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...
Bee stings The onset of warmer spring weather also brings a burst of flowering plants and trees, which means there are more bees buzzing around. Pets, especially dogs, can come into contact with bees that have fallen to the ground, or from exploring in and amongst the...
Snake season Snakes usually hibernate during the cooler months of the year, so the arrival of the spring warmth also means snakes may start to be more active in the area, and could be a potential risk to your pet. Prevention Make sure to cut long grass around your...
Healthy skin, healthy pet The health and shine of your pet’s coat can closely correlate with their general, overall health – so if a pet’s coat looks dull, scruffy or unkempt it can often be an indication of underlying health problems. Some pets start to shed more...
Arthritic pets still need help this spring Spring might have sprung, but the onset of warmer weather doesn’t necessarily mean that pets suffering from arthritis will be more comfortable than during the cold of winter. Pets with arthritis still need to be carefully...
What you need to know about dental procedures 'Dentals' are one of the most common routine procedures we perform in our day-to-day veterinary practice. It's important to understand the ins-and-outs of these procedures and why they are so involved. Here are a few...
New tick-borne dog disease in WA & NT A new dog disease has emerged this year in the Kimberley region of WA as well as the NT. It is present in other parts of the world, but hasn't been identified in Australia until 2020. Ehrlichiosis is a disease in dogs which...
How to tell if your pet has dental problems Dental disease is one of the most common problems we see in veterinary practice. While a regular check-up with us will help to identify any dental issues your pet might be hiding, there are a few things you can look out for...
How you can prevent dental disease at home Dental care for your pet starts at home, but there is not one magical tool we have to help guarantee a perfectly healthy mouth. Dental disease prevention needs to be a multi-targeted approach, and we aim to give your pet a...
Cats are unique when it comes to dental disease Our feline friends can, unfortunately, suffer from a painful dental condition known as feline resorptive lesions (FRL). 60% of susceptible cats will have one of these lesions present by the time they are 6-years old....
Top tips for taking your cat to the vet Many people find bringing their cat in to the vet a stressful experience and, as a result, will put off the exercise altogether. It is for this reason that we don't get to see your feline friend as often as we should and,...
Are these the world's oldest pets? July is senior pet care month, and we have a newsletter packed with information about how to care for your ageing pet, as well as some of the more common diseases we see in our geriatric patients. To get the newsletter started, we...
How to make an old pet comfortable It can sometimes be hard to face the fact that our pets age. A grey muzzle, a loss of hearing and the idea of senior pet food can be very confronting. But senior pets are unique, so it’s important not to turn a blind eye to their...
6 signs of dementia Have you got an older dog who is awake more at night or getting confused at times? Have you just put it down to 'old age'? Your dog may be suffering from canine dementia, a disease also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. The disease has been...
The geriatric cat and thyroid disease “My cat seems to have lost weight, but he is still so hungry. Is he just getting old?" An older cat who is losing weight but still hungry is a presentation we see regularly. The cause is usually hyperthyroidism, and a routine...