Does your pet get anxious when visiting us? There many reasons as to why pets may be “uncooperative” at a veterinary clinic, but generally, it can be attributed to anxiety, insufficient training or aggressive behaviours. Signs of anxiety in animals can include:...
Help, my pet is scared of the car! It’s not uncommon for pets to develop a fear of car travel. This anxiety or fearfulness can develop for a number of reasons. Anxiety during car travel is more likely if your pet had a lack of exposure to car trips prior to 16 weeks...
What is considered an emergency? As a loving pet owner, it’s natural to be concerned about your pet if they’re unwell, and to want prompt diagnosis and treatment. But what is actually considered a medical or surgical emergency for pets? Common symptoms that suggest a...
Caring for fluffy long-haired cats Long-haired cat breeds such as ragdolls, birmans, maine coons and Persians are great to snuggle and are generally blessed with loving, sweet personalities, making them great companions. However, keeping one of these beautiful cat...
Short-legged dog breeds 101 Short-legged dog breeds, such as dachshunds, corgis and basset hounds make for popular pets due to their distinct appearance. There are whole internet photo collections dedicated to hilariously chunky corgi rumps - just Google “corgi butts”...
Looking after poodle cross-breeds Do you own an “-oodle?” Poodle crosses (such as the cavoodles and labradoodles) are very popular pets due to their friendly nature, intelligence and appealing looks. These dogs are also frequently favoured for their coat type, which...
Not just a squishy face - brachycephalic pet issues Brachycephalic dog and cat breeds are those with shorter faces, such as English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese and Boston terriers, as well as Persian and Himalayan cats. While these breeds can make great...
“Should my pet be fed a natural diet?” There are some risks associated with raw diets, so it's very important to check with us first. The best way to determine if any diet is right for your pet is to book a consultation with our veterinary team. We will be able to...
“Is a general anaesthetic safe for my older pet?” Worry not! Older pets commonly have anaesthetics and we will advise the options for your pet. If you have an older animal who might require a surgical and dental procedure, you may be concerned about them undergoing a...
Dear clients, We find ourselves in extraordinary circumstances, and the situation is changing rapidly. Mira Mar Veterinary Hospital prioritises the wellbeing of our patients, clients, and staff. With this in mind, we ask that you consider the health of our staff and...
If you've been thinking about getting a new pet, have you considered adopting an older animal? There are plenty of positives when it comes to giving an older pet a home and a great companion is just one of them! Here are three good reasons why an older pet can be a...
Congratulations are in order this month for Veterinary Nurse Andrea! Andrea has worked through the many hours of study required to complete her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, making her a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse. We are so very proud of Andrea, who has...
March is all about pet behaviour - linking with the Australian Veterinary Association's 'Polite Pets Month' - designed to highlight common behavioural problems in pets, and ways that your vet can be involved in the management and improvement of these problems. Our...
We can highly recommend the dog trainers at the Albany All Breeds Dog Club. They follow a dog-friendly positive reinforcement program, and can help dogs of all ages and stages. For more information, have a look at their Facebook Page or take a look at their...
Feline AIDS is caused by the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which affects the immune system of cats. The virus acts in the same way as the human form of HIV, destroying the immune system and leaving a cat susceptible to infections, disease and cancers. Once a cat...
The most simple way to make sure your pet is comfy this summer is to prevent itchy skin. Allergies to fleas, grasses, trees, plant pollen, dust mites and moulds as well as certain foods can all set off an itchy and scratchy show at your house! Itchy dogs will bite,...
There are already plenty of snakes about, and we have treated a number of snakebite cases so far this spring, so we are asking our clients to be extra vigilant. Different species of snakes possess different types of venom and these can cause varying symptoms that...
It's fun to involve your pet in the Christmas and New Year celebrations so here are our top tips on how to keep them safe. Paws off the following Chocolate, grapes, raisins and sultanas are poisonous to dogs. Always keep your pets away from the Christmas table...
They certainly can and this life altering disease is very similar to asthma in humans. The disease involves the small airways in the lungs over-reacting to the presence of a irritant or an allergen. This leads to an inflammatory response and an increase in mucus...
There's no doubt about it, dental disease in our pets really stinks! It is one of the most common problems we seen in veterinary practice and not only is it painful for your pet, the increased bacteria in the mouth can be associated with other conditions such as...
Euthanasia is a very difficult topic to think about but it's an important one, and something that we as veterinarians deal with every day. Deciding when is the right time to euthanise a pet can be one of the most difficult decisions you'll ever make. Most of us hope...
If you are thinking of adding a feline friend to your family you should consider adopting a senior cat. Kittens may be fun and playful but they can be hard work! You'll find there are many hidden joys if you bring a senior 'kitty-zen' into your life. Here are our top...
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest living cat is currently living in Oregon, USA. His name is Corduroy and he was born 1st August 1989, making him nearly 27 years old! Corduroy, a handsome long haired tabby cat, has an astounding social media...
It is well known that ageing takes a toll on our entire body including our brain - and the same goes for our pets. Research confirms that our pets can suffer from dementia and the disease that affects dogs (known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction) has many similarities...