Dr Kay's Blog - on everything veterinary related


Heart Disease in Cats and Dogs

G'day, pet lovers! Dr. Kay here, from Bicton Veterinary Clinic. Today, we're diving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us – heart disease in pets. With my roots firmly in our local commu...
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March is Rabbit month at Bicton Veterinary Clinic

Welcome to Bicton Veterinary Clinic – Your Trusted Partner in Pet Care! This March, we're hopping into a month-long celebration and focusing on one of the most delightful, furry members of our family...
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The Joy and Care of Rabbits as Family Pets: Insights from Bicton Veterinary Clinic

The Joy and Care of Rabbits as Family Pets: Insights from Bicton Veterinary Clinic   Welcoming a rabbit into your home is an adventure filled with cuddles, play, and the joy of watching them hop aro...
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Protecting Your Beloved Pets: A Comprehensive Guide to Heartworm Prevention

Introduction As pet owners, we cherish the companionship and love our dogs and cats provide us. Ensuring their health and well-being is our top priority. One of the most serious threats our furry fri...
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Smile Bright: The Joy of Healthy Teeth in Pets

Healthy Pet Smiles: Expert Dental Care Tips from Bicton Veterinary Clinic Your pet's smile is more than just adorable – it's a window into their overall health and well-being. Just like us, our furry...
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Is that just a lump, bump or something more serious?

What's That Odd Lump on Your Dog? Let's Decode It Together! Hello, this is Dr. Kay from the Bicton Veterinary Clinic. I understand how nerve-wracking it can be to find an unexpected bump on your cher...
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The Importance of Six Monthly Checkups at Bicton Veterinary Clinic for Effective Pet Medication Management

The Importance of Six Monthly Checkups at Bicton Veterinary Clinic for Effective Pet Medication Management Introduction When was the last time your fur baby saw a vet? If it's been more than six mon...
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Your Comprehensive Guide to Pet Safety in Hot Weather

Your Comprehensive Guide to Pet Safety in Hot Weather: Advice from Dr. Kay at Bicton Veterinary Clinic Introduction Hello to all the devoted pet parents in our community! I'm Dr. Kay from Bicton Vet...
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The Hidden Danger in Your Backyard and Parks: Dr. Kay on Grass Seeds and Your Pet's Health

The Hidden Danger in Your Backyard and Parks: Dr. Kay on Grass Seeds and Your Pet's Health   Introduction The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it's the perfect time for an outdoor adventu...
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As Australia's bees face varroa mite infestation, it's hoped hover flies can fill the role of crop pollinator

As Australia's bees face varroa mite infestation, it's hoped hover flies can fill the role of crop pollinator.   In short: As bees face threats like varroa mites, a fly is proving its pollination ...
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Snakes in and around Perth, Western Australia—What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know About Snake Bites.

Dr. Kay's Pet Health Blog: Snakes in and around Perth, Western Australia—What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know About Snake Bites. Hello there, dear pet parents, I'm Dr. Kay, and I know that owning a pe...
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Australia will cease efforts to eradicate varroa mites and transition to management of the deadly bee parasite.

Australia will cease efforts to eradicate varroa mites and transition to management of the deadly bee parasite.   As we move to spring and into summer Dr. Kay would like to mention the importance o...
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Dermatitis in Pets: What Pet Owners Need to Know

Dermatitis in Pets: What Pet Owners Need to Know   Hey all pet lovers! 🐾 Ever noticed your fur baby scratching incessantly during those warmer months? There's a high chance they might be dealing wi...
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Mites in Pets: A Comprehensive Guide to Identification and Treatment

Tackling Mites in Your Beloved Pets: A Quick Guide   Mites:  Tiny troublemakers that can wreak havoc on your pet's comfort. If you've seen your pet scratch more than usual, with signs of redness or...
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Dr Kay's Comprehensive Guide to Food Allergies in Cats and Dogs

Demystifying Food Allergies in Cats and Dogs What Exactly is a Food Allergy? Over my years in veterinary practice, I've come to understand that food allergies in our cherished cats and dogs emerge...
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Discovering the Primordial Pouch: Secrets of Your Cat's Belly Flap | Bicton Veterinary Clinic

Greetings, dear readers of the Bicton Veterinary Clinic blog! Dr Kay here, your trusted veterinarian, ready to unravel the captivating secrets behind your feline friends' enigmatic belly flaps. Have y...
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Spring Allergies and Scratching: A Pawsome Guide

Ah-choo! Yes, even our pets can catch a case of the sniffles, and springtime seems to be when they're most likely to do so. Just like us, our beloved companions can experience allergies, which can lea...
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Pet Allergies: Understanding, Management, and Relief | Bicton Veterinary Clinic

As pet owners, we share our lives with cherished companions who bring us endless joy and unconditional love. However, just like humans, pets can experience allergies that impact their health and well-...
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Glyphosate Use in City of Vincent Parks: A Closer Look

In recent discussions within the City of Vincent, the use of glyphosate for weed control in parks and gardens has come under scrutiny. Glyphosate, a controversial weed spray, has faced public concern ...
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Is it safe for your dog to lick your face?

The odds of getting sick from a friendly lick across the face are very low. But the fact is that all dogs will be dogs from time to time – that is, sniff around bird poo on the footpath and lick their...
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Prioritising Pet Dental Care: Bright Smiles for a Lifetime

As responsible pet owners, we care deeply for our furry friends and their well-being. We make sure they receive proper nutrition, regular exercise, and lots of love and attention. However, there's one...
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Raw Bones vs. Dental Health: The Truth for Your Pet

As devoted fur-parents, we're all too familiar with the quest for the best in every aspect of our pets' lives. From the comfiest beds to the sturdiest toys and the most nourishing food, we strive to p...
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The importance of pets having a dental

As responsible pet owners, we care deeply for our furry friends and their well-being. We make sure they receive proper nutrition, regular exercise, and lots of love and attention. However, there's one...
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Dentals and your pet

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential for the health and well-being of your cat or dog. Just like humans, animals can suffer from dental problems if their teeth are not properly cared fo...
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Senior cats and dogs

As pets age, their health needs change, and they may develop a variety of health issues. Senior cats and dogs are more prone to certain conditions, such as arthritis, cancer, kidney disease, and denta...
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Parasites: fleas, ticks, mites and your pet

External parasites, such as fleas and ticks, can cause a variety of health problems for domestic pets in Australia. These tiny pests can transmit diseases, cause allergic reactions, and even lead to a...
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Rabbits

Rabbits are one of the most popular household pets in Australia, with an estimated 2.5 million pet rabbits living in the country. Rabbits are known for their adorable appearance and gentle demeanour, ...
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Heartworm in cats and dogs

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects both cats and dogs. It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis, which is transmitted to pets through the bi...
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Sea Hares and your pets

Sea Hares Black Sea Hares, Aplysia dactylomela, are large black slug/squid-like creatures that are often washed up on our beaches. They live in sea-grass beds, rock pools and other intertidal enviro...
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Heart Disease in Cats and Dogs

Heart disease is a common condition in cats and dogs, and it can significantly impact their overall health and quality of life. There are several different types of heart disease that can affect these...
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The dangers of grass seeds and your pet

Grass seeds, also known as foxtails, are a common danger for pets, particularly dogs and cats. These small, sharp seeds can easily become lodged in a pet's fur, ears, nose, or paws, causing serious in...
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Walking pets during the summer months

Planning your walks and outdoor time with your pets during the summer months is very important. Either early morning or late afternoon when the temperature is cooler is appropriate. Even with temperat...
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World-first clinical trial in Perth could lead to breakthrough treatment for children with sarcoma - Dogs to the rescue

At 17 years of age, Angus Hollington was faced with the sudden need to have his leg amputated after enduring six years of invasive cancer treatment. "It wasn't a massive shock," he said. "I just thoug...
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It's grass seed season

Grass Seeds: Grass seeds may potentially lead to serious issues for your dogs and cats. Grass seeds stick to your pets' fur to be carried to a new location to spread the grass. These seeds often have...
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Canine ehrlichiosis: guidelines for dog owners

What is ehrlichiosis? Canine ehrlichiosis (pronounced ‘err-lick-ee-oh-sis’) is a disease of dogs caused by infection with a bacterium called Ehrlichia canis. Ticks carry the bacterium. In Australia,...
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Bee stings and your pet

Bees are becoming more active as the weather warms up and flowers open in abundance. Our pets may encounter bees when out for a walk, in the garden or when the bees are seeking water, particularly on ...
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First Aid advice for your pet - Snake Bite

We have had some early advice from our friends at WAVES that Perth snakes are waking up with the warmer weather. Sadly, this means that snakebite season is starting again in Perth and throughout our s...
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Spring allergies and your pets.

The onset of warmer spring weather is when we humans experience allergies in the form of hay fever. During this period, our pets can also experience a flare-up in sensitivities and allergies to the en...
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Dog owners warned of 'deadly' switch in popular pet treat.

It's often used to reward good behaviour or keep canines still at bath time, but vets have issued an urgent warning that peanut butter can kill. With healthier alternatives on supermarket shelves tha...
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Why do dogs tilt their heads?

Dogs tend to hang around humans but do they really love us—and what's with the head tilt? Their affability might be due to two genes known to influence sociability in mammals. Gradually genetics turne...
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Bird watching Walk arranged by Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary

The next Bird watching Walk arranged by Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary will be on Thursday 14 July from 8.00am to approx 10.00am.  Attendance is free.  If you have time constraints, you may leave ...
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Disturbing incident involving Black Swans down near Attadale Dog Reserve

Most of us are captivated by the sheer beauty and elegance of Black Swans, their sweet companionship with one another, and the way they take care of their young… also WA’s bird emblem. Being violent t...
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Science proved you and your Rotweiller fall in love when you look in each other’s eyes

Dog owners already know in their bones that they and their pets love one another. Now, a new study has confirmed it, finding that love is chemically apparent after dogs and their owners gaze into one ...
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‘People have unrealistic expectations’: Disturbing reality pushes vets to distress

A romanticised image of veterinary work as “all puppies and kittens” masks the disturbing reality that vets are four times more likely to die by suicide than the Australian general population, and twi...
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Study Proves That Your Rottweiler Really Is Deliberately Manipulating You

Your dog may be a master manipulator, deliberately making puppy eyes, to pull at your heartstrings, according to a study into a ploy many mutt owners have long suspected. The research suggests that do...
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June is Senior Month at Bicton Veterinary Clinic

JUNE means that here at Bicton Veterinary Clinic, we will be celebrating our senior pets. Did you know that once your pet reaches 7 years of age, they are more prone to developing complex health conc...
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Anal Glands

It is iconic. But the real reason dogs (and some cats) drag their backside across the lawn (or your brand-new rug) might surprise you. Here's what it is and how to help… Worms almost always get the ...
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Dogs can understand more complex words than we thought

Dogs can understand more complex words than we thought Our furry friends might be understanding more than you think. By MARGO MILANOWSKI  A family pooch probably knows the words “sit” and “stay,” bu...
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Leptospirosis: Vets issue warning over potentially fatal bacterial disease

Australian vets have issued a warning after a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease was found in New South Wales and the Northern Territory. A spate of leptospirosis, a rodent-borne bacterial ...
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May is parasites, flea, tick and rash month

If you're a pet owner, you know that keeping your furry friend healthy is a top priority. And while most people are probably familiar with parasites like tapeworms and roundworms, there are other pest...
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There's a Reason People Love Puppy-Dog Eyes

There's a Reason People Love Puppy-Dog Eyes An anatomic feature shared by humans and dogs has helped domesticated canines develop an ability to mimic and respond to human emotions, according to a stu...
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Home delivery for pet food and medications is now available if you are isolating due to Covid-19.

As part of our commitment to the community, Bicton Veterinary Clinic is now offering the option of home delivery of food and medications for your pet if you are experiencing Covid-19 and are having to...
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Hyde Park users warned after birds found sick with rare botulism

Residents have been asked to stay away — and to keep their furry friends away — from Hyde Park’s lakes after sick birds were found. WA Seabird Rescue told the City of Vincent last month its volunteer...
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Covid

With the impending opening up of Western Australia's borders, we will be implementing some new procedures to help with the continuing service that we provide to the community. These changes will be u...
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Bicton Veterinary Clinic needs your help to stand up against bullying, intimidation, harassment and false information in the work place

Our small family-owned business, Bicton Veterinary Clinic, recently became the subject of false, intimidatory and misleading comments by a well known Perth vegan activist. We believe that bullying, in...
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Dr Kay is recovering from her recent surgery

Dr Kay recently had surgery for a much-needed overdue repair on her hand. As a result, Dr Kay will be off work for a few months (if we can keep her out of the clinic) but we have been fortunate enough...
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Veterinary clinic sues vegan activist

Veterinary clinic sues vegan activist Bicton Veterinary Clinic has brought defamation charges against vegan activist Tash Peterson, after she posted a video to social media claiming the clinic was...
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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is an important viral infection of cats that occurs worldwide. The virus was first discovered during the investigation of a disease outbreak in a previously health...
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The Aussie Backyard Bird Count

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is on again. This is a citizen science program that encourages people to count the birds they see within 20 minutes of their backyard, local park or any other area. Your...
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Lets talk about Glyphosate

So, what is glyphosate, where will I find it, what will it do to my pet, and what do I need to do if poisoning occurs? Glyphosate is a non-selective systemic herbicide that is applied to plant foliag...
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Animal Road Accident Awareness Day

No animal deserves to be left in the road like rubbish following a road traffic accident. Today is a day to remember the fallen and to help spread the message of how there’s still a chance to change t...
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It's world animal day

World Animal Day is a day of action recognised worldwide for animal rights as well as welfare. It is celebrated on 4 October, Francis of Assisi feast day, the animals’ patron saint. The mission of th...
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Be kind to animal week

From the 1st - 7th October it is National Be Kind to Animals Week. Be Kind to Animals Week is a nationwide initiative to encourage and inspire people of all ages to be kind to our furry, feathered an...
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Renewal of your pet's registration

A quick reminder that animal registration renewals are due by Sunday 31st October 2021. Dogs must be registered and microchipped from three months of age; and cats must be registered, microchipped and...
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