Our pets age much faster than we do, making regular veterinary health checks essential for their well-being. With our compassionate, Fear Free approach, we ensure a stress-free experience for both pets and their owners. Initial consultations last 45 minutes and include a comprehensive nose-to-tail assessment (behaviour permitting), recommended annually or bi-annually depending on your pet’s age and health status.

To gain deeper insight into your pet’s internal health, our vet may also recommend blood and urine testing—simple yet highly effective tools for early detection and prevention of potential health issues.

Vaccinations play a vital role in protecting your pet from potentially life-threatening diseases by stimulating their immune system to build antibodies against harmful pathogens. We follow the latest, evidence-based vaccination protocols for both dogs and cats to ensure optimal protection while minimising unnecessary vaccinations.

Adult Dogs: We recommend the triennial Vanguard C5 injectable vaccine, which provides protection for three years against:

• Canine distemper virus (CDV)
• Canine parvovirus (CPV)
• Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1)
• Respiratory disease caused by canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2)
• Canine parainfluenza virus (CPI)

In addition, we recommend an annual oral Bordetella vaccination to protect against kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica).

This protocol reduces the number of injections your dog receives over their lifetime while still providing long-lasting protection.

Adult Cats: We recommend the F3 vaccination, which protects against:

• Feline panleukopaenia
• Feline rhinotracheitis virus
• Feline calicivirus

This vaccine is typically administered every 1–3 years, depending on individual risk factors. If your cat has outdoor access or may come into contact with stray cats, we also recommend the annual feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vaccination for added protection.

Titre Testing: To avoid unnecessary vaccinations, we offer titre testing, which measures your pet’s existing antibody levels to determine if they still have sufficient immunity against the diseases we vaccinate for. This allows for a more tailored vaccination approach, ensuring your pet receives only the boosters they truly need.

Protecting your pet from parasites is essential for their health and well-being, as well as for the safety of your family. Intestinal worms, heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks can be transmitted in various ways and may cause serious illness, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. Since treating infestations and infections can be challenging, prevention is always the best approach.

We recommend the following vet-approved parasite prevention protocols for dogs and cats:

Dogs

• Simparica Trio – Monthly protection against fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworm.
• NexGard Spectra – Monthly protection against fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworm.

We recommend a tapeworm tablet given every 3 months in combination with one of the above products.

Cats

• Revolution Plus – Monthly spot on treatment for protection against fleas, ticks, and common parasites.
• Felpreva – Spot on broad-spectrum parasite protection given every 3 months.

Our team can help tailor a parasite prevention plan based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors to ensure they stay protected year-round.

Weight Management & Nutrition Advice: Good nutrition is essential for your pet’s development, longevity, and overall well-being. Dogs and cats have unique dietary requirements, and providing them with the right nutrition is key to keeping them healthy. We offer a range of prescription diets, including Royal Canin, which are specifically tailored to meet your pet’s individual needs and support optimal health. Our veterinary nurses can also provide customised feeding plans upon request to help with weight management and overall nutrition.

Dental Examinations & Treatment Plans: Dental disease doesn’t just cause bad breath—it can lead to severe pain, inflammation, and long-term health issues if left untreated. Regular dental checks, combined with at-home dental care, are essential for maintaining your pet’s oral health. Our veterinary team can create a personalised dental hygiene plan, which may include:

• Guidance on conditioning your pet to accept daily tooth brushing
• Prescription dental diets, such as Royal Canin Dental
• Dental chews, such as Oravet
• Dental supplements, such as Simply Seaweed

By prioritising both nutrition and dental care, we help ensure your pet stays healthy, happy, and thriving throughout their life.

Accurate diagnostics are essential for early detection and treatment of health conditions in pets. Our comprehensive pathology and diagnostic services provide valuable insights into your pet’s internal health, allowing us to detect and address potential issues before they become serious.

Blood testing – Blood tests offer a deeper understanding of your pet’s overall health and organ function. As pets age, they become more susceptible to developing medical conditions. Early detection through routine testing allows for timely intervention, helping to manage or treat diseases before they progress to irreversible stages.

Urine and faecal testing – Urine and faecal testing help identify infections, parasites, and other underlying health concerns that may not be immediately visible through a physical examination. These tests are especially important for diagnosing gastrointestinal or urinary tract conditions.

Cytology (including fine needle aspirates) – Cytology is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that allows us to examine cells under a microscope. This technique helps diagnose skin, ear, and lump-related conditions enabling us to determine appropriate treatment plans quickly and accurately. We have the option to perform tests using our in-clinic microscope or sending samples off to our external laboratory for more comprehensive analysis.

Blood pressure measurement –Hypertension (high blood pressure) can lead to serious complications affecting the brain, eyes, heart, and kidneys if left untreated. Blood pressure monitoring is an important tool for diagnosing and managing hypertension, reducing the risk of long-term organ damage. We recommend that all cats over the age of 8 have their blood pressure checked bi-annually.

Ultrasound Imaging –Ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that provides detailed images of your pet’s internal organs, helping assess their size, shape, and texture. This advanced imaging technique allows us to evaluate organ function and detect abnormalities without the need for surgery. If an ultrasound is recommended for your pet, it can be performed at our Fear Free clinic in Coburg, ensuring a calm and stress-free experience.

Echocardiogram & ECG – Heart disease can affect pets in various ways, making early detection essential for effective management. Echocardiograms and ECGs are the primary diagnostic tools used to assess heart function, detect abnormalities, and diagnose underlying cardiac conditions. If your pet requires a heart assessment, these tests can be performed at our Fear Free clinic in Coburg, where we prioritise a comfortable and reassuring environment.

Our team is committed to employing evidence-based, force-free methods to empower our patients, promoting confidence and resilience.

Led by Dr. Thulasi Sarvananthar (Thulz), who earned memberships with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Behaviour Medicine in 2016, we assist dogs and cats with everything from simple training challenges to complex psychological issues and psychiatric disorders.

Our thorough vet behaviour consultations can be conducted in your home, in our Coburg clinic or virtually. Initial consultations run for 60-90 minutes and follow up appointments are 30-45 minutes.

Prior to the initial consultation you will be sent a comprehensive questionnaire to complete so that our vet can commence formulating an effective plan for the consultation.

​During the consultation we will delve into the motivations behind your pet’s behaviours and discuss medication (if required) as well as practical modification and management strategies and how to monitor your pet’s response to the treatment plan. 

Our goal is to foster happy relationships between pets and their families, providing lasting solutions and customised treatment plans tailored to your pet’s needs.

Rest assured, we prioritise your pet’s well-being and your peace of mind by utilising only the most humane techniques throughout our services.

Contact us today to find out more!

Cooperative Care makes husbandry and veterinary care safe, low-stress, and significantly easier for animals and their caregivers.

Animals need frequent care, including nail trims, weighing, blood draws, injections, ear ointments, eye drops, grooming and more. Yet, administering that care can be stressful for everyone involved; animals run from the nail trimmer or hide when the ear drops come out. Each scary experience may even become a withdrawal from the “trust bank” caregivers build with dogs.

Our vet nurses are Fear Free certified and have completed further animal behaviour studies through Karen Pryor Academy. We offer in home or in clinic sessions either as a package of 4 sessions or single sessions.

Cooperative Care practices don’t just take the stress out of these husbandry behaviours, they strengthen the relationship between you and your pet. Did we mention Cooperative Care is actually fun?

Contact us today to start your journey!

In order to protect your pet’s emotional and physical wellbeing, we may recommend an injectable sedation in order to perform veterinary procedures.

Examples of these procedures include: ear examination, grass seed removal, blood and urine collection, abdominal ultrasound, echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), anal gland flushing, nail trimming, hygiene grooming or anything that your pet perceives as threatening.

In order to ensure the procedure runs safely and smoothly, our nurses will be closely monitoring your pet’s heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure and oxygen concentration throughout the procedure. We have the means to provide oxygen therapy if necessary.

As pets age, their needs change, and they may require additional support to maintain their comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Our team provides compassionate senior and palliative care, focusing on pain management, nutrition, and tailored treatment plans to ensure your pet remains as happy and comfortable as possible in their golden years. For pets with chronic or terminal conditions, our palliative care services prioritise their well-being, offering gentle, supportive treatments to manage pain and provide dignity in their final stages of life. Whether through in-home visits or clinic consultations, we work closely with you to develop a personalised care plan that meets your pet’s unique needs while supporting you through this journey.

Arthritis management: Arthritis is a degenerative joint condition that occurs when the protective cartilage between joints breaks down, leading to inflammation, swelling, and pain. Common signs of arthritis in pets include stiffness, reluctance to jump, slowing down, exercise aversion, and lethargy. While arthritis cannot be cured, early detection and proactive management can significantly improve your pet’s mobility and overall quality of life.

We offer a comprehensive approach to arthritis management, combining medications, nutraceuticals, prescription diets, and injectable treatments to slow progression and alleviate discomfort. Some of the treatments we recommend include:

• Supplements: 4CYTE Epiitalis Gel for joint support
• Prescription Diets: Royal Canin Mobility and Hills J/D to promote joint health
• Injectable Therapies: Beransa and/or Synovan to reduce inflammation and pain

In addition to medical management, simple changes at home can make a big difference in your pet’s comfort and mobility:

• Non-slip mats to prevent slipping and provide better traction on hard floors
• Pet steps or ramps to assist with getting onto furniture or into cars
• Raised food and water bowls to reduce strain on the neck and joints

Our team will work with you to create a personalised arthritis management plan tailored to your pet’s needs, ensuring they stay comfortable, active, and happy.

Quality of life management – Pain management is an important facet of quality of life management. We take a multimodal approach to this, which includes medications, nutraceuticals and/or referral for chemotherapy, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy.

Quality of life assessment – Knowing when your pet is in pain or suffering and when the time is right for their peaceful euthanasia is hard, especially if you don’t know what to assess. We support families through the end of life stages by providing in-home palliative care and euthanasia services so families can be less fearful of what is happening, more confident in making end of life decisions and ultimately provide their beloved pet with the final gentle goodbye they deserve.

Saying farewell to a cherished pet is an incredibly difficult journey for any pet parent. At Project Underdog Vet Care, we empathise deeply with the pain and heartache involved having experienced this ourselves, which is why we offer a compassionate and respectful pet euthanasia service, either in the comfort of your home or in our clinic. Our team comprises Fear Free certified professionals who genuinely prioritise your emotional well-being and the welfare of your beloved companion. With empathy and understanding, we strive to ensure that the entire process is gentle, peaceful, and dignified, providing solace during an incredibly challenging time.

We recognise that aftercare is a deeply personal choice, and we are here to help you honour your pet in a way that feels right for you. Whether you choose private cremation, allowing you to keep your pet’s ashes close, or communal cremation, we work closely with our trusted partner, Edenhills, to ensure that every service is handled with the utmost care and respect.