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Pets | Agriculture Victoria

Summer is possibly the busiest time of year with so many social commitments, end of year celebrations, Christmas, New Year, back to school organizing and so much more! It's also the time of year that brings extra considerations for our pets - summer heat means extra water and shade needs, making sure that pets don't eat certain foods during celebrations and keeping a vigilant eye out for snakes (both on walks and in our yards). It's all a bit overwhelming sometimes but please remember that we are just a phone call away for advice or treatment. Don't forget that you need to make time to take a deep breath and enjoy the sunshine! Take a moment to enjoy your pets - go for a sunset walk with your dog, sit in the warmth with your cat, play with your pocket pet or give your bird a spray shower. This season slips by faster than any other and we hope you all stay safe and have a Happy Christmas and New Year this summer. christmas hours Saturday 24th Dec - Normal hours ALL CLINICS Sunday 25th Dec - CLOSED ALL CLINICS Monday 26th Dec - Emergency Clinic 10am - 12pm NEWCOMB ONLY Tuesday 27th Dec - Emergency Clinic 10am - 12pm NEWCOMB ONLY ________________________________________ Saturday 31st Dec - Normal Hours ALL CLINICS Sunday 1st January - Emergency Clinic 11am - 12pm NEWCOMB ONLY Monday 2nd January - Emergency Clinic 10am - 12pm NEWCOMB ONLY ________________________________________ Please proceed to U-Vet Geelong Animal Emergency for emergencies outside our trading hours. Address: 102 Fyans St, South Geelong VIC 3220 Phone: (03) 5222 2139 *** Doggy Day Spa It's an extremely busy time of the year for our grooming team and all appointments currently need to be made 2-3 weeks ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Please be aware that our grooming team is on leave from Sat 24th December until Tuesday 10th January. Bookings for January are now open at Newcomb, Drysdale, Ocean Grove and Grovedale. Please call 52482009 to make an appointment. *** Puffer fish are commonly found on our beaches in summer and are fatal if picked up or eaten by your dog. Bring your dog to our nearest clinic IMMEDIATELY for treatment *** moving-house-logo Are your pet's microchip details up to date? With many people travelling with their pets during the holiday season- its extremely important to make sure that microchip details are kept updated with current addresses and phone numbers, especially if there is a chance that your pet may get lost in an unfamiliar area. Have you purchased a puppy or kitten recently? You need to make sure that the microchip ownership has been transferred from the breeder or adoption centre into your name. Click here to up date your pet's microchip details *** Christmas table Not all food is meant to be eaten..............by pets! So which Christmas foods should you keep away from your dogs (or cats!) at all costs? The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) warns us about these eight common foods which dogs/cats can’t eat, among others: Chocolate Do not feed pets chocolate Most pet owners are well-aware of this already, but it’s an easy one to forget at Christmas. That tasty advent calendar, or boxes of chocolate wrapped nicely under the tree, can be highly toxic to your pet even in small quantities. Nutmeg Don't feed dog nutmeg Adding a dash of nutmeg to your eggnog this Christmas? Don’t fling it around – it’s actually one of the lesser known poisonous foods for dogs. The Australian Veterinary Association warns that nutmeg can cause dogs to suffer from tremors, seizures, issues with the nervous system and even death. Grapes and raisins Are grapes bad for dogs? Sadly, yes Thanks to the traditional plum pudding, Aussies probably consume more raisins at Christmas time than through the entire remainder of the year! Both raisins and grapes, though, can cause acute kidney failure in your dog, so be careful not to give them a handful of leftovers. Avocados It’s avocado season and they are a popular Christmas food. But they also contain a toxin which can damage the heart, lungs and tissue of many different animals. Fortunately the effect in dogs/cats is usually mild – definitely keep avocados away from any pet birds though as they can be fatal! Macadamia nuts Australia is the world’s largest producer of macadamias; the Australian Macadamia Society estimates that currently there are around six million macadamia trees in Australia! These popular Christmas nuts can also be toxic to dogs, though. Symptoms generally present within 12 hours and can include vomiting, hypothermia and elevated heart rate. Keep any nutty treats wrapped under the tree! Onions and garlic It’s amazing what some dogs will crunch into; both onions and garlic can cause gastric irritation and anemia if eaten in large quantities, so be mindful of this when preparing turkey stuffing or Christmas vegetables. Turkey skin, pork crackling, sausages and fatty meats Unfortunately, these staples of a good Christmas lunch are foods which can all lead to inflammation of the pancreas in dogs due to high fat content. They’re not the best for owners, either! (although we can’t deny they’re delicious). Alcohol ’tis the season to be jolly, and we tend to celebrate the festive season with beer, wine and bubbles. According to the AVA though, even small amounts of alcohol can kill a pet. Half-empty glasses, spilled drink, even fermented fruit and other foods – make sure you keep them out of reach. What to do if your pet gets food poisoning If you suspect your pet has eaten something bad for them, you should call us immediately. We treat many pets with digestive problems during the Christmas period. The best treat you can give your pet over Christmas is quality pet treats that contain the right nutrients to keep them healthy. *** grass seed dogcoat These innocent looking grass seed are a menace to pets. They burrow into fur and skin (commonly found between toes, in armpits & groins and in ears) causing pain, wounds and infection. Check coats daily to remove seeds as soon as possible. *** Heat and Pets Unless owners take the necessary precautions, pets can suffer and even die on very hot days. The following information will help you care for your pet in hot weather. These guidelines are especially important for owners of older pets, pets with thick coats, short noses, or pets adapted to cooler climates. http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets pets in summer Click on the image to see a larger version Tips for owners of all types of pets ▪ Always provide plenty of cool, clean water. Fill two bowls in case one is knocked over. If outside, ensure they are in the shade. ▪ Ensure pets have access to cool, shady and well ventilated areas during all parts of the day. ▪ It is best to leave pets at home during heat-waves, they will be much more comfortable in a cool home than riding in a hot car. ▪ If pets must be taken along for the ride, don't leave them alone in a parked vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked car can quickly become a furnace, and pets can get heat stroke, brain damage or die in as little as 4-6 minutes. ▪ If you and your pet must travel, carry an extra thermos, filled with fresh, cool water, just for them. ▪ Put the air conditioning on and if possible, use a window shield (the type used for babies and small children) on the rear windows. ▪ Add ice blocks to your pet's water bowl throughout the day. ▪ Fill an empty container or drink bottle with water, freeze it, and place in your pet's bed. Alternatively, place wet towels in the freezer for a few hours, remove and place in your pet's bed. VN critters ▪ Where possible, leaving the air-conditioning or fans on in the house will help to keep pets cool. ▪ If you know it is going to be a hot day and you will be at work, close the blinds in one or two rooms to keep the sun out. This will help the rooms to stay cooler. ▪ Animals can get sunburned too! Protect hairless and light-coated dogs and white cats with sunscreen when your animal will be outside in the sun for an extended period of time. Put sunscreen or zinc on exposed areas of pink skin (e.g. ear tips and noses). ▪ Animals with long coats can be clipped to increase comfort in hot weather. ▪ Be aware of the signs of heat stroke in animals – this can be potentially fatal. Signs include rapid panting, listlessness, drooling, weakness, muscle tremors, or collapse. ▪ Pets with signs of heat stroke should be put in a cool shady area, wetted down with cool (not icy) water and fanned. If the animal is conscious, offer cool (not cold) drinking water, but don't allow it to gulp large amounts. Contact the nearest vet immediately, but don't transport animals in a hot car. Extra tips for dog owners If outside, a shallow container of water (e.g. a child's paddle pool or 'clam shell') they can sit or lie in will help them cool down. On very hot days, hose dogs down regularly – gently hosing the neck area is most effective. Fill an empty ice cream container with water, drop in a few dry dog pellets, and freeze. Give to your dog as an icy treat on a hot day. Products are available to buy, that can help keep dogs cool in summer. Do an internet search on "cooling bandana for dogs Australia", "cooling vest for dogs Australia", "cooling coat for dogs Australia" or "cooling blanket for dogs Australia" to find details of products and suppliers. Never force pets to exercise in hot, humid weather. Because a dog is much closer to the hot asphalt, its body can heat up quickly, and its paws can sustain burns or injuries. Exercise in the cool of the early morning or evening and don't stray too far from accessible drinking water. Dogs on utes need extra care in the hot weather. If using a metal cage to transport dogs, ensure it has a roof to provide shade, and that the sides are well ventilated (e.g. meshed rather than solid material). It is also advisable to cover metal floors of cages (and if tethering, the tray floor) with a surface such as rubber, as metal can heat up quickly and burn dogs' paws. In addition, ensure the cage is the right size to prevent cramping and overcrowding. And of course, when stationary, the vehicle should be parked in the shade and the dog should be left with water Extra tips for cat owners Cats do perspire, but only through their paw pads, which really isn't enough to cool them down a great deal. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, try to keep him or her inside between 10am - 2.00pm when it is the hottest. If you are out for the day, place a bowl in the kitchen sink and leave the tap dripping (slowly), so your cat has a constant supply of cool, fresh water. Water in a bowl can warm up quite quickly. Don't over exert your cat on warmer days, if you must play with him or her, do so either early morning or in the evening, when it has cooled down. Let your cat sleep where he or she chooses, most likely this will be on a cool tiled floor. Products are available to buy, that can help keep cats cool in summer. Do an internet search on "cooling mats for cats Australia" to find details of products and suppliers. bunnies Extra tips for rabbit owners Rabbits are very susceptible to heat stress. Once the temperature rises above 28ºC it is necessary to regularly monitor your rabbits. It is important not to place the hutch in direct sunlight during the warmer months. Keep it in the shade even on cool to warm days. It does not take long for heat to build up in small areas. Ensure the hutch is open enough to allow adequate ventilation. On hot days it may be necessary to provide a frozen drink bottle or ice brick in the nesting area of the hutch to reduce the temperature. You can also place a wet towel over part of the hutch to help to reduce temperatures. If your hutch is located inside your house and the temperature is likely to get rise above 30ºC you may need to place the hutch in an area where it can obtain a breeze. Opening a window may enable a breeze to help cool your rabbit. A rabbit suffering from heat stroke may show signs of weakness, in-coordination, convulsions and coma. If you suspect your rabbit is suffering from heat stress, you must contact your veterinarian immediately. While you are waiting you can begin the process of reducing his/her temperature by placing them in tepid water or wrapping them in cool wet towels. Never place your heat stressed rabbit in cold or iced water. Extra tips for bird owners Heat stress is a serious problem for birds, especially when cages or aviaries have inadequate ventilation. The combination of high heat and humidity are particularly dangerous. Birds have no sweat glands. They cool themselves by rapid breathing with their mouths open and by holding their wings out slightly from their bodies. The underneath of a bird's wing has no feathers and the main wing artery is in that region. If a bird is suffering from heat stress, this area will feel very hot to the touch. Additional signs of a bird suffering from heat stress include rapid vibrations of the muscles and bones under the throat which also helps to cool the bird and in parrots with severe stress, a goose-honking type sound. If a bird is displaying the effects of heat stress, it needs to be immediately cooled down with a gentle spray of water or damping with a cool sponge under his wings, feet and beak. Allow the bird to drip dry in a cool, well ventilated area. Air movement is important to allow the bird to continue to cool down but don't let the breeze blow directly on to him. The "featherless" area under the wing allows a bird to cool itself and should always be clean and free of dirt, debris and oils. Wash with cool water or bird shampoo if necessary. Bird treatments should never be applied to this area. Birds kept in smaller cages love being gently sprayed with cool water using a hand mister / spray bottle. For those with large aviaries, installing a 'fogger' to mist the entire area will have a massive cooling effect. These are available at hardware stores and are easily installed and attached to a garden tap. If they are put on a simple tap timer they can be programmed to come on periodically in the middle of the day for a few minutes. It is surprising how little water these systems use. Alternatively, hose down the floors and walls of the area or put a small sprinkler just on the outside of the aviary. This can make a bit of a mess and some seed might sprout but the birds will love you for it and probably nibble on the new seedlings as well. Another option is to hang hessian from the roof of the aviary to hang over the sides. These can be hosed down and will act like a Coolgardie Safe as the breeze blows through the damp fabric. However, be very careful that destructive birds such as parrots and galahs can't reach the hessian and get themselves tangled in its threads. Like all animals, birds require fresh water that is changed daily however on hot days the water can easily become warm. Birds just won't drink warm water and will not be able to rehydrate themselves. Change the water a couple of times in the day so that it is always cool and consider asking the neighbour to pop in to do this also if no one is home throughout the day. Birdbaths are an excellent option as long as the water is changed frequently. In aviaries, if electricity is available, the addition of a small circulatory fountain will help to keep the water fresh. In small bird cages, a shallow dish filled with just a couple of centimetres will keep your bird happy for hours. There are even baths that attach to the door of bird cages that allow your bird to splash around without getting water everywhere. Many bird owners will bring their birds inside on a hot day. Birds do very well indoors and will enjoy the company and cool environment but care should be taken when returning the bird to his outdoor area as sudden changes of temperature could cause a problem. Avoid sitting a bird cage next to a window or in direct sunlight as this will only make the heat from outside worse. Extra tips for owners of other types of pets It is not only dogs, cats, rabbits and birds that suffer from heat stress, other pets such as guinea pigs, ferrets, fish and horses also need to be protected from the summer heat. Do not leave small pets such as guinea pigs in metal cages that might heat up and burn their skin. To keep guinea pigs cool, follow the same tips above, as for rabbits. Ensure aquariums aren't placed near windows, as the heat coming through the glass can be dangerous.

It's Dental Month A bright happy smile can absolutely make your day but being exposed to bad breath and diseased teeth can just as easily ruin it. If waking up to “dogs-breath” or having to avoid cuddles with your pet due to the smell is uncomfortable for you – think about how your poor pet feels. Bad breath and yellow coloured teeth are signs of dental disease. And dental disease is painful! It’s also a progressive disease – it will not get better on its own and it will affect your pet’s general health and well being. Unlike humans, dental disease won’t stop your pet eating. Instead they will just learn to adapt their chewing or even learn to just swallow food whole. Pets don’t show obvious signs of dental pain as their survival instinct is so strong. Showing signs of pain or weakness places your pet in a vulnerable state that they will try to avoid at all costs. Please take dental disease seriously for your pets sake. Please take the opportunity to bring your pets into any of our clinics during August for a FREE dental health assessment with our nurses. Call your preferred clinic today to make an appointment: Newcomb – 5248 2009 Drysdale – 5253 1393 Point Lonsdale – 5258 4862 Ocean Grove – 5256 2400 Barwon Heads – 5254 2434 Grovedale – 5244 1300 All pets needing a dental procedure during August will receive an $85 discount.

Winter pet care tips. It's time to keep them warm and cozy..... ............... because if you're cold so are your pets! Frosty mornings and chilly evenings have arrived letting us know that its winter time again. As we push the t-shirts to the back of the cupboard and dig out our scarves, it's also time to make sure ALL of our pets are warm and cozy too. 1. Keep them inside If possible, you need to allow your pets more time inside during the winter months. Even pets with long dense coats need a break from the weather. ▪ Kennels that are too large for your dog won't hold heat as well ▪ Outside water bowls need to be checked each morning to make sure they aren't iced over. 2. It's not just about cats & dogs.... Pocket pets (rabbits, guinea pigs, rats & mice) and birds need draft free areas in their enclosures with plenty of DRY bedding to survive winter weather. ▪ Consider bringing them inside overnight in small temporary cages. ▪ Provide small snug igloos for them to cozy up in. ▪ Increase feed amounts as they will use more energy trying to keep warm. ▪ Place extra logs or nesting boxes in aviaries for your birds to shelter in 3. They need to be dry to be warm If you use coats and jackets on your pets, always make sure they stay dry and change them before they become damp. Wet clothing can make pets colder. Matted fur will also allow the cold air to reach the skin more easily. You can dry and warm up a pet with a short tidy coat far quicker than a long shaggy one. Our groomers are more than happy to help you out with a winter trim for your pet. 4. Cats love warm cars Cats are very attracted to the warmth of cars during winter. Take a moment to tap on the bonnet of your car to alert any sleeping animals that may get hurt when the car starts. 5. Get a check up Cold weather can exacerbate health issues, so getting a check up during winter can be very important. Juvenile, elderly and pocket pets are the most vulnerable to cold weather. 6. Keep your pet's microchip details up to date The winter rain and cold can interfere with your pet's ability to find their way home. Make sure their microchip details are up to date and that their collar has a council tag and ID tag that is easy to read, so that they can be returned to you. 7. Plan for emergencies Winter can bring unexpected emergencies such as storms and power outages. Make sure your family emergency plans include care for 8. Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure! Unfortunately, fleas and worms don't hibernate during winter. In fact, there is usually more flea activity in our homes during winter than summer. Fleas love it when we turn the heaters on and start hopping around in joy. Keep up your flea and worm prevention continuously during winter: * Treat all your pets monthly for fleas & heartworm * Treat all your pets quarterly for intestinal worms *** Thank you for supporting TEAM BELLARINE for the RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2016. A huge thank you to everyone that purchased raffle tickets, gave donations and supported our fundraising efforts during April and May this year. We are very proud to say that we raised $5652.42 for the RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2016 A huge thank you to everyone who chose to join TEAM BELLARINE for the Million Paws Walk held on Sunday 15th May 2016. Our combined efforts with fundraising and walking together helped make a very successful day that saw Team Bellarine raise the most money in Victoria. A special mention to the girls at Newcomb Hair Room and the team at Xtreme Technology for their support this year - we really appreciate it. Team 2016 *** Top-5-Best-Puppy-Potty-Pads-for-Toilet-Training Toilet training your puppy during winter? It can be challenging toilet training pups during the cold weather because nobody wants to face the cold and rain for toilet breaks - not you and not your pup! Remember that it's about consistency and routine. Everyone in your household needs be visiting the same spot, using the same commands and reward, reward, reward all desirable behavior. Try these few tips to make it easier: * Go with them to the lawn, don't stand in the doorway and expect them to go out on their own. You need to be there to reward instantly otherwise they may think you are praising them for returning to the house. * Give them plenty of opportunities to go outside - every 2-3 hours is preferable for puppies under 3 months old. Add an extra hour each month after that. ie 4 hourly for 4 month old pups. * Praise and treat for ALL business outside. * Limit their freedom inside to prevent accidents - it will also help teach your dog where and when to go. * Some dogs do not like wet feet and refuse to go on wet grass - provide a training pad or square of fake grass in a sheltered area. Puppy training trays are available if you prefer. * Don't play with them on toilet breaks - encourage short trips on lead so that they know this outing is about toileting not socializing. If you need help with toilet training your pup please contact us - 52482009.

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Congratulations! Your participation in Team Bellarine has helped raise $5652.42 for the RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2016 A huge thank you to everyone who chose to join TEAM BELLARINE for the Million Paws Walk held on Sunday 15th May 2016. Our combined efforts with fundraising and walking together helped make a very successful day that saw Team Bellarine raise the most money in Victoria. Of course, the real stars of the day were all the dogs. It was really heart-warming to see you all there in your red caps walking your beautiful dogs of all shapes and sizes. We hope you had an awesome day and that you will join us again next year because we couldn't do it without you! GO TEAM BELLARINE!!

BVP Autumn News The days are fine but the mornings are crisp and the evenings are drawing in earlier - it must be Autumn! I love this season of changing colours and Easter. It's the last chance to enjoy camping before Winter sets in and it's fun to set up the Easter egg hunt. If you're setting up an egg hunt this year, keep in mind that chocolate eggs need to be out of reach from your pets. The bright wrappers are very attractive but the contents can be toxic for pets. We'll start rugging up for cooler weather soon and we're not the only ones that will looking for warmth. Now is time to start organizing warm bedding for all your pets and checking that kennels, hutches and aviaries are in good repair to cope with the rain and colder weather. Birds and pocket pets that are housed outside need extra bedding and draft free nesting boxes provided during this time of the year. If your pets start to spend more time indoors during Autumn, make sure things around the home are kept pet friendly - securely lock away cleaning products, poisons and other household items that could harm your pets. Keep reading below to see what's new at Bellarine Veterinary Practice and keep up to date with tips for Autumn. *** LifeStage Care Program The level of care available for our pets has seen many changes over recent years and we certainly consider our pets to be part of the family. In recognition of this bond between owners and their pets we are now offering LifeStage Care to all our clients and patients. What is LifeStage Care? LifeStage Care is a program that has been developed so that we are able to monitor your pets according to their age group. We will now be sending you a reminder 6 months after your pet's annual health check to visit us for a Wellbeing Consult. What is a Wellbeing Consult? If your pet is 1-7 years old, the visits are with our nurses and they will spend time with you and your pet to monitor the factors that contribute to a happy healthy pet. Your pet's body condition and dental health will be monitored each time and they will help you make choices regarding nutrition and preventative health care. These consults are complementary. If your pet is over 7 years old, the visits are with our veterinarians who will be monitoring your pet for any early onset signs of disease. We will ask you to try and bring a sample of your pet's urine with you for these visits. These consults are charged a consult fee. Why have we introduced Wellbeing visits? We have introduced this program because research shows that consistent wellness care often prevents common problems. Because our pets age 4-7 times faster that we do,it's important that we see them more than once a year in order to monitor any changes in their health and well being. If you have any questions regarding this program please call us on 52482009. *** CHOCOLATE TOXICITY Why you should NEVER give chocolate to your pets. To us humans, chocolate is a delicious cure to a bad day. Unfortunately for our pets, all types of chocolate are poisonous and ingesting any can turn their day into a nightmare. In some cases, it can even be fatal. Why would chocolate be harmful to my pets? One of the major active ingredients of chocolate is known as theobromine. When an animal consumes chocolate, this compound begins stimulating their cardiovascular and central nervous system. As a result, it poisons the animal and can cause severe symptoms. How much chocolate is considered toxic? To calculate this, the animal’s body weight, the amount consumed and the type of chocolate eaten are required. But simply, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is for your pets. What are the symptoms? The initial clinical signs that you should look out for include: ▪ Vomiting ▪ Diarrhoea ▪ Increased thirst ▪ Increased heart rate ▪ Rapid breathing ▪ Increased body temperature ▪ Abdominal distension ▪ Tremor ▪ Seizures The severity of symptoms will vary depending on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. Sudden death can occur in animals with pre-existing heart problem due to cardiac failure. What should I do if my pet has eaten chocolate? Check if your pet has eaten a toxic amount of chocolate by calling us with the information on the amount and type of chocolate consumed and observe for any symptoms listed above. Note that clinical signs can be delayed as long as several hours following ingestion. If a large quantity of chocolate is consumed, it requires immediate veterinary attention. When in doubt, contact us as soon as possible. The earlier you treat it, the better the prognosis! *** Fleas are starting to slow down their outdoor activity but they will still be present inside our homes as we start heating them for the cooler weather. Make sure all flea treatments are kept up to date monthly so that the little biters don't get out of hand. There are many products to choose from and our staff are able to help you decide on the best product for your pets. *** Leopold Ringtail Autumn still has some hot days and wildlife tend to suffer dehydration and exhaustion in hot weather. Placing shallow containers of water around your yard in shaded areas during a heat wave can really assist your local wildlife. Please keep your cats and dogs indoors out of the heat and to protect wildlife which may be extra vulnerable and weak. If you see wildlife you are concerned about please ring Wildlife Victoria (ph 1300 094 535) who will send out an experienced wildlife rescuer to assess the animal, do not attempt to catch or handle the animal yourself unless it is absolutely necessary. *** New strain of Calicivirus Virus in Rabbits Calicivirus is a disease that can cause sudden death in rabbits. The Australian government originally released this virus in 1995 with the aim to control the wild rabbit population. A vaccine has been available to prevent this disease for many years, and it is likely that if you a bunny owner, you have been bringing your pet in for an annual vaccination. However, recently a new strain of calicivirus has been discovered in Melbourne and regional Victoria, which is posing a threat to the pet rabbit population. It is not known how this virus has entered Australia. Rabbits infected with calicivirus will often die a sudden death. There are often no symptoms leading up to the death. Most importantly, however, there is no cure once infected. This is why prevention is of paramount importance. There has been reported cases of vaccinated adult rabbits In Victoria dying as a result of the new strain of calicivirus. Consequently, a new vaccination protocol has been recommended by the rabbit specialist vets in Melbourne as well as the Australian Veterinary Association. However, due to the mysterious nature of this strain, we cannot guarantee 100% protection against this new virus even with the new protocol. New recommended vaccination protocol Kittens – 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks Adult rabbits – 6 monthly booster Unvaccinated rabbits or overdue adults – two vaccinations a month apart, then 6 monthly. It is believed that fleas, mosquitoes and other similar insects are involved in the transmission of disease. Hence, it is crucial that insect screens are placed over hutches in rabbits kept outdoors, and vigilant flea preventative measures be employed (Revolution, once a month topical application) in all pet rabbits. If you have any questions regarding calicivirus or would like to make an appointment for a vaccination, please contact one of our clinics by phone. *** Save the date During May we have two important events happening - mark your calendars so you don't miss out! Sunday 15th May - RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2016. You'll be invited to join Team Bellarine to help pets who need a second chance. 1st -31st May - FREE dental nurse checks at all clinics. Look out for updates as the time draws closer. *** microchip-sign-on-dog 0 Have you updated your pet's microchip details? Many lost animals are being bought into our clinics and unfortunately approximately half of them do not have up-to-date details attached to their microchip and we are unable to reunite them with their owners. Have you recently purchased a pet, moved house or changed your phone number? Did you update your pet's microchip details? Countless new pet owners are not completing their pet's microchip registration when they bring their new pup or kitten home. It's essential that the details are transferred from the breeder to the new owner so that the pet can be reunited if needed.