Our Blog
Mira Mar Vet, your local vet in Albany
All the latest news from Mira Mar Vet and informative pet tips
Latest newsletter out now!
Please click here to view our latest monthly newsletter! We hope you enjoy it. February 2025 - Keeping your pet healthy with routine care Don't forget to sign up using the form below, if you want this great newsletter in your email inbox every month! [firedrum_form...
Struggling with pet flatulence? Here’s how to help
You’re cuddled up with your pet on the couch, watching your favourite TV show. All is well until an unpleasant odour wafts up to your nostrils… Sound familiar? If your pet has a reputation for nastier-than-usual flatulence, read on for our top tips on how to tame...
From sink to saviour: How Wallace’s bladder woes were resolved
Wallace, the eleven-year-old British Shorthair cat, was a polite and dignified little gentleman. When he was found passing urine in the bathroom sink, his owner, Frances, was startled, to say the least. On closer inspection, Frances noticed that Wallace seemed to be...
The heart of the issue: Understanding abnormal heart sounds in cats
As part of your cat’s regular wellness examinations, our vets will assess the rate, sounds, and rhythm of its heart. Atypical heart sounds include murmurs (abnormal “whooshing” sounds) and gallop sounds (extra sounds in addition to the usual “lub dub” rhythm). What...
All about liver health: When and why to check your pet’s liver
When we run blood tests on your pet, we have the option of checking their liver values. While knowing about a pet’s liver health is always helpful, these tests can be particularly useful in certain situations. Read on to learn more. Why might we want to check a pet’s...
Pet seizures: Causes, recognition, and what to do in an emergency
In terms of emergency unwellness episodes, watching your pet have an unexpected seizure can be highly distressing. In this article, we’ll discuss common causes of seizures, how to recognise them, and what to do if your pet experiences one. What is a seizure? A seizure...
Newsletter Archive
Are you looking for an older edition of our monthly newsletter? Please choose from our newsletter archive to view previous editions: February 2025 - Keeping your pet healthy with routine care January 2025 - Helping your pet adjust after the holidays December 2024 -...
How to introduce a new dog to your home
Are you planning on introducing a new puppy or adult dog sibling to your current canine companion? Whilst there is a good chance that both pets will benefit from each other’s company in the long term, it’s best not to just assume that a beautiful friendship will...
Understanding and managing separation anxiety in dogs
“Why has my dog started barking when I leave the house?” Changes in your daily routine, such as returning to the office after a holiday period, can unfortunately trigger anxiety in pets that previously seemed OK being left alone. Here’s how to recognise separation...
Ear evasion: Managing and preventing pet ear infections
“Help! My dog is prone to ear infections AND they hate having ear medications administered!” Unfortunately, this is a reasonably common issue. Pets prone to recurrent ear infections may become very “head shy” (or even aggressive) for any attempts at handling their...
Feisty felines: Why cats lash out and how to help
Ouch! Cat bites and scratches are not only painful but can also lead to dangerous infections requiring medical treatment or even hospitalisation. Here’s why cats may start to lash out at their owners, and how we can calm your kitty. “Why has my cat started attacking...
Quick answers for weird dog questions
If you have questions about a few common “weird” dog behaviours, our team is here to help with quick answers! “Why does my dog lick their paws?” This is a common query that owners will raise with us, with many being unsure whether it is a relaxation- or...
Summer safety tips for your pet
Do you and your pet enjoy getting outdoors for some adventures in nature? So that the fun times can keep on rolling, we’d recommend preparation for and vigilance against a few potential summer hazards. 1. Ticks If you and your pet will be travelling to a tick-endemic...
A not-so-Merry Christmas for Jerry
Jerry the Burmese cat was enjoying his very first Christmas! There were decorations to bat around, wrapping paper to scrabble around in, and present bags to hide in and then spring out of unexpectedly. Best of all was the real Christmas tree that his owners brought...
Pet first aid: What to do if your pet is choking
If your pet chokes on a piece of food or a toy, do you know how to best help them? Here’s our team’s top first-aid advice for choking pets. What to do if you think your pet is choking If you think your pet is choking, try to keep calm. If you can do so without getting...
Spotting and preventing heatstroke in pets this summer
Whilst heatstroke is a particular risk during summer, some pet owners are sadly unaware of the fact that it doesn’t have to be particularly hot for their pet to suffer from this issue. Here’s how to help recognise and avoid heatstroke in your pet. What is heatstroke?...
Not feline good: Why your cat might be limping and how to help
Uh oh, your cat has come home limping – what could be the problem? And what should you do? Common causes of limping in cats Some of the most common causes of sudden limping in outdoor cats include soft tissue injuries from cat fights or orthopaedic (bone and joint)...
Vacation veterinary care
Planning to head off on holidays soon? We’d recommend ticking off these pre-vacation pet care tasks before you go! 1. Checking that your pet has enough prescription medication If your pet is on a prescription medication or diet, ensure that you have enough of this...
Travelling with a canine companion
Planning to take your dog on a road trip or driving holiday? With good preparation, you can help ensure smooth sailing (in the car!) for you and your pet. Health care In the couple of weeks before you leave, you should check that your pet is healthy and up to date...
The pre-boarding checklist
Is your cat going into boarding over the holiday period? Check out this helpful pre-boarding checklist that will help ensure that your cat’s stay is as purr-fect as possible! Vaccinations Unless your cat has been exempted due to a documented medical issue (e.g. they...
Feeling a little ruff
Have you heard of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC)? This is the newer name for the illness commonly known as “kennel cough”. Whilst it’s a mouthful to say, the term CIRDC better reflects the fact that dogs can be exposed to this illness in a...
Facts about feline flu
If you’re a cat owner, there’s a good chance that you’re already aware of cat flu. However, here are four quick facts about cat flu that you might not know. 1. Cat flu isn’t caused by a single type of “bug” The term “cat flu” refers to a collection of common upper...
Anti-anxiety medications? No worries!
Have we recommended anti-anxiety medications for your dog or cat? Whilst this can sound concerning, try not to worry! When used correctly, these medications are generally well-tolerated and effective. Are anti-anxiety medications commonly used in pets? Anxiety is an...
Murphy’s mass
Murphy the seven-year-old Labrador was, to put it politely, in slightly “generous” body condition. Hence when the dog flopped happily into his owner Josh’s arms and Josh noticed an increased roundness around Murphy’s tummy, he was initially unsure if it was a problem....