“Give a dog a bone” – a common saying worldwide, but in reality, this is a controversial topic for vets as well as owners. While Google searches and social media may advocate for bone consumption (nutritional and dental benefits) and many dogs enjoy bones, there are still a small percentage of dogs that will suffer from serious injuries.

Heartworm is a parasitic worm that resides in the heart chambers and in the arteries of the lungs of dogs and cats. This disease was previously widespread around Sydney. As owners have diligently used heartworm prevention over the years, the disease has been largely reduced in the area. However, some wild dogs and foxes may carry a heartworm burden and as such, pet dogs unprotected by heartworm preventatives are still at risk of the disease.

When pets get sick, they can’t tell us what’s wrong, so we must rely on symptoms and observations to determine a diagnosis. One of the best ways to get a clear picture of your furry companion’s health is through blood tests. They can reveal the health of the internal organs, the immune system, or even the type of injury or disease your cat or dog may have.