Things your cat shouldn't eat Cats can be a bit fussier when it comes to what they will and won't eat but they can of course get themselves into trouble too. Again, this list is also not complete and if you are worried about your cat you should always ask us for...
Mira Mar Veterinary Hospital
Your local vet in Albany
Urine spraying in cats
Urine spraying in cats If you've ever seen a cat spraying you may have been intrigued. It's a strange looking activity where the cat stands with a vertical tail (sometimes quivering at the tip) and delivers a squirt of urine against a vertical surface. Urine spraying...
Feisty cat does all he can to avoid trip to the vet
Feisty cat does all he can to avoid trip to the vet Wrangling your cat and getting them into a carrier can be a very stressful event - as demonstrated in this hilarious video. This can put you off bringing your cat to us and it means they might miss out on essential...
The silent disease
The silent disease We often refer to kidney disease as the silent killer as it can sneak up on your pet and signs may be subtle and hard to notice. This type of kidney disease is referred to as chronic kidney disease and is something we may detect in an older cat. In...
How to get your cat to lose weight
How to get your cat to lose weight If your cat has snuck on some extra kilos over the winter months, here are some ideas to help get him moving and losing. The most important tip is to make sure he is eating the best weight loss diet and the correct amount. Ask us for...
Reasons to adopt a senior cat
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...
Cats are the best at hiding arthritis
Cats are the best at hiding arthritis Cats are even better than dogs at hiding or covering up pain caused by arthritis. If you think about it, cats spend much of their time sleeping and we generally don't take cats for a walk, so it is hard to see a change in their...
My pet is vomiting – should I be worried?
My pet is vomiting - should I be worried? There are many reasons your pet might vomit, and physical obstruction from eating a sock is just one of them! Diseases such as pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, or endocrine diseases like diabetes can all produce...
Some easy ways to reduce your cat’s stress
Some easy ways to reduce your cat's stress Many people put off taking their cat to the vet as they feel it is just too stressful. As a result we don't get to see your feline friend as often as we should and inevitably health problems go unseen. Dental disease, heart...
Is your pet prepared for summer?
With summer just around the corner, now's the best time to start getting your pet ready for the warmer months. Proper preparation will help keep your pet healthy and safe. Here are our top tips: Get up to date with vaccinations If your pet is boarding over the summer...
AIDS – is your cat protected?
It's World AIDS Day on 1st December so now is as good a time as ever to alert you to the fact that your feline friend can also develop the disease. What causes Feline AIDS? Feline AIDS is caused by the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which affects the immune...
Creating the best cat toilet
When it comes to the loo, cats can be fastidious. They tend to like a quiet and private area (who doesn't?) and most prefer plenty of soil to cover things up. If your cat uses a litter tray, there are some golden rules you should follow to help prevent any problems....
Can I bathe my cat?
When it comes to cats and water, things can get pretty hairy! Most cats hate being immersed in water and find the bath an incredibly stressful experience. Thankfully you don't really need to bathe your feline friend as they are equipped to take care of their own...
An arthritis-friendly home
To help your arthritic pet live a comfortable life we recommend a balanced and multi-targeted approach. This can help reduce the need for large amounts of medication and lessen the potential side effects of any one treatment. A few small changes at home can help...
Treatment Options for Arthritis
If we’ve diagnosed your pet with arthritis we will work with you to come up with a suitable management plan. A well-rounded approach will help your pet get the most out of life. Some of the treatments might include: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Help...
Sharpen Those Claws
Cats love a good scratch. Not only is it a good form of exercise but they get to sharpen their claws. Scratching also helps them to leave scent markers or a "calling card." Unfortunately, some cats choose to sharpen their claws on furniture and think that the back of...
Endocrine disease
An endocrine disease is a fancy way of describing a disease that is caused by a hormonal imbalance. These diseases are relatively common and can greatly affect your pet’s quality of life. Some diseases can even be life threatening if they are not diagnosed and treated...
Snake bite and your pet
It is not uncommon in the warmer months for our furry friends to come into contact with a snake. Even our more residential pets can still be at risk if walked near waterways or at the beach. As snakes hibernate or are inactive during cold weather, snake bites usually...
New Spot-On Flea Control
Activyl is the excellent new monthly 'spot-on' flea product for cats and dogs. it uses new technology to activate a potent insecticide inside the flea and means less unnecessary chemical exposure to your pet, family and household. It is water-fast for 4 weeks, and...
Smart Phone Respiration App
Our tech-savvy readers may be interested to know that there is now a smart phone app available to help calculate your pet's resting respiratory rate (RRR) called 'Heart2Heart monitoring app'. Detecting elevations in RRR can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of...
Dental Care
How to help your cats have healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. Your pet counts on you for protection With major advances in treating serious infectious and other pet diseases, oral disease – most importantly periodontal or gum disease caused by the buildup...
Allergies in Cats
How to tell if your cat may have an allergy, and an introduction to some treatments. Like people, cats can suffer from allergies. As in the human population, the incidence of allergies in pets seems to be increasing. While allergic humans may often sneeze, wheeze or...
Diabetes
Information on the diagnosis and treatment of this important disease. What is diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which your pet’s pancreas can no longer produce enough of the hormone insulin and/or for some reason their body has become resistant to the...
Fleas and Ticks
Ticks are small spider-like acarids and fleas are insects, but these two tiny creatures have at least one thing in common—they are both parasites that feed on your dog’s or cat’s blood and can cause a lot of discomfort and more serious health problems. Flea bites may...