Guelph Animal Hospital

11/04/2024

Pets carry more of their cholesterol in HDL (good cholesterol) vs. LDL (bad cholesterol), so saturated fats aren’t a problem and are actually a very good source of energy. We love your pets as much as you do and want to keep them as healthy as possible! Contact us at 519-836-2782 to schedule an appointment.

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! We hope you and your pets have a safe and spooky day. 🎃

10/29/2024

While plums are a great source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins for us humans, you should steer away from feeding them to your dog. Plum pits contain a chemical that when chewed turns into cyanide and is extremely toxic for dogs. The pits are pointy and can damage your pup’s esophagus, stomach or intestines if swallowed as well as pose the risk of causing intestinal blockages. Moreover, plums have a high sugar content which can cause numerous health issues over time. Are you searching for more information about how to properly care for your dogs? We'd love to help with that! Call us at 519-836-2782 for all your care questions.

10/28/2024

Stop by to see us this week for some treats and fun! Costumes are welcomed but not required! 🎃👻

10/28/2024

Having four paws didn’t stop this kitten from learning how to skateboard! This little one’s skills will surely take her to the half pipe with ease soon. Watch her in action here and don’t forget to bring in your kitty for their health visits with us. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 519-836-2782.

She's something else!

10/25/2024

Kittens require a large amount of energy – almost two to three times that of an adult cat! They also need about 30% of that energy to come from protein. Make sure that the food you are feeding them is specifically formulated for kittens to ensure that they are receiving all the important nutrients your fur baby needs to grow strong and healthy! Your kitten will need to eat kitten-specific food until it reaches maturity at about one year of age. Not sure what is best for your cat? Contact us at 519-836-2782 to set up a health plan purr-fectly tailored to their needs!

10/24/2024

The Labrador Retriever has held the top spot for dog breeds in people’s hearts for the past 32 years, according to the American Kennel Club. Playful, friendly, and affectionate, black Labs make amazing family pets. Share some photos of your loving labs in the comments below!

10/23/2024

Weight is just a number - and it's easier when you sit on the scale with friends!

Jagger, Maverick and Jasper don't have anything to worry about though - they are all a perfect body condition score! 👍🏻😀🐾🐈🐶

While weight IS just a number, your pets body condition is very important. Did you know that we offer courtesy weight loss plans for your pet? Give us a call today and we'll get your pet back on track with proper nutrition and exercise recommendations!

10/22/2024

A lot of people think that begging at the dinner table is behavior that only dogs exhibit, but it’s actually very common for your feline to put on the kitty cat eyes too! Here are some human foods that are safe to feed your cat (in moderation). If you have any questions about what may or may not be toxic to your cat, give us a call at 519-836-2782!

10/21/2024

October is the month that our industry chooses to recognize some integral members of our veterinary team - our Registered Veterinary Technicians. While you have all likely met some of our amazing RVTs during an appointment, or chatted with them on the phone when you have had some questions about your pet's' health or medication - most of what they do happens 'behind the scenes' - in our treatment room and surgical suites. Without our veterinary technicians, our veterinarians would quite simply not be able to do their jobs!

RVTs are responsible for much of the hands on patient care. When your pet is admitted to our hospital for ongoing care (due to illness or surgery), it is the RVT that will perform the treatments and care as directed by a veterinarian. That means gentle handling, placement of intravenous catheters, collection of necessary samples, monitoring for pain/nausea, presenting case updates to colleagues and pet owners, preparing patients for surgery, administering sedation and anesthetic medications, assisting when needed in surgery, accurately preparing patient prescriptions....the list goes on and on. The completion of the training courses and examinations, as well as ongoing continuing education, takes an individual with dedication, compassion and a commitment to a challenging but rewarding career.

This years' theme is "Broadening Horizons", which highlights the time to celebrate the expanding roles and inspire future RVTs to explore the wide range of opportunities available to them. As the profession broadens its horizons, RVTs are finding new and diverse career opportunities beyond traditional clinic settings, including specialized fields like laboratory animal research, wildlife rehabilitation, and veterinary industry roles.

Got a shout out for one of our amazing RVTs - please share below!

10/18/2024

A recent study suggests that dogs are among a small group of animals that show unselfish kindness towards their owners without any promise of reward. So when you think your pup is trying to cheer you up, it's likely that is exactly what they are doing! Don’t we all just need a dog in our lives? Join the pack by scheduling an appointment for your pet today! Give us a call at 519-836-2782.

10/17/2024

Do you think your dog has an upset stomach? Switch them to a bland diet and watch how it progresses. Always have our contact number, 519-836-2782 in hand in case of an emergency. If you are wondering what food should be included in their diet while they are sick, consider these 5 options:

Does your pup have a rumbly tummy? Discover what five foods can help soothe their upset stomach and make a whole world of difference for their digestion.

10/15/2024

Regularly treating dogs for fleas and ticks is one of the most important things a dog owner should remember. As a result, dogs will be less likely to contract infections caused by these parasites. If you want to learn more about our flea and tick treatments, contact us at 519-836-2782!

10/14/2024

Decorating with plants and flowers is a great way to beautify your home, but some of your favorite foliage can be toxic to your feline friend. Before adding new greenery to your home or garden, read up on poisonous plants to cats so that you can keep your kitty safe. Feel free to double check with us at 519-836-2782 before adding a plant to your home/garden. Here is just a selection of plants and flowers toxic to cats:

10/14/2024

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are closed today, so that our team can enjoy time with friends and family.
We hope you are all enjoying your day today!

If you need veterinary care, please contact our friends at Campus Estates Animal Hospital (519-837-1212)
We are open for regular hours tomorrow (Tuesday, 7:30am-7pm)

10/13/2024

Given that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight some information about Breast Cancer in Dogs and Cats.

The risk of mammary (breast) cancer in dogs is actually higher than that of women (in the un-spayed population of dogs). Breast cancer in dogs and humans share a lot of similarities (on the cellular level).

We know there is a lot of information online about when to spay and neuter your pet. For the vast majority of dogs, we still recommend spay prior to the first heat (although the timing of this will vary depending on the breed). Yes, we know you've seen information to suggest otherwise, but trust that our veterinary team is keeping up to date with all of the research and is still following the guidelines that are recommended by many veterinary associations.

Why spay before the first heat? It is because the risk of breast cancer dramatically increases after the first heat cycle:

--0.5% risk for female dogs spayed before their first heat cycle
--8% risk for female dogs spayed after their first heat
--26% risk for female dogs spayed after their second heat

add to that.....50% of mammary tumors are malignant.

How might you know if your pet has breast cancer?

Tumors usually are sometimes found by owners who feel a lump. Other symptoms include:

--swollen mammary glands
--painful abdomen
--discharge from one or more glands
--ulceration of the skin on the abdomen
--lethargy
--weight loss (at later stages)

We are happy to discuss timing of spay for your pet anytime. Feel free to book a consultation and we can go over all the information with you!

10/12/2024

Not dog or cat related today, but we did want to acknowledge that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While for some, the pink ribbon may be a trigger that represents their own battle, we hope for others that it is a chance for us to show support to those near to us - be it a friend, family member, or one of our own clients.

There are many organizations to which you can donate that support the research for the cure, so please choose your own and make a small donation today.

Hugs and strength to those fighting this battle. And many thanks to the thousands of individuals that have dedicated their careers to finding a cure.

10/11/2024

If you're thinking about getting a cat, this article might help you choose the right one! Behavior traits in cats don’t vary as much as dogs, but each cat has a distinct personality. Read the article below for tips that can help you discover which cat will be your perfect pet. Remember to keep your new kitty healthy by scheduling your visit with us! Call us at 519-836-2782.

Every cat has a distinct personality. These tips can help you discover which cat will be your perfect pet.

10/10/2024

Puppies start teething anywhere between 3-4 months old and can last until the age of 6 to 7 months. You’ll notice an increase in biting and nipping as your puppy loses more baby teeth and adult teeth start to grow in. Most pups decrease their mouthing and biting by the time they are 8 to 10 months old, depending on the breed. To ensure this doesn’t turn into a lifelong bad habit, follow these helpful tips to stop puppy biting. Do you have questions about how to care for your pup? Give us a call at 519-836-2782 and we can provide you with more personalized care. 🐶

10/09/2024

This week is Pet Obesity Awareness Week - and while it's certainly not a cause for celebration, we hope that we can continue to bring awareness to the risks of pet obesity, and how we can help our pets achieve a healthy weight.

The statistics are often changing, but close to 60% of our dog and cat population are overweight. And the sad reality of this - is that WE are the ones that feed our pets daily, so we are directly responsible for their weight.

In many ways, achieving weight loss in pets is easy! We need less calories in (less food), and more calories expended (more exercise). Add to that, we have prescription weight loss diets that are specially formulated to help your pet reach their goal weight. But the actual reality is different - many of our pet parents really struggle with their pets weight.

We are here to help! Once our veterinary team has ensured that your pet does not have a contributing or underlying medical condition, our veterinary technicians can develop a custom weight loss plan for your dog or cat! At Guelph Animal Hospital, we offer free nutrition plans and weight assessments.

Give us a call and schedule your nutritional consultation today!

10/07/2024

Puppies are sleeping champions and require at least 6-20 hours of sleep per day. Sleep is an important part and helps with memory and knowledge development. We love your puppy as much as you do and want to keep them as healthy as possible! Contact us at 519-836-2782 to schedule an appointment for any concerns you may have.

10/07/2024

FALL SAFETY TIPS!!

The leaves are changing colors, the hot summer temperatures are cooling, and pumpkin spice is swirling around every coffee shop — fall is upon us! The season brings plenty of new opportunities for activities with the whole family, but it also comes with a host of autumn hazards for dogs and cats.

Whether you have a dog or cat, it’s important to make your furry friend’s safety a top priority this autumn.

Leaf piles and fall flowers
Those piles of leaves and compost may look fun for pets (dogs in particular) to romp around in, but watch your pal carefully — these piles can contain a variety of hazards. From mold and pesticides to hidden sharp objects like sticks and gardening tools, practicing caution is a must. Acorns likewise contain tannins that can cause mild illness in pets.

Fleas and ticks
Another reason to keep pets out of leaf piles is the risk of fleas and ticks. While often thought of as summer nuisances, ticks thrive in fallen foliage thanks to the buildup of moisture. Keep on checking pets for ticks every time they finish romping around outdoors, and give both dogs and cats a monthly preventative flea treatment as part of their routine care.

Halloween candy
Chocolate, gum containing xylitol, and other seasonal goodies are a hallmark of fall, but they can cause serious illness and toxicity in your pet if ingested. When Halloween rolls around, be sure to remind children to keep their candy in a safe place, preferably in a sealable container that dogs and cats cannot open.

Candles
Candles around the house and bonfires in the yard embrace the cozy feeling of the season, but with pets they can be a dangerous combination. Cats in particular may be at risk when candles are left burning on shelves and tables, and your feline friend may not realize the dangers of tiptoeing around open flames. Dogs likewise cannot be expected to practice caution on their own when running or playing around campfires.

Keep your pets safe and enjoy the beautiful colours of autumn!

10/04/2024

Accidents can sometimes happen, especially to our pets. Food poisoning is one of the most common emergencies. Keep the poison control hotline handy as a pet parent. If you cannot reach us right away, call the hotline. For your regular appointments, you can schedule with us by calling 519-836-2782. https://bit.ly/3U2DlnF

10/04/2024

October 4th is World Animal Day! This is a day where we increase awareness about the standards of animal wellbeing around the world. This years' theme is "The world is their home too!"

Every single country of the world has animal welfare concerns. We see it more commonly in some other countries, but it is still a concern, even here in Canada.
In order to make change, we have to spread awareness, which is why organizations such as this exist.

Treat each day as World Animal Day - spread the word and spread the awareness.

10/03/2024

German shepherds are an athletic and high-energy breed of dog that demand multiple hours of daily activity. It isn’t always easy to know when your pup needs some extra exercise, but keeping these behaviors in mind will provide some better insight into whether you’ll need to make some changes to their routine. Symptoms of a restless dog include destructive behavior, excessive barking, weight gain, lethargy, and depression. Are you searching for more information about how to properly care for your dogs? We'd love to help with that! Call us at 519-836-2782 for all your care questions.