ANIMAL HOSPITAL & VET CLINIC

Our Services

CONSULTATIONS

In order to minimise waiting times, consultations are by appointment, although obviously any emergencies will be seen as a priority. Consultations are performed in one of our two specially designated consulting rooms.

Veterinary consultations are available between:

8am - 7.30pm Weekdays

9am - 4pm Saturdays

10am - 1pm Sundays

Dr Richard Benton is pictured here in one of our consulting rooms with Quinn his toy poodle.

LABORATORY

Diagnostic testing is sometimes necessary to investigate your pet’s condition. This information is used in conjunction with a history and physical exam findings to allow diagnosis and treatment, and help provide your pet with optimal health care.

We have in-house blood testing equipment which enables us to perform many tests on site and allows us to receive results quickly. Other tests and samples are sent to a nearby external veterinary pathology laboratory.

Pre-anaesthetic blood profiles are recommended for all animals undergoing an anaesthetic. Information gained allows us to assess your pet’s kidney and liver function before proceeding with a general anaesthetic, minimising risk to your pet.

Equipment in our laboratory enables us to perform blood analysis, urine testing, faecal analysis, heartworm testing, and testing for some infectious viruses.

This is a photo of our in house laboratory.

ANAESTHESIA

Our aim is to make every anaesthetic as safe as possible. To achieve this we choose from a range of safe anaesthetic drugs and use the safest drug or combination of drugs that suits each individual case. We recommend that all anaesthetic patients have a pre anesthetic blood screen performed to help identify any underlying problem that may affect your pet during or after their anaesthetic. We also recommend that all anaesthetised patients receive intravenous fluids (drip) throughout their procedure. This helps to maintain blood pressure and helps the body remove drugs from the system allowing for a faster and more comfortable recovery.

All anaesthetised patients are monitored constantly by a trained nurse. We use pulse oximetry and blood pressure measurement to help assess your pet while they are anaesthetised.
Our climate controlled hospital, heat pads and blankets are used to ensure your pet’s warmth and comfort throughout their procedure and recovery.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding your pet’s anaesthetic, please contact us at the Hospital.

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

Many cases require imaging to aid in the diagnosis and management of their condition. We have full on site x- ray facilities (upgraded in 2005) which enable us to take good quality x-rays of your pet whether it be a 6 week old kitten or a 50kg Great Dane!

To obtain the best quality films it is usually necessary to sedate or anaesthetise your pet to have x-rays taken. This allows us to get the best possible quality films, reduces your pet’s pain or anxiety levels and also limits our staffs exposure to x-rays.

If ultrasound or endoscopy are required, we can organise to have this performed here at the Hospital.

Dr Richard Benton pictured here with our X-ray machine & his dog Quinn being a very good girl.

DENTISTRY

Dental health is an important component to maintaining your pets overall well being. disease can be painful for your pet and can act as a source of bacteria contributing to other diseases in the body.

Dental disease usually begins with plaque (a mix of food and bacteria) hardening with saliva to form tartar. If untreated the tartar leads to gingivitis (gum inflammation) and eventually to erosion of the bone around the teeth.

If your pet requires dental treatment we have a range of special dental equipment including an ultrasonic scaler for removing tartar, a high speed dental drill if any teeth need extracting, and a dental polisher to help maintain your pets dental health.

We offer FREE dental health checks to all our clients. Just phone the Hospital to make an appointment today.

SURGERY

We perform a wide range of surgical procedures here at the Hospital. Our dedicated “sterile surgery” is used for all surgical procedures including desexing, orthopaedic, soft tissue and gastrointestinal surgery.

“Non-sterile” procedures such as dentals procedures and abscesses are not performed in the sterile surgery to ensure it remains as sterile as possible.

We have a selection of specialised surgical equipment which are used in the wide array of surgical procedures that are regularly performed here at the Hospital.

Pain management, anaesthetic safety and patient comfort are important aspects of all surgical procedures.

INPATIENT CARE

Our hospital is designed to make your pets stay with us as comfortable as possible, and help lead to a speedy recovery.

Our hospital ward is fully climate controlled and is fitted with stainless steel cages which can be easily cleaned and disinfected. A separate area is available for cats and small animals e.g. rabbits and guinea pigs.

All animals have warm beds and blankets provided and heat pads are used when necessary. Every effort is made to make your animal as comfortable as possible and pain relief and management is an important part of our hospital philosophy. (and our team of staff is very generous with their pats and cuddles!!)

Automatic drip pumps are used if your animal does require intravenous fluids, and we have a separate isolation ward available for any cases of infectious or contagious disease (e.g. kennel cough, gastroenteritis).

It is never easy having to leave your pet in hospital for treatment, but we aim to provide a pleasant comfortable environment for their stay.

Melody, Dr Benton’s wife, is pictured here in our main hospital ward with her dog Quinn.

PUPPY PRESCHOOL

We all love puppies and having a new puppy in the house is an exciting time!!!

Puppy Preschool classes are a fun, interactive five week training programme designed to give your puppy the best start in life.

The main aims of Puppy Preschool are:

To encourage your puppy to socialise with both puppies and people. It has been scientifically proven that puppies that are well socialised with other puppies between 8-16 weeks of age are more likely to develop into friendly well behaved adult dogs. Puppies that are isolated and have little outside contact during this critical early age are at a higher risk of developing behavioral problems later on. For this reason puppy preschool is strongly advised for all puppies to enable them to socialise in a fun, stress free environment.
To start basic obedience training for you and your new puppy
To provide important information and advice about health care for your puppy including nutrition, parasite control and veterinary care.
To provide a fun, positive experience for your puppy when visiting the Hospital. This can reduce anxiety for your pet when visiting us in the future.

Our classes are run over five consecutive Wednesday nights by Ron Williams, a qualified Delta instructor. The classes are held between 7.30 and 8.30pm and all members of the family are invited to participate. Bookings are essential.

If you would like to find out more, please phone and speak to one of the nurses.

This is a group photo of one of our puppy pre-school classes.

Lots of fun and learning at Puppy Pre-school.

GOLDEN PAWS CLUB

Our pets are generally considered to be ‘seniors’ from seven years of age onwards. From this time they are more likely to develop age related diseases such as kidney and liver disease, heart problems, arthritis or tumours.

Animals are very good at masking disease and often do not show any signs that anything is wrong until the disease is quite far advanced.

Detection of the changes that occur with these diseases allows us to diagnose problems earlier and with early treatment we can hopefully improve your pet’s quality of life and lifespan.

Our ‘GOLDEN PAWS CLUB’ is a unique package available for animals over seven years of age that offers reduced price blood and urine tests to help us identify any problems and start any necessary treatment. Click here to read more <

WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC

Overoverweight_dog.jpgweight pets are similar to overweight people in that they have increased risk of illness, especially joint disease, heart and liver disease and diabetes.

It is important animals are kept at their optimum weight to minimise the risk of obesity.

Not all animals are the same and many factors influence an animal’s weight, including the animals breed, type, and amount of feeding, exercise and activity levels, or concurrent disease processes (e.g. Arthritis).

We offer free weight checks and nutritional advice to all our clients and also stock a range of special prescription diets designed to help your pet lose or control their weight but still satisfy their hunger.

Regular weigh ins will help us assess your pets progress and work together to help your pet reach its ideal weight. Feel free to pop in and use our electronic scales and discuss your pet’s weight with a member of our team.

ANIMAL HOSPITAL & VET CLINIC - MOUNT WAVERLEY