Keeping you informed

Newsletter Christmas 2025

Is your Pet Protected from Ticks?

Author: Dr Gretta Howard – Veterinarian

Warning: Ticks are here!

Summer is well and truly here and with that comes the onset of the deadly paralysis tick season. Our practice has treated multiple tick cases, and the majority of cases so far were not up-to-date with a recommended tick preventative. If you have a dog or a cat that goes outdoors (yes that includes the backyard too!), then it is essential to ensure your pet is up-to-date with an effective tick preventative. If you are unsure when you last administered tick prevention to your pet, it is best to redose them than have a window where they are potentially unprotected.

Turramurra Veterinary Hospital recommends the following tick preventative options:

Cats –

Felpreva spot-on every 3 months (also includes intestinal worming) OR
Bravecto spot-on every 2 months (note off-label recommendation)

Dogs –

Simparica chew monthly OR
Bravecto chew every 3 months OR
Annual Bravecto Quantum Tick Injection

Our recommended gold standard in tick prevention is to also apply a Seresto Tick Collar, which lasts for 4 months and helps to repel ticks before they attach.

For further information about how you can prevent ticks on your pet and also how to recognise the early signs of tick toxicity, please visit our tick toxicity page.

Leptospirosis: An Important Update for Dog Owners

Author: Dr Amy Howe – Veterinarian

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that can affect humans and animals. The disease is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which is excreted in the urine of infected animals including mice, rats, cattle, pigs and dogs. This can lead to contaminated water and soil, which can enter the body via cuts or abrasions, as well as via the mouth, eyes and nose.

Whilst initially starting with vague signs such as lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea, infected dogs can become extremely ill, with approximately 50% of canine cases having a fatal outcome due to severe kidney failure.

Towards the end of 2024, an upgraded vaccination against the two most common strains (serovars) causing leptospirosis in Australia was released by MSD, offering protection against a second strain of the disease. MSD’s Nobivac Lepto2 vaccine provides protection against serovar Copenhageni, as well as serovar Australis, which has become known as the ‘South Coast strain’.

Whilst still a relatively uncommon disease in Australia, cases tend to occur in warm, humid environments such as north-eastern NSW and QLD. However, there are some emerging hot spots in Greater Sydney and NSW, which are a little closer to home here in Ku-Ring-Gai.

Ouch! Deterring Puppy Play Biting

Author: Katie Bedrossian – Pet Behaviour Consultant

Puppies start using their mouths to explore the world (away from feeding) from 3 weeks of age and this gradually increases over puppy hood. They have a strong need to find out information from their world, bond, connect and learn social skills from others.

It naturally reaches a peak between 12-16 weeks, due to a greater awareness of their world and an increased desire to socially connect with others. This greater awareness of what is going on around them often leads to them not getting enough sleep which results in increased biting due to being overtired and overstimulated.

Contrary to popular belief, mouthing and play biting is not related to teething. Teething will be directed to sucking, gnawing and chewing objects of various textures not on their people. Mouthing and play biting is to bond and connect to people and other dogs and learn play skills with other dogs. It is also a way to emotionally regulate when they are feeling overexcited, overwhelmed, overstimulated or anxious.

Provided the puppy has learnt alternate ways to play, interact with others, use their mouth and emotionally self-regulate, mouthing and biting gradually reduces between 4-6 months of age.

However, if the puppy has not learnt the above things, the behaviour can continue into adolescence and beyond, albeit now with stronger jaws and an adolescence persistence. This can be dangerous as even though it may still be out of excitement or play, the mouthing and play biting can now cause bruising and skin tears, often more severe than any nicks received with young puppies.

Read the full article on deterring puppy play biting.

Introducing ‘George’ Sheather-Burton

Beautiful George was nominated by Dr Noni Marceau to feature in our e-news as he is one of her favourites. George presented with a lump on his front left paw at the end of 2024, which was diagnosed as a cancerous mass. After having a veterinary oncology consultation, it was recommended that to survive his cancer and prevent it from spreading, George required his left forelimb to be amputated. George has adapted to this remarkably well and is now living his best life! George has been given the all clear from his veterinary oncologist – what a superstar!

Q & A: Nicolette – Pet Behaviour Consultant

Meet our Pet Behaviour Consultant – Nicolette Javorsek MBA, MPM, Cert IV TAE.

What inspired you to move into dog training as your career?

I’ve loved dogs my whole life, so working with them truly feels like a dream come true. After many years as a successful Training, Change and Project Manager in the corporate world, I realised I wanted my professional life to align with my passion. When I began formally studying dog behaviour and training, everything clicked – I became even more fascinated by how dogs think, feel and learn. Transitioning into this field has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. I also feel incredibly grateful to be working at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital, where I’m surrounded by a supportive team and a community that values positive, science-based training in our puppy classes.

What do you enjoy most about working with dogs?

I love their individuality – every dog has their own personality, quirks and learning style. Watching behaviour shift through positive reinforcement is always fulfilling. Dogs can communicate so clearly when we slow down and observe: the subtle signals that show they’re curious, uncertain, relaxed or excited. Helping a shy puppy build confidence, or supporting a nervous dog as they begin to feel safe, is at the heart of why I love this work. And of course, dogs are clever, funny, forgiving and full of love, which makes every day so meaningful and rewarding.

What do you see as the most important benefit of dog ownership?

To me, owning a dog is both a privilege and a joy. For humans, the benefits are enormous – companionship, routine, comfort, laughter and emotional wellbeing. For dogs, the greatest benefit is having a family who meets their needs with safety, consistency, enrichment and positive learning opportunities. When the relationship is grounded in understanding and kindness, both dog and human thrive. That mutual trust is what makes the human–animal bond so powerful and so special.

What pets do you currently have and what are their personalities like?

I have four precious dogs – one British Bulldog and three pugs – each with their own wonderful personality. My Bulldog is a calm, very loyal girl who loves the beach, surprises everyone with her enthusiastic swimming and plays soccer, ending the game with puncturing the soccer ball! My older male pug is a cheerful social butterfly who’s always smiling and eager for a walk and playful chase. His sister is a sweet, confident girl who loves rolling on soft grass. My youngest pug is very smart, loves zoomies, agility and is a cuddle bug. Together, they’re a relaxed, fully socialised and trained pack who remind me daily why I love this career.

Need to book in Puppy Preschool for your pup? Check out further details at https://www.turramurravet.com.au/puppy-training/puppy-preschool/.

PAW PUREPEA + Omega Anti-Inflammatory Supplement for Dogs & Cats

Author: Dr Amy Howe – Veterinarian

Introducing a new supplement by Blackmores – PAW PUREPEA+ Omega. This is a supplement containing palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and pure fish oil, developed to help manage inflammation, pain and itchiness in dogs and cats.

PEA is naturally found throughout the body in a wide range of cells and has a wide range of therapeutic effects. Acting as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, in some conditions the body’s supply of PEA may be depleted, requiring oral supplementation to continue the healing effects.

PEA supplementation is recommended for:

Allergic and inflammatory skin conditions in dogs and cats
Itchy skin
Cognitive decline in geriatric patients
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Osteoarthritis

This product is now available to purchase over-the-counter at Turramurra Vet Hospital and comes in a palatable gelatin capsule which can also be opened and squeezed onto your pet’s food to help with dosing if required. We have already seen the benefits of this supplement in multiple cases!

Ask the Vet

Author: Dr Angus Donald – Veterinarian

What are the most effective strategies for helping to maintain our pets’ dental health?

Dental disease is the most common problem we see on a daily basis at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital. Maintaining a regular home-care routine can certainly help to keep your pet’s teeth as clean as possible and reduce the frequency of them requiring a professional clean.

Before you get started, we always recommend you have your pet’s mouth assessed by one of our veterinarians to check for any existing issues that may need treatment, and to provide tailored preventative care recommendations for your furry friend.

1) Brushing

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the most effective way to remove plaque and is considered the gold standard dental care at home. Focus on the outside surfaces of the teeth as your pet’s tongue typically keeps the inside surface quite clean. Daily brushing is best, but brushing even a few times a week will help!
Tips:

Use a toothbrush and paste specifically formulated for pets
Start slowly and from the front of the mouth, and build up to daily brushing
Always make it positive with praise or a treat afterwards
Not every pet tolerates tooth brushing, so don’t persevere if your pet is getting anxious or seems uncomfortable

2) Diets and chews

Special dental diets are available, such as Hills T/d and Royal Canin Dental, which help to keep teeth clean as pets chew as they are a larger much firmer kibble. These diets are most effective when provided as the majority of their diet.

Dental chews such as Greenies or Oravet chews are a great way to give your dog a yummy treat that also helps to keep their teeth clean! At Turramurra Veterinary Hospital, we don’t recommend feeding bones for teeth cleaning due to the risk of tooth fractures and gastrointestinal upsets or blockages.

3) Additives

Food and water additives such as PlaqueOff and Oxyfresh can help reduce plaque build up and support gum health and are alternative options for pets that don’t tolerate brushing.

My dog is less itchy in winter but starts to scratch again in the spring. Is there anything I can do to help reduce their seasonal itch?

If your dog starts scratching more as the weather warms up, they’re not alone. Seasonal itchiness is a common concern, especially in spring and summer, which are the most common allergy seasons. Whilst winter often brings relief, springtime can see underlying allergies and sensitivities flare up.
Common allergens include:

Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds
Dust from mould spores
Fleas and other biting insects
Heat and humidity, which can worsen skin irritation

The good news is that there are steps you can take that will help to reduce their itch:

1) Use flea/tick prevention all year round to ensure the life cycle is broken

2) Add a skin support supplement to your pet’s diet, such as PAW PUREPEA+ Omega, to reduce inflammation, improve skin health and aid in boosting the skin barrier

3) Bathe your dog strategically with a gentle, moisturising or hypoallergenic shampoo can help to reduce allergens from the skin surface and soothe itchy skin. Oatmeal-based shampoos and leave in conditioners, such as Aloveen by Dermcare or Nutriderm by PAW, also help maintain a healthy skin barrier

4) Manage your pet’s environment by washing your dog’s paws and coat after outdoor walks and regularly vacuuming indoors can help to reduce indoor allergen build up

5) Book a veterinary consultation to discuss management of your pet’s condition as they may benefit from allergy-specific treatments such as anti-itch prescription medications or even further diagnostics to help manage your pet’s skin allergies.

Our friendly veterinary team is here to help you keep your pet comfortable all-year-round! Online booking is available at www.turramurravet.com.au or phone us on 9988-0198.

As we gear up for Christmas and the busy upcoming holiday season, we’d like to thank all our loyal clients for their ongoing support of our veterinary practice that we pour our hearts and souls into. It is our absolute pleasure to help keep our local community’s pets safe and well. We really appreciate hearing feedback from our clients, so we encourage you to send through 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

Contact Us:
Turramurra Veterinary Hospital
2 Princes St (cnr Bannockburn Rd)
Turramurra 2074
www.turramurravet.com.au
Ph (02) 9988-0198

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