Each year Mira Mar Vets celebrates National Pet Dental Month in August by raising awareness of pet dental health. 

It has been discovered that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease after the age of three years.

In 2025 we are paying attention to the early detection of dental disease in our pets aged between 3 and 7 years of age, as we know that early detection can enhance your pet’s dental health for years to come.

Did you know that Mira Mar Vets has the most advance dental equipment in the Great Southern region?  We have a full dental x-ray suite, and a full mouth dental x-ray profile is provided as part of the service for ALL animals undergoing a dental procedure.  This means we have accurate information about the state of your pet’s tooth roots - so that all diseased teeth can be identified and also ensuring that no teeth are extracted unnecessarily.  A lot of dental disease occurs BELOW the gumline, as the image below shows, so dental x-rays are the gold standard to detect disease before it is obvious externally.

For the month of AUGUST at Mira Mar Vets, any pet, young or old, can get a FREE dental health check with one of our veterinary nurses to assess the state of your pet's teeth.  We will also have a great offer of $20 OFF YOUR FIRST BAG OF DELICATE CARE DENTAL FOOD!  Delicate Care™ Dental Diet for Dogs is specially formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all life stages, while at the same time promoting dental health.

If you would like to book your free dental check appointment or book in a dental treatment for your pet, give us a call on 9841 5422.

The past few months have been quiet for puppy preschool, while Vet Nurse Jodie has taken some well-earned holiday time!  This little bunch of cuties graduated back at the end of June, aren't they the sweetest?

Hearty congratulations go to: Lara, Maple, Max and Pippa - plus Jace and Remy (not pictured)

If your new bundle of joy would like to learn some social skills and have some fun, please give the clinic a call on 9841 5422 to book them in!

With most of us considering our pets to be an integral part of the family, it may comfort you to know that our veterinary dental health procedures share many similarities with the dental care you receive.

Read on to learn more about some of the key similarities between human and pet dentistry.

• Dental charting

Just like in humans, before we perform dental treatments on your pet, we will first “chart” their oral health. This involves assessing each tooth visually, with special measuring instruments, and with dental x-rays, and making notations about any unhealthy lesions that may be present (such as unhealthy deepening of the gum pocket around a tooth suggestive of periodontal disease). In this way, we can better monitor your pet’s dental health over time and therefore make informed recommendations about the most suitable care for them.

• Scaling and polishing

Just like in people, pets undergoing a dental procedure will have their teeth cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler. This is the fine-pointed instrument that gently vibrates against teeth to clean off hard tartar accumulations, whilst emitting a stream of water to prevent overheating of the tooth. After scaling, your pet’s teeth are polished to leave the tooth surface extra clean and smooth.

• Nerve blocks for extractions

Should your pet require a tooth to be extracted, rest assured that they will receive the same numbing nerve blocks as you would! Prior to the extraction, we use a fine needle to deposit local anaesthetic medicine around specific nerve sites in your pet’s mouth, so they won’t feel a thing! This also helps your pet to remain more comfortable when they wake up from their procedure.

• Pain relief

Just like us after an extraction, we will send your pet home with several days of pain relief medication to help ensure a comfortable recovery.

To book your pet in for some top-notch dental care, consult our tooth-tastic team!

While there are a lot of similarities between dental procedures in dogs and cats and what you’d undergo in a routine dental check-up, there are also some important differences that need to be considered to ensure the best results for your pet after any dental work.

“Open wide!”

It’s not uncommon that we get questioned on the necessity of a general anaesthetic for a pet dental procedure. Owners may be concerned about the associated cost or simply concerned about their pet “going under”.

Even if your pet is extremely cooperative, we’re yet to find a dog or cat that will stay completely still for a thorough scale and polish (cleaning above and below the gumline with an ultrasonic scaler and polishing tool), not to mention holding completely still and not biting down on delicate in-mouth x-ray plates during dental x-rays.

Additionally, the noises and sensations of any dental work would be very stressful for the average pet, and we’re all about minimising your pet’s anxiety.

“Tell me where it hurts”

Unfortunately, whilst we’d love to be able to ask your pet where it hurts, we don’t have Doctor Dolittle on staff! This is why we would ideally like to perform oral x-rays in every pet with dental issues, so that we don’t miss any tooth root or jawbone problems that just aren’t visible on the surface.

“Rest and recover”

Whilst humans usually take care of themselves for several days after a tooth extraction with icepacks and careful mouth handling, this isn’t something we can reasonably expect from our pets! For this reason, it’s important that you closely follow any post-operative instructions we give after your pet’s dental procedure, such as leaving protective “bucket collars” on, feeding soft foods only, and administering medications as prescribed.

If you’re ever concerned about your pet’s recovery after a dental procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact our team for advice. We want the best outcome for your pet too!

For more information on how to care for your pet’s dental health and comfort, consult our dental-diligent team.

(This fictional story has been created for educational purposes only and does not depict a real pet, owner or clinic.)

Daisy, a 10-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, loved to give her owner, Amy, frequent face kisses. Unfortunately, Amy was noticing that Daisy’s breath was becoming a bit unpleasant. Suspecting dental disease, Amy gently lifted Daisy’s lips and saw the tell-tale signs of dental disease: redness along Daisy’s gumline, and some hard brown accumulations of tartar forming on her teeth.

Daisy had undergone veterinary dental treatment before, but Amy was more worried this time as five months ago Daisy had been diagnosed with early mitral valve disease (a degenerative heart condition). Daisy was now on long-term medication to support her heart function, and whilst she seemed normal on a day-to-day basis, Amy worried that a general anaesthetic might be unsafe for her. Amy decided to consult their regular vet, Dr Morris, so booked Daisy in for a check-up.

At Daisy’s appointment, Dr Morris performed a full physical examination and found that, apart from her dental disease and known heart murmur, Daisy appeared to be in good condition. She agreed that Daisy would benefit from a dental cleaning procedure to prevent the worsening of oral disease, infection and pain.

Dr Morris discussed the potential risks of general anaesthesia for dogs with mitral valve disease, and how she and her team could mitigate these risks. Firstly, patients whose condition may have changed would ideally undergo repeat heart imaging (which could involve X-rays or heart ultrasound, depending on the individual patient) prior to a general anaesthetic. Secondly, special precautions could be taken for the anaesthesia itself, such as avoiding certain sedative drugs known to particularly affect the cardiovascular system, and careful monitoring and support of the patient’s blood pressure. Dr Morris advised Amy that with proper preparation and precautions, Daisy’s chances of a successful procedure were still very good.

Reassured, Amy booked Daisy for a dental, which was performed one week later. All went well, and Daisy now has a comfortable and healthy mouth again, not to mention much better breath for kisses!

Although we’re probably all familiar with the portrayal of human anaesthesia that we see in movies (picture a medical mask descending over the camera!), many owners aren’t sure what’s involved in a general anaesthetic for their pet.

As a result, our team have decided to talk “All things anaesthesia” and answer some common pet-parent questions about general anaesthetics. Breathe in, here we go!

“Will my pet have a mask put over their face to knock it out?”

In most cases, pets will be given an initial sedative drug “cocktail” (usually by an injection under their skin, into their muscle, or into their vein via an intravenous cannula) to make them sleepy. They are then induced (sent into unconsciousness) using an injectable anaesthetic drug into their vein. This helps pets go to sleep quickly with minimal stress, allowing us to quickly insert a tube into their airways to support their breathing.

“Why aren’t cats and dogs usually induced via a medical gas mask?”

Unless a pet is very sleepy or weak, they won’t usually tolerate the smell of isoflurane anaesthetic gas whilst awake, and can become stressed or start struggling.

We do, however, often use masks to administer 100% oxygen to animals who are about to undergo a general anaesthetic, to ensure they keep good levels of oxygen in their blood for a few minutes until we can support their breathing with a breathing tube.

“How is my pet kept asleep?”

In many cases, pets are kept asleep through a small amount of anaesthetic gas being added to the oxygen flowing into their breathing tube. However, for some procedures, pets may be kept asleep via a slow and steady calculated infusion of anaesthetic medication into their vein.

When it’s time to wake up, we turn off the flow of anaesthetic gas or intravenous medication and monitor your pet closely until they’ve sufficiently recovered.

For more information on the safest anaesthesia for your pet, consult our anaesthesia-aware team.

With an increasing number of gorgeous greyhounds being rehomed into loving family homes, a growing awareness has emerged of a common health issue affecting these gentle giants. It’s believed that 25-30% of greyhounds may be affected by fibrinolytic syndrome, a condition that can increase their risk of delayed bleeding complications after injuries or surgery.

As a result, we’re going to dash through some facts about fibrinolytic syndrome, including how we can support greyhounds to undergo safe surgical and dental procedures.

What is fibrinolytic syndrome?

Fibrinolytic syndrome occurs when blood clots that stop bleeding break down too soon, leading to bleeding again before proper healing. It usually happens 36–48 hours after injury.

What symptoms does fibrinolytic syndrome cause?

Dogs affected with fibrinolytic syndrome will show delayed bleeding from sites of trauma or surgery. This can result in abnormal bleeding one to two days after:

• Minor procedures, such as microchipping or wound stitch-ups
• More involved surgeries, such as desexing or lump removals
• Dental extractions

Bleeding starts at the site of injury, but can become extensive, potentially leading to massive bruising and swelling around the site. Unfortunately, some dogs can even develop life-threatening bleeding issues.

Can greyhounds still undergo procedures safely?

Unfortunately, we can’t easily tell which greyhounds may be affected by fibrinolytic syndrome, as dogs with the condition will usually show normal results on routine diagnostic tests to check blood clotting function.

The good news is, however, that we can give medication to help prevent issues. Tranexamic acid (often known as TXA) can be given pre-emptively to greyhounds prior to surgical and dental procedures (or as soon as possible after injuries) and continued for 5 days to stabilise their blood clots and help prevent abnormal bleeding. Hooray!

For more information on how we manage breed-related risks in our patients, consult our knowledgeable vets.

Therapy cats help calm nerves and build connection

In Brisbane, social worker Kerry Lyons works alongside her cat Chives in feline-assisted therapy, saying cats bring “a really calming and gentle presence in the therapy room.” Their quiet nature makes them ideal for places like schools and aged care. “Interacting with an animal in that context … can increase oxytocin and reduce cortisol,” adds Animal Therapies founder Wendy Coombe. Because cats need emotional calm to feel safe, moments of connection can be especially meaningful.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Hank the Tank returns after 30 days lost in the bush

After vanishing into Victoria’s Bunyip State Park, Hank the Tank, a 30kg rescue bulldog, strolled back home exactly one month later, muddy and 12kg lighter. His owner, police officer Paul Lester, was stunned to spot him sunbaking near his favourite lavender bush: “Looking at me with the biggest dopiest look on his face, like, ‘Oh, g’day mate, where have you been?’” Lester, who adopted Hank during a tough period in 2019, says the dog “changed my life” and has been like a son ever since.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Surprise passenger: possum hitchhikes on pet dog

A Sydney family was stunned when their dog Stella trotted into the lounge with a baby possum clinging to her jumper. “He originally thought it was a giant rat,” said Francesca, whose dad gently removed the jumper and bundled the possum in a towel before taking it to the vet. WIRES' John Grant believes the disoriented joey likely saw the dog as a safe refuge, similar to how it would cling to its mother. “The dog owners handled the situation perfectly,” he added.

Click here to read the full story at Yahoo News.

Around 600 to 700 critically endangered swift parrots were seen near Bendigo, Victoria, almost matching the estimated wild population of 750. Adrian Martins from Victoria’s environment department said, “Every night I was back at this site watching and observing new behaviours that I’d never seen before.”

Wildlife ecologist Chris Tzaros rushed to the site after hearing the news. “It was amazing,” he said. Such a large flock is extremely rare and may be due to dry conditions concentrating food sources.

The parrots were feeding mainly on private land and roadsides, raising concerns about future development. “We don't have to go obliterating habitat every time we want to … establish a new residential estate for people,” Tzaros said.

Research shows swift parrots are threatened by habitat loss and sugar gliders, and the species could go extinct by the early 2030s. RMIT professor Sarah Bekessy said planning assessments should consider species that use habitat seasonally.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

This email contains comments of a general nature only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please always consult your vet for specific advice on your pet's individual needs.

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