Southpaws Specialty and Emergency Vet Hospital

Southpaws Specialty and Emergency Vet Hospital Australia's premier specialist referral and emergency hospital.

🐾 Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) in Dogs — What Owners Should Know 🐾 If your dog is a short-nosed (br...
06/05/2026

🐾 Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) in Dogs — What Owners Should Know 🐾

If your dog is a short-nosed (brachycephalic) breed like a Bulldog, Pug, French Bulldog, or Shih Tzu, they may be at risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) — a condition where their airway is partially blocked, making breathing difficult.

BOAS can range from mild snoring to serious breathing problems, especially during exercise, hot weather, or excitement.

🔎 Signs to watch for:
• Loud snoring, snorting, or wheezing
• Difficulty breathing, especially after exercise
• Coughing or gagging
• Exercise intolerance or reluctance to be active
• Blue gums or tongue in severe cases

🩺 Why early assessment matters
BOAS can significantly affect quality of life and, in severe cases, become life-threatening. Early assessment allows veterinary teams to identify the severity and discuss treatment options to improve breathing and overall comfort. With proper care, many dogs with BOAS can enjoy a more comfortable, active life.

If your short-nosed dog is showing any signs of breathing difficulty, seek veterinary advice promptly — early action can make a big difference.

Rumi’s Story 💛Rumi is a 3-year-old French Bulldog, rescued and deeply loved by her family, who were determined to give h...
05/05/2026

Rumi’s Story 💛

Rumi is a 3-year-old French Bulldog, rescued and deeply loved by her family, who were determined to give her the chance at a better, easier life.

She came to Southpaws after months of progressively worsening breathing—loud stertor, marked heat intolerance, and struggling even on short walks. What was once dismissed as “snoring” was confirmed to be significant Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, with multiple areas of airway obstruction identified on advanced assessment.

Her family made the brave decision to proceed with specialist corrective airway surgery, including nostril widening and soft palate reduction, followed by close ECC monitoring through recovery.

The first weeks had their challenges, but at her 3-week recheck, Rumi was breathing more comfortably, recovering better after exercise, and starting to enjoy life without the same struggle for every breath.

She’s not “fixed”—but she’s so much more comfortable. And that change is everything.

💛 A reminder that behind every BOAS case is a dog just trying to breathe—and a family willing to fight for them.

From critical to comeback 💛Sass came to us incredibly unwell, and her journey was anything but easy. After major complic...
04/05/2026

From critical to comeback 💛

Sass came to us incredibly unwell, and her journey was anything but easy. After major complications and a tough start, her family made the decision to travel to our Malvern hospital in search of the care she needed.

In the hands of our ECC team — and with the compassion and dedication of Dr Lorna — Sass received the intensive support she deserved. From those early, uncertain days to now playing with her puppy again and working towards a return to agility… her recovery has been nothing short of incredible.

To Sass’ family — thank you for trusting us during such a difficult time. And to our team, who show up every day with skill, kindness and heart — this is why we do what we do 🐾

🐾 Gandalf’s Big Health Glow-Up 🐾 Gandalf the Pomeranian came to us with a long history of noisy breathing, wheezing and ...
01/05/2026

🐾 Gandalf’s Big Health Glow-Up 🐾

Gandalf the Pomeranian came to us with a long history of noisy breathing, wheezing and intermittent reverse sneezing — which recently progressed to a scary episode of collapse and cyanosis.

Advanced imaging and an upper airway assessment revealed the cause: a thickened soft palate creating upper airway obstruction, making it difficult for Gandalf to breathe comfortably, especially during excitement or warm weather.

Gandalf underwent a staphylectomy (soft palate resection) to improve airflow and reduce the risk of future respiratory crises. Following surgery, he recovered beautifully — calm, comfortable, and breathing much more easily.

But Gandalf’s care didn’t stop there…

🐕 Helping his mobility too
During his work-up, Gandalf was also diagnosed with bilateral medial patellar luxation, with a more severe grade III luxation affecting his left hind limb. Just two days after his airway procedure, he returned for corrective orthopaedic surgery to stabilise his knee and improve long-term comfort and mobility.

💙 A wonderful example of teamwork across multiple specialist services to help one very special little patient.

Go Gandalf! 🐾✨

Flat faces, complex cases 🐶💭An evening dedicated to the not-so-simple brachy patient — beyond the airway, beyond the obv...
30/04/2026

Flat faces, complex cases 🐶💭

An evening dedicated to the not-so-simple brachy patient — beyond the airway, beyond the obvious. Join us as we unpack the real challenges (and wins) in managing BOAS cases with a multidisciplinary lens.

Popcorn, good company, and practical learning guaranteed 🍿

📅 Wednesday 20th May
📍 Rivoli Cinema, Hawthorn East
🕡 Arrive from 6:30pm | 🎤 Presentations from 7pm

Food, drinks (and popcorn, of course) on us 🍿

Spots are limited — register now via the QR code or link below!

https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0M5PX0

A snapshot of April in hospital 🐾From emergency admissions to post-operative recoveries, complex medical cases, and thos...
29/04/2026

A snapshot of April in hospital 🐾

From emergency admissions to post-operative recoveries, complex medical cases, and those quiet in-between moments of care—this is what life at Southpaws looks like behind the scenes.

Every patient in these photos represents a story of teamwork, dedication, and trust. Whether they arrived in crisis or for planned specialist care, our focus remains the same: thoughtful treatment, close monitoring, and giving every patient the best possible chance to recover well.

A huge thank you to our ECC, surgical, and nursing teams who make it all happen—day and night.

🐾 Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs — What Owners Should Know 🐾 Elbow dysplasia is a common developmental joint condition affectin...
28/04/2026

🐾 Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs — What Owners Should Know 🐾

Elbow dysplasia is a common developmental joint condition affecting growing dogs, particularly medium and large breeds. It occurs when parts of the elbow joint do not develop or fit together correctly, leading to abnormal wear, pain, and early arthritis.

Signs often begin when dogs are young, but some may only show symptoms later as joint changes progress.

🔎 Signs to watch for:
• Front leg lameness or limping (often worse after exercise)
• Stiffness, especially after rest
• Reluctance to run, play, or go for longer walks
• “Paddling” gait or turning paws outward
• Reduced activity or difficulty rising

🩺 Why early assessment matters
Elbow dysplasia is a progressive condition. Early diagnosis allows treatment to reduce pain, improve joint function, and help slow the development of arthritis — giving dogs the best chance at long-term comfort. With appropriate management, many dogs with elbow dysplasia can maintain a happy, active lifestyle.

If you notice forelimb lameness or stiffness in your dog — especially during growth or early adulthood — a veterinary assessment is recommended.

Today we celebrate the people behind the care. 💙💙This World Veterinary Day, we recognise the dedication, skill, and comp...
25/04/2026

Today we celebrate the people behind the care. 💙💙

This World Veterinary Day, we recognise the dedication, skill, and compassion it takes to do what our teams do—every hour of every day.

From critical moments in Emergency & Critical Care, to complex surgical cases, to the quiet reassurance given to worried owners…it’s a profession built on expertise, resilience, and heart.

To our vets—thank you for the decisions you make, the care you give, and the difference you create for every patient who comes through our doors.

And to the wider veterinary community—we see you, and we’re proud to stand alongside you.

❤️ Southpaws

Today we pause to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of all Australian and New Zealand men and wome...
25/04/2026

Today we pause to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of all Australian and New Zealand men and women who have served our countries.

On ANZAC Day, we reflect on the values of bravery, mateship, and resilience — and the lasting legacy left by those who came before us.

We also acknowledge the important role animals have played alongside service personnel throughout history, offering loyalty, companionship, and support in times of conflict.

Lest We Forget.

🌺

🐶❤️ Woody’s visit was a little different — he came in to help save a life.Woody, a cheerful 2½-year-old Labrador weighin...
23/04/2026

🐶❤️ Woody’s visit was a little different — he came in to help save a life.

Woody, a cheerful 2½-year-old Labrador weighing 33kg, recently spent the day with our team as part of our blood donor program. While most patients visit us because they’re unwell, Woody came in feeling great — and left having made a real difference for another dog and their family.

Blood products are something we can never predict needing, but when emergencies happen, having generous donor dogs ready to help can be the difference between life and loss. Donations like Woody’s allow us to provide immediate treatment to critically ill pets when time is crucial.

Woody took everything in his stride, enjoying plenty of fuss from our nurses and proving that sometimes being brave simply means lying still and accepting extra cuddles!

We’re incredibly thankful to Woody and his owners for being part of something so important. 💛

If you have a friendly, healthy dog over 25kg and would like to learn more about becoming a donor, our team would love to chat — because heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and wagging tails.

Another kind review for our team 💙Dr Gillian Gattes recently cared for a much-loved German Shepherd, helping guide his f...
22/04/2026

Another kind review for our team 💙

Dr Gillian Gattes recently cared for a much-loved German Shepherd, helping guide his family through a worrying time with calm, clarity, and compassion.

We’re so pleased to hear he’s now doing well — thank you for trusting us with his care 🐾

20/04/2026

Work hard, laugh harder ✨

If you’re a Surgery nurse looking for a team that brings the energy and the expertise… you might have just found your people.

We take our patient care seriously - but never ourselves. Great cases, supportive team, plenty of laughs in between.

Come for the medicine, stay for the chaos (the best kind) 🩷

We’re hiring now - join the fun.
-> hr@southpaws.com.au

Address

1103 Dandenong Road
Kingston, VIC
3145

Telephone

+61395531775

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