Tomorrow is June first and the unofficial start to Ontario's "heartworm season" - don't forget to start your heartworm prevention!
Heartworms are a bloodborne parasite that are transmitted by mosquitoes 🦟
Once an infected mosquito bites your pet, the larvae are transmitted and travel through the bloodstream, ending up in the heart where they mature into worms that can be as long as 30cm! 😱
Heartworm prevention medications are available through veterinary offices and come in several varieties, including chewable (as shown), or topical options.
Have you purchased your pet's heartworm prevention yet?
There are many reasons a pet may be considered "specially-abled", including limb differences or mobility problems, vision or hearing impairments, cleft palates, or chronic diseases. Whether these differences are from birth or aquired later in life, these animals are so special that they have a whole day dedicated to celebrating them!
Emilio is a big, beautiful boy who had one of his back legs amputated after being diagnosed with bone cancer. Being such a large dog, his future mobility was a real concern, but his family was prepared for the task! Emilio wears a special harness so that they can help support him when he needs some extra help. And since he can't walk as far as he used to, they made sure he was still able to go on his daily adventures with the help of a wagon. He still enjoys his trips to the lake and going for strolls in the neighbourhood - his mom describes him as "full of happiness and vitality"!
Emilio is just one of the pets that we see every day that prove true happiness can be found everywhere and that our differences don't hold us back - they make us shine!
#SpeciallyAbledPetsDay
It's Veterinary Receptionist Week! 🎉 It's a job that's so important, it deserves a celebration!
Our receptionists are an integral part of our team, and we couldn't do things without them. From managing all of the phone calls and emails to booking appointments, preparing medications, and triaging cases, our receptionists do it all! And they're always ready to lend a hand with patient care whenever needed.
Our reception team is prepared to be of assistance every day, and they do it with smiles and loads of helpful information 🐾
Let us know how our reception team has helped you and your pets in the comments 💕
Microchip Buddy with us! Microchipping is a quick and permanent procedure and is one of the simplest ways to make sure your pet gets returned if they ever get lost 🐾
April 17-23 is National Pet I.D. week and it's a great time to make sure your pet's microchip and tag information is up to date!
Remember, microchips are not tracking devices and rely on up to date contact information to reunite you with your pet.
Nothing makes us happier than being able to help care for your amazing pets! 💕🐾
We can think of worse things to find by surprise!
*No chocolate was hidden at pet-level
Sometimes we get excited about strange things, like when you can see ear mites without a microscope!
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal. They cause intense itchiness and lots of debris in the ears. If not treated, it can cause secondary infections. Thankfully, ear mites can be treated easily. A thorough ear cleaning and medication usually gets your pet back feeling like themselves in no time. But since ear mites are easily transmitted between pets, it's important to have the ears rechecked after treatment to make sure the ear mites are gone.
Bad breath? We can help.
Ask us if an oral health diet is right for your pet.
The liver treats were supposed to be for dogs? No one told Sesame! He was a BIG fan of his tasty snacks 🐾
*liver treats are safe for both dogs and cats in moderation
One of the biggest perks of working in an animal hospital is all of the free snuggles we get to have with our patients 🥰
Winter weather has arrived! ❄️🥶
Has your pet been inside more than normal? Have they started bouncing off the walls with boredom? Try using their food to play some games!
With the weather keeping many people and pets indoors, it can be a good idea to ditch the bowl and have your pet use their brain to forage for their food or treats!
While our videos show dogs, all of these activities can also be used with cats! And they don't need to be utilized only in bad weather. Pets benefit from mental enrichment all year long.
Snacks make everything a little bit better - even vet visits!
We can confirm: Scout really is just that cute! 🥰
Goodbye 2023, hello 2024 🎉 We can't wait to see what the new year brings!
Medical Monday: THC toxicity 🍃
Little Franki was rushed in by her owners because she seemed uncoordinated, lethargic and she wasn't eating. While these symptoms can be many things (and scary to witness!), after taking a medical history, our team quickly realised Franki had gotten into some marijuana 🙊
Recieving a call from concerned pet parents describing wobbly or "drunk-looking" behaviour, excessive drooling and urine leaking is not all that uncommon. Whether it's in your house or your pet is a scavenger, being honest and upfront about potential marijuana exposure is the best thing in cases like this. We won't judge! We just need to know how to best help your pet.
Accidents happen and even the most diligent pet parents can make mistakes.
This holiday season, make sure guests who indulge in THC keep any products away from pets - even secondhand smoke inhalation can cause toxicity symptoms. If your pet does display any symptoms, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Novemeber is Senior Pet Month, and our "golden oldies" will hold a special place in our hearts. But life with an aging pet can come with certain challenges.
Arthritis and other mobility changes can make it difficult for pets to navigate everyday obstacles like climbing onto furniture or getting in and out of the car on their own. Using ramps or stairs can help your pet get up and down safely, all on their own. Ramps and steps can be purchased or created with things you have at home - just be sure that whatever you use is sturdy enough to hold your pet's weight and has a wode, stable base.
Has your senior cat started going to the abthroom somewhere other than the litterbox? They're not being bad! Try using a box with lower sides so your kitty doesn't have to step quite so high to get in.
The best way to keep your senior active is to keep them at a lean body weight and make sure they move throughout the day. Old joints can make it hard to get up after a nice afternoon snooze, but you can help them to their feet with harnesses and slings built just for that purpose. A harness like a Help 'Em Up Harness has handles at different spots to help support your furry bestie wherever they need it most.
Bending and stretching can be uncomfortable for our older pets. Try raising their food and water dishes off the floor so they don't have to bend quite as far to stay hydrated and nourished.
There are tons of ways to make the golden years of your pets life more comfortable, and these are just a few. Have a specific question about your pet's well-being? Call us today!
Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are one of the most common knee injuries in dogs and are similar to ACL injuries in people. Zuki had a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery at a referral clinic. The purpose of the surgery is to reduce the amount that the tibia shifts forward during movement, providing some stability (by inserting a plate and pins into the bones), and to help reduce inflammation in the joint.
Recovery from TPLO surgery is almost as important as the surgery itself. It takes about 6 months or longer for your dog to recover and resume full physical activity. Some restrictions include keeping your dog on a reduced exercise plan (no running, jumping and keeping them on a leash), pain management, recheck exams, as well as rehabilitation and physiotherapy to improve movement in the leg.
Zuki is doing well 6 weeks post operatively. She is weight bearing on her leg and will be back to full activity after completing her physio program!
The summer weather may be over for the year, but ticks actually prefer the cooler temperatures🌡️
Be sure your pet is current on their tick prevention. Not sure which product is best for your pet? Call us today!
😈🎃👻 Happy spooky season 👻🎃😈
Did you know we have a festive photo booth set up? Snap a quick pic of your pet when they're in for their visit and email us the best one so we can share it on Halloween!
Some tips:
🎃 Keep it fun! We have costumes and accessories of all sizes, but if your pet doesn't like getting dressed up, skip the costume. We also have Halloween bandanas if you really want your furry bestie to look spooktacular.
🎃 Trick or treat! We've provided treats to keep your pet focused on you, no tricks required.
🎃 Take your time! Give your pet a minute or two to get used to the space. There are new smells and decorations that may take some animals a few seconds to figure out.
🎃 Send us the most boo-tiful snap! Email us the best photo of the bunch and we'll share it on our socials!
Urinary issues can be frustrating!
Pets can develop urinary problems like chronic or frequent UTIs, bladder stones, urinary crystals, inappropriate urination, and urine leaking for many reasons and sometimes for no reason at all.
Diet: a poor or unbalanced diet can lead to a build-up of minerals that can cause urinary crystals. Some pets are already predisposed to developing these crystals and may benefit from a diet specifically formulated to assist with urinary crystals.
Genetics: some breeds are prone to developing certain issues like bladder stones, or have a conformation that could make recurrent urinary infcetions a possibility. It's important to do your research when looking for a pet and be aware of any potential breed-related issues, and be prepared to deal with them if they arise.
Stress: many pets are easily stressed by even small changes in their environment. It's important to know that animals do not urinate indoors or out of the litterbox out of spite - any pet with a change in urination should be assessed by a veterinarian.
Pre-existing conditions: diabetes, chronic steriod use, and untreated bladder stones are just some conditions that could cause urinary tract infections in pets.
Just because (idiopathic): sometimes a pet will just end up having a urinary issue, whether chronic or just a one-time thing. Like people, pets are individuals, and medical issues can pop up despite everyone's best efforts.
Does your pet have issues with urination? Give us a call!
