Have you checked your pet’s teeth and noticed that some of their pearly whites aren’t very white? What could it mean? Here are four common reasons for discoloured teeth in dogs and cats: 1. Dental disease If teeth are not cleaned regularly, they will develop a film of...
Each year Mira Mar Vets celebrates National Pet Dental Month in August by raising awareness of pet dental health, and this year, the target is younger pets! Did you know that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease after the age of three years? In...
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...
As our beloved pets grow older, they may start to require our help with certain self-care tasks. Here are a few things that you might need to assist your senior pet with. Grooming Most elderly cats and dogs will require (and enjoy!) regular “beauty therapy” from their...
Unfortunately, arthritis affects a significant proportion of middle-aged to elderly dogs and cats, particularly those born with developmental joint problems (such as hip dysplasia) or who have previously suffered a significant joint injury. What is arthritis?...
When it comes to quality of life in cats and dogs, mental health is just as important as physical health. Here are some practical ways you can help support your pet’s brain health and function as they age. Environmental enrichment Keeping older dogs and cats mentally...
Unfortunately, even pets who have previously had excellent toileting control can develop incontinence (urine or stool leakage) issues as they get older. Significant urinary or faecal incontinence can have a negative effect on the quality of life of affected pets, as...
The tastiest medicine Sometimes, good food really is the best therapy. No, we’re not talking about sweets or cupcakes (although our staff would never say no to cupcakes!) – we’re actually referring to prescription diets for pets! Here are some of the most frequently...
Fuel for mischief! How can you support your new pup’s growth and development? Offering the right nutrition and exercise is a great place to start. Nutrition It’s recommended that puppies are fed a high quality, complete and balanced puppy growth diet until they have...
To test or not to test? If you’ve noticed that your pet has a new lump, especially if it is growing quickly or causing discomfort, we recommend booking a consultation with our veterinary team for a proper assessment. With physical examination and further laboratory...
When a lump isn't a tumour Yes, a lump on your pet’s skin could potentially be a tumour requiring further investigation. But rest assured, there are a lot of other things it could be too! Here are some common alternative reasons for localised skin swelling in dogs and...
Common skin lumps Uh oh! You were having a lovely cuddle with your pet when you felt a small lump on their skin… what could it be, and does it warrant a vet visit? Types of skin lumps Lumps on your pet’s skin may be areas of localised infection or inflammation, cysts...
BEWARE! RAT/MOUSE AND SNAIL/SLUG BAIT POISONINGS Unfortunately over the past few weeks, we have been seeing a number of cases of pets (mainly dogs) being poisoned by eating the baits that have been laid in the home or yard for rats/mice and snails/slugs. PLEASE be...
Avoiding medication “cat-astrophes” While we prescribe various oral and topical flea, tick and worming medications for our feline patients, we understand that administering these products to cats at home is not always easy! Here’s how to keep home treatments for your...
That’s a tick for parasite prevention Is your pet up-to-date with a thorough routine of external parasite prevention? Depending on your dog or cat’s home environment and lifestyle, common parasites that could hitch a harmful ride on your pet include fleas, paralysis...
Cat flu? Ah-choo! Despite the simple-sounding name, “cat flu” can be a complex issue for our feline family members! What is cat flu? Cat flu, also known as feline upper respiratory tract disease, is a pattern of respiratory unwellness symptoms that can be caused by...
Preventing parvovirus Our team wants to ensure that all pets are up-to-date with vaccinations appropriate for their age, lifestyle and environment. However, we are particularly concerned about keeping all our canine patients protected against parvovirus. It’s...
Does my dog have worms? Unfortunately, intestinal worms are pretty common in pets - and even the best-kept canine citizens can be susceptible. Young pups can become infected with worms through their mother’s milk or from contact with the faeces of other infected...
Pet breathing difficulties Pet breathing difficulties (also known as dyspnoea) can indicate a serious issue, and may be distressing for both the affected pet and their owner. What are some common causes of pet breathing difficulties? Dyspnoea in pets can be caused by:...
A sting in the tail Bees are sometimes colloquially referred to as “spicy sky raisins”, because our curious pets are often drawn to snap at or play with these buzzing insects, and can unfortunately pay a rather painful price as a result! What will happen to my pet if...
Dietary indiscretion Uh oh, your pet has just stolen and eaten something they shouldn't have… What should you do? If you think that your pet may have eaten something potentially toxic, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. Time can be of the...