Overview
Preventative Medicine
What is an annual exam?
My dog seems healthy, why should I go to the vet? Health or annual exams are how we can catch problems early, identify changes before they become problems and keep your dog as healthy as possible. Learn about everything that is included in an annual exam.
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/importance-wellness-exams
Vaccines
We make vaccine recommendations based on the most up-to-date research available and tailor our vaccine protocol to your dog's needs.
https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WSAVA-Owner-Breeder-Guidelines-2015_1.pdf
Learn about why and what we vaccinate for here.
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/vaccination-and-your-dog/
Fleas, Ticks, Intestinal Parasites
What kind of worms can my dog get and what should I do about them? https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/intestinal-parasites/
Up-to-date information: Concerned about new and emerging parasites? Dr. Scott Weese from the University of Guelph maintains a blog covering infectious diseases in companion animals. https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/resources-pets/
Looking for more detail?
Companion Animal Parasite Control Council
https://capcvet.org/guidelines/general-guidelines/
Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel Guidelines
Heartworm
Heartworm is a serious parasite that lives in the heart and major lung blood vessels in dogs. It is carried by mosquitoes so every dog is at risk, even if they live indoors. We recommend heart worm prevention for dogs June 1st until November 1st.
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/heartworm/
American Heartworm Society is at the forefront of research and information about heartworm.
Lyme Disease
Carried by ticks, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can cause lameness, lethargy, fever and range in severity from no symptoms to fatal. We are seeing year-after-year increases in the number of cases locally so please speak to us about prevention options.
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/lyme-disease/
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/lyme-disease-pet-owners-guide
Bringing your dog to the vet
Many dogs- and their owners- find trips to the vet stressful. There are many ways to alleviate this stress and make the experience more enjoyable for you and your dog. Ask us about options!
Is it the car trip that upsets your pet?
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/preventing-travel-anxiety-and-carsickness-in-dogs
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance lets you pursue the best treatment available for your pet, without worrying about the price tag.
https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/pet-insurance/
PetCard is a veterinary financing company that provides payment plans to cover emergency care.
Nutrition and Dental Care
From the experts
Bringing the veterinary nutritionist to you!
Exercise and Enrichment - for Physical and Mental Health
Your dog does not have to be an athlete but exercise is vital for the physical and mental well-being of all dogs, no matter their age or size. Find the exercise that will work best for you and your dog and get moving!
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need/
https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2017/04/19/whats-a-good-exercise-plan-for-my-pet/
Feeding toys are a great solution to provide mental activity and exercise- reducing boredom eating and obesity!
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/the-best-interactive-toys-and-food-puzzles-for-your-dog
This website (although designed for cats) has all kinds of ideas- from the complex to the homemade, including for multi-pet households.
Obesity
A healthy weight for your dog helps them live longer and means a better quality of life.
Learn why those extra pounds are doing so much damage.
https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2017/10/17/dogobesity/
https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/is-my-pet-overweight/
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952934
Body condition scoring - how we (and you at home!) determine if your dog is overweight, underweight or just right!
https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Body-Condition-Score-Dog.pdf
https://www.hillspet.com/pet-care/resources/body-condition-score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf_-rwxqHYU&feature=youtu.be
The number of calories your dog needs to consume in a day may surpise you. https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Calorie-Needs-for-Healthy-Adult-Dogs-updated-July-2020.pdf
https://petnutritionalliance.org/resources/calorie-calculator?type=dogs
Frequently the barriers to weight loss lie within the humans, not the pets. It requires a transition in the way we think about our relationship with our pets and sometimes that transition is rough. With some creativity and time we are confident you can get there!
http://drandyroark.com/10-ways-to-love-your-dog-this-valentines-day-without-the-calories/
Pet Food Labels and Marketing- Fact or Fiction?
Sick of conflicting advice on the internet and not sure what to believe?
What to look for on a pet food label
https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Nutrition-Label-USA-16_9.pdf
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food
What is an AAFCO Label and why is it important?
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8808771
How does my pet's food manufacturer measure up? (Pet Nutrition Alliance Manufacturer Report) https://petnutritionalliance.org/resources/pet-food-manufacturer-evaluation-report/
Find answers to more of your questions
https://talkspetfood.aafco.org/faq
https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions-and-Myths.pdf
Grain Free and Raw Diets
Grain Free Diets
Recently there has been a link found between grain-free diets and an increased risk of a heart condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Raw Diets
There are some health hazards to be aware of when feeding a raw diet to your pet.
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/media/3ysdgwxg/alternative-petfoods.pdf
What do "natural", "holistic" and "organic" actually mean in terms of pet food?
https://talkspetfood.aafco.org/faq
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/what-is-natural-dog-food
Homemade Diets
From the experts
https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2016/07/14/should-you-make-your-own-pet-food-at-home/
Sources for home-made diet recipes:
Hilary's Blend
http://www.completeandbalanced.com
BalanceIt
Home Dental Care
Why should we care about our pet's teeth?
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care
How to brush a dog's teeth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54WroRd1GiA
Bones can be dangerous for your dog and should not be given to clean teeth.
https://vetdentedu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/no_bones.pdf
Cosmetic teeth cleaning is a non-veterinary oral procedure where your dog's teeth have the visible build-up of material removed while awake. This service is NOT a replacement for a complete oral health assessment and treatment procedure performed by a veterinarian and can do more harm than good. Find out why anesthesia-free cleanings can be dangerous for your pet.
https://afd.avdc.org (American Veterinary Dental College)
Dental Products
Overwhelmed by the number of treats, rinses and powders on the shelves?
Not sure which actually help? The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is here to help by awarding their seal of approval to products with evidence of efficacy.
Disease and Illness
When to know to go to the vet?
Disease Resources
These resources can help reliably and accurately answer your questions if your pet was recently diagnosed with an illness.
How to administer medication
If you are having trouble giving medication to your dog please let us know! If you don't say anything we can't offer to help.
Sometimes oral medication can be hidden in food or a treat but sometimes this will change how they work. If you are not sure if you can give your dog's meds with food please ask us. Please note sometimes hiding medication in food can make the pet not want to eat.
How to give a dog oral medication:
https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2022/01/12/giving-oral-medications-to-your-dog/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJNybWtfOjU
How to apply a dog's eye medication:
https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2022/01/04/examining-and-medicating-a-dogs-eyes/
How to apply a dog's ear medication:
https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2022/01/04/examining-and-medicating-the-ears-of-a-dog/
How to clean a dog's ears:
Senior Dogs
Wellness Testing or Geriatric Screening means checking blood or urine samples for early signs of disease, before they become apparent. This allows us to start treating diseases as early as possible, improving the chances of maintaining good quality of life for as long as possible.
Exercise and weight management are a really important part of keeping your old dog young.
There are many ways to help your old dog get around better, from ramps and grippy matts to supplements and medications for pain. See an overview here but for more detail please contact us (we do not specifically endorse any of the products in this article).
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-help-an-older-dog-with-arthritis-and-other-mobility-issues
Cognitive decline is something we see in dogs as they get older.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/manage-cognitive-decline-in-senior-dogs/
Saying goodbye
In the last part of your dog’s life, it’s important to give them the care and comfort they need, as well as putting their wellbeing and happiness first. We are here to support you through this last part of your journey together.
Assessing your pet's Quality of Life can help determine when it is time to say goodbye.
https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/how-will-i-know_rev_mar2024ms_0.pdf
Pets tend to hide their pain so it can be hard to identify and sometimes they show pain in ways you wouldn't expect.
https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/painmanagement_dogs_web.pdf
Claire Place Veterinary Hospice provides at home hospice care for pets in the Ottawa area. http://www.hospicevet.com
Behaviour and Training
Puppies!
We've compiled some of our favourites resources on raising a puppy but if you have any questions reach out to us!
https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/companion/owner-education/behavior-guide-your-new-puppy
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=10330034
Building communication aka training
Giving you and your dog ways to communicate so you both get what you want out of the relationship is at it's base all dog training is about. Here are some of our favourite training resources to help you both get where you want to be.
https://cattledogpublishing.com/blog/dr-yins-top-10-dog-training-tips/
https://fearfreehappyhomes.com
Learn how dogs read our body language and learn dog body language yourself.
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-your-body-language-affects-your-dog
https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/7-tips-canine-body-language
Kids and Dogs
Teaching children how to safely interact with dogs sets them (and the dog!) up for a lifetime of happy, loving canine companionship.
It is extremely important to supervise children when they are interacting with your pet and intercede when the dog is showing stress before a bite happens.
Exercise and Environmental Enrichment
Providing exercise and enriching experiences keeps your dog mentally (and physically) healthy. Environmental enrichment is anything your dog sees, smells, hears or interacts with during their day.
A common phrase in dog training is: "A tired dog is a good dog". Many behaviour issues can be prevented, or improved, by plenty of exercise.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need/
https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2017/04/19/whats-a-good-exercise-plan-for-my-pet/
Find out the difference between walking for pleasure and walking for exercise, both are important!
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/weight-loss-dogs
Feeding toys are a great solution to provide mental activity and exercise- reducing boredom eating and obesity!
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/the-best-interactive-toys-and-food-puzzles-for-your-dog
This website (although designed for cats) has all kinds of ideas- from the complex to the homemade, including for multi-pet households.
Nail trimming
If you would like to try trimming your own dog's nails at home remember to go slowly to avoid injuring your dog and treats make everything better.
https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2022/03/10/how-to-clip-a-dogs-nails/
Identification and Lost Dogs
Microchipping
A microchip is a small device located under the skin. It is a permanent ID that your dog will have for life and cannot be lost. If they end up in a shelter it is the best way to ensure they get back to you.
Ontario SPCA and SD&G Animal Control
If your dog has been picked up as a stray there is a good chance they were taken to a local OSPCA or the municipal pound.
North Dundas Canine Control Officer
https://www.northdundas.com/local-government-laws/staff-listing
What to do if your dog is lost
Ottawa Humane Society Lost Pet Resource
https://ottawahumane.ca/services/lost-and-found/lost-your-pet/
This handy checklist can help make sure you don't miss any steps when a pet goes missing. https://www.24petwatch.com/ca/blog/how-to-find-lost-dog-tips-faqs
If a found pet has a microchip but you're not sure which company it is from use this search function from AAHA to figure out which company it is registered to.
