Melbourne Dog Clinic

Melbourne Dog Clinic Melbourne's First dedicated Dog Veterinary Clinic! Melbourne’s First and only Fear Free Certified Practice (FFCP)!

10/06/2026

CASE OF THE MONTH: Stella’s Story

“That’s just how French Bulldogs breathe.”

It’s a phrase we hear often but sometimes noisy breathing, excessive panting, snoring and exercise intolerance can be signs of an underlying airway problem rather than simply a breed characteristic.

This month’s Case of the Month follows Stella, a 10-year-old French Bulldog who underwent BOAS surgery to help improve her breathing and overall quality of life.

BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) is a condition commonly seen in flat-faced breeds, including French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs. Many affected dogs work much harder to breathe than they should.

For Stella, surgery wasn’t about changing who she is. It was about helping her breathe more comfortably and improving her day-to-day wellbeing.

Just because something is common in a breed doesn’t mean it’s normal.

Follow Stella’s journey and learn more about BOAS.

Every dog is different, and this case is shared for educational purposes only.

One of the most common things I hear from dog guardians is:"My dog is great everywhere else... they just don't like goin...
05/06/2026

One of the most common things I hear from dog guardians is:

"My dog is great everywhere else... they just don't like going to the vet."

But nervousness doesn't only show up during veterinary visits.

Many dogs show signs of stress and anxiety in everyday situations too, and those signs can be surprisingly subtle.

Some things I encourage families to look out for include:

• Reluctance to approach unfamiliar people or dogs
• Turning their head away or avoiding eye contact
• Panting when they haven't been exercising
• Refusing food or treats in certain situations
• Trembling, pacing or seeking constant reassurance
• Becoming unusually clingy or withdrawn

These behaviours aren't a dog being stubborn or difficult.

They're information.

They tell us something about how that dog is feeling in that moment.

When we recognise those signs early, we can often make simple adjustments that help dogs feel safer and more comfortable, both at home and during veterinary visits.

That's one of the reasons I love Fear Free care.

It encourages us to look beyond what a dog is doing and ask why they're doing it.

Because every dog deserves to feel safe, respected and understood.

Has your dog always been confident in new situations, or have they needed a little extra support along the way?

💛 Dr Rebecca

✨ Jujubee's Teeth Tips ✨🕵️ Detective Jujubee's Dental Files: Volume IThis week, Jujubee uncovered two important clues:👃 ...
05/06/2026

✨ Jujubee's Teeth Tips ✨

🕵️ Detective Jujubee's Dental Files: Volume I

This week, Jujubee uncovered two important clues:

👃 Bad breath isn't always just "dog breath"

🦷 Dogs are very good at hiding dental pain

Many dogs continue eating, playing and acting normally even when dental disease is present.

Sometimes the smallest changes can tell us the most.

The investigation continues next week...

Many people groom less during winter.After all, when the weather cools down, it's easy to assume dogs need all that extr...
04/06/2026

Many people groom less during winter.

After all, when the weather cools down, it's easy to assume dogs need all that extra coat for warmth.

But winter is actually when we often start to see coat and skin problems building up.

Longer coats, damp weather, jackets and harnesses can all contribute to matting, trapped moisture and skin irritation. And for some dogs, that can become quite uncomfortable.

Regular grooming isn't just about keeping dogs looking tidy.

It's about helping them stay comfortable, clean and feeling their best through the colder months.

At Melbourne Dog Clinic, our Fear Free grooming team focuses on more than the finished haircut. We work at each dog's pace, helping make grooming a positive and supportive experience.

Because grooming should feel good too.

Have you noticed your dog's coat changing during winter?

03/06/2026

The biggest risk factor for heartworm isn’t mosquitoes. It’s missed prevention.

Life gets busy. Even the most dedicated dog parents can lose track of monthly treatments from time to time.

That’s one reason many families choose annual heartworm protection. One visit, one injection, 12 months of protection.

If you’re unsure which heartworm prevention option is right for your dog, our team is happy to help.

02/06/2026

Brighten up winter and Wear It With Pride this month by adding a spot of colour to your dog when they get groomed in June.

Sadly, this will only be available for light coloured dogs but it will be free of charge.

Dental Month starts Monday at Melbourne Dog Clinic 💙This June and July, we’ll be focusing on an important part of dogs’ ...
28/05/2026

Dental Month starts Monday at Melbourne Dog Clinic 💙

This June and July, we’ll be focusing on an important part of dogs’ health that is often easy to overlook — dental disease.

Many dogs live with dental discomfort quietly. Changes in chewing, eating habits, behaviour, breath or comfort can sometimes be early signs that something more is going on.

Throughout Dental Month we’ll be sharing:
🦷 dental care tips
🦷 signs of dental disease to look out for
🦷 ways to help support oral health at home
🦷 product spotlights including Hexabone
🦷 our Jujubee’s Teeth Tips series

We’ll also be offering:
• Reduced pricing on Stage One Dentals
• $0 health check fees for new clients booking a dental
• Hexabone giveaways during Dental Month

At Melbourne Dog Clinic, we believe dental care is about more than teeth alone. Oral health can play an important role in comfort, confidence and overall wellbeing too.

And don’t forget to book your dog’s dental this Dental Month 🦷

Follow along with us throughout June and July for education, tips and a few appearances from Jujubee 🐾



https://www.melbournedogclinic.com.au/dogdentals

For our grooming team, Fear Free grooming is about so much more than just the final haircut.It’s about how a dog feels t...
27/05/2026

For our grooming team, Fear Free grooming is about so much more than just the final haircut.

It’s about how a dog feels throughout the entire experience.

Some dogs walk into a grooming environment feeling unsure, overwhelmed or nervous. Others may have had difficult experiences in the past, or simply need a little more time to feel comfortable. That’s why our approach focuses not only on grooming but on emotional wellbeing too.

✨ Building trust
Trust takes time, especially for dogs who are worried about handling or grooming. We focus on creating positive experiences that help dogs feel more comfortable coming back each visit.

✨ Helping dogs feel safe
Small changes can make a big difference. Things like gentle handling, quieter approaches, slower introductions and reading body language carefully all help create a calmer experience for dogs.

✨ Moving at each dog’s pace
Every dog is different, and that’s okay. Some dogs need breaks, shorter sessions or extra support while they build confidence over time. We try to work with the dog in front of us, rather than expecting every dog to cope the same way.

Fear Free grooming means recognising there’s an emotional experience behind grooming, not just the physical care.

Because helping dogs feel safe and supported matters too. 💛

Sometimes the smallest changes tell us the most.Sleeping a little more.Hesitating before jumping.Slowing down on walks.C...
26/05/2026

Sometimes the smallest changes tell us the most.

Sleeping a little more.
Hesitating before jumping.
Slowing down on walks.
Changes in behaviour, confidence or comfort.

As dogs get older, these changes can happen gradually and can be easy to overlook because they often become part of “normal life.”

Seniors Month at Melbourne Dog Clinic is about taking a more thoughtful look at ageing, comfort and quality of life - helping identify subtle changes earlier and supporting dogs as they grow older.

There’s still time to book a Seniors Month appointment before May ends.

Because getting older deserves care, attention and support too 🐶

https://www.melbournedogclinic.com.au/seniordogcare

One of the things I love most about Fear Free medicine is that it gives dogs more choice and helps them feel safer durin...
20/05/2026

One of the things I love most about Fear Free medicine is that it gives dogs more choice and helps them feel safer during their visit. 💛

1️⃣ Helping dogs feel safe and respected

Dogs have a basic right to feel safe, and it’s incredibly rewarding to take steps to help them feel more comfortable in the clinic and to treat them with respect and compassion throughout their visit.

2️⃣ Helping visits feel less overwhelming

I also love helping visits feel less overwhelming for both dogs and their people. Seeing the relief on a guardian’s face when their dog copes well during an appointment is always really special.

3️⃣ Watching nervous dogs grow in confidence

Honestly, it’s such a thrill to watch a nervous dog gradually relax and feel comfortable enough to allow an examination, injection or procedure with little to no stress.

I actually feel quite emotional when we have a successful fear free experience during a visit. Hearing the clients feedback and giving them peace of mind and putting them at ease really feels like a great achievement.

Dr Rebecca

Address

2/1221 Toorak Road
Melbourne, VIC
3124

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

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+61391231212

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