By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator IF you follow local community Facebook pages, you may have noticed that daily posts reporting snake sightings are becoming increasingly common across the Penrith region. Brown snakes are regularly being reported along the Nepean River Walk, around the lagoons and walking tracks in Jordan Springs, and throughout […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator IT looked like nothing more than a tiny lump on Sunny’s lip. But that seemingly harmless lump was hiding a potentially deadly threat. Sunny, a seven-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, was enjoying a family holiday at South West Rocks when, after a day at the beach, his owners […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator AFTER more than 38 years working in the veterinary industry, I have spent much of my career helping families through some of the most difficult moments they will ever face with their pets. As a veterinary nurse, I have held countless paws, supported frightened animals, explained procedures […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator WHEN we step into a local veterinary clinic, we see compassionate professionals dedicated to caring for our pets. We picture a fulfilling career filled with saving lives, cuddling animals and happy endings. Yet behind the consultation room door lies a serious mental health crisis that is often […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator PET euthanasia is a topic many pet owners prefer not to think about, let alone talk about. Yet it is something that most will face at some point, and having questions about when it is appropriate, what the process involves and how to know when the time […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator A PERSISTENT cough can be worrying for any dog owner, particularly when it seems to come on suddenly. Recently, veterinary clinics have seen an increase in dogs presenting with coughing, with kennel cough being one of the more common causes. Despite its name, kennel cough is not […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator BUILDING on the success of last year’s community outreach initiatives, staff from Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital once again hit the highway alongside the RSPCA NSW Outreach team. Driven by a shared mission to improve animal welfare and strengthen the human-animal bond, this year’s road trips focused on […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator WITH recent reports of H5 bird flu being detected in Australia, many people are understandably asking what this means for their families, pets and local wildlife. While the headlines may sound concerning, the current situation should be viewed with awareness rather than alarm. Australia has confirmed a […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator WE are often asked “should I take my dog to the off-leash dog park?”. These popular community spaces offer dogs the chance to exercise, explore and socialise, but they’re not the right fit for every dog. Understanding both the benefits and the potential risks can help you […]

By Kellie Tickner, Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Administrator GROWING older brings many changes for our canine companions. While it is normal for senior dogs to slow down physically, some may also experience changes in their mental function. This condition, known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), is often compared to dementia in humans and can affect […]