Our Blog

Every year in August we encourage our clients to think about their pet's oral health during National Pet Dental Month.  As usual our friendly team will be conducting FREE dental checks to allow us to best know if your pet has dental disease. We all know how important...

We all know how important dental health is for our own teeth. We go to the dentist regularly and brush and floss our teeth twice a day. But did you know that dental health is important for your pet as well? Dental disease is the most common health problem of our pets...

“Why does my pet need an anaesthetic for dental work?” It’s a question we hear a lot, and it’s a great one! We recommend that all canine or feline dental procedures occur under general anaesthesia. Here’s why: We can check your pet more thoroughly For a thorough...

Has your cat been pickier with food lately? Perhaps a bit touchy for any handling around their mouth? Or have you noticed that their breath smells bad? We know our cats can be experts at disguising their discomfort. Spot these changes? It's time your feline friend may...

Did you know we recommend daily tooth brushing for dogs as part of an ideal dental hygiene maintenance program? If brushing your pet’s teeth seems impossible for you now, rest assured. With proper training and technique, most good-natured dogs can be trained to accept...

At some point in your cat’s life, we may recommend that your pet undergoes dental extractions due to tooth fractures, abnormal tooth placement, or significant dental disease. Whilst this can be worrying news, our skilled vets will always ensure your pet experiences...

Ever wonder why we recommend a dental check-up with your pet every 6-12 months, even if they seem to be in tip-top shape? Here are 3 reasons why! 1. If we check your pets’ teeth regularly, we can detect dental diseases earlier Periodontal disease (inflammation and...

Mira Mar Vets are proud to be offering discounts on desexing of both male and female animals as part of the National Desexing Month promotion.  Please call the clinic on 9841 5422 for more information. You can also read the promotional statement from the National...

If your pet is aged eight or older and seems generally healthy, do they need annual blood and urine tests and blood pressure checks? Yes, here are three reasons why performing these tests routinely in older pets is a good idea: 1. Blood and urine tests can lead to the...

Did you know that our vets love it when things get physical? We're referring, of course, to the importance of a good physical examination for assessing your older pet's general health, comfort and condition! Whilst every pet gets a nose-to-tail assessment, here are...

One of the more common emergencies we see in older dogs is the sudden onset of generalised wobbliness due to a condition called idiopathic vestibular disease (IVD). Here’s what to watch out for in your more senior pets: What is IVD? Idiopathic vestibular disease...

Slinky the 14-year-old domestic short-hair cat,, had always sported a sleek, shiny coat. However, her owner Audrey noticed that Slinky's fur had started looking a little unkempt and dull over the last few months. The cat also appeared to have gradually lost weight,...

As well as attending 6-12 monthly veterinary check-ups (so we can manage any developing health issues), you can help support the health of pets aged eight years and older on a day-to-basis too! Our senior-savvy team have compiled a list of five simple aids to keep...

We’d love to raise a cheer to all the amazing veterinary nurses out there, but especially to our fabulous crew! Here are just some of the ways veterinary nurses help to ensure the best care for our furry patients: 1. Technical know-how: In supporting our...

Among the many things we love about being in the veterinary profession is the variety and quality of medical and surgical assistance that we’re able to offer to our patients and clients. Here are just a few of the awesome skills and services that we can offer, all...

Our team does our very best to stay on schedule, but unfortunately, we may run late on occasion due to the inherent unpredictability of veterinary work. Here are three reasons why we might not always be on time for your appointment: Emergencies Common emergencies...

With 80-90% of dogs, and over 90% of cats being routinely desexed in Australia, the majority of female pets will undergo a spey (female desexing procedure) at some point in their life. Let’s shed some light on the technical details of this intricate surgical procedure...

Did you know that up to 40% of human medical patients don’t take their own medication correctly as prescribed? Unfortunately, this incorrect dosing may cause the medication to be less effective, or even harmful. Whether your pet is taking a short course of...

One of our lovely clients Doug edited a book some years ago about polar explorers which is called "Antarctica - First Impressions 1773-1930".  He has recently drawn our attention to a chapter in this book about a polar dog called Stareek.  Stareek means 'Old Man' and...

Did you know that about one in four cats is likely to be overweight or obese? Here’s how to recognise whether your cat is overweight and how you can help them attain a healthy body condition score. Assessing your pet’s body condition score Given the large variety in...

In conjunction with Hill's Prescription Diets, Mira Mar Vets offer any of our more 'portly' patients the opportunity to join our FREE Weight Watchers Club. Members of our Weight Watchers Club get FREE regular monthly checks with our nurses to weigh your pets and talk...

Arthritis, otherwise known as DJD (degenerative joint disease), is an irreversible, degenerative condition affecting the joints of many middle-aged to senior pets. It can develop naturally with aging or occur due to factors such as previous joint injuries or...

When we think about cruciate ligament injuries, we tend to think about athletes suddenly limping off the field with severe knee pain. This can be the case with dogs too, as high-impact exercise has the potential to trigger sudden knee problems. However, cruciate...