Our team does our very best to stay on schedule, but unfortunately, we may run late on occasion due to the inherent unpredictability of veterinary work. Here are three reasons why we might not always be on time for your appointment: Emergencies Common emergencies...
Mira Mar Veterinary Hospital
Your local vet in Albany
Spey surgery explained
With 80-90% of dogs, and over 90% of cats being routinely desexed in Australia, the majority of female pets will undergo a spey (female desexing procedure) at some point in their life. Let’s shed some light on the technical details of this intricate surgical procedure...
The DO’s and DON’Ts of pet medications
Did you know that up to 40% of human medical patients don’t take their own medication correctly as prescribed? Unfortunately, this incorrect dosing may cause the medication to be less effective, or even harmful. Whether your pet is taking a short course of...
Stareek’s Story
One of our lovely clients Doug edited a book some years ago about polar explorers which is called "Antarctica - First Impressions 1773-1930". He has recently drawn our attention to a chapter in this book about a polar dog called Stareek. Stareek means 'Old Man' and...
Well-padded cats
Did you know that about one in four cats is likely to be overweight or obese? Here’s how to recognise whether your cat is overweight and how you can help them attain a healthy body condition score. Assessing your pet’s body condition score Given the large variety in...
Weight Watchers Club and Hill’s Metabolic pet food
In conjunction with Hill's Prescription Diets, Mira Mar Vets offer any of our more 'portly' patients the opportunity to join our FREE Weight Watchers Club. Members of our Weight Watchers Club get FREE regular monthly checks with our nurses to weigh your pets and talk...
The four “D-J-Do’s” – managing degenerative joint disease
Arthritis, otherwise known as DJD (degenerative joint disease), is an irreversible, degenerative condition affecting the joints of many middle-aged to senior pets. It can develop naturally with aging or occur due to factors such as previous joint injuries or...
A crucial issue – cruciate ligament injuries
When we think about cruciate ligament injuries, we tend to think about athletes suddenly limping off the field with severe knee pain. This can be the case with dogs too, as high-impact exercise has the potential to trigger sudden knee problems. However, cruciate...
Poppy’s poor little paw
Poppy the Border Collie was excitedly running around the off-leash park with her ball when she suddenly yelped and held up her front left paw. Her owner Andy tried to have a look, but Poppy was too sore to be cooperative. Agitated, Poppy continued to limp and...
A joint effort – hip dysplasia explained
Hip dysplasia is a joint condition commonly seen in dogs (but also sometimes in cats), and is thought to occur due to a number of genetic and environmental factors. Here’s what you need to know about hip dysplasia, and how we can help to ensure that your pet’s hips...
Claws for thought
We’re guessing that you probably don’t think much about your cat’s claws unless they’re scratching at your furniture! But here are three important things to remember about your cats’ claws: 1. Scratching is natural Scratching is a natural feline behaviour, and serves...
The hydration situation
Did you know that our domesticated feline friends may need a little extra help to stay healthily hydrated? Why are some cats at risk of dehydration? Some cats may not drink enough water on a regular basis, as: Cats can be naturally sensitive to water tastes and may...
Puppy weight assessments
“Is my puppy a healthy weight?” We field this question pretty commonly from new pet owners. It can be hard to tell if your new furry family member is in healthy body condition or not, particularly with some puppies being very fluffy and/or sporting loose skin rolls or...
Anyone for chicken and rice?
What should you do if your pet is showing signs of an upset tummy? Do they need an immediate vet visit? Read on for practical tips on what to do when all is not well with your pet’s tummy. What are the signs of gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats? Pets with upset...
Q&A: Senior pet diets
Does my pet really need to go on a “special” diet when they reach a certain age? In this article, we answer this and other commonly asked questions about senior pets and their nutritional requirements. Q: When is my pet considered to be old? A: In general, cats and...
Keeping the rolls off that sausage
Did you know that breeds such as dachshunds, corgis and basset hounds get their characteristic ‘sausage’ body shape from a developmental condition called chondrodystrophy? Their silhouette may be iconic, but unfortunately, these dogs have a much higher risk of spinal...
Four tips for a super shepherd!
If we say “german shepherd”, do you picture a focused and courageous working dog? Or a loyal and calm family companion? Unfortunately, without the proper socialisation, training and healthcare, this special breed can actually be prone to significant health and...
Nose-to-tail brachy care
If you’ve ever heard a veterinarian talk about a ‘brachycephalic’ animal, you might have wondered if they were talking about somebody’s pet dinosaur! In fact, this term refers to flatter-faced breeds such as bulldogs and pugs. These extremely popular breeds make...
Labra-dabra-do!
There are three common traits that all labradors tend to share: Being very friendly Specialising in the “wag walk” (where their wagging tails may actually help to propel them forward) Liking food. A lot. Sometimes, however, our labrador friends are guilty of making...
Working like a dog
When we think of modern-day working dogs, we tend to think of breeds like kelpies, cattle dogs and collies rounding up sheep and other livestock. However, other traditional working breeds such as certain gundogs, hounds, terriers and the arctic breeds can also have...
Optimistic oncology
It’s natural to feel a little worried if you find an unusual lump on your pet. Our team are here to reassure you that with prompt treatment, there’s a good chance of a positive outcome for your pet. Here are two potential ways we could achieve a good result: 1. Not...
Kitty kidney kindness
Chronic kidney disease (or CKD) is particularly common in elderly cats, and involves a progressive deterioration in kidney function. Whilst early CKD rarely causes any obvious signs in affected cats, cats with more advanced disease can show symptoms of unwellness,...
Keeping those hearts happy
Mitral valve disease (MVD) is a degenerative heart condition most commonly seen in middle-aged to older small-breed dogs. It involves the progressive thickening and dysfunction of valves within the heart, eventually leading to heart disease symptoms in some dogs....
Taming temperamental tummies
Does your pet have a sensitive tummy? Recurrent gastrointestinal upset can be a real bother for both pet and owner, with common symptoms in affected animals including runny, bloody or mucus-covered poos, increased toileting frequency, vomiting episodes, or a reduced...