Port Phillip animal hospital

DOG owners in Southbank and Docklands have been warned to watch out for discarded puffer fish.

Dr Theo Lynch, of the Port Phillip Animal Hospital, in neighbouring Albert Park, said puffer fish were an irresistible but deadly attraction to dogs.

“People who are fishing in bayside suburbs such as Southbank and Docklands will often leave unwanted puffer fish on the banks, which of course a dog will go for,” Dr Lynch said.

“A puffer fish can kill a dog in eight minutes.”

With the arrival of summer weather, Dr Lynch and his three fulltime colleagues - doctors Craig Goode, Oliver Wilkinson, and Emma Prideaux – want all dogs and cats to have their vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date.

“That includes using the latest flea and worm treatments,” Dr Lynch said.

“Heartworm can be particularly prevalent in a wet summer. It is also allergy season for your pet, so owners need to look out for skin irritations.”

Dr Prideaux said apartment residents visit the clinic with dogs of all sizes.

“We have one which is a golden retriever-german shepherd cross,” she said.

“Pets are great companions for inner city living.”

Dr Lynch said most of the apartment towers were animal friendly, and that having a pet dog was “good from a human health perspective”.

“Taking the dog for a walk encourages people to get out and enjoy the outdoors and foreshore areas,” he said.

“Pets and the City (www.petsandthecity.com.au) is a good organisation with helpful advice for Docklands and Southbank residents with pets.

“I know many people in Docklands and Southbank apartments with pets – they are welcome to bring them here.

“We have a cat patient who lives on the 66th level in the Eureka Tower in Southbank. He is a big, fat pussy and his owner came to us, worried that pussy’s ears couldn’t pop – that is, equalise – in the elevator, and that he would be suffering. I researched it but couldn’t find any evidence that it would be the case.”

Dr Prideaux said the clinic offered cat boarding and grooming, and had introduced a dog hydrobath.

“You can come in and wash your dog, or our nurses can do it for you,” she said.

Port Phillip Animal Hospital also has a surgery theatre and hi-tech diagnostic equipment.

Dr Prideaux is accredited by AQUIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service), which qualifies her to prepare pets for overseas travel.

The Port Phillip Animal Hospital is open seven days a week, at 46-48 Mills St, Albert Park. Call 9686 8838 or visit www.ppah.com.au