Our Blog
Mira Mar Vet, your local vet in Albany
All the latest news from Mira Mar Vet and informative pet tips
Keeping your pet mobile
As dogs reach their senior years, they may develop mobility troubles that cause them difficulties when navigating stairs, walking over smooth floors, or rising from rest. If you notice your pet starting to have issues moving around comfortably and confidently, we'd...
Anaesthesia in aging pets
“But, isn’t he/she too old for a dental procedure?” Our team would love to help provide reassurance about any fears that pet owners may have about their older pet undergoing a general anaesthetic for dental or surgical procedures. Here’s what we can do to help support...
Noodle’s niggling discomfort
Noodle the seven-year-old dachshund was a loyal little fellow, always shadowing his elderly owner Maeve for household or garden-related chores regardless of the hour. So, when Maeve awoke for a bathroom trip one night, Noodle sleepily arose to accompany her. When he...
Urine luck!
Whether it’s a “number one or two”, we understand that pet toileting accidents around the house are no fun to deal with! Here are some of the top reasons senior pets start having unusual toileting accidents indoors and what we can do about them. 1. Incontinence...
Four causes of chronic coughing
*Ahem*. If your older dog has a cough that just won’t go away, it’s a good idea to book them for a prompt veterinary assessment with our experienced team. Here are four potential causes of a chronic cough in an older dog, and how we can help. 1. Chronic bronchitis...
Four things to know about kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in cats, affecting 30-40% of cats over ten years of age. Here are four important facts to know about feline CKD. 1. Symptoms of early CKD may be mistakenly attributed to “normal aging” Cats in the earlier stages of CKD usually...
Could it be Cushing’s?
Have you heard of hyperadrenocorticism, commonly referred to as Cushing’s Disease**? This condition most commonly affects dogs and can impact their health and general quality of life. Here’s what you should know about Cushing’s. What is Cushing’s disease? Cushing’s...
Keeping us on our toes about diabetes
Whilst you have likely heard of diabetes, you may not know that cats and dogs can be affected by it, too! Therefore, our team has decided to lend you some sugar with the lowdown on diabetes in pets, focusing on the more common form known as diabetes mellitus. What is...
Heart dogs – What is MMVD?
MMVD (myxomatous mitral valve disease) is one of the most common heart diseases in pets, particularly in smaller breed dogs. Whilst a diagnosis of MMVD in your pet can understandably be upsetting, our vets wanted to provide the good news about how we can manage this...
Bursting Bubblegum’s bubble
One weekday, whilst her owner Cate was getting ready for work, Bubblegum the seven-month-old Australian bulldog decided to explore the contents of Cate’s handbag. Cate emerged from the bathroom to find Bubblegum lying amongst the remnants of a chewing gum bottle,...
What is pet resuscitation?
If your pet ever suffers a serious illness or injury, you may have to consent to veterinary resuscitation procedures being performed on them. This can understandably feel overwhelming, particularly during an already stressful and upsetting situation. We’d therefore...
That’s a wrap on bandaging support
If applied incorrectly, bandages can actually cause harm to your pet. Here are our team’s top tips on how to apply a safe and effective dressing. When might a bandage be required for your pet? In general, it’s best to bring your pet to the clinic for a prompt...
The don’ts of desexing
Whilst we often consider desexing operations to be “routine” in pets, it’s important to remember that they are still a surgical procedure (and a particularly significant one in the case of female pets!), and potentially serious complications can sometimes occur....
What did you just eat?! Essential actions for pets’ unplanned snacks
If your pet has just been caught "red-pawed" raiding the bin, pantry, shed, or medicine cabinet, it's important to act quickly to help reduce potential harm. Here's what to do and what not to do if your pet has eaten something silly. What to do: 1. Be aware of the...
Larry’s been too happy: The unexpected downsides of a wagging tail
Larry the Labrador and his owner Otis had enjoyed a big autumn weekend at the family farm. As usual, Larry had the time of his life trying to keep up with the two working kelpies and then paddling happily around in the river afterwards. The next day, however, Larry...
Puppy training essentials for good dog days
Whilst puppies are certainly adorable, they’re also hard work! Here’s how to gently guide your new pup’s behaviour to set them up for lots of “good dog” days ahead! Planning Before you bring your pup home, have a discussion with any other family members to confirm the...
One kitten or two?
Whilst we tend to think of cats as solitary animals, they can demonstrate more social behaviours depending on their local environment and the individual cats involved. Two cats are more likely to form a close bond if they are from the same litter, are a kitten and...
Essential tips for grooming your doodle
If you’re thinking of getting a poodle cross dog (often commonly referred to as a doodle!), it’s a good idea to be aware of their special grooming and skin care requirements. Here, we’ll answer some curly questions about doodle grooming. 1. How often should I groom my...
Renting with pets: How to craft a winning pet resume
Do you want to have a strong rental application while being open about your four-legged family members? Writing a pet resume can really help your landlord consider your pet a harmless plus rather than an inconvenience or risk. Here’s our guide on how to apply with...
How to reduce bothersome barking
Whilst barking is a natural means of communication for dogs, too much yappy means no one's happy (sorry, we couldn't help ourselves!) Here are our top tips to help reduce bothersome barking: Work out why Before we can start to work on your pet's excessive barking,...
The dreaded nail trim
Unfortunately, nail trim phobias in pets are reasonably common. They can result from a negative experience (such as a nail accidentally being cut too short previously) or may develop in naturally anxious pets or puppies who didn't receive adequate positive...
Tales of tail chasing
If you’ve watched any funny animal video compilations, you may have giggled once or twice at footage of dogs chasing their own tails in a ridiculous fashion. But is this behaviour a harmless canine quirk, or does it represent a problem? What is tail chasing? Tail...
Anxious pet? Here’s how can you help
Anxiety is being increasingly recognised in pets, with up to 20% of dogs believed to have an anxiety problem. Anxiety may be situation-specific (e.g. triggered by thunderstorms or unfamiliar visitors) or more generalised. If you think your pet might be affected by...
How to give your ninja cat medication without the fuss
We get it! Not every cat is cooperative with administering necessary medications, and they can be remarkably ninja-like and adept at using their natural defences. So here are our top tips for low-stress tabletting of tricky cats. 1. Bribes A spoonful of sugar sure...