Articles
Updated CDC Requirements for Pets Travelling
from Canada to the US
We have good news for pet parents looking to travel over the border from Canada this summer! The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has relaxed many of its restrictions on pets travelling from Canada to the United States. As of August 1st, 2024, the following are required: The dog owner or guardian…
Read MoreLiving With Ticks: Protect Yourself and Your Pet
Over the years, ticks have been hitching a ride on migratory birds and making their way to Ontario and bringing certain diseases with them. Understanding how ticks behave and what you can do to avoid acquiring tickborne diseases will help ensure that you and your pet continue to enjoy your time outdoors safely. What Exactly…
Read MorePet Health Insurance
Pet health insurance policies are primarily designed to cover accidents and illnesses. For an added fee, a few companies offer additional coverage for routine vaccinations and other care such as dental cleanings. How much you pay for insurance and what’s covered depends on a number of factors including the type of pet you have (cats…
Read MoreHow to Help Your Cat’s Scratching
While it can be frustrating when cats scratch and damage furniture and other household items, and it may be tempting to want to stop the scratching altogether, it’s important to remember that scratching itself is a normal, innate behavior for cats. In most cases, it’s not actually the scratching that’s the problem — it’s what…
Read MoreCat Carriers
Cats are creatures of habit and prefer the comforts of home over travelling to unfamiliar places such as veterinary hospitals and grooming or boarding facilities. But travel is inevitable, and carriers provide a safe and secure way to transport cats. Whether you’re raising a kitten or living with an adult cat, here are some guidelines…
Read MoreTrimming Nails in Kittens: Taking the Stress Out of Nail Trims
Nail trims should be part of every kitten’s grooming routine. Trimming your kitten’s nails prevents them from becoming ingrown into a paw pad, catching on things, or causing paws to slip and toes to splay, affecting mobility. It also helps prevent damage to furniture, carpets, and other surfaces. Scratching is a normal feline behaviour that…
Read MoreEnrichment for Kittens
Kittens are curious creatures that love to explore and learn about the world in a variety of ways. Enrichment provides physical exercise and mental stimulation that allows your kitten to engage in natural behaviors while building confidence and alleviating boredom, anxiety, and frustration. Without regular and appropriate enrichment throughout their lives, felines are prone to…
Read MoreProphylactic Gastropexy: Preventing Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
Prophylactic gastropexy is a surgery aimed at preventing the stomach from twisting on itself (a condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus) by securing the stomach to the abdominal wall. We recommend this procedure for dogs at highest risk for the condition (typically deep-chested large or giant breeds). There are a number of ways to accomplish a prophylactic…
Read MoreNeutering Dogs: What is the Best Age?
The decision on when to neuter your dog depends on many factors including your dog’s breed, genetic predispositions/disease risk, size, lifestyle, and how you feel about managing him to avoid testosterone-driven behaviours including the drive to mate with an intact female. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) provides a simple spay/neuter age chart shown below…
Read MoreLaparoscopic Spays: Your Questions Answered
We perform our dog spays laparoscopically – also known as minimally invasive or keyhole surgery because it requires only a small incision into the abdomen. The laparoscope used for this surgery is a slim tubular instrument outfitted with a light source, a camera, and a channel for inserting slim surgical instruments. The camera relays video…
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