Puntledge Veterinary Clinic

09/01/2024

Today kicks off Pain Awareness Month as well as Pet Insurance Month.
We are very keen to help keep your pet as comfortable and pain free as possible. Whether the pain is after injury, after surgery or pain caused by osteoarthritis, we want to work with you to find the correct combination of treatments and medications for your pet.

08/31/2024

Happy Labour Day weekend!
Our hours over the next few days are shown below:
Saturday August 31st CLOSED
Sunday September 1st CLOSED
Monday September 2nd CLOSED
In case of emergencies please contact Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital 250-933-0913.

We will be reopening with regular business hours on Tuesday September 3rd refreshed and ready to help you and your pets!

Enjoy a wonderful long weekend😁.

08/30/2024

It's Labour Day Weekend! We will be closed on Monday, so please make sure you have enough food and medications to make it through to Tuesday!

08/28/2024

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.
We are sharing some of our pets that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and we invite you to share your gone but not forgotten' pets below.

08/26/2024

Meet Daisy and Buttercup, Sally's new farm employees. These cuties are currently 'in training' to be mouse and rat control. Training is vigorous and involves cuddles, snuggles and much play as provided by family!

08/23/2024

Earlier this week we debuted Dr. Kat Smith on our social media giving some puppy vaccines. Dr. Kat is our newest addition, joining us on Fridays and is seen here snuggling Lois who was in for a pain assessment and blood work. Dr. Kat is a 2022 graduate of the veterinary program in Ontario and is also a practicing aquaculture veterinarian. She enjoys mountain biking and cross country skiing, especially if her border collie Jack can run along. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kat into our Puntledge family!

08/21/2024

Last week we had two 'special to us' puppies in for their 8 week vaccines. What made these puppies special was that they not only belong to our RVT Cris, but they were born here at Puntledge after their mom, Twist, needed an emergency caesarean surgery. Dr. Yvette and the whole team moved quickly and had Twist in surgery within 15 minutes of her arrival! Two puppies survived and will soon be ready to go to their new homes.

08/15/2024

Today is National Check the Chip Day.
Microchips provide permanent identification for your pet and we strongly advocate for pets to have a microchip placed regardless of whether they have a tattoo or not. Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and can be placed under the skin with any visit. Additionally, the USA now requires that dogs (not cats at this time) have a microchip placed for identification. Some purebred animals are microchipped as part of their registration process, but we often place microchips when animals are spayed or neutered. As with any form of identification, keeping information updated is imperative! Any time your pet is visiting us, you can ask to have us 'check the chip' to ensure it is still where we think it is!

08/14/2024

08/10/2024

If you have questions about vaccines for your pet, please call or come in to discuss with us. Not all vaccines are necessary, your pet's lifestyle will dictate which vaccines we suggest.

08/07/2024

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a month-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial role of vaccination in safeguarding the health and well-being of people and pets. Our goal will be to pass along tidbits throughout this month to help with understanding why we vaccinate and some of the different diseases that we commonly vaccinate our pets against.

08/05/2024

It's a long weekend and we are celebrating BC Day with our families. We will return to regular office hours tomorrow at 8am but if your pet needs emergency assistance, please call Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital at 250-933-0913.

08/04/2024

Prepare your pets for the fireworks that will be happening over the Comox Harbour on Monday night!
- Exercise your pet earlier in the evening to avoid being outside when the light and sounds happen and to help your pet be tired.
- Ensure there is white noise going in the house (consider having the TV or music played louder than normal), and confine your pet to a comfortable area behind closed doors.
- Ensure that your pet's identification is up to date - collars, tags and microchips.
- Consider using calming agents such as pheromones if you do not have prescription medications available.
- If you don't have to go out, consider staying home with your pet.

08/02/2024

We will be closed on Monday to celebrate BC Day. Does your pet have enough medication and food to last? If not, please call so we can get your order ready before we close! If your pet has an emergency while we are closed, please call Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital at 250-933-0913.

08/01/2024

Today is the Universal Birthday for Shelter Pets. We can't always know the birthday of the pets we adopt from shelters, so today is the day! This is Jake the orange tabby, adopted by Dr. Yvette from the SPCA in 2014 and Badger the Border Collie mix, adopted by RVT Sally from the Victoria Humane Society in 2022. Join Jake and Badger in wishing other shelter pets Happy Birthday!

07/31/2024

There is a long weekend coming! Don't get caught napping and check on your pet's food and medication levels. Please call if you will need a top up before we re-open on Tuesday.

07/31/2024

Today is Mutt Day and Totem wants to see pictures of your mutt!

07/29/2024

It is with heavy hearts that we share our last day with Dr. Yvette. We have completely enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best as she starts her new adventures on the East Coast.

07/26/2024

July 22, 2024: NEW Completely Updated Rules For Dogs Crossing US Border From Canada - One Form Owners Do Themselves Online

There is updated information as of July 22, 2024 regarding dogs entering or returning to the US from Canada. Please visit this link: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/sbcv/news-updates-and-resources/july-22-2024-new-completely-updated-rules-for-dogs-crossing-us-border-from-canada-one-form-owners-do-themselves-online/

07/25/2024

How can we keep our small pets cool over the summer months? Mice, hamsters, gerbils and rats can be very sensitive to heatwaves due to their tiny size – especially as the heat can make it harder for them to regulate their body temperature. There's lots of things you can do to keep them cool and comfortable!

Top tips to help small pets cope with hot weather:

Plenty of shade, but be careful of drafts
Your small pets will be happiest and healthiest out of direct sunlight. Most small pets are very sensitive to changes in temperature and if they're in the sun they could quickly overheat. Make sure they’re in a shaded area throughout the day and close the curtains on the sunny side of the house to keep the room cooler.
On a hot day, your small pets will appreciate being kept in a cool and airy room. An open window can bring in some fresh air and a fan can help keep the air moving but make sure your pets’ enclosure is out of any drafts. A cold draft blowing over them all day can become uncomfortable, or even dangerous if they have nowhere to shelter. Make sure to check on them regularly to see that they haven’t got too hot or cold. If your pet is kept in an enclosure with solid sides, it’s even more important to make sure the room is cool and that they can still feel the breeze.

Plenty of water
Your pets will drink more in hotter weather. They'll need access to fresh, clean water at all times. Check their water bowls and bottles every day – clean and refill with fresh, cool water and make sure that the spouts aren't blocked. Check regularly throughout the day and add more water as needed. Please don't bathe your pet in water though, the sudden change in temperature can lead to them getting too cold – even on a hot day!

Check their nesting area
It’s important for your pets’ nesting (or sleeping) area to stay cool during hot weather. Avoid plastic houses, dens and tunnels as these can become very warm and humid in hot weather. Instead, why not make a shelter for your small pet from a cardboard box? Include a few different entrances/exits which will allow airflow, helping to keep your pet cooler. For pets that store food in their nest which can go stale or mouldy in warm, moist conditions, it’s a good idea to clean their nest area every 2-3 days.

A cool place to sit
There are lots of ways to provide your small pets with a comfy, cool spot to rest. You can use a frozen water bottle to give your pets a nice cool spot in their enclosure. Place it on the outside of their enclosure so they can lie next to it to cool down. Don't put the bottle inside their enclosure – it could make them too cold!

Household objects like ceramic or china cups and tiles can also help cool your pet – just make sure there’s no sharp edges, and that your pet can’t get their legs trapped or become crushed if the object falls onto your furry friend!

Hydrating treats
On hot days, give your small pets a bit of a treat with some fresh fruit and veg. Snacks like apple, cucumber or celery have extra water in them so will help keep your pet hydrated. Just remember that our small pets only need a tiny amount of fruit and vegetables compared to a person’s portion. If you give them too much, or a make sudden change in diet, it could lead to a nasty stomach upset, so always feed hydrating treats in small amounts occasionally.

07/20/2024

Another way to encourage your pet to drink is to have multiple sources of water throughout the home and garden. You can use water fountains, add ice cubes or even float treats in the water to attract your pet to drink.

07/19/2024

The latest from the CVMA-Society of BC Veterinarians Chapter

07/18/2024

Frozen treats can be perfect for us and our pets on those really hot days. You can purchase pet ice cream from most pet stores or make your own frozen treats.

07/15/2024

Some of you may remember Oliver from late last year when he was 'just not right' and had developed pancreatitis requiring a diet change. Oliver was back in last week for a general check up and good news! Not only was his bloodwork all normal, he also has lost weight. Way to go Oliver!

07/13/2024

Cats have sensitive whiskers and many don't like their whiskers to touch the sides of their bowls. Ensure that your cat's water bowl is large enough to allow for their whiskers. As a side note, this may be why so many cats will use their paws to pull water out of cups and glasses.

07/12/2024

Another update for traveling to the United States with your dog after August 1.

July 8, 2024: New CFIA Information For BC Veterinarians About Dogs Entering Or Returning To The United States
There is updated information (as of July 8, 2024) from the CVMA and CFIA regarding changes to CDC import requirements for dogs. Please visit this link: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/sbcv/news-updates-and-resources/july-8-2024-new-cfia-information-for-bc-veterinarians-about-dogs-entering-or-returning-to-the-united-states/

07/11/2024

Today is Pet Photo Day and Sprocket would like to invite you to share your favourite picture you've taken of your pet!