Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are a common type of tumour in dogs and unfortunately can be bad news. Here’s what to monitor your pet for, and how we can help. What do MCTs look like? MCTs commonly occur on or just underneath the skin of dogs. These tricky tumours generally...
Did you know that just like us, cats can suffer from asthma, too? It is estimated that up to 5% of cats may develop feline asthma, also known as feline allergic bronchitis. So, take a deep breath and learn more about the ins and outs of this issue. What is feline...
If you’ve ever been subjected to the cringeworthy, repetitive, “schlurp… schlurp…” sound of a dog obsessively licking their paws, you’ll know that recurrent paw licking can be an annoying problem for owners as well as pets! Here, we’ll dig into some common causes of...
Celebrated every August in Australia, National Pet Dental Health Month was created to highlight how important oral health is to the overall health, happiness and well-being of your pet. Each year at Mira Mar Vets we aim to raise awareness and improve the dental health...
Many of you would remember Dr Farand Thompson, who was a long-term locum at Mira Mar Vets from the end of 2020 until the beginning of 2022. Whilst Dr Farand was with us in Albany, he was also involved in an exciting research project using ultrasound techniques on...
If cuddles with your pet have become unpleasantly odorous of late, there are several potential causes to consider. Here, we’ll go through some of the common reasons pets develop bad breath and how we can help! 1. Dental disease This is the most common cause of pongy...
Regular dental care is an important aspect of caring for your pet’s general health and quality of life. If you’ve ever had tooth pain, you’ll know how miserable it can be! Additionally, untreated dental disease can release bacteria into your pet’s bloodstream,...
A few dental-related myths are still floating around, which can mislead owners about the best dental care for their beloved pets. Here are some of the top veterinary "tooth untruths" that our team would love to myth-bust. 1. Home dental care will prevent your pet from...
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...
With International Dog Day fast approaching on the 26th of August, our team are practically barking with excitement to share this list of wallet-friendly gifts and environmental enrichment ideas that are sure to get your canine friend’s tail wagging! Canine comfort...
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 your pet ever suffers a serious illness or injury, you may have to consent to veterinary resuscitation procedures being performed on them. This can understandably feel overwhelming, particularly during an already stressful and upsetting situation. We’d therefore...
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...