Ouch! Cat bites and scratches are not only painful but can also lead to dangerous infections requiring medical treatment or even hospitalisation. Here’s why cats may start to lash out at their owners, and how we can calm your kitty. “Why has my cat started attacking...
If you have questions about a few common “weird” dog behaviours, our team is here to help with quick answers! “Why does my dog lick their paws?” This is a common query that owners will raise with us, with many being unsure whether it is a relaxation- or...
Do you and your pet enjoy getting outdoors for some adventures in nature? So that the fun times can keep on rolling, we’d recommend preparation for and vigilance against a few potential summer hazards. 1. Ticks If you and your pet will be travelling to a tick-endemic...
Jerry the Burmese cat was enjoying his very first Christmas! There were decorations to bat around, wrapping paper to scrabble around in, and present bags to hide in and then spring out of unexpectedly. Best of all was the real Christmas tree that his owners brought...
If your pet chokes on a piece of food or a toy, do you know how to best help them? Here’s our team’s top first-aid advice for choking pets. What to do if you think your pet is choking If you think your pet is choking, try to keep calm. If you can do so without getting...
Whilst heatstroke is a particular risk during summer, some pet owners are sadly unaware of the fact that it doesn’t have to be particularly hot for their pet to suffer from this issue. Here’s how to help recognise and avoid heatstroke in your pet. What is heatstroke?...
Uh oh, your cat has come home limping – what could be the problem? And what should you do? Common causes of limping in cats Some of the most common causes of sudden limping in outdoor cats include soft tissue injuries from cat fights or orthopaedic (bone and joint)...
Planning to head off on holidays soon? We’d recommend ticking off these pre-vacation pet care tasks before you go! 1. Checking that your pet has enough prescription medication If your pet is on a prescription medication or diet, ensure that you have enough of this...
Planning to take your dog on a road trip or driving holiday? With good preparation, you can help ensure smooth sailing (in the car!) for you and your pet. Health care In the couple of weeks before you leave, you should check that your pet is healthy and up to date...
Is your cat going into boarding over the holiday period? Check out this helpful pre-boarding checklist that will help ensure that your cat’s stay is as purr-fect as possible! Vaccinations Unless your cat has been exempted due to a documented medical issue (e.g. they...
Have you heard of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC)? This is the newer name for the illness commonly known as “kennel cough”. Whilst it’s a mouthful to say, the term CIRDC better reflects the fact that dogs can be exposed to this illness in a...
If you’re a cat owner, there’s a good chance that you’re already aware of cat flu. However, here are four quick facts about cat flu that you might not know. 1. Cat flu isn’t caused by a single type of “bug” The term “cat flu” refers to a collection of common upper...
Have we recommended anti-anxiety medications for your dog or cat? Whilst this can sound concerning, try not to worry! When used correctly, these medications are generally well-tolerated and effective. Are anti-anxiety medications commonly used in pets? Anxiety is an...
Murphy the seven-year-old Labrador was, to put it politely, in slightly “generous” body condition. Hence when the dog flopped happily into his owner Josh’s arms and Josh noticed an increased roundness around Murphy’s tummy, he was initially unsure if it was a problem....
Positive, gentle interactions between young children and pets are a joy to behold and can enrich the lives of both the child and the animal. However, it's not always a given that these interactions will run smoothly, so it's important to take some consistent...
If you know that your cat tends to be anxious or even “spicy” for visits to the clinic, never fear – there are lots of things we can suggest to reduce everyone’s stress and facilitate the purr-fect veterinary visit. The right carrier While most owners know that their...
Sadly, we have already started seeing snake bite affected pets in Albany this Spring. With ten of the deadliest snake species in the world calling Australia home, a known or suspected snake bite in your pet should always be taken very seriously. Here’s how to help...
If your pet suffers from recurrent allergic skin and ear issues, you’ll know that it usually requires consistent management to help keep those pesky irritations at bay. Here are some of our team’s top tips for home management of allergy symptoms in pets, and when it’s...
Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are a common type of tumour in dogs and unfortunately can be bad news. Here’s what to monitor your pet for, and how we can help. What do MCTs look like? MCTs commonly occur on or just underneath the skin of dogs. These tricky tumours generally...
Did you know that just like us, cats can suffer from asthma, too? It is estimated that up to 5% of cats may develop feline asthma, also known as feline allergic bronchitis. So, take a deep breath and learn more about the ins and outs of this issue. What is feline...
If you’ve ever been subjected to the cringeworthy, repetitive, “schlurp… schlurp…” sound of a dog obsessively licking their paws, you’ll know that recurrent paw licking can be an annoying problem for owners as well as pets! Here, we’ll dig into some common causes of...
Celebrated every August in Australia, National Pet Dental Health Month was created to highlight how important oral health is to the overall health, happiness and well-being of your pet. Each year at Mira Mar Vets we aim to raise awareness and improve the dental health...
Many of you would remember Dr Farand Thompson, who was a long-term locum at Mira Mar Vets from the end of 2020 until the beginning of 2022. Whilst Dr Farand was with us in Albany, he was also involved in an exciting research project using ultrasound techniques on...
If cuddles with your pet have become unpleasantly odorous of late, there are several potential causes to consider. Here, we’ll go through some of the common reasons pets develop bad breath and how we can help! 1. Dental disease This is the most common cause of pongy...