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Clinic Hours:
8.00 am -7.00 pm (Monday - Friday)
8.00 am
-12 noon (Saturday)
The Clinic does not
open on Sundays or Public Holidays.
Ph: 03
9752 3555 (All hours) or for an after-hours
emergency, contact either the Animal Emergency
Centre in Hallam on 8795
7020 or the Animal Emergency
Centre in Mt Waverley on 9803 8122.
The AEC will
provide telephone advice, or arrange to
examine and provide emergency treatment for
your pet. Generally, your pet will be
referred back to Foothills Vet Clinic the
following morning for ongoing
treatment.
The AEC Hallam is accessed from the
South Gippsland Freeway by taking the Berwick exit
onto Princes Highway, then turning right into
Wedgewood Road, and then taking the first driveway
on the left-hand side (Melways ref 91 D2). The
address is 18 / 151-159 Princes Highway,
Hallam.
The AEC Mt Waverley is located at 37
Blackburn Road, between High Street Road and
Highbury Road (Melways ref 61
K9).
Appointments at Foothills Vet
Clinic are appreciated to allow things to operate
smoothly, keep animals separate and minimise
waiting time; however urgent cases will always be
given priority and may lead to
delays.
Parking - Plentiful
parking exists both in front of the clinic in the
Village Court and in the car-park behind Wyuna St.
An emergency parking bay is located directly in
front of the clinic, marked in yellow, and this
parking space is the one from which we can most
easily manipulate a stretcher into the clinic.
Wildlife - The clinic treats and
rehabilitates injured and sick possums, birds and
other wildlife at no cost to the public. Donations
of clean towels, beach towels and pillowcases are
always appreciated.
Puppy PreSchool
- Classes are held for vaccinated pups between six
weeks and six months of age to allow interaction
with other vaccinated puppies for socialization
which can avoid later behavioural problems. Basic
obedience is also taught during the one hour
classes.
Managing Animals in Disasters
- Plan ahead and include your pets in your plans
if you live in a fire risk area. The clinic offers
day boarding during the high risk season so that
your animals will be safe if you work in an area
which doesn't allow you to quickly evacuate your
pets in the event of a fire. Remember that animals
have instincts which may cause them to flee in the
event of a fire, storm or other natural disaster,
so early evacuation is essential. Keep animals
under control - dogs on leashes, cats and small
animals in cages or pillowcases, birds in a cage
covered by wet hessian, and fish in a jar
two-thirds filled with water (if covering with a
lid, regularly aerate the water by blowing through
a straw).
If
animals are left at home, put them inside in a
small room with preferably no windows and provide
food and water. The water bowl should be heavy
enough to avoid being tipped over (alternatively a
slow-dripping tap can supply a constant supply of
water). Make sure all pets are properly
identified, preferably microchipped with an ID
tag. Never leave animals in a vehicle. Leave a
note for emergency services about the type and
number of pets, and your contact
details.
After
the disaster, surroundings will have changed and
animals can be disoriented and frightened. Take
care when releasing them, and do so in a confined
area to avoid their escape.
Cats
and Wildlife - Cats have a natural instinct to
hunt and even well-fed felines will hunt birds and
other wildlife. To protect our native species, you
should confine your cat inside, or in a specially
constructed cat run, between dusk and dawn, which
is the time cats are most active. This will also
protect your cat from cat fight injuries and
abscesses and feline AIDS. In some areas this 'cat
curfew' is compulsory. Other measures may be
needed for cats which hunt during the daylight
hours. These include cat collars with two or three
bells, special collars which emit a signal audible
to birds when the cat crouches to pounce, or the
CatStop - a 'bib' which interfers with the cat's
paw-eye co-ordination.
Dangers in and around the Home -
Many of the dangers posed to young children will
also be problems for pets. Additionally consider
the following:-
- Insect bite reactions - initial
swelling and pain can progress to difficulties
breathing. Delayed reactions can occur, so
veterinary attention should be sought as soon as
possible.
-
Toxicities and Poisons - chemical poisons,
snail bait, rat bait, detergents and cleaners,
chocolate, onions, garlic, human medications, many
fruits and plants, lead from sinkers / curtain
weights / lead shot / old paint. (see
section "Preventative Health Care -
Toxicities")
-
Christmas celebrations - electrocution from power
cords or tree lights, poisoning from uncooked
alcohol-containing puddings or nuts,
intestinal obstructions from eating decorations or
netting from ham, pancreatitis from
eating left-over ham or turkey or kebab
skewers.
-
Heat stroke - excessive heat causes continuous
panting, agitation, weakness and collapse - cover
with wet towels and seek immediate veterinary
attention. Avoid by keeping animals inside on hot
days with fans, water mist sprays or
air-conditioning, and ensuring an adequate supply
of fresh, cool water (ice cubes may be
added). | 
