Shedding those excess canine kg’s! It’s estimated that up to 50% of dogs are overweight, and in many cases, their well-meaning owners may not actually realise! Body condition scoring is a useful way of objectively assessing your pet’s weight through comparing them to...
Fat cats Unfortunately, feline obesity is increasingly common, and brings with it an increased risk of issues such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, urinary tract disease and arthritis. If you think your cat may not be at their ideal healthy weight, it’s best to bring...
Not just a “lazy bones”! If your dog seems to be tiring quickly on walks, don’t just chalk it up to “laziness” or old age. Certain medical issues can also reduce exercise tolerance – here are a few common ones that are worth bearing in mind for any older pet who’s...
Keeping up with high-energy dog breeds High-energy dog breeds make for fun exercise and play buddies - and can also be great “workers” if their energy is channelled into a productive task. Within any breed, there is some variability in temperament. However,...
“Healthy pets don’t need to go to the vet, do they?” Yes. Healthy pets DO benefit from a regular vet check! We don’t want you to wait until your pet is unwell to book an appointment – we love to see them on a regular basis! This isn’t just because we love seeing your...
“Are flea and tick prevention products important for pets?” Yes! Flea and tick prevention products help keep your pet healthy by protecting them from parasites. With so many combination flea and tick prevention products now available, we frequently field questions...
“How do I know which vaccination is best for my pet?” That’s easy! We will discuss with you the appropriate vaccination protocol for your pet. Regularly vaccinating your pet is important to protect them against various potentially fatal or debilitating...
Can your dog join you for some summer beach fun? For many of us, the summer holidays wouldn’t feel complete without at least one trip to the beach. But can your dog join you for coastal fun? The answer is yes – with some planning: Check online to ensure your beach of...
Pet-safe festive foods Many of us want to involve our furry family member in Christmas celebrations - and festive meals are no exception! But do you know which foods are pet-safe and which can be dangerous? In the Christmas spirit, we’ve coded some common yuletide...
If loud noises make your pet anxious, summer storms and New Year's Eve fireworks can unfortunately be a terrifying time. For mild cases of noise phobia, it may be enough to “protect” your dog or cat from the noise by giving them a safe place to shelter. It’s generally...
Low-stress car travel for your pet Planning a Christmas road-trip with your pet? Don’t stress! Check out these anxiety-reducing pet travel tips. Safe travel Ensure your pet is properly secured in the car. The safest option for dogs is usually restrained on the back...
Keeping your pet busy on Christmas Day Christmas Day can be a pretty hectic day for most of us, with all of the meal preparations, family visits, last-minute gift-wrapping and the clean-up - but while we’re busy celebrating, our pets may be left just twiddling their...
Worming – what are your options? Regularly worming your cat or dog probably doesn’t rate first on your list of fun pet care topics but it’s important to stay on top of – for the health of your pet, yourself, and your family! Common animal intestinal worms such as...
Is your pet prone to heat stress? During the scorching summer months, our pets can feel a little hot and bothered too. Unfortunately, in some cases, this unpleasant heat stress can progress to dangerous heat stroke. Pets that are more at risk of overheating include:...
Keeping an eye out for ticks There are several species of ticks which can be a nuisance to pets, and they predominantly occur in rural, coastal and bush areas, so if your pet lives in or visits an area known for ticks, then it’s useful to be aware of how ticks can...
Are your pet's microchip details up-to-date? As we all start to spend more time outdoors, it’s especially important to make sure your pet is properly identified with an up-to-date microchip. Sadly, many stray pets with microchips are unable to be safely reunited with...
Why vaccinations are vital Before you take your four-legged family member out and about for summer adventures, it’s important to keep them protected from common diseases by ensuring their vaccinations are up-to-date! In Australia, dogs should be vaccinated as a...
Discounted Senior Blood Testing at Mira Mar Vets! Do you have a member of your fur family who is older than 7 years old? If so, they might be eligible for a discounted Senior Pet Blood Test at Mira Mar Vets! The testing price of $160 includes: Full physical...
What is kidney disease? Just like humans, our pets have kidneys too. The role of the kidneys is to filter out waste from the blood to produce urine, together with playing an important role in maintaining the balance of fluids and electrolytes within the body, the...
Bladder stones and obstructions Bladder stones are rock-like accumulations of minerals which can form in the bladder. The bladder stones can occur as a few larger stones or multiple smaller stones. The smaller stones can sometimes block the urethra, which is the...
How urine tests can help us diagnose disease A urine test is a simple and effective method for us to check the health of your pet’s urinary system. The process involves collecting a urine sample from your pet, which can then be tested within the clinic or sent to a...
Why we measure blood pressure We may measure a pet’s blood pressure to check for conditions which could affect their health and wellbeing. Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels. Measuring blood pressure...
Safe use of antibiotics for pets Your pet may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to treat an infection. When we prescribe antibiotics, it is very important to follow the label instructions on how often to give the antibiotics, and for how long to continue the...
Springtime itchy skin As the warmth of spring arrives, our pets can become itchy due to skin allergies caused by grasses, pollens and other allergens, such as dust mites, mould, certain types of food, and some insects. Some pets can also have irritated skin as a...