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Did you know that 80% of cats and dogs over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease? And did you also know that dental disease is the 2nd most common disease affecting our pets today?

What makes these facts so astonishing is that dental disease is COMPLETELY preventable! The way dental disease works in our pets is the exact same way it works with us!

How do I know my pet has dental disease?

The first thing you may notice is your pet has bad breath. This comes from all the bad bacteria that occurs when plaque forms on the tooth surface. You may even see a hard-yellow substance on your pet's teeth called tartar.

Tartar is made up when so much plaque forms on the teeth that it becomes visible. Unfortunately, when we can see tartar there is no amount of homecare that can be done to remove it.

Dental disease starts underneath the gumline, this then irritates the gum tissue and causes inflammation (Gingivitis) and this causes PAIN for your pet.

In advanced cases of dental disease, you may notice:

• Drooling excessively

• Frequently dropping food from their mouth

• Chewing on one side

• Pawing or rubbing their face

• Has a lump under one or both eyes, this can indicate a severe infection causing an abscess and requires immediate attention

You may notice a reduction in appetite, however, very few pets will stop eating because of dental disease. It doesn’t mean that their mouth doesn’t hurt - it’s more of a survival instinct.

Book an Appointment with us! 

The very best way to tell if you pet has dental disease is to get us take a look for you! Dental examinations are incorporated into all consults booked with us and we are happy to provide you will all the information you need to get your pet back to their usual kissable mouth!

Internal veterinary medicine is a specialized field focusing on diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the internal organs of animals, such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system. It can often be challenging to diagnose and manage some of your pet’s medical conditions. 

Certain illnesses may require more advanced diagnostics, might not respond to traditional treatments, or could be rare and difficult to identify. In these situations, your pet may need to be evaluated by an experienced veterinarian who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of internal diseases. 

At Bendigo Pet Vets, our team is dedicated to caring for dogs and cats with chronic, serious, and life-threatening illnesses. We specialize in complex disease management, taking a comprehensive approach to arrive at a diagnosis and develop a detailed treatment plan tailored to your pet's specific needs. 

With access to advanced diagnostic tools, advanced knowledge of internal medicine and a commitment to collaborative care involving owners, we strive to manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and, whenever possible, cure the underlying condition.

Professional dental cleaning to maintain your pet's oral health .... Prevention is the best cure ... 

At Bendigo Pet Vets we are really, very passionate about oral health care and would like to see your pet keep all their teeth and be pain free for as long as possible!

 Following a dental procedure performed with us we offer a complimentary and comprehensive oral health plan tailor made for YOUR furry friend. The gold standard of home oral care is daily teeth brushing, just like we do! It may seem a little crazy to brush your pets teeth but it is actually a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet (Yes, even cats!) and is an excellent way for you to contribute to your pets overall health. 

Understandably this is not for every pet, so we also discuss other options that would work best for your pet including: 

- Prescription and Non-Prescription Diets

- Dental Treats 

- Water additives and food additives 

- Dental toys 

Regular dental examinations are really important, so we know we are on the right track and sometimes our furry friends need a little something more. Certain pets may be classed as “high risk” for dental disease and may require a yearly or even 6 monthly preventative Scale and Polish. 

One of our main goals is to keep your pets free from disease and pain!

Surgical procedure for pet population control and health benefits

YES! We Are Fear Free Certified ...

We are proud to have Fear Free Certified® Professionals on our team.

Our practice is dedicated to caring for your pet’s emotional and physical wellbeing.

What is fear free?

Simply put, Fear Free is a commitment to better pet health and well-being based on an understanding of the detrimental effects of fear and stress on pet health.

Why do we practice fear free?

• All staff at Bendigo Pet Vets are Certified Fear Free Professionals. In fact, we are the only ones within 100km! so you can be assured your pet is in the best hands.

• We know it's scary coming to vet and with our patients coming to see us when they aren’t feeling quite themselves its even scarier!

• It doesn’t make us happy when your pet isn’t happy. By implementing fear free practices, we have seen a reduction of stress and fear with our patients, making this experience more positive for both owners and their pet.

• Purring is like music to our ears! Bendigo Pet Vets has a huge focus on all things feline! By creating a fear free environment, we can keep our feline friends purring.

• We love it when your pet loves seeing us! Who doesn’t like head bops from kitties or getting all the doggy smooches!

Prepare for Visit (PDF)Fulfillled dog is a happy dog (PDF)

What does a fear free visit look like?

• We come to you! This isn’t only convenient for you but also means that your pet can remain comfortable and calm in their own environment This prevents that increased stress of travelling and visiting a noisy Vet Clinic with lots of funny smells.

• We utilize gentle handling and positive interaction; you will never see us scruff your cat but you might catch us giving him tummy rubs!

• We examine your pet on their terms. Your cat would like to sit on your lap? No problem! Your dog would like to stay on his favourite mat? We’ll sit with him. There are no cold metal examination tables with Bendigo Pet Vets!

• We love rewarding your pet and making their time with us as positive as we can! We come with a range of treats to make your pet happy and will record your pets favourite so we are always prepared! We can even cater if your pet has a food allergy.

• We love relaxation and so does your pet! We utilize specific pheromones such as Feliway© for cats and Adaptil© for dogs to help calm your pet, we can even discuss how you could use these pheromones in your home- Don’t worry, these pheromones have no smell to humans!

• You’ll see us taking notes on your pets behaviour and which treats, or handling techniques works best for your pet, this will make future visits even better!

• We know not one size fits all and some of our furry friends need a little extra help for their nerves, sometimes we reach for treats and other times we reach for medication, at Bendigo Pet Vets we work with your pet and their needs to keep them happy.

Questions? Just ask! Interested in learning more about Fear Free? Send us an email welcome@bendigopetvets.com.au or Visit www.fearfreepets.com

HOME EUTHANASIA because Home is where the Heart is ♥ ♥ 

Our home visit service is focused on compassionate and caring euthanasia for dogs and cats. 

Our aim is to provide a service that is as calm, pain free and nurturing as we can possibly make it for your pet and for you. Remaining in your family’s home during this difficult time allows for a peaceful, stress free passing for your pet. Every pet, owner and situation is different, and we respect that. 

We are happy to chat with you over the phone or do a home visit consultation in person to answer questions about determining the quality of life for your pet. 

Some of the following observations indicate that your pet’s quality of life may be changing: 

Change in appetite or drinking 

Not interested in playing 

Unable to stand without assistance

Incontinence 

Seems to have more “bad days” than “good days” 

Changes in behaviour (confusion, “hiding”, etc.) 

It’s really important to us that your pet’s last moments are as free from stress and anxiety as possible and few places feel as safe and comfortable as our homes for our pets. Being able to grieve in the privacy of your own home is also far preferable to waiting in a busy veterinary clinic. 

We have a close relationship with Central Victorian Pet Cremations who provide aftercare arrangements including individual cremation and cremation without return of ashes. We encourage you to book your cremation directly with Central Victorian Pet Cremations and let them know your appointment time with us, so they can arrive after our visit and offer there support 

What Pet Owners Need to Know:

Ultrasound can give us so much information about what is happening on the inside. When your pet has been scheduled for an ultrasound examination. The purpose of this procedure is to aid in making a proper diagnosis of a disease-causing illness or other condition. You’ll be pleased to know that Dr Mandy has done a post graduate year long course in Ultrasound in 2013 and has performed well over 1000 thorough ultrasounds since then.

What is an Ultrasound Machine?

An ultrasound machine emits ultrasound waves that penetrate into the internal organs and these waves are reflected back into the hand-held probe that is placed on the skin. The pattern of the reflected sound waves creates an image that is viewed on a screen.

Diseases Diagnosed with an Ultrasound

Ultrasound examination allows a detailed view of many of the body’s organs that may not be available with other diagnostic imaging methods. For example, the kidneys can be seen on X-rays, but only their size and shape can be determined, whereas ultrasound allows us to view the internal structures of these and other vital organs.

An ultrasound examination is especially helpful for diseases of the heart. An ultrasound of the heart is called an echocardiogram, or “echo”. Some diseases can be diagnosed because they have a specific ultrasound appearance. Others, however, produce ultrasound findings that are not definitive. In these cases, we would choose another imaging method, or even a combination of methods, to gather the diagnostic information needed to provide the best care for your dog or cat.

Is it Necessary to Shave the Pet's Hair?

In most cases, yes. It is important that the hand-held ultrasound probe makes complete contact with the skin. Sometimes the hair can be moistened with alcohol, but most studies require significant hair removal. Our team will take care of this step before the exam, and we’ll work to keep any “haircuts” as neat and even as possible!

What are the Next Steps After an Ultrasound?

One of the important features of an ultrasound examination is the ability to find abnormal areas in the organs. This can be done, for example, by inserting a needle that can be seen on the ultrasound image and obtaining cells from the organ, or even a sterile urine sample from the bladder. Alternatively, we may recommend exploratory surgery to take biopsies of internal organs (for example biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract – stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver).

When Will I Know the Results of the Examination?

Since an ultrasound study is performed in real time, the visual results are generally known the same day. However, the ultrasound images need to be thoroughly examined and a report written . The final report may not be available for a few days. We will let you know what to expect once the ultrasound exam is complete. Our preference is usually to make a follow up appointment to discuss the results in person. 

If you have any other questions about ultrasound, please reach out to us! 

We’re happy to talk with you about your pet’s health care needs.

Essential vaccinations to protect your pet from common diseases