The Procter & Gamble Pet Care Company is voluntarily recalling some of the Eukanuba Veterinary Diets dry formulas and a limited number of Eukanuba specialised formulas as a precautionary measure.  Select this link to download the official product safety recall message.   Please note, not all Eukanuba and Iams pet foods are affected.  If you have any concerns about the recall please contact the Eukanuba hotline on 1800 033 608 for a full refund and information about product disposal.  As always we are also happy to provide any further information we have on hand, so do not hesitate to contact us.

Come along to a free information night about why dental care is so important in maintaining your pets overall health and being.

Topic will include preventative care, how to identify dental disease and what to do about it.

Date: Tuesday 27th July 2010
Time: 7pm
Where: Fitzroy Vet Surgery, 102 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy

We are proud to be supporting Melboune Zoo in one of their latest campagin 'They're Calling on You' mobile phone recycling program. The program aims to raise awareness of the issue of coltan mining. Coltan is a metal substance found in mobile phones and the illegal mining in the Congo River Basin in West Africa is threatening the survival of the mountain Gorilla and other primates through loss of habitat and violent unrest. By recycling your old or unused mobile phones you can help reduce the mining of coltan. Each time you recycle a mobile phone, a new phone will be made from your old phone.

We have two wonderful news stories to share with everyone. Firstly, one of our veterinarians, Libby Morton, is expecting her second child. She is now on maternity leave. Congratulations and good luck from your team at Fitzroy Veterinary Hospital.

Secondly, we would also like to congratulate the newly married Mrs Tina Hope, our head veterinary nurse. Tina has just returned from her honeymoon in Africa. Congratulation to Tina and her husband Dave!

Around this time of year pet owners often tell us their older pets are slowing down. Snoozing more, hesitant to jump up, walk or exercise as usual, trouble sitting or standing and general stiffness are just some of the things they mention. So is this common in older dogs and cats and is there something you can do to help?

Along with reports from veterinarians across Victoria, the Australian Veterinarian Association has released a notice on the increase in canine parvovirus cases being seen by practices and are warning all pet owners to make sure your dogs are up to date with vaccinations. This disease is highly contagious and tends to favour hot and humid conditions although can be found in the canine community throughout the year. Dogs that are particularly susceptible to parvovirus are young puppies and dogs that have not had their vaccination boosters.

Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Pomeranians and Shetland Sheepdogs are amongst the top canine breeds predisposed to periodontal disease according to Banfield's Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK) team located in the US.

At Fitzroy Veterinary Surgery, our trained nurses are able to check your pet's teeth, grade them and offer a dental plan free of charge. Looking after your pets' mouth and teeth is very important for maintaining their quality of life. Over 85% of cats and dogs have some form of periodontal (dental) disease. Dental disease can be the source of infection and cause pain and serous illness.

°  Despite their name they are not pigs and do not come from Guinea. They originated in the Andes.

°  Another name for a Guinea pig is a 'Cavy'.

°  A male guinea pig is called a boar and female is called a sow.