Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, and is spread by the bites of ticks. Borrelia is a cork-screw looking bacteria, that has a remarkable ability to change its protein coat to hide from its host’s immune system. It wears one coat to hide from the immune system of a … Read more
Ticks go through 2 active feeding seasons in their lifetime: in the Spring when baby ticks (nymphs) are feeding to support their growth into adults; and in the fall when larvae are feeding for their molt into the nymph form, and adults are feeding to support the creation of their eggs. These times of extra … Read more
You are probably aware that you should be checking your dog (and yourself!) for ticks after a walk in the woods in the summer. But are you checking as much as you should? Here are some things you need to know about ticks and your dog: You need to check more TIMES than you think … Read more
Ticks are what is known as vectors – they themselves are not causes of disease, but they carry and transmit pathogens that can make your dog sick. Ticks need to be attached and feeding, pumping their saliva into your pet, for 24-48 hours in order to transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis. … Read more
We love our dogs, and what could be sweeter than our dogs wanting to give us kisses? The problem is their breath may not be so sweet. What you are smelling is not actually “doggy breath” – it is Bacteria Breath. The foul odour from the mouth is composed of Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs) – … Read more
People have a misconception that dental care is a pretty minor thing, nothing to get concerned about… They think that yellow-brown colour on the teeth is just a cosmetic issue, and that breath like a sewer is just normal “doggy breath”. Dental disease is neither normal, nor healthy! Periodontal disease refers to tartar and gingivitis … Read more
As the temperatures rise, we need to be aware of the effects of hot weather on our pets. Hydration: Dogs don’t sweat, so the only way they have to cool off is panting: moving air over the blood vessels of the tongue and mouth evaporates saliva and cools the blood in these sites. This means … Read more
Samba’s Story: Samba, a little Miniature Pinscher, had a couple of conditions that are sadly super common to a lot of dogs. She had 3 surgeries doen to fix these problems! She had breast tumours. Dogs have a scary high incidence of breast tumours if they are not spayed – by middle age, about 6 … Read more
Q: I am so glad to see the grass getting green at last! Well, mostly green… what can I do about those dog urine scald spots in my lawn? A: First of all, be sure your dog is to blame! Grubs that attack grass roots can make yellow patches too. Tug on the grass – … Read more
So you are finally getting to escape winter for a retreat in the heat! The boarding kennel says your dog needs vaccination for Kennel Cough in order to stay with them. So, what is Kennel Cough? Most of the diseases we give vaccinations against are life-threatening, such as rabies or parvo. Kennel Cough, or Bordetella, … Read more