• ·         Keep your pets inside during a firework display. They will be distanced from the noise and therefore feel more protected, and they will be less likely to injure themselves indoors. It is best to try to have dogs outside for their evening walk before it is time for any fireworks. If you do choose to have your dog outdoors, please insure that they are safely leashed and that they are wearing identification in case they do slip away from you.

• ·         Make sure that during a firework display your windows and doors are closed in order to help prevent your pets from hearing it at full volume. If the fireworks are very nearby, you may also want to close curtains to shut out the flashing lights. You can somewhat drown out the noise created by fireworks by leaving a television or radio on.

• ·         Make sure not to change your routines or to reward the dog’s frightened behaviours. Although we naturally want to comfort our pets, it does not help to reward their fear. It will be more calming to them if you go about things in a normal way, and not react at all to the fireworks yourself. 

• ·         Try distracting your pet during periods of stress by playing with them, practicing training moves or giving them a new toy or a favourite thing to chew.

• ·         Remember that fireworks may be toxic. Pets may try to sniff, eat or lick used or unused fireworks which contain potentially toxic substances.  If your pets are brave and are exposed to fireworks while in use, they may be at risk for burns or trauma to their face and paws if not watched closely.

In some cases, our pets will experience extreme fear due to fireworks or other loud noises. For these pets, there are natural supplements, medications and training techniques that may help.  Feel free to consult with one of our veterinarians if you feel that you and your pet need this extra help. 

Happy Victoria Day from the health care team at Eglinton Vet!

We would like to distribute this information to as many people as possible. We know that some of our clients use pet foods that have been recalled by Diamond Pet Foods.

Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to Potential  Salmonella Contamination 

Batches of the brands manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 are affected

Please visit the following website for more information and a list of foods affected: http://www.diamondpet.com/information/

We focus much of our hospital’s information on dogs in the spring and summer months, as our canine friends prepare for more time spent outdoors.  However, our team always looks forward to wellness appointments with cats. This past week we have seen feline patients in all colours, shapes and sizes, ranging from age 8 weeks to 20 years of age!  Many people assume that cats do not need to visit the vet regularly (particularly if indoors exclusively), but we would like to challenge this notion. Here are some things to consider if you are putting off your cat’s annual physical exam:

(1)    One important part of any veterinary visit is the history that you give the doctor about how your cat is acting at home. By asking lots of questions, the vet is looking for clues to decide if your friend may be developing problems such as arthritis, diabetes or hyperthyroidism.  This history is combined with a complete physical examination, which may detect early signs of health concerns such as heart disease or dental issues.  We all need to remember that: (a) our pets age much more quickly than we do and (b) animals are made to hide signs of weakness and therefore do not show obvious symptoms of disease until problems have progressed significantly.

(2)    During a wellness visit you will also get a chance to ask questions of the vet and discuss things such as nutrition, how to handle behavior problems or what to watch for as signs of illness. Remember to bring a list of concerns if necessary so that nothing is forgotten!

(3)    The doctor may recommend vaccinations to prevent death or illness. We believe that these vaccines should always be tailored to your cat’s unique lifestyle (other than a Rabies vaccination which is required yearly by law in Toronto, even for indoor cats).

(4)    With routine wellness visits, the vet and their team can get to know your cat and keep a consistent record of weight, coat condition and personality.  

(5)    You will be able to feel comfortable with the vet and the way that they and their team handle your friend. A sense of trust when your cat is healthy will help everyone involved if emergency care is ever necessary.

We know that very few cats enjoy coming to the vet, but we strive to make the visits as comfortable as possible.  If you are unsure if the stress of a visit to the vet is worthwhile, consider the points above and please remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Wellness testing is the term given to a group of tests that is performed specifically to detect signs of early disease in an animal that otherwise appears healthy. Testing may include blood panels (for blood cell and organ function levels or parasite exposure), fecal testing and possibly a urinalysis. Done in combination with a thorough physical exam by a veterinarian, these tests are invaluable in identifying health problems in our patients.

Clients often ask why tests should be run on animals which are not showing any signs of illness. There are many reasons that this testing does make sense, especially if you consider the following:

• Animals cannot tell us when there is a problem, and many illnesses can be silent in the early stages.  The classic case for this is kidney disease in cats, as up to 75% of kidney function may have been lost before the cat shows clinical signs of concern.
• We can use wellness testing to establish baseline normal levels for blood values for an individual pet. These values can then be watched and trended over time to identify changes of concern.
• Early diagnosis of a medical problem may allow for more effective management or treatment programs.  For example, a cat with decreased kidney function may be switched to a special diet which will be more easily processed by the kidneys over the long term.  Another example is the early detection of Cushing’s disease, a hormonal disease commonly seen in older dogs. When therapy for Cushing’s is started early, a dog will have an increased chance of doing well.

Wellness testing does come with a price tag. But is it worth it to have a record of your pet’s blood values when well (a great baseline) and the peace of mind to know that your pet is as healthy as possible? Each owner needs to answer those questions individually.  As your pet’s health care advisors, our veterinarians do believe that wellness testing is incredibly worthwhile and recommend that it be done yearly, or possibly more frequently in older pets. Please ask our vets if wellness testing makes sense for your pet at your next visit! 



As veterinarians, one of our jobs is to balance the needs of our patient and those of their owner. We understand that pets are often scared when brought into a veterinary clinic, and we want to be as gentle and efficient as possible when dealing with that pet.  Owners may be nervous as well; many people are unsure about what is involved in a visit to the vet, or worried about the health of their pet.

In almost all veterinary clinics, there is an area of the hospital designated for treatment of medical cases and our clinic is no different. Our 'treatment area' is the hub of the hospital. Here, we co-ordinate care for our hospitalized patients, collect laboratory samples, perform simple medical procedures and meet as a team for ‘rounds’ at specific times of the day.  Our treatment area adjoins the the hospital's kennel area, laboratory and x-ray facilities, and compliments our surgical and dentistry suites, which are found on the lower level of the clinic. 

What do we keep in the treatment area of our veterinary clinic? When 'in the back', our doctors have more pairs of experienced hands to help, better lighting, specialized equipment for visualization of the eyes, ears and mouth, supplies for laboratory testing, space to perform lameness exams and medications to aid your pet…the list is endless. Working in this space, our team is able to quickly and easily tend to your pet, and complete the tests or treatments that need to be done without any fuss.  Of course, there are always lots of cuddles and treats to be had as well!

We are always happy to have our clients be part of everything that we do with their pet at the clinic, and we hope that our clients would tell us if they were not pleased at seeing their friend disappear to ‘the back’. However, when our veterinarian makes a request to take an animal into our treatment area, it is merely because they have a reason to want to treat your animal in this area of the hospital; the veterinarian has some specific need in mind or simply wants the support of our skilled technicians and assistants.  By working with them, the veterinarian can accomplish what needs to be done quickly and without any fuss.  This benefits our clients and all of our four-legged friends!



To view the Spring newsletter, please click here.



This spring, our doctors have made the decision to change Eglinton Vet’s “heartworm” blood testing protocol.  Due to the ever increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases in Ontario (specifically Lyme Disease), we feel that it is in the best interest of our patients to also monitor for diseases transmitted by ticks. Just as other progressive small animal practices have done, we are shifting to testing all dogs in 2012 with a test called the 4DX test. This test will check dogs for exposure to the Heartworm parasite as well as exposure to Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, and Erlichiosis (all diseases transmitted through ticks).

In fact, our veterinary practice was involved in a project in 2011 which allowed us to run the 4Dx test on all blood samples taken for screening of Heartworm disease (at no extra charge to our clients). Our doctors were surprised by the results, finding that a number of dogs in the practice had been exposed to the organism that causes Lyme Disease. Some of these dogs underwent treatment with antibiotics, and others were vaccinated against Lyme Disease or had tick-prevention programs instituted. We feel that we have helped all of these dogs and also their families, by making them aware of exposure to the ticks that cause Lyme Disease.

While most dogs will not be showing clinical signs of concern when positive for exposure to tick-borne diseases, it is important that our clients be aware of their pet’s exposure and watch for signs of illness. If a dog is found to have a positive 4Dx test, there may be additional testing we will recommend to check that there are no significant associated health issues, such as kidney problems or blood cell disorders.

Our findings in 2011 have meant that we don’t feel right about not testing all dogs with the 4Dx test this year! We want to be able to: (1) detect a dog’s exposure to tick-transmitted diseases early on, allowing for treatment before our patient gets ill, and (2) institute better tick-control in those cases where the 4Dx test is positive. We want to not only to protect the dog, but their family members as well.

The good news for our canine friends is that there is no change in what they need to do when they visit us! Our vet will examine them, our gentle and experienced technicians will take a small blood sample, and we will send them out the door with appropriate preventive medications for the summer. We know that the 4Dx test will not stop those wagging tails, and hope that our clients will support us in this effort to understand and control the transmission of Lyme Disease where possible. Please give us a call if you have any questions about the new 4Dx blood test.



Greater than half of all cats older than three years old will have at least one tooth affected by resorption (it affects dogs much less frequently).  Over the years these tooth defects have been called many things by veterinarians: feline cavities, ‘neck lesions’, external or internal root resorptions, feline odontoclastic resorption lesions (FORLs), and ‘cervical line erosions’. Our doctors may refer to them by any or all of these names.

The main reason that veterinarians cannot agree on a name for this condition is that the cause of these lesions is unknown; theories supporting an autoimmune response, calicivirus, and metabolic imbalances relating to calcium regulation have all been proposed. Unfortunately, our poor understanding of why these lesions occur not only causes confusion, but it also means that we have no way to prevent this painful condition.

The process of tooth resorption starts with erosion of the tooth (usually starting at or just below the gumline where it cannot be easily seen) and continues with progressive loss of tooth structure. This eventually results  in the exposure of the sensitive portions of the tooth, which is what makes this condition so painful.

Many cats will show no obvious signs of pain unless and until a lesion is actually touched. Sometimes an affected cat will drool, have difficulty eating or owners will notice bleeding at the gumline. Occasionally there can also be vomiting of unchewed food, behavior changes and bad breath.  Most often it is up to an observant pet owner or a veterinarian to diagnose this problem in a cat’s mouth.

Our doctors may be able to identify teeth with suspected resorption during a physical examination, however, dental  radiographs (x-rays) are essential to evaluate all the teeth to determine the best course of therapy when tooth resorption is suspected.  Our hospital is equipped to take these x-rays when necessary and we will often call owners to discuss such x-rays when cats are in for dental assessments under anesthesia. Depending on what is seen in those intraoral x-rays, treatment for tooth resorption involves either extraction of the entire tooth and roots, or a partial tooth extraction. 

Once a tooth with resorption has been identified in a cat's mouth, it is very common for additional lesions to occur. We recommend rechecks every 6-12 months for a cat with a history of tooth resorption so that we can assess if the cat may be developing further damage to remaining teeth.

As our understanding of feline medicine continues to advance, we hope that this is one of the conditions that we will begin to understand better. Please let us know if you have any questions about your cat's dental health, particularly if you see any warning signs of dental disease at home.

The first step is to remember to look in your dog or cat’s mouth on a regular basis. By doing this, you will be able to recognize when a problem is occurring; broken teeth, a bad smell or red gums are examples of things that warrant further attention.  In addition to these checks done at home, it is also important that a veterinarian examine your pet’s mouth regularly, which is done as part of any complete physical examination.  Veterinarians have a unique, dual role as your pet’s doctor and dentist and can help to identify problems and create appropriate treatment plans.

What else can you do to prevent dental problems from occurring?

Brushing your pet’s teeth on a regular basis will remove plaque (a bacterial film) from the teeth. The buildup of plaque will lead to the formation of tartar and eventually cause the development of gum and bone infections.  We would recommend that you brush your dog or cat’s teeth daily or, at minimum, a few times per week. If this is a process that they are not familiar with, take your time, be patient and be generous with treats and rewards. There are toothpastes and brushes designed for pets, which are designed to make the process more appealing to the animal and insure that they do not swallow anything that may be harmful.  

There are many good sources of information on ‘how to brush your pets teeth’ including this link here. Please remember that it is not a good idea to start brushing the teeth after the pet has dental issues. If the process is painful at all, it will not be a nice experience for the pet and they will not allow you to do it. It is best to start brushing the teeth when the mouth is healthy (in a puppy or kitten or immediately after a professional cleaning).

You can sometimes help to reduce plaque and tartar in your pet’s mouth by using rinses and/or gels that target bacteria on the teeth. There are many different products like this available (some good and some poor) and we are happy to try to find the right fit for you and your pet. There are also a number of dry diets marketed to help in the control of dental problems and we strongly advocate these diets when they are suitable for a pet. A good guide for any dental products is to look for the seal of approval from a group called the Veterinary Oral Health Council (www.vohc.org) which is dedicated to testing foods and treats to be marketed for dental care. If it does not carry this seal, it is likely not doing much to help the teeth!

The last component of oral care (especially in dogs) is to consider toys and other treats that promote healthy chewing. It is important to remember that you need to select things that are not going to damage the animal’s teeth. We would recommend that you avoid very hard toys such as natural and nylon bones, deer antlers, large rawhide bones and dried hooves as these will commonly fracture teeth. Chew toys such as rubber ‘Kongs’ and rawhide strips are safer if used appropriately.

A combination of home dental care, a good diet and regular professional exams will help to protect your dog or cat’s oral health, and therefore, their overall well-being. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.



The most common disease in pet animals is periodontal disease. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), eighty percent of dogs and seventy percent of cats have periodontal disease by the age of three. This is an alarming statistic, especially with the note that it is known that proper dental care could increase their life by two to five years.  Dogs and cats are also subject to broken teeth, orthodontic problems and even lesions akin to human cavities. All of these problems will obviously affect your animal’s mouth, but can also lead to chronic pain or infections that then have the potential to introduce bacteria into other parts of the body. In other words, bad teeth can lead to a sick animal. Evidence continues to mount that chronic infection or inflammation in any part of the body can have serious negative impact on systemic health, contributing to problems such as heart disease and kidney disease.

The first step in caring for your pet’s teeth is to look in your pet’s mouth on a regular basis. If the gums appear red or inflamed, if there is a smell, if you see broken teeth or pus in the mouth, we would recommend that you call us right away to schedule an exam. Our veterinarians will assess the problem and formulate a plan, which may include a proper dental assessment and treatment by our team. This is an outpatient procedure done under general anesthesia which includes a thorough oral exam and dental charting, ultrasonic scaling, polishing and fluoride treatment.

You can help prevent dental disease with routine brushing, dental chews, or by using a variety of other available dental products. We will highlight some of our favourite products during the month. However, it is inevitable that every pet will at some point begin to accumulate tartar and bacteria in the mouth. Please call the clinic if you have any questions about your pet’s oral health.