Feeling a little full after the holidays? Some of us experience excess weight gain over the holidays as do our pets! If you feel your pet has gained too much weight over the holidays and the winter months, bring them in for a checkup, have them weighed, and put them on a weight loss plan such as extra activities and switching to a prescription weight loss diet so they can stay at a much healthier weight. Obese pets tend to get many diseases and injuries associated with their weight gain such as; diabetes, cruciate injuries, heart concerns, etc. So please have your pet checked out today so we can help prevent any problems in their future!
Here are a few helpful tips on cold weather safety for our four legged family members: Keep them inside when the weather is really cold. Even with their fur coats they are still susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. You may need to shorten their walks during the colder months. Arthritic and elderly pets may have difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling. Check your dog’s paws for any injury or damage from cold weather like, cracked paw pads or bleeding. Have your pet use booties to protect their feet. If your dog seems bothered by the cold weather put a sweater or jacket on them. Clean up any anti-freeze spills quickly before your pet can ingest it. Anti-freeze even in small amounts can be deadly. Cats like to sleep under the hood of cars because of the warmth. Bang on the hood of your car and honk your horn before turning on your car’s engine as a warning to any kitties that may be sleeping underneath. Be prepared for any emergency during the winter like a blizzard or power outage. Have an emergency kit for your pet that can include food, water, and any medication they are on. ATTENTION: In compliance with public health COVID-19 protocol, clients will no longer be able to enter the clinic for debit payments. All transactions will be done by either E-Transfer, or over the phone via credit card. Thank you for understanding during these uncertain times. Hope everyone had an amazing holiday season!
0 Comments
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 12:00PM on Thursday, December 24th, and we will remain closed on December 25th and 26th. We will re-open on December 28th with our regular hours. On December 31st, we will be open from 8:00AM to 12:00PM, and we will be closed on January 1st and January 2nd. 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! 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! At this time we have new protocols in place to help keep our staff and clients safe and to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. We have increased our appointment times and are staggering our appointments. When arriving at the clinic please call us and wait in your car for further assistance. To practice social distancing only pets will be allowed in the clinic. Please stay in your car and we will come get your pet from your car for the appointment. Payment will be done by credit card over the phone or by e-transfer. Thank you for your understanding during these uncertain times Don't forget to change your clocks back an hour on November 1st :) With the COVID-19 cases back on the rise in Ontario, we will continue operating under the Corona Virus protocol, as advised by the OVMA. Currently, we have the following policies in place to protect our patients and staff:
Here are some tips on traveling with your cat :)
For safety's 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 baby on your lap or under the pedals. Even well-behaved cats loose in the car could be injured, because an airbag will crush the crate and pet if on the front seat during an accident. Even though he'll be inside 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. So 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 a towel you've petted him from inside the car on the back seat. That way, his scent is already inside. Spraying Feliway on the towel or car upholstery also may help the cat feel more relaxed. At this time we have new protocols in place to help keep our staff and clients safe and to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. We have increased our appointment times and are staggering our appointments. When arriving at the clinic please call us and wait in your car for further assistance. To practice social distancing only pets will be allowed in the clinic. Please stay in your car and we will come get your pet from your car for the appointment. Payment will be done by credit card over the phone or by e-transfer. Thank you for your understanding during these uncertain times. Our Feline preventive blood work package is still running! Call us for an appointment so we can make sure your cat is in good health. 905-532-0043 Can you believe it’s August already and the long weekend is already here?!
We will be closed Saturday August 1st and Monday August 3rd for the Civic Holiday and will re-open Tuesday August 4th at 8am. August is Feline Wellness Month, and it’s time to schedule your cat in for preventive blood work. For our special feline friends, we will be offering a 10% discount on Feline Wellness bloodwork. for August and September :) Routine blood work helps to catch and prevent illnesses early, which is better for your pets and can actually save you money. It is easier to prevent illnesses than it is to treat an illness that already exists. Book your appointment by giving us a call at 905-532-0043. At this time we have new protocols in place to help keep our staff and clients safe and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have increased our appointment times and are staggering our appointments. When arriving at the clinic please call us and wait in your car for further assistance. To practice social distancing only pets will be allowed in the clinic. Please stay in your car and we will come get your pet from your car for the appointment. Payment will be done by credit card over the phone or by e-transfer. Thank you for your understanding during these uncertain times. Hope you have a great holiday! 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.
Please note that the clinic will be closed on Wednesday, July 1st for Canada day. We will re-open on Thursday, 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! ATTENTION: At this time we have new protocols in place to help keep our staff and clients safe and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. We have increased our appointment times and are staggering our appointments. When arriving at the clinic please call us and wait in your car for further assistance. To practice social distancing, only pets will be allowed in the clinic. Please stay in your car or in the "waiting area" outside and we will come get your pet for the appointment. Payment will be done by credit card over the phone or by e-transfer. Thank you for your understanding during these uncertain times 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 July, 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. ATTENTION: At this time we have new protocols in place to help keep our staff and clients safe and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. We have increased our appointment times and are staggering our appointments. When arriving at the clinic please call us and wait in your car for further assistance. To practice social distancing, only pets will be allowed in the clinic. Please stay in your car or in the "waiting area" outside and we will come get your pet for the appointment. Payment will be done by credit card over the phone or by e-transfer. Thank you for your understanding during these uncertain times 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 from 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. Tape worms 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. Round worms 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. 905-532-0043 **Attention: At this time we have new protocols in place to help keep our staff and clients safe and to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. We have increased our appointment times and are staggering our appointments. When arriving at the clinic please call us and wait in your car for further assistance. To practice social distancing only pets will be allowed in the clinic. Please stay in your car and we will come get your pet from your car for the appointment. Payment will be done by credit card over the phone or by e-transfer. Thank you for your understanding during these uncertain times** During the COVID-19 crisis, we hope that you and your family are keeping safe and healthy!
With the goal of containing the COVID-19 infection and minimizing risk and exposure to our clients and staff, we have now made changes to our appointments. We are currently only scheduling emergency cases and time sensitive appointments. Due to social distancing we are not allowing any clients into the clinic. If you have an appointment scheduled, please call the clinic to let us know of your arrival, you will then have a chance to consult with the veterinarian over the phone. We ask that you stay in your car or at the “Waiting Area” sign located outside and one of our staff members will bring the patient into the clinic. Once the examination is complete, the veterinarian will give you a call to discuss her assessment and to take payment. We are currently only accepting payment over the phone by credit card or an e-transfer. Our temporary hours: Monday: 9:00 a.m- 5:00 p.m Tuesday: 9:00 a.m- 5:00 p.m Wednesday: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m (no veterinarian on site) Thursday: 9:00 a.m- 5:00 p.m Friday: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED For further information, please contact us at Dufferin-Steeles Animal Hospital. 905-532-0043 |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. |
DUFFERIN-STEELES ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Your pet's healthcare is our top priority.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday 9am - 7pm 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* |
Dufferin-Steeles
|
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 |
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by IDEXX Laboratories