Mira Mar Veterinary Hospital

Did you know that the 8th of August is International Cat Day? This month, to celebrate the purr-fect feline friend in your life, our team has come up with a list of feline-friendly gifts to consider. A heated cat bed Provided that you ensure you’re purchasing a...

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...

“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 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...

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...

*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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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....

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...