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!...
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 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 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? 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...