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.

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

Happy Valentines from two puppies in love.

Most importantly, remember that chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs. If you think your dog has consumed any chocolate, seek immediate veterinary attention. We have a Chocolate Toxicity Calculator that tells us quickly whether your dog has ingested a dangerous amount of chocolate. Chocolate contains chemicals that can alter the heart rate of your pet and lead to muscle tremors, seizures and death. If your dog has ingested chocolate, we need to induce vomiting as quickly as possible, put them on intravenous fluids for support and treat any other symptoms of toxicity.

Also remember that ribbons pose a real foreign body hazard to both dogs and cats, and that those fun heart shaped balloons are really scary when they go “pop”.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Happy Valentine’s Day

February is Pet Dental Month. Let us show you how to keep your pet in good dental health.

February is Pet Dental Month. Veterinarians promote dental health for their patients all year round but every February we get together and make an effort to bring oral care to the front of every pet owner’s mind.

Dental disease is the number one medical issue affecting our cats and dogs. It often goes unnoticed until there is so much damage to the teeth and gums that pets are in pain and losing their teeth.

Come to one of our free Client Classes to learn about dental disease. Book a dental exam and we’ll tell you about your pet’s dental health. A healthy mouth is the nicest Valentine’s present your can give to your best companion.

See our earlier post from last fall with some more information about dental care for pets.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | It’s Pet Dental Month

Two peas in a pod. Mac and Andy dozing after their procedure.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, we’re going to go through it together.

Sometimes we just have to share some of the adorable pet moments that happen with our wonderful patients. Mac and Andy are a perfect pair–two very cute puppies. They had a long day at the vet, but they came through like champs. Here’s another one:

Mac and Andy wide awake after their procedure. Love the Stop and Go coloured Vetwrap!

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | A Pair of Puppies–Two Cute!

Technician Team Leader Andria, Animal Care Team Leader Nerma, Client Care Team Leader Erin, Hospital Manager Gail, and Dr. Eaglesome show off their registration badges at the OVMA 2012 Conference.

One of the cornerstones of our veterinary practice philosophy is that continuing education is essential for all of our staff. The recent Ontario Veterinary Medical Association 2012 Conference, gave several of our Veterinarians, and members of our technician, animal and client care, and management teams the opportunity to update their skills and immerse themselves in innovations in their respective fields. Hats off to the OVMA for a conference that was both informative and entertaining!

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Blue Cross Animal Hospital goes to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association 2012 Conference

Pet Drop-off--so your pet can see a veterinarian, even when you don't have time for an appointment.

So you have to get the kids to school, you’ve got meetings all day, lunch with an old friend, and Jane has to be picked up from skating. You wake up in the morning and the cat’s been throwing up all night.

Days like these are why we’re introducing Pet Drop-off. Pet Drop-off is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 10am, so your pet can see a veterinarian, even when you’re too busy for an appointment.

Here’s how it works:

1. Call and book a drop-off. Drop-offs are available from 8am-10am, Monday to Friday.
2. Bring your pet in. Allow 15 minutes to review the problem with a veterinary technician.
3. Leave a deposit, and your phone number. You MUST BE REACHABLE BY PHONE throughout the day, as treatment will not proceed without your authorization.
4. Arrange to pick up your pet. Because you have been in contact throughout the day, an additional appointment with the doctor will likely not be necessary.

The fine print.

You will be asked to leave a deposit of $150, to cover the cost of the initial exam and day care. Note that all drop-offs will be charged a day rate for boarding. Additional charges will be outlined by the Veterinarian when they call to discuss the Patient Care Plan.

You will be asked to sign a broad authorization form and Patient Care Plan so that we may treat your pet later in the day. We will not proceed with any treatment or diagnostic testing without final telephone authorization.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Introducing Pet Drop-off!

Service dogs are always welcome!

Read the Accessibility Plan here.

We have always been committed to welcoming and assisting people in accessing our veterinary services in any way possible, and of course service animals are always more than welcome !

Please feel free to review the full policy using the link above. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 416-469-1121, or feedback@bluecrossanimalhospital.ca, or use the feedback form on this site.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Accessibility Plan is Online

Keep the fun in the festivities by following our holiday safety tips.

The holiday season is almost upon us. It’s a wonderful time of the year for everyone, but your pets require some special thought to make sure they enjoy the festivities as much as the rest of your family.

Here are some pet safety tips to keep in mind, all year long, but especially over the next few weeks.

Dangerous Seasonal Foods and Plants

• Alcoholic Beverages
• Chocolate, which is highly toxic to pets
• Bread Dough. See our previous blog post about this danger.
• Nuts and pine cones can become lodged in your pet’s intestine.
• Small toy parts are easily swallowed causing choking or an intestinal obstruction.
• Chicken or Turkey Bones, as they may splinter and cause mouth and throat or internal injuries.
• Many seasonal plants are poisonous to pets and should be kept out of reach, or avoided altogether. These include: Holly, Mistletoe, Lilies, Poinsettias, Amaryllis, and Yew.
• If you believe your pet has eaten any of the above items, please contact us and get veterinary attention immediately.

Christmas Tree Risks

• Fallen Christmas tree needles are very sharp and can easily become lodged in for pets paws or throat. Sweep up loose needles regularly.
• Make sure your pet can’t access the water at the base of the Christmas tree. It will be contaminated with sap and needles, both of which are very indigestible.
• Long-stranded Christmas Tree Tinsel (icicles) can become a linear foreign body, particualry for cats, who pick up the icicles on their fur through static electricity and then swallow them when they lick them off. See our blog post about the dangers of linear foreign bodies. Avoid using tinsel on the tree anywhere that your cat can come in contact with it.
• Remember to cover all electrical cords, so your pet can’t chew them.
• Christmas tree ornaments can be very interesting to pets. Make sure your ornaments are unbreakable, and that they are large enough that they can’t be swallowed.
• Try and avoid using lights that flash, as the flashing may be upsetting to your pet.
• Falling Christmas trees pose a hazard to both pets and people. Remember that your pet may jump at or attempt to climb the Christmas tree, and make sure that it is securely anchored.

Other Holiday Hazards

• Remove wrapping from the floor to avoid your pet swallowing any of it, particularly lengths of ribbon, which may become a linear foreign body.
• Remember that loud noises may startle or upset your pet, particularly champagne corks, balloons popping, christmas crackers and doorbells.
• Pets may become overwhelmed by large numbers of guests in your home and exhibit undesirable behaviour. Your pet may need to be removed to somewhere quiet to calm down.
• Make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing identification. With the increased comings and goings around your home, there is an increased possibility that they may slip out.
• If you are buying your pet a holiday gift, make sure you get it from a reputable veterinarian or pet store, and inspect it to make sure there are no small parts that may come off and be eaten with the rough love it might get from your dog or cat.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Pets and the Holidays: Safety Checklist

Ingesting uncooked bread dough is extremely hazardous to pets.

With the holiday season just around the corner, many of us swing into action baking up a storm. After all, yummy baked goods are one of the best parts of the festivities. While you are in the kitchen, keep in mind that yeast-based dough is potentially very dangerous to pets.

There are two main reasons that bread dough is so hazardous. First, bread dough expands dramatically in the warm, damp environment of the stomach. Over-expansion can lead to the stomach being extremely bloated, which can lead to  shock and bowel obstruction. Secondly, as yeast ferments it forms alcohol, resulting in all of the potential severe side-effects of alcohol poisoning, including hypoglycemia, loss of balance, central nervous system depression, and possibly seizures and death.

Please make sure that your pet is not left with unsupervised access to bread dough. If you believe your pet may have eaten bread dough, please contact us and get immediate veterinary attention. Bread Dough Toxicity is an extremely serious condition, but with prompt veterinary care, the prognosis is good for a full recovery.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Bread Dough Toxicity

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Blue Cross Animal Hospital | Toronto Veterinarian | Blue Cross Animal Hospital on Google+