Keeping you informed
Newsletter Autumn 2026
Voting Opens 13th April for the Local Business Awards!
Thanks to community support, the Turramurra Veterinary Hospital team is grateful to have been nominated for the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Local Business Awards in the Pet Care category.
Please check out our profile and find the link to vote below – every vote counts!
https://thebusinessawards.com.au/10735/turramurra-veterinary-hospital
Remember once you have voted, you will receive an email from info@thebusinessawards.com.au to Confirm Vote which ensures your vote counts.
We appreciate our clients’ ongoing support of our practice and their mutual love for animals!
Exciting Baby News to Share!
There have been two mini additions to the extended Turramurra Veterinary Hospital family with the birth of George & Seán!
Beck Smith (nee Evans), our Veterinary Nurse, who now works remotely in Business Support, had her second child, George, a big brother to Teddy! Congratulations Beck & Matt!
Veterinarian Dr Amy Howe, who is currently on maternity leave, had her second child, Seán, a big brother to William! Congratulations Amy & Colum! We look forward to Dr Amy returning to the practice in the second half of 2026.
Children and Puppies: Setting Them Up for Success Together
Author: Nicolette Javorsek – Pet Behaviour Consultant
Life with a new puppy is exciting, especially for children! But puppies and young dogs need gentle, respectful interactions to feel safe and confident around children. Teaching children how to interact appropriately with dogs helps build positive relationships and can prevent fear, overwhelm, and accidents. Children should be encouraged to use calm voices, gentle hands, and enjoy appropriate games such as fetch, simple training, hide-and-seek, and walking with an adult. Just as importantly, dogs should not be disturbed when chewing, eating, resting or sleeping.
The first few months of a puppy’s life are a critical learning period, where their experiences shape how they respond to people, children and the environments around them.
Supervision is essential, as accidents can happen in a split second. Children should be taught to avoid hugging dogs, putting their face close to a dog’s face, grabbing ears or tails, climbing on dogs, or taking toys and food away. Helping your puppy associate children with calm and positive experiences can make a big difference to your puppy’s confidence and behaviour as they grow, and the overall harmony at home.
Research and clinical experience show that puppies who receive early training and positive social experiences are more likely to grow into calm, confident and resilient dogs who can cope well with new environments, people and everyday family life.
Read more about success with children and puppies together.
Pet of the Month: Toffee Tippett
Author: Libby Denyer – Veterinary Hospital Attendant Supervisor
Meet Toffee – a high energy loving 7 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever owned by Emma Tippett.
How could anyone not fall for this fun-loving girl?
Toffee, a gorgeous chocolate Labrador Retriever, has been nominated for Pet of the Month by Dr Pip, Dr Noni and Naomi, our Office Manager and has won many hearts here at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital. Toffee has recently undergone a cruciate ligament surgery, known as a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on her right hind leg. TPLO surgery is generally recommended for active dogs that have ruptured their cruciate ligament. The surgery involves changing the mechanics of the knee, which renders the cruciate ligament unnecessary for stability. To maximise the chance of a positive outcome, we have a visiting registered specialist surgeon perform the procedure on site at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital.
Toffee has recovered well and has been an absolute star throughout her rehabilitation. Thanks to pet parent Emma’s wonderful management of Toffee’s high energy levels, she remains incredibly tolerant during her frequent veterinary visits. From injections to blood collection, Toffee takes everything in her stride—so long as she’s rewarded with her favourite treats: carrots or celery! Despite her complex medical history and multiple allergies, Toffee never lets it hold her back and continues to charm everyone she meets.
Q & A: Dr Elissa Kluger – Veterinarian
1) Why did you decide to become a veterinarian?
I’ve always had a love of animals. Growing up, we had family dogs, which I loved having around — a Silky Terrier, Miniature Poodles and German Shorthaired Pointers — but I also longed for pets of my own. My very first pet was a goldfish. Not long after, I had pet rats.
When I moved out of home, I got my first cats — a Burmese and a Devon Rex. I developed my love for cats around this time. I love studying their behaviour and unique personalities, from the quirky and sometimes chaotic things they do, to the companionship they bring into everyday life. I now have two Burmese cats, Chockie and Chai, whom I absolutely adore.
Alongside my love of animals, I’ve always enjoyed learning and had a strong interest in science. Becoming a veterinarian felt like the perfect combination of both — working closely with animals while also applying science to improve their health and well-being.
2) What do you enjoy the most about being a vet?
One of the things I enjoy most is building relationships with both clients and their animals. It’s incredibly rewarding to be trusted with a pet’s care. I also really enjoy working through challenging cases. Problem-solving and piecing together what’s going on can be both intellectually stimulating and very satisfying. However, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing a sick animal recover. Seeing them return to their normal, happy selves is what makes this job so worthwhile.
3) Have you pursued any further qualifications or training since graduation?
About five years after graduating, I completed a PhD in lipid metabolism in dogs and cats. This gave me the opportunity to develop my research and critical thinking skills. Since then, I’ve continued to complete a wide range of continuing education courses. Veterinary medicine is always evolving, so I really enjoy keeping up to date with new medications, treatment approaches, and advances in animal care. Ongoing learning is an important part of being able to provide the best possible care for my patients.
4) What would you advise young people who wish to pursue a career in the veterinary field?
I would encourage young people to try to gain work experience placement as early as possible through their school work experience program. Spending time in a veterinary clinic is one of the best ways to understand what the job is really like on a day-to-day basis.
It’s also important to remember that being a veterinarian involves much more than just working with animals — it includes communicating with people, making difficult decisions, and sometimes dealing with emotional situations. Having a genuine passion for animals, combined with resilience and a willingness to keep learning, will go a long way in this career. Having been involved in the Veterinary Clinical Communication Skills classes at Sydney University for the last few years, has made me even more aware of how important this part of the job is.
Prevention of Vitamin C Deficiency in Guinea Pigs
Author: Dr Gretta Howard – Veterinarian
Guinea pigs rely solely on dietary sources for their Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) because like humans and primates, they are unable to make their own. Guinea pigs generally require 15-25mg per day on average for healthy guinea pigs and 30mg per day for growing or pregnant guinea pigs.
Like humans and primates, they are unable to make their own Vitamin C and require 15-25mg per day on average for healthy guinea pigs and 30mg per day for growing or pregnant guinea pigs. The daily requirements for Vitamin C will be met as long as a balanced diet of good quality dry pellets and greens is fed.
Feeding your guinea pig to avoid Vitamin C deficiency
Guinea pigs need a constant supply of grass hay, such as meadow hay or timothy hay, as this is the most natural part of their diet. Hay also helps prevent dental problems due to tooth overgrowth, ensure gastrointestinal health by providing adequate fibre, improve environmental enrichment and reduce behavioural issues such as hair chewing. Hay alone is not an adequate source of Vitamin C however.
The best way to supply adequate Vitamin C in your guinea pig’s diet is through feeding fresh foods rich in Vitamin C.
Below are some examples of fresh guinea pig friendly foods rich in Vitamin C and the daily amount required:
- Red capsicum (2 tablespoons)
- Kale (1/3 cup)
- Parsley (1/3 cup)
- Broccoli (1/3 cup)
- Broccoli leaves or stalks (2 tablespoons)
- Cauliflower (4 flowerets)
- Alfalfa sprouts (1/2 cup)
- Guava (1 tablespoon)
- Strawberry (2-3 berries)
- Kiwifruit (2-3 tablespoons)
- Green capsicum (3 tablespoons)
- Pineapple (1/3 cup)
- Red cabbage (1/2 cup)
- Snow peas (1/2 cup)
Other Vitamin C rich herbs and vegetables that can be fed to guinea pigs are kale, bok choy, cho sum, English spinach, coriander, dill and mint.
Learn more about preventing Vitamin C definiciency in guinea pigs
Schirmer Tear Test
Author: Dr Gretta Howard – Veterinarian
Why are tears important?
Tears are a vital part of eye health in animals as well as people, and if your pet’s tear quality is poor or tear quantity is insufficient, then the eyes no longer have sufficient self-defence against damage or infection.
What are the signs of poor tear quality or dry eye?
If your pet develops recurrent conjunctivitis (infection), unexplained corneal ulcers that do not heal well (damage to the eye’s surface) or develops an accumulation of crusts or mucous around the eyelids, then your vet may suspect poor or inadequate tear production (dry eye). In these cases, a Schirmer Tear Test (STT) is often recommended.
How is a Schirmer Tear Test performed?
The Schirmer Tear Test measures the rate of tear production by using standardised sterile test strips with a printed millimetre scale. A strip is placed just inside the lower eyelid next to the conjunctiva for 60 seconds and turns blue as tears are produced. This is repeated with a new strip on the other eye. If the tears reach 15mm or more for each eye, then normal tear production is confirmed. If the result is < 10mm per minute then dry eye is diagnosed and treatment is recommended. If the result is between 10-15mm/minute, then your vet may recommend repeating the test a month later to reassess.
Ask the Vet!
1) Why does my dog lick his paws?
Author: Dr Gretta Howard – Veterinarian
Many dogs lick their paws from time to time, but if it becomes excessive, this can be a sign of intense itching caused by allergic skin disease, sometimes with secondary skin infection with either bacteria or yeast (pododermatitis).
Allergies make your dog itchy and although most allergic skin disease is caused by environmental allergens (atopic dermatitis), a small proportion are related to food (food allergy).
Secondary infection occurs because excessive licking from being itchy causes inflammation, which results in a warm, moist environment that micro-organisms thrive in. Bacteria can be found in low numbers on the skin and paws in healthy dogs and yeast is very commonly found in the environment, but when conditions become ideal, then your dog’s paws become a ‘petri-dish’ for these organisms to flourish, making them even more itchy. So, if there is excessive paw licking, it is important to have your dog’s paws tested for infection by your veterinarian and treat any infection present as well as managing the allergic skin disease to reduce the itch. Depending on whether your dog’s paw licking occurs seasonally or all-year-round, your vet may recommend a food elimination diet trial. This is more complex than simply changing your dog’s brand of dog food, so it is important to discuss this during a skin consultation.
Management of allergic skin disease in dogs is often required for life, so your vet may recommend ongoing management of allergic skin disease to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.
2) How can I tell if my cat is unwell?
Author: Dr Elissa Kluger – Veterinarian
It can sometimes be difficult to tell if a cat is unwell, as they often instinctively hide signs of illness. However, there are some common changes you can look out for:
- Vomiting more frequently (beyond the occasional hairball) or diarrhoea
- Changes in behaviour, such as hiding more, becoming more aggressive, sleeping more than usual, or reduced grooming
- Drinking more water than normal
- Urinating more frequently, or straining to urinate and producing little to no urine (especially in male cats – this is an emergency)
- Changes in appetite; reduced appetite, or increased hunger without weight gain, or noticeable weight loss
If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to have your cat checked by a veterinarian. Early assessment can make a big difference in managing many feline health conditions.
3) Why is my dog scooting his bottom along the ground?
Author: Dr Amy Howe – Veterinarian
One of the most common concerns from dog owners relates to their dog ‘scooting’ or rubbing their bottom along the floor (or your lovely white carpets!). Many owners may think their dog has worms, and although we still recommend deworming your dog, this is rarely the cause of scooting. The number one reason for ‘scooting’ anal gland sacculitis, an irritation or infection of one or both anal glands.
These glands are located just inside both sides of the anus and are actually scent glands expressed when your pooch does a poo! They produce a pungent, ‘fishy’ smell that is hard to forget. If they become blocked and can’t be expressed naturally, they become bigger and the pressure causes often intense irritation.
Clinical signs of anal gland sacculitis include:
- Scooting
- Excessive licking or biting around the bottom
- A lingering, ‘fishy’ odour
- Swelling, redness or a discharge near the anus
If left untreated, this inflammation can progress to painful abscesses and even rupture through the skin, so ensure you seek veterinary attention if you notice any of the above.
In dogs over 5 years of age, your vet may even recommend checking your dog’s anal glands during a rectal exam at their regular annual checkup even if they are not displaying signs – this is an important way to detect cancer growths that can affect the anal glands as well as being a way to keep an eye on these pesky glands to ensure your pooch remains ‘scoot-free’!
Thank you for reading our E-news – we would love to hear from you! You are welcome to send through a question for our Ask the Vet! section by replying directly to this email.
We really appreciate receiving feedback from our clients, so feel free to send us a message by emailing manager@turramurravet.com.au as we always strive to improve our service.
Best Wishes,
Dr James Thompson & Dr Gretta Howard
Turramurra Veterinary Hospital Practice Owners
Proud to be family-owned and independent
Copyright ©2026 Turramurra Veterinary Hospital, All rights reserved.
Contact Us:
Turramurra Veterinary Hospital
2 Princes St (cnr Bannockburn Rd)
Turramurra 2074
www.turramurravet.com.au
Ph (02) 9988-0198
