Central Cowichan Animal Hospital

01/08/2025

Today is National Labrador Retriever Day!
It's a day to honor the Labrador Retriever, a popular breed of dog known for being loyal, intelligent, and playful.
Whether you've got the bouncy exuberant kind or the demure calm family version, we want to see your Lab friends, share with us below!

01/01/2025

We will be closed today for the Holiday. We wish you all the best New Year.

Just in case... Be sure to keep the following numbers handy

Pet poison helpline 855-764-7661
Westcoast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty (WAVES) in Langford 778-432-4322
VCA Central Victoria 250-475-2495
Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital (CIVEH) in Nanaimo 250-933-0913

If your pet gets spooked be sure to check in with Coastal Animal Services (250) 748-3395 or the Cowichan SPCA (250) 746-4646

12/31/2024

We hope you enjoy a safe and festive day as you celebrate the end of 2024! We look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

We will be closing at 1pm today so our staff can spend some time with their families. Be sure to stop in for your last minute food and medication pick ups before then.

Remember some pets get spooked by loud sounds and flashing lights so if you plan to see some fireworks this evening keep them safe at home. If they are coming with you make sure they have collars with ID tags in case they make a run for it.

In addition to stressing out pets, fireworks can actually be toxic to dog and cat health. Learn these safety tips to avoid a trip to the vet.

12/30/2024

12/26/2024

Happy Boxing Day!!

Remember we are closed today for the holiday and will open tomorrow at 8am

If your pet has eaten something he shouldn't please contact Pet Poison Helpline to assess whether veterinary care is recommended.
Pet poison helpline 855-764-7661

We hope you won't need these numbers but keep them handy in case your pet gets into trouble today as most regular clinics will be closed today.
Westcoast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty (WAVES) in Langford 778-432-4322
VCA Central Victoria 250-475-2495
Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital (CIVEH) in Nanaimo 250-933-0913

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!

Remember to keep your pets safe this holiday season

https://spca.bc.ca/news/holiday-pet-safety/

12/24/2024

Happy Christmas Eve, we want to make sure you have a safe and fulfilling holiday season and make sure you know we will be closing today at 1pm and will not be open again until Friday December 27 at 8am.

Be sure to keep the following numbers handy

Pet poison helpline 855-764-7661
Westcoast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty (WAVES) in Langford 778-432-4322
VCA Central Victoria 250-475-2495
Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital (CIVEH) in Nanaimo 250-933-0913

12/06/2024

Sometimes the bond with a dog is so strong that even the most committed pet parent might not realize their extra love is adding extra pounds. In an animated short film by director Colin Levy and Bipolar Studio, a dog named Poochini helps Camilla fill a major hole in her life—and she returns the favor by feeding the love with food that can help Poochini lose the weight.

Watch Poochini’s story of love and (weight) loss to see how changing what’s in the bowl can make a huge difference for an overweight dog. Learn more at

https://www.EndPetObesity.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF5S9aNh1T4

Come chat with our staff if you have a concern about your pets weight.
Obesity contribute to:
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Cancer
Arthritis
Hypertension
Kidney disease
Osteoarthritis
Respiratory disease
Anterior cruciate ligament injury

Sometimes the bond with a dog is so strong that even the most committed pet parent might not realize their extra love is adding extra pounds. In an animated ...

12/03/2024

Giving Tuesday is today. It’s a simple idea: a movement that encourages people to do good.

https://www.givingtuesday.ca/

Join GivingTuesday, the world’s largest generosity movement. Everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts.

11/30/2024

November was National Pet Diabetes Month, which aims to increase pet owners awareness and understanding of the condition.

Our pets just like us can be prone to diabetes as they get older. Clinical signs of diabetes mellitus can include increased urination, excessive thirst, and weight loss. If you notice any of these signs in your pet, contact your vet for an assessment.

Pet Diabetes: Know the Early Signs to Better Manage Your Pets’ Health Like people, dogs and cats can be diagnosed with diabetes. Estimated to affect at least one in 200 catsi and one in 300 dogsii, diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders in pets. Diabetes mellitus in dogs a...

11/29/2024

One of kitten visitors yesterday brought some extra friends with him. Watch out for your kitties scratching their ears. Ear mites can be quite uncomfortable for our pets!

11/28/2024

With all the trendy diets out there it important to make sure you are meeting your pets nutritional requirements. Be sure to chat with your veterinarian at your pets next check up to make sure you are providing the best options to your pets.

Do you wonder if your pet is overweight?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7mB8VqLFRQ

Take this online quiz by Hills to see if you should be concerned.
https://www.hillspet.com/products/weight-management-pet-food/check-your-pet

If you find your pets weight concerning be sure to book a wellness exam or come chat with our friendly staff about diets that might be a good fit for your pets.

Are your pets on a specialty diet for Urinary issues or Allergies? There are options that combine these needs with weight loss.

Sometimes the bond with a cat is so strong that even the most committed pet parent might not realize their extra love is adding extra pounds. In an animated ...

11/24/2024

Its National Border Collie Day!

Share your busy bodies below and let us know how you best keep them occupied.

https://wagwalking.com/daily/5-ways-to-spoil-your-border-collie-on-national-border-collie-day

Got an energetic Border Collie in the family? These affectionate, smart, and active fur babies will make you want to celebrate National Border Collie Day year 'round!

11/23/2024

Today is Thankful for My Dog Day...

Animals can affect our mental and emotional health.. Share with us below what you are thankful for with your canine friends..

11/18/2024

West Coast Best Coast...
Take a Hike Day, this special day is not just about taking a walk; it's a call to connect with nature, step away from the daily grind, and soak in the beauty of the outdoors.

We've got an incredible amount of hiking trails out here in the Cowichan Valley and beyond. Share your favorite snapshots of hiking with your dogs (or cats).

11/13/2024

Update- Heather was so overwhelmed with your kind words. She’s so grateful to our kind community here in the Cowichan valley.

This week is Practice Manager's Appreciation Week, and we wanted to say a big HUGE thank you to Heather for all she does for us here at Central Cowichan Animal Hospital. We wouldn't be able to function without her charisma and enthusiasm.

Heather is our practice manager and jack of all trades, and has been with us since 2009, and has been working in the veterinary field for over 30 years, and with that experience has an excellent skill set, and is extremely valuable to our clinic. Heather and her husband have a beautiful acreage where they raise their family and have horses, cats and a dog. Their fur babies consist of her dog, "Boone" as well as their cat, "Peddi".

If you see her make sure you give her a big thank you, and if you have any stories you want to share about her we'd love to hear them below.

11/11/2024

Lest We Forget

The clinic will be closed today for Remembrance Day. We hope you spend some time reflecting on the human and animal contributions to the war. We will be open tomorrow at 8am.
If you have an emergency with your pet today please reach out to your nearest emergency hospital.

"For centuries, animals have demonstrated an enduring partnership with humans during times of war. They have served as means of transportation, beasts of burden, messengers, protectors and mascots. Still today, dogs use their unique, sharply tuned instincts to detect mine clusters, and conduct search and rescue operations. We remember the contribution and sacrifice of all animals."

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/national-inventory-canadian-memorials/details/9002