The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an official update on the situation regarding imported jerky treats from China that have been making pets ill.

View Our Initial Story

Read more to view information from the latest release by the FDA as well as context by veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates.

   Do you read the nutrition labels printed on packages of food at the grocery store? For those that strive to achieve a balanced diet, doing so is essential to knowing exactly what their intake is of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins & more.

Pets also require a balanced diet to stay healthy and ensure wellness, while warding off illness and helping to prevent future ailments. With this in mind, do you read the nutrition labels on your pet’s food?
 

It’s almost springtime in earnest, the signs will be starting to show. Warmer temperatures, melting snow, an awful lot of rain, budding plants...

For many, it is the best time of year. A season of renewal, of fresh life.

For some, it means something else... allergies.

It’s been a winter for the record books here in Southern Ontario, with cold temperatures and snowfall accumulation not seen in a generation. From November straight to mid-March, it seemed like we were getting snowed on near daily. This is now presenting dog owners with a new seasonal dilemma as spring weather approaches; the melting snow is leaving behind a near 5-month mess of dog droppings sitting atop the yard.

What does one do if a homeless cat shows an interest in forming a relationship?

The answer really depends on capacity, one’s capacity for caring for another animal and the capacity of one’s home and finances to include another dependent. Keep in mind that there are several ways that one can help.

The process of medicating at home can sometimes leave both owner and cat exhausted & frustrated. It might be easy to give up at this point but that's not in your cat’s best interests or their health’s.

So how do we get our cats to take their medications?

Kennel Cough can be a nasty condition, one most easily contracted in public parks and kennels. Once contracted, it can take up to 3 weeks to heal from with proper treatment, so how does one determine if their dog is a good candidate to receive the vaccine?

Animal cruelty is all around us, all of the time.  Preventing such cases and protecting animal welfare takes us all.

So what can you do to support animal welfare?

Last week’s topic was regarding what to expect as our cats age into their senior years, today we discuss the caring of our elderly dogs.

Dogs provide the greatest loyalty and companionship that one can receive.  As such, it’s up to us to care for our best friends as they age, making sure that their changing needs are met and they live as comfortably as possible.

Now that the days are getting a bit shorter and the nights longer, we should consider how this might impact what is a routine part of dog ownership, going for a walk.

With the new season arrived, as responsible pet owners we must begin to consider the dangers and pitfalls that are associated with and unique to autumn.  The fallen leaves, for example, are worth a moment’s thought.

By no means do I mean to be alarmist, we all love to play in the beautifully coloured leaves that have tumbled to the ground, although admittedly few love to rake them.  Instead, it is a case of what can lie beneath.

Routine blood work, best paired with a urinalysis test, is one of the best ways that veterinarians can gain a wealth of insight into not only an animal’s current health status but also their propensity for future problems that cannot be found on a physical examination.

A meal lacking in sufficient nutrition that can your pet's body begging for sustenance by the time the next bowl comes around.

Not all pet foods are created equal, so how do you, the buyer, sort out what to feed your pet?

Many pet owners immediately think of their dogs and heatstroke, with the yearly warnings to never leave a dog inside of a hot car.  Our feline friends, however, can also feel the heat.

Cats are fairly good at seeking out what they need to maintain a healthy temperature in the summer, but they need our help to let them do it.  The ultimate masters of comfort can’t manage it alone.

Southern Ontario can get awfully sweltering in the summer.  Depending on where you live, you can easily reach temperatures of 35 C plus humidity... it makes one sweat just thinking about it.

When the weather gets really hot, it’s a good idea not to have your dog exert too much energy outside as it can lead to heat stroke and dehydration.  Your pup does, however, still need their physical and mental exercise all the same.

So what can the two of you do together that’s fun and a workout? Here’s some ideas:

Dogs are sweet, loving, loyal and adorable pets, but sometimes they eat poop and we don’t want their panting hot breath within 10 feet of us.

While not necessarily an immediately unhealthy habit, it is considered all the same to be a fairly disgusting one as far as dog owners are concerned.  So why do some dogs indulge in coprophagia, what does this mean for their health and how can we dissuade them from continuing?

One idea about our canine friends that seems to have perpetuated throughout the years is that dogs are presumed to vomit frequently and that it is normal.  This is partially true but also highly misleading.

Vomiting is as natural a process as any and is a built-in defence against the ingestion of harmful materials by expelling that which is harmful.  In this way, dog vomit is normal.

It isn’t normal, however, for it to be a common occurrence.  If our pet’s vomiting mechanisms are set into motion, this means that their body has been thrown into defence-mode by a threat and is trying to protect itself.  For this reason, as pet owners, it is vital to assess why they have vomited and whether our pet is still in danger.

Spring weather brings with it some spectacularly wet weather, and even the occasional thunderstorm.  These electrifying events are not only awesome in their power and beauty but also terrifying to many and a reminder of how vulnerable we are, including to our dogs.

I’m sure we can all agree, worms are disgusting.

While the warmer weather sees a renewal of so many beautiful and wondrous things, it seems a cruel
juxtaposition to have it also rejuvenate the dreaded worm season.

As pet owners, it is up to us to protect our pets from parasites. When you see your veterinarian this Spring be sure to ask about intestinal worm prevention, but in the meantime here are some details:

Springtime is a wonderful season and a great time to get back outdoors and spend time with your dog or curl up by an open window in a comfy chair with your cat.

It feels great to be with our pets and there’s good reason for that.  Owning a pet is good for our health!

Spring is when most of us start to get out in the garden and ready our properties for the sunny days ahead.  It is important to note that his time of year also comes the dangers associated with it so it’s important to review how we can keep our beloved furry family members out of the emergency room.

If you are a regular reader here, you may remember an article written about the many dangers and perils of the winter holiday season.

Unfortunately, these same problems arise during the close of winter and early spring.  The next festive event that threatens the health of your pets is Easter.

While it may often seem like a less extravagant occasion, many households with children celebrate the day with baskets, treats, chocolate eggs and the mysterious Easter Bunny.  While children revel in the joy of the egg hunts and the sweets, your pets unfortunately have access to some pretty dangerous stuff.

It’s almost springtime in earnest, the signs will be starting to show.  Warmer temperatures, melting snow, an awful lot of rain, budding plants...

For many, it is the best time of year. A season of renewal, of fresh life.
For some, it means something else... allergies.

We at the Brampton Emergency Veterinary Clinic know that keeping your pets safe and healthy isn’t always an easy.

Now that most or all of Ontario has seen some snowfall this winter, it is time to think about the Big One.

Most of us have heard the sage wisdom that we are not to leave our pets in hot cars during the summer months as it causes great risk to our furry friends.

If you are a regular follower of our posts, you’re ready for many of the dangers your pet faces as the temperature falls and the winter winds blow.

Arthritis is a common ailment and while many of us suffer from its associated pain, it’s not just humans who feel the sting of joint pain in the winter months.

The holiday season is upon us! It is near impossible to go shopping now without being reminded, but believe it or not, both you and your pet love the holiday season for much the same reasons.

Autumn seems to have passed by in a flash this year, filled with chilly temperatures and plenty of rain. Now that we’ve turned back the clocks and the sun is setting on our cold November days much earlier, we are reminded that Old Man Winter is near.

While there are obvious signs that your dog is experiencing pain – like yelping or limping – dogs will typically try to hide it. This can be blamed on genetics: a wild dog that appears to be hurt can fall victim to predators.

How can you tell what needs emergency care and what can wait till tomorrow?