As we embrace fall and prepare for winter, it’s a great time to make sure our pets are ready for the season ahead. Here are some tips to keep your furry friends healthy, safe, and comfortable as the seasons change:
🧣 Cooler Temps, Cozy Pets: As the weather cools down, some pets may feel the chill. Consider a cozy sweater for short-haired pets or adding extra bedding to their sleeping spots to keep them warm.
🦴 Watch for Seasonal Hazards: Fall and winter can bring certain hazards to your outdoor adventures. Be mindful of what your pet can get into during walks like their feet, legs and belly picking up de-icing products, antifreeze, or other chemicals that could be toxic. When you get back inside, wipe down (or wash) your pet's feet, legs and belly to remove these chemicals.
🍁 Health Check for the Season: Fall is the perfect time to schedule a health check with your #VCACanada #veterinarian. A wellness exam can ensure your pet is ready for the colder months and help prevent any seasonal illnesses. (Cold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis).
So, enjoy the fall season🍂🍁(let's be real ❄️), and let #vcacanada help you #prepyourpets for winter.
🐶🩺 First Time Wellness Exam for Your Pup? Here’s What to Expect!🩺🐶
Is your dog about to have their first wellness exam? Whether it's your pup's first check-up or just an important milestone, a thorough exam is a great way to make sure they’re feeling paw-some and healthy! 💪
What’s involved in a first veterinary check-up? 🤔
Your Veterinarian will give your dog a full body check, from head to tail! They'll listen to the heart ❤️, check the skin, feel the tummy, and look at the teeth🦷 and eyes 👀. It's all about catching any health issues early—before they become a bigger problem!
Plus, after the physical exam, your Veterinarian might suggest some wellness screening tests to get a deeper look at your dog’s health. Here’s what you might hear about:
🔬 1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
🧪 2. Biochemistry Profile
💧 3. Urinalysis
🧬 4. Thyroid Hormone Testing
For young dogs, simple tests usually do the trick. But for middle-aged, senior, or geriatric dogs, more detailed testing is often recommended to stay ahead of any health issues.
For older pups, that might even mean X-rays (chest, abdomen, or joints) to keep an eye on internal organs, bones, and joints!
Your Veterinarian will walk you through everything and answer any questions you have at this appointment. It's a super important step to keep your furry friend in tip-top shape for years to come!
🍖 Treats and Calories: 5/5 Veterinarians Say Keep it Balanced! 🍖
Don't let Onyx here (or any other tech-savy pups) fool you. Treats are a fun way to spoil your dog, but remember: they add extra calories! In fact, treats should only make up about 10% of your dog's daily calories. That might sound like a lot, but it can add up fast—especially if your dog doesn’t need many calories or if the treats are high in calories.
Too many treats can mess with your dog’s appetite for regular meals and even lead to weight gain. 🐕 Overweight dogs are a big problem, and it’s happening more and more. To keep your dog healthy, it’s important to remember that "calories in" (from treats) matters way more than "calories out" (exercise).
And just because a treat is labeled “light” or “low calorie” doesn’t mean it’s actually much better. These treats still add calories and can sneakily push your dog’s daily intake higher.
So, let’s keep treats special, not a regular habit. Your dog’s health will thank you! Hit the #KnowYourPet section of our website for more tips like these.
https://bit.ly/3UXWoRv
VCA Canada | AMR Awareness
💊🐾#AMRweek is here! Time to Educate. Advocate. Act Now. 🐾💊
#Antimicrobialresistance (AMR) is a growing threat that impacts the health of humans, animals, and the environment. AMR happens when harmful microorganisms (like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) evolve to resist the medications designed to treat them—like antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals.
Why should you care?🤔
As AMR spreads, these essential medicines become less effective, which means infections can persist and become harder to treat. This increases the risk of infections spreading and can make previously manageable diseases much more serious.
The effects aren’t just limited to humans—AMR also affects #veterinarycare, livestock health, and even our food systems. It's a global issue that requires global action.
✅ What can we do about it?
We all have a role to play in tackling AMR! Here's how you can help:
Use antibiotics responsibly—whether for yourself, your pets, or animals in your care.
Follow your veterinarian's advice when it comes to treating infections.
Educate yourself and others about AMR and its growing impact.
Advocate for sustainable practices in both human and animal healthcare.
Together, we can protect the future of our communities and ensure that antimicrobials remain effective. 🌱💚
#RVTs are the heart and soul of any vet clinic🫶 Their tireless contributions are felt and seen on a daily basis, 365 days a year. Happy #rvtmonth! #VCACanada is forever grateful for every single one of you ❤️💐
🐴 THERE'S NO TWO NEIGHS ABOUT IT 🐴
#RVTs are the heart and soul of any vet clinic, and without every single one of you, we wouldn't be able to care for life's greatest companions like we do. While #October is a month of dedication to you, please know that your tireless contributions are felt and seen on a daily basis, 365 days a year.
#VCACanada is forever grateful for you ❤️💐🫶
#rvtmonth
💐👏Appreciation post for all the mixed animal #RVTs out there 👏💐 We often stick to thinking about household pets when we think of #animalcare, but the farm friends need us too!
Here's a peek at Jorieke's favourite aspects of #mixedanimalvet care at @accofstrath.
#vcacanada #rvtmonth
🐾 A HUGE PAW-FIVE TO ALL OUR AMAZING RVTs 🐾
Come along to see a #dayinthelife of a #registeredveterinarytechnician at @vcacanada.district!
From vital checker and dewormer to treat dealer and cuddle dispenser, vet techs are the heart of the treatment area and we couldn't be more proud of the work they do every day!
#vcacanada #rvtmonth #vettechlife #nvtw
We are excited to announce that VCA Canada has been named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2024, which recognizes Alberta employers whose head offices are located within the province and lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.
At VCA Canada, we are proud of the Associate experience we’ve built that prioritizes employee well-being, professional development, and community engagement. Being recognized for this award is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication not only in Alberta but across the country in each of our hospitals.
Thank you to all our Associates for the support and care they provide life’s greatest companions on a daily basis and for making VCA Canada an excellent place for Associates to work and grow.
For the full story: https://bit.ly/3HJmkck
#ABTopEmployers #TopEmployers2024
