Litchfield Vet Hospital

27/11/2025

🐶🌴 Heartworm is a Year-Round Risk in Darwin – Protect Your Pets This Wet Season! 🌴🐶

🦟 With Darwin’s warm climate and booming mosquito populations, heartworm is unfortunately very common in our region. Even healthy dogs are at risk, and infection can be life-threatening if left undetected.

💖 To help our pet families keep their dogs safe, Litchfield Vet Hospital is running two special promotions throughout December & January!

💉 FREE Puppy Proheart Injection

All 12-16 week old puppies will receive a FREE Proheart heartworm injection.

✔️ Proheart at 12-16 weeks provides heartworm protection from birth, thanks to its 3-month reach-back
✔️ Also provides hookworm protection for 4 months
✔️ Safe, easy, and takes the stress out of parasite prevention during your puppy’s early months

🩺 FREE Heartworm Testing for Adult Dogs

For adult dogs starting Proheart who have:

❎ Lapsed prevention,
❎ No prevention, or
❎ Monthly prevention,

✅ we are offering a FREE heartworm test if you start them on ProHeart Injection prevention

⏰ Early detection is essential in the Top End, and this is a great opportunity to get your dog back on track with year-round protection.

📞 Call our lovely nurses on 89832838 to book your dog’s appointment.

🐾💖 Let’s keep our pets happy, healthy, and heartworm-free this wet season! 💖🐾

25/11/2025

✨🐾 WE’RE HIRING! 🐾✨

Veterinary Nurse / Veterinary Receptionist Extraordinaire
Qualified and/or experienced legends welcome!

🐱 You might be a purrfect match if:

✨ At least 2-3 years of experience in one of the following:

Veterinary nursing (Cert IV preferred but not mandatory), or Veterinary Reception

✨ Availability for a casual or part-time start, with the opportunity to progress to full-time

✨ A positive attitude, strong teamwork mindset, and solid work ethic

✨ Strong surgical and general nursing skills

✨ Clear, confident communication and excellent customer service abilities

✨ Strong attention to detail and the ability to take initiative

✨ Willingness to help across various areas of the clinic including: patient care, reception, surgery and general daily tasks

✨ You’re organised, compassionate and providing exceptional patient care is your top priority

✨ You’re team-spirited, positive, and possibly powered by caffeine and sweet treats!

📩 How to Apply

If you’re committed to delivering exceptional care— whether that means assisting our patients or providing an outstanding experience for their owners—we’d love to hear from you!

To apply, please send your resume and a short cover letter to [email protected] or feel free to bring them directly to the clinic.

20/11/2025

🌧️ A Message to Darwin Pet Parents 🌧️

With the impending cyclone approaching, we know this can be an anxious time for families — especially those with fur kids who may also be feeling the stress 🐶🐱

Please know that Litchfield Vet Hospital will be OPEN during our normal hours this Saturday and Sunday, provided it is safe to drive 🚗

We will also have a veterinarian on call for emergencies on Saturday night, November 22nd, and our phone line will be directly diverted to the after-hours nurse on duty so you can reach us without delay 📞

Your pets’ wellbeing is our priority, and we want you to feel supported. While safety will guide all decisions, rest assured that we are here to offer advice, guidance, and in-person care whenever travel to the clinic is safe 💖

Please take care of yourselves and your animals, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need us. ❤️🐾

19/11/2025

🌀CYCLONE SAFETY AND PETS 🌀

Preparing pets for a cyclone is essential to keeping them safe during severe weather. We advise to do the following:

⛈️ Ensure your pets microchip details are up to date and an ID tag is present on collars

⛈️ Create an emergency kit for your pets and include items such as food, water, medications, leash and comfort items like bedding, toys etc.

⛈️Identify a safe room in your home where you can shelter together, and keep carriers or crates ready in case you need to evacuate quickly and research local cyclone shelters that allow pets.

It’s also helpful to store copies of veterinary records and a recent photo of your pet. Planning ahead ensures your animals stay secure and calm when a cyclone strikes. If you have any questions/queries in the upcoming days as Cyclone Fina possibly makes her way to Darwin please call the clinic and speak to our friendly team! We are here to help and we will keep everyone updated as the week tracks

18/11/2025

🌟 Huge Congratulations to Our Amazing Nurse! 🌟

We’re incredibly proud to share that one of our wonderful nurses has been nominated for Territory Leader of the Year for her incredible work with Save A Paw NT 🎉

At Litchfield Vet Hospital, we truly believe we have the very best nurses — compassionate, hardworking, and dedicated to every patient who walks through our doors. Seeing one of our own recognised for such an incredible honour fills us with pride and gratitude.

Thank you for everything you do for our team, our clients, and— most importantly — the animals both patients and rescues 💚🐾

13/11/2025

*EDIT- OWNERS LOCATED

FOUND DOG, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE OWNER CONTACT AS IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING EMERGENCY VETERINARY TREATMENT AT LITCHFIELD VET HOSPITAL.

Entire male, corgi x? No microchip or collar. Found Manbulloo st in Tiwi. IMMEDIATELY CALL 0417805548 to be connected to the afterhours team at Litchfield Vet. Please share!

06/11/2025

🐶🐾 CANE TOADS & YOUR PETS – STAYING SAFE IN THE TOP END! 🐾🐸

It’s that time of year again in the Top End — warm nights, summer storms… and cane toads! ⛈️

While they might seem harmless hopping around the yard, cane toads can be toxic to our pets and native wildlife, so it’s important to know what to look out for.

💧 Why they’re a concern:
Cane toads secrete a poison (bufotoxin) from glands behind their eyes. When a curious pet licks, bites, or mouths a toad, this toxin can be absorbed through the gums and make them quite unwell.

🚨 Signs your pet may have mouthed a toad:

🔸 Excessive drooling or frothing

🔸 Pawing at the mouth

🔸 Red or irritated gums

🔸 Vomiting

🔸 Disorientation, tremors, or seizures

🔸 Collapse

🐕 What to do right away:

1️⃣ Gently wipe your pet’s gums and mouth with a damp cloth (use a new section of cloth for each wipe).

2️⃣ Don’t use a hose — it can push toxins further down.

3️⃣ Get your pet to your nearest vet immediately. Quick action can make all the difference!

✅ Easy ways to prevent toad encounters:

Supervise pets at night when toads are most active.

🔹 Use toad-proof fencing where possible.

🔹 Keep outdoor lighting low to avoid attracting insects (and toads).

🔹 Train pets to stay away from toads.

With a bit of awareness and fast action, we can keep our furry friends safe and healthy this wet season. 🐾💚

📸 Share this post to help other pet owners protect their companions around the Top End!

31/10/2025

🎃👻 Trick-or-Treat… but NOT for Your Pets! 🍫🍭

It’s spooky season, and while you’re out collecting all the human treats, remember: your furry friends should stick to their own kind of snacks!

🐶 Chocolate: Even a small amount can cause vomiting, restlessness, tremors, or worse in dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the scarier it gets!

🍬 Lollies & Candy: Sugar-free treats often contain xylitol, which can be deadly to pets. (No tricks here — it’s seriously toxic.)

🎭 Wrappers: Those shiny foil and plastic wrappers might look fun to play with, but they can cause dangerous blockages if swallowed.

💡 Pro Tip:

Keep the Halloween haul up high and away from curious noses. If you suspect your pet’s been sneaking some sweets, call us (or your nearest emergency vet) right away — don’t wait for the ghostly growls of a tummy ache. 👻🐾

Stay spooky, stay safe, and give your pets a treat they can actually enjoy — like extra cuddles or a pumpkin-flavored pet biscuit! 🎃💕

Enjoy our favourite little vampire cat Ricci ! 😸 Giving us his best Halloween smile

30/10/2025

🌩️🐾 Storm Season & Holiday Time – Keep Your Pets Safe! 🐾🌩️

As the storms start rolling in across the Top End and we get ready for the Christmas holidays, it’s the perfect time to check your pet’s microchip!

🎄 Heading away for Christmas?

💨 Storms on the horizon?

Both can increase the chance of pets getting spooked, lost, or accidentally escaping. A microchip is their ticket home if they ever go missing – but only if the details are up to date!

👉 If your pet is already microchipped, take a few minutes to confirm your contact details are current.

👉 Not sure which company your pet is registered with? Give us a call! One of our friendly nurses can help check your pet’s microchip number and guide you through updating your information.

👉 If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, now’s the time! It’s quick, affordable, and could make all the difference in reuniting you with your furry friend.

Let’s make sure every pet has a safe and happy festive season! 🐶🐱💚

📞 Click the call now button to speak to us today to check your pet’s microchip details or book a microchipping appointment with one of our nurses! ixk

25/10/2025

🚨 Pet Parents, This Could Save Your Cat’s Life! 🚨

Did you know that male cats can get a life-threatening urinary blockage — and it can happen suddenly? 😿

A “blocked” cat can’t p*e because crystals, mucus, or tiny stones clog the urethra (the tube that carries urine out). When this happens, toxins build up fast, and without treatment, a cat can die within 24–48 hours.

👉 Watch for these warning signs:

🐾 Straining to p*e or sitting in the litter box often with little to no urine

🐾 Blood in the urine

🐾 Crying, restlessness, or hiding

🐾 Licking the back end a lot

🐾 Vomiting or acting lethargic

If you ever see these symptoms — go to the vet or emergency clinic immediately! This is not something that can wait until morning.

💡 Common Causes:

🔹 Stress (changes in routine, environment, or other pets)

🔹 Dehydration or low water intake

🔹 Obesity

🔹 Dry food–only diets (wet food can offer additional hydration or you could consider a urinary specific diet)

🔹 Crystals, mucus plugs, or inflammation in the urinary tract

🛡️ Prevention Tips:

✅ Encourage water intake — try fountains or wet food

✅ Keep litter boxes clean and easily accessible

✅ Reduce stress with routine, enrichment, and calm spaces

✅ Maintain a healthy weight and regular vet checkups

✅ Early treatment can save their life (and save you from heartbreak).

👉 Share this post — you might help another cat parent recognize the signs in time! 🐱💧

20/10/2025

🐾🌴 Cycad Seeds & Pets: A Hidden Danger in the Garden 🌴🐾

We all love a lush tropical yard in the top end, but did you know some common plants can pose serious risks to our pets?

One of the biggest culprits? Cycads – especially the popular Sago Palm.

🟠 These plants may look tropical and beautiful, but their seeds (and all parts of the plant) are highly toxic to pets – particularly dogs

❗ Why it's dangerous:

⚠️ Even one seed can cause liver failure

⚠️ Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and seizures

⚠️ In some cases, seeds don’t just cause toxicity – they can also get stuck in the intestines, leading to painful blockages that may require emergency surgery

We’ve seen both types of cases in clinic, and unfortunately, they can turn serious very quickly 😔

💡 What to do:

If you think your pet has chewed or swallowed any part of a Sago Palm or cycad, don’t wait — early treatment gives them the best chance at recovery. Seek veterinary help immediately 📞

🪴 Have these plants at home? Consider replacing them with pet-safe alternatives

✨ Let’s work together to keep our pets safe, healthy, and happy — right at home. 🐶🐱💚

17/10/2025

🐶💖 CUTENESS OVERLOAD INCOMING 💖🐶

If you’ve been thinking about a new addition to your family. Come down and meet these beautiful little souls looking for their second chance tomorrow 🐾

Our wonderful nurses will be there to chat about all things four legged and don’t forget about our Selfie Competition to win $500 off your vet bills 📸

You can also grab a raffle ticket to support the incredible work the Save A Paw’s team do for as little as $2 🎫

We can’t wait to see you all there! For the buffalo 🐃 bingo! 👀

🐾 Meet the Paws Looking for Homes🐾

We’ve got an adorable lineup of pups ready to melt your heart at this weekend’s Buffalo Bingo Event with Litchfield Vets! ❤️

Come down and say hi to:
🐶 Lana – sweet, gentle, and always up for a cuddle!
🐶 Whiskey – full of charm and personality, he’ll keep you smiling.
🐶 Ember – a playful spirit who loves everyone she meets.
🐶 Lottie – a loving girl with a heart of gold, waiting for her forever family.
🐶 Siri – the ultimate goofball who’s guaranteed to make you laugh!
🐶 Dolly – our little sunshine! Not yet ready for adoption but say hello!
🐶 Echo - the sweetest girl with lots of energy!

📍: Berry Springs Tavern
🕰️ : 11am
📅 : Saturday 18th

🎟️ Don’t forget — raffle tickets will be available on the day, with 100% of proceeds supporting Save A Paw and prizes generously donated by Zoetis!

Come along, meet the dogs, grab some raffle tickets, and help us give these beautiful souls the homes they deserve 🐾❤️r