Fraser Coast Veterinary Services

29/11/2025

Please be advised that the Walker Street Vet clinic will be closed tomorrow for a work function. Our triage service will be available if required. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

30/10/2025

Heartworm

This sweet girl is Maddison, she is a 7 year old Boxer cross. She come in to the clinic for a check up as she had been coughing recently and her owner was worried. In clinic we performed a heartworm test and the results come back that Maddison was heartworm positive. She in now undergoing treatment for heartworm.

Heartworm is just as serious as it sounds - worms that live in your dog’s heart and lungs. Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis and is spread from dog to dog by mosquitoes. Heartworm cases are on the rise, and we have seen a significant increase in the number of cases in the last 12 months. Heartworm primarily infects dogs and cats however it also infects wild canids (foxes, dingos, and wild dogs)

Symptoms of heartworm in dogs may include:
- Coughing
- Lethargy or 'exercise intolerance'
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss.
- Pale gums
- Shortness of breath
- Enlarged abdomen due to fluid build up

Heartworm disease most commonly affects the heart and lungs, however heartworm can also affect your dog’s liver and kidneys, and cause anaemia from damage to blood cells as well.

If you are concerned that your dog may have heartworm, please call to book in for a check up on 07 4123 1570

28/10/2025

24/10/2025

💙Fact or Fiction💙

Dog have thermal heat detection.

This is a Fact!

Dogs have a thermal sense in their nose, the rhinarium, that allows them to detect weak thermal radiation, such as the body heat of other animals and humans.

21/10/2025

Hazard of the month

Garlic

Garlic and its tasty smell can be very tempting for some of our four-legged friends. Whether they rush into the kitchen to see what’s cooking, or stare into your soul as you sit down for dinner. But should we share our food containing garlic?

The simple answer to that is no, garlic is toxic!

Garlic along with chives, leeks, and onions are poisonous, although garlic is 3–5 times more toxic than onions! It is poisonous to cats and dogs due to a compound called thiosulfate. Thiosulfate is not toxic to humans, but in dogs and cats it causes damage to their red blood cells which are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.

When the red blood cells are damaged, less oxygen will reach your dog or cats tissues, so they may appear weak and lethargic. Pets that consume too much garlic can also end up suffering from gastrointestinal issues, which is another reason to keep garlic out of their reach.

Here are some of the signs of garlic toxicity:
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Panting
- Weakness

However, keep in mind that the symptoms of garlic poisoning may take a while before they become obvious. If you think your dog or cat has eaten garlic but they seem their usual self, keep in mind that it can take a few days before the symptoms appear, and it is better not to delay contacting us.

17/10/2025

💙Fact or Fiction💙

Dogs whiskers are just for aesthetic purpose.

This is Fiction!

Dog whiskers, or vibrissae, are deeply rooted, thick and sensitive hairs on the muzzle, above the eyes, and under the chin that function as specialized sensory organs, allowing dogs to feel their environment, gauge distances in the dark, avoid obstacles, detect air current, and even express emotions by relaying nerve signals to the brain.

14/10/2025

Did you know!

We have a dedicated cat waiting area 🐱

It is equipped with a pheromone diffuser, cage covers, and Feliway spray! Our cat waiting area helps to reduce stress, as it keeps them separate from dogs and other potential stressors like loud noises and visual threats. With the addition pheromone diffuser and sprays it can help to reduce their stress even further.

Please feel free to utilise our cat waiting area to keep your feline family members as happy as possible while with us

10/10/2025

💙Fact or Fiction💙

Dogs can smell your feelings.

This is a Fact!

Dogs can sense human emotions by smelling specific hormones and chemical changes in our bodies. When you experience feelings like happiness, stress, fear or sadness, your body releases different hormones and chemicals that dogs can detect with their heightened sense of smell. 🐶👃

07/10/2025

🔥Hot Pavement🔥

Have you ever had to run across a car park, barefoot in the middle of summer? You quickly step in pain across the pavement like it’s hot coals, rushing to the shade for some pain relief on your feet. And you think if only you had remembered to bring your shoes!👣

Unfortunately, our dogs don’t get to enjoy the luxury of footwear, and even a short walk on a hot day can cause serious burns resulting in distress and damage to their exposed paws. Burnt paw pads can cause dogs a lot of pain. They impair their ability to walk, can result in secondary infections and can be a difficult area to heal.

To minimise the dangers of hot surfaces, it’s best to walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are lower and surfaces have had a chance to cool down. If the weather remains warm overnight find a shady location that hasn't had the chance to heat up. ☀️

The best way to tell if a pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on, is to place your hand on the surface for five seconds.️ If it’s hot for your hand, then it’s hot for your dog’s paws.🐾

02/10/2025

💙Fact or Fiction💙

Female kangaroos can pause their pregnancies.

This is a Fact!

Female kangaroos can suspend the development of their joeys in a process called embryonic diapause. This might happen when food is scarce or another joey is still in her pouch. The process allows the pregnancy to continue when conditions are right.

01/10/2025

Important Notice to Our Clients and Patients

Due to recent changes within our team, it is with deepest regret that effective November 1st, we will no longer be offering after-hours appointments.

However, please be assured that our teletriage team will continue to be available to answer your calls and guide you to appropriate services within the community as needed.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support.

30/09/2025

We got to meet sweet little Willow when she came in to introduce herself and grab some worming and a free puppy pack. We can't wait to see you in again soon Willow 😍