Welcome to WoofPurNay Veterinary Hospital. We are all very proud of the facilities we have here, a purpose built 2,800 square metre veterinary clinic. We are pleased to show you around the many rooms and areas of our clinic and tell you a bit more about what we do here.
Entrance & Foyer
As you drive into the clinic there are plenty of car parks to choose from on our bush property which is surrounded by lots of tall trees, shrubs and open grassed areas. You are welcome to take your pet for a walk around.
As you enter to clinic you will first walk through the large open space of our foyer. This area is used for puppy school and dog obedience training in addition to open days, educational forums and special interest group gatherings. Check out our website for upcoming events.
A bit about the environment…..
Environmental and energy conservation played a pivotal role in the structural planning and development of the facility.
Our water supply comes from the catchment of the roof and is stored in 250,000 litres of concrete and poly tanks, providing us with virtually unlimited fresh water supply.
The water is solar heated to 80-90% efficiency with a gas booster. Likewise our dog swimming pool is also heated with a gas booster.
Our 14.7 million litre dam collects any overflow from our drinking water to irrigate the properties abundant treed and grassed surrounds.
All sewerage and grey water runs into a treatment plant which after treatment is distributed around the property underground to trees and shrubs.
The construction of the building’s outer shell of 150ml thick concrete slab walls along with well insulated colour bond and reflective colour adds further to the energy efficiency of the overall complex.
Our kennels, dog swimming pool and hydro bath area are heated and cooled by a special heat exchange system which utilises the heat of outgoing air to warm incoming air, again improving the energy efficiency of the building.
Whilst initial set-up costs were high, we are now offsetting this with lower running costs and at the same time we are proud to be a significant contributor to green energy.
Reception
As you move from the foyer to the reception area, you will be greeted by one of our friendly, caring nurses. If you have brought your dog they will be weighed on the scales to the right of the reception desk (cats will be weighed in the consultation rooms on smaller scales). The nurse will check your details, record your pets weight and ask you to take a seat until your vet is ready to see you. There is a separate area to the right of reception for cats only, if you have a cat and wish to wait there.
Around the reception area we have a range of pet food and products on display. This is where we stock many specially designed premium diets to ensure your pets ongoing health. We also offer a range of flea, tick and worm treatments. Please speak to one of our nurses on reception if you have any questions about our range of pet products. They are very knowledgeable on the range of products we sell and can also arrange special orders for less commonly requested items.
If you have children, feel free to use the kids room to the left of the reception desk where we have some reading books and toys available.
Consultation Rooms
For your appointment, your vet will invite you into one of our three consultation rooms. One of our nurses is often also present to assist with the consultation. The veterinarian will provide a comprehensive examination and health check with every consultation.
Smaller animals will be examined on the table and larger dogs may be examined standing on the floor. If you are unable to hold your animal for the examination due to health reasons please advise the staff and we will arrange an assistant to be present during the examination.
Treatment Area
This is the central hub in the middle of our hospitalisation area used to perform non-sterile procedures and to treat and examine our patients.
We have a wet procedures table, which has a large tub sink underneath a grill table top. It can be used for regular examinations and treatments with a towel to pad the top, as well as for when there is some water required. Made completely out of stainless steel, it is easily cleaned and disinfected between uses. It is ideal for procedures such as dental cleaning, abscess surgeries and enemas.
We have our intensive care and surgical recovery cages in this area also. This enables us to closely monitor certain patients. All our patients are kept here until they are fully awake after their anaesthetic procedures. Our critical care patients are also kept here so we can keep a close eye on them at all times.
Surgical Theatre
This is the room in which we perform all of our sterile surgical procedures. This room is kept perfectly clean at all times, with minimal access by staff. Animals are prepared for surgery in our treatment room, with their hair clipped and the surgery site prepared with antiseptic solutions. They are then moved into the surgical theatre. This helps reduce the amount of loose hair and the number of bacteria in the air and on the surfaces.
The cupboards and shelves with sliding doors contain all the surgical instruments and materials that are needed for surgery. They are accessible from both sides. This means the nurses can clean and sterilise the equipment and easily place them in the cupboards, without having to enter the surgical theatre. Our cleaning facilities and autoclave sterilising machines are on the opposite side to the surgery, to make it even easier.
We also have special overhead viewing areas for owners and nursing students to view the surgical procedure.
Radiology Room
We have full digital radiography facilities in the clinic. The room is fully lined with lead, to prevent any possibility of leakage of x-ray beams from the room, maintaining optimum safety for our clients and staff.
We also have a special barricade on wheels which is lined with lead, allowing the veterinarian or nurse to stand close to the animal but behind a safety barricade. Sometimes it is necessary for us to hold the animal directly when the radiograph is being taken if it cannot be sufficiently sedated or anaesthetised. We need to wear large lead coats and protection collars for this to minimise our exposure.
Laboratory
Within our laboratory we are able to run many diagnostic tests to help us determine the nature of your pet’s illness. This means we have rapid results, so we can start your pet on the correct treatment and their road to recovery straight away.
We also use our blood analysis machines to run tests or your pet’s blood prior to having an anaesthetic. This helps to ensure there are no hidden diseases which may affect the safety of having an anaesthetic, e.g. liver or kidney disease, diabetes.
Pharmacy
This is the area where we store most of our drugs which we need to dispense to our patients. Rarely we might want to use a drug which we do not stock in the clinic, or one which has only recently become available in Australia. We are generally able to order in all special drugs within one or two days from our veterinary suppliers.
Sterilisation Area
The sterilisation area is where our nurses prepare the surgical kits and equipment we require for surgery. Instruments are cleaned and disinfected first, then packaged into sterilisation packs. Our sterilisation units use steam under high pressure. The pressure enables the steam to reach a higher temperature, more effectively killing microbes. Once the instrument packs are sterilised, they are placed in the cupboards adjacent. These cupboards can be accessed directly from the opposite side in the surgical theatre.
Hydro baths
To the right of our reception area, you can walk down a short hallway to our hydro baths. We have two hydro baths available for DIY use during business hours. Alternatively you can book in with one of our friendly staff members to have your dog washed. The hydro baths are operated by credit card or disc of which the discs are available from reception.
The hydro baths or doggy baths provide a warm shampoo flea rinse and blow dry. There is also access to towels and a blow dryer. The room includes two tables with non-slip mats available for use.
Grooming Area
Our grooming room is equipped with a purpose built grooming table. This table has a non-slip rubber mat top for your pets to comfortably stand on and is the perfect height for our groomer Lynne to perform her magic.
We offer a full range of grooming, clipping and washing services for dogs and cats of all sizes and breeds.
Our groomer Lynne is known by her loyal clients for being empathetic and taking her time to help keep your pet calm and relaxed. Lynne provides all the grooming needs, whether it be full groom or just a regular trim. Dogs are given a hydrobath, blow dry and brush after their trim.
Appointments need to be made for all grooming services by calling reception on 03 8784 4444.
Swimming Pool
As you walk into the clinic through the foyer, you will see our purpose built dog exercise and hydrotherapy pool on the right. The pool is commonly used for dog rehabilitation, weight loss, sports & show conditioning, overall fitness or just for a casual fun swim.
Swim sessions run for 30 minutes, with up to 4 dogs per session. There is free use of leads, collars, towels, blow dryers and buoyancy vests. All dogs receive a warm fresh water rinse after swims.
Trained staff are always present to assist and support your visit.
All swimmers must have C5 vaccinations.
Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 0437 888 734.
Lecture Theatre
As part of our education and learning facility we have a built in lecture theatre. This enables us to provide educational days and evenings to all sorts of groups including our kids club members, kennel clubs, pony clubs, veterinarians, farriers, nurses and many other special interest groups. Check out our website for upcoming events.
The Australian College of Applied Animal Studies, a registered training organisation, often uses the lecture theatre for their hands on nursing courses.
Australian College of Applied Animal Studies
Upstairs, The Australian College of Applied Animal Studies operates out of the building, a registered training organisation offering hands on nursing courses.
The College provides students with a high level of industry based training aimed at giving graduates the skills required to successfully enter the veterinary nursing profession.
ACAAS has a unique system of practical learning where students receive individual mentoring (by ACAAS staff) - assisting in real life situations that are part of the daily requirements of a veterinary clinic. This practical training ensures that all students have the highly developed professional skills required by the veterinary industry.
With small class sizes - never more than 15, students enjoy an outstanding learning environment designed to produce practicing veterinary nurses with the knowledge and skills to make a significant contribution to animal health and welfare.
To find out more visit their website or check out their facebook page.
Equine Hospital
South Eastern Equine Hospital is a specialist centre for the referral of both equine surgical and medical cases. It operates as a seperate business out of the WoofPurNay building. Dr Robyn Charman established this hospital in October 2012 and is the driving force behind the day to day management of all equine hospital patients.
The hospital operates out of a purpose built facility which includes outdoor areas for lameness examination and reproductive procedures. The hospital contains a modern equine surgery with an overhead viewing area for owners. The hospital is fully equipped for diagnosis, management and treatment of equine medical and surgical cases and also provides a comprehensive equine reproductive service. South Eastern Equine Hospital operates a 24 hour service and can receive referred cases at any time.
The hospital is staffed by accredited veterinary specialists in equine surgery and equine internal medicine. The associate equine veterinarians are all experienced equine practitioners supported by a dedicated team of qualified equine veterinary nurses.
South Eastern Equine Hospital is open Monday – Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm or for emergency cases 24 hours, 7 days a week. They can be contacted on 03 8790 4922. Or for further details visit their website or facebook page.
WoofPurNay
Did I mention our mascot? He is of course WoofPurNay himself.
He is a large part of the clinics history, with the combined features, unique powers and personalities of a dog, cat and horse. He loves meeting the pets and their owners when they visit. You may see him wandering around from time to time talking to patients and he regularly attends our events. If you are lucky enough to meet him, he will make you feel right at home.