Is your dog or cat on Flea Prevention?

If your dog is coming into the grooming centre or for a stay in the boarding facility, for the concern of our other guests it is required that your pet be on an approved flea prevention medication.

Revolution, Sentinel, Program, Advantage and Advantage Multi are all accepted flea prevention medications.

If your pet is not getting a regular flea medication we will be dispensing medication at the time of the visit.
If you have any questions about flea control products, please do not hesitate to speak to your veterinarian or veterinary technician about appropriate products.

Be sure to check out this article for more information on Flea Control for your pets.

Running with your dog;

Spring and summer bring about great weather and we'll often see people running and biking with their canine companions.  Although exercise is very beneficial (for both owners and pets alike), there are some important considerations to be taken into account before hitting the pavement.  Due to body conformation with short legs and long bodies, certain breeds (Corgi's, Daschunds, basset hounds, etc) aren't designed for running long distances and are better off going for walks.  Others such as pugs, boston terriers and bulldogs can have difficulty breathing properly due to their short snouts and may have a more difficult time exchanging enough oxygen to keep up with a running pace.  Make sure to pay close attention to your pup and if you notice that they're lagging behind or seem out of breath, it's time to stop.  If your pet has been diagnosed with any sort of condition, make sure you check with the veterinarian to ensure it's still safe to go running or biking.  Enjoy the great weather.

CHARGE!! The Adventures of Toolie

Katherine is looking after our neighbour's Rhodesian Ridgeback dog for a few days.  Toolie is a sweet old girl with a very distinguished grey muzzle.  She's mostly content to lie out in the sun but unfortunately, she has not taken well to being transferred from our neighbour's house to ours and as a result she paces at night and whimpers in a most pathetic fashion.  Now I must explain, that although Ridgebacks don't often move quickly, they are BIG dogs - Toolie is around 100 pounds.  She may be elderly but she still packs a punch! She loves to lie in our back yard with Teya and soak up the rays; I check on them every few minutes but at one point yesterday couldn't see Toolie.  Now, our yard is not big and there are only so many hiding places.  No Toolie, but I did find she had scratched the lattice work (the weakest part of the fence) and had managed to make a hole big enough to crawl through.  OK, I thought, this isn't too bad because she'll be in our other neighbour's yard.  No Toolie there either, but I found 3 broken fence rails and some crushed bushes. (By the way, this particular neighbour is NOT fond of dogs!)  We are close to Edinburgh Road, so I was frantic (usually it is Teya who does this sort of thing!).  Checked the front porch of Toolie's own house, and there she was, patiently waiting to be let in.  Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. " HOME SWEET HOME" she whimpered!

Indoor Cats Need Attention too.....

Recently Dr Uyede was thinking about all the times he (and other veterinarians) have heard "my cat stays indoors and is very healthy"...and that inspired him to write this little post about indoor cats.

Although indoor cats are less likely to be exposed to the same risks that an outdoor cat would, this does not mean that they are exempt from developing any health problems. Often we will see a kitten for their initial vaccination series, but then not see them again until several years later when they become ill. To equate this in human terms, this would be similar to a child seeing their doctor when they are young, but not again until they are in their 60's or 70's and quite possibly having been sick for some time. Cats, as a prey species, are a master of disguise and often won't show any clinical signs until the disease is fairly advanced. Annual Health exams can help pick up these subtle clues leading to early disease detection saving you money in the long run, and allowing your furry companion to lead a long and healthy life.

If you have any concerns about your pets health care, or if your 'indoor' cat has not been to see a veterinarian in some time, please call to schedule an appointment so that we can help co-ordinate a plan for your cat.

Rita enjoying some rays.

Pet Safety

This is a great website to refer to if you think your plants might be toxic to your pet.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

Kittens up for adoption

Marcia, Jan and Cindy -3 young ladies all looking for their Forever homes.
If you, or someone you know would be interested in providing one of these lovely ladies with a good home, please come by the clinic and visit. 
Speak to Martha about the adoption process by calling her (519) 763-4992, or send her an email rcahclients@rogers.com and she will be happy to help you. 

Charity Dog Wash

On Sunday August 28, 2011 we are holding our annual Charity Dog Wash benefit in support of Veterinarians Without Borders - World Rabies Day Campaign. Come check it out and support a very worthy cause - to help eradicate Rabies around the world. Bring your dog for a bath, a nail trim or moral support.