Pyometra in Cats and Dogs

A trip to the veterinarian with your sick cat or dog has led to the diagnosis that your beloved pet has a pyometra. What does this mean? The word pyometra can be broken down into pyo and metrum which are …

Cataract Surgery in Dogs

Have you ever wondered how cataract surgery is actually performed? If so, read on as it really is a very interesting procedure! Cataract surgery is formally known as phacoemulsification. “Phaco” stands for lens, and to ‘emulsify’ means to break down. This is a great name for this procedure, because this is exactly what it is!

Normally the lens in the eye is a clear soft structure that allows light to easily pass through it. If there is any opacity on the lens, it is known as a cataract. A cataract occurs when proteins in the eye leak into the lens, and start to harden. A general rule of thumb is that if you cannot see into an animal’s eyes clearly, then it can’t see out at you clearly! Thus in a cataract, if the entire lens is opaque due to the protein that has leaked out, then the animal’s vision is reduced.

Cataract surgery involves two main tools; one to break up the cataract into smaller pieces, and the other to vacuum the pieces out of the eye. To begin, the animal is placed under general anesthesia so that it is completely unconscious during the procedure.

Breathing Problems in Mice & Rats

Respiratory illness among rats and mice is very common, but can become quite serious. What might start out as a little sniffling, sneezing, or wheezing (also called snuffles), can often lead to a chronic condition with secondary infections such as …

Pregnancy and Cats and Dogs

Many women wonder what precautions they need to take around their pet when they become pregnant. Veterinarian Dr. Ian Sandler says the biggest risk to pregnant women is a disease called toxoplasmosis, which is a transferred mainly from cats.

Most …

Large Breed Puppies

Congratulations on your new puppy! Cherish these weeks, because puppies grow up fast! Soon your cuddly little stuffed animal-sized puppy will become a full-grown large-breed adult. Having an adult dog come with a whole host of new challenges. In order …

Expecting Kittens

Pregnancy signs in cats – cat is pregnant
Expecting kittens – Dr. Bruce Fogle DVM

Early on, there are few outward signs of pregnancy.
The cat may adopt a more serene disposition.
Sensible nesting activity begins.

Pregnancy in cats lasts …

Pets.ca Contest

Winston was the winner of our last contest – congrats Winston who won 75.00 worth of pet merchandise!!!!

A NEW CONTEST WILL GO LIVE IN early 2014 so stay tuned!

All you need to do to enter the contest is …

Cat Socialization – Pet tip 225

In order for cats to become great trouble-free pets, one of the key elements is socialization.
Socialization is a huge topic when it comes to dogs, but is often (and unfortunately) sadly neglected when it comes to cats. When we …

Hairless Cats – Pet tip 145

For many, just the thought of a hairless cat is enough to make them shudder. For these people, the sight of a hairless cat is shocking, and touching one is downright scary. If you are one of these people, then this article is unlikely to sway you in the other direction. However, if you are the kind of person who has always been a little bit intrigued by the unique look of hairless cats, read on. Behind their striking appearance is a fascinating background, and if you are considering making a hairless cat part of your family, there is also a plethora of information to know about the proper way to care for these beautiful creatures.

Congenital hairlessness in cats is an extremely rare trait. Essentially, a hairless cat is the result of genetic mutations in one or more of the genes which encode for normal hair development. While the word ‘mutation’ implies that this genetic condition is unwanted and accidental, there are actually many breeders who select specifically for the hairlessness trait and work to maintain the hairless lineage in their cats.

Anal glands in dogs

Dogs and Their Anal Sacs

Every dog is unique. Some are star athletes, while others are couch potatoes. Some can fit inside a purse, while others can barely fit in the backseat of a car. Some are cute and cuddly, …