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...
Brrr, it’s cold outside! While cats are generally pretty good at finding the cosiest nooks around the house to stay warm, we’ve got some additional winter weather support tips to help keep older kitties (10+ years of age) feeling their best. Arthritis support With up...
“My senior dog has started weeing in the house overnight, when they always used to hold it all night – why?” If your doggo previously aced Toilet Training 101 but something has recently changed, it could be due to a number of wee-sons (sorry, we couldn’t help...
For many years, Mira Mar Vets have been dedicating one month of every year promoting the health and well-being of our older patients. Senior Pets are considered older than 7 years of age, or 5 years old for giant breed dogs. We are very excited to announce that we...
Did you know that even basic blood tests can help us to diagnose certain issues in your pet, so that we can treat them more effectively? Even in simple cases such as tummy upset in a young pet (where we don’t really suspect other organ problems), we may still suggest...
While most owners are aware of the potential for swallowed objects to become stuck in their dog’s intestines, many are less familiar with the potential for oesophageal foreign bodies, i.e swallowed items that become stuck in the oesophagus (the pipe between the throat...
“My pet has been doing occasional little foamy yellow vomits – should I bring them in?” This is a common question fielded by our team! Here’s why your pet could be bringing up yellow vomit, and when they should be checked by our friendly vets. What does yellow vomit...
You may not have heard of AHDS (Acute Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea Syndrome) in dogs, but you may be a little more familiar with its previous name of HGE (Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis)! Here’s more about AHDS, and why dogs affected with this condition should receive prompt...
Did you know that, as well as having general health benefits, the maintenance (or restoration) of optimal body condition in pets can be an important component of treatment for some common illnesses? Here’s when weight loss could be your pet’s gain! How does being...
When it comes to “You are what you eat”, did you know that this saying holds true for our pets as well? Interestingly, the “Five-a-Day Felix” report by the International Cat Care organisation found that for our feline friends, it’s also a matter of “You are how and...
Have you heard of weekend warrior syndrome in dogs? This condition may hit a little too close to home for some of us humans too, as it occurs when a usually sedentary pet engages in intense physical activity over the weekend, resulting in a sore and sorry doggo come...
Is your pet due to undergo surgery, such as desexing or lump removal? Here are three common causes of post-operative wound issues, and how you can help prevent them to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery for your pet! Wound swelling/inflammation: What it looks...
If you’ve noticed the recent social media trend of “Canine beauty routine” videos, you may be wondering: Does my dog need all those treatments? Here’s what’s necessary for maintaining your pet’s health and comfort, and what’s just fluff! Bathing Unless your dog has a...
Having a pet “leaving messes” around the house is definitely one of the more unpleasant animal-related problems! If your pet has been toileting inappropriately, it’s best to book a consultation with one of our knowledgeable vets. To help us “get to the bottom” of the...
If you’ve recently welcomed a new canine or feline family member, please don’t forget to book them in to meet us! Not only do we want to snuggle their little fluffy socks off, but we’re also keen to give them a full health check, ensure you’re feeling confident with...
While most owners understand the importance of ongoing vaccinations for their pet who is out and about in the world, we do sometimes field enquiries regarding other scenarios, such as how often pets should be vaccinated, what types of vaccinations they require, and...
We get it – maintaining a comprehensive parasite prevention program for your pet can be challenging in terms of the expense, knowing which products to use, and keeping track of dates! But the reality is that the treatment required for parasite-related health issues...
Did you know that your pet’s gums provide an indication of their overall hydration and cardiovascular health? Here’s the “How To”, and what any abnormal findings could mean. How to check your pet’s gums To check your pet’s gums, gently lift their upper lip in the...
Did you know that larger breed dogs can be more prone to developing certain heart problems? Here’s more about heart problems in big dogs, including symptoms to watch for, how they’re diagnosed, and how we can help. What heart problems are larger dogs more prone to?...
To proactively monitor your pet’s health, it’s recommended that they undergo a full health check at least every 12 months. If they’re a senior (which is 7-8+ years in larger dogs, and 9-10+ years plus in smaller dogs and cats), they should ideally be checked every 6...