Veterinary Health FAQ

Dental health is just as important for dogs and cats as it is for people. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and expensive oral surgery.

Unless your pet just ate something fishy, stinky breath isn’t normal. Having a veterinarian evaluate your pets teeth regularly – and clean them as needed – will help prevent dental disease and any associated problems.

The answer is different for each pet, although many commercially available foods are fine to feed healthy dogs and cats. However, your pets nutritional needs change depending on their life stage and health. Our veterinarians generally recommend a specifically formulated prescription pet food, as well as give you advice on deciphering ingredient lists and determining how much to feed your pt.

A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is a highly trained professional who acts as the right-hand of a veterinarian. As an integral part of the veterinary medical team, they have a highly diverse job description. Their role in a veterinary clinic is comparable to a Registered Nurse in a human hospital. As specialized aides, vet technicians have much to offer in the care and management of your pet.

Your veterinarian will determine which vaccinations are appropriate for your dog or cat, based on individual factors such as lifestyle and health status. Veterinarians commonly recommend that dogs be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, and parvovirus and that cats be vaccinated against rabies and panleukopenia (feline distemper). Additional vaccines, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and Bordetella, are recommended based on your cat or dog’s risk.

Many of these diseases can be fatal to your pet. Preventing them is far easier and less expensive than treatment.

Our veterinarians make every effort to stay current and skilled in many aspects of animal health. However, there are board-certified specialists that have extensive experience and training in particular areas of veterinary medicine.

When we refer a patient to a specialist for treatment, we continue to stay involved with his or her care, consulting with the treating specialist and often providing any needed follow-up care and rehabilitation. We want our patients to have the best possible outcome.

We make every effort to accommodate our Clients’ requests. However, there may be circumstances that prevent access to a certain veterinary team member. Scheduling conflicts, emergency situations and vacations all play a role in their availability.

Please feel free to ask for a specific veterinarian or veterinary technician when you schedule your appointment and we will do what we can facilitate your request.

We keep track of your pets weight just like your doctor’s office keeps track of your height and weight each time you visit. Having an accurate and current measurement of your pets weight will help us ensure that we prescribe the right dose of preventives, medications and any needed anesthetics. It can also help us notice any early clues to health concerns.

The short answer is a resounding ‘yes’. If you walk your dog in one of Toronto’s many wonderful series of wooded trail systems, you and your dog are susceptible. Canine Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in the Toronto area, initiated by the bite of an infected, Ixode scapularis, also known as Deer or Blacklegged ticks. While not all variations of ticks carry Lyme disease, populations of Blacklegged, Deer and American Dog ticks continue to expand in the GTA and other parts of Ontario.

Not any more than a regular vaccine injection. The chip is inserted at the back of the pet’s neck, where the skin is loose. It takes seconds. No surgery or anesthesia is required – a microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. Microchipping is a safe and effective way to identify your pet in case he or she becomes lost.

During normal business hours, call us to help us prepare for the situation and bring your pet to the clinic immediately.

If your pet gets sick outside our regular hours, take your pet immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic. You can find the options here:

After Hours Emergencies

CBD is also purported to deliver anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, appetite stimulation and anti-anxiety impacts, although there’s no conclusive data on these claims.

The jury – medical community – is still out on CBD’s effectiveness. While there’s no conclusive scientific data in using CBD to treat our furry friends, there’s growing anecdotal evidence suggesting it can treat pain, reduce anxiety, as well as helping to control seizures.

The use of essential oils has become increasingly widespread over the last few years. While wildly popular, scientific support about the positive health effects is limited and contradictory. This is particularly true when discussing health effects on your pet.

Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine and wintergreen are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.

It is important to note that cats and dogs are much more sensitive to scents than their human counterparts. What you may believe to be an insignificant, fragrant scent may be overwhelming and harmful to an animal.

The flea and tick treatment marketplace features numerous generic drugs that are available over-the-counter. As generic options, these drugs offer generic solutions and are more affordable than prescription medicines.

If you purchase preventives from sources other than a veterinary hospital or a website affiliated with a veterinary hospital, you don’t have any guarantee that the product is authentic or that it has been stored and shipped as recommended by the manufacturer.

When you order from our veterinarian, you’ll have the added benefit of being able to rely on her expertise and knowledge of your pet’s medical history.