Posts by Hilary McCullough

As summer gets underway, taking your dog to the lakes or a river is a great way to keep cool and enjoy time with family. Unfortunately, warm weather also causes Cyanobacteria, a type of toxic algae, to grow rapidly. It can grow on the bottom of riverbeds, and look like a slimy, dark brown or…

Important Information for Pet Owners Ibuprofen is a commonly used over-the-counter pain reliever for humans, but it can be extremely harmful and even life-threatening to dogs. This information sheet is designed to help you understand the dangers of Ibuprofen toxicity in dogs and what to do if your dog is exposed to this medication. What…

As we come into the warmer months, pollens and environmental allergens are present at an all time high. For some of our pets this may mean that the season of itching and scratching has begun.Dogs and cats can be allergic to many different things including fleas, mites, foods (mostly animal proteins) and environmental allergens such…

This is never an easy conversation to have but we are very fortunate in veterinary medicine to have the ability to perform euthanasia on animals.  Most vets will say that this can be the hardest part of our jobs but it can be reframed as the most rewarding as we are caring for animals by…

Did you know it’s illegal to leave your pet in a car on a hot day and you can be liable for a $300 fine? The windows of your car act like a glass house and the inside temperature can get very hot, very quickly – even with the windows cracked.If it’s 22 degrees outside…

What is heat stress? The normal temperature of a dog or cat is around 38.5 degrees.  A rectal temperature above 39.4 is generally classed as abnormal.  When your pet overheats they may pant and be thirsty.  They may lie flat on a cool surface and seek shade. You can help them by providing cool water and shade,…

Also known as Cervical Spondylomyelopathy or Cervical Stenosis for short. Affected dogs develop a wobbly gait due to pressure on the spinal cord in the lower part of the neck.  Often the hind legs are affected first.  How does it happen? This disease begins because there is an instability between two or more vertebrae in…

Cats have two thyroid glands, which are located in the neck and play a vital role in regulating the body’s metabolic rate. Hyperthyroidism is caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormone and leads to an increased metabolic rate. The more thyroid hormone produced, the higher the metabolic rate and the more calories your cat burns.Hyperthyroidism is a progressive…

Why do we blood test our pets before surgery?