“You can lead a cat to water, but you can’t make it drink” While we know that’s not the actual saying, it does ring true for many of our feline friends! This is because the ancestors of domestic cats were desert dwellers, obtaining most of their water from eating...
With H5 bird flu detected in wildlife across several Australian states, you might be wondering what it could mean for your pets. The risk to cats and dogs remains low, but taking a few simple precautions can help protect pets and local wildlife. What is bird flu?...
Just like in people, a happy gut is important for helping to maintain your pet’s general health and quality of life. Here are our team’s top tips for supporting your pet’s tummy on a day-to-day basis. Picking the right diet For every dog and cat, a complete and...
With NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) being a pain relief staple in the veterinary world, we thought we’d put a spotlight on these medications – what they are, what their potential benefits and side effects can be, and how we should monitor patients who...
Did you know that the treatment of a chronic (long-term) health condition in a pet may not always come in the form of pills? In some pets, the cornerstone of their management may be a dietary change! Here are three common scenarios where a prescription diet can help...
This case study is inspired by real-life veterinary cases, with details adapted for educational purposes and to protect privacy. Despite being on a high-quality diet and always being up to date with her worming prevention, Penny the Cavoodle had always had a bit of a...
If your pet frequently gets a red, itchy tummy, licks at their paws a lot, or develops recurrent ear infections or scabby skin patches, it can be frustrating trying to work out what is triggering their issue and how to get them some relief. Here’s more information...
Despite the availability of many easy and effective parasite control treatments nowadays, we still do see dogs and cats with skin issues caused by fleas. Here are four useful facts about fleas to help you keep these pesky critters at bay in your household! 1. Some...
Recurrent ear infection issues can be very frustrating for owners to manage, let alone painful for the poor pet. But don’t worry, there’s more that we can offer for long-term relief! The first step for managing problematic ears is treating any active infection. Once...
Do you know why pregnant women are sometimes advised against cleaning out cat litter trays? It’s because cats can be a potential source of Toxoplasma infection, a disease which can pose a risk to people. However, there is a lot of misunderstanding around this disease,...
The case, pets, and veterinary professionals in this article are fictional and used for educational purposes only. Ernie the Dachshund had beautifully shiny, smooth ears that his owner Jodie loved to stroke. Therefore, Jodie noticed quickly when Ernie’s ears started...
Dental disease is the most common issue we find when we examine your pets. Did you know that 70% of dogs and 80% of cats over 3 years have evidence of dental disease? And did you also know that Mira Mar Vets has the most up-to-date dental equipment in the Great...
While most cases of bad breath in cats are secondary to dental disease, there are other health issues that can cause unpleasant oral odours too. Here’s a run-down of some of the more common reasons for whiffy breath in our feline friends. 1. Dental disease Dental...
Myth: It’s not that important for dogs and cats to have clean teeth. Here’s more information about dental hygiene in dogs and cats, and why it’s best for your pet’s quality of life and general health to have a solid dental hygiene maintenance routine in place early...
We get it - hearing that your pet needs to undergo a tooth extraction (or even multiple extractions) can be concerning. To help set your mind at ease, we’ve compiled a list of reasons as to why dental extractions aren’t something to feel overly stressed about. We...
Have you heard of idiopathic vestibular disease? This issue occurs most commonly in older dogs and can result in the sudden onset of rather alarming-looking symptoms. Here’s more about idiopathic vestibular disease, and what to do if your pet shows similar issues....
The case, pets, and veterinary professionals in this article are fictional and used for educational purposes only. Benjamin the 10-year-old whippet was left in the care of his 20-year-old human brother over a weekend while their parents Anna and Tom went away for the...
It’s not just our skin that can get a little dry and irritated over winter – the same thing can happen to our furry family members too! Here are our team’s best tips for supporting your pet’s best skin health year-round. Appropriate bathing Excessive bathing can dry...
Does your dog have patches of thickened, hairless skin on their elbows? And if so, are they an issue? Here’s more information on elbow calluses in dogs, and when they might require a vet check. What are calluses? Calluses are areas of skin thickening that form as a...
GP veterinary staff are often remarkably competent across a range of medical disciplines (routine health care, radiology, surgery, dentistry and laboratory test analysis - just to name a few!), and many go above and beyond to help the pets in their care. However,...
GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus), often called “bloat”, is an acute, life-threatening condition that large, deep-chested dogs can be particularly prone to. If you have a large or giant-breed dog, it’s best to be aware of the symptoms of GDV, and the measures you...
Toast the Maltese mix was hanging out with his four-year-old human sibling (and best buddy) Sage while she ate morning tea. When the front doorbell rang, Sage’s father, Dan, left the two companions in the living room for a minute while he went to answer the door. When...
It’s always good "eye-dea" to keep an eye on your pet’s eyes for any unusual changes, but it’s especially important in senior pets! Mature pets often develop a few benign (harmless) eye changes, but they are also at a higher risk of some problematic conditions. Here’s...
“My pet has a sensitive tummy. Can they still take pain relief for their arthritis?” Traditionally, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as carprofen, meloxicam or firocoxib have been used to help manage the pain and inflammation associated with...