No. Not every veterinary practice will offer the same level of care.
This page explains WHY Dandenong Veterinary Hospital (DVH) is different.
It is our priority at DVH to use our skills and knowledge to provide your pets customised preventative healthcare plans. Medicine is a complex field, and there can be many options your veterinarian may choose when it comes to the level of care offered for your furry family member. This covers the product choices, equipment choices and the rigorous guidelines and Standards Of Care we strive for.
Comparing costs? Be sure to compare apples-with-apples. We too could cut options out completely, or choose a more inferior, or cheaper option, but at DVH, we understand how important each choice is. We feel that it is too important to NOT offer your pet this level of care. We also offer payment plans.
Customised Care? A rushed “telephone query” to try and make a hodge-podge plan on the fly may not be as accurate as a plan the veterinarian can provide you, so in that case, our reception team do their best! The veterinarian can then provide a more accurate Treatment Plan for your consideration, and acceptance.
Let us share WHY we have made these choices for you, and WHY we won’t compromise on the level of care your pet deserves.
That's right...a TRIENNIAL (three-yearly) vaccine for the C3 diseases
Commencing from their first adult vaccination, we use a Triennial vaccine, meaning your pet may not need this specific vaccination every year, instead, we review every THREE years. Our vaccine brand has proven efficacy to provide protection for at LEAST three years. Together with the antibody testing we perform, it may well be even LESS often needed!
...may simply give a C3 vaccination every year. This may not actually be necessary.
In adult dogs that have received our Triennial vaccination brand, to FURTHER reduce the need for vaccinating with a C3 each third year, we use triennial antibody testing to identify if your pet even needs another triennial C3-booster.
Testing your pet's antibodies each third year is an even BETTER option because antibody testing:
Followed their first adult C3 vaccine, your pet will have an antibody test each three years for life.
A booster C3-vaccine is given at 10-years of age, once, due to aging immune systems.
...may not provide on-site antibody titre testing, or not even talk to you about the option of antibody titre testing for dogs.
Our choice of vaccine brand to protect for the C2 diseases is a NASAL vaccine. A small volume of vaccine is dripped into the nose (intra-nasal). The vaccine delivered in this form is highly effective in protecting against these diseases, significantly more so than the injectable-vaccinations, because the immunity that develops in the nose is far more specific and protective than the immunity induced from an injected vaccine for these diseases.
Similar to human flu vaccines, your pet’s immune system needs to be reminded annually to protect against these diseases.
...may not offer you the better protection of nasal vaccinations.
Leptospirosis is a nasty and life-threatening bacterial disease that has had recent outbreaks in the South East of Melbourne for some years now. We can assess the risk for your pet and will advise vaccination in the cases where your pet spends time away from your home property, particularly going for walks or play in public spaces, such as parks, gardens, waterways. These environments have a higher prevalence of rats or mice urinating in the environment; the source of the disease.
After an initial 2-step induction course (two-weeks apart) then a simple ANNUAL booster is all that is needed to provide antibody protection.
...may be unaware of the existence of Leptospirosis in our South East Region, or choose not to discuss this protection option with you.
Heartworm is a life-threatening disease that is present in Melbourne. It is spread by mosquitoes, and we all know that they are around!! The easiest protection is an annual slow-release protection, given by injection.
Dogs that are NOT already routinely protected from heartworm (often monthly) need a once-off 10-minute blood test to ensure they are NEGATIVE for heartworm disease before we commence treatment.
...may not emphasise the importance of this annual injection in ensuring your pet NEVER misses their treatment, "because you forgot to give the monthly on time"
Yes!! There is a single-dose flea protection that provides SIX-MONTHS of protection.
...may stock a confusing range of products and ask you what you want. Is it not easier for the veterinarian to share what they know is best?
We will assess your pet's risk for Tick protection, importantly, the 'paralysis tick'. This species is not prevalent in the urban parts of Melbourne suburbs, but indeed is a risk if you travel far and wide with your dog, particularly interstate (especially northern states) or even to eastern Victoria.
Fortunately the flea treatment that we use ALSO covers for the paralysis tick for SIX-MONTHS. What is AMAZING about the product we use is that it is HIGHLY effective in killing the paralysis tick BEFORE it injects the paralysis toxin, around day three of their attachment.
...may offer so many options that they forget to protect your pet against the paralysis tick. Is it not easier to have a six-month protection within the same flea medication product you use, for peace of mind?
Is your pet at risk of worms because intestinal worms are often out-of-site and out-of-mind?
...may not offer this tasty and small option that your dog needs.
Regular check-ups are a very important tool to keeping your pet healthy. Your pet needs a thorough examination at least twice per year. You need to recognise that vaccines are only ONE part of your pet’s healthcare plan.
There are so many more “pieces” to ensuring optimal health. Twice-yearly (Twice-for-Life) examinations allows the time to give every piece the attention it deserves.
...may squeeze everything into a once-per year 15-minute slot. Is this TRULY enough time to ensure you and your pet are receiving the BEST advice and care that they need and to avoid problems arising?
These have been just a few of the “special things” that contribute towards Dandenong Veterinary Hospital’s Standards of Care.
Twice-For-Life examinations together with a Customised Preventative Healthcare Plan means so much to our patient outcomes.
Our difference is in the details!