Happy New Year



Happy New Year from all of us at Royal City Animal Hospital 



Happy New Year

As we say goodbye to 2011....and ring in 2012.....
we would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.
May 2012 bring you all much love, success and happiness.

Happy Holidays

We would like to wish all of our friends, family and our wonderful clients a 

Very Happy Holiday. 

All the best to everyone and their pets this holiday season. 

Track Santa

Why not track Santa as he flies around the world delivering presents to all the good boys and girls.

click this link to track where Santa is on his ride

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

Christmas Hedgehogs

Here is a fun Christmas game to play.

Singing Hedgehogs.

Christmas Dreams

Guelph Humane Society "Toy Drive"

 The Guelph Humane Society is a non-profit organization and as such they rely heavily on donations in order to operate. 

This holiday season we will be collecting donations of supplies and delivering them to the shelter. 

Your generosity will help the Humane Society continue to care for lost and abandoned animals and provide them with the love and attention they deserve

Here are a few items from their wish list. If you have any items around the house or wish to purchase something from the list, feel free to bring it to the hospital and we will make a special Santa delivery in time for Christmas.

•Unscented, non clumping cat litter
•Large newspapers for lining cages
•Shredded paper for bedding (No Staples)
•Hay and treats for Rabbits
•High value training treats (Rollover, dehydrated liver etc.)
•Peanut Butter
•Stimulating dog toys (Kong, Buster cube, treat balls)
•Furminator grooming tools
•Bleach, all purpose cleaner
•Laundry soap, dish soap
•Disinfecting wipes
•Hand Sanitizer

•Large, heavy duty garbage bags

•Paper towels, Kleenex, Toilet paper 

•Cotton pads/balls 

•Plastic bags 

•Brooms, dustpans, cleaning supplies 

•Rubber gloves, latex gloves 

•Work gloves, welding gloves 

•Duct tape 

•Office supplies (pens, paper, tape, sharpies etc)

•USB drives 

•Postage stamps 

•Reflective vests 

•Gift cards (Canadian Tire, Zellers, Staples etc)

                                                                                                                    

Cuba Canines

I recently spent a week in Varadero, Cuba where we went off our 5-star resort to explore the local streets.  Eating where the locals eat and experiencing the local culture can be challenging in the tourist town of Varadero.

The one thing that we found was not part of the ‘tourist trap’, were the local canines.  They seemed very much at ease criss-crossing the streets, greeting  all of the tourists as if they were employed by the local hotels to promote their business. Of course none of them were spayed or neutered, but they all seemed in good health.  Someone is looking out for each and every one of them I think. 

It was nice for us to get our ‘canine fix’ as we like to call it when we are away from our own canine companions.  It was truly a pleasure meeting each and every one who crossed our paths!

by: Martha, Pet Care Coordinator

Meet Jenny - our new dog groomer

Please check out the BEFORE and AFTER pics of my Toy Poodle, Honey!  She had her ‘spa day’ with Jenny today.  Doesn't she look absolutely beautiful! I am fairly fussy when it comes to my poodle and like her to be perfectly coiffed.  Honey is a bit nervous when here, but Jenny made her feel comfortable enough to give her kisses when she was done.

Thank you, Jenny for a wonderful job on my Honey!

Jenny Treutlein has 7 years of all breed grooming experience and we are happy to have her join the Royal City Grooming Centre team. She looks forward to meeting you and your dog too, so she can pamper them the way she pampered my Honey. 

 To book your dog’s ‘spa day’ with Jenny, please call us at 519-763-5788

by: Martha - pet care coordinator

Happy Birthday Lisa

Today is Lisa's Birthday. 
Which Lisa is that, you ask? After all we have 3 who work here.
That would be Lisa E., the technician.
Today she turns...............(i dare not say)
Perhaps someone will bake her a delicious home made cake for her special day.
ooopss...she is the baker - does that mean she has to bake her own cake for the rest of us to enjoy? I have no problem with that.

Have a Fabulous day Lisa. 

Happy Birthday from all of your friends and coworkers at Royal City Animal Hospital.

Pet Nutrition

With so much variety on the market today, which pet food should I choose?

There has been an exponential increase in the number of different pet food companies in the past few years.  Although all pet foods sold in stores must adhere to regulations set by AAFCO (regulator of pet food), the restrictions are quite lax.  This means that there is a huge variety in the type and quality of ingredients used.  For example, a certain brand can make a claim to have glucosamine but the amount in the bag may not be at therapeutic levels.  This means it is essentially useless in helping to relieve the pain of arthritis.  Also many pet food companies will spend a large majority of their budget on marketing and advertising to appeal to the owners, whereas other pet food companies spend more money on research and development to ensure that the food is indeed the best for the animal.

If you are considering a specific type of food, or if you have any questions or concerns about pet nutrition, we encourage you to discuss this with your veterinary team.  We know your pet and may be able to offer some useful suggestions based on your pet's specific needs.                    



mmmm ...delicious AND nutritious

Holiday Pet Emergencies

Holiday Pet Safety Tips

The holidays can be a fun and exciting time of year for everyone, including your furry little friends.  Unfortunately we see a lot of emergencies at this time of year. Chocolates are common gifts but can be quite toxic and even fatal to dogs.  Theobromine, the active ingredient in chocolate that is toxic to dogs, can be quite damaging to the heart so make sure you keep those tasty treats well out of reach.

Pets love turkey but we urge you not to give your dog or cat any of the trimmings or bones from the carcass.  Trimmings tend to be high in fat and can cause pancreatitis, a very painful inflammation of the abdomen often requiring hospitalization and intensive care.  Bones (cooked or raw) can be harmful as well.  Raw bones have the tendency to fracture teeth requiring them to be surgically extracted while cooked bones will splinter into tiny bits and can act like little razor blades on the inside of the gut (ouch!).

Try to keep these bits of information in mind while you are enjoying this festive time of year.
For a more detailed list of Holiday Hazards - please check out this link from the ASPCA. 

We wish you and your pet(s) a safe and happy holiday!!

 



Definitely a bad idea.

Saying Goodbye - over the Rainbow Bridge

The past six weeks have been really hard for us at Royal City Animal Hospital. 

 For some reason, we have experienced more than the average number of deaths in the pets that we look after.  Several dogs and cats died at a ripe old age:  Shira (19 years), Chester (16 years), Molly (16 years), Sammy (16 years), Uey (14 years), Ozzie (14 years), and Jake (13 years).  Many of these dogs and cats had medical or surgical problems that we were able to help their families treat so their beloved pets were able to live long and happy lives.   Others died suddenly, with little warning and before their time: Autumn (10years) and Baxter (6 years).  Others had severe illnesses and were not able to recover: Jasmine (5 years), and Barley (8 years).

Of course it is the families who hurt the most when a beloved pet dies but their deaths certainly affect us too.  

One of our clients who is a family physician said it best as he was holding his sick Labrador Retriever in his arms: “This must be the hardest part of your job.  Do you ever get used to it?” No, we never get used to it and it breaks our hearts each time we have ease the passage of a beloved dog or cat into their next life over the Rainbow Bridge.

These are animals we have seen since they were puppies and kittens: we’ve watched them become part of your family and we watch you grieve now that they are gone.  We treasure each and every pet who comes here and wish we could make them all live forever.       By: Barbara Drewry

Happy Birthday Trace

Today is Dr Trace Mackay's Birthday.

Although she no longer works with us, we still adore her and she occasionally fills in a shift when the other doctors need a day off.

Happy Birthday Trace

With love from all of your fans at Royal City Animal Hospital. 

Teya's Injury Update

 Several of our clients at Royal City Animal Hospital have been asking about the “contraption” that Teya has on her back leg.  As you may remember, she had surgery a while ago to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.  (In horses, this injury is referred to as a “bowed tendon”.)   In order to allow the tendon to heal after surgery there must be minimal extension or flexion of her ankle.  The best way to achieve this is to use an “external fixation device” affectionately referred to as an Ex-Fix!

As you can see from the picture, an Ex-Fix is a series of pins that go through the bone in her lower leg.  The pins are joined together by rods that are outside her leg (i.e. “external” as opposed to an “internal” fixation where there would be a metal plate such as that used in a fracture repair.)  This allows the hock (ankle) to be held in relative flexion so that there is only a small amount of tension on the weakened tendon.  Her knees and her hips are fully mobile so that she can still walk, run, jump, scratch herself etc.  Of course, she is not supposed to be doing any running, or jumping, but sometimes it is hard to stop her!

Although the Ex-Fix looks ungainly Teya has tolerated it very well and it has actually allowed her much more freedom than a splint or a cast, which would immobilize the whole leg.  There aren’t the problems with pressure sores, moisture and frequent bandages changes that you have with a splint or a cast.

The other big advantage with an Ex-Fix is that it can be adjusted to allow more or less flexion or extension as healing progresses.  She saw her surgeon at the referral hospital yesterday and she was very pleased with the way the leg is healing.  Our next recheck is in a month, at which time adjustments may be made to change the angle of the hock.

Unfortunately, this type of injury requires a long recovery period (usually 6 – 8 months).  Once the Ex-Fix has been removed (hopefully in another 8 weeks) we’ll start her rehabilitation; our goal is that she can resume training this spring!  We hope she makes a full recovery so that she can get back to retrieving which is what she loves to do most of all!!

Royal City Animal Hospital: Teya

Christmas Grooming

There are only 5 weeks remaining until Christmas.
Everyone wants to look their best for the big day - even our Dogs.

Call the grooming centre to book your dog in for their Pre-Christmas beauty Treatment with Pam or Jenny today.
Don't delay - many days are already filling up fast. 
Call 519-763-5788 to make sure your dog is booked in.

Royal City Grooming Centre

We would like to remind everyone that we highly recommend that all pets visiting our grooming centre be up to date on their annual vaccinations prior to coming in for grooming. Kennel Cough in particular is easily transmitted between dogs and the best protection is a vaccination that has been given within that past 12 months. We will be happy to call your veterinary hospital for you if you are not sure of the date of the last vaccination.
Call today to schedule your next Groom with either Pam or Jenny.
519-763-8549
Dont forget to Like us on Facebook.

Jake - travels many miles to see Pam several times a year

Your pet's health is our Number #1 Priority

11:11:11 - Lest we forget

Remembrance Day - a day to honour all who have served their country
I saw this article on another website and thought it was a nice tribute to the 4 legged soldiers.

Remembrance Day, November 11th.

At 11:11am, I will spend 2 minutes of silent reflection, appreciating the freedom that I have today, understanding that I owe everything to those who fought and died for us in war.

What many of us don’t realize are the number of dogs who fought along side our soldiers in virtually every war since the existance of the domesticated dog.

Here are some historical examples of dogs used in war, according to the Wiki:

• 628 BC: The Lydians deployed a separate battalion of fighting dogs.
• 525 BC: Cambyses II used huge fighting dogs against Egyptian spearmen and archers.
• 490 BC: Battle of Marathon: A brave fighting dog was immortalized in a mural.
• 385 BC: Siege of Mantineia: Fighting dogs cut off enemy reinforcements.
• 101 BC: Battle of Vercellae: Large Cimbri dogs led by women defended their wagon forts.
• 1525: Henry VIII exported 400 mastiffs to support Spain.
• 1580: Elizabeth I sent 800 fighting dogs to fight in the Desmond Rebellions.
• 1799: Napoleon assembled large numbers of fighting dogs in front of his reserves.
• 1914: The Belgian Army used carabiniers, strong-muscled Bouvier des Flandres to haul heavy machine guns to the front.
• 1914–1918: Dogs were used by international forces to deliver vital messages.
• 1941–1945: The Soviet Union used dogs strapped with explosives to destroy invading German tanks.
• 1943–1945: The United States Marine Corps used dogs, donated by their American owners, in the Pacific theater to help take islands back from Japanese occupying forces. During this period the Doberman Pinscher became the official dog of the U.S.M.C.; however, all breeds of dogs were eligible to train to be “war dogs of the Pacific”. Of the 549 dogs that returned from the war, only 4 could not be detrained and returned to civilian life. Many of the dogs went home with their handlers from the war.
• 1966–1973: Approximately 5,000 US war dogs served in the Vietnam War (the US Army did not retain records prior to 1968); about 10,000 US servicemen served as dog-handlers during the war, and the K9 units are estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives. 43 military working dogs and 73 US servicemen working as dog handlers were killed in action during the war. Only 200 Vietnam War dogs returned to the U.S. with their handlers; the rest were euthanized or left behind
• 1979–1988: The Soviet Union again used dogs, this time in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

In the Vietnam war, K9 units are estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives

So today, when you take a few minutes out of your busy day to remember the sacrifices our soldiers made for us, don’t forget about their 4 legged sidekicks.

Lest We Forget.

Beagle Paws - success story



Typical beagle in Newfoundland.
http://www.beaglepaws.com/page-of-shame/

From the Harsh Realities of a "Rabbit Dog" in Newfoundland to the comforts of her forever home in Ontario...

Inspired by a recent article found in Canadian Pets & Animals Magazine about Newfoundland's Beagle Paws Rescue, the following is a story about our own Beagle Paw's Beagle, Jaimie (Owned by Lisa B.)

While living for a short time in St. John's Newfoundland and while taking my pug Spud for a walk I came across a building with a sign reading, Beagle Paws, Promoting Beagle's as Family Pets, thinking "What else would they be?" I went in.  Here I learnt that the Beagle is the most abused breed in the province. Living by an Old-Aged Myth (as the article reads) that 'hunting dogs' do not need human interaction and do not make good pets, Old school thinking Newfoundlanders still hold this falsehood to be true. Other myths that are held true to this day are: A beagle must be hungry to hunt and should only be fed every other day, spaying or neutering a dog ruins their ability to hunt, beagles should be kept in outdoor enclosures and beagles cannot be house trained. Knowing these myths are patently untrue and seeing with my own eyes in my own neighbourhood the conditions in which beagles were kept I got involved with Beagle Paws by volunteering and becoming a foster parent. Here I met Jaimie (Beagle Paw's name, Jane) a very scared, skinny, obviously abused but sweet little beagle who I soon realized I couldn't part with as a foster dog and adopted her for good. Two years later and back in my home province of Ontario with her hard life behind her, Jaimie is one of the most loving, forgiving, loyal dogs I have ever met. 

To learn more about the Beagles of Newfoundland and how you can help visit, http://www.beaglepaws.com/, pick up a copy of Canadian Pets & Animals Magazine in our front reception area at Royal City Animal Hospital or simply ask me, Lisa B. Pet Care Coordinator.



Jamie - Loved and well cared for with her new family.

Happy Hallowe'en

Cooper got super excited for Hallowe'en....its his favourite time of year.....any excuse to get dressed up.
Did you dress your pet up for Hallowe'en?
If so...share your photos on our facebook page.

Pumpkin Carving

Free to download at Better Homes and Gardens magazine - Pumpkin carving Stencils of some of your favourite dog breeds.

http://www.bhg.com/halloween/pumpkin-carving/pumpkin-carving-stencils-of-favorite-dogs/

Try them out and let us see your results by posting photos on our facebook page.
Good luck and happy Hallowe'en

Sending best wishes to Teya

Recently, our friend (and clinic mascot) Teya had an incident which caused injury to one of her back legs. The type of injury requires her to have a surgery to repair it and help her heal. Today she goes in for that surgery, and we - the staff at Royal City Animal Hospital, wish her all the best on her big day. You are in the best possible hands for this kind of surgery -Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital.

We hope you have a speedy recovery and can't wait to see you back here.

All the best to you - and your family.

Hallowe'en Safety Tips

With Hallowe'en coming up...and all the "trick-or-treaters" coming to your door......all the candy and decorations that are around....
There are a lot of dangers lurking about for your pets.
Here are some Hallowe'en Safety Tips for you to help keep your dogs and cats healthy and help reduce stress.

Do You Dress your Dog up for Hallowe'en?  Share your photos on our Facebook Page.

Are you reinforcing bad behaviours in your dog?

Dogs have a completely different language from people, which can contribute to misunderstandings and accidentally reinforce bad behaviour. If you are in a situation where your dog is acting extremely anxious, the instinct is to touch the dog gently and soothingly say "It's all right". This would be completely appropriate with a person. What a dog hears: this situation is not all right, and you are completelycorrect to be anxious." 
Dogs look to us for social cues. So, for instance, if you are at the vet, and your dog is whining and staring at you, the best reaction is no eye contact, no words and certainly no touch until they demonstrate calmer behaviour.



We recommend all dog owners attend classes with professional trainers in order to better learn how to communicate with your dog and teach them good manners using positive reinforcement techniques.

Good Adoption News

We are all very excited to share this wonderful news.....
Jan and Cindy - our little kittens from the blended family have finally found their forever homes.
A wonderful family has decided to adopt both of our little girls together.
Good Luck and Congratulations to everyone - you will al be very happy together.

Yay....we have a new family to share our love with.

It is not always what we think it is

Have you noticed that your cat is suddenly spending his time going into and out of his litter box? Or that he stays there for a long time without managing to relieve himself?
He may be constipated, but the more likely cause of this behaviour is a urinary tract obstruction, which requires an emergency visit.
Act quickly; if there is a complete obstruction, the animal could die in a very short period of time.

Hallowe'en Costume

Hallowe'en is almost here.
A day where it is okay to dress in silly or scary costumes.
Do you dress your pets in costumes as well?

If so.....share your photos of your pets in costumes on our Facebook page.

We look forward to seeing them.

Whatchu lookin at?

Autumn Cuteness

Cooper and Lucy wait for the Great Pumpkin

Pets And Vets Need Techs.

October 9th - 15th is Veterinary Technician Week.

A week to show appreciation for all that your Veterinary Technicians do for you and your pet.

Happy and Safe Thanksgiving

While you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend with your family and friends, We would like to remind you that there are many hidden dangers that can seriously harm your dog or cat on this holiday.

Some of the biggest dangers that this holiday can pose to your pet are:

• FOOD: rich fatty foods from the turkey, gravy, skin, ham, desserts, etc can all contribute to a disease called Pancreatitis. This is a very serious condition which needs immediate medical care.
• BONES: the turkey itself is very tempting to dogs, but the bones from the bird pose a big threat as well. The bones can splinter and cause tears or obstruction in a pet's digestive tract.
• STRING: the string used to truss the turkey is full of the flavour of the cooked bird and your dog may want too eat it. It can cause problems if your dog decides to ingest it.
• TOXINS: Many food items we will have around (onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate, macadamia nuts, etc) are poisonous to our pets.
• BEVERAGES: Caffeine and alcohol are also very toxic to our pets as well.
• STRESS: with the Holiday comes guests, and this can be a big source of stress for your pet. There is a lot of commotion and your dog or cat may not be prepared to cope with it as well as you might think.

Some tips to help keep your pet healthy and safe:

• Keep all food out of reach from your pet.
• Keep a close eye on your pets and know what they are up to at all times, to ensure they do not 'sneak' something without your knowledge.
• Do not leave garbage, left-overs, unfinished meals, treats, and other items accessible to your pet.
• Help to reduce their stress by providing them with a safe haven and a favourite toy.
• Clean as you go, ridding your kitchen/dining room of as many potential hazards as possible.
• Do not Give your pet any of your meal as a 'treat'.
• Puppy & Kitty proof your house to ensure all potential dangers are eliminated.

Finally, just in case you have a problem, it never hurts to keep your emergency vet clinic or veterinary hospital number handy.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving for your entire family

Pet Nutrition Seminar: Saturday October 29th.

Come join us on Saturday October 29th for our next class in our "Pet Care University" series.

"Give a Dog a Bone: the Science of Nutrition"

Class is free to all who attend, however space is limited so please register to reserve your seat.

Topics include:

• What is the difference between grocery store, pet store and Veterinary exclusive diets?
• Quality of ingredients:  Nutrients vs. ingredients.
• If I can't compare food based on the label, how do I decide what is best for my pet?
• The Cost of pet food:  Cost per bag vs. Cost per Day feeding
• Raw food diets - are they good for your pet?
• Organic diets and all natural diets: are they better or safer to feed your pet?
• Should the first ingredient in the diet be meat?
• I have heard I should stay away from foods with corn....is this true?
• My Dog or Cat is a 'fussy eater' - he doesn't like anything else.
• What about people food - my dog loves eating my left overs
• I heard Dry food is good for their teeth - so I dont feed canned. Is this true?
• Bones - are they good for my dog's teeth?
• Should My cat (or dog) drink milk?
• What kind of Treats are good for my pet?
• How much is too much? - obesity prevention and treatment

If you have any other questions about pet nutrition, please bring them along with you.

Your veterinarian is always the best source for information on Your pet's Specific nutritional requirements.



Join us for our upcoming Seminars.



Unexpected Encounter?

If your pet runs into a PORCUPINE, it is preferable to have the porcupine quills removed under anesthesia. If they are removed without an analgesic, their removal causes pain for the animal, who might react aggressively. Furthermore, many quills are generally hidden underneath the skin or in the muzzle and any forgotten pieces can get in deeper and cause subsequent problems, such as limping or abscesses.
Do not delay - take your pet in to see your veterinarian immediately.

Toronto Bans Sale of Puppies and Kittens at Pet stores

This is excellent news.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-sets-new-rules-for-sale-of-dogs-and-cats/article2175317/

Toronto City Council has banned the sale of puppies and kittens at all city pet shops.
The majority of these pets come from Puppy and Kitten mills, where there is in-breeding, serious health problems, poor socialization, poor treatment and care and they are forced to live in very small cages.

If you are looking for a pet - Adopt from your local shelter or humane society. In most cases they will be fully vaccinated, dewormed and Spayed or Neutered.

Happy Birthday Martha

Today is a very special day at Royal City Animal Hospital.

It is Martha's Birthday.

If you are in the clinic, be certain to wish her a very happy birthday.

Looking good at "35"

The Incredible Shrinking "Zeus"

Have you ever been told that your pet is overweight?
Dont be discouraged....here is a success story that will hopefully inspire you in your weight loss goal for your own pet.

This is a tale of a cat who was overweight and his owner (who is a staff member here at the clinic by the way) recognized that Zeus had become less active, his ability to jump up was dwindling, and his overall health was in jeopardy.  She made the decision to get the excess weight off and he was put on our "Slim Fit Program".  He was brought in for blood work prior to starting the program, to ensure there was no underlying health concerns, and with the blood work indicating there were no other problems - Zeus' life was about to change.

His starting weight was 14.78 lb on May 28/2011 with a Body Condition Score of 4.5/5.

He was put on a  good quality low calorie diet which is high in protein and psyllium fibre to ensure Zeus was always well fed and satiated. His portions are carefully measured every day to esure he is never overfed, and his treats were restricted to very low calorie healthy snacks given in moderation as incentive to exercise.

Several weeks went by and his weight went down to 14.6, and then 14.4 lbs a few weeks after that. At that point Zeus' weight plateaued and he stayed at 14.4 lbs for the next 4 weeks with no change. Plateauing is something that happens to almost every animal on a weight loss program, and so do not dispair. Eventually the weight started to come off again, and by the end of July he was down to 13.8 lbs.

As of Today he is 13.0 lbs with a Body Condition Score of 3.5/5. He still has a little more weight to lose, but having already lost 1.78 lbs - his activity level has increased and he now runs around playing with balls and other toys and such. The increase in activity will increase his metabolism and he will continue to drop the weight at a nice slow and steady pace.

His suggested goal is to get to 12 lbs - but we will continue to assess him and see where he really needs to be. Its not just about the pounds as it is about how he 'wears' that number.

Weight loss in cats has to be a slow process - they should not lose weight too quickly as it can drastically affect their health. So...if you have an overweight cat....be patient and persistent. Weight loss for your cat can happen with proper nutrition, portion control, increased exercise and limited treats. Ask your veterinary staff how they can help you get the extra pounds off your pet.

Stitches

Some of you may have seen me recently with a lovely yellow Lab rather than with “Teya” my beautiful golden Retriever.  Both dogs are being trained intensively for hunt tests and field trials; Stitches will also be used as a hunting dog for bird conservation.  However, Miss Stitches (her name comes from the fact that she required “stitches” when she was a very young pup) has come into season at an inopportune time!  Since females are in heat for about 3 weeks her owner and I decided to trade:  I am looking after Stitches and Teya is at boot camp for some heavy duty training!

As you will see from her picture, Stitches is a beautiful dog, very trim and muscular and very high energy.  She’s not as “in your face” as Teya is (i.e. no jumping up to lick your face!) but is still very friendly and is probably the best behaved dog I have every looked after.  She contently stays in one of our kennels for the day, without making a peep but she’s ready to run like the wind when we leave!  If you have ever thought about owning a Lab, and would like to see a beautiful one close up, come in and say “Hi”; she’ll be here for another week or so. - Dr. Barbara Drewry

Puppy Survives after ingesting a Flagpole

At Veterinary clinics we see animals that  have eaten strange and bizarre things all the time, but this story has got to take the "flag".

This cute little PitBull puppy swallowed a garden flag pole........and Survived to tell the tale.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/local_news/water_cooler/puppy-survives-after-swallowing-garden-flagpole

Many animals eat weird things and can lead to hefty vet costs to remove them from your pet.....
Pet Insurance is a great way to help with those costs.

World Rabies Day

Today is World Rabies day.

A day of recognition to raise awareness for a very serious disease that kills 55,000 people every year.

You can help rid the world of Rabies by supporting Veterinarians without borders and their World Rabies Day Campaign.

The Physical Exam

Here is a very useful article on why it is important to have your Veterinarian examine your dog or cat on a fairly regular basis.
The Physical Examination is the most important part of any visit with your pet.
click on this link
The Importance of the Physical Examination

not a vet at this clinic

Microchip your pet

Here is a very interesting story of loss and reunion that was made possible by a microchip.

Willow the cat....lost in Boulder, Colorado after contractors left the door open during a renovation project.......finds her wayto New York City.

Proof that Microchipping works.

Read Willow's story here:
Cat Found 5 years later and reunited with Owners

Stress

Is your dog or cat suffering from Stress or Anxiety?

Some common causes are:

• travel
• being placed in a carrier
• new home
• new family member
• Separation from owner
• Lack of environmental enrichment

Some Common Signs of Stress and Anxiety are:

• Compulsive destruction
• Excessive grooming or licking
• Fear Aggression
• Inappropriate Elimination
• Hiding
• Tail Chasing
• Vocalization

We now have a new, easy to use solution to help with that.

There is a New Diet:  Medi-Cal Royal Canin CALM

for Dogs and Cats.

Ask Your Veterinary team member how this new and exciting diet could help your pet be more "Calm".

MYTH or FACT

Is the Following statement a fact....or is it a myth?

If a dog is wagging its tail, it is happy.

Find out the answer to this and many other common Pet Care Questions
by attending our next Pet Care University Seminar:

MYTH BUSTERS

Saturday Sept 17th 2:30 - 3:30pm

Attendance is free - but space is limited.

Reserve your seat today by calling

519-763-4992

Myth or Fact?

Is the following statement a FACT or is it a MYTH?

Dogs are sick when their noses are warm.

Get the answer to this and many other Common Pet Care Concerns by attending our next Pet Care University Seminar: 

"MYTH BUSTERS"

Saturday Sept 17th, 2:30 - 3:30 PM.

call to reserve your seat by calling 519-763-4992