Vaccination, parasites, anesthesia, blood tests…
Information to better understand how to care for your pet.
Glucose, derived from the sugars an animal eats, is essential for cells to produce energy. It travels in the blood and enters cells thanks to insulin. When the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin, this is type 1 diabetes mellitus: glucose builds up in the blood and is eliminated in the urine unused. A second type — mainly in cats and often linked to obesity (type 2) — occurs when the pancreas makes insulin but cells are no longer sensitive to it; this form is sometimes reversible!
It is seen in middle-aged to older dogs and cats. Affected animals drink and urinate more, then lose weight despite a good appetite. Diabetes predisposes to infections, cataracts, hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis (a severe emergency). A visit confirms the diagnosis through blood and urine testing and lets us start treatment quickly (insulin, low-carbohydrate diet, regular exercise). Treatment is rarely curative but restores a good quality of life.
Many household products and foods are dangerous, even deadly, for your pet. The list is long; some examples:
One rule stands: NEVER give a medication without your veterinarian’s advice. If your pet is sick, don’t medicate it yourself — call us.
In case of contact: 1) stay calm and act fast; 2) note the product name and keep the packaging; 3) record the concentration and approximate amount; 4) call your vet or an emergency centre with the animal’s weight; 5) follow instructions. Never induce vomiting without professional advice.
Animal poison line: 1 (800) 548-2423 (English only). Fees apply but can greatly reduce the vet bill by identifying the best therapy.
Blood analysis reveals a wide range of information. Several situations call for it:
General anesthesia puts your pet to sleep for a diagnostic (radiograph, biopsy) or therapeutic (surgery, scaling) procedure. It is not without risk, but a thorough exam and appropriate tests (blood work, chest radiograph) detect abnormalities that could increase it.
When no abnormality is found, anesthesia proceeds with confidence. Otherwise it may be postponed while the issue is corrected, or the drug choice and monitoring are adjusted. Your companion’s safety remains our highest priority.
Laser therapy is an advanced medical modality designed to effectively reduce edema (swelling) and pain while accelerating tissue healing. This non-invasive technique is frequently integrated into treatment plans for a variety of clinical conditions.
Therapeutic laser is particularly beneficial for managing numerous conditions, including:
The duration of exposure, frequency and total number of sessions vary and are strictly tailored to the nature and chronicity of the specific condition being treated.
Although the applications of this technology are extensive, the use of laser therapy is strictly contraindicated in the following scenarios:
Fleas are very common on our pets. Surprisingly, contamination happens mainly through the environment, not direct contact. Only the adult flea is parasitic and stays on its host; the eggs fall into the environment and develop there. In Quebec, August and September see the most infestations.
A female lays dozens of eggs a day — one pair can produce 16 million in under 3 months! Fleas can cause anemia, transmit a digestive parasite (Dipylidium) and trigger skin allergies. Humans can be bitten too.
Treatment must target the animal AND its environment, and include every pet in the home. Veterinary topical or oral products protect for a month; clearing the environment takes about 6 months. These products are also used preventively.
Obesity is not just a condition — it is a disease with harmful consequences. Increasingly common, it stems from lack of exercise and too much food or treats.
In cats, the most important consequence is (type 2) diabetes, along with arthritis, megacolon and urinary infections. In dogs, it is mainly early arthritis, skin infections in folds, breathing problems (flat-faced breeds) and urinary infections. Preventing obesity — quality food, controlled portions — is far easier than reversing it.
Sterilization (neutering or spaying) is usually done around six months, ideally before the first heat. It controls overpopulation and reduces behaviour problems: urine marking, escaping, fighting, and the strong urine odour of intact males (especially cats).
It also prevents health problems: uterine infections (pyometra), prostate issues, and cancers of the testicles, ovaries and mammary glands. In female dogs it avoids the bleeding of heat cycles (2–3 weeks, twice a year). Female cats vocalize loudly in heat and attract males.
Ticks are an external parasite increasingly present in our area. Some transmit diseases, including Lyme disease, which can also affect humans. A screening test is recommended in dogs, often combined with the heartworm test.
A tick looks like a small greyish or brownish lump on the skin, varying in size with the blood ingested. It’s best to have it removed properly and analyzed. Examine your pet’s skin carefully, especially after summer walks in the woods.
