Our Emergency Vet Department – Melbourne

Along with being able to deal with any animal emergency, Animal Accident & Emergency also houses a critical care unit. This is complementary to our 24 hour vet – Melbourne pets requiring intensive care have access to experienced care around the clock.

Critically ill patients have access to central venous pressure monitoring, positive pressure ventilation or respirators, enteral feeding and parenteral feeding catheters and more.

Critically ill animals will likely need the assistance of a team of doctors.

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

 

Melbourne Vet OPEN Labour Day 2015!

OPENING HOURS FOR  LABOUR DAY WEEKEND

Animal Accident & Emergency will be OPEN 24/7 over the long Labour Day weekend.

We have two Pet Emergency Centres in Melbourne which will be OPEN 24 hours on Labour Day.

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700 Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

Happy Labour Day!

www.animalemergency.com.au

Have you Lost your PET?

Animal Accident & Emergency have a created a page for local lost pets within Melbourne.

What to do when you loose your pet:

• Walk or drive through your neighbourhood several times each day.
• Ask your neighbours
• Post a note on a your local BSS Facebook page
• Contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies.
• Contact local vet’s and 24 hour Pet Emergency Centres

For a list of local Animal shelters and Council number click on the attached link:

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/lost-pets.html

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

36 degrees today & tomorrow – Keep your Pets Cool

Tips to avoid heat stress/stroke:

• Provide a cool  shaded area

• Provide plenty of clean fresh water and extra water sources in case of spillage.

• Bring animals indoors on hot, with the air-conditioning or fan on.

• Do not exercise animals in hot weather conditions. Walk your dog very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon and avoid the hottest part of the day.
• Do not leave your dog in a vehicle – even when the windows are down dogs can still overheat and die.

 

If you think your pet is suffering from heat stroke, please call Animal Accident & Emergency or contact your local vet without delay.

 

Essendon Fields: (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook: (03) 8368 7400

 

Animal Accident & Emergency would like to introduce an Australian first: CT Scanner

An Australian First – Fidex CT Scanner

Animal Accident & Emergency would like to introduce an Australian first.  In December, AAE installed a CT scanner in our Point Cook 24Hr Emergency Centre.  The CT unit by Fidex is a major advancement in technology and unique in many ways.  Traditional CT units are common place in human and pet medicine.  They work by taking several hundred radiographs and then using computer programs to “join” the images together.  This allows the Doctor to look at body organs and structures in much more detail.

The new unit now operating at Animal Accident & Emergency uses the latest technology to combine a traditional style CT unit with an X-Ray unit and Fluoroscopy.  The combination allows us to combined three different devices into one unit.

At present you would need three different units to perform a CT, an X-Ray or a Fluoroscopic study.  The Fidex combines the functionality of the three different machines into one user friendly unit.  One of the functions we love is seeing the images in a 3D perspective.  It helps the pet owner visualise the problem that their pet has.  We can even strip back tissue layers which is great for planning for complex cancer surgeries.

  

The Fidex unit has some major benefits to patients.  It is able top generate X -Ray images using minimal doses of radiation.  This means that we can take radiographs or perform a CT and the amount of radiation that the patient experience is far less.  It also increases the safety for the Vet Team. 

The unit itself is environmentally friendly.  Traditional CT units require substantial amounts electricity to operate.  They require a specialised air-conditioning plant to prevent them from overheating.  Our Fidex uses minimal electricity, runs in any standard air-conditioned building and plugs directly into a normal PowerPoint.  This also dramatically reduces the running costs of the unit which means savings for pet owners.

The unit is small, compact but mighty and we were able to install it in a standard sized room.

Our Fidex unit is the first in Australia and is truly a unique installation.  The ease of use, lower radiation emission and speed of the unit means that we can provide sick pets with advanced imaging at a cost effective price.  It provides more options then currently available at most veterinary centres.

Our specialists and Emergency team are using the Fidex for a variety of sick pet conditions.  With trauma and road accidents, we can scan for internal bleeding as well as bone fractures.  Our Medicine Specialist Dr Linda Abraham is able to perform cancer scans which help identify forms of cancer within the body.  

The following are some of the used of the unit:

• Traditional X-Rays
• Looking at specific organ structure such as the lungs, kidney, liver, spleen, urinary bladder
• Used to help identify spinal problems
• Diseases of the nose
• Brain Tumours
• Head trauma
• Collapsing airways
• Angiography for heart disease
• Liver shunt identification
• Swallowing studies for oesophageal or gastric motility problems
• Elbow, knee and hip orthopaedic problems

To view the Fidex unit in action click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJQE1ZBkzvQ

For more information contact our 24hr Pet Emergency Centre: (03) 8368 7400

Tips on how to keep your Pet Safe Over Christmas – Christmas Decorations

Here’s how to keep your pet safe and healthy over the festive season:

Christmas decorations, Tinsel & flashing lights
Dogs & Cat’s love tinsel, bubbles, flashing lights they see it as a “toy” to play with or carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow and hence lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery.

Safety tips for pets:

• make sure your Christmas tree is safely secured to the ground and cannot easily topple.
• put decorations up high where your pets can’t get them.
• use a mixture of lemon or orange extract and water in a spray bottle. (Most cats and dogs do not like citrus and will avoid).
• edible treats  on  your  Christmas tree such as candy canes or chocolate may be attractive to your pet and harmful if consumed.

In the event of an emergency on Christmas Day, call AAE After Hours Emergency Veterinary Hospital on:

(03) 9379 0700 – Essendon Fields

(03) 8368 7400 – Point Cook

 

Animal Accident & Emergency is open 24 hours 7 days a week, Melbourne Pet Emergency Centre.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Intensive Care from a 24 Hour Vet in Melbourne

Intensive care from a 24 hour vet in Melbourne

  

Along with being able to deal with any animal emergency 24/7, Animal Accident & Emergency also houses a critical care unit at our Animal Hospitals. This is complementary to our Melbourne pets requiring intensive care, they have access to experienced care around the clock. 

Critically ill patients have access to central venous pressure monitoring, positive pressure ventilation or respirators, enteral feeding and parenteral feeding catheters and more.

Critically ill animals will likely need the assistance of a team of emergency specialist vets.

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/contact-us-1.html

 

Pet CARE: Heat Stroke is a serious Pet Emergency

 

We do see heat related diseases at our 24 Hour Pet Emergency Centres in Melbourne.Heat stroke is serious and is commonly seen in dogs. Heat stroke, is when the body temperature reaches above > 39.5°C. Dogs may die if their body temperatur…e reaches > 41.7°C.As an emergency critical care specialist centre, we see heat stoke due to:

1. Locking a dog in a car, even if the car windows are open it is too dangerous.
2. Exercising with a dog when there is excessive heat and humidity
3. Leaving your outdoor dog in the sweltering heat without adequate water or shelter/shade.

Some signs of heat stroke:
-Constant panting
-Dry gums that feel sticky to the touch
-Dark red gums
-Vomiting
-Wobbly
-Seizures
-Dark coloured urine
-Diarrhoea
-Difficulty breathing
-Collapse

If your pet is suffering from a heat stroke, then we need to see your pet as soon as possible.
• Cool them down with fans and water
• Phone us
• Drive to our emergency centres as safe as possible.

Essendon Fields: (03) 9379 0700
Point Cook: (03) 8368 7400

www.animalemergency.com.au

 

Leo completed his Radioactive Iodine treatment

 

Leo received Radioactive Iodine treatment

I would like to introduce Leo.  Leo has just completed his treatment with Radioactive  Iodine at Animal Accident & Emergency. 

Leo is a lovely cat that has just completed his treatment for Hyperthyroidism.  Hyperthyroidism occurs in some cats due to an over active thyroid gland.  If left untreated it can lead to some serious health conditions.  Treatment involves using medication or treatment with radioactive iodine.

In July, we commissioned a radioactive iodine therapy unit at our Point Cook 24Hr Pet Emergency Centre.  Radioactive iodine has many advantages over medication.  Medication is often required more than once per day, which is difficult in some cats.  The medication is also lifelong.  In treatment with radioactive iodine, we gave Leo a capsule containing radioactive iodine.  Leo then spent 7 days in our therapy unit so that we could monitor his progress.

Most cats that receive the capsule are oblivious to the effects of the capsule during the week.  It is non painful and successful in greater than 90% of cats treated,  Dr Linda Abraham performs our radioactive iodine therapy and has years of experience in this technique.  Patients are admitted on a Monday and treatment occurs on a Tuesday.

If you think that treatment with radioactive iodine might be an option for your cat, please speak to your vet about referral to Dr Abraham for treatment.

 

No more dog bones for Pepper

Pepper, 5 year old West Highland Terrier

Pepper is a sweet 5 year old West Highland Terrier dog who had been seen at AAE on previous occasions for oesophageal foreign body (caused by bone ingestion).

Last Thursday night, Pepper’s owner noticed she wasn’t herself when Pepper jumped on their bed in the middle of night. Pepper was shaking so her owners brought her in to our Essendon Fields Pet Emergency Centre.

Pepper had managed to steal 3 large marrow bones from her house mate. She developed severe abdominal pain after eating the bone.

Pepper’s pain was severe enough that her pain relief medication had to be escalated requiring a combination of 3 different pain relief medications to keep her severe pain under control.

It took 4 days for Peppers abdominal pain to resolve.

Pepper has now gone home with her caring owners and is on a strict low fat diet.

Pepper was a very sweet patient and the staff at Animal Accident & Emergency wish her a speedy recovery.

Pepper taking her morning walk at Essendon Fields.

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

 

 

 

Pet First Aid Workshop in Melbourne

Pet First Aid WorkShop

Animal Accident & Emergency is running a 3 hour Pet First Aid workshop course in Melbourne on:

*Sunday 3rd August 2014 from 9am – 12pm
*Sunday 17th August 2014 from 9am – 12pm

This course is open to the public and recommended especially …for those who work with pets – foster carers, pet sitters, rescue workers etc

The course will cover common emergencies and first aid:

– CPR – practice on a dog mannequin

– Rescue breaths

– Bleeding

– Bandaging

– Shock

– Choking

– Bites & stings

– Burns

– Eye injuries

– Ear injuries

– Nose injuries

– Broken bones

– Sprains

– Heat stress

– Seizures

– Poisoning/toxicities

To enroll or for more information please click on the link below: http://www.petemergencystore.com.au/Pet First Aid Course

 

Medicine Consults at Essendon Fields

Medicine Consults at Essendon Fields with Dr Linda Abraham

From Wednesday 9 July 2014 Dr Linda Abraham will be conducting specialist medicine consultations from our Essendon Fields 24hr Pet Emergency Centre. Dr Abraham will be consulting from Essendon Fields every Wednesday from 9 July 2014. To book a consultation with Dr Abraham please contact our Point Cook Centre on (03) 8368 7400 and specify the appointment is for Essendon.

Appointments are by referral from your veterinarian.

Animal Accident and Emergency (AAE) is a purpose-built animal emergency centre servicing Melbourne. It provides 24hr animal emergency services. There are two great locations – Essendon and Point Cook. The centres are located to provide direct and easy freeway access.

Always Open, We Always CARE

www.animalemergency.com.au

24 hour Vet Clinic Open Queens Birthday long weekend – Melbourne

 

We are OPEN on the

Queens Birthday Public Holiday

Public Holiday Consult fee is $170

(Effective from 8pm Sunday 8th June 2014)

If you have concerns or you are looking for a vet that is now open, please phone one of our Pet Emergency Centre:

Essendon Fields 9379 0700
Point Cook 8368 7400

Our Vet Clinics are Always Open, We always CARE

www.animalemergency.com.au

Animal Accident & Emergency Medicine Service – Dr Linda Abraham

For pets that are in need of specialised medicine treatment, Animal Accident & Emergency offers a Medicine Service at our Point Cook Pet Emergency Centre. Our Medicine Service accepts all forms of Internal Medicine consults and we are more than happy to provide advice on a wide range of medical conditions.

The Medicine Service is essential in the diagnosis, management and nonsurgical treatment of complicated and unusual medical diseases in animals. The types of diseases seen by our Medicine Service are wide and varied, including diseases of different organ systems. For example:

• Kidneys (nephrology)
• Liver (hepatology)
• Lungs (respiratory)
• Blood system (haematology)
• Central nervous system (neurology)
• Immune-system (immunology)

We also see diseases that may affect multiple body systems at the same time, such as infectious diseases or cancer. As part of cancer therapy, we now offer a chemotherapy service. Our Medicine Service is also complimented by our Intensive Care Service for seriously ill patients requiring ongoing 24 hour care.

The benefits of seeing an Internal Medicine Specialist in our Medicine Service is that they can offer diagnostic procedures and management of diseases that are often not available in general practice veterinary clinics, which may be due to limitations of equipment or the complexity of the disease. Like all veterinary specialists, Internal Medicine Specialists undergo advanced training in the form of a Residency program and are required to pass Fellowship exams through the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) or the overseas equivalent (USA or European boards). This training means that Internal Medicine Specialists develop advanced technical skills that allow them to perform diagnostics and treatment at a specialist level in their area of expertise.

Diagnostic testing used by our Medicine Service may involve:

• Blood and urine tests
• Collection and analysis of body fluids
• Endoscopy
• Electrocardiography (ECG)
• Fine needle aspirate or biopsy
• Imaging (X-rays and ultrasound)
• Advanced imaging (CT and MRI)

 

Patients seen by our Medicine Service require a referral from their family veterinarian that they see for routine healthcare. We also require the patient’s medical history to be sent in advance of the consultation where possible. We will continue to update the referring veterinarian with summaries of our consultations and aim to work together with them to provide the most appropriate continuing care for your pet. Ongoing management may require periodic visits to our Medicine Service and/or ongoing communication with your veterinarian. As with any veterinary patient, drugs may only be prescribed for those directly under our care, which means that drugs may only be dispensed by our clinic for up to six months following a consultation with us. It is also important to note that our Medicine Service does not provide primary healthcare (such as vaccinations and desexing) as these types of vet care are performed by your family veterinarian.

Since early 2013, the development and management of the Medicine Service has been headed by Dr Linda Abraham, who is an Internal Medicine Specialist with many years of experience in referral/specialist veterinary practice. Prior to attending university, Dr Linda Abraham worked as a veterinary nurse in a mixed practice. In 1983, Linda passed her preliminary veterinary nursing examination and then her final veterinary nursing examination in 1985, for which she was awarded the BSAVA prize for the highest marks in that year.

Linda then went on to graduate from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1994 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed). She has also completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a PhD from the University of London in 1991 and 1998 respectively. Following on from this, Linda then underwent specialist training, completing her Membership in Small Animal Medicine (MANZCVS) in 2000, and then completing her Fellowship in Canine Medicine (FANZCVS) in 2006. She has since acted as an examiner for the ANZCVS both at the Membership and Fellowship levels.

Linda’s residency program (specialist training) at the University of Melbourne was supervised by Dr Steven Holloway and after the program was completed, she continued to work at the University of Melbourne as a registrar initially and then became a member of faculty in 2002. Linda has lectured veterinary undergraduates for many years at the university and is currently involved in teaching veterinary post graduate continuing education programs.

Linda’s areas of interest include endocrine disease and, despite having specialised in canine medicine, she has a particular interest in feline endocrine disease, including feline hyperthyroidism. Linda has previously treated many cases of feline hyperthyroidism successfully with radio-iodine therapy (this treatment will soon be available at our Point Cook Clinic). Linda also has an interest in liver disease and the treatment of cancer.

Dr Linda Abraham is available for specialist medicine consultations during weekdays (excluding public holidays). Please contact our Point Cook Pet Emergency Centre on (03) 8368 7400 to book an appointment.

Appointments are by referral from your family veterinarian or AAE’s emergency veterinarians.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Is your Pet a DRUG USER?

Toxicities are one of the more common presenting problems we see in the emergency room at Animal Accident and Emergency (AAE). Although it can be embarrassing for owners to admit, this includes accidental ingestion of illicit drugs.

There are some common symptoms that can be associated with different drug exposures; however, it is always reassuring to have a quantitative answer. There are many time where owners have no idea that their pet has found something they shouldn’t have.
Earlier this week, our emergency team were presented with a pet who was mentally altered and starting to have fits or seizures. There was no long term medical problems and the signs had developed rapidly. Given the type of signs, we asked the clients regarding access to some recreational drugs. While they were sure that their pet could not have been exposed, we ran a DIPSCAN test to be sure. The DIPSCAN was positive for a number of drugs. One being Diazepam which was given by the emergency team during stabilisation of the seizures. In this case, exposure was linked to a party held a week before hand.

Other times where the test has helped us out is when pets scavenge stuff from parks or laneways around houses. Again, owners are often unaware of what their pet has ingested. Identification is important as it can change the way we treat your pet in an emergency. Knowing what drugs your pet has ingested, can be save its life.

DIPSCAN is an in-house, diagnostic tool commonly utilised at AAE when there has been a suspected exposure to illicit drugs. By processing a urine sample we are able to identify trace amounts of illicit drugs such as: marijuana, opioids (e.g. heroin, morphine), cocaine, amphetamines, methyl-amphetamines and benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam). Attached is a photo of a DIPSCAN test. To read the test, you look to see the windows where there is only one line.
This test can be extremely valuable when trying to structure treatment plans, anticipate future treatment requirements and reinforce prognosis.
Knowing that there is always a Vet Open in Melbourne when your pet is ill is important. Our team of Vets and Nurses really CARE for your pet. We try and make a difference with each patient. Our Centres are open each day. We are 24 hour pet emergency centres. Our two locations means that we can service most Melbourne suburbs including Vet Open Sunday.

Find us at:

ESSENDON (03) 9379 0700
POINT COOK (03) 8368 7400
A Melbourne Animal Hospital providing Advanced Vetcare for pets. No Appointment required. We are a centre for referral and emergency.

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/

Animal Accident Emergency: Free Pet Health Check Melbourne

Animal Accident & Emergency will be at LaManna Direct – Essendon Fields this Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Bring your Pet for a free healthy check by one of our emergency vets.

Sonia Ross will also be there to give “Pet First Aid” tips.

 

If you believe that your pet is unwell contact us directly at one of our 24 hour Animal Hospitals in Melbourne:

Essendon Fields: (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook: (03) 8368 7400

 

Always Open, We Always Care

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melbourne Pet First Aid Course: Free to the public

Animal Accident & Emergency is running a 1 hour Introduction to Pet First Aid Courses in Melbourne.

This course is open to the general public and it’s free.

The course will cover common emergencies and first aid:

Bandaging

Toxins around the home

When you need to see a vet

CPR – basics

What is in a first aid kit and how to use it

 

Animal Accident & Emergency

Essendon Airport – 72 Hargrave Avenue, Essendon Fields

Wednesday 4th June 2014 – Essendon Fields

Wednesday 11th June 2014 – Essendon Fields

Wednesday 18th June 2014 Essendon Fields

Wednesday 25th June 2014 Essendon Fields

Wednesday 2nd July 2014 – Essendon Fields

 

Animal Accident & Emergency

6 Wallace Avenue , Point Cook

Wednesday 9th July 2014 – Point Cook

Wednesday 16th July 2014 – Point Cook

Wednesday 23rd July 2014 – Point Cook

 

Enrol online:

http://www.petemergencystore.com.au/pet-first-aid-courses-1.html

 

Pet First Aid Workshop held 3rd August 2013

Animal Accident & Emergency is running a 3 hour Pet First Aid workshop course.

This course is open to the public and recommended for those who work with pets – foster carers, pet sitters, rescue workers etc

For more information or to enrol, click on the link:

http://www.petemergencystore.com.au/pet-first-aid-3hr-workshop.html

 

Always Open, We Always Care

 

 

Severe diarrhoea can cause dehydration, pets will require hospitalisation & treatment

Diarrhoea is the increased frequency, fluidity or volume of faeces (poo) associated with increased water content.  Acute diarrhoea is of short duration and can be self-limiting whilst chronic diarrhoea has been present for longer than three weeks.  There can be many causes for diarrhoea and some are more serious than others.

Some cases will be mild and have no impact on the rest of the body.  Severe diarrhoea can cause dehydration and pets will require hospitalisation for investigation and treatment.  Pets with severe diarrhoea, with or without vomiting or reduced eating and drinking, and those with blood in the diarrhoea should be seen for examination and treatment.  Very young animals can become dehydrated rapidly and they should be examined and treated early to prevent the dehydration from becoming severe.

If you are unsure whether your pet needs to be seen today, telephone our staff for advice.  Whatever the time of day, our emergency clinics are able to examine your pet and make recommendations for treatment.  In some cases, investigation will also be recommended and this may be by means of blood and urine tests, x-rays and/or ultrasound examination of the abdomen.   These can all be performed in our clinics and depending on the test results, we will either prescribe appropriate medical therapy, recommend examination and management by our internal medicine specialist or advise surgical treatment.

When diarrhoea is non-responsive to medical treatment or has been intermittent but chronic, the emergency veterinarian or your local general practice will recommend investigation into the underlying cause by the internal medicine specialist. Again this is likely to involve faecal tests, blood and urine tests, x-rays or ultrasound examination of the abdomen, endoscopy and biopsy of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, surgery will either be recommended to complete the diagnostic testing or to treat the cause of the diarrhoea (for example removal of a partial blockage from the intestines).

Treatment recommendations will be made on the basis of the test results.  This may involve intravenous fluids if the patient is dehydrated, dietary changes and administration of medications (tablets or liquids to be given by mouth) or surgery.

 

Tilly was admitted at 24 hour Animal Hospital for exposure to snail bait.

This is Tilly one of our cutest patients, she is a lively active 6 month old terrier puppy
Tilly had been admitted to our 24 hour Animal Hospital in Essendon after ingesting a toxin.

Tilly had exposure to snail bait and presented out our emergency hospital with mild tremoring after vomiting at home. Tilly responded well to treatment and is now returning home today to her caring owners.

Always Open – Always Care

Pet Emergency: Vomiting

 

 

Vomiting is the forceful ejection of stomach contents from the mouth.  Acute vomiting is defined as vomiting of short duration (less than 5-7 days) whilst chronic vomiting has been present for longer.  There can be many causes for vomiting and some are less serious than others.  Recovery from non-serious causes, such as eating a different diet, is usually fast and requires little treatment.  The presence of blood in the vomit, continued vomiting in a pet that is becoming quieter than usual or is unable to keep any food or water down will require examination and assessment.  Very young animals can become dehydrated very quickly and they should be examined and treated early to prevent the dehydration from becoming severe.

If you are unsure whether your pet needs to be seen today, telephone our staff for advice.  Whatever the time of day, our 24 hour emergency clinics are able to examine your pet and make recommendations for treatment.  In some cases, investigation will also be recommended and this may be by means of blood and urine tests, x-rays and/or ultrasound examination of the abdomen.   These can all be performed in our clinics and depending on the test results, we will either prescribe appropriate medical therapy, recommend examination and management by our internal medicine specialist or advise surgical treatment.

When vomiting is non-responsive to medical treatment or has been intermittent but chronic, the emergency veterinarian or your local general practice will recommend investigation into the underlying cause by the internal medicine specialist. Again this is likely to involve blood and urine tests, x-rays or ultrasound examination of the abdomen, endoscopy and biopsy of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, surgery will either be recommended to complete the diagnostic testing or to treat the cause of the vomiting (for example removal of a foreign object, such as a sock, from the intestines).

Treatment recommendations will be made on the basis of the test results.  This may involve intravenous fluids if the patient is dehydrated, dietary changes and administration of medications (tablets or liquids to be given by mouth) or surgery.

 

 

www.animalemergency.com.au