Our Blog
Mira Mar Vet, your local vet in Albany
All the latest news from Mira Mar Vet and informative pet tips
How Christmas carols can help koala conservation this year A koala released back into the wild, Queensland. Image source: The Guardian The Australian Koala Foundation warns that koalas are in rapid decline around the country, with 30% of the species lost in just three...
The dangers of bones!
The dangers of bones! Whilst it is really tempting to share tasty Christmas roast leftovers with your pet, it’s safest to immediately dispose of any cooked turkey or ham bone remnants into a large, secure outdoor bin, where your pet can’t access them. Why? Firstly,...
The skinny on fatty foods and dogs
The skinny on fatty foods and dogs Unfortunately, whilst most dogs would really love a hearty meal of Christmas ham and crackling, or a bowl filled with turkey meat, it’s best to be really careful about feeding these types of foods to our pets. How can fatty foods be...
What might Santa bring your cat?
What might Santa bring your cat? Looking for the “purr-fect” Christmas gift for your cat? Whilst there are some pretty excellent cat toys available online, it’s also possible to give your cat a great home-made present too! Cat furniture Cat furniture provides your cat...
What might Santa bring your dog?
What might Santa bring your dog? For a very happy canine this Christmas, consider organising one of these dog-friendly gifts for your four-legged friend! Toys If your pet loves playing fetch, you could consider a mouth-friendly toy made from tough, chew-resistant...
Toxic Christmas foods
Toxic Christmas foods During the holiday season, many of us want to be able to treat our pets a little too! So, our team would like to provide an official “naughty or nice” Christmas food list, outlining which foods are potentially harmful to your pet, and which ones...
Shedding those excess canine kg’s!
Shedding those excess canine kg’s! It’s estimated that up to 50% of dogs are overweight, and in many cases, their well-meaning owners may not actually realise! Body condition scoring is a useful way of objectively assessing your pet’s weight through comparing them to...
Fat cats
Fat cats Unfortunately, feline obesity is increasingly common, and brings with it an increased risk of issues such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, urinary tract disease and arthritis. If you think your cat may not be at their ideal healthy weight, it’s best to bring...
Not just a “lazy bones”!
Not just a “lazy bones”! If your dog seems to be tiring quickly on walks, don’t just chalk it up to “laziness” or old age. Certain medical issues can also reduce exercise tolerance – here are a few common ones that are worth bearing in mind for any older pet who’s...
The frozen future of conservation
The frozen future of conservation Ever heard of biobanking? It’s a method of collecting and storing biological samples for research. Often used for human data, the concept is now being implemented for the conservation of Australian wildlife. The Australian Frozen Zoo,...
A healthy weight
A healthy weight What if we told you that there was one thing that you could do to help keep your pet healthy, reduce their risk of many common diseases, and maximise their lifespan? The answer? Keep them in a slim, healthy body condition! Unfortunately, being...
“It’s my hormones!”
“It’s my hormones!” Whilst changes in a pet’s body condition are often related to lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, did you know that there are some cases where significant weight changes can be the result of an underlying medical issue? This includes...
Butt-scooting
Butt-scooting Does your dog frequently scoot their bottom on the floor? As well as being embarrassing for you (as pets seem to save this “party trick” for when guests arrive!), it can be a symptom of an underlying issue in your pet that requires veterinary treatment!...
Get out of h-ear!
Get out of h-ear! It’s very common for us to see pets who unfortunately suffer from recurrent ear infections. Rest assured, we are familiar with how to best manage this very challenging issue! Making sure ear infections are properly treated If your pet ever suffers...
Strange bedfellows: mites and fleas
Strange bedfellows: mites and fleas Does the thought of fleas and mites give you a nasty, creepy-crawly feeling over your skin? Unfortunately, our pets can suffer these feelings of discomfort and more from actual fleas or mites if we leave them unprotected against...
Hypoallergenic diets for itchy pets
Hypoallergenic diets for itchy pets If your pet suffers from recurrent bouts of ear or skin disease, you’ll know how frustrating the issue can be - not to mention uncomfortable for your poor pet! Ear or skin disease that recurs with no seasonal pattern can suggest a...
Why does my pet lick their feet?
Why does my pet lick their feet? There are few things more irritating than your pet starting a thorough paw-licking session just as you’re falling asleep! Excessive foot licking is a pretty common problem in dogs, and can occur for a number of reasons. Skin irritation...
August is Pet Dental Health Month at Mira Mar Vets!
Each year Mira Mar Vets celebrates National Pet Dental Health Month in August by raising awareness of pet dental health, as well as providing great offers to our clients and their pets! Did you know that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease...
Why is dental health important?
As your trusted vet team, we want to reassure you that when we recommend a dental clean for your pet, it’s because we think they’ll really benefit from it! Good dental condition is so important for your pet’s quality of life and their general health. What is dental...
Dental extractions: no pain, definite gain!
If our vets recommend that your pet needs teeth removed, it’s natural to feel a little worried. Therefore, we’d like to answer some common questions that we receive from owners in this situation. Will my animal be really sore after a tooth extraction? Rest assured...
Dental Month tip: anaesthesia-free dentistry is harmful and useless
You may have seen offers around for anaesthesia-free dentistry for pets at enticingly low prices, but these procedures are potentially painful and stressful for your pet. Performing dental examinations and procedures on pets requires vets to get in below the gum line...
Crowded mouth
Did you know that just like us, cats and dogs can have crooked or crowded teeth? Here are a few common troublesome dental situations we see: Crowded teeth Extra teeth can occur in pets six months of age and older, when temporary baby teeth are not shed during the...
My pet’s teeth don’t look right!
Dental disease doesn’t just involve plaque and periodontal disease! Quite commonly, pets present to us with missing or damaged teeth. Many of these dental issues can cause problems for your dog or cat, and are therefore best diagnosed and treated promptly. Missing...
Decoding dental health products
Whilst many dogs and occasional cats can be gradually trained to have their teeth brushed at home, this just isn’t possible for some pets! As a result, there are many pet dental care products available on the market, which may be able to help. Generally, the most...