The Essendon Vet Clinic team would like to welcome everyone to 2012! December was a very busy but exciting month for some of our team members. As you are all probably aware by now, nurse Simone has gone on maternity leave. Simone sends her thanks to the many clients who came to say goodbye during her last few weeks at the clinic and we are anticipating that she will return late this year or early next year. We wish Simone all the best and will be sure to update you all when she has her baby boy.

Nurse Marisa's not-for-profit shelter "Second Chance Animal Rescue" welcomes donations of cat and dog food, money, cat litters and toys to help the abandoned animals that Marisa cares for before they find loving homes. If you are able to help with any donations, please drop them at the clinic in the donation tins and boxes available. Marisa and our team would like to thank you in advance for your kind donations.

The Christmas and New Year holidays are fast approaching and many pet owners will be traveling away from home without their pets. If you are boarding your pet at a kennel or cattery during the upcoming holiday, it is essential that your pet's vaccination is up to date. If your pet's vaccination is overdue, they will need a vaccination now and then a booster shot 4 weeks later before boarding would be considered.

With many of our feline friends coming to visit us for their holidays we are implementing a new initiative to make your cat's stay fuss free. We also value your time and feel the following changes will improve the service you receive when visiting us.

Pit Bull TerrierYou may have heard in the media lately that changes have been made to the restricted breed dog laws. These laws classed Pitbull Terriers and Pitbull crosses a restricted breed. Until this year, there has been an amnesty for these dogs in order for existing dogs to be registered and declared. The ending of this amnesty means that new registrations cannot be made and unregistered dogs may be seized by the council. As the owner of a restricted breed dog, there are specific rules regarding how they must be housed and regulations about them being walked in public places.

News headlines from across the world have reported on a new study where dogs were able to detect lung cancer in humans by sniffing human breath. The research was conducted in a German hospital and reported in the European Respiratory Journal. The test involved 110 healthy people, 60 patients with lung cancer and 50 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Each person was asked to breathe into a fleece filled tube which absorbed the smell of the person's breath.

You may remember that we did a client survey a short time ago. We received some wonderful and very valuable information from the survey and will be sharing some of the responses each month with you.

There has been a number of cases of cats and dogs falling ill and vomiting roundworms. Roundworms look like long white worms and are the most common worms passed on to humans. Pets can become infected by eating soil contaminated with roundworm eggs or eating other hosts such as mice or birds.

If you haven't already heard, we have launched our official Facebook page! Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with the latest news at Essendon Vet Clinic. You can even share your favourite pet photos and stories with us and fellow pet owners.

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