Category Archives: Today’s News

Updated COVID-19 Requirement Relaxations – June 2021

We’d like to once again thank all of our fantastic clients for their understanding and compliance with our temporary COVID-19 requirements over the past 12 months. In light of the low incidence of COVID-19 in the ACT, we will be further relaxing our requirements as of the 1st of June 2021. The safety of our staff, clients and patients remains our top priority.

Updated requirements as of 1st June 2021:
  • Please use provided hand sanitizer prior to entry.
  • All people entering our premises must ‘Check In’ using QR codes displayed on the front door & reception desk.
  • If your are arriving for an appointment and there is enough space in the waiting room for you to safely practice adequate social distancing, you are now welcome to enter without phoning reception first.
  • We ask that you please limit the number of humans to only those who must attend. If more than one person is attending your appointment we kindly ask that you phone reception on arrival and wait in your car until instructed to enter.
  • If you are experiencing any cold/flu like symptoms, or are returning from a known COVID-19 area of concern, please phone us to reschedule your appointment or arrange a contactless consultation.
  • If you or your pet are more comfortable waiting outside you are welcome to do so, please phone reception on arrival and we will text your mobile when we are ready for you to enter.
  • You are now welcome to pay via card OR cash.

If our waiting room is at capacity when you arrive one of our staff may ask you to briefly wait outside until there is enough space for you to safely practice adequate social distancing.

These requirements are subject to change in accordance with current ACT Health recommendations without notice.

Thank you again for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to find the best balance between convenience and caution.

We’re Hiring – Full Time/Part Time Receptionist *APPLICATIONS CLOSED*

*please note, applications for this position are now closed*

Hall Veterinary Surgery & Vets at Amaroo are looking for a full time or part time customer care extraordinaire to join our team! If you are passionate about the veterinary industry, providing customer service excellence and creating moments that matter, what’re you waiting for?

About The Role:

• Full time position is 38 hours per week including some Saturdays
• Part time applicants also considered
• Located in picturesque Hall Village & Amaroo Shopping Precinct
• Fast-paced, challenging and rewarding role supporting a team of skilled veterinarians and veterinary nurses
• $20-$26/hour dependent on age and relevant experience

About The Perks:

• Above award remuneration and paid parental leave
• Ample opportunities for career progression & growth
• Supportive team environment committed to continual improvement
• Free parking at both clinic locations
• We aim to roster 4 day work weeks for full timers with 1 in 4 Saturdays
• Need we mention the puppy & kitten cuddles..?

About Us:

Hall Veterinary Surgery has been part of the Hall community for 30 years and has proven to be a trusted choice for Canberran pet owners.
In recent years we opened a second purpose-built clinic, Vets at Amaroo. This clinic is situated in the relatively new suburb of Amaroo approximately a 15-minute drive from Hall. https://amaroovet.com.au/

We pride ourselves on delivering gold standard care to our patients and their humans through our friendly and personalised approach.  We have a dedicated customer care team who are passionate about going the extra mile to assist our clients.

About you:

Our ideal candidate;
• Has experience in a customer service role
• Finds satisfaction in helping clients when they need it most
• Is excited by the opportunity to push themselves, learn and grow
• Is resilient, enjoys a challenge and shows initiative
• Possesses a high level of emotional intelligence & self awareness
• Is a team player, dedicated to working together to succeed
• Is passionate about animals and is excited to pave out a career in a veterinary profession

Applications:

If this sounds like the job for you we’d love to hear from you! Email a one page cover letter outlining why you’re the best person for the role and your up to date CV to April Maney – april@hallvet.com.au
Please include your availability and whether you’re interested in a full time or part time position.

Trainee veterinary nurses will be considered for this position, however we cannot guarantee trainee nursing shifts for the first year of your employment with us.

Applications for this role close at midnight on Sunday the 23rd of May.

*please note, applications for this position are now closed*

We’re Hiring – Cert IV Qualified Veterinary Nurse Wanted!


Hall Vet Surgery and Vets at Amaroo are looking for a Certificate IV qualified veterinary nurse with minimum 2 years of nursing experience to join our team. We are well-equipped small animal practices located in Canberra, who deliver the best care to each and every patient and have lots of fun along the way.

Hall Veterinary Surgery has been part of the Hall community for 30 years. We are located on the outskirts of Canberra in a village atmosphere and surrounded by nature with a great coffee shop just down the road.

Recently, we opened a second purpose-built clinic called ‘Vets at Amaroo’. This clinic is situated in the relatively new suburb of Amaroo approximately a 10-minute drive from Hall. https://amaroovet.com.au/

Opening our second practice gives us an opportunity to expand our wonderful team of Nurses. Bonus points for an applicant with a keen interest in mentoring and training our wonderful junior nurses.

Our Senior nurses take pride in maintaining a high standard of care for every patient. Whilst they are all highly trained and professional they also love to have fun and celebrate the wins along the way. We are looking for someone who is confident in anaesthetic monitoring (including BP and ETCO2) and emergency and critical care cases, is experienced in nurse consultations (including arthritis injections, post-op rechecks, suture and drain removals etc) and is an all-round legend who gets along well with a wonderful and diverse team of people. A great sense of humour is also an essential skill for this role!

If you think you are the amazing person we are looking for please send your resume and cover letter to:
Keely Scotland
keely@hallvet.com.au

We’re Hiring – Full Time Receptionist *Applications Closed*

** Applications for this position are closed **

Hall Veterinary Surgery & Vets at Amaroo are looking for a full time customer care extraordinaire with a minimum of 2 years experience to join our team! If you are passionate about providing customer service excellence and creating moments that matter, what’re you waiting for?

About The Role:
• Minimum of 2 Years Experience in a Customer Service Role Required
• Full Time Position ~38hrs/wk Including Some Saturdays
• Located in Picturesque Hall Village & Amaroo Shopping Precinct
• Fast-paced, Challenging and Rewarding Role
• Supportive Team Environment Committed to Continual Improvement
• Need We Mention the Puppy & Kitten Cuddles..?

About Us:
Hall Veterinary Surgery has been part of the Hall community for 30 years. We are located on the outskirts of Canberra in a village atmosphere and surrounded by nature with a great coffee shop just down the road.

Recently, we opened a second purpose-built clinic called ‘Vets at Amaroo’. This clinic is situated in the relatively new suburb of Amaroo approximately a 15-minute drive from Hall. https://amaroovet.com.au/

We pride ourselves on delivering gold standard care to our patients and their humans through our friendly and personalised approach.  We have a dedicated customer care team who are passionate about going the extra mile to assist our clients.

About you:
Our ideal candidate;
• Has a minimum of 2 years experience in a customer service role
• Finds satisfaction in helping clients when they need it most
• Is excited by the opportunity to push themselves, learn and grow
• Is resilient, enjoys a challenge and shows initiative
• Possesses a high level of emotional intelligence & self awareness
• Is a team player, dedicated to working together to succeed

Applications:
If this sound like the job for you we’d love to hear from you!
Please email a one page cover letter outlining why you’re the best person for the role and your up to date CV to April Maney – april@hallvet.com.au

Applications for this role close on 11:59pm Monday 1st of February. Interviews for this position will be held on Saturday the 7th of February at Hall Veterinary Surgery.

Please note, this is a customer service role only and is not a pathway to a veterinary nursing career. If you are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary nursing please keep an eye out for a vacancy in our nursing team.

** Applications for this position are closed **

Keeping Your Pet Safe This Christmas

Unfortunately, most veterinarians will tell you that Christmas is typically a very busy time of year at any emergency veterinary hospital. So with Christmas upon us again, here are some tips for keeping your pets safe (and out of your local emergency waiting room) as they join in the festivities.


Here are a few of the common Christmas hazards, posing a threat to your pets health:

Some human foods are just not meant for dogs:
Chocolate, plum pudding, Christmas cake, fruit platters and delicious roasts and stuffing. What could possibly be wrong with sharing that!

Unfortunately, these Christmas goodies can contain ingredients that are dangerous to dogs, including chocolate, sultanas, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts and cooked bones.

Signs will depend on the food that has been eaten and can be delayed. For example kidney damage from grapes and raisins may not become apparent until weeks down the track. If your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have, please speak to a veterinarian immediately.


Alcohol
This is a no-brainer really but there is no safe amount of alcohol for your dog to have. If you suspect your pet has ingested any alcohol please contact your vet. Symptoms can range from vomiting, depression, difficulty walking, slow breathing, collapse and can even progress to coma and death in some extreme cases.

Overindulgence and Pancreatitis
Just a little bit of ham can’t hurt, right? Well, a little here and a little there adds up! Although it’s nice to give your pet a special treat occasionally, we must remember that a little to us can be a lot to them, and eating too much of something outside of their normal diet, especially if high in fat, is a very common cause of illness for them.

Overindulgence can cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and pancreatitis (which often requires days of treatment in hospital, and can be fatal). It’s best to avoid the risk at all by asking all guests not to share human food with your pets, despite their best puppy dog eyes.

Don’t underestimate your clever scavenger pup, barbecues should not be left unattended and leftovers/scraps should be removed from the table as soon as the meal is finished.

Noise Anxiety
Parties, fireworks and summer storms make Christmas time hard for dogs who are prone to anxiety. Nobody knows your pet better than you do, always observe your mate closely and look for the subtle signs that they are worried, and take action. Pet’s who suffer from noise or storm anxiety will often become destructive and dig under or jump over fences in order to escape the perceived threat. Not only can this result in your dog becoming lost, they could also sustain injuries whilst escaping, or worse, be hit by a car.

Avoid the stressors where possible, and make sure they always have access to a quiet, safe retreat. Some pets will benefit from medication to help them cope through this period, more details here -> https://www.hallvet.com.au/2020/11/storm-phobia/


The Christmas Tree
Though seemingly harmless, the Christmas tree is the cause for a few common Christmas Emergency Vet visits, including:
• Tummy upsets after chewing pine needles or drinking stagnant Christmas tree water.
• Obstruction or injury to the bowel after tinsel, baubles, ornaments, wrappings or ribbons are eaten.
• Electrocution is a risk if your pooch starts chewing the Christmas tree lights.

Holiday Plants
Popular Christmas plants and flowers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, lilies, hibiscus, Christmas cactus, berries, mistletoe and holly leaves are all poisonous to your pets. Make sure they are out of their reach, as consumption could result in illness or even death.

Batteries & Toys
Swallowed batteries are very dangerous for dogs, causing a range of issues from burning their gut to a life-threatening obstruction or stomach rupture! Batteries are a common addition to Christmas gifts so please ensure they are kept well out of reach of your pooch.

Many toys contain small plastic, rubber or metal parts that, if eaten by a dog, can cause choking or dangerous gastrointestinal blockage requiring immediate surgery.

With a little careful planning, you can ensure your Christmas celebrations will be free of unnecessary trips to the vet. However, if you have concerns after hours during the festive season, please call either:

Canberra Veterinary Emergency Services in Gungahlin on: 6225 7257 or,
Animal Emergency Centre Canberra in Fyshwick on: 62806344.

We wish you and your furry family a safe and happy holidays!

2020 Update – Leptospirosis Outbreak In Sydney Suburbs

The infection is often contracted when the dog is exposed to infected rodent urine in ponds or wet soil in poorly drained areas.

Sadly, as of November 2020 there have been 12 fatalities in dogs due to a sudden Leptospirosis outbreak in Sydney. Here are some facts you need to know.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis (often referred to as Lepto for short) is a bacterial infection that travels throughout the entire body via the blood stream, causing organ dysfunction/failure and internal bleeding. It can be fatal in as little as 48 hours.

What do I need to know?

In 2019 there was a sudden outbreak seeing 8 confirmed cases reported from Sydney Suburbs; Glebe, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Redfern.
In August 2020 there was another sudden outbreak with another 4 confirmed cases in Sydney Suburbs Newtown, Balmain, Crows Next and Paddington.

To our knowledge there have been a total of 12 cases, all of which have unfortunately been fatal.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be spread to humans too. 

How is it spread?

The bacteria favours warm, moist environments, ponds and stagnant water and areas exposed to flooding. The infection is often contracted when the dog is exposed to infected rodent urine in ponds or wet soil in poorly drained areas.

What can I do to minimize the risk to my dog?

Due to the fatal nature of this disease, we recommend avoiding taking your pets to these parts of Sydney where possible, however if your dog must travel there with you, there are vaccines available to cover them for Leptospirosis.
Initially your dog will require two vaccines 2-4 weeks apart and then annual re-vaccination to maintain immunity. It is not safe to travel until the vaccination is in full effect – about 10 days after the second vaccination.
Avoid any stagnant water or places where there has been flooding, keep your dog on lead when walking and DO NOT allow to swim in or drink dirty water. Again, it is advisable to arrange alternative options where possible.

If you have upcoming travel plans to Sydney with your pets please phone us on 6230 2223 for more information.

Canberra’s Kennel Cough Outbreak


Over the past few weeks we have seen a large increase in the number of dogs presenting to us with Canine Cough, also known as ‘Kennel Cough’.

Kennel Cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness which often presents with a harsh and persistent hacking cough, like your pet has something stuck in their throat. You may also notice sneezing, nasal discharge, lethargy or loss of appetite.

Kennel Cough is transmitted via water droplets and can be passed on via direct contact with an infected animal as well as indirectly by coming into contact with a contaminated surface (e.g. the shared water bowl at a public dog park).

We have even seen infections occur in dogs who haven’t left their backyard, which makes the name ‘Kennel Cough’ very misleading. Whilst a boarding kennel is a popular place for an outbreak due to large gatherings of dogs in one place, infections can occur anywhere, regardless of whether your dog goes to kennels or not.

Luckily, there are vaccines available to help prevent your pet from contracting this illness. Although vaccination doesn’t guarantee immnuity from the desease, it does reduce your pet’s chances and means an infection will be less severe and easier to treat than if they didn’t receive the vaccination.

If you notice any signs that your pet may be unwell or you need to check your pet’s vaccination status, please call us on 62302223.

August Pet Dental Health Month

Pet Dental Health Month is here!

Did you know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3 suffer from some form of dental disease?

Dental disease that is left untreated is not only painful for your pet, but can also lead to other serious health problems including infections in the kidneys, liver and heart.

At Hall Vet Surgery we are passionate about your pets dental health so for the month of August we are offering:
🦷 15% off all dental home care products
🦷 Free dental check-ups for new and existing clients
🦷 Free dental home care starter packs for dental procedure patients

Providing your pet with good oral care is essential for them to enjoy a happy, healthy and pain-free life.

Call us on 6230 2223 for more information.

We’re Hiring – Full Time Veterinarian Wanted!

Would you like to live your life surrounded by people who are fun, friendly, supportive and vibrant?

We need someone to contribute to this atmosphere in a workplace that has awesome vets, nurses and receptionists. We have purpose built veterinary facilities with all the technology you could desire.

At Hall Veterinary Surgery at Vets at Amaroo we aim to enrich our animals’ and human friend’s lives by providing the highest level of compassionate veterinary care.

This is a full-time position and we will support your passion in your desired field of veterinary surgery or medicine.

The position is available now! 
Remuneration – you tell us!
Continuing education is paramount and generously funded.

If you think this might be your nirvana apply in writing, with your CV and referees attached to janet@hallvet.com.au
For more information please see our website www.hallvet.com.au / www.amaroovet.com.au or have a chat with Janet our practice manager on 02 62302223.

RELAXATION OF CONTACTLESS CONSULTATIONS

We’d like to once again thank all of our fantastic clients for the patience and understanding that we’ve been given during these difficult times. In light of the low incidence of COVID-19 in the ACT, we feel we can safely allow a regulated number of pet-parents back in to the clinic for consultations as of the 2nd of June. As it always has been, the safety of our staff, clients and patients remains our top priority.

For the health and safety of staff and clients, if you have a cough, fever or cold symptoms, please call to reschedule your visit.

You Will Need:

You will require access to a mobile phone and a credit/debit card for payment (we prefer non-cash payments at time of consultation).
We ask that all cats and rabbits arrive in a pet carrier.
All dogs must be on lead.

The New Consultation Process:

  • When you arrive at the clinic for consultation or admission, please remain in your vehicle and call us on 62302223 to notify us of arrival.
    If you are picking up food or medications, please call us when you arrive and we’ll bring them out to your vehicle.
  • We’ll text you once the coast is clear and the vet is ready to see you, to reduce contact in the waiting room.
  • We will only allow one owner per appointment to enter the building, due to space restrictions.
  • If you are bringing a dog, we’ll record a weight on the scales before proceeding into consultation.
  • Most of the time, you will be invited to sit in the chair provided and maintain a safe distance whilst the consultation is in process.
  • At the end of the consultation, there will be a brief pause at the reception desk to settle your account (PayWave is our preferred method) and book any rechecks required, before vacating so that the next client can come in.
  • This will all be subject to adjustments as we find the best balance of convenience and caution.
  • If you would still prefer to have a contactless consultation, we can accommodate that as well. If you have any concerns or questions, please call us on 62302223.