Clinic News & Health Information
Cat Vaccines are Back in Stock
Cat vaccines are now back in stock at both our Wallsend and Fletcher Clinics. You can book online or call us on 02 49556670 to book in your cat's F3 vaccination. Stock is limited, and we aren't sure how long it will be available...
Introducing our New Pet Portal
So much more than just online booking! We’re excited to announce our new Pet Portal is live! 🖥️ Now you can login in to your pet’s online portal to: ▪️View upcoming appointments and reminders▪️Update your personal details▪️Register new furry family members▪️Book,...
Cat Vaccine Shortage
There is an Australia-wide shortage of feline vaccines, due to supply problems post-COVID. It is expected to continue until early 2024. Dog vaccines are unaffected by this shortage.Here at Fletcher Vet, our current stock...
Storm & Noise Anxiety
Fear of loud noises can be a normal reaction in pets, however, when this fear develops into abnormally high level of stress, anxiety or phobia, this is something that requires attention. You could probably guess the two of the most common triggers for noise phobias in...
Dental Month at Fletcher Vet
September is Dental Month at Fletcher Vet! We've been doing Pet Dental Month for years now, and for great reason, as healthy teeth and gums contribute to a much better quality of life. This month, we hope to educate about dentistry needs, and offer great savings and...
Itchy Ear Management – The inside scoop on inside the ears
Itchy Ear Management (Otitis Externa) Ear infections (also known as ‘Otitis externa’) are a very common condition among dogs and a common reason to bring them to the vet. The main signs owners see at home are dogs shaking their heads, scratching at their ears, rubbing...
Arthritis – Avoid the Winter Blues
What is arthritis? Arthritis is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs and cats and is a result of long-term stresses on a joint where normal cartilage gets replaced with bone. When bone replaces cartilage, it causes the joint to become very stiff and painful as...
Patient Story – Endangered Sea Turtle
We recently had a rare and very important patient visit our clinic. Our vet, Dr Gin, also works at Sea Shelter, a wildlife rescue for sea life, and they had reports about a sea turtle struggling. Dr Gin brought it to Fletcher Vet for diagnostic imaging and assessment....
When We Lose A Pet
Losing a pet is one of the most difficult things we can do in our lives. Our pets are our family, intertwined in our day-to-day lives as much as any other one of our family members that we live with (sometimes even more so). For many people, they provide endless...
Easter Safety
Easter is coming... We've all heard that chocolate is toxic to pets, but why is this the case, exactly? And what other dangers are around at Easter time for our pets? Read on for our Easter safety tips. The ins-and-outs of chocolate toxicity Chocolate contains two...
Dogs in the Park Market Day
We're going to the Dogs in the Park Market Day, with our own Fletcher Vet stall set up! When: Sunday 12th MarchTime: 10am - 3pmWhere: Speers Point Dog Park Hosted by Dogs in the Park NSW, this big pooch day will be fun for the whole family. With free entry, doggy...
Anaesthetic Procedures at Fletcher Vet
It can be nerve-wracking when your pet has to come into hospital and go under anaesthetic, whether for a routine procedure or a more advanced one. Each pet and their needs are unique and different, and safety and comfort are our top priorities. Admission We operate at...
Staff Tips – A stress free home for your cat
Our staff give their quick tips to keep a stress-free environment at home for your cat. Watch our video below! Stress in cats can lead to a number of health concerns, and often goes undetected or is masked. For more tips, read our full blog post on keeping a calm cat...
Tick Antiserum is critically low
You may have heard in the news that life saving tick antiserum is in short supply Australia-wide. Our clinic is unfortunately no exception. We are in VERY short supply, unable to get a date for expected restock with our suppliers. Antiserum is the ONLY treatment for...
Fletcher Vet’s Holly Healthy Christmas
This year, we want to give back to our clients who need it the most. Chronic illness affects a number of our pets. From skin allergies, to heart conditions, many of our patients need ongoing treatment and medication. Ongoing medication can be costly, and sometimes the...
Win Simparica flea & tick prevention
With the weather becoming hot and wet, it’s the perfect time for ticks to be out and about. We are anticipating a BIG rise in tick cases over the next couple of months. Many vet clinics, including our own, become inundated with very sick pets due to paralysis tick...
Cruciate Disease in Dogs
What is cruciate disease? Cruciate disease is very common in dogs. It is a disorder of the knee joint, where one of the ligaments that join the tibia and the femur (the cranial ligament) ruptures. A complete or partial rupture of the cranial ligament leads to joint...
Dental Month in October
It’s dental month throughout October. That means lots of specials for our patients ♥ For October only, we are offering- 🦷 A free dental check with a trained nurse. We will assess your pet’s teeth and give you an estimate if a scale and polish and/or extractions are...
We WON! Most Outstanding in Pet Care 2022
We won! The Hunter Local Business Award for Most Outstanding in Pet Care. Thank you so much to all our supportive clients and to the local business awards for hosting such a prestigious event. We are honoured to receive this award for a second year, and look forward...
Welcoming GapOnly™ to our clinics
GapOnly® is now available at our clinics! This efficient and SUPER convenient new way of processing your pet's insurance claims means that all you have to pay up-front at the vet is the Gap - ie, the difference between your pet's vet bill and your insurance pay-out....
Tiger’s Success Story
On the 17th of July, Tiger was hit by a car on the New England Highway. Picked up by a good samaritan, Tiger was rushed to the Animal Emergency and Referral Centre. AREC kept Tiger comfortable for the night and found Tiger's owner who then transferred him to our...
Ageing Pets – How can we help?
Looking after an elderly pet can sometimes be a challenge. Just like humans, their needs are higher, they become less active, sometimes forgetful and the likelihood of health issues increases. So, what can we do to best support your elderly pet, and slow down the...
Leptospirosis Update – August 2022
Another confirmed positive case of Leptospirosis We saw our first confirmed positive case of Leptospirosis this week, in a dog that resided in New Lambton Heights. It is with great sadness that we report the effects of the disease proved fatal. This case brings the...
Wallsend Village Open Day!
Have you heard the news? We're opening a new branch at Wallsend! Building work and installations are coming along well, to have the Fletcher Vet experience that you know and love at the new premises. We've been working 'round the clock to have it spic-and-span, and...
We’re Now on TikTok!
Head on over to our newest platform, TikTok, to see our behind-the-scenes chaos! This fun new social media platform allows us to share all the nitty-gritty of our fun (and sometimes crazy) days here at the vet. We'll share short little videos on our vet work, the...
AVA Employer of Choice Accredited
Fletcher Vet is now officially AVA Employer of Choice accredited! The Australian Veterinary Association has awarded our clinic with recognition of being a leading employer within the veterinary profession by meeting the national employment quality standards for...
Updating your pet’s microchip & registration details
Updating your pet's microchip and/or registration details is much easier now that it can be done online. This is done all through the NSW Pet Registry - a state wide database that stores your cat and dog's microchip and registration details. All cats and dogs must be...
Leptospirosis Alert
Sadly, there have been recent cases of the bacterial infection Leptospirosis around Sydney and Hunter regions. Read on to get the facts about Leptospirosis and how you can protect your dog. How is Leptospirosis spread? It can be spread by rats and is often associated...
Northern Rivers Donation Appeal
We had such an amazing response to our donation appeal to help the victims of the Northern Rivers floods. Watch our video here to see all the goods we received as well as the final amount donated to these organisations: - North Coast Equine Vet Services - North Coast...
We’re Expanding!
You heard right, we're expanding! Fletcher Vet is opening another branch, located in the nearby suburb of Wallsend in the Wallsend Village shopping complex. This exciting development comes in response to our growing number of clientele and patients that we get to see...
Donation appeal for animals of Lismore floods
Lismore and the Northern Rivers Region has been decimated by unprecedented flooding. Many pets and livestock have been stranded. We set up a donation appeal for animal-related goods and funds to go directly to the flood victims and their pets! The response has been...
Flood Plan for Pet Safety
2nd March 2022 Eastern NSW is in for an absolute drenching over the next 7 days. Up to one third of all properties in Newcastle are in a flood zone, and it is important for all residents to be aware of their risk. To see what your flood risk is, check out this...
How contagious is canine parvovirus, and is it serious?
It's a virus that was non-existent prior to the 1980s. Now, for most dog owners in Australia, parvovirus is a disease that is part of their pet's regular vaccination regime. Since its emergence, parvovirus remains a leading cause of enteritis (small intestine...
The health benefits of pet ownership
Did you know that pet ownership can help with our physical and mental health? With COVID becoming more prevalent in our local community, the impacts on our well-being and mental health are becoming all too common. Here we share how our animal-friends can help us stay...
Holiday Health Checks
The holiday period is a busy time of year, and sometimes stressful! Luckily, we’ve got your pet covered with our HOLIDAY HEALTH CHECKS! These checks are designed for you to take the guess work out of your pet’s holiday checklist. They are $49 consultations* and...
Pooey! Is your pet’s gut in a rut? 💩
Has this happened to you? You’re sitting on the lounge, cuddled up with your family watching a show, and then out of nowhere... BAM!What is that smell?? Did our pooch get into the garbage? Uh Oh. We might have a case of a bad microbiota 😬 Read on!...
Medicating your pet at home
Medicating your pet isn't always as easy as it sounds. Some dogs are very fussy with tablets, and some cats take-off at just the mere sound of the blister pack! Here we detail the ins and outs of medication use at home, and why it is so important to stick to the...
Storm anxiety – here’s how to help
Storms have been rolling-in around Newcastle lately. We treat many pets for storm anxiety, or related noise phobias. Typical storm noises, such as cracks of lightning and booms of thunder can trigger a response, but so can even the subtlest signs of a storm, such as...
It’s Tick Season – What do you need to know?
Tick season is well and truly here. We have seen a BIG rise in tick cases over the past week. Many vet clinics, including our own, have been inundated with very sick pets due to paralysis tick poisoning. We cannot stress the importance of tick preventative medication....
Welcome back to Fletcher Vet
Our COVID policy has changed now that NSW restrictions have eased. From 21st February 2022, we are now welcoming clients back into our newly renovated clinic.
Managing your dog’s allergies
Many dogs develop symptoms in spring because they are allergic to elements of their environment, including pollen, dust mites, plants, fleas & insects.
Choosing the right Pet Insurance
Pet insurance gives pet owners peace of mind, knowing it will take care of some or all treatment costs if your pet becomes sick or has an accident.
5 things you need to know about dog park etiquette
To maximise the good times and minimise the risks, here are five things you need to know before going to the dog park.
Keeping your pets happy & safe in lockdown
Make the most of this extra bonding time with your pet during lockdown with these great COVID-safe activities.
How to keep your pet’s teeth healthy
For humans, good dental health plays an important role in your overall wellbeing. The same principle holds true for your pets.
COVID-19 Current Policy
As of Thursday 5th August 2021, 5:00pm, Newcastle and the Hunter region will be in lockdown. Veterinary clinics are considered an essential service, so we will remain open for when you need us. Please read the following changes to our policy for when visiting our...
Senior Pet Month
Take special care of your senior pet this month. If they’re eight years or older, you’ll want to read this blog. We have everything you need to know about an ageing pet.
Watch out. Heartworm’s about!
There’s been a recent rise in heartworm cases across the Hunter Valley. Here’s everything you need to know about preventing your pet from becoming infected.
A guide to vaccinating your pets
Staying current with your pet’s vaccinations schedule is a critical part of responsible pet ownership. Here’s your go-to resource for all your vaccination queries.
Puppy Preschool Essentials
Fletcher Vet’s Puppy Preschool gives you and your puppy the essential training tools so your pup is a well-mannered, obedient and friendly companion.
Cold and old: Managing your pet’s arthritis in winter
Here’s how you can help your fur-ever friend prance through life, free from pain and mobility restrictions year-round.
Protecting your pets from rat bait poison: Everything you need to know
Due to the current mouse plague sweeping across regional NSW, we’re seeing more and more pets fall victim to rat bait poisoning.
Is your cat stressed? Discover our top tips for a calm cat
We have tips and advice on how to calm your cat and help them cope with any at-home stressors.
Which dog breed is right for me?
We’ve created a fun quiz to help you discover which dog breed might be right for you. Be one step closer to finding your perfect canine companion.
Chocolate Poisoning: Is It Safe for My Dog to Eat Chocolate?
Worried that your dog has chocolate poisoning? Learn about the symptoms and why we recommend keeping chocolate away from your puppy.
Protecting Your Puppy from Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly infectious and debilitating canine virus. It mostly affects young, unvaccinated dogs. Learn how to protect your puppy.
Protect Your Rabbit from Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a devastating disease that rabbits are highly susceptible to. Protect your rabbit by taking these preventative steps.
Keeping Your Pet Comfortable During Surgery
We do surgery differently. To keep your pet safe and comfortable during surgery, we include a range of additional services.
Welcoming a New Puppy Into Your Home
Welcoming a dog into your home is an exciting yet stressful time. Use our new puppy owner guide to make your experience as easy as possible.
5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer
As the weather warms up, our pets become more vulnerable to heat stress. Here are our top 5 tips for keeping your pet cool this summer.
Keeping Your Dog Safe in a Storm
Your dog has sensitive hearing and may experience distress during a storm. Here are our tips and tricks for keeping your dog safe in a storm.
Does your pet have a urinary issue?
Your pet may face a urinary issue at any time. It’s essential to know the warning signs and what you can do to help your pet.
Christmas Closedown Dates
Merry Christmas to you and your pets from Fletcher Vet. Please take note of our Christmas closedown dates and the last day for surgery.
Protect Your Pet from Ticks this Summer
Keep your pet safe from ticks this summer. Learn the warning signs and how to prevent your pets getting sick from paralysis ticks.
Spring 2020 Newsletter
Read our Spring newsletter for all your need-to-know information about the latest at Fletcher Vet.
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