.2022 Have you checked out our new look website? Head on over to learn more about Armstrong Creek Veterinary Practice and our team members, find out information regarding our COVID-19 protocols, and explore the range of services we offer.

02.01.2022 Patient: Jon Primary Vet: Dr. Steve Official diagnosis: Mondayitis

02.01.2022 Please be advised that on Wednesday July 8th, our clinic will be closed for a day of staff training. You can still contact us via Facebook and email, or you can leave a message on our phone answering machine - we will get back to you as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your understanding at this time.

01.01.2022 ** SNAKE ALERT ** You might have already heard about snakes being out again, hungry and striking, so just a timely reminder to keep everyone, and their loved furry family members safe. Snakes are not seeking you or your pets out, but if they feel threatened they will defend themselves. So please stay alert and exercise caution everywhere. Where there is a food source, a water source, somewhere to sun themselves and somewhere to hide, there could be a snake. Nowhere is off lim...its, no one (human or otherwise) is exempt from being bitten, and there is no such thing as a non-snake prone area, or a day that is too cold for snakes to be out. Prevention is key. Treatment is available, but it is expensive, time-dependent, not guaranteed, carries risks, snakebite is painful, and recovery takes a long time. If you or your pet are bitten, try to remain calm and as still as possible, head straight to your closest hospital/vet clinic, and try to call ahead (not everywhere is equipped to care for snakebite, so knowing in advance and being able to head somewhere else saves you time, and could save a life it also allows the medical team time to prepare for your arrival). Also, we don’t need/want the snake! Don’t try to catch or kill it just move away from it ASAP and seek medical care. You can alert a local snake catcher who knows how to humanely and safely trap and relocate a snake, to remove as much risk to you, your pets and your community as possible.