Pets and Vets
Be prepared to prevent heat stroke in pets
Written by Dr. Ryan Ridgway
Wednesday, 16 May 2012 08:02
The first hot days of spring are showing up, and while it will be another month or two before they are consistently that hot, it reminded me that we will be having pets come in with heat stroke very soon. Heat stroke and dehydration is as big of a deal in our pets as it is for us—dogs in particular. Most cats are inside and are less likely to run themselves to collapse but are still be affected by the heat if left in a car or unable to get into shade on hot sunny days.
What is safe for humans can kill pets
Written by Dr. Ryan Ridgway
Wednesday, 09 May 2012 12:43
It is not uncommon for veterinarians to hear that an owner has given their pet Tylenol to make them feel better when they are sick. Unwittingly, their attempt to make their pet feel better can sometimes cost the pet its life. While Tylenol is safe for us, our pets don’t have the same enzymes and detoxifying pathways in their liver as we do.
Summer and tick disease in our pets
Written by Dr. Ryan Ridgway
Wednesday, 02 May 2012 10:01
Did you know there were multiple tick species, each with a different habitat across Canada?
Recently though, climate change has changed the boundaries of our tick habitats and previously unseen tick-borne diseases are showing up in new areas. Your veterinarian keeps up to date on tick disease locations and preventatives, so if you are planning on travelling with your pets, let your veterinarian know. In some cases, there are vaccinations available so you need to allow for enough time before travelling for peak protection—at least two weeks post vaccination.
Student confirms importance of deworming
Written by Dr. Ryan Ridgway
Wednesday, 25 April 2012 10:25
Many pet owners feel that deworming is not necessary because our Canadian winters are too cold for the parasites to survive. While there are not many studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in western Canada, a recent study by Daniel Joffe et al. published in the December 2011 Canadian Veterinary Journal, looked specifically at the numbers of infected dogs and cats in the Calgary area. The good news is that, thanks to the temperature and habitats in Canada, we only see a small percentage of the different types of parasites present in the world. Those that are present, however, are at numbers similar to other studies in different parts of the world.
An itchy rear doesn't necessarily call for dewormer
Written by Dr. Ryan Ridgway
Wednesday, 18 April 2012 08:25
This is a common concern in a veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, many times the owner comes in wanting dewormer but they do not explain why they want it. Because many pet owners deworm at home and just stop in to buy it, especially farm dog owners who need to deworm twice a year, the dewormer is handed out without a reason being asked.
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