About our small animal primary care service

When it comes to caring for your pet, our Primary Care Service works exactly like any other general practice vet, with no referral necessary. Plus, we have the added benefit of referring internally if your pet’s condition requires more specialised medical or surgical intervention.

We offer a range of small animal services provided by experienced veterinarians, including:

  • Health checks, vaccinations and preventative health care
  • Sterilisation and other surgical procedures
  • Dietary advice
  • Dentistry, in our purpose-built dentistry suite
  • Diagnostic imaging (radiography, ultrasound, CT and MRI)
  • In-house laboratory testing
  • Consultations to assess a range of different health conditions
  • Ongoing management of illness or injury

Annual health check and vaccinations

For many pets, we recommend annual check-ups. For varying reasons, some patients are recommended more frequent check-ups. We allow 45 minutes for a standard consultation, so we can get a thorough overview of your pet's situation and any concerns you may have. Our veterinarians will consider your pet's age, lifestyle, diet and environment to assess which vaccines, blood tests and types of parasite control are appropriate for their stage in life. We will examine your pet and discuss any health issues with you.

Call 1300 652 494 and book your pet for a check-up today.

Care and advice

We want your pet to be as healthy as possible, and to make sure that happens, you need to be well informed. Learn more about some common health issues for pets and find out some easy ways you can keep your pet healthy and happy at home.

Dealing with anxious pets

Does your pet display anxiety at the vet? Please discuss this with our receptionist in advance of your appointment so we can help you make their visit as comfortable as possible.

Our team

Dr Catherine Adams is a small animal veterinarian with many years of experience in general practice.  She graduated from Murdoch University in 2002 and worked in veterinary clinics in rural Victoria, the United Kingdom and Melbourne before moving back to Perth.  She passed examinations to obtain membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the field of small animal medicine in 2009.  

Catherine is interested in many aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery, and loves working alongside her colleagues in the teaching hospital.  She enjoys evidence-based medicine and working together with clients to find the best outcomes for their pets. Catherine loves to see both canine and feline patients, but at home she only has eyes for her whippet, Stella.


Dr Karen Denholm has a wealth of experience in small animal general practice and has been part of the Primary Care team for many years. Karen initially trained and worked in nursing and midwifery, before her love of animals led her to Veterinary Science.  Karen is interested in many facets of general practice and provides continuity of care for her patients from kittenhood and puppyhood through to old age.

Karen has a love for all creatures, and her family has welcomed many pets into their home.  They currently have a dog, a cat and a bunny to keep them busy.

Dr Teryn graduated from Murdoch University in 2011. She is a caring and compassionate veterinarian, going above and beyond for her patients, and has a special interest in small animal surgery.

Dr Teryn likes gardening and spending time with her young family.

Dr Amy graduated from University of Sydney with first class honours. She is an experienced small animal veterinarian that holds an extra qualification with a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Studies. Dr Amy is passionate about providing the best care for all of her patients and has a particular interest in small animal dermatology and internal medicine.

Dr Laing is a Murdoch University graduate from 1996. She worked as a small animal general practitioner in private practice both in Australia and overseas for 19 years before joining the Veterinary College as a senior veterinarian and lecturer in Small Animal Primary Care in 2015, teaching into the 3rd, 4th and 5th years of the veterinary curriculum.

Her interests include primary care, small animal internal medicine and ophthalmology. She is a current member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and gained her memberships in small animal internal medicine in 2007. She is also the coordinator of the Murdoch Veterinary College outreach remote animal de-sexing program.

BSc BVMS Cert IV TAA MANZCVS (Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery)

Mike graduated from Murdoch University, Western Australia in 1987, and worked in mixed and small animal practice in Australia and the UK for 5 years prior to coming to work at the Murdoch Small Animal General Practice in 1992. After working at Murdoch University for five years Michael started his own practice in Adelaide before returning to Perth in 2004 to start up another small animal practice. 

Mike returned to The Animal Hospital at Murdoch again in early 2014 where he provides the Small Animal Dentistry service and is responsible for dentistry training to undergraduate students. Mike is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery and works exclusively in veterinary dentistry. 

He an examiner for the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery chapter. 

Dr Joanne graduated from Murdoch University Vet School in 2011 and spent the early years of her veterinary career working in the United States, prior to heading back to Perth to work in general practice.

She returned to Murdoch as a member of the Primary Care team in 2016. Joanne takes pride in partnering closely with pet owners through the ups and downs of their pet's life and is passionate about delivering the highest standard of care and communication at every stage. Joanne loves a challenge, and has a particular interest in internal medicine, as well as a love for surgery. Outside of work, Jo is kept busy by her three young children, and her very loved little pug called Winnie. 

The Primary Care team has a dedicated group of registered veterinary nurses and support staff that are an integral part of the hospital and teaching facility. Our nurses exhibit an expert level of care to their patients and provide support to the veterinary team.