Our Blog

Pet-safe festive foods Many of us want to involve our furry family member in Christmas celebrations - and festive meals are no exception! But do you know which foods are pet-safe and which can be dangerous? In the Christmas spirit, we’ve coded some common yuletide...

If loud noises make your pet anxious, summer storms and New Year's Eve fireworks can unfortunately be a terrifying time. For mild cases of noise phobia, it may be enough to “protect” your dog or cat from the noise by giving them a safe place to shelter. It’s generally...

Low-stress car travel for your pet Planning a Christmas road-trip with your pet? Don’t stress! Check out these anxiety-reducing pet travel tips. Safe travel Ensure your pet is properly secured in the car. The safest option for dogs is usually restrained on the back...

Keeping your pet busy on Christmas Day Christmas Day can be a pretty hectic day for most of us, with all of the meal preparations, family visits, last-minute gift-wrapping and the clean-up - but while we’re busy celebrating, our pets may be left just twiddling their...

Worming – what are your options? Regularly worming your cat or dog probably doesn’t rate first on your list of fun pet care topics but it’s important to stay on top of – for the health of your pet, yourself, and your family! Common animal intestinal worms such as...

Is your pet prone to heat stress? During the scorching summer months, our pets can feel a little hot and bothered too. Unfortunately, in some cases, this unpleasant heat stress can progress to dangerous heat stroke. Pets that are more at risk of overheating include:...

Keeping an eye out for ticks There are several species of ticks which can be a nuisance to pets, and they predominantly occur in rural, coastal and bush areas, so if your pet lives in or visits an area known for ticks, then it’s useful to be aware of how ticks can...

Are your pet's microchip details up-to-date? As we all start to spend more time outdoors, it’s especially important to make sure your pet is properly identified with an up-to-date microchip. Sadly, many stray pets with microchips are unable to be safely reunited with...

Why vaccinations are vital Before you take your four-legged family member out and about for summer adventures, it’s important to keep them protected from common diseases by ensuring their vaccinations are up-to-date! In Australia, dogs should be vaccinated as a...

Discounted Senior Blood Testing at Mira Mar Vets! Do you have a member of your fur family who is older than 7 years old? If so, they might be eligible for a discounted Senior Pet Blood Test at Mira Mar Vets! The testing price of $160 includes: Full physical...

Bladder stones and obstructions Bladder stones are rock-like accumulations of minerals which can form in the bladder. The bladder stones can occur as a few larger stones or multiple smaller stones. The smaller stones can sometimes block the urethra, which is the...

How urine tests can help us diagnose disease A urine test is a simple and effective method for us to check the health of your pet’s urinary system. The process involves collecting a urine sample from your pet, which can then be tested within the clinic or sent to a...

Why we measure blood pressure We may measure a pet’s blood pressure to check for conditions which could affect their health and wellbeing. Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels. Measuring blood pressure...

Safe use of antibiotics for pets Your pet may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to treat an infection. When we prescribe antibiotics, it is very important to follow the label instructions on how often to give the antibiotics, and for how long to continue the...

Springtime itchy skin As the warmth of spring arrives, our pets can become itchy due to skin allergies caused by grasses, pollens and other allergens, such as dust mites, mould, certain types of food, and some insects. Some pets can also have irritated skin as a...

Snake season Snakes usually hibernate during the cooler months of the year, so the arrival of the spring warmth also means snakes may start to be more active in the area, and could be a potential risk to your pet. Prevention Make sure to cut long grass around your...

Healthy skin, healthy pet The health and shine of your pet’s coat can closely correlate with their general, overall health – so if a pet’s coat looks dull, scruffy or unkempt it can often be an indication of underlying health problems. Some pets start to shed more...

Arthritic pets still need help this spring Spring might have sprung, but the onset of warmer weather doesn’t necessarily mean that pets suffering from arthritis will be more comfortable than during the cold of winter. Pets with arthritis still need to be carefully...

What you need to know about dental procedures 'Dentals' are one of the most common routine procedures we perform in our day-to-day veterinary practice. It's important to understand the ins-and-outs of these procedures and why they are so involved. Here are a few...

New tick-borne dog disease in WA & NT A new dog disease has emerged this year in the Kimberley region of WA as well as the NT. It is present in other parts of the world, but hasn't been identified in Australia until 2020. Ehrlichiosis is a disease in dogs which...

How to tell if your pet has dental problems Dental disease is one of the most common problems we see in veterinary practice. While a regular check-up with us will help to identify any dental issues your pet might be hiding, there are a few things you can look out for...