Lithgow Veterinary Hospital

15/10/2026

When you look at your cat, do you see fluff... or could there be a little extra weight hiding underneath? 🐱

Around one in three Australian cats is believed to be overweight or obese, and gradual weight gain can be surprisingly easy to miss.

A fluffy coat doesn't help either!

Try these quick checks:
🐾 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐬: Can you find them without pressing firmly?
🐾 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞: Is there a slight waist behind the ribs?
🐾 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞: Does the tummy rise towards the hind legs?

And don't panic about that little swinging belly! A primordial pouch is a normal part of feline anatomy and doesn't automatically mean your cat is overweight.

Our latest article explains what to look for, why excess weight matters and how to help your cat reach a healthier weight safely.

If you're still unsure, we can assess your cat's body condition and help you work out what's appropriate for them.

Read the full guide and share it with a fellow cat owner.
https://vist.ly/5nkni

15/10/2026

🐾 GET YOUR DOGS SECOND LEPTO VACCINE FREE - UPGRADE YOUR DOG’S LEPTO PROTECTION TODAY 🐾

Has your dog previously had the C2i leptospirosis vaccine? Then this offer is for you! 💚

At Lithgow Veterinary Hospital, we’re making it easier to switch to Nobivac Lepto 2, which offers broader leptospirosis protection than C2i.

🐶 First visit: Book a vet health check and the first upgraded vaccination at the usual fee.

🐶 Second visit: Return around four weeks later and the vaccine is FREE—you only pay for the nurse check.

🐶 Then: A yearly leptospirosis booster to maintain protection.

WHY UPGRADE?

Leptospirosis can cause severe kidney and liver damage, can be fatal to dogs and can also infect people.

Nobivac Lepto 2 helps protect against an additional type of lepto bacteria compared with C2i. Even previously vaccinated dogs need the two-dose course when switching.

🐀 COULD YOUR DOG BE AT RISK?

Dogs can catch lepto from infected animal urine, particularly from rats, or contaminated water and soil. They don’t have to touch a rat to become infected.

Risk factors include:

• Rats or mice around your home, sheds or places your dog visits.
• Drinking from puddles or swimming in contaminated water.
• Exploring wet, muddy areas, especially after heavy rain or flooding.
• Travelling to areas where lepto has been reported.

🏖️ Taking your dog on holiday?

Talk to us before visiting Sydney, Newcastle, the NSW South Coast—including Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay—or tropical northern Australia, including North Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Allow around 7–8 weeks before travel to complete the course and give protection time to develop.

📞 Contact our team and ask for the LEPTO UPGRADE OFFER. We’ll check your dog’s vaccination history and book them in.

NOT vaccinated against lepto before? Ask us whether protection is recommended for your dog.

💚 Please share with a friend who travels with their dog!

Offer applies to eligible dogs previously vaccinated with C2i. Usual fees apply to the first vet health check and vaccination. Second vaccine free; nurse check fee applies.

14/10/2026

🦷 “Why does a pet dental cost so much?”

It’s a fair question. We know a dental can feel like a big expense, so here’s what goes into it.

A pet’s dental isn’t just a quick clean. Your pet needs a general anaesthetic so we can safely check every tooth, clean above and below the gumline, and take dental X-rays. Those X-rays can show problems hidden under the gums that we can’t see just by looking.

The cost also covers the care around the procedure, including anaesthetic monitoring, pain relief and recovery. If teeth are damaged or diseased, they may need extra treatment too.

And we want you to know: we’re not recommending a dental because we want you to spend money for the sake of it. We recommend it because a sore mouth can affect your pet’s comfort and health. Our aim is to treat problems early and help keep as many healthy, comfortable teeth as we can as your pet gets older. Sometimes a tooth is too damaged to save, and removing it is the kindest way to relieve pain.

Think about your own teeth. If you never brushed them or had them cleaned, you could end up with sore, bleeding gums, infections and eventually lost teeth. Pets can develop painful gum disease too—even when they’re still eating and acting like themselves.

Every mouth is different, so we’ll examine your pet and talk you through an estimate for their needs. If you’re worried about the cost, please talk to us. We’re happy to explain what’s involved and discuss the options.

Have questions or think your pet may need a dental? Book a check with us online. 🐾

14/10/2026

🔎 Why does your vet want to take a small sample from your dog’s lump?

We know it can feel like just another cost. But when we suggest a sample, it’s because we can’t reliably tell what a lump is just by looking at it or feeling it. Some harmless lumps can look exactly the same as the more serious ones.

We often hear, “It’s been there for ages. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.” And we understand why a lump that hasn’t caused any trouble can seem harmless.

One of our clients said exactly this about their dog’s lump. We talked about taking a small sample, and thankfully they agreed. The result showed an aggressive mast cell tumour that needed to be removed straight away. Would you look at this lump and think it was an aggressive cancer that needed immediate removal?

The lump had been there for a long time, but its appearance—and how long it had been there—couldn’t tell us what was happening inside it. The sample gave us important information and helped us act quickly.

Not every lump is cancer, and we don’t want to worry you unnecessarily. But if you’ve noticed a lump on your dog, please mention it to your vet.

A check and, when recommended, a small sample can help us understand what it is and decide what to do next. 🐾

Lithgow Veterinary Hospital - helping all animals great and small.
At Lithgow Vets, we love your pets as much as you do, and it is our mission to make sure that every animal that walks through our doors is treated with love and compassion.

12/10/2026

🐶 Your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t. What should you do?

If you think your dog may have eaten something poisonous there are 2 places to call:

* call the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. It’s available 24/7 (a consultation fee may apply) and they will let you know the next steps as they have access to all routine medications and can then let you know if a vet visit is even needed Animal Poisons Helpline

* You can also call Lithgow Veterinary Hospital during opening hours if the hotline advises the next step is a vet visit. They will give you detailed information that you will need to give to your vet.

When you call, try to have these details ready:

✅ What they ate (keep the packet, label or a photo)
✅ About how much they ate
✅ When it happened
✅ Your dog’s weight
✅ Any signs you’ve noticed
✅ Any health conditions or medicines they take

If your dog is very unwell, having trouble breathing, collapsing or having a seizure, go straight to a vet or emergency vet.

Please don’t try to make your dog vomit or give them food or drink unless a vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline tells you to. 🐾

12/10/2026

🐾 Where’s your pet’s favourite walking spot around Lithgow?

Is it a favourite bush track, a quiet street, or somewhere they love stopping to sniff every tree? 🐶

Tell us in the comments—and share this post with a local dog-loving friend so they can add their favourite spot too! You might help another pet owner find a new place to explore. 💚📸

11/10/2026

Is your dog at a healthy weight? Extra weight can creep on gradually, which means many owners do not notice it straight away. Australian pet industry figures suggest that around 4 in 10 dogs are overweight or obese.

Because breeds vary so much in size and shape, it is more helpful to look at body condition than the scales alone.

Three simple checks can help:
• 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠’𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐥𝐲?
• 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞?
• 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞?

If your dog is carrying extra weight, it can affect their comfort, mobility and quality of life. It may also increase the risk of health issues including arthritis and diabetes.

The good news is that even gradual, carefully managed weight loss can make a real difference.

If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, our team can assess their body condition and help you work out a safe and realistic plan.

Please speak with us before making significant changes to your dog’s food or exercise, particularly if they are older, very overweight, or have mobility concerns.

Share this with another dog owner who may find it helpful.

11/10/2026

🐾💉 Does your pet really need their next vaccination?

At Lithgow Vets we get to know you and your pet and make a plan just for them.

At Lithgow Veterinary Hospital, we know every pet lives a different life. Some love outings, adventures and travelling across the country, while others prefer the comforts of home.

Their health, age and vaccination history are different too! 💛

That’s why we take the time to work out which vaccinations your pet needs and when they need them.

We also offer titre testing—a blood test that checks for protection against certain diseases. The results can help us decide whether your pet needs a booster or still has protection from their previous vaccinations. Titre testing allows us to know for sure rather than guessing. Many times your pet doesn't need a jab, they just need their super important annual health check.

It can’t check protection for every vaccine, but we’ll talk you through the options and make a plan that suits your pet. 🐶🐱

We also have 3 yearly vaccines so your pet may not need to be vaccinated as often and just have their yummy chicken treats and their health check.

That’s the Lithgow Vet Hospital difference: getting to know your pet and tailoring their care to them.

📞 Is your pet due for vaccinations? Call us to book a visit and ask about titre testing. New clients are always warmly welcome!

💛 Please share this with a pet owner who would love a more personalised approach to their pet’s care.

Lithgow Veterinary Hospital - helping all animals great and small.
At Lithgow Vets, we love your pets as much as you do, and it is our mission to make sure that every animal that walks through our doors is treated with love and compassion.

11/10/2026

💙 Why has my vet suggested a heart scan? 💙

If your vet hears a heart murmur, notices changes in your pet’s heartbeat, or is concerned about signs such as fainting or unusual tiredness, they may recommend an echocardiogram.

The odd the thing about a heart murmur is that its not always the loudness off the murmur that tells your vet if it is a problem for your pet or not.

Hearing that your pet may need an echocardiogram can sound worrying. But it doesn’t necessarily mean something serious is wrong.

An echocardiogram is simply an ultrasound of the heart. It lets us see how the heart is moving and how blood is flowing through it.

The scan gives us a closer look than we can get with a stethoscope. It helps us work out whether your pet needs treatment, check-ups, or just a little monitoring.

Most pets can have the scan while awake and resting comfortably on their side.

A murmur doesn’t automatically mean your pet has heart failure or needs medication—the scan helps us understand what’s going on and make a plan that suits them.

We have a visiting echocardiographer at Lithgow Veterinary Hospital so you can save yourself the long, arduous trip to Sydney. I

f your vet has mentioned a heart scan and you’re unsure what it involves, give us a call. We’re very happy to chat it through with you. 🐾

10/10/2026

Call out for towels - we are in desperate need.

For the first time in over 10 years we are running out of towels. If you have any old ones you are thinking of getting rid of please drop them into the clinic.

Many thanks from our patients.