A purrfect ending: Kabul cat and NATO officer reunite in Vancouver
Abandoned, tear gassed, airlifted and very much loved: a cat rescued from Afghanistan finds a new home. But Tay Tay, a three-year-old grey tabby, was much more than a number to Gary Ash, 59, a NATO officer stationed in Kabul. Ash worked in occupational safety at Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Kabul, Afghanistan, located next to the American Embassy. She was a friend. (Tay Tay beside Gary Ash on a cold night at Camp Resolute Support in Kabul. PHOTO BY GARY ASH /PNG) So when an international mission organized an airlift to Vancouver to liberate Tay Tay and 300 other dogs and cats stranded...
Read MoreA Christmas Tail
“My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am” -Author Unknown They say if you are lucky enough to live with dogs that you can’t help but have a favourite & that you will undoubtedly have at least 1 pup who becomes the ultimate ‘million dollar dog’. Well, that would be my dog Peppy, 12 years old (with a 28 year old liver), having defied all odds of survival in dogdom, he’s actually a scabillion dollar dog. But oh so heart-meltingly adorable. I’ve also come to truly believe that with each & every health issue a dog...
Read MoreWe have a new puppy!!!
Meet Shay. Dr. Louise Janes D.V.M. & Dr. Jeff Grognet D.V.M. Mid-Isle Veterinary Hospital 5-161 Fern Road West Qualicum Beach, BC Tel (250) 752-896 Mid-Isle Veterinary...
Read MoreThree Things Your Puppy Needs
Three things are essential for your puppy. The one most people think about are vaccinations. How old should a pup be when he gets his first set of vaccinations? What diseases should pups be vaccinated against? There are no concrete answers to these questions. Your veterinarian is the best source for information on vaccinations because she will know which infections are a concern in your area and she will follow an established protocol that she trusts. For information on how long they can last, check this out: https://www.dogtraining.academy/newsletter—vaccine-schedules “When can I...
Read MoreCataracts
Cataracts are one of the most common problems affecting the eyes of the dog. There are many different forms and causes of cataract formation. They affect all breeds and ages of dogs, but certain types show up more commonly in certain breeds. Despite the fact that they are very common, there is still a lot that we do not know about canine cataracts. The only current treatment option is surgery, but with correct patient selection the outcome is very good. This article will explain some of the different forms of cataracts including their age of onset and their treatment options. What are...
Read MoreWhen Good Teeth Go Bad
When was the last time you had a good look in your dog’s mouth? If he’s over three years old, there is a 75 percent chance that he has dental disease—plaque, tartar, and inflamed gums. However, besides causing bad breath and tooth loss, the infection in the oral cavity can spread to vital internal organs. Small breed dogs are prone to tartar accumulation at very young ages. The result is they lose many teeth by the time they are 10 years old. It all begins with the formation of a thin, soft film of plaque (food and bacteria) on the teeth. Left undisturbed, plaque eventually mineralizes...
Read MoreWhat to Feed a Dog with Cancer?
Almost half of all dogs over 10 years of age succumb to cancer. Is there any way we can improve the lives of canine cancer victims in a natural way? Yes, there is. By feeding them a diet low in carbohydrates, high in fat, and supplemented with vitamins and herbs, we can enhance not only the quality of their lives, but sometimes the length of their lives. If your dog with cancer is going to withstand surgical treatments, chemotherapy, or even radiation, he must be strong. His immune system must also be well supported so it can fight the cancer. Not surprisingly, your dog will be better able...
Read MoreObesity – Why it is so BAD
If your dog is 10 percent over his ideal body weight, he is overweight. If he’s more than 30 percent over his optimal weight, we call him obese. Unbelievably, obesity strikes more than 30 percent of dogs, and the incidence is rising. Obesity is partly due to ignorance – owners not making the right choices about diet and exercise for their canine friends. However, even owners that recognize their dogs are obese often do not think it is an issue. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Fat isn’t just a layer under the skin. It is in every crevice of the body. If you were to cut a fat...
Read MoreUrine and Grass Scalding
Urine. Some veterinarians call it “liquid gold” because it has incalculable value in determining a dog’s health status. However, puppy owners who have to clean it up call it a waste product. Likewise for people who take pride in their lawns. To them, dog urine is a force that wreaks havoc on their pristine green carpets. Urine scalding of grass is so upsetting to some people that they won’t allow their dogs access to their beautifully manicured lawns. Others try to limit unsightly yellow urine stains by adding ingredients such as baking soda or apple cider vinegar to their dogs’...
Read MoreA New On-Line Shopping Page.
On-line marketing has become an ever increasing presence an the market place and Island Woman magazine has created a platform to assist smaller companies on the island to easily access and share in its potential. Trish Summerhayes, the owner of Island Woman, said “It’s very important to me to do all that I can to encourage small business’ on the island, especially those of island women. I was a small business owner for many years and I know that it can be very difficult to start up and run a business, especially for women. It is so draining trying to obtain start-up money...
Read MoreCat Bathing as a Martial Art
Some people say cats never have to be bathed. They say cats lick themselves clean. But, sometimes kitty does smell or their owner gets an idea that they should be bathed. When that day arrives at your house, here is some advice you might consider as you place your feline friend under your arm and head for the bathtub. Know that although the cat has the advantage of quickness and lack of concern for human life, you have the advantage of strength. Capitalize on that advantage by selecting the battlefield. Don’t try to bathe him in an open area where he can force you to chase him. Pick a...
Read MoreChristmas Hazards
For those of you who are taking time during this busy season to read this column, we send wishes for a happy and safe festive season for both you and your four-leggeds. Though the holidays are fraught with potential hazards for your furry kids, you can easily keep them safe with an ounce of common sense. The most common holiday ailment is the simplest one to prevent. Overeating disease only occurs if you let it. You have to remember that dogs are creatures of habit. Because many dogs eat the same thing every day, their digestive tracts are not prepared for the Christmas food assault. If you...
Read MoreDo You Have An Itchy Pet?
We are seeing an inordinate amount of fleas right now, largely due to the hot summer on the West Coast. The fleas got hold and they aren’t giving up. If you have an itchy dog or cat, watch this webinar on how to diagnose these pesky insects, along with recommendations for flea control. Dr. Louise Janes D.V.M. & Dr. Jeff Grognet D.V.M. Mid-Isle Veterinary Hospital 5-161 Fern Road West Qualicum Beach, BC Tel (250) 752-8969Mid-Isle Veterinary...
Read MoreThe Wonderful Reverse Sneeze
Does your dog ever look like he is having trouble breathing, gasping to get air in, and yet a minute later, he is all fine? It could be a reverse sneeze. Take a look at this webinar to see what to do about it. Dr. Louise Janes D.V.M. & Dr. Jeff Grognet D.V.M. Mid-Isle Veterinary Hospital 5-161 Fern Road West Qualicum Beach, BC Tel (250) 752-8969Mid-Isle Veterinary...
Read MoreThe Perils of Peanut Butter
If you give your dog treats like peanut butter or grapes, make sure you watch this. We’ve known about the toxicity of grapes for a long time, but some people still give them, or their dry cousins the raisins, to their dog. They can cause massive kidney damage. And, if you thought that organic means safe, you’d be wrong. Peanut butter, once considered safe, is now being tainted (from the dog perspective) and can be poisonous. There is a chemical added to boost the sweet flavour called xylitol that you need to watch out for. Dr. Louise Janes D.V.M. & Dr....
Read MoreHeatstroke in Pets
With this hot weather, we need to be on the lookout for overheating, what we call hyperthermia. The video below will provide some tips on preventing heatstroke, as well as actions to take if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke. Let’s all keep our pets safe this summer! Dr. Louise Janes D.V.M. & Dr. Jeff Grognet D.V.M. Mid-Isle Veterinary Hospital 5-161 Fern Road West Qualicum Beach, BC Tel (250) 752-8969Mid-Isle Veterinary...
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