Appointments are required for consultations at 15 Plenty Road. Appointments can be made online or by calling 9467 2255 and following the prompts.

Veterinary records are shared and available across all of the Bundoora Veterinary Group locations including the new space at 15 Plenty Road. Prescription refills can be collected from 15 Plenty Road, please call ahead to arrange.

Emergencies will continue to be seen via the entrances at 19 Plenty Road.

Walk in consultations will continue to be available without appointments at 19 Plenty Road. There may be extended wait times and emergencies and urgent cases will be given priority. When possible, staff at 19 Plenty Road may be able to offer more timely attention by making an  appointment for you at 15 Plenty Road.   

There is a new parking area available in front of the new consulting space with an entrance off Plenty Road just before (on the city side) of our existing parking entrances. The entrance to the car park is shared with St Damian’s Primary School. Please only park in marked bays in front of the building. Entry to the school grounds is restricted and there are marked SCHOOL STAFF ONLY bays behind our building. Please respect the signed restrictions, penalties including being towed apply.

Feel free to call 9467 2255 for clarification.

Further details to follow.

The post Added consulting rooms available. appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

The post Vale appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

Due to the supply issue we expect we will be unable to vaccinate all of the feline patients we would prefer to. The vaccination programs we have used in the past assumed an unlimited supply of vaccine and followed conservative manufacturer and expert advice. Until supplies return to normal we will be forced to prioritize the vaccination of previously unvaccinated kittens and cats. If your cat is an adult who has already received 2 or 3 kitten vaccines and an annual booster, delaying a due booster until 2024 is unlikely to have a significant impact on their well being.
Our current advice is to arrange a clinic visit for your cat as usual if they are due for a vaccination. At the visit we will examine your cat and manage general health issues as usual. We will also make a judgement on delaying vaccination and will organize a reminder for when the current supply issue eases if needed. Alternatively you may decide to delay a visit until vaccine supplies are widely reported to have returned to normal.
Follow the link below to read more from a panel of veterinary experts:

The post Feline Vaccine Shortage appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

We have dispensed with electronic record keeping for contact tracing and no longer require checking in via QR codes and the Service Victoria app. Also we will not be checking COVID vaccination status any more.

We continue to encourage the simple things, please continue to:

Not attend our practices if you are unwell, have any symptoms of COVID, or have been directed to isolate under current government directives. If you fall into one of these categories and you cannot postpone your visit, please call the clinic and we will work with you to find an arrangement.

Practice good hand hygiene, wash and / or sanitise your hands regularly especially before and after you visit our clinics.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue. Dispose of tissues in garbage and wash or sanitise your hands afterwards.

Where practical, keep a safe distance from anybody who is not part of your household while at the clinic.

Wear a properly fitted face mask at the clinic when you can’t distance or if you feel more comfortable.

Limit the number of people who attend our clinic with your pet.

We expect all visitors to our clinics to follow government rules and all reasonable directions and requests from our staff. We will not tolerate aggressive or threatening behaviour or law breaking.

Due to the changes we have had to make to our work practices you may notice longer wait times in the clinics and on hold during telephone calls. At times you may have difficulty contacting us by phone and the Mill Park and St Helena clinics may be closed for periods with little notice.

Rest assured that we are doing our best to provide the service we wish to provide and which you expect but ask you to continue to be patient and courteous.

To reduce frustration we suggest:

Checking for text message confirmation or calling the Mill Park or St Helena clinics on the day of your appointment to confirm.

Waiting and calling again if you initially have trouble contacting any of our clinics by phone.
Planning ahead and organizing repeat prescriptions at least several days to a week in advance.

We continue to look forward to a return to our pre COVID lives.

Keep safe and get your booster vaccination as soon as you are eligible.

The post May 2022 COVID-19 Update appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

As required by the state government we have adopted electronic record keeping for contact tracing via QR codes and the Service Victoria app. We require all visitors to our clinics to register via the app as soon as they arrive and also to wear appropriate face coverings whilst at the clinic (inside and out). If you are unable to wear a face covering and have an exemption please alert staff by phone before you arrive or as soon as possible after you arrive. If you are unable to register via the app please alert staff who will assist you to register via an alternative. Please wash or sanitise your hands on arrival and be very aware of remaining a safe distance from anyone who is not part of your household.

We expect all visitors to our clinics to follow government rules and all reasonable directions and requests from our staff. We will not tolerate aggressive or threatening behaviour or law breaking.

Due to the changes we have had to make to our work practices you may notice longer wait times in the clinics and on hold during telephone calls. At times you may have difficulty contacting us by phone and the Mill Park and St Helena clinics may be closed for periods with little notice.

Rest assured that we are doing our best to provide the service we wish to provide and which you expect but ask you to continue to be patient and courteous.

To reduce frustration we suggest:

Calling the Mill Park or St Helena clinics on the day of your appointment to confirm.
Waiting and calling again if you initially have trouble contacting any of our clinics by phone.
Planning ahead and organizing repeat prescriptions at least several days to a week in advance.

We continue to look forward to a return to our pre COVID lives.

Keep safe and get vaccinated as soon as you can.

The post September 2021 COVID-19 Update appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

We are still having to restrict numbers in our public areas and remind everyone of the continuing need to be constantly aware of physical distancing and hand hygiene. As recommended by the state government we have adopted electronic record keeping for contact tracing via QR codes and the Service Victoria app.

Due to the changes we have had to make to our work practices you may notice longer wait times in the clinics and on hold during telephone calls. At times you may have difficulty contacting us by phone and the Mill Park and St Helena clinics may be closed for periods with little notice.

Rest assured that we are doing our best to provide the service we wish to provide and which you expect but ask you to continue to be patient and courteous.

To reduce frustration we suggest:

• Calling the Mill Park or St Helena clinics on the day of your appointment to confirm.
• Waiting and calling again if you initially have trouble contacting any of our clinics by phone.
• Planning ahead and organizing repeat prescriptions at least several days to a week in advance.

We continue to look forward to a return to our pre COVID lives. Keep safe and get vaccinated as soon as you can.

The post May COVID-19 Update appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

At the beginning of the crisis we implemented a number of protocols to help protect our clients and staff. We understand that some of these have been difficult and challenging but we very much appreciate your understanding and co-operation through these times. These protocols have allowed us to continue to care for your pets.

At this point we would like to update you on the protocols currently in place at Bundoora Veterinary Clinic.

– Our routine consulting hours are:

8am-7pm Monday-Thursday (Please note the change from 6pm to 7pm)

8am-6pm Fridays

9am-5pm Saturday & Sunday

– Emergency hours (Northern Suburbs Animal Emergency Centre)

The emergency centre continues to run a 24 hour walk in service 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

– We continue to operate as a walk-in clinic, as a result there can be long waiting times during busy periods. If you phone ahead we will give you an estimate of waiting times, however please be aware these can change rapidly.

– Unfortunately we are still unable to permit routine client visits to animals staying within the hospital. If your animal is staying in hospital with us, and you are unsure of the rules relating to your pet please feel free to discuss this with the on duty vet.

–  Only one client is permitted in the consultation room with each pet for routine visits. There are certain extenuating circumstances where this rule may not apply.

– We continue to require clients to sanitize their hands when they enter the building before approaching reception, and we require clients to maintain social distancing whilst within the clinic. Where possible we ask clients to provide payment via cashless methods, however if this is not possible cash WILL be accepted.

– We ask you not to enter the clinic if you are unwell, if you are in a period of self isolation, if you have been overseas in the past 14 days, or if you have been in contact with a confirmed or possible case of COVID-19.

– Contactless consults will still be performed at either the on duty vet’s or client’s discretion. Please, if you would like a contactless consult to be performed inform our receptionists over the phone so the appropriate arrangements can be made.

We know that these continue to be stressful and difficult times, and we really are truly grateful for your support, understanding and co-operation. As usual please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions, and please continue to keep yourselves and your families safe.

Here is a link to our most recent COVID-19 facebook update or you can download it here.

Kind Regards

Bundoora Veterinary Clinic Team

The post July COVID-19 Update Including Current Opening Hours appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

Corona Virus and Bundoora Veterinary Group.

What is it?

The corona virus is a new virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

As this discovery is only months old, we are still learning a great deal about it. Information and recommendations about how to respond to it at an individual, team, organisational and broader societal level are constantly being reviewed and updated.

What are the concerns?

At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new corona virus. Our pets are safe. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

The primary source of corona virus transmission remains human-to-human contact. This is the concern we have at our veterinary clinics. We want to play our part in slowing the spread of infection for 2 main reasons:

1 We veterinary clinic workers need to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week  to treat and manage the health of our pets. We must minimize the risk of our staff becoming infected and being unavailable to work. If one of our workers becomes infected they as well as any fellow “in contact” workers will become unavailable for work for at least 14 days. Even if we lose a few workers temporarily we will find it very challenging to provide a high quality 24 hours a day 7 days a week service.

2 We need to protect our pet owners so they can continue to care for their animals. We need to minimize the risk of pet owners contracting corona virus as a result of visiting one of our clinics.

What are we doing about it?

There are currently many unknowns which makes planning very difficult. We are planning for the worst but hoping for the best. As the situation changes and there are less unknowns it is likely we will need to modify our plans. We are going to keep our pet owners updated with social media and website updates. Here is a link to our latest facebook update or you can download it  here.

Check back frequently and consider calling us for clarification. There is also a great deal of useful and factual information available on reputable official sites including:

World Health Organisation

Australian Government Department of Health

Victoria State Department of Health and Human Services

It can only help if we all try to familiarise and educate ourselves with the current information. Reading widely and checking back frequently are the secrets. Of course keep in mind that there is also a great deal of inaccurate, misleading and incorrect information being circulated.

What is the current situation at our veterinary clinics?

We have protocols in place which include:

1 Banning unwell workers from our workplaces until they seek and obtain clearance to return to work from medical authorities.

2 Stepping up our usual facilities’ cleaning and disinfection routines.

3 Practicing the golden rules of personal protection:

Regular hand washing with soap and water or alcohol skin rubs

Sneezing and coughing into elbows

Minimising  physical contact with others

Keeping a distance from all people and actively avoiding unwell people

4 Asking certain people to not come to any of our clinics:

• Anybody who has been diagnosed with corona virus and has not been cleared by medical authorities to return to normal public contact.
• Anybody who has been in contact with a person diagnosed with corona virus and has not been cleared by medical authorities to return to normal public contact.
• Anybody who has been tested and is awaiting the results of a corona virus test.
• Anybody who has been in close contact with someone who has been tested and is awaiting the results of a corona virus test.
• Anybody who has traveled internationally in the previous 14 days.
• Anybody who has had close contact with someone who has traveled internationally in the previous14 days.
• Anybody who is unwell or experiencing any symptoms of corona virus infection.
• Anybody who is concerned about attending one of our clinics.

If you fall into any of these categories but feel it is vital that you come to a clinic please call the clinic in advance to discuss.

5 Asking that only 1 responsible person accompany a pet to a clinic.

6 Banning any person from visiting patients whilst they are hospitalised. Ask the staff admitting your pet about visit alternatives we can offer.

7 Asking everybody attending our clinics to follow our personal disinfection protocols and to comply with any directions and / or requests from our staff.

8 Asking everybody to be respectful and kind to each other. These are difficult and unprecedented times but we will get through them with mutual patience and co-operation. We don’t wish to see any antisocial behaviour similar to recent scenes at various supermarkets. There is never an acceptable excuse for rude, abusive, aggressive or threatening behaviour. We will not tolerate any such behaviour. Police will be called and we will not provide you or your pets with further veterinary services.

The post Novel Corona Virus appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

The post Dr Brian O’Donohoe appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.

How to spot a heat stressed animal
The general signs on heat stress in your pet are:
● Panting
● Lethargy
● Increased respiration rate
● Loss of appetite
● Increased salivation
● Vomiting

In serious cases heat stroke can develop and this can lead to loss of consciousness and even organ failure, which is life threatening. So, if your animal appears unwell then bring them into the clinic immediately for emergency treatment.

Treating a heat stressed animal
If your pet is showing signs of heat stress, move them into the shade immediately and offer them plenty of cool, clean water. Make sure they drink small amounts at a time to prevent them from feeling ill. You should also spray them with cool water, particularly around their legs and feet and put a fan near them to increase the air movement around them.

Dogs and cats can be placed in a shallow blow-up style pool as a means of cooling down.

If the animal doesn’t show any signs of improvement, contact the clinic on (03) 9467 2255.

Preventing heat stress
Luckily, heat stress can be easily prevented. Over the warmer months, keep a close eye on the temperature forecast so you can plan ahead.

On hot days, make sure your pet has access to a cool, well-ventilated and shaded environment that has plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Avoid exercising them in hot weather and keep them away for hot sand and concrete areas where heat is reflected. If the surface is too hot for your feet, then it’s too hot for your pet’s feet. They can burn too!

The post Heat Stress appeared first on Bundoora Vet Clinic and Hospital.