South Nowra Veterinary Hospital

03/09/2026

🐾 **YOU SPOKE. WE LISTENED — PART 1** 🐾

💬 *“I wish my pet wasn't so scared at the vet.”*

Fear, anxiety and stress were some of the most common concerns in our recent survey — and we completely understand that for some pets, a trip to the vet can feel overwhelming.

**Did you know there are things we may be able to do to make their visit a little easier?** ❤️

🐶 If your pet is anxious around other animals, please let our reception team know when booking or when you arrive.

🌿 Being situated just outside town means we're lucky to have plenty of quieter outdoor space. For some dogs, where appropriate, we may even be able to conduct part of their visit outside rather than bringing them straight into a busy clinic environment.

🚗 Depending on the situation, we can also discuss options to help minimise time spent around other animals.

💊 For pets with significant vet-related fear or anxiety, speak with our veterinary team about whether there are other strategies that may be appropriate for your individual pet.

**The most important thing? Tell us.**
If we know your pet is nervous, we can work with you to make their visit as comfortable and positive as possible. 🥰

📞 Give our friendly team a call before your pet's next visit if you'd like to discuss their needs.

**You spoke. We listened. 💚**

02/09/2026

💬🐾 YOU SPOKE — WE LISTENED! 🐾💬

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our recent survey at Dogs Day Out! ❤️

We asked:

“If you could improve one thing about visiting the vet with your pet, what would it be?”

We loved seeing so many responses saying “nothing”, “all good” and that your pets are happy to visit us! 🥰

But you also gave us some really valuable feedback.

Some of the most common things mentioned were:

🐾 Reducing fear, anxiety and stress
🐱 Having a separate waiting area for cats
🐶 Fewer pets together in the waiting room
💰 The cost of veterinary care
📅 Appointment availability

And your responses made us realise something important…

We already have options in place to help with many of these concerns — but we may not be doing a good enough job of letting you know about them!

So over the next few weeks, we're going to share some of the ways we can make visits easier for you and your pets.

🐱 Did you know we have a separate cat waiting area AND a consult room reserved for cats only?

🐶 Have a dog who becomes anxious around other pets or inside the clinic? Being located just outside town means we're lucky to have plenty of quiet outdoor space, and where appropriate, we may even be able to see your dog outside.

😟 If your pet is nervous, fearful or easily overwhelmed, please tell us when you make your appointment. The more we know, the more we can look at ways to make their visit as comfortable as possible.

Because veterinary care isn't just about treating what's wrong — it's also about making the experience as positive as we can. ❤️🐾

You spoke. We listened. And we're going to keep listening.

— The South Nowra Veterinary Hospital Team 🐾

01/09/2026

🌸 Spring Starts Tomorrow—Is Your Pet Protected? 🌸

Paralysis ticks are a serious risk for pets on the NSW South Coast, with adult ticks becoming most active from September through to December.

Now is the perfect time to:

✅ Check when your pet’s last tick-prevention treatment was given
✅ Make sure their product protects against paralysis ticks
✅ Set a reminder for their next dose
✅ Perform a thorough, hands-on tick search every day

Pay particular attention around the head, neck, ears, lips, under the collar, between the toes and under the front legs—but remember, ticks can attach anywhere.

Warning signs of tick paralysis may include:

⚠️ Wobbly or weak back legs
⚠️ A change in your pet’s bark or meow
⚠️ Vomiting or gagging
⚠️ Difficulty swallowing
⚠️ Rapid, noisy or difficult breathing

Tick paralysis is a veterinary emergency. If you find a tick or notice any concerning signs, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Not sure whether your pet’s tick prevention is up to date or which option is suitable? Please feel free to call our friendly team—we’re happy to help. 🐾💙

31/08/2026

🐾 Thank You, Nowra! 🐾

What an amazing day we had at Dogs Day Out Nowra yesterday! 💙

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the South Nowra Veterinary Hospital stall to say hello, enter our giveaway, collect a voucher or take home one of our children’s colouring competition sheets.

We loved meeting so many gorgeous dogs and their families—and we hope you enjoy looking through some of our favourite photos from the day! 📸🐶

See yourself or someone you know? Feel free to tag them in the comments!

🎁 Our giveaway winners will be drawn tomorrow, 1 September. We’ll contact the winner privately before making an announcement.

🎨 Don’t forget: children’s colouring competition entries are due by Monday 21 September and can be returned to the clinic or emailed to [email protected].
If you would like an entry there is still time to pick one up in clinic or print the attached photo at home

Thank you for making Dogs Day Out such a fun and memorable community event!

29/08/2026

Come down to Nowra Showground today for Dogs in the Park NSW Festival. Meet some of the team and win some great prizes. See you there!

28/08/2026

The clinic has confirmed a positive case of H5 Avian Influenza in a crested tern this week. Members of the public are urged not to approach or handle unwell birds and to contact either the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc on 0418 427 214 for assistance.

The first case of H5 avian influenza has been confirmed in the Shoalhaven.

On Wednesday, volunteers discovered a sick crested tern in Callala Bay.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has confirmed the animal has tested positive for bird flu.

Shoalhaven City Council has installed biosecurity signs in the area, which remains open to the public.

Visitors are being encouraged to keep dogs on a lead and avoid contact with any sick or dead birds in the area.

The detection comes just days after the Illawarra recorded it's first case of the virus, after a migratory bird found in Windang tested positive for bird flu.

There have now been 16 confirmed cases of the virus across the NSW.

27/08/2026

🐾 Thursday Pet Check: Ready for Dogs Day Out? 🐾

Planning to bring your dog to Dogs Day Out Nowra this Sunday? Before heading out, give them this quick pre-event check:

✅ Make sure their collar or harness fits securely
✅ Check their identification tag is attached and readable
✅ Confirm their microchip contact details are current
✅ Check their paws, nails, ears and skin for any soreness
✅ Ensure their parasite prevention is up to date
✅ Pack a lead, water bowl, fresh water and waste bags

Busy events can be overwhelming for some dogs. Watch their body language, allow plenty of breaks and give them space from unfamiliar dogs. If your pet is unwell, very anxious or uncomfortable in crowds, they may be happier staying safely at home.

We can’t wait to see you at Dogs Day Out Nowra!

📅 Sunday 30 August
⏰ 10am–3pm
📍 Nowra Showground

Come and visit the South Nowra Veterinary Hospital team at our stall! 🐶💙

24/08/2026

⚠️ H5 Bird Flu Update – Keeping South Coast Pets Safe 🐾

H5 bird flu has recently been detected in wild birds around Narooma and Merimbula.

While the risk to people remains low, cats and dogs can rarely become unwell after touching or eating infected wildlife. With many local families enjoying our beaches, waterways and bushland, it’s important to take a few simple precautions:

🐕 Keep dogs on a lead around wild birds and wildlife
🐈 Keep cats safely contained at home
🥣 Prevent wild birds from accessing your pet’s food and water
🐦 Never allow pets to touch or eat sick or dead birds or wildlife

If you find multiple sick or dead birds or other animals:

✅ Avoid contact
✅ Record the location and what you see
✅ Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

Please do not touch or move the animal, and keep children and pets well away.

The risk to household pets remains low, but taking these simple precautions can help protect our pets, wildlife and wider community. 💙

23/08/2026

🐾 ONE WEEK TO GO – DOGS DAY OUT NOWRA! 🐾

Next Sunday 30th August, the team from South Nowra Veterinary Hospital will be at Dogs Day Out Nowra 2026! 🐶🎉

📅 Sunday 30th August
⏰ 10am – 3pm
📍 Nowra Showground

Come on down, enjoy a great day out and pop by our stall to say hello! 👋💙 We’d love to see some familiar faces — and, of course, meet your four-legged family members too! 🐕🐾

There’ll be plenty happening throughout the day, including dog competitions, market stalls, rescue groups, food vendors and family-friendly fun.

☀️ Grab the lead, bring the family and make a day of it!

🐾 We can’t wait to see you there!

20/08/2026

🐾 THURSDAY PET CHECK – LUMPS & BUMPS! 🐾

When was the last time you gave your pet a good nose-to-tail feel over? 👋🐶🐱

This Thursday, take a couple of minutes while your pet is relaxed and gently run your hands over their whole body.

🔎 Feel for:
🐾 Any new lumps or bumps
🐾 Changes in lumps you already know about
🐾 Swelling or tender areas
🐾 Scabs, sores or irritated skin
🐾 Areas where your pet reacts when touched
🐾 Anything that just feels different from usual

Don't forget the easy-to-miss spots — under the collar, armpits, belly, between the legs, around the tail and between the toes.

💡 Thursday Tip: If you find a lump, take a photo and make a note of where it is. You can even measure it with a ruler so you can keep track of whether it's changing.

Not every lump is something to worry about, but new or changing lumps are always worth mentioning to your vet. ❤️

And there's another bonus — regular nose-to-tail checks help your pet become comfortable with being handled, which can make future vet examinations that little bit easier!

🐾 Your turn: Give your pet their Thursday check tonight. Did they enjoy the extra attention… or look at you like you'd completely lost the plot? 😂