Brintnell Veterinary Hospital

09/19/2024

Every time Bean comes to the clinic, this sweet girl heads straight to the front desk to say hi and show our team some love! 🐶💕 and of course, we can never resist that sweet face. She's got us wrapped around her lil' paw! 🐾

09/14/2024

Wee Finn was an absolute superstar during his bloodwork appointment! 🦸‍♂️ A Kong toy filled with yummy canned food made for the perfect distraction while our techs worked their magic. Keeping our patients comfortable, happy and stress-free is always our goal, and Finn did amazing! Happy Fear-Free Friday, all 💛

09/12/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We’re thrilled to announce that our very own RVT and certified pet trainer Marissa has launched her animal training business: Sunshine Paws Animal Training and Keepsakes 🐶✨ Marissa is now offering her exceptional training services right here at Brintnell Vet!

Certified through the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behaviour, Marissa believes in the power of force-free, reward-based training. With a commitment to fear-free, humane and ethical training methods, and staying up-to-date with the latest research, she brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion and dedication to every session and client.

Whether you’re looking for cooperative care or behaviour training, Sunshine Paws is here to help, with sessions available at the clinic or in the comfort of your home (depending on your pet's needs).

Marissa’s transformative work is already making waves, with clients praising her incredible impact:

“Marissa has been such an amazing trainer and mentor, and a huge component in Mabel's progress. We have done a few sessions of leash reactivity and cooperative care training and have already started to see Mabel become visibly less anxious in the vet clinic, and Marissa's reactivity tips have been a great addition to Mabel's walking routine. Marissa is always able to go at Mabel's pace and adjust our sessions as needed based on Mabel's behaviour that day. I am so appreciative of Marissa and what she has done for us so far — I can't wait to see our future progress and continue our journey together.”

We couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and passion Marissa has poured into this new venture. Her commitment to creating a fear-free environment, making connections, and prioritizing her clients’ wellbeing is truly inspiring.

Ready to discover how bright your pet is? Contact us today to book a consult with Marissa! 780.809.8508 📞🐾

Learn more about Marissa and Sunshine Paws at http://www.sunshinepaws.ca/

08/29/2024

The clinic will be closed this Monday, September 2 for the long weekend! Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, September 3.

If your pet is in need of medical assistance this weekend, please contact:


or


If you need food or medication refills, give us a call today at 780.809.8508

08/26/2024

Our weekly staff meeting is going to be a little longer this week! The clinic will be closed from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. this Thursday, August 29. Please plan your visit accordingly! Thanks so much for your understanding 🐾

08/24/2024

A bladder stone photoshoot to liven up your week! With love, from the Brintnell Vet team 😅 Read on as we dive deeper into the world of urinary health: all you need to know about bladder stones in pets and more!

Pictured: a bladder stone that was surgically removed from one of our female feline patients. This stone was a little over ¼ inch in diameter.

🩺 Bladder Stones in Pets: What You Need to Know
Bladder stones—rock-like formations that can develop in the bladders of both dogs and cats—are more common than you might think. These stones form when minerals in your pet’s urine clump together, creating anything from tiny grains to larger masses that can cause discomfort, trouble with p*eing, or even blockages (which are a medical emergency!).

How Do These Stones Form?
Bladder stones can form when there’s an imbalance in your pet’s urine. This could be due to their diet, genetics, or certain health conditions. If their urine becomes too concentrated or packed with certain minerals, crystals can start to form, eventually growing into stones.

How Can We Detect Them?
Luckily, we have a few tools up our sleeve to detect bladder stones. X-rays and ultrasounds are the go-to methods for spotting stones. Sometimes we can even catch them early with a simple urinalysis that shows the presence of crystals.

What Are the Treatment Options?
If your pet ends up with bladder stones, don’t worry—there are several ways to help them out:
• Dietary Changes: Special diets can sometimes dissolve certain types of stones or at least stop them from getting any bigger.
• Medications: These can help manage symptoms or, in some cases, dissolve the stones.
• Surgery: For more stubborn stones, surgery might be needed, especially if they’re causing a blockage. Dogs are more likely to require surgical intervention than our feline friends. With cats, we can often avoid surgery by dissolving stones with a special diet.

Can We Prevent Them?
Yes, we can! Keeping your pet’s diet balanced and incorporating a high-quality canned food, making sure they’re drinking plenty of water, and regular vet visits are all key. We might even recommend a specific diet if your pet is prone to these pesky stones.

If you notice anything unusual with your pet’s bathroom habits, don’t hesitate to reach out. The sooner we catch bladder stones, the better we can help your furry friend feel their best! 🐾

08/16/2024

It's National Check the Chip Day! If your pet has a microchip, it's important to make sure the contact information associated with it is kept up-to-date in case they decide to go on a walkabout without telling you 🙃

Not sure where to start?
1. Determine what brand of microchip your pet has. There are several within Canada, including EIDAP, 24PetWatch, AVID and Home Again.
2. If you know your pet's microchip number, enter it into the associated brand's website to pull up the registration information. Making updates is easy—just contact the microchip company
3. If you don't know your pet's microchip number or the brand, come on down to the clinic and we can do a quick scan to find it for you!

Check out https://buff.ly/44Ofps8 for more information. If you have any questions or are interested in a microchip for your pet, give us a call at 780.809.8508

07/30/2024

The clinic will be closed this Saturday, August 3 and Monday, August 5 for the long weekend! Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, August 6.

If your pet is in need of medical assistance this weekend, please contact:
Boreal Veterinary Centre
Vet ER
Pulse Veterinary Specialists & Emergency
VCA Canada Guardian Veterinary Centre

If you need food or medication refills, give us a call today at 780.809.8508

07/28/2024

Some great advice to keep in mind when looking for a dog trainer!

🚩RED FLAGS🚩

Yikes, lately I have seen so many ads for dog training services, tools, and courses that make me absolutely cringe. If you didn't know, dog training and dog behaviour consultancy is UNregulated. So although there are certifying bodies out there that offer some assurance, there are a huge array of competency levels and anyone can "set up shop" and call themselves whatever they want (professional, expert, behaviourist...) even with no education, experience, or humane practice.

That puts a lot of the honus on canine caregivers to find someone who is, indeed, professional, knowledgeable, and skilled. And without the RED SEAL of approval by one large overseeing body who test and police their members, it can feel like wading through sludge for the few gold coins at the bottom of the well.

Here are my RED FLAGS (things that should make you think twice):

🚫 The person is offering a "fix." Dogs are living, reacting, emotional animals like you and me. They do not need fixing, they need to learn skills, feel safe, be set up to succeed, and learn alternative ways of behaving.

🚫 Ad offers guarentees. Nope, impossible. Behaviours can be managed. We can improve the environment. We can weaken and strengthen the chances of behaviours occuring. We can set the dog up for success. We can strengthen the relationship, increase feelings of trust, help them to feel safe and understood so that they do not feel the need to behave in ways that served them in the past. But we cannot guarentee the behaviour or reaction of another being.

🚫 The ad says "You will achieve X behaviours in just Y days!" For example, I saw an ad yesterday saying, "Have an obedient dog in just 10 days!" No. Just no.

🚫 The ad uses dominative terminology, like "obedience" or "command." This is super outdated which makes me question just how outdated their practices might also be.

🚫 They say they have X years of experience but they don't have certifications. This one is tricky because some people who do not have certifications are great. Some people have certifications but those certifications are pretty terrible. To me, however, education and qualifications are important. So take a moment to read about the certifying organisation from which they received their credentials.

🚫 They are not transparent about their methods. Lots of people will say they "use positive reinforcement" to train, which they likely do. But what else? What equipment do they use? And how about dealing with unwanted behaviours? What do those strategies look like?

🚫 Gimmicky type marketing, like, "sign up for this free e-book or this free 7-day challenge!" Teaching dogs is not a challenge, it is about building a great, communicative relationship and it's worth investing in someone who is qualified to give you the right advice.

🚫 Claiming that the use of "e-collars" to teach a dog a behaviour (another name for shock collars) "does't hurt" or it is "only on vibration" so it's harmless. Even if the setting is low or on vibrate, even if the dog isn't THAT uncomfortable with the stimulation it delivers, this is a good indication that this person doesn't understand learning science properly which is concerning. These tools are literally designed to work as negative reinforcement or positive punishment (both requiring an unpleasant or aversive stimulus). At best, it doesn't work, at worst, well...

Ask around, check websites and socials to view pictures, (what are the dogs wearing for equipment, and what is their body language saying), check credentials and visit the websites of those credentialling organisations, sit in on a class, and ask questions.

You will be happy you did and so will your dog!

07/25/2024

For those affected by the Jasper wildfires: if your pets are in need of veterinary assistance, Brintnell Veterinary Hospital is here to support you in any way we can. Whether it be an appointment, pet food or if you're in need of a kennel to transport your pet, we've got you covered. Contact the clinic at 780.809.8508 for more details.

If you know any evacuees who may need support for their pet, please share this info with them 🐾

07/23/2024

Dr. Charlie reporting for duty! ...And for treats 🐶🥰😇

07/20/2024

📣 As of August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the U.S. from Canada will be required to meet the following CDC requirements:

• Be at least 6 months of age
• Have a universally readable microchip
• Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (must be submitted through the CDC website)
• Appear healthy upon arrival
• Have an export document issued and signed by a Canadian licensed veterinarian

Please refer to the CFIA website for more details: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/exports/pets/united-states-america

07/17/2024

As the temperatures rise, it's important to keep our furry friends cool and comfortable. Here are some tried and tested tips from the Brintnell Vet team to help your pets beat the heat:

Freeze Towels and Bandanas: Soak and freeze towels to drape over your pets when it's hot, or tie frozen bandanas around their necks for a quick cool-down (and peak fashion!)

Cooling Enrichment: Freeze water, kibble, and pet-safe fruits in an ice cream pail or Tupperware container. Give your pets a giant ice cube to lick and play with outside! You can also fill their water dish with ice cubes.

Frozen Kong Toys: Fill Kong toys with treats and freeze them for a refreshing and engaging snack.

Frozen Cat Snacks: freeze a Catit tube for your kitty, offer them frozen tuna water or ice cubes with catnip inside for a fun treat on a hot day.

Kiddie Pool Fun: Fill a kiddie pool with cool water for your pets to splash around in. If you don't have a pool, use a bucket to dip their paws in cool water for instant relief.

Spray Those Paws: Use a hose or spray bottle with cool water to wet your pets' paws and help them cool down.

Frozen Blueberries: These make for delicious, hydrating, and cool treats your pets will love!

Avoid Walks in the Heat of the Day: Take your pets for walks early in the morning or late in the evening when it's cooler to prevent overheating.

Shade is Essential: Ensure there are plenty of shady areas for your pets to relax in while enjoying the outdoors. spray a section of shady grass to create a cool, refreshing spot where your pets can lounge.

Remember, keeping your pets cool not only keeps them comfortable but also prevents heat-related illnesses. Stay cool and enjoy the sunshine safely! 🐶🐱

07/05/2024

Just like in humans, heat stroke in animals is caused by an unsafe increase in body temperature. For dogs this can happen very quickly in hot weather because they don't have an abundance of sweat glands to help regulate their internal body temperature—their main method of temperature regulation is through panting (note: for this reason, dogs wearing muzzles can be at a higher risk of heat stroke because their ability to pant is restricted. If your dog requires a muzzle, we recommend properly fitted basket muzzles that allow dogs to pant normally).

Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs
- Increased breathing rate
- Dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum color, bruising
- Lethargy, disorientation, collapse
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Seizures

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect your pet is experiencing symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Stay safe this summer!
- Avoid excessive activity in hot weather
- Always ensure your pet has access to shade and water when outdoors
- Be sure to keep your pet in a well-ventilated area when temperatures are high (no hot cars or dog houses).

Want more info about heat stroke in dogs? Visit our Pet Health Library at https://buff.ly/3JNnlle or speak with your veterinarian

06/28/2024

Not everybody is a huge fan of fireworks—some dogs and cats suffer from intense anxiety triggered by the loud noises produced by fireworks and thunderstorms 🎆

With Canada Day coming up, try to set-up some protected areas in your home where your pet feels safe. You can create a safe space in a basement, cover a kennel with a thick blanket, and keep blinds shut during fireworks and storms. Providing positive reinforcement during times of intense noise is also helpful, using high-value treats (the good stuff!) to help reassure your pet. Short-acting anxiety medications are also an option for our high-stress critters, so chat with your veterinarian about what may be most suitable for your furball.

Have a very happy Canada Day, all! 🇨🇦

06/19/2024

Wishing our Edmonton Oilers ALL the luck tonight! The whole Brintnell team (and our awesome patients like Milo!) are rooting for you 💙🧡 Let’s bring it home!

06/17/2024

It’s everybody’s favourite topic… cat p*e! Let’s chat about a common issue we see with the feline bladder: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease.

In cats, diseases of the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) are often grouped under the term Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Most symptoms are caused by a combination of stress, diet and genetics.

Some of the most common signs of FLUTD are:
- Difficulty urinating – cats going in and out of the litterbox without producing urine, or straining (often confused with constipation)
- Urinating in inappropriate places
- Excessive licking of the ge***al area
- Vocalizing

If you’re concerned that your cat may be experiencing symptoms of FLUTD, this is a medical emergency and they must be seen by a veterinarian right away. Urinary blockages (most common in male cats) are life threatening and very painful for our furry friends, so they must be treated immediately.

Generally, FLUTD can be diagnosed via symptom assessment and urine tests to confirm the presence of inflammation or infection. Most cases of FLUTD can be controlled by feeding your cat a prescription urinary diet, sold at veterinary clinics. Once on the diet, your feline pal should remain on it long-term to avoid flare-ups.

For more information about FLUTD, visit our Pet Health Library: https://buff.ly/44U12mE or speak with your veterinarian 🐾

06/15/2024

New besties Rig and wee Sawyer having a post-vaccine debrief over some liver treats 🥰😇 (*Not pictured: wildly wagging puppy butts 😅)

06/12/2024

If your dog or cat gets stressed while at the vet, pre-visit prescription medications (PVPs) are an excellent way to help ease their anxiety. When your pet is more calm, we are able to perform a more thorough examination and provide the best possible care for them.

Consistently giving these medications prior to vet visits will help ease vet visit anxiety long-term, making it much easier on your critter. The PVPs Brintnell prescribes most often are some of the safest medications we use here in the clinic, with the most common side effect being sedation. If you think PVPs may benefit your pet, or if you have questions, give us a call at 780.809.8508!

More information about anxiety in cats and dogs can be found in our Pet Health Library https://buff.ly/3YI7N8A Type “Anxiety” in the search bar for some helpful articles 🐾

06/07/2024

Lumi came in to give Dr. Fredlund a big *thank you* smooch and to celebrate her birthday with us! Happiest of birthdays, sweet girl! We’re so glad you’re feeling better! 🎉🥳💛

06/03/2024

A little Sunny to brighten your Monday 🌞 May your week be as chill as he is 😎🧡

05/31/2024

Sweet Indie hammin' it up for us after her bloodwork appointment! How'd we get so lucky? 😇🥰

05/27/2024

Did you know we have an online store?! 🤯 Shop all your pet's food, accessories and supplements 24/7, get everything delivered right to your doorstep AND set-up recurring orders so you'll never run out of food again!

🛒 Start shopping now at https://brintnellvet.clientvantage.ca/

05/23/2024

Tick season is here! Is your pup protected? Brintnell Vet uses Simparica as flea and tick prevention—it’s a once-a-month chewable tablet that protects dogs from ticks and fleas for a full 35 days 💪 Simparica starts killing fleas within 3 hours and ticks in 8. Book an appointment today to learn more or call to get your existing prescription refilled 🐾

05/20/2024

Dug is diggin' life at the front desk 🐶🤍

05/17/2024

Our very own Dr. Fredlund has been nominated to be one of Trupanion's Veterinarians of the Year! Vote for one of the well-deserving nominees by May 24 💛 https://trupan.in/3WMlO69

The nominations are in… Now it’s time to vote for the Veterinary Appreciation Day™ Awards! We received over 1,600 nominations, which just shows the profound and far-reaching impact of the veterinary community. Vote for your favorite nominees before May 24! https://trupan.in/3WMlO69

05/16/2024

The clinic will be closed this Monday, May 20 for Victoria Day!

If your pet is in need of medical assistance this long weekend, please contact:

Boreal Veterinary Centre
Vet ER
Pulse Veterinary Specialists & Emergency
VCA Canada Guardian Veterinary Centre

We will be open regular hours on Saturday, May 18 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

If you need food or medication refills, give us a call today at 780.809.8508

04/19/2024

Chelsea and Duke are here to prove that every *snip* comes with a side of snuggles at Brintnell Vet 🐾😄

04/11/2024

The gingers always find one another 🧡 Happy Thursday from RVT Sydney and Sir Hugo 😇