Rob's Veterinary

11/10/2025

'Hi Rob,
Thank you so much for seeing Paddy the other week. Worked wonders. He jumped the best he's jumped in a long time and took out the $15k 1.10m championship at Equimillion on Monday.'

A huge congratulations to Shanae Bohr-Howell and her gelding 'Paddy' who took out the 1.10m showjumping championship at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre last week. Well done Shan & Paddy it's a huge achievement you should be very proud of yourselves.

11/07/2025

A big thanks to Brydie from Dog Education Centre- Training for allowing me to treat Stevie. She was an absolute pleasure to treat. We are glad she is feeling relaxed now 🐾

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16nPXRBLGH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

14/05/2025

Pepper - 20 years young
As pet owners, we’re often faced with the heartbreaking, reality that our beloved animals won’t live forever.
Recently, our family experienced this painful truth when we had to say goodbye to my Wife’s 20 year old cherished cat, Pepper. Pepper was a rescue cat and was an absolute warrior having moved several times including interstate to Cairns with us at age 16.
Over the past 12 months her health slowly declined and so we knew our time was limited with her. Right up until the end though she remained as comfortable & happy as possible. What stood out in this process was that even though I am a vet who has a keen interest in pain management & palliative care we went through the same process as anyone else who doesn’t work in the field. Our decision certainly wasn’t without emotion and not easy.
We asked ourselves
What else could we do to help her?
How was her quality of life going?
When was the right time?
What palliative care options did we want to engage?
When the time came would we cremate her or bury her at home?
How best to explain it to the kids? Etc
Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy. It’s an emotional, heart-wrenching experience, but it’s also a reminder of the deep bond we share with our animals.
They become a part of our family, and they travel with us throughout our lives. We are very grateful that Pepper was able to pass at home surrounded by our kids & our other animals. Whilst the luxury of being a Vet and having access to the new information and care options isn’t lost on me we still felt it was important to let people know how we can help.
I constantly get told ‘we wished we had of known about these services in our local area’ or ‘we didn’t know home euthanasia was something you offered’.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, please feel free to reach out. There are numerous ways we can help.
Pain management & palliative care options
Traditional and holistic pain care options
Geriatric assessments (is my animal actually in pain and do they need help)
Euthanasia at home with dignity and care.
I am happy to discuss your animals needs and I provide these services both at Petfocus Vetcare or at home.

05/03/2025

Did you know acupuncture works well for eye conditions in horses? Horses in general respond very well to acupuncture and eyes seem to be one of these things that have good outcomes.
Our patient today is named Barzi, Barzi has blocked tear ducts that respond well to acupuncture needling.

12/02/2025

I'm now working with the Petfocus team on Mondays and Thursdays. Acupuncture appointments can now be made directly through the clinic on 60409 099.
PureFlexa is also being stocked at Petfocus, for those needing refills you can now purchase it over the counter at the clinic.

Petfocus Vetcare extends a very warm welcome to Dr Rob Willis. Rob has been a friend for the clinic for many years, as well as a special visiting clinician for acupuncture. We are now very excited to announce that he is an official member of the Petfocus team. Dr Rob is available for general appointments, acupuncture and in home visits on Mondays and Thursdays. Welcome Dr Rob 💜💚

29/01/2025

Euthanasia At Home - What's the difference?
As you may be aware I'm now offering an at home euthanasia service for dogs and cats in the Albury-Wodonga & Wangaratta areas.
Euthanasia at home is a service that allows animals to pass peacefully in their own surrounds away from the stress of a vet clinic and car ride which many animals don't appreciate.
Euthanasia is a very difficult decision only made more difficult for pet owners by the emotional connection we have with our pets. Normally there is no right time, more a window of opportunity to let them go peacefully - chances are if you're considering euthanasia or wondering 'if the time is right' then you are already in that window for your pet. Generally the longer the decision is left the more suffering can occur for the animal.
When the time does come to say goodbye the option of euthanasia at home allows pets the peace and dignity to pass in familiar surrounds and likewise is a minimised stress option for the pet owner.
If you think this would be an appropriate option for your pet and would like to discuss this further, please don't hesitate to give me a call on 0490 038 208
Rob

28/01/2025

Since my recent post on chronic pain in dogs I've received a couple of emails about chronic pain in cats.
Chronic pain in cats is common particularly in aged patients and often goes unnoticed by both animal owners and vets alike. Cats are often what I call 'silent sufferers'.
Below are some signs to look out for in your cat that are common in cats suffering from chronic pain:
* Difficulty or reluctance to jump up or down from surfaces eg. beds, couches, chairs
* Balance difficulties: Does your cat seem slow and at times off balance when walking or sitting?
* Arched back posture - this may be when walking or standing or both
* Overgrown nails and reduced grooming - These are common in older cats and often a sign of pain from osteoarthritis and back pain.
* General decrease in activity - is your cat sleeping a lot? still getting enjoyment from basic activities that he/she did when younger?
* Difficulty sleeping eg. waking early during the night and vocalising

21/01/2025

'Shadow' enjoying her acupuncture and PEMF treatment for her hip pain.

14/01/2025

How do I know if my dog is in pain?

This is a common question that I get asked regularly and normally relates to the older patients that I see.

As dogs age they start to slow down often displaying signs that owners put down to 'old age'. However, did you know that many of the 'being old' symptoms are actually ones of pain?

While acute pain is easy to identify for most people (limping, vocalising, avoidance of being examined) etc. chronic pain is much harder and often goes unnoticed.

Sources of chronic pain in dogs include arthritis, spinal injuries, cancer, dental disease & trauma in earlier years, etc and symptoms include:

1. Changes in behaviour: lethargy, withdrawal and avoidance from regular activities, aggression (particularly a lack of tolerance of playing with other dogs and sometimes kids and family members), loss of interest in activities that would normally bring enjoyment.
2. Panting: often dogs in chronic pain pant. This is a common symptom and will occur regardless of temperature or other causes of panting such as exercise and physical exertion.
3. Difficulty rising from rest or lowering into a resting position.
4. Stiffness following exercise either the same day or the next day.
5. Vocalising: crying, whimpering, and I have seen a dog who was howling from pain associated with cancer.
6. Sleeping throughout the day: Many older dogs who have chronic pain often sleep for extended periods. This is for several reasons but mainly they often choose rest over activity due to anticipated pain upon movement such as that associated with arthritis.
7. Appetite changes: Reduction in appetite is common for dogs in pain however occasionally we will see the opposite where appetite increases. Reduction in appetite is often seen with animals experiencing mouth pain associated with dental disease.

Fortunately, there are many options on the market to assist dogs suffering from chronic pain which include pain killers, hydrotherapy, joint supplements (such as PureFlexa), CBD Oil, acupuncture, laser therapy, etc.

If this is something that you would like further advice on or you feel this information may relate to your dog, please don't hesitate to make contact with us on 0490038208. Appointments can be made at home, in clinic (Petfocus, Lavington) or via Telehealth.

03/12/2024

Hi Everyone,

It has been a busy start to working back in Albury! Thank you so much for all the calls and texts it is great to be seeing new and old faces again and to be back servicing the area.

To help, I want to provide some more information on my work appointments and service offerings as I know a lot of you would be aware I was providing a full mobile vet service in Cairns.

To clear up a few enquiries, below is a list of the services I'm offering:
1. Equine and Canine musculoskeletal treatments (including acupuncture)
2. At home euthanasia for dogs and cats
3. Pain management consultation - arthritis and spinal injuries in dogs; sore or poorly behaved horses with riding problems such as one sidedness or canter difficulties
4. Prescription of CBD Oil where appropriate for use in patients suffering from chronic pain, cancer associated pain and also anxiety patients.
5. Prescription of PureFlexa to appropriate patients suffering chronic pain from arthritis.

All bookings for the remainder of the year should be done directly through myself by contacting me on 0490038208 or email [email protected]

Lastly as Christmas approaches, we are starting to book up, so please get in contact as soon as possible about appointments so that we can accommodate as best we can around this busy time of season for all of us.

If you are happy to share this post it would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Rob

27/11/2024

Albury-Wodonga: Rob is back and now taking appointments from Monday December 2nd.
Please call 0490038208 to make an appointment.
Thanks!

19/08/2024

Albury-Wodonga September Visit:
Appointments are now being taken for September 9-13th by either phone 0490038208 or email: [email protected]

Thanks!
Rob