Cats are often very sensitive to their surroundings, and unfortunately sometimes a visit to the veterinary clinic can be a stressful time for our feline friends. The carrier, the car ride, the sounds and smells of other animals, and the unfamiliar environment can all...
Even if your dog is relaxed and friendly at home, the prospect of veterinary treatment may sometimes cause unusually anxious behaviour. After all, dogs may associate the veterinary clinic with being examined or having procedures such as having their rectal temperature...
Our caring staff are always happy to help unwell pets and worried pet owners. But did you know there are a couple of easy things you can do to assist your pet’s treatment as well? Nominate the pet’s primary caregiver If the pet’s primary caregiver brings them in for...
You may wonder why we require regular medication rechecks for pets on long-term medications, and why we charge prescription fees. So we thought to explain why! Medication rechecks There are national legal guidelines for the veterinary prescribing, authorising and...
In the veterinary hospital, a team of caring and dedicated vets and veterinary nurses are focused on the care and wellbeing of your pet - just like the experience of Betty, the six-year-old labrador, who had just undergone surgery to remove a large tumour from her...
Unfortunately, despite all their training, knowledge, hard work, gentle care of pets and understanding assistance of owners, our wonderful veterinary nurses are not always appreciated as much as they should be! Nurses are often the first point of contact for owners,...
Veterinary nursing definitely doesn’t just involve cuddling cute puppies and kittens! In addition to their vital role in various medical, surgical, laboratory and imaging procedures, our nurses also have to regularly tackle some pretty unpleasant jobs to keep...
Did you know that when our veterinarians perform surgery on your pet, our veterinary nurses play a vital role in helping to monitor and run a smooth general anaesthetic for them? Here’s how our nurses help your pet have a safe anaesthetic for their surgical procedure....
Just like in a human emergency ward, our veterinary nurses play an essential role in triaging patients. Triage involves a brief overall assessment of incoming patients to rapidly gauge the severity of their illness or injury so that we can prioritise care for...
Have you checked your pet’s teeth and noticed that some of their pearly whites aren’t very white? What could it mean? Here are four common reasons for discoloured teeth in dogs and cats: 1. Dental disease If teeth are not cleaned regularly, they will develop a film of...
Each year Mira Mar Vets celebrates National Pet Dental Month in August by raising awareness of pet dental health, and this year, the target is younger pets! Did you know that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease after the age of three years? In...
We talk a lot about dental disease in pets, and how we can treat it to maintain the comfort and health of our patients. But it’s also important that owners know how to check their pet’s teeth at home, so you can monitor for any issues between vet checks. Here is our...
“Tibia” honest, bones just aren’t suitable for every dog! Whilst raw bones are safer than cooked bones (which are more brittle, and therefore more likely to crack into dangerously sharp pieces), raw bones can still cause problems. Here’s a few reasons to take care...
If your dog or cat requires dental treatment, we may recommend that they also undergo x-rays of their teeth and jaw. Why is this? Why don’t we just remove any teeth that look obviously diseased? Dental x-rays are required for the diagnosis of some tooth or jaw...
Charlie the cavoodle adores his Kong toy, particularly when it’s stuffed with peanut butter! However, when he was five months old, his owner Vanessa noticed that he suddenly seemed less keen on the Kong, and would only lick at it a few times before walking away. On...
For many years, Mira Mar Vets have been dedicating one month of every year promoting the health and wellbeing of our older patients. Senior Pets are considered older than 7 years of age, or 5 years old for giant breed dogs. We are very excited to announce that we will...
As our pets age, some may develop a cloudy appearance to their eyes. Here are a few of the most common reasons for cloudy eyes in dogs. Corneal changes The cornea is the clear “window” portion of the eye, through which we can see the circular, coloured iris and black...
Dog weight loss 101 Uh oh, your dog’s body weight has crept up… Unfortunately, being overweight can predispose pets to joint injuries, breathing problems, heart issues and some cancers. But don’t worry - we’re here to help, starting with some tips for healthy, gradual...
Food for thought “What is the best food for my pet?” There is often no perfect diet to suit every pet, however there are some things to keep in mind when choosing a type of pet food for your furry friend. Here’s some of the most common food types on offer for dogs and...
Mass confusion When it comes to body condition, we actually want your pet to get an “average” score, as this indicates that your pet is at their healthiest weight. A low score, however, suggests that your pet is underweight, whilst a high score indicates that your pet...
Not-so-simple fatty tumours Lipomas are fatty tumours that are commonly diagnosed in middle-aged to older dogs of any breed, but particularly breeds such as labradors, beagles, weimaraners and schnauzers. However, there can be more to these lumps than what first meets...
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!” 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 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!...