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The holiday season is upon us, and many of us plan to include our furry companions in the festivities. As you gear up for the holidays, it is important to try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. Also, please be sure to steer pets clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations.
Christmas tree: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset from spilling. Avoid Mistletoe & Holly: Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet. Tinsel: Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. Candles: Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out! Wires: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth and digestive tract. Skip the Sweets: By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. Leave the Leftovers: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills. Please note that the clinic will be closing at noon on Tuesday, December 24th and will be fully closed on Wednesday, December 25th and Thursday, December 26th. We will re-open on Friday, December 27th with our regular hours. We will be closing at noon again on Tuesday, December 31st and fully closed on Wednesday, January 1st and will re-open on Thursday, January 2nd with our regular hours at 8am. In case of an emergency over the holidays, please contact the Vaughan Richmond Hill Emergency Clinic at 905-884-1832, or the Central Toronto Veterinary Referral and Emergency at 416-784-4444. We wish everyone a Happy Holiday!
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Bringing your senior pet in for a wellness check up can reassure you that your dog or cat is healthy. It can also help detect hidden diseases or conditions early. Early detection can improve the prognosis of many diseases, keep medical costs down, and help your pet live longer. Many dogs and cats are good at hiding signs that something is wrong, so subtle changes in their health and behavior might be easy to overlook. Also, depending on the disease, some pets do not show any signs.
Dogs and Cats age quicker than humans, so it is even more crucial for our companion animals to receive regular exams. In addition, the risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, dental disease, kidney and liver disease all increase with age. Call us today to schedule an exam for your senior pet! October is Farley month! The Farley Foundation is a registered charity that assists people in need by subsidizing the cost of veterinary care for their sick or injured pet. They assist low income seniors , disabled individuals, Ontario Works recipients, women at risk of abuse participating in the OVMA Safe Pet program, and pets belonging to seniors' care facilities. The foundation relies solely on donations . You can make a donation of any amount but donations over $15 will get a tax receipt. To date, the Farley Foundation has disbursed more than $3.5 million to assist over 8,400 people and pets in need. We have seen first hand the relief and happiness the Farley Foundation gives people. You can learn more about the people and pets the Farley Foundation helps every day across Ontario at www.farleyfoundation.org.
As well, any donation made of $25 or more qualifies for a tax receipt and any donation of $10 or more will be entered in our raffle to win fun pet supplies ! Here are some tips on traveling with your cat :)
For safety sake, kittens and cats must ride inside a carrier while in the car. The driver needs to concentrate on the road and traffic, not the fur baby on their lap or under the pedals. Even well-behaved cats that are loose in the car could be injured in the event of an accident. Even though your cat will be in a crate, it's helpful for kitty to experience positive things about the car before you start the engine. Cats are sensitive to environment and territory which is why they prefer staying home in familiar surroundings. Make the car familiar by allowing Kitty to cheek rub and spread his scent to claim the car as purr-sonal territory, and he'll feel more relaxed and happy during travels. Place the cat's bed, blanket, or towel on the back seat of the car prior to them entering, that way his scent is already inside. Spraying Feliway on the towel or car upholstery may help the cat feel more relaxed. Please note that we will be closed on Monday, September 2nd for the long weekend. We will re-open on Tuesday, September 3rd with our regular hours (8AM-7PM). Can you believe it’s August already and the long weekend is already here?! We will be closed on Monday, August 5th for the Civic Holiday and will re-open on Tuesday, August 6th at 8am.
With the weather getting warmer, it is important to keep an eye on your pet, to ensure that they remain comfortable. Make sure that your cats and dogs always have access to fresh water, and a place in the shade, where they can relax and cool down. Be careful when walking your pets outside, as asphalt can heat up, and cause damage to your pets' paws. It would be best to avoid asphalt when on a walk, and elect to take a stroll on a grassy area instead. It is very important to know the signs of heatstroke in pets. Restlessness, panting, increased drooling as well as increased respiratory and heart rates can all indicate a potential heatstroke. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet is showing any of those symptoms. Summer can be a fun time for pet owners and their animals to get outside and play, but the extreme heat can be very hazardous to pets.
Every year, companion animals suffer and die when their owners leave them in a parked car while they run errands. Temperatures inside cars can quickly rise 20 to 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature, and animals can die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Here are a few tips to keep pets safe, healthy and happy during the hot summer season. NEVER leave pets in hot cars. Leaving pets in hot vehicles can cause severe dehydration and even death within minutes. Instead, keep your pets at home where they are safe and comfortable. Keeps pets indoors during extreme heat. High temperatures can be dangerous, particularly to brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog breeds, such as pugs, boxers and bull dogs. Make sure pets have access to shade and fresh water. As much as pets may like to play outside, it’s very easy for them to get dehydrated or overheated. Be careful of asphalt. Asphalt or metal surfaces can get extremely hot in the summer and can burn paws and reflect heat back on your pet. Pet owners can help avoid burns by choosing other surfaces to walk on or by walking their pets in the morning or evening. Test the surface by placing your hand just above the ground. Just like humans, some dogs and cats get sunburn. If you’re considering shaving your pet this summer, make sure to leave at least an inch of hair. This will help protect your pet from the sun’s dangerous rays. Animals with short, light-colored coats can get sunburned. Keep cats indoors on very hot days. Unlike dogs, cats do not drink a lot of water and can become dehydrated. Ensure your cat has a few cool and shady spots to retreat to around the house and garden. Know the signs of a heat stroke. Pet owners should be educated on the symptoms of a heat stroke so they can react immediately if their pets exhibit symptoms. Symptoms include restlessness, panting, increased respiratory and heart rates, excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. Please note that the clinic will be closed on Monday July 1st for Canada day. We will re-open on Tuesday July 2nd. In case of an emergency please contact the Toronto Animal Health Partners at 416-380-7400, or the Central Toronto Veterinary Referral and Emergency at 416-784-4444. Hope everyone has a wonderful summer! June is here!
Summertime is just around the corner, which means the warm weather is here to stay and it also means PARASITES! Hope everyone remembered to start their dog’s parasite prevention medication on June 1st as it is officially the beginning of heartworm season! Cats that go outdoors should also be using a parasite prevention medication to protect them from heartworm , ticks and fleas. Our Parasite bloodwork special will be continuing until the end of June, so it is not too late to have your dog tested! Please contact us at Dufferin-Steeles Animal Hospital at 905-532-0043, to schedule your dog’s testing today. The warmer weather is finally here! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I’m sure everyone’s pets are enjoying the spring weather. Don’t forget that this is also the type of weather that those nasty parasites come out to enjoy as well.
Parasite prevention season starts June 1st, so please remember to bring your dogs in for parasite testing. Parasite season is from June to November and they will need to be protected the whole season. And don’t forget about our kitty friends. They are also at risk of picking up worms and fleas this season and need to be on prevention to protect them as well; even indoor cats are at risk! Indoor cats can become infested with fleas quite easily. Once fleas get in your house, they can live there quite comfortably and multiply frequently. You can bring fleas into your home if you were in close contact with a pet that has fleas. Tapeworms are also a problem for indoor cats. Since tapeworms are carried by fleas, your cat may swallow a flea while grooming and infect itself with tapeworm. Roundworms may also be a threat to indoor cats, particularly if there is a rodent problem in your home. Living indoors is the safest lifestyle for your cat. However, your cat is not safe from parasites even if living indoors. It is important to take the proper precautions to protect yourself and your cat. Talk to your vet about parasite protection for your cat this year. For information on parasite testing and prevention, please contact us at Dufferin-Steeles Animal Hospital at 905-532-0043" Spring has arrived, although some days it does not seem like it! As spring arrives it brings with it all the annoying parasites which cause all kinds of problems for people and animals alike. Since pet infestations can be passed on to humans, prevention is important for the whole family. With the amount of climate change over the last few years, we are experiencing an increase in heartworm positive and Lyme disease in dogs in Ontario. There’s no way to tell if a mosquito is infected, that’s why prevention is so important.
Ticks wait for host animals on the tips of grasses and shrubs. When brushed by a moving animal or person, they quickly let go of the vegetation and climb onto the host. Ticks can be active on winter days with temperatures of only 4 degrees Celsius! We recommend that dogs are tested for heartworm and tick-borne diseases every year and be put on a parasite prevention from June to November. It’s important to note that even indoor cats need parasite prevention since there are many ways parasites can enter your home, such as via insects and other animals. As our pets are unable to talk like you and I, it’s important to know what’s going on inside before it becomes a serious health concern. Pets age more rapidly than humans, meaning disease can occur rapidly. In fact 10% of pets that appear healthy to owners have been found to have an underlying condition. Since the parasite test requires a blood sample, we can use the same blood sample to test for common conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney failure. Testing this way is cheaper and less stressful for our pets. For information on parasites, and discounted wellness blood work, please contact us at Dufferin-Steeles Animal Hospital. 905-532-0043 There is still time if you are thinking about having a dentistry done on your pet. We are extending our 10% discount on dentistry’s until the end of March.
Spring is almost here, which means parasites are back!! With the changing climate brings ticks and Lyme disease into Canada. Ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of unlucky host animals such as our canine companions. Ticks are becoming more prevalent within Ontario and putting animals and humans at risk of contracting Lyme disease. If your dog goes outside, they should be on a preventative. Provide your pet with the longest lasting flea and tick protection available today with Bravecto. With just one chewable tablet, Bravecto kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs, and protectively kills ticks for up to 12 weeks! |
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OFFICE HOURS
Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 7pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 8am - 7pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed * Please note: Wednesday we are open only for food sales, medication pick ups, and booking appointments* 
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Dufferin-Steeles
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Emergency Care
If this is an urgent issue and it is outside our normal business hours, please contact: Vaughan-Richmond Hill Emergency Clinic 10303 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C3B9 (905)884-1832 or Central Toronto Veterinary Referral and Emergency Clinic 1051 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6C2C9 (416)784-4444 Our Partners in care
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