Posts in Category: Seasonal Pet Care

We’re happy to report that its that time of year again when the weather starts to become more agreeable, the grass becomes green, the buds on the trees start sprouting and people and their pets start to enjoy the warmer weather by staying outside more and participating in outdoor activities.  This is also the time when pet owners have to become more vigilant as there are a number of nasty little diseases carried by insects and other creatures that can affect both you and your pets.  One these pesky problems is the heartworm parasite that is carried by mosquitoes.  If your pet is bitten by one of these infected flying pests, and it is carrying the heartworm parasite, it will adversely affect your pet’s health.  A dog infected with heartworm can die either from the infection itself or the cure which is quite severe in nature.  That is why we heartily advise and recommend that every dog be tested for heartworm and placed on a heartworm preventative every summer starting in June until November.  The cost is minimal compared to the cost of treating the disease. Continue…

Hear ye! Hear ye!  We would like to announce that during the month of October, your Thornhill Veterinary Hospital will be holding a Halloween costume contest.  If you have a picture of your cat, dog, rabbit etc., in a Halloween costume, please send it to us by email or upload it to our Facebook page for our consideration.

 As we all know, Halloween is not only for children.  People of all ages like to dress up.  Many of our pets also look forward to dressing up as little devils or princesses. 

 If you do not happen to possess a costume for your little devil or princess, take advantage of our selection at the Summeridge Animal Clinic, your local Thornhill Veterinary Clinic.  We have an array of costumes in different sizes from xtras small to xtra large.  Come on in and let your pet try on our the costume of your or their choice and we’ll take a picture.

 Halloween is a fun time – for both children and adults as well as their pets.  Let’s celebrate the special bond we have with our four-legged friends by capturing the essence of their characters through a costume.

  Post your photo on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/summeridgeanimalclinic

If you have any questions, please call us at Summeridge Animal Clinic at 905-731-1225 or visit our website at www.summeridgeanimalclinic.com.

Summeridge Animal Clinic, your Thornhill Vaughan Animal Hospital, wants to share some valuable information regarding ticks and how they can affect your pet’s health.

 Ticks are probably most notable for being the carrier of Lyme disease.  Lyme disease affects people as well as dogs.  Most common signs of Lyme disease are: lameness, fever, swollen joints, and lack of appetite.  Some veterinary clinics recommend yearly screening tests in all dogs for Lyme disease.  We, at the Thornhill, Vaughan Animal Hospital, do not.

Here are some reasons why?:

1.    Although Lyme disease does happen in our patients, it is very uncommon.  This may change in the future as ticks are spreading and becoming more of a threat.   
2. At present, there is no consensus on the treatment of a healthy dog that has a positive test for Lyme disease.  There is insufficient information about whether to treat or not.  What we do know at Thornhill, Vaughan Animal Hospital is that a large majority of infected dogs will not become ill.
3. It is more useful to test on a dog showing the signs of Lyme disease.  If a dog has the following signs of fever, lameness, lethargy, we at Thornhill, Vaughan Animal Hospital, will test for Lyme disease.

Our goal, at the Thornhill, Vaughan Animal Hospital, is to prevent your dog from being bitten from a tick.  

1. Keep your dog away from tall grass or brush.
2.  Use an effective tick preventive product for your dog.
3.  Inspect your dog for ticks daily.  In order for your dog to acquire Lyme disease, the tick needs to be attached for at least 48 hours.  Daily inspection for ticks is the best way to ensure that they never have a chance to cause harm in your dog.

 We have an informative video on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/summeridgeanimalclinic

If you have any questions, please call us at Summeridge Animal Clinic at 905-731-1225 or visit our website to schedule an appointment today!