Naracoorte, Penola and Casterton Veterinary Centres

16/10/2026

🦔 Please slow down for our wildlife! 🐢

This poor young echidna was bought into our Casterton clinic this morning, he was simply trying to cross the road when he was unfortunately hit by a car on a 60 km/h road. He suffered a broken pelvis and a broken beak. 💔

☀️ Summer is here, and our wildlife will be out and about! As the weather warms up, animals become more active, and reptiles may be seen resting on warm bitumen roads to soak up the heat. This means we all need to be extra vigilant when driving.

🙏 Please slow down, stay alert and keep an eye out for wildlife crossing or resting on the road, particularly on country roads. A little extra care can make a life-saving difference.

They don’t know the road rules, but we do. Let’s give our wildlife a chance to make it safely home.🐾🌿

16/09/2026

🐾 Honey’s Pyometra Case Study 🐾

Meet Honey, a tiny 2 kg Prague Ratter who presented to us with lethargic, a very bloated abdomen and unable to keep food or fluids down.

An X-ray showed that her entire lower abdomen was filled by a severely enlarged organ. After speaking with Honey’s owner, we discovered she had not yet been desexed, leading us to suspect pyometra.

🩺 What is pyometra?
Pyometra is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus, causing it to fill with pus and become severely enlarged.

A Pyometra can be open - where infected discharge can drain through the cervix, or closed, where the cervix remains sealed and the infected material is trapped inside. Honey had a closed pyometra, meaning there was no way for the infected material to drain.

Honey underwent surgery to remove the infected uterus, which weighed an incredible 400 grams which is around 20% of her entire body weight!😮

Thankfully, Honey recovered beautifully and has been doing amazing since going home. ❤️

📸 Top row: Honey after surgery
📸 Bottom: Photos from the procedure, including a size comparison showing just how enlarged her uterus had become.

Honey’s case is an important reminder that a pyometra is an emergency. If your un-desexed female dog shows signs such as lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, a swollen abdomen or vaginal discharge, seek veterinary attention promptly.

11/09/2026

🚨The Indoor Only Superpower!🐱

Many pet parents believe that if their cat stays entirely inside, they are 100% safe from bugs and diseases. Let’s break down the truth! ⬇️

The Myth:"My cat stays strictly indoors, so they don’t need vaccines or flea, tick or worm prevention."

The Fact: Indoor cats still need protection! Here is why your indoor explorer is still at risk:

The Great Escape: Even the calmest cats can slip through an open door or a torn window screen when startled.
Uninvited Guests: Fleas, ticks, and rodents can hitch a ride into your home on your clothes, shoes and other pets.
Invisible Threats: Viruses can live on surfaces and be brought inside by visitors or objects.
The Indoor Hunter: Mice and bugs that get inside can carry nasty parasites that infect your cat.

The Bottom Line: Prevention is always easier (and cheaper!) than treating an illness or an infestation later.

👇 Tell us in the comments: What is your cat's favorite indoor "hunting" target? (Toy mice, laser pointers, or actual bugs?)

12/08/2026

What should you do if you find a sick or injured bird? 🐦

With H5 bird flu confirmed in South Australia, it is important to take care when you come across a sick or injured wild bird.

🚫 DO NOT TOUCH THE BIRD
🐾 KEEP PETS AWAY
Make sure dogs and cats cannot access the bird.

📞 CALL THE EMERGENCY ANIMAL DISEASE HOTLINE
1800 675 888
The hotline team will record your location and details and pass the information on to their triage team, who will arrange attendance at the next available opportunity.

🌊 SEA BIRDS
At this stage, seabirds are considered a higher-risk group, so please take extra care around sick or injured seabirds.

📸 PHOTOS OR VIDEOS
The team may ask you to take photos or videos of the bird from a safe distance to help with their assessment.

Please do not attempt to rescue, handle or move the bird yourself. ‼️

Thank you for helping keep our wildlife, pets and community safe. 💛

For the latest information on H5 bird flu in South Australia, visit the South Australian Government's bird flu website.

26/06/2026

⚠️ Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Update ⚠️

There are now two confirmed cases of avian influenza in Western Australia and a third confirmed case in South Australia, highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant and practising good biosecurity measures to help protect Australia's poultry and wild bird populations.

The South Australian case was confirmed from a wild bird found on 14 June at Knights Beach, Port Elliot, on the Fleurieu Peninsula. This serves as an important reminder for bird owners and the wider community to remain alert and report any unusual bird deaths.

Here's what you need to know:

🐦 What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Avian influenza is a viral disease that primarily affects birds but can also infect some other animal species. While the risk to the general public remains low, the disease can have serious impacts on poultry and wildlife.

🌏 How does it spread?
Avian influenza can spread through direct contact with infected birds, contaminated equipment and, in some cases, via migratory wild birds.

🏡 How can you help protect your birds?
If you own pet birds or backyard chickens:
• Keep wild birds away from your birds by using secure housing or netting.
• Ensure feed and water are not accessible to wild birds.
• Maintain good hygiene by regularly cleaning aviaries, feeders, drinkers and equipment.

🚫 If you find multiple sick or dead birds or other animals, do not handle them.
Instead, take photos or a video, note the location, and report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information, visit www.birdflu.gov.au](http://www.birdflu.gov.au).

By staying informed and following good biosecurity practices, we can all play an important role in helping protect Australia's birds, poultry and livestock.

Bird flu (Avian influenza)

18/06/2026

🐾 Mr Fig's "Then & Now" 🐾

Does anyone remember little Mr Fig?

This handsome boy was one of our previous adoption kittens from the Fruity Crew litter, and he recently popped back in for his vaccination appointment!

Now 5 and a half months old, Mr Fig has grown into a healthy, confident young man and absolutely stole the hearts of the team all over again. Seeing our adoption pets thriving in their forever homes is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do, and we couldn't be happier to see how well this gorgeous boy is doing.

We'd love to see how our other adopted pets are getting on too! If you've adopted a pet from one of our clinics, pop a photo of them in the comments and tell us a little about how they're doing. We'd also love to hear about their favourite treats, toys, games, or quirky habits! 🐾❤️

Keep living your best life, Mr Fig!🐱💛

10/06/2026

PLEASE BE AWARE!

A scammer is commenting on our posts (including quite old posts), claiming we have t-shirts for sale, with a link, an AI photo, and actually tagging people.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT SELL TSHIRTS, PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS IN THE COMMENTS.

04/06/2026

❄️ Winter Arthritis Awareness ❄️

As the weather gets colder, many pets living with osteoarthritis can experience increased stiffness and discomfort. Osteoarthritis is a common condition, particularly in older dogs and cats, where the joints become inflamed and painful over time. You may notice your pet becoming slower to get up, reluctant to jump or climb stairs, less enthusiastic about walks, or generally less active than usual.

The good news is that arthritis can often be managed successfully, helping your pet maintain a happy and comfortable quality of life. Early intervention is key, and there are many treatment options available including weight management, joint supplements, prescription medications, physiotherapy, and tailored exercise programs.

If you've noticed any changes in your pet's mobility, don't assume it's "just old age." Our team would be happy to assess your pet and discuss the best management options to keep them moving comfortably throughout winter and beyond. 🐾💙

11/05/2026

🐴 Why Are Horse Dentals So Important? 🦷

Just like us, horses need regular dental care to stay healthy and comfortable. Horses’ teeth continually grow throughout their lives, which can lead to sharp points, uneven wear, hooks, and other painful dental issues if left untreated.

Signs your horse may need a dental check include:
• Dropping feed while eating
• Weight loss or poor condition
• Bad breath
• Difficulty chewing
• Head tossing or resistance under saddle
• Quidding (spitting out partially chewed food)

Routine dental examinations help keep your horse eating comfortably, maintaining weight, and performing at their best. Most horses benefit from a dental check every 6–12 months, although younger and older horses may require more frequent monitoring.

💙 While we’re talking horse health, don’t forget to check your gelding or stallion for “willy beans” too!

“Beans” are firm accumulations of sm**ma that can build up inside the sheath and around the urethral diverticulum. If left unchecked, they can become uncomfortable and may cause irritation, swelling, difficulty urinating, sensitivity, or behavioural changes.

Regular sheath cleaning and checks are an important part of your horse’s routine healthcare and can help keep them comfortable and happy.

A big thank you to our nurse Kira for sharing these photos of her horse’s having their dental care and health checks completed by the wonderful Dr Elle! 🐎✨

01/05/2026

Come along for a quick tour of our Naracoorte clinic! 🐶 🐱 🩺

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