Balmain Village Veterinary Clinic

16/06/2025

Just like humans, pets benefit from staying active as they age! Gentle, regular exercise helps maintain muscle mass, joint mobility and mental wellbeing. 🐕

For older dogs, shorter but more frequent walks are ideal. For cats, interactive toys encourage movement without overexertion. Swimming is excellent for arthritic pets as it's low-impact on joints. Always tailor exercise to your pet's ability and stop if they show signs of discomfort or fatigue.

🎾 What’s your pet’s favourite way to stay active? Let us know in the comments!

13/06/2025

11/06/2025

Occasional hairballs are normal for cats, but frequent vomiting in older cats needs attention. 🐈

Common causes include kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes – all treatable conditions if caught early. Other causes can include food allergies, pancreatitis or even intestinal cancers.

If your senior cat is vomiting more than once a week, losing weight, or showing changes in appetite, make an appointment today! 🩺

09/06/2025

Finding a lump on your senior cat can be worrying. 🐱 Common lumps include lipomas (fatty tumours), sebaceous cysts, and unfortunately, cancer.

While many are benign, some require prompt treatment. Never assume a lump is harmless based on appearance alone! 🔍 Early detection is crucial for successful treatment of cancerous lumps.

If you notice any new lumps, bumps or swellings on your cat, book an appointment now with our vets to get it checked out. 📞

04/06/2025

Is your dog slowing down? 🐶💤Arthritis affects up to 80% of older dogs, causing stiffness, limping, or reluctance to exercise.

Watch for difficulty getting up, hesitation when climbing stairs, or irritability when touched in certain areas. Many dogs with arthritis show subtle signs like licking joints, changes in posture, or sleeping more.

The good news is there are many effective treatments available to improve their quality of life. 🦴Speak with us about arthritis treatments that can help your dog stay active!

02/06/2025

Did you know that feline arthritis affects up to 90% of cats over 12 years of age? 🐈 This painful joint condition often goes undiagnosed, as cats are masters at hiding discomfort.

Signs include reduced jumping, difficulty using the litter box, or decreased grooming. Many owners mistake these changes for ‘just getting old’ rather than a treatable condition.

📅 If your senior cat shows mobility changes, book a check-up so we can help them.

28/05/2025

Uh oh, your cat has come home from an outdoor adventure walking abnormally – what could be the cause?

Outdoor cats commonly develop sudden walking difficulties due to:
✅ Cat fight injuries
✅ Joint injuries from awkward landings
✅ Pelvic, spinal, or leg bone damage from a road traffic accident
✅ Tick paralysis
✅ Paw pad cuts

If your cat isn’t walking normally, we’d recommend a prompt check-up with one of our vets. After examining your pet, we may be able to send your cat home with pain relief and rest, or recommend further investigation like X-rays. 🐾

Either way, we’ll take your cat’s care in our stride!

26/05/2025

Did you know that animal hospitals have a lot in common with human hospitals?

When unwell or injured pets stay with us, we help them rest in comfy beds, turning them frequently if they have reduced mobility. We assist with toileting and general cleanliness, and ensure that they stay hydrated through drinking or the administration of fluids (a drip). Depending on their condition, we’ll also offer them an appropriate diet (such as highly digestible or high-calorie food). 🐕‍🦺

In addition to this, your pet’s condition will be regularly reassessed, with pain relief and other medications administered on schedule.

When it comes to treating animal patients, our team is happy to prescribe lots of TLC!

22/05/2025

Freddy the handsome cavoodle was enjoying a roll in the grass at Mort Bay when he picked up an unexpected souvenir—a fish hook! A quick procedure later, and he was back to his cheerful self. Watch out for hidden hooks if your pup’s an explorer!

21/05/2025

Seeing your pet get hit by a car is probably every owner’s worst nightmare. 🚗

In cases of road trauma, our team has a plan of action to help your pet as quickly and efficiently as possible. We start with triage (a rapid assessment of your pet to quickly ascertain their breathing and cardiovascular status), followed by the administration of life-saving measures (such as oxygen therapy) and pain relief.

Once your pet is stable, we will then discuss with you any suggested diagnostic tests for further assessing their condition, such as x-rays. 🐾

When it comes to pet emergencies, our team is ready to roll!

19/05/2025

Even cats who are normally friendly may become difficult to handle if they are scared or in pain. 🐱

But don’t worry – our feline-friendly team has the knowledge and tools to help! Depending on your cats’ behaviour and general health, we can soothe their stress with various combinations of sedative and pain relief drugs. These can be given orally as a capsule or liquid, or via injection.

We also handle cats with gentle, calming aids such as towel wraps and lickable treats. 🧴

For more information on keeping your cat feline fine, consult our experienced team.