Gawler Animal Hospital

09/09/2025

Wednesday morning, Bailey, a 1-year-old Border Collie was recently rushed into Gawler Animal Hospital for an emergency appointment after he had been vomiting throughout the night. Knowing the signs of trouble, his family acted quickly and brought him straight in for an emergency appointment.

After sedation and X-rays, a large, obvious foreign object was detected in Bailey’s stomach. (Image 1) He was taken into exploratory surgery, where our team successfully removed… a rock! We’re happy to share that Bailey recovered well from surgery and was able to go home the same evening to rest comfortably with his family.

Foreign body obstruction in pets can be life-threatening. Signs may include:
* Repeated vomiting
* Loss of appetite
* Lethargy
* Abdominal pain or restlessness

If you notice these symptoms in your pet, please seek veterinary attention immediately. Acting quickly can save lives.

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/wwnolnguib
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

07/09/2025

💙 Happy Father’s Day! 💙

Today we’re celebrating all the incredible human and pet dads out there; from the early morning walks, the weekend adventures, the snuggles on the couch, and even the less glamorous jobs (yes, we mean p**p scooping).

Whether your kids have feet, paws, hooves, feathers, or scales, the love you give makes a world of difference in their lives.

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/sfngvshmkh
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

06/09/2025

We’re lucky enough to have an endoscope available here at Gawler Animal Hospital; a tool that allows us to provide advanced, minimally invasive diagnostics and treatments for your pets.

An endoscope is a flexible camera system that lets us look inside areas of the body that would otherwise require major surgery to access. This means faster recovery, less discomfort, and more answers for your pet’s health concerns.

How can we use our endoscope to benefit our patients?
Minimally invasive: reduces the need for exploratory surgery.
Shorter recovery times: patients go home sooner and feel better faster.
Less pain and stress: a more comfortable option for pets.
Improved diagnostics: allows us to see problems directly, rather than relying solely only on imaging.
Precision treatments: we can target the issue without major disruption to other tissues.

Ways we use our endoscope:
Airways: examining the nose, throat, and trachea for obstructions, infections, tumours, or foreign material.
Digestive system: inspecting the oesophagus, stomach, and intestines for inflammation, ulcers, blockages, or growths.
Foreign body retrieval: safely removing items swallowed by curious pets (bones, toys, sticks, etc.) In some cases, removing the need of surgery.
Biopsy collection: taking small, targeted tissue samples from internal structures for accurate diagnosis.
Ear canals: providing a clear look into deep ear structures for chronic infections or growths.

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/zedkqnwliu
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

05/09/2025

03/09/2025

Ever wonder who keeps us smiling when we’re not at the clinic? Meet our pets! and yes, we’re a little animal-obsessed!

We truly live and breathe animal care, not just at work, but in our everyday lives. Every one of these animals has a special place in our hearts, and they remind us why we do what we do.

Show us your fur, feathered and scaled fur family in the comments ↓

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/ezazvnulfb
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

02/09/2025

Father’s Day is almost here, and Jess, our vet nurse has created something special to celebrate all the incredible pet dads.

Join us at our Father’s Day photo booth and capture a photo with your/their four-legged best friend. It’s simple, fun, and the perfect way to mark the day.

Stop by the hospital all this week and make a memory worth sharing. Don’t forget to tag us, we can’t wait to see your photos.

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/dsprsywmvz
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

01/09/2025

Recently, the super sweet (but sometimes a little anxious) Rex came in to be castrated with us here at Gawler Animal Hospital. Like many pets, Rex can feel a little worried in a hospital setting, so we made sure his day was tailored to keep him as calm and comfortable as possible.

One way we did this was by giving Rex his premedication with his family by his side.
This means that his sedative and pre-operative pain relief were administered during his admission appointment, while his human parents were still there with him.

Why does this help?
- Being with his family helped Rex stay relaxed while the medication took effect.
- The sedative eased his anxiety before he was moved to the ward or theatre.
- Pain relief was already working by the time his surgery began, making the whole process more comfortable for him.
- This is one of the many Fear Free techniques we use to help anxious or sensitive pets have a better experience when they need veterinary care.

We’re so proud of how brave Rex was, and of our team for always putting pets’ emotional well-being first. 🐾

If you’d like to know more about how we can support your pet’s comfort and mental health during hospital visits, just ask our friendly team!

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/bqwjakjije
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

29/08/2025

Adorable little Bailey the Dachshund came in for his second puppy vaccination recently and stole the hearts of everyone he met!

He made sure to fit in plenty of cuddles with our nurses Keely & Holly, and even got some extra love from our customer care superstar Maddie. 💙

Puppy vaccinations are such an important part of keeping your new best friend healthy and protected, and of course, we’re always happy to make the experience as positive and snuggly as possible!

See you soon for your next visit, Bailey!

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/jcskwgyamc
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

27/08/2025

Dr Christo recently performed an X-ray on a Peregrine Falcon brought into our care, revealing something alarming; a lead shot pellet lodged in the chest cavity, just under the wing, likely from an air rifle.

Despite their protected status, birds of prey like Peregrine Falcons are sometimes the victims of intentional harm. These injuries can be life-threatening, not only due to physical trauma but also due to the risk of lead poisoning, which is toxic even in small amounts.

In this case, Dr Christo made a tiny incision directly over the pellet and was able to successfully remove it. This stunning raptor is now receiving the supportive care it needs, and we’re hopeful for a smooth recovery with a wildlife carer.

Please remember: harming native wildlife is illegal and unethical. If you see injured birds or animals, contact your local vet or wildlife rescue organisation immediately.

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/fbbmukxqyf
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

25/08/2025

If you have a new puppy and want to give them the best start in life, we can help you support them to become the best version of themselves!

Puppy Primary School
Age: 14 weeks to 6 months | ⏰ 5-week course, 1hr per week
Graduating from Puppy Play? Or Have a 14 week old puppy ready to learn? This is your next step!
Puppy Primary helps teach essential life skills like:
✔️ Come when called
✔️ Walk nicely on lead
✔️ Leave temptations
✔️ Improve focus and resilience
✔️ You'll learn lifelong techniques with reference materials to continue learning at home.
Puppy's obtain a graduation certificate at completion of this course!

Contact our friendly team to chat about our Puppy Primary School!

Visit our website: www.gawlervets.com.au
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

23/08/2025

How cute are some of the pups from our July Puppy Play Classes! These sessions are all about safe, controlled, and positive socialisation during one of the most important stages in a puppy's life; their critical socialisation period (typically between 3 –16 weeks of age)

This is when puppies are the most open to new experiences, sights, sounds, and interactions. Positive exposures during this time can help prevent fear and anxiety later in life, building the foundations for a confident and well-adjusted adult dog.

To make things extra fun, our July sessions included:
- Outdoor sports
- Children's Birthday Party
- A beach day
- A vet visit simulation

Socialisation isn’t just about meeting other dogs; it’s about experiencing the world in a safe, positive way. Our classes aim to make that journey as joyful and enriching as possible!

Do you have a new puppy, or are you planning on eventually adding a pup to your family? Put them in the best position possible, ask us about joining!

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/eqzyauiwrv
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au

21/08/2025

What are Christo's top three recomendations for bird owners?

1. Proper nutrition
Nutrition is the most important part of keeping your bird healthy long-term.
- A seed-only diet is comparable to human junk food; high in fat and missing many essential nutrients like vitamins A, D, B12, E, calcium, and more.
- Switch your bird to a nutritionally complete pelleted diet, with fruits, veggies, and native flowers as extras. Seed's can be given as a treat!
- Avoid avocado, onion, and garlic, and keep table scraps like bread, pasta, rice & meat to a minimum.

2. Perch variety & exercise
Provide different-sized and textured perches to prevent foot trauma. Birds also need enough space in their enclosure to stretch, move & exercise to stay fit and happy.

3. Water baths & misting
Regular light sprays or access to a shallow bath helps keep feathers and skin healthy.

Have questions about transitioning your bird’s diet or improving their environment? We’re here to help.

Visit our website: https://f.mtr.cool/kcwirtnpqm
Call us: 8522 3500
Email us: reception@gawlervets.com.au