VETERINARY SERVICES

Comprehensive pet health care services in Ballina


At Ballina Veterinary Hospital, we provide all aspects of animal health care. From routine check-ups and vaccinations to house calls and surgery—we're the team to see. Everything is in one location, even radiography, pathology and dentistry, so you don't have to go running around like mad to different specialists.


Keep reading to learn all about our services or give our receptionist a call to book your appointment.

Consultations & Check-Ups

Has it been while since your pet's last check-up, or there's something bothering you? Bring your cat, dog or any other small animal in to see us. During the consultation our qualified vets will enquire after the general health of your pet and provide advice, prescriptions and tailored care to help resolve any number of issues. These may include some of the following:


  • Eye, skin & ear problems
  • Old dog incontinence
  • Arthritic diagnosis
  • Behavioural problems
  • General malaise or sickness
  • Dental problems
  • Injuries
  • Pregnancy concerns

We also provide desexing, vaccinations and microchipping, which you can read more about below. Consultations with one of our vets are by appointment only.


Our vets are great with animals of all sizes and temperaments. They'll help make them feel at ease, and soon your pets will begin to look forward to their regular check up!

Preventative Health Care

We stock the majority of preventative treatments including Bravecto, NexGard, and NexGard Spectra. Our qualified staff can advise you on the best preventative treatment for your situation. If there is a product you require, and we do not have it available, we can order it for you and have it here as early as the following day..


See our Pet Care Products page for more information on our range.

Surgery

From routine, same-day desexings to more complex surgery, we offer it all. Your pet's health and recovery from the anaesthetic and surgery are a big priority for our team. Each of our vets and vet nurses is very caring and gentle with your pets, so they'll be able to keep them happy and comfortable during the whole process.


We operate from a custom-designed surgical suite on-site in Ballina. Our highly experienced veterinary surgeons can perform:

  • Desexing
  • Orthopaedic surgery
  • Soft tissue surgery
  • Obstetric surgery
  • Ophthalmic surgery


Our patients are fully monitored during anaesthesia and in their recovery. As soon as they are up and walking, we will contact you to come and collect as we believe they are happier in the comfort of their own home. Most procedures are day surgery only and on the day of the surgery we advise you of a drop-off time between 8:30 and 9am and pick-up in the afternoon is usually from 2pm onwards.


If you have an anxious or nervous pet, we try to accommodate their needs as much as possible. This may mean that mum or dad stay until the sedation is given or as soon as the animal is awake mum or dad are asked to come and sit with the pet.


Other little tricks involve taking the pet for a walk through the back of the practice if they are nervous to come in through the front. Patient comfort is very important to us and we try to make your pet's surgery visit as nice as possible.

House Calls

We can arrange house calls on certain days, but there is an extra charge associated with this facility. It is often difficult to complete a consultation at home because full facilities cannot be carried everywhere. Sometimes a “pet pick-up” is a better option. Talk to us about the options available for your pet.

Reminders

Each month we send out reminders for vaccinations, heartworm tests and injections as well as flea and tick prevention treatments. This takes the worry out of remembering when and what your pet is due for. We send our reminders out via email, SMS or letter.

Vaccinations

We use the latest protocols as set out by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). This protocol allows for socialisation of puppies from 10 weeks of age. We can give C4 or C5, depending on your dog's individual need and we can discuss this with you at the time of visit.

Microchipping

In NSW it is law for dogs and cats to be microchipped and registered on the NSW Pet Registry. Microchipping is a 2-step process. The first step being the microchip implant which is a small chip implanted between your pet's shoulder blades which has a unique 15-digit code number.


For the second part, please visit the NSW Pet Registry website. You must enter the unique number provided by our vets as well as some of your details. Pets over 6 months must pay a registration fee.

Dog Behaviour, Training & Classes

A must for all dogs on the Northern Rivers, North Coast K9 Academy is a custom-built dog school that offers beginner, intermediate and advanced group classes in a safe and friendly environment.

The classes are held each Sunday during school holidays at their dog school on Waratah Lane, Alstonville. The classes are run by experienced, fully qualified local dog trainers and behaviourists. Contact Dave Kotek or Sophie Thomson on 0427 525 364 or 0401 934 576 for more information.

Puppy Preschool

Early socialisation is the most important part of your pup's life. Puppies of all shapes sizes and breeds learn how to socialise together in a safe and fun environment. Our puppy school depends on numbers, so we do not have a course running consistently. North Coast k9 Academy now offer puppy preschool, puppies can start their socialisation and schooling at NCK9 and continue their training as they get older. Contact us to find out more.

END OF LIFE

Making the Tough Decision

The difficult and often heartbreaking decision to euthanise is always yours, as the owner, to make. If you are unsure whether it is the right time for your pet, you may want to discuss your feelings with our veterinary team. They will be able to talk about quality of life and offer you important information about your pet.

Some say it is the most difficult decision they ever have to make in their lifetime, but we see it as a way of helping your pet. Our pets give us nothing but love their entire life and so this can be a time to repay them that love. By helping them, this can end up being the most unselfish act of love we can offer them. We will do whatever we can to help you at this very difficult time.

One of the most difficult decisions is, ‘when is the right time?' You can consider the following questions which can make it easier for you:

 

  • Is your pet in constant pain?
  • Can your pet control his or her bladder or bowels?
  • Can your pet move about when he/she chooses to do so?
  • Is your pet still eating & drinking?
  • Is your pet still enjoying daily activities?
  • Does your pet still recognise you?
  • Do the bad days outnumber the good days?

 

Saying Goodbye

We are here to guide you through the whole process of euthanasia. Before your pet is bought to the hospital, we discuss your wishes. Some things to think about before you bring your pet in is whether you would like to stay here with them, what kind of burial will it be, i.e. have you thought about cremation?

When you bring your pet in, he or she will be prepped with an IV, which allows you to hold and cuddle your pet through the entire procedure.

This is a very private setting; only your family and one of our vets are in the room. We will walk you through the steps of the euthanasia so that there are no surprises. You can spend as much time as you need in the comfort room, both before and after the procedure. Whatever your decision will be after your pet has gone, we can help facilitate this. If you are wanting an at-home euthanasia, we offer this service as well. Please contact our team for details.


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