Introducing Anti-Anxiety Packages for your Cats and Dogs!

After working-from-home for the past few months it can be a stressful transition for your pets having to deal with you returning to work.

We have come up with our very own Anti Anxiety Pet Packages to help your pet through this change.

What do these Anti-Anxiety Packages include?

For Dogs:

  • An Adaptil Collar suited to your dogs size
  • A dose of pre-consult anxiety medications tailored to your dog’s needs
  • A course of 3 x Canine Massage Therapy sessions with our trained Nurse Jessica
  • A behaviour consult with one of our vets
  • An Adaptil bandana (you can spray this with Adaptil and tie it around your dog’s collar so they can smell the anxiety-relieving pheromones)
  • A Frank Green Keep Cup for yourself! (limited stock)
  • A package of yummy dog treats

For Cats:

  • A Feliway spray bottle or diffuser refill if you already have the plug-in at home
  • A dose of pre-consult anxiety medications tailored to your cat’s needs
  • A weekend of boarding at our clinic (including feliway)
  • A behaviour consult with one of our vets
  • A Feliway blanket to bring to consults over your cat’s carrier
  • A Frank Green Keep Cup for yourself! (limited stock)
  • A package of yummy cat treats

To celebrate the launch of these packages we are currently running a competition through Instagram or Facebook to give away 3 x Free Anti-Anxiety Packages to three lucky winners!

How do I enter?

If you have an Instagram account make sure to follow us and post a photo of your pet ‘working from home’ with the hashtag
#SHVVrelax and a short 50 word explanation of how your pet would benefit from one of our anti-anxiety packages.

If you do not have an Instagram account then just message our Facebook page with your entry.

We will be posting our own staff’s pets working from home regularly to give you inspiration.

Deadline for entries is Sunday the 19th of July 2020 so get snapping 🙂

 

 

Help! My dog doesn’t want to stay home alone. What can I do?

Everyone loves a little alone time but we are social animals at heart and don’t like being on our own for too long – and you may have noticed this is exactly the same with your paw friend. You can tell they aren’t happy when you leave the house and how madly excited they are on your return. So we’ve put together some top tips for spotting if your pooch is uneasy being left alone and how to help them cope when you leave the house.

1. Don’t Leave Me This Way!

By their nature your dog is a pack animal, it loves family and guess what…you’re their family! That’s why they come running up to you with such enthusiasm whenever you’re around. When your dog is just a puppy they learn things very quickly, and if they had an unpleasant experience being alone as a puppy this will carry on into their adult life.

Similar to people, often our fears come from something that happened when we were very young and hence we didn’t understand. So if your dog was left alone as a puppy and they didn’t have access to a comforting place, they will worry this is going to happen again. There’s also worry they won’t know where their next meal will be coming from – it’s why you might find little treats like bones, hidden in strange places around the house.

 

2. Body Talks

Barking, whining and howling are the strongest indicators that your dog can’t bear to see you leave them alone! Similarly, being that little bit naughty such as scratching at the doors and attempting to escape, are your dog’s way of communicating their anxiety towards being left alone. We’re all naturally skilled at knowing how to pull on our loved one’s heart strings and your canine companion is no different; acting ‘upset’ by hiding and giving the cold shoulder is one of the ways your dog is trying to stop you from leaving.

 

3. How can I help my dog stay home alone?

There is no better feeling than returning to a safe space when life gets a bit too much. Our canine companions have the same needs; it could be a dog crate, a certain room in the house or their dog bed. Imagine a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign around this safe space for whenever your dog is spending time in their comfort zone. ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser is the perfect helping hand, making your dog’s safe place that bit more relaxing. Plugging the diffuser into this room gives off ‘comforting messages’ in your absence, making them feel even more secure in their environment when home alone.

 

4. Tips to Help My Dog Keep Calm

Like the super nanny of dogs, one of the most well known tricks is to avoid making a fuss about your departure.This goes hand in hand with tiring your fluffy friend to before leaving because what could be more perfect than leaving your dog in the mood for an afternoon nap whilst you’re away!

No one likes to be left with nothing to do, so for times when your dog just wants to keep playing be sure to leave them with fun toys or food puzzles to keep their mind occupied.

Crucial to this is also not to make a big deal when you return. Your pooch will naturally be over the moon to see you, but try not to make it into a big deal. By playing it cool upon your return your dog will begin to realise that time alone is part of the normal way of life. So give it a few minutes, let yourself settle in, your dog will no doubt be demanding attention, and then once they’ve calmed down a little bit you can shower them with love.

 

So there you have it, some top tips on how to help your dog stay home alone. Remember – the best thing about being away from your pooch is you get all the love in the world when you return ! Just, you know, play it cool 🙂

For any serious behavioural issues please feel free to book a behavioural consult with one of our vets (Ph: 02 9797 2555 E: contact@summerhillvillagevet.com)

Canine Myofunctional Therapy – Dog Massages!

We have decided to increase our range of services we now offer you Canine Myofunctional Therapy (CMT) also known as dog massage. We want to educate people about the benefits of dog (canine) massage as well as help their furry friends. This is why we sent one of our nurses to Melbourne to study and practice CMT. Jess has been we us since 2013, she has a certificate in Animal Studies, Veterinary Nursing and is now a certified Canine Myofunctional Therapy practitioner.

CMT can help pets with arthritis, recovering from orthopaedic procedures and with mobility & flexibility issues.

So what is Canine Myofunctional Therapy?

Canine Myofunctional Therapy or CMT is in the most basic of terms, a massage treatment for dogs which involves diverse massage techniques and stretching.

 

 

 

What are the benefits of canine massage?

  • It stimulates the release of endorphins which can help decrease pain but also reduce stress and anxiety
  • It will improve blood circulation
  • It helps with joint lubrication and range of motion
  • When added to good veterinary care, it can speed recovery time from an injury or surgical procedure
  • Improves athletic performance
  • Massage can encourage the body to heal itself
  • Improves circulation and dilates blood vessels
  • Stimulates lymph circulation
  • Speeds up elimination of wastes and toxic debris
  • Relaxes tight muscles
  • Relieves tension
  • Increases nutrition to the tissues by improving general circulation
  • Improves interchange of substances between the blood and the tissue cells, heightening tissue metabolism
  • Increases the excretion via the kidneys of fluids, inorganic phosphorous salts and waste products of protein metabolism
  • Lengthens connective tissue, breaks down or prevents the formation of adhesions and reduces muscle fibrosis
  • Improves circulation and nutrition to joints and speeds up the elimination of harmful deposits
  • Helps lessen inflammation and swelling in joints and therefore alleviate pain
  • Increases blood supply and nutrition to muscles without adding to the load of lactic acid produced through voluntary muscle contraction
  • Enhance muscle tone and increases range of motion
  • Endeavours to free motion and correct damaged muscles by releasing adhesions
  • Stimulates internal organs to work efficiently

When do we recommend it?

  • Massage after (orthopaedic) surgery:

Often dogs are reluctant to use a limb after a painful procedure, muscles weaken and they are less able to use that limb leading to muscle atrophy. Return to normal function is slowed down and can even become impossible.

Canine massage can help your dog make a smoother recovery, returning to health faster and reducing the pain.

  • Flexibility and mobility:

Pets of any age can benefit from CMT. Young active dogs who get carried away wrestling and playing in the park can also strain muscles. Massage can help your pet regain the flexibility and mobility.

 Do you have a dog with arthritis?

Arthritis is a disorder of the joints; it can have many causes. The most common cause is from old age but can also be caused from an injury that affects the joint. It can even be congenital, for example arthritis can develop from hip dysplasia.

Canine massage will not cure arthritis but it will increase the release of synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant in the joints. It will also increase the dog’s range of motion and help prevent its muscles from atrophying due to lack of activity.

  • Stress and anxiety:

Stress and anxiety are a common issue in dogs of all ages, getting a massage provides great benefits for your pet’s psychological well-being. It reduces stress and stimulates the release of endorphins which will help your little one feel more relax and enjoy their visit to the vet.


Our products and services

  • Post-operative massage
  • Relaxation massage
  • Geriatric care massage and advice
  • Arthritis care massage and advice
  • Qualified nurse examination
  • Internal referral to Veterinary care if indicated: consultation, radiographs, prescription medications

Some examples of contraindications:

Massage has a lot of benefits but there are also some contraindications that have to be considered before getting your pet massaged. Always ask your veterinarian for advice if you are unsure.

  • Severe fear or trust issues, as the dog might never fully relax and enjoy the benefits of a massage
  • Human aggression
  • Some skin issues
  • Malignancies
  • Some stages of pregnancy