We all love puppies, but not all of us enjoy cleaning up after them.   If you crate train your puppy they will learn that it is enjoyable to be in their own space and it will also stop many accidents from happening.  It is a good idea to put your puppy in their crate at night and during the day when you can’t watch him/her.  Most puppies don’t want to eliminate in their nest.  If your puppy is very small and you have a large crate, divide it up so the puppy has just enough room to stand up and turn around.  Take your puppy out immediately after feeding, drinking water, waking from a nap, playing, training sessions, excitement, being in his crate, waking in the morning and before going to bed.  If you understand when your puppy needs to go out, then you can eliminate many accidents.  The following suggestions will help your puppy succeed with his housetraining.

1. Always watch your puppy.  You can tie him to your in the house.  You can confine him/her to the room you are in with puppy gates.  You can also crate train him/her.
2. Feed on a fixed schedule.  Usually he will need to go right after he has eaten.
3. Always take him out after eating, playing or any excitement.  He will need to go out after exercise, after waking up and before going to bed at night.

If you follow the above guidelines and make crate training a positive experience, your puppy will reward you with less accidents and those first few months of “puppyhood” will be more enjoyable for both of you!

It’s coming! That time of year we at Simcoe Veterinary Hospital love to see. You water-dog owners know well those four words that perk ears and create a burst of tail-wagging, squealing excitement…”Go for a swim?”  For dogs who love swimming it’s the perfect way to exercise and stay cool on those hot summer days. It does, however, come with some perils so take a few simple precautions to avoid a trip to the vet:

1. Scan the area first for sharp things like glass, zebra muscles and fish hooks. A cut pad bleeds plenty, heals slowly and in short; is a real nuisance!
2. Just because they’re wet doesn’t mean they can stay out in the sun all day. Dogs are people too and sunstroke happens.
3. Along with the ball, pack a towel. Drying Fido after a swim goes a long way to preventing skin infections, “hot spots”, and sore ears. A shave-down helps too.
4. For those maniacal swimmers who jump in early to chase the ice chunks, keep in mind that older dogs don’t tolerate the cold the way they used to.
5. Finally, as summer moves towards autumn, bacteria levels rise. Beware of slow moving waters with “Blue-Green Algae”. This is TOXIC stuff and absolutely needs to be avoided.

We at Simcoe Veterinary Hospital love taking our dogs for a swim and there’s lots of areas in Barrie to enjoy the water.

A few common sense steps mean more fun for both you and your dog when we’re finally able to say “Go for a Swim?”

At the Simcoe Veterinary Hospital

Meet Ziggy!

                   Ziggy belongs to one of our Registered Veterinary Technician friends, Melissa.  Since becoming a senior, he has started to pack on the pounds!

Ziggy’s Profile

Age: 11 yrs

Species: Feline

Breed: Domestic Shorthair

Colour: Brown Tabby

Sex: Male Neutered

Current weight: 8.2 kg / 18.1 lbs                     Goal Weight: 5.5 kg

                     Health concerns arise when your cat is overweight.  These include diabetes, heart disease, breathing and mobility problems.

            The diet chosen for Ziggy is Medi Cal Royal Canin Satiety.  According to the feeding guide he should be fed 1 cup per day for him to reach his goal weight.

          Ziggy started his diet on February 25, 2013.  He was slowly introduced to his new food by mixing his old food and new food together to avoid any digestive upsets.

I know Ziggy is very excited to lose some weight and stay healthy to live a long and happy life.  Check back to see Ziggy’s progress!

What is Feline Leukemia?

Feline Leukemia is a virus that only affects cats.  It is transmitted through saliva and other bodily fluids including urine and blood.  It is most commonly transmitted through direct contact, mutual grooming and through sharing litter boxes, food and water bowls. A pregnant female can pass the virus on to her kittens in utero or through her milk.  Outdoor cats who fight with other other cats can transmit the disease through bites and scratches.  It is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of disease and death in domestic cats.

What Are the Symptoms?

Many cats show no clinical signs.  Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, poor coat condition, upper respiratory infections, diarrhea, vomiting and fever.  If you have questions, Simcoe Vet Hospital in Barrie is the best place to contact to discuss your concerns.

How Common Is Feline Leukemia?

In wild cat populations approximately 3-6% of cats are infected.  In urban areas where there are lots of feral cats the incidence can be as high as 50%.

How Is It Treated?

Unfortunately there is no cure for Feline Leukemia, so your best protection against this deadly virus is to visit Simcoe Vet in Barrie and have your cat vaccinated.

Make An Appointment Today!

We feel that prevention is key to maintaining your pet’s health, so the Simcoe Veterinary Hospital is now offering the Feline Leukemia vaccine in conjuction with the regular vaccines your cat receives annually.   Protect your cat and call today!

 How Do I Know If There Is a Problem?

That’s just it, you might not know at all! Sometimes you might see yellow tartar build up, gums that are bleeding, but even normal looking teeth could be rotten to the core.

But My Pet’s Teeth Look So Normal!

This is a frustrating problem. Our brave little pets are not outwardly showing the ongoing pain and discomfort that they are carrying with them every single day.

How could this happen? These pets look so normal!

Quite honestly, there is no easy answer. It’s surprising sometimes when we look deep down into a dog or cats mouth and catch a glimpse of a pocket of infection so messy and painful that we can’t believe this cute little dog is still wagging its tail or the cat is purring. Studies have shown that eighty percent of dogs and seventy percent of cats have dental disease by the age of three.

If Your Pet Has Bad Breath, Give Us a Call….

The best thing to do if you are concerned is to visit your Barrie Veterinarian for a dental exam. We can tell you whether your pet actually needs a cleaning or whether you can get away with preventatives (such as special kibble or chew toys).

Regular Dental Cleanings Can Add Years to Your Pet’s Life!!!