Treading Lightly with Tapeworms: Echinococcus and Your Pets

A light-colored lab sitting outside

It seems like a large part of taking care of pets is working to keep them parasite free. From ectoparasites like fleas and ticks, to blood-borne parasites like heartworm and intestinal parasites, it’s a tough job.

While we have a pretty good handle on most of these monsters inside, some of them can be nastier than others. Echinococcus multilocularis is one of the more worrisome parasites, and is being diagnosed with increasing frequency here in Canada. Not to worry, though – your friends at Summeridge Animal Clinic are here to help!

Continue…

The Truth About Anesthesia-Free Pet Dental Cleanings

A puppy's teethAnesthesia-free pet dental cleanings have become more popular in recent years. You may have heard about them being offered at grooming salons, pet stores, or even some veterinary clinics. Similar to human dental cleanings, these procedures involve the scraping of plaque and tartar without the use of anesthesia.

The popularity of this practice comes from marketing campaigns that promote it as a safe and less expensive alternative to putting a pet under anesthesia. However, what these campaigns fail to mention is that anesthesia-free pet cleanings tend to make dental problems worse, and, in some cases, it amounts to animal abuse and cruelty. Continue…

Help! I Think My Cat is Sick, but I’m Not Sure!

A orange and white cat on a towel

Cats can be elusive which is a trait most feline fanciers appreciate. Your cat may like to hide, slink about, and lie in wait for the perfect time to ambush your ankles. However, there are times when their health could be in jeopardy and the signs aren’t always obvious. There are some symptoms (albeit subtle ones) that cat owners should know about so they can help their pet stay as healthy as possible.  

Continue…