Our Blog
Mira Mar Vet, your local vet in Albany
All the latest news from Mira Mar Vets and informative pet tips
Hidden health problems
To proactively monitor your pet’s health, it’s recommended that they undergo a full health check at least every 12 months. If they’re a senior (which is 7-8+ years in larger dogs, and 9-10+ years plus in smaller dogs and cats), they should ideally be checked every 6...
Heart disease in cats
Did you know that heart disease in cats tends to present quite differently from that in dogs? The most common canine heart disease (myxomatous mitral valve disease or MMVD, i.e. a leaky heart valve) tends to be reasonably straightforward to diagnose, as affected dogs...
Pete’s polydipsia
This case example is for educational purposes. Names and details are fictional. Pete the 12-year-old Maltese x Poodle seemed to be drinking A LOT. But as the weather had been hot, his owner Courtney initially didn’t think too much of it. However, when Courtney...
Have you seen your pet suddenly collapse?
Episodes of collapse in pets can occur due to many short or long term health conditions or injuries. While some of these issues can potentially be life-threatening, prompt veterinary treatment will maximise the chance of a good outcome for your pet. Here’s more...
Understanding anxiety in dogs
Is your dog just highly-strung? Or are they suffering from anxiety? Here’s an overview of anxiety in dogs, including potential causes and symptoms to monitor for. Is my pet just highly-strung, or are they anxious? Just like people, some dogs are naturally more...
Runny eyes in little dogs
While any pet can develop a runny or goopy eye, these issues tend to be more prevalent in small breed dogs. Why? In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the more common causes of weepy eyes in small dogs. What causes runny eyes? A noticeably weepy eye...
Nailing your pet’s manicures
Many dogs need their nails trimmed regularly to prevent overgrowth. But what should you do if your pet develops a phobia about nail trims? Here are the Dos and Don’ts of calm nail trims for dogs. First of all, let’s start with the Don’ts: If you’re not sure how to...
Why is my cat going bald?
Unless your cat is a hairless breed like a Sphynx, it’s not normal for them to have bald spots! Here's what can cause excessive hair loss in cats, and how we can get the drop on whatever’s causing their issue. What are some common causes of bald patches in cats? If...
“On the third day of Christmas…”
This Christmas, we’d recommend staying vigilant to ensure your dog doesn’t help themselves to a trio of common Christmas toxins!! Chocolate, fatty foods and garbage scraps are three of the top problem foods that cause illness in dogs over the festive season. Here’s...
Emergency first aid for heatstroke
Would you recognise heatstroke in your pet? And more importantly, would you know how to help them if they were to develop this potentially life-threatening condition? Here’s the lowdown on heat-related illness in pets, including symptoms to watch for and the treatment...
A wee(d) problem: How cannabis can affect pets
While marijuana has long been around for “recreational purposes”, cannabis products are increasingly being prescribed for medicinal reasons as well, such as for the relief of chronic pain or anxiety. So, what is the risk for pets who get into their human family...
A breath of fresh air: Understanding tracheal collapse
“Honk honk”. Once you’ve heard a pet demonstrating a classic “tracheal collapse cough”, you’ll never forget it! On that note, here’s a little blast of information about tracheal collapse, including which dog breeds are more at risk, how it’s diagnosed, and how we can...
All about tummy worms in dogs
Did you know that some of the “All-in-one” parasite control products may not be treating your dog against all the tummy worms they could be picking up? While these monthly products provide important protection against fleas, ticks and heartworm, their intestinal...
Why dogs scoot: All about the anal sacs
Does your dog regularly scoot their bottom along the ground? They could be having trouble with their anal sacs (also referred to as anal glands). Here’s a whiff of information on what can cause recurrent anal sac issues, how to recognise them in your pet, and how we...
Senior cat boarding safety
When senior kitties are due to go into holiday boarding, owners can be understandably a little concerned about whether their beloved pet will cope. As nice as boarding facilities may be, they’re not your cat’s familiar home environment! The sights, sounds and smells...
Pet travel TLC
“We need to take our dog on a long road trip. How can we keep them calm and happy in the car?” Whether it’s to a boarding facility, temporary holiday digs, or even a new house, the prospect of a long drive with a dog who doesn’t like the car can be daunting! Here are...
Food for thought on allergies
With allergies in pets appearing to be on the rise, our team would love to bust a few common myths about food allergies in dogs and cats. Open wide for some bite-sized facts! Myth 1: Food allergies are the most likely cause of recurrent skin issues Studies indicate...
Pet diets and dermatology
You can help to keep your pet’s skin comfortable and healthy with an effective year-round program of parasite prevention against fleas, ticks and mites, and appropriate grooming and bathing routines. However, did you know that you can also support their skin condition...
Ocular issues in older pets
Did you know that older pets can be prone to a few troublesome eye issues? But don’t worry - our team is here to help! Below we’ve gone through some of the symptoms that would warrant a prompt eye assessment for your pet, and how regular health checks can help our...
Staying on point with your pet’s health
We get it! In the busy rush of day-to-day life, non-urgent appointments are naturally going to slip down the priority list. However, just like us, middle-aged and older pets may start to develop some health issues which, if diagnosed early, can be easier (and...
Ear infections again? Here’s what you can do
If your dog suffers from recurrent ear infections, lend us your ears and rest assured: there’s lots we can offer to help! Recurrent ear infections are not only painful for the poor pet, but can also become frustrating, expensive and time-consuming for owners to deal...
Reverse sneezing? You nose it!
Has your dog ever reverse sneezed? While these paroxysmal respiration episodes can look rather alarming if you haven’t seen them before, many dogs will occasionally experience them, and they usually don’t require any treatment. As a result, we’re achoo-sing to answer...
Simple ways to support your pet’s skin
With their skin being the largest organ of your pet’s body, our epidermally-experienced team would love to give you the skinny on how to keep your pet’s “outer coating” in tip-top health! You can support your pet’s general skin health through: Regular ectoparasite...
Fighting a flea infestation in your house
You noticed your pet scratching, checked their skin and… oh no, they have fleas! Here are our professional tips for getting rid of those pesky parasites, pronto. Treating all susceptible pets Fleas can live, feed and breed on dogs and cats in the household, so all...























