Upper Canada
Veterinary Services

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    • About Us
    • Services
    • Vet Store
    • New Patient
    • Resources
      • Cat Resources
      • Dog Resources

Upper Canada
Veterinary Services

Upper Canada Veterinary Services Upper Canada Veterinary Services Upper Canada Veterinary Services
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Vet Store
  • New Patient
  • Resources
    • Cat Resources
    • Dog Resources

Dog Resources

Overview

Preventative Medicine

Nutrition and Dental Care

Nutrition and Dental Care

Learn more

Nutrition and Dental Care

Nutrition and Dental Care

Nutrition and Dental Care

Learn more

Disease and Illness

Nutrition and Dental Care

Behaviour and Training

Learn more

Behaviour and Training

Identification and Lost Dogs

Behaviour and Training

Learn more

Identification and Lost Dogs

Identification and Lost Dogs

Identification and Lost Dogs

Learn more

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/your-veterinarian-still-the-best-source-for-vaccination-advice/


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 

https://research-groups.usask.ca/cpep/index.php

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.

https://www.heartwormsociety.org

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!

https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/yourvet/10-things-you-can-do-make-veterinary-visits-better-everyone


https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/how-can-my-pet-have-stress-free-veterinary-visits/


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.

https://www.petcard.ca/index.php

Nutrition and Dental Care

From the experts

Bringing the veterinary nutritionist to you!

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu

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.

http://foodpuzzlesforcats.com 

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!

https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2017/07/21/battling-the-bulge-troubleshooting-tips-for-pet-weight-loss/


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?

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/The-Savvy-Dog-Owner-s-Guide-to-Nutrition-on-the-Internet.pdf


What to look for on a pet food label

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf


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).

https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2018/06/04/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/


https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy


Raw Diets

There are some health hazards to be aware of when feeding a raw diet to your pet.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-raw-pet-food-diets-can-be-dangerous-you-and-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

https://www.balance.it/recipes

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.

https://vohc.org/accepted-products/

Disease and Illness

When to know to go to the vet?

https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/resources/what-constitutes-pet-emergency

Disease Resources

These resources can help reliably and accurately answer your questions if your pet was recently diagnosed with an illness. 

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com

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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C39A9UU720

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.

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/performing-wellness-testing-can-prolong-your-pet-s-life/


Exercise and weight management are a really important part of keeping your old dog young.

https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/Senior-geriatric-dog-health/proper-conditioning-helps-senior-dogs.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/


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.

https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/five-lessons-all-children-should-be-taught-and-shown-about-living-with-dogs


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.

https://cattledogpublishing.com/blog/kids-and-dogs-how-kids-should-and-should-not-interact-with-dogs/

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.

http://foodpuzzlesforcats.com 

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/

Muzzle Training

www.muzzleupproject.com


www.careforreactivedogs.com


www.doggonesafe.com


https://fearfreehappyhomes.com/dog-meets-muzzle-how-to-make-the-introduction/

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.

https://ontariospca.ca


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. 

http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org

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