Ming tries out our new Cat Recovery Snuggle Sac.

Our new snuggle sac keeps cats warm and gives them a feeling of security and comfort while they are monitored during anaesthetic recovery.

Ming all tucked up and comfy while she recovers from anesthetic.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Ming in a Sling: Our New Cat Recovery Snuggle Sac

It’s Victoria Day on Monday–first long weekend of  the year! Time for our annual reminder about the fear factor of fireworks for your pets. While you enjoying the sun, fun and fireworks, remember that your  pet may not like the extra excitement and overhead light and noise.

If your pet is disturbed by the noise of fireworks, here are a few ideas you can try to keep them calm:

• Tire your dog out during the day with a long walk or play in the park, so that they are more relaxed in the evening.
• Keep both dogs and cats indoors.
• Close the curtains or keep your pet in an interior room so they can’t see the flashes of light which may upset them.
• Close all windows and doors to minimize loud noise in the environment.
• Have a familiar person stay with your pet to calm them.
• Have routine noises in the house such as the TV or radio.
• If your pet has had previous issues with fireworks, medication may help. Please contact us for advice.
• Remember to keep children and pets strictly away from home-use fireworks that you may be setting off in your yard or driveway!

If you’re hosting a party or barbecue, there are some extra things to think about:

• Always be alert that your pet may escape from the house or yard with extra people coming and going from your home.
• Make sure your pet doesn’t get into the party food and drink. Alcohol is obviously a big no-no for pets, and many rich party foods can cause vomiting and other reactions. Corn cobs are especially dangerous.
• Your pet may already be over-stimulated by the extra people and noise in the house. If you sense that your pet is becoming upset, try giving them some downtime in a room away from the party.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Victoria Day in Toronto: Fireworks can be Scary for Pets

Earplugs are a dangerous plaything. Please keep them away from your cats.

They’re left over from your last airline flight, or you keep them handy when you have to sleep during the day, or they’re just for blocking out the neighbors’ party on Saturday night. Almost everyone has those little sponge ear plugs around the house. And the cat loves them: they spring, they bounce, they roll around, and they can be picked up and carried around the house. Unfortunately they can also far too easily be swallowed. And that’s where the trouble begins. Earplugs are exactly the same diameter as a cat’s small intestine. A swallowed earplug will almost inevitably lodge there and have to be removed surgically. Earplugs are in fact one of the  most common foreign bodies that we encounter at Blue Cross Animal Hospital.

So please, if you have earplugs in the house, make sure they are safely stored away out of the reach of playful paws.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Earplugs are a Dangerous Cat Toy

Even city dogs are vulnerable to heartworm-carrying mosquitoes.

Our early warm spring means we are starting to see mosquitos hatching out. And when we see mosquitos, we start to think about heartworm prevention.

Our heartworm prevention program consists of two components: a blood test to detect adult worms which must be eradicated if found, and a preventative monthly medication which eliminates immature worms during the season when mosquitos may transmit them. Eradication of mature worms can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous to your dog, which is why we strongly encourage a rigorous prevention program from puppyhood onward.

Heartworm Lifecycle

To understand the importance of both of these components, it may be helpful to quickly review the lifecycle of the heartworm.

Heartworms are exactly what they sound–worms that live in the heart. Baby worms called microfilaria circulate in the blood of an infected dog. These microfilaria are picked up by a biting mosquito and passed on to the next animal it bites. Over seven months microfilaria mature into adult worms living in the heart and begin to produce another generation of microfilaria. Over time, adult worms living in the heart can can severely damage it.

Heartworm Blood Test

In Ontario, we recommend blood-testing dogs in late April and May to detect actively reproducing mature heart worms in their systems. If these worms are detected, they absolutely must be eliminated, or they will lead to heart damage, and eventually heart failure. This blood test, which we do prior to starting preventative medications, is testing for last year’s infection which may have taken up to 7 months to show up in the blood. We test after the middle of April and throughout May to ensure that we catch any infection that began in the late fall.

Because we had a long warm autumn last year all puppies born before November 15th last year need a heartworm test this year before going on their preventative medication.

Heartworm Prevention

Once we ensure that there is no infection with mature heartworms, we can begin your pet on a monthly preventative medication that will eliminate any microfilaria that are deposited in the bloodstream by biting mosquitos.

Even though we have seen mosquitos already, it isn’t necessary to start your pet on prevention until June 1st. Any heartworms picked up in May will still be in the microfilaria stage and will be effectively eliminated by the preventative medication.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Think Heartworm Prevention!

Everyone is enjoying our beautiful early spring, but the early warmth has brought with it early fleas and ticks.

A mild winter and warm spring means parasites are emerging earlier and more of them have survived since last fall.

Ticks in particular have become a major parasite in Ontario and in downtown Toronto. They go hunting for a meal whenever the temperature is between 3 and 22 degrees celsius. They are hunting now, and we have already seen several pets with ticks on them. For more information about tick prevention and removal, read our earlier post: Ticks are in Season!

Ticks are not only creepy, they can carry disease. Lyme disease is dramatically on the rise in Toronto and it can infect people as well as pets. Preventing attachment of the tick is the best defence.

Fleas usually become a problem in the summer, but this spring we have already had several pets brought to Blue Cross Animal Hospital with significant numbers of fleas on them.

Please contact us to learn more about recommended veterinary products that can prevent and kill ticks and fleas.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Early Spring = Early Ticks and Fleas

Veterinary Technicians Beth and Andria holding a copy of their article in TECHNews, on the uses and benefits of Laser Therapy in pet health.

Since BCAH added laser therapy to our practice in the fall of 2010, our Veterinary Technicians have had the opportunity to grow their skill set, learning to recognize the various types of conditions and ailments where laser therapy is beneficial, understanding appropriate laser therapy dosages and familiarizing themselves with treatment techniques to maximize the application of laser light, as well as the pet’s comfort level during the session.

Training involved certifying through the American Institute of Medical Laser Applications, proactively contacting laser therapy experts in the industry and sitting in on conference calls and webinars. Keenly following our laser patients’ progress was also instrumental in gaining practical experience – making treatment dosage and technique changes where beneficial.

Two of our technicians, Beth and Andria, have been so inspired by the positive results they’ve noted in our laser therapy patients that they decided to share their knowledge and experience utilizing therapy lasers with fellow Veterinary Technicians around the country.  They published a four page Continuing Education article for TECHNews, the most highly read publication for veterinary technicians in Canada.  TECHNews features 12 Continuing Education articles per year, and has a distribution of over 3000 technicians and technologists.  Beth and Andria’s article “You Should Laser That!” discusses the many applications of laser therapy in veterinary medicine, as well as the science behind it, and application and treatment techniques for technicians.

Learn more about Veterinary Laser Therapy at Blue Cross Animal Hospital:

Laser Therapy

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Our Veterinary Technicians get published!

Easter Lilies pose a very serious danger to cats.

We know we’ve blogged about this before, but it’s so important that we like to remind people every year. Easter Lilies are extremely dangerous to all pets. Cats, in particular indoor cats or those who have been housebound all winter, are likely to nibble on any fresh greenery brought into the house. Even a tiny quantity of Easter Lily can cause severe and usually fatal kidney damage. The plant causes crystals to form which literally shred the kidney as they pass into it.

If you suspect your cat has tried even a small amount of Easter Lily, bring them in to see one of our veterinarians immediately. If the amount was minimal, we may be able to limit the damage by treating with IV fluids.

Really, as pretty as they are, it’s best to avoid this tragedy altogether by never having Easter Lilies in your home. We should also mention that while easter lilies pose the greatest hazard as they are the most likely to be brought indoors, all kinds of lilies pose the same dangers, including day lilies and wild lilies.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Easter Lilies are Dangerous to Pets

Skunks come wearing their own hazard tape--and with good reason.

So your dog has met a skunk. What should you do? Skunks spray when they are startled or frightened. The best thing to do if you can, is to get your pooch away from the skunk before it lets loose, and avoid the unpleasantness altogether. In addition to their spray, skunks may inflict a serious bite, and may carry rabies. If your pet appears to have been bitten or scratched, contact us for veterinary advice immediately. If your pet is vaccinated, they are protected from rabies, but remember that you and your family are not.

If the skunk turns its back and fires, it releases an acrid, irritating liquid from its anal sacs. The smell, as we all know, is atrocious and the chemical can irritate the eyes and skin. Try to avoid letting your dog into the house or car, as the chemicals rub off and stay in fabrics for months. If your pet has been sprayed in the eyes, try and rinse them as well as possible with cool water. There are various remedies to rid your pet of the smell. None of them work completely, so every time the dog gets wet for the next several weeks, you will be able to smell the skunk again. The choices of remedy are:

Bathing in Scope mouthwash.

Bathing in a product called “Skunk-Off” available from our veterinary clinic.

Recommended Remedy

The solution we recommend is bathing in the following recipe:

• 1 quart (or liter) of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2. Make sure you use unopened hydrogen peroxide. Over time, hydrogen peroxide into water (H2O).
• 1/4 cup (50 ml.) of Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of Liquid Soap
• 1 pair of plastic or latex gloves

Instructions:

• Bathe the dog outside or, if this isn’t possible, in the bathroom with the door closed and window opened.
• Mix the ingredients in an open container. DO NOT STORE THE MIX IN A SEALED BOTTLE–IT WILL EXPLODE AS THE PEROXIDE REACTS WITH THE BAKING SODA.
• Using gloves, wash your dog with lukewarm water and the mixture while the mixture is bubbling. Work the mixture well into the fur,concentrating on the area that was sprayed.
• Keep mixture away from your dog’s face and eyes, as it may irritate the eyes and membranes.
• Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes or so before rinsing off with cool water.

In all cases, avoid getting any of these products in your pets eyes. If the dog’s eyes do come in contact with any of these substances, continue to rinse the eyes in lots of cool water.

If possible, avoid bringing your pet to the veterinarian until after the initial bathing. The smell is extremely agitating to other pets in the hospital–not to mention being unpleasant for other clients!

Hint: if your dog unexpectedly seems very excited to go out to the yard in the evening or early morning, check the yard for a skunk before letting the dog out.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | So your dog has met a Skunk…

Two little Cheetah cubs, tucked away in the grass. Their mother was nearby.

Two elephants play wrestling. This is common behaviour among young elephants, readying them for adult contests.

Three endangered African Wild Dogs. A very exciting sighting of a very endearing animal.

A young cheetah in a tree looking very alert.

A pride of sleeping lions. Apparently laziness spans the cat species!

A mother and baby giraffe in the woods.

Two cheetahs watching their world.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | A Toronto Veterinarian on Safari

Blue Cross Animal Hospital's existing front on Danforth Avenue in Toronto.

Over the coming few weeks we will be starting a multi-phase renovation of Blue Cross Animal Hospital. There will undoubtedly be some dust, some noise and some confusion, so we hope that you will bear with us. We think the results will be well worth the inconvenience!

The first phase will be a rejuvenation of the front of the veterinary hospital. This phase will start on or around March 5, 2012. Just over a year ago the front window of the hospital was broken by vandals. Installing new glass involved breaking up much of the ceramic tile and woodwork around the window. Since we were going to have to replace these anyway, we wondered if it wasn’t time to rejuvenate the front of the clinic completely. When we looked back through the hospital records, the last time the front was redone was 1968! Definitely time for a refresher.

In addition to replacing damaged materials, there will be several changes that will be great for veterinary clients and their pets. The overhead sign will be better illuminated, making it easier to find the clinic on winter nights. We will be changing the front door to glass, allowing people to see if there is another person or pet on the other side before they open the door. As well we will be installing a new window where there is currently a wall, making the reception area brighter. There will be an additional panel of illuminated informational signage, highlighting our current programs, such as seasonal health issues, new treatment options and client classes.

As we mentioned above, there will be some inconvenience involved in the actual work. At the moment we believe that work on the front of the clinic will take about two weeks. During this time there will be a hoarding erected around the front area of the hospital, and the entrance will be temporarily relocated to the door adjacent to our usual entrance. It is probable that this will restrict wheelchair access. If this restriction affects you and you need our veterinary services during this time, please contact us, so that we may make arrangements to provide service to you and your pet.

We thank you in advance for your patience with this process.

EDIT: No construction job is ever without its glitches. Because mid-April to mid-June are our busiest two months, we absolutely required that this phase of the project be finished before then. Because some doors didn’t get ordered in time for that to happen, we are postponing the start date. As much as it disappoints us extremely to do that, we really felt that we didn’t want to subject our clients or ourselves to the extra stress of renovation when we are at our busiest. As a result, construction will proceed mid-June. We’ll let you all know closer to the time when exactly access will be affected, and when you can expect to see our new look!

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Toronto Veterinarian Gets Facelift!