Arthritis affects many older dogs and cats, but doesn’t always cause the obvious limping or yelping symptoms that many pet owners might expect. Instead, pets with arthritis will often show more subtle signs of joint discomfort, such as a hesitance to jump or climb...
Whilst many kids and family pets are best buddies (and adorably so!), positive and safe interactions between children and dogs should never be taken for granted! Unfortunately, dog bites do happen, and most often children are bitten by a dog they already know. Why are...
Have you heard of separation anxiety in dogs? This is a behavioural condition where a dog experiences abnormal levels of distress when a person or animal to whom they are highly attached is absent. As well as being unpleasant for the dog in question, separation...
It’s not uncommon to hear jokes about “small dog syndrome”, but is it actually a thing? We have many gorgeous small-breed canine patients who are sociable, amenable, and friendly to all. However, we do also see a reasonable number of small dogs who try to rule the...
Unfortunately, some dogs may become anxious when they visit the veterinary clinic. This can stem from a previous intense experience (e.g. where an injured pet required a very painful area to be examined), or may be related to generalised anxiety about unfamiliar...
If you’re expecting the pitter-patter of puppy paws in your household, we recommend that you start thinking about early socialisation opportunities for your little bundle of fluff! Socialisation involves getting puppies used to a variety of people, animals, places or...
When you think about Christmas foods that might upset you, you’re probably thinking about being left with all the “dodgy” leftovers in a box of Cadbury Favourites (although some of us maintain that Turkish Delight is a valid and enjoyable flavour!). However, when we...
With many of us spending more time outdoors in the warmer weather, it’s sensible to ensure that your pet doesn’t have access to any poisonous plants, either in your garden or whilst out on walks. Here are a few common toxic plants to be aware of, and what to do if you...
Harry, the one-year-old Weimaraner, was having the time of his life at the beach on a gorgeous summer’s day. He and his equally energetic owner Sarah were loving the sun and sand (although after being dumped by a wave when he swam out too far, Harry was now not so...
Is your dog a gold star canine citizen? Check out these four tips for helping your dog to feel cool, calm and collected in and out of the house! Early socialisation and regular training You can set your dog up for success early on by ensuring they are well-socialised....
Ticks can be a problem for dogs and cats year-round, but particularly during the warmer seasons when our pets are likely spending lots of time outdoors and ticks are more active. What symptoms do ticks cause? Pets can be affected by several different species of tick....
If your pet has ever been affected by a severe injury or illness, you’ll know just how worrying that can be. Here are some tips on how to navigate emergency situations with your pet. Common symptoms of emergency Sometimes, you may be unsure about whether your pet...
Cats are often very sensitive to their surroundings, and unfortunately sometimes a visit to the veterinary clinic can be a stressful time for our feline friends. The carrier, the car ride, the sounds and smells of other animals, and the unfamiliar environment can all...
Even if your dog is relaxed and friendly at home, the prospect of veterinary treatment may sometimes cause unusually anxious behaviour. After all, dogs may associate the veterinary clinic with being examined or having procedures such as having their rectal temperature...
Our caring staff are always happy to help unwell pets and worried pet owners. But did you know there are a couple of easy things you can do to assist your pet’s treatment as well? Nominate the pet’s primary caregiver If the pet’s primary caregiver brings them in for...
You may wonder why we require regular medication rechecks for pets on long-term medications, and why we charge prescription fees. So we thought to explain why! Medication rechecks There are national legal guidelines for the veterinary prescribing, authorising and...
In the veterinary hospital, a team of caring and dedicated vets and veterinary nurses are focused on the care and wellbeing of your pet - just like the experience of Betty, the six-year-old labrador, who had just undergone surgery to remove a large tumour from her...
Unfortunately, despite all their training, knowledge, hard work, gentle care of pets and understanding assistance of owners, our wonderful veterinary nurses are not always appreciated as much as they should be! Nurses are often the first point of contact for owners,...
Veterinary nursing definitely doesn’t just involve cuddling cute puppies and kittens! In addition to their vital role in various medical, surgical, laboratory and imaging procedures, our nurses also have to regularly tackle some pretty unpleasant jobs to keep...
Did you know that when our veterinarians perform surgery on your pet, our veterinary nurses play a vital role in helping to monitor and run a smooth general anaesthetic for them? Here’s how our nurses help your pet have a safe anaesthetic for their surgical procedure....
Just like in a human emergency ward, our veterinary nurses play an essential role in triaging patients. Triage involves a brief overall assessment of incoming patients to rapidly gauge the severity of their illness or injury so that we can prioritise care for...
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...