Our Blog
Mira Mar Vet, your local vet in Albany
All the latest news from Mira Mar Vet and informative pet tips
Reasons to adopt a senior cat
If you are thinking of adding a feline friend to your family you should consider adopting a senior cat. Kittens may be fun and playful but they can be hard work! You'll find there are many hidden joys if you bring a senior 'kitty-zen' into your life. Here are our top...
The oldest living cat
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest living cat is currently living in Oregon, USA. His name is Corduroy and he was born 1st August 1989, making him nearly 27 years old! Corduroy, a handsome long haired tabby cat, has an astounding social media...
Dementia can affect our pets too
It is well known that ageing takes a toll on our entire body including our brain - and the same goes for our pets. Research confirms that our pets can suffer from dementia and the disease that affects dogs (known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction) has many similarities...
Dr Dave Update
Dr Dave and his family are in the last month of their extended tour of the UK and Europe! It sure doesn't seem like almost 6 months ago that we wished them 'Bon Voyage'. Since our last newsletter update, the Warren family calendar has been full of UK exploration! They...
Winter Storms
Winter is now upon us, and with it comes the dreaded winter storm. Is your pet a panting, dribbling, shivering mess during a thunder storm? The noise of the storm, combined with the change in atmosphere, seems to trigger a reaction in some pets, mainly dogs....
Caring for a senior pet – our top tips
You might not realise it but dogs and cats are considered senior citizens when they reach 8 years of age. Our furry senior friends require some extra special attention to help keep them happy and healthy. Here's a few of our top tips for senior care. A regular health...
The dog who mastered interior painting
The dog who mastered interior painting Have you ever wondered what might happen when you leave a dog home alone for 3 hours with an ink pot? We think you'll laugh (and shudder at the same time) when you see what this husky got up to... Thank goodness we weren't the...
Cats are the best at hiding arthritis
Cats are the best at hiding arthritis Cats are even better than dogs at hiding or covering up pain caused by arthritis. If you think about it, cats spend much of their time sleeping and we generally don't take cats for a walk, so it is hard to see a change in their...
Cruciate Ligament Disease
Cruciate ligament disease One of the most common injuries we see in dogs is a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. This is the same injury seen in many a footballer - the notorious ACL, and it can can lead to dramatic arthritis in your dog's knee if it is not treated...
Top tips for managing arthritis
Top tips for managing arthritis If we've diagnosed your pet with arthritis we will work with you to come up with the best management plan to keep your pet pain free. The key to success is a multi-targeted approach as this can help reduce the need for large amounts of...
Does your dog have arthritis?
Does your dog have arthritis? Arthritis is a sneaky condition. It tends to creep up over time and our pets won't always show obvious signs until they are in considerable pain. The disease is caused by the wearing down of the cartilage that covers the bones at the end...
New vaccination advice for rabbit owners
When European Rabbits were introduced into Australia at the time of white settlement, nobody could have predicted how well the species would adapt and thrive in the Australian environment. Recent studies show that wild rabbits are affecting over 300 threatened...
My pet is vomiting – should I be worried?
My pet is vomiting - should I be worried? There are many reasons your pet might vomit, and physical obstruction from eating a sock is just one of them! Diseases such as pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, or endocrine diseases like diabetes can all produce...
Pyometra – easy to prevent
Pyometra - easy to prevent Pyometra is a serious condition that can develop in female pets that have not been desexed. It is more common in middle-aged to older dogs but cats are not immune from the condition. Over time, there are changes to a female's reproductive...
Why we recommend desexing
Why we recommend desexing Surgical desexing or neutering involves removing part of the reproductive system of dogs and cats so that they can't have puppies or kittens. In females it is known as a spey and in males it is referred to as castration. Why do vets recommend...
The cat burglar
The cat burglar We heard about another pet who loves to steal clothing this month and her name is Brigit. Brigit is a six year old Tonkinese cat who has stolen many pairs of men's undies and socks in her local neighbourhood in Hamilton, New Zealand! Brigit's owner has...
Where’s my sock?
Where's my sock? This is a tale about a missing sock. The sock was long, red and very smelly and one afternoon it went missing from a footy bag. The next day, Jake, the well-loved and playful labrador started to look a bit 'off'. He was quieter than usual and didn't...
Update on Dr Dave
As most of you already know, Mira Mar Vets' part-owner, vet and all-round great guy Dave Warren is enjoying some long-service leave in Europe with his family until July. Unfortunately for us, he keeps sending us postcards and updates on what a fantastic time he is...
Good news for Albany’s senior pets!
Senior Pet Month at Mira Mar Vets gives owners of older pets in Albany the perfect opportunity to get their friend checked out. So far, since the start of April, we have examined and blood tested over 70 older animals, which we think is fantastic! Due to this...
August is Pet Dental Health Month at Mira Mar Vets!
PLEASE NOTE: all free dental checks are by appointment, please call us on 98415422 for a booking Dental Month 2016 - Free checks and savings! Dental disease is the single most common and preventable disease in our pets. It can affect pets as young as 2 years of age...
What is endocrine disease?
What's an endocrine disease? An endocrine disease is a fancy medical term used to describe a disease caused by a hormonal imbalance. These diseases are pretty common and can unfortunately affect your pet's quality of life. Endocrine diseases can even be life...
How blood testing works
How blood testing works Have you ever wondered what happens when we take blood from your pet? Most blood samples are taken from the jugular vein in the neck. This vein is large enough to provide a good sample and allows us to collect the blood as quickly as possible....
Top tips to help your senior pet
Top tips to help your senior pet We have compiled a list of the top things you can do at home to help improve your senior pet's quality of life: Diet: Older animals may be less able to cope with nutrient excesses or deficiencies, or changes in nutrient intake and...
Why Our Senior Citizens Need Extra Special Care
Our ageing pets require a little bit of extra attention to help keep them on all four paws for longer. A check up at least once a year is essential for your ageing friend. Much can change over this time and we aim to pick up on any problems and act quickly. Some...