Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre

27/05/2026

Three gorgeous 10 week old Shih Tzu boys in with Charlie today for their first vaccines, microchipping, and flea, tick & worming 🐶💉

These boys were as relaxed as they come, with the squishiest little faces and beautiful temperaments to match.

And honestly, how good is their mum? She’s clearly done an amazing job raising three very chilled little pups 🐾

18/05/2026

How gorgeous is Kovu’s colouring? 🤎

Today was Kovu’s boosters and we were so impressed with his ability to sit on the scales and come when called.

Kovu, meaning “scar” in Swahili, is such a well-suited name for this little guy. The name is often given to dogs with tough, adventurous and destined spirits, and Kovu is definitely showing his adventurous nature already.

Not at all worried to be here and more than happy to have cuddles with everyone! 🐾

13/05/2026

Recently, our beautiful patient Mycroft from Sandrack Wolfhounds came into the clinic showing signs of Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat — a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and twists. Without urgent treatment and surgery, GDV can rapidly become fatal.

Thankfully, Mycroft’s surgery went smoothly and he recovered incredibly well under the care of our team ❤️.
One of the highlights of his recovery was a very special visit from our vet Chayse’s little girl, Murphy, who brought plenty of smiles and comfort during his stay 🐾

Signs of GDV (Bloat):• Drooling excessively• Bloated or distended abdomen• Unproductive retching (trying to vomit but nothing comes up)• Restlessness, pacing, whining or panting• Signs of pain or inability to settle• Weakness, collapse or sudden lethargy

If you notice these signs, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Dogs More at Risk:GDV is more common in deep-chested breeds such as:• Great Danes• Irish Wolfhounds• German Shepherds• Greyhounds• German Shorthaired Pointers• Dachshunds(and many others)

Other risk factors include:• Older age• Eating too quickly• Eating one large meal daily• Vigorous exercise around mealtimes

✅ Ways to Help Reduce the Risk:• Avoid exercise for at least 1 hour before and 2 hours after meals• Feed at least two smaller meals daily rather than one large meal• Feed from ground level rather than raised bowls• Slow down fast eaters where possible

🩺 Preventative GastropexyBreeders and owners of at-risk breeds should discuss preventative gastropexy surgery with their veterinarian. A gastropexy involves attaching the stomach to the body wall to help prevent twisting. This procedure is commonly performed at the time of desexing or as a standalone surgery.

We’re so proud of Mycroft and grateful to his family for acting quickly when they noticed something wasn’t right. Early recognition and prompt treatment truly save lives.

05/05/2026

Today we’re celebrating an incredible milestone — 20 years of Charlie at SHVC! 🎉

Our story began back in the early 1950s, with Alan Chittick supporting local dairy farms and working animals. Over the years, the clinic has grown and evolved, and Charlie has played such a significant role in that journey — helping shape SHVC into the practice it is today.

Charlie, you are not only an exceptional vet, but one of the most genuinely caring people we know. The way you support, mentor, and guide all of us never goes unnoticed — so many of us have grown because of you. And somehow, you always manage to bring fun, humour, and lightness to even the busiest days.

We feel incredibly grateful to work alongside you and to be part of what you’ve built.

Thank you for 20 years of dedication, care, and leadership — SHVC truly wouldn’t be the same without you. 🐾💚

01/05/2026

🐾 “My dog needs a TPLO after tearing their cruciate ligament”… but what does that actually mean?

If your dog has suddenly started limping on a back leg, there’s a good chance their cranial cruciate ligament may be the culprit.

This ligament is exactly the same as the ACL in humans, helping to stabilise the knee joint. But in dogs, it often doesn’t tear from one dramatic injury — instead, it gradually weakens over time until it finally gives way.

The result?
Pain, limping, difficulty getting up, and if left untreated, arthritis in the joint.

That’s where TPLO surgery comes in.

Now, TPLO sounds complicated (and honestly, it is!), but the goal is actually pretty simple:
👉 to make the knee stable again so your dog can move comfortably.

During the surgery:
🐶 The top of the shin bone is carefully cut
🐶 The bone is rotated to change the angle of the knee
🐶 A metal plate is placed to hold everything securely in position

This changes the mechanics of the knee so the damaged ligament is no longer needed for stability.

It’s amazing to think that by changing the angle of the bone, we can help dogs get back to doing what they do best — running, playing, and enjoying life pain free 💙

Because TPLO is a specialised orthopaedic surgery, choosing an experienced surgeon is really important.

At SHVC, we’re fortunate to be able to offer specialist orthopaedic surgery in-house, as well as referral to a specialist hospital in Sydney, so together we can create the best plan for you and your pet.

Our beautiful patient here, Scout, is currently recovering from her TPLO procedure and as you can see, she is walking comfortably and is her happy and bouncy self again!

🐾 If your dog is limping or you have questions about cruciate injuries, we’re always here to help.

28/04/2026

We’re excited to introduce our brand new outdoor consultation area! This space has been specially designed to expand the ways we can care for your pets, especially as our clinic gets busier 💚

It’s a great option for pets who may feel a little nervous or more comfortable in a quieter, open environment.
If you think your furry friend would benefit from an outdoor consult, just let our reception team know when you arrive.

Otherwise, feel free to check it out next time you visit, we would love for you to see it! 🐾

24/04/2026

Happy World Veterinarian Day 🐾

Celebrated on the first Saturday in April, today is all about recognising the incredible work vets do every single day.

We feel so lucky to work alongside some of the very best. Coming to work is genuinely a joy — not just because of the animals, but because of the people behind the care.

Our team is something really special. The skill, professionalism, and compassion shown each day is inspiring, and it truly feels like a family. We’re always learning, growing, and supporting one another, thanks to the amazing leadership, guidance, and encouragement from the vets we’re so proud to work with.

We really are working in the best place, with the best people 💙

AnimalCare

19/04/2026

15/04/2026

We would like to warmly welcome Dr Ella Titmus to Southern Highlands Vets
Dr Ella grew up on a small cattle property
in south-west Victoria, where her love of animals and rural life first began. This foundation led her to James Cook University in Townsville, where she completed her Bachelor of Veterinary Science.
As a recent graduate, Ella is passionate about delivering high-quality veterinary care and building genuine, positive relationships with clients and their pets. She is particularly excited to be working in mixed practice, with strong interests in both cattle medicine and small animal medicine and surgery.
Ella is thrilled to be beginning this new chapter in the Southern Highlands and looks forward to becoming part of the local community.

11/04/2026

A few weeks ago, our Head Nurse Jodie spent an inspiring week in Brisbane attending the annual VNCA Conference. This conference, run by the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia, brings together veterinary nurses from across the country to learn from some of the most knowledgeable and skilled specialists in the industry.

Opportunities like this are incredibly valuable—not just for individual growth, but for the entire clinic. Veterinary nurses are the backbone of what we do every day. They support our vets in critical moments, advocate for our patients, and ensure every animal receives the highest level of care and comfort. Being able to invest in their education means we can continue to provide the very best for your pets.

We’re so excited to see all the knowledge and skills Jodie has brought back to share with our team!

During the conference, Jodie also achieved her certification as a RECOVER Rescuer in both Basic and Advanced Life Support—an incredible accomplishment. These advanced skills are vital in emergency situations and play a crucial role in supporting our vets through some of our patients’ toughest moments.

We are so proud of all our veterinary nurses. They’re often the first to offer a gentle cuddle, a reassuring voice, and a comforting presence—but behind that warmth is a highly trained, skilled professional dedicated to your pet’s wellbeing.

Next time you visit, you might see the smiles and kindness—but know there’s so much more behind the scenes. Our nurses truly make everything we do possible 💙