Pet Care During Covid
Pet Care During COVID In a previous post “Social Distancing and Veterinarian Visits” I discussed what this new world meant for me as a pet parent taking my dogs for a veterinarian visit. What I once took for granted, walking inside the vet’s office, physically being with my pets during their exam, and talking to our vet in person, is not necessarily the case anymore. Yes, some vet clinics are now allowing you to be...
Top 5 Preventative Pet Health Tips with Dr. Llera
Top 5 Preventative Pet Health Tips On this episode of Vet Chat with Dr. Ryan Llera On this episode of Vet Chat, Dr. Ryan Llera discusses the “Top 5 Preventative Pet Health Tips” to minimize the number of trips to the vet for your pet, and to help them live a long, healthy, happy life. You want to keep your pet healthy and so do I! That’s why, with these 5 preventative pet health care tips, you can get a great start...
Pets, Autumn and Allergies
Pets, Autumn and Allergies Tis the season – itching, scratching, licking of paws. Yup, it’s autumn allergy season for our pets! Many people associate spring-time with the blooming and new growth of plants and flowers as allergy season, but for some, including my dog Edie, autumn causes skin itch and irritation. Autumn is our favourite time of year, the perfect pug weather for long walks and being outside.There is nothing more...
The Scoop on Dog Poop
The Scoop on Dog Poop How Many Times a Day Should My Dog Poop? On this episode of Vet Chat with Dr. Ryan Llera, the discussion is all about the dirty end of our dogs. Yup, we’re talking about dog poop, dog stool, dog fecal matter, no matter what you call it, all dog’s do it, and we as dog parents get to pick it up! But what’s normal when it comes to our dogs and their stools? How many times a day should our dogs...
You’ve Adopted a Kitten – Now What?
You’ve Adopted a Kitten Now What? On this episode of Vet Chat it’s all about the kittens! It’s All About Kittens! Bringing home a cute cuddly kitten is an exciting time, however, sometimes we get more than we bargained for and that adorable little kitten might display health and behaviour issues we didn’t count on. Dr. Ryan Llera discusses health and behaviour issues in kittens. Worms, Ear Mites, Upper...
Marijuana and Pet Safety
Marijuana and Pet Safety The Ontario federal government introduced legislation to legalize cannabis (marijuana/pot). The legalization of marijuana in Ontario, Canada, came in to effect October 17, 2018. There will be many rules, laws and regulations pertaining to the sales, purchasing, and where the recreational use of cannabis will be permitted. There are and will be many questions with regards to the legalization of marijuana,...
The Emergency Veterinarian and Veterinarian Specialist
Emergency Veterinarian and Veterinarian Specialist Why they are not a bad thing How would you feel if your regular veterinarian advised you to take your dog, cat, or pet to an Emergency Veterinarian or a Veterinarian Specialist? What are your thoughts? What goes through your mind? I have been fortunate to date that I have not been put in this situation, but I’m sure if my dog or cat’s vet advised me to take my pets to...
Animal Pain Awareness
Animal Pain Awareness This episode of Vet Chat, Dr. Ryan Llera discusses pain in pets, knowing and understanding the signs when our pets are in pain, what we can do to help our pets, and why we shouldn’t wait to help pets that are in pain. Although September is a month dedicated to Animal Pain Awareness, it’s always important to know and be aware of the signs and symptoms our pets may be having discomfort and are in pain....
Disaster Preparedness and Your Pets
Disaster Preparedness and Your Pets This episode of Vet Chat with Dr. Ryan Llera, we step away from the usual pet health information and tips to discuss the importance of having a disaster preparedness plan in place for your pets in the event of a natural disaster. As I am writing this introduction the news and weather channel are playing in the background and what I’m hearing is terrifying and frightening, and I’m no...
5 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Cat
Five Things You Should Know Before Getting a Cat This episode of Vet Chat, Dr. Ryan Llera discusses the five things we should know before getting a cat. June is a fantastic time and the beginning of summer, but did you also know it’s Adopt A Shelter Cat month? Yes, your local shelter is probably overrun with kitties just looking for a home where they can be fed, feel safe & secure, and give you love in return. Before...
Springtime Parasites – Tick and Heartworm Prevention Season
Springtime Parasites Tick and Heartworm Season It’s that time of year again! The birds are singing, the rain is falling, the flowers are beginning to bloom. It’s also time for Edie’s annual veterinarian checkup that includes heartworm testing and flea and tick protection. On this episode of Vet Chat, Dr.Ryan Llera discusses: Ticks, lyme disease and heartworm Do you know what time it is? Well, aside from longer...
Pet Poison Prevention – Protecting our Pets
Pet Poison Prevention Month Protecting Our Pets From Poisoning As a pet parent you’ve probably heard over and over again the dangers your pet should avoid. Ask any dog parent what your dog shouldn’t consume and the first thing that usually comes to mind is chocolate. But what about other dangers we as pet parents must be made aware of? March is Pet Poison Prevention Month, and on this episode of Vet Chat, Dr. Ryan Llera...
Pet Dental Health Month
Pet Dental Health Month February is pet dental health awareness month. This episode of Vet Chat with Dr.Ryan Llera, we share a veterinarian’s insight and a pet owner’s experience of maintaining our pets dental health. A veterinarian’s insight into pet dental health: Dr. Ryan Llera explains the importance of dental health in our pets. Dental health is one of the most overlooked and under treated conditions...
Cats – They Can Love Going to the Veterinarian!
Cats They Can Love Going to the Veterinarian! I have two cats, Lily and Lloyd. I admit when Lily and Lloyd were younger I did not take them to the veterinarian as often as I took my dogs. Why? I believed because my cats are indoor cats, never going outdoors, only watching birds and leafs fly by from the inside of a window or door, their health was protected. As if that window or door would magically keep all illness and disease away...
Spinal Issues, Diseases and Injuries in Dogs
I’ve asked Dr. Ryan Llera if he would discuss spinal issues, diseases and back injuries in dogs. I wanted to know if there was anything we as pet parents could do to eliminate or reduce the risks of back injuries in our dogs. And, if a back injury happens, or our dog is diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), what, if anything can we do to help our dogs. Spinal Issues, Diseases and Injuries in Dogs Multiple dog breeds...
Brachycephalic Dogs & Breathing Problems
Dr. Ryan Llera discusses Brachycephalic Dogs & Breathing Problems Another summer has arrived! And with it comes the scorching heat. While many of us enjoy this time of year, there are some who don’t. I can’t blame them for hating it. It’s hot, humid, and it makes it more difficult for them to breathe. That’s right, I’m talking about my brachycephalic friends including my #1 pug pal, Miss Edie the Pug....
Senior Pet Care – How You Can Help – Vet Chat with Dr. R. Llera
We all want to know what and how is the best way to care for our pets. We ask all kinds of questions about the best way to raise and train them, we want to know what to feed them and the easiest way to potty train them. But what about the other stage of our pets life? The senior stage of our pets life? On this episode of Vet Chat, Dr.Ryan Llera discusses: Senior Pet Care – How You Can Help People everyday are getting a new puppy,...
Ticks and Your Pets
Ticks! Tics, they’re coming….okay, not really and this is not a cheesy horror film script. Nor do ticks come actively chasing after you or your pet. It is warming up now, so those ticks that were in hibernation (yes, they really didn’t die over winter) will be more active in search of blood and making tick babies! Unfortunately, it also means that they can spread diseases such as Lyme, Ehrlichia, or Anaplasmosis....
Rabies, Raccoons and Dog Safety
Rabies, Raccoons and Dog Safety On this episode of Vet Chat I ask Dr. Ryan Llera to discuss rabies, raccoons and dog safety. There have been several warnings to pet owners lately informing them of raccoons that have tested positive for rabies, and don’t think for one minute that because you live in the city your pet is exempt from being exposed to these infected animals. The above photo is a raccoon that took up residence in my...
Cats and Hairballs
Cats and Hairballs Horf horf horf, ack! Ah yes, the sound you might hear at 3am and you don’t make the connection until you wake up and step in the cats hairball! You know, the cold wet clump of fur your cat brought up a few hours ago. For some cats and their owners, hairballs are written off as a part of life, for others, hairballs might be a sign of a larger problem. Hairballs, or trichobezoars, in most cases are the product...
Dog Park Etiquette – The Good, The Bad & The Furry
Autumn is here, the tress are changing colours, the temperatures are a little cooler, what a better time to meet up with friends at the dog park. Today, Dr.Ryan Llera discusses: Dog Parks The Good, The Bad, & The Furry Over the past several years, dog parks have sprung up in communities as a place for your canine companion to get some exercise and depending on rules, meet other dogs. Dog parks can be wonderful places, but they...
Animal Actors or Pets
Do tv programs and movies effect the popularity of dog breeds? And if so, what effect does it have on that breed? Is it positive – showing the dog in a different light, or highlighting the skills that these dogs/breeds are capable of? Is it negative – this dog breed is now so popular that everyone wants/needs to have one, even if that dog is not the right fit for you or your family? Do people understand that what they are...
Cars, Planes, Dogs and Cats – Traveling with Pets
This week on Vet Chat with Dr. Ryan Llera, he discusses how to safely travel with pets. The arrival of the spring-summer travel season is upon us and perhaps you’re getting ready to take some time off with the family including the pets. Traveling with pets can be lots of fun but also can be an anxious endeavor for both you and them. Before you hit the open road or take to the skies, let’s do our part to make it a safe and...
Vet Chat with Dr. Llera – Scratching the Surface of Skin Disease
Scratching the Surface of Skin Disease Previously, we discussed the top 5 visit reasons that pets get seen at their veterinarians. Well, we didn’t talk about skin issues but a top 6 list doesn’t sound as cool and the integumentary system has so many facets, it deserves a post of it’s own. When I was in Florida, I would call it a dermatologist’s dream job because of the number of skin problems. So why are we...
Pug on the Hot Seat – Interview with Dr. R. Llera
Last week I had the pawleasure of interviewing Dr. Ryan Llera and asking him all the questions pets want to know about our vet and the reasons they do the things they do to us during our visits. Today the examination table is turned and Dr. Llera asks me the tough questions! 1) What’s it like living with 2 cats? When they are not sleeping in my bed or taking my humans attention away from me they’re ok. They have a...
Kelly and Edie. Who we are
PetsPlusUS Champion Awards
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Top 5 Nominee- Community Outreach
CP24 Animal House Calls
