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BAER Hearing Testing
This practice performs BAER hearing testing on adult dogs as well as puppies. BAER stands for Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response. This test detects electrical activity in the cochlea and auditory pathways in the brain. The test involves placing small electrodes at the base of each ear and one on top of the head. An earpiece is placed in the ear and a series of clicks is directed into the ear via the earpiece. Each ear is tested separately and a waveform printout is produced. A normal result is shown below. Printouts from animals that are deaf resemble a flat line. Please call our Sturt St clinic to arrange a time for testing. Cost is $75. Mild sedation is sometimes required, particularly for puppies. This attracts a small additional charge. Discounts available for litters of puppies from registered breeders
Canine and Feline Surgery
This practice performs a wide range of soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures, ranging from desexing to thoracic and abdominal surgery to complicated fracture repair. Every general anaesthetic carries some risk. Here at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice, each patient is assessed pre-operatively by physical examination, and where appropriate, on-site pre-anaesthetic blood testing and intravenous fluid therapy during surgery. EVERY patient undergoing surgery receives appropriate medication for pain relief. This includes the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates and epidural anaesthesia for more major surgery such as hindlimb orthopaedic procedures. We employ modern anaesthetic protocols, tailored to individual patient needs, as well as pulse oximetry, and an ultrasonic doppler flow detector to monitor parameters such as heart rate and blood oxygen levels during surgery.
Tibial Wedge Osteotomy
We offer tibial wedge osteotomy which is fast becoming accepted, along with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy, as the gold standard technique for repair of cranial cruciate injury in dogs. These techniques alter the biomechanics of the knee joint resulting in a resolution of lameness in suitable candidates. These techniques are particularly applicable for larger breed dogs who in the past have tended to have a poorer success rate with more traditional methods of repair. Please ring and speak to Dr Stewart Greedy or Dr Richard Lawrence if you have any queries regarding this procedure.
PennHIP Radiographic Evaluation
Dr Stewart Greedy is an accredited member of the PennHIP referral network. The PennHIP method, developed at the University of Pennsylvania, is becoming widely recognised as the most reliable screening technique to identify dogs most at risk of developing Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) later in life. This procedure can be done as early as 16 weeks. It is advantageous for both breeders to identify those dogs that are most ideal to be bred from, and owners of dogs that wish to know what risk their dog has of developing CHD later in life. There are various treatments available to growing dogs that have been identified as being at greater risk of developing CHD as a result of PennHIP analysis . The other standard screening method used in Australia requires that the dogs be over 12 months of age. Further information on this technique can be obtained from the
PennHIP website
Avian Medicine and Surgery
This practice happily attends to all aspects of bird health. Dr Aaron Luttrell has a special interest in avian medicine and surgery, and the practice carries a variety of avian products to suit the needs of household pets and breeding aviaries alike. We are always happy to order in special products for clients.
Clinical Pathology
We have a pathology laboratory on site staffwhich handles a variety of pathology requirements. These include blood testing for pre-anaesthetic assessment, as well as diagnosis of illness, faecal and urine analysis, cytology including fine needle aspirate assessment of lesions, and heartworm testing.
Computed Radiology
Our radiology facility features a modern veterinary xray machine, capable of accommodating even our largest patients.
We utilise digital processing of images, which carries a great many advantages over traditional silver emulsion film and "darkroom" chemical processing.
The obvious environmental advantage is the elimination of chemicals and film from the whole process.
Digital processing is much quicker to perform meaning the patient is under sedation for a shorter period of time while the radiographic study is being undertaken.
Radiographic detail is enhanced allowing more accurate diagnosis compared with traditional developing.
Images are easier to handle. They can be emailed in digital format to specialists when required, this is especially useful for breeders submitting dogs for official hip scoring. Once radiographs are taken, they are emailed to the specialist radiologist interstate and it is not unusual that we receive results the following morning. This is compared with a week or two for results from mailing of traditional films via Australia Post, not to mention saving on freight costs.
Owners can have their patients xrays given to them as a laser printout on plain paper for their own interest, or in jpeg or DICOM (the medical standard format) on CD-ROM complete with a copy of the reading software so you can have a look at the xrays on your home PC. All you have to do is ask, and this can be done in minutes.
Ultrasonography
We frequently use ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of pregnancy, as well as the diagnosis of disease. This is a very useful, non-invasive technique for investigating diseases of the heart and abdominal contents in particular.
Electrocardiography
An ECG is a very useful tool in the diagnosis of heart disease as well as monitoring the heart rate and rhythm of critically ill patients
Endoscopy
The practice has a flexible endoscope for use in small animals. The instrument allows visualisation of the throat, oesophagus, stomach, colon and in larger animals, the trachea and larger airways. This is done under general anaesthesia. The main advantage of this technique is the examination of the lining of these structures without the need for invasive surgery as well as the ability to take small biopsies if required.
Dentistry
Dental health is an important part of your pet's well-being. Dental disease can not only cause problems in the mouth, but can act as a portal of entry for infection into the rest of the body. We can accommodate a wide range of veterinary dental needs from an ultrasonic scale and polish to maintain a healthy mouth, to tooth root problems and multiple extractions.
Artificial Insemination
We perform canine artificial insemination when requested by our clients. This is often coupled with preliminary tests to determine the right time in the bitches reproductive cycle to perform the insemination in order to maximise chances of a pregnancy. These tests are done onsite.
Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Hyperthyroidism in Cats
The Ballarat Veterinary Practice offers radioactive iodine treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. Hyperthyroidism is a relatively common problem of older cats, usually caused by a benign, thyroid hormone secreting tumour. Radioactive iodine is recognised as the treatment of choice for this condition. It involves oral administration of the compound and a week's stay in our isolation ward at Miner's Rest, while the medication has it's effect. For further information, contact Dr Richard Lawrence on (03) 53392266.
Ballarat Mobile Vet
The practice offers a small animal mobile service that runs Monday to Friday. We can arrange one of our vets to come to your home to attend to your animal. This can be for any reason, the two most common being vaccination and a peaceful home euthanasia. Reasons many of our clients use the mobile service include, a particularly large breed of dog, the pet gets carsick, the pet is unable to walk or transport isn't readily available. To make arrangements for the mobile vet to visit you, please ring (03) 53311533.
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