What to expect from a dental cleaning Your pet will receive a complete cleaning of the teeth, both above and below the gum line. This is important because tartar is actually an accumulation of bacteria and mineral that can destroy roots and cause severe infection of the gums. However, this is not a cure. [...]
Tattoos In an effort to reduce stray animals and to help return your pet to you if it is lost, the veterinarians of British Columbia have adopted a province wide Pet Tattoo Program. It has become standard practice among animal care givers in BC to check the right ear of every stray pet for [...]
Most female cats that are kept for companionship are spayed unless they are intended to be used for breeding. This is a common practice to prevent them from going into heat, avoid certain diseases in the future (breast cancer and pyometra, an infection of the uterus) and prevent accidental pregnancy. However, some cat owners choose [...]
Most female dogs that are kept for companionship are spayed unless they are intended to be used for breeding. Spaying is a common practice to prevent them from going into heat, avoid certain diseases in the future (breast cancer and pyometra, an infection of the uterus, false pregnancies and mastitis) and prevent accidental pregnancy. However, [...]
Most male animals that are kept for companionship, work, or food production (horses, dogs, cats, bulls, boars) are neutered (castrated) unless they are intended to be used as breeding stock. This is a common practice to prevent unacceptable sexual behaviour, reduce aggressiveness, and prevent accidental or indiscriminate breeding. The intact male (tomcat) is likely to [...]
Most male animals (stallions, bulls, boars, rams, and tomcats) that are kept for companionship, work, or food production are neutered (castrated) unless they are intended to be used as breeding stock. This is a common practice to prevent unacceptable sexual behaviour, reduce aggressiveness, and prevent accidental or indiscriminate breeding. However, many dog owners choose not [...]
How will you know when it’s the right time to put your pet to sleep? To make this difficult decision, it is helpful to get as much information as possible about your pet’s condition. Arrange a time to speak with your veterinarian to discuss the medical issues, treatment options, quality of life and possible outcomes [...]
Most canine vaccines come in a form of combination (distemper, parvo, hepatitis, corona and leptospirosis). Rabies is given separately. In addition to these, the doctor may indicate specific vaccines like kennel cough or lyme depending on higher risk of exposure such as boarding at a kennel, hiking in lyme containing areas, etc. For details on [...]
For cats a combination of feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia is usually administered with rabies as a separate vaccine. Other vaccines may be recommended for high risk individuals such as feline leukemia, FIP and FIV and Chlamydia. For details on each disease please see below. The doctor and/or breeder may recommend you to adjust the [...]
Radiology is another diagnostic tool that may aid in the diagnosis of disease. The doctor may recommend an x-ray to identify certain foreign bodies, heart disease, chest or abdominal or bone masses, joint diseases, etc. For some x-rays we may need to sedate your pet. In such case we will tell you to fast your [...]
