SCAR Community Animal Hospital

🌽 When a tasty snack turns into an emergency... 🌽

On Thursday, 6-year-old Staffy Tyson was rushed into our Community Animal Hospital after several days of vomiting, lethargy and just not being himself.

On examination, our veterinary team found Tyson was very sore and tender through his abdomen. Knowing he has a reputation as a bit of a household scavenger, our vets recommended taking X-rays to see if something he shouldn't have eaten was causing the problem.

We're so glad they did.

There on the screen was the unmistakable outline of the culprit... a corn cob! 🌽

It turns out Tyson had taken the opportunity over the weekend to sneak a corn cob from his little human brother's plate when no one was looking. It may have seemed like a delicious treat at the time, but corn cobs can quickly become a life-threatening emergency for dogs.

Tyson was taken straight into emergency surgery for an exploratory laparotomy, where Dr Nat worked her magic to carefully locate and remove the obstruction from his intestines.

The best news? ❤️ Tyson returned today for his post-operative check and is already feeling so much brighter! His family are incredibly relieved to have their cheeky boy back on the road to recovery.

⚠️ If your dog has eaten a corn cob, treat it as a veterinary emergency. Corn cobs cannot be digested and can easily become lodged in the stomach or intestines, causing a life-threatening blockage. Prompt veterinary attention is essential, as emergency surgery is often required to remove the obstruction and save your dog's life. If you suspect your dog has eaten a corn cob, don't wait for symptoms to develop... contact your veterinarian immediately.

We're wishing Tyson a speedy recovery... and hoping he sticks to dog treats from now on! 💙🐾

👀 Can you guess what’s hiding in this dog’s tummy? 👀

This x-ray belongs to a dog that came into our clinic feeling very unwell. He’d been vomiting, was lethargic and clearly not himself.

Our vets quickly discovered the cause… but before we reveal the answer, we want to hear your guesses!

Comments below if you think you can see it ⬇️

We’ll reveal the answer and share his incredible story tomorrow 🐾

🩺 Staff Spotlight - Meet Animal Attendant Helena! 🩺

At SCAR, our team is made up of passionate, caring people who bring their own unique skills, personalities and experiences to the animals in our care. Every person plays an important role in helping us provide the best possible support for the pets, their families and each other.

This week we're shining the spotlight on Helena, one of our wonderful Animal Attendants who is also studying to become a Veterinary Nurse! Helena brings so much kindness, curiosity and enthusiasm to the team, and we love watching her continue to grow and learn within the veterinary world.

We asked Helena a few questions so you can get to know the person behind the scrubs:

🐾 What do you enjoy most about your role?
"I think my favourite thing about my job is helping support the team in the clinic with their day-to-day routine."

🐾 Dog or cat person?
"Can I say both? I have a greyhound at home who completely hogs my bed, but I love spending time with all the cats at the clinic and getting my cat fix there!"

🐾 What do you love most about working with animals?
"I love that animals don't judge me on whatever I say or do. I can be my weird self around them, and they're just happy to be getting attention."

🐾 Any special interests?
"As I'm still learning, everything is exciting! I'm interested in everything and anything because it's all so new."

🐾 Fun fact!
Helena is an award-winning cosplayer! She won a cosplay competition here in Victoria and was flown to Brisbane to compete in the national finals, a pretty incredible experience!

We're so lucky to have Helena as part of the SCAR team. Her kindness, enthusiasm to learn, and genuine love for animals shine through every day.

Thank you for everything you do Helena! 💙

Can you spot the signs of Dental Disease in your Pets? 🦷

Dental disease in our pets is more common than you may think! In fact, periodontal diseases are one of the most common problems our vets encounter. If untreated, these conditions can lead to serious health problems in areas such as the kidney, heart and liver. But can you spot the signs in your pet?

The most common symptoms that your pet may be experiencing dental disease are:

🦷 Bad breath
🦷 Stained yellow or brown teeth – this is tartar build-up
🦷 Tender mouth when touched
🦷 Facial Swelling
🦷 Difficulty eating either on one side or both
🦷 Loose, wobbly teeth or missing teeth
🦷 Excessive Drooling
🦷 Bleeding or receding gums
🦷 Excessive pawing around the mouth

If you notice your pet showing any of the signs above, contact your vet as soon as possible, so they can check your pets’ teeth before any irreversible damage occurs. Call our Clinic today on (03) 7002 6649 to book your appointment!

🟢 Grade 0: A Healthy Pet Smile! 🦷✨

What does a healthy mouth look like?

✅ Bright white teeth
✅ Healthy pink gums
✅ Fresh breath
✅ No gum or bone loss

A Grade 0 mouth means your pet’s teeth and gums are in great shape!

The best way to keep that beautiful smile healthy is with ongoing care:

🐾 Daily tooth brushing
🐾 Dental treats or chews
🐾 Regular veterinary wellness checks

Prevention is always better than treatment, and small habits at home can make a big difference.

Book in for your pet's *FREE nurse dental check with our clinic today on 03) 7002 6649! 🐶🐱

*conditions apply

🐱 MYTH BUSTER MONDAY 🐱

MYTH: "Indoor cats don't need vaccinations."

❌ BUSTED!

Many people believe that because their cat lives indoors, they don't need to worry about vaccinations... but this isn't always true.

Even indoor cats can still be exposed to infectious diseases through:
🐾 People bringing germs into the home on shoes or clothing
🐾 Contact with other pets
🐾 Visits to the vet, boarding, grooming, or catteries
🐾 Accidentally escaping outdoors

Vaccinations help protect your cat from serious diseases and are an important part of keeping them healthy throughout their life.

🏠 Indoor lifestyle = lower risk, but not zero risk.

Regular health checks and keeping vaccinations up to date are the best ways to help your feline friend stay protected.

Contact our clinic today if your feline friends is due for their annual vaccination. 💙

🦷 It’s Pet Dental Health Month! 🐶🐱

Did you know dental disease is one of the most common health problems we see in pets?

Just like us, dogs and cats need regular dental care to keep their mouths healthy, comfortable and pain-free. The tricky part? Our pets are experts at hiding discomfort, and many will continue eating normally even when they have significant dental disease.

At the SCAR Vet Clinic, we assess your pet’s oral health using a 0–4 grading system to understand what’s happening inside their mouth and create a personalised care plan.

From a healthy Grade 0 smile to more advanced dental disease, early detection can make all the difference.

💡 Regular dental checks can help prevent pain, reduce the need for extractions and keep your pet feeling their best.

Book your pet’s FREE dental health assessment with our friendly vet nurses today! 🐾

🩺 Staff Spotlight: Meet Nurse Summer! 🩺

Summer is one of our dedicated veterinary nurses, and every day she's making a difference in the lives of the animals who come through our clinic doors.

💕 What do you love most about your role?
"Every day is different, and it's so rewarding knowing I can make a positive difference for every animal that comes into SCAR."

🐶 What are you most passionate about?
"I have a real passion for neonatal care. Looking after newborn animals during such a critical stage of their lives is incredibly fulfilling, and I love helping give them the very best start."

🕷️ Do you have a favourite animal?
"While I love all animals, I have a real soft spot for invertebrates! I have a pet praying mantis and a handsome little jumping spider, and they've made me appreciate just how fascinating and unique these tiny creatures are."

❤️ What do you love most about working with animals?
"Building a bond with each patient, earning their trust, and seeing them feel better is incredibly meaningful. Knowing I can play even a small part in improving an animal's life while supporting the people who love them is what makes this work so special."

✨ Fun fact!
Summer's journey with SCAR began when she was just 14 years old, volunteering and fostering animals with her family. Seven years later, she's now part of our veterinary nursing team, living the dream she's always had of caring for animals.

Her journey is a wonderful reminder to follow your passions, work hard, and never give up on your dreams. 💙

Has your pet slowed down lately?

Maybe they're not jumping onto the couch like they used to, taking longer to get up after a nap, or seeming a little stiff after a walk.

While many people assume these changes are "just old age," they could actually be signs of osteoarthritis – a common but often overlooked condition in both dogs and cats.

Our amazing DR Jun has put together a helpful article explaining the signs to look out for, how osteoarthritis is diagnosed, and the treatment options available to help keep your pet comfortable and active.

Read the full article here: https://secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au/could-your-pet-have-osteoarthritis/

Your pet doesn't have to suffer in silence. 🐾