Bayview Animal Hospital

11/03/2025

We are incredibly proud to share that Dr. Neil Pothier has been named Veterinarian of the Year by the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association (NSVMA)—a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary dedication, skill, and heart.

Behind every healed pet and comforted family is a veterinarian who has faced long hours, emotional decisions, and the weight of responsibility that comes with caring for lives that cannot speak for themselves. This recognition is a testament to Dr. Pothier’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and excellence in veterinary medicine. Whether comforting our team members, performing life-saving procedures, or mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals, Dr. Pothier embodies the heart and soul of our mission at Bayview Animal Hospital.

Dr. Pothier exemplifies the resilience and compassion that define the very best in veterinary care. He has stood strong through heartbreaking moments, celebrated joyful recoveries, and remained a steady source of hope for both animals and their humans. His days are filled with complex medical cases, emergency calls, and the quiet heartbreak of saying goodbye—yet he continues to show up with ambition, empathy, and unwavering commitment.

This award is not just a recognition of his excellence in medicine, but also for his dedication outside of Bayview Animal Hospital, where he volunteers his personal time for various organizations and events.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Pothier on this well deserved honor. We are so lucky to have him as part of our team and family, and even luckier to witness the incredible impact he makes every single day.

Thank you, Dr. Pothier, for everything you do. 🤍

10/31/2025

🎃Halloween Hazards for Pets: Chocolate & Xylitol🎃
As you enjoy your Halloween treats, remember that some festive goodies can be frightfully dangerous for your furry friends!

🍫Chocolate Toxicity🍫
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two substances that are harmless to humans but toxic to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, increased thirst or urination, tremors, and even seizures.

🍬Xylitol Danger🍭
Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in many sugar-free candies, gum, and baked goods. Even small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, or death in dogs.

🛡️Prevention Tips:
- Keep Halloween candy out of reach
- Educate children not to share treats with pets
- Clean up dropped candy promptly
- Watch for signs of ingestion and act quickly

If your pet ingests something suspicious, call your veterinarian or an emergency vet immediately.

Wishing you and your pets a safe and spooky Halloween!👻🎃

10/29/2025

Bayview Animal Hospital, in partnership with Animal HealthLink, offers an After-Hours Teletriage Service for Bayview Animal Hospital clients so you can get professional guidance for urgent pet concerns when the clinic is closed. Call the clinic main line at 902-245-5205 to be connected to an Animal HealthLink Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) who will assess your pet remotely and advise next steps.

📞How the call works
- Initial connection: Call 902-245-5205 and you will be routed to an Animal HealthLink RVT.
- Assessment questions: The RVT will ask focused questions about your pet’s condition, recent history, and current signs.
- Multimedia review: You may be asked to send photos or short video clips to help the RVT evaluate posture, wounds, breathing, gait, vomiting, diarrhea, or other visible signs.
- Clinical judgment: The RVT uses the information gathered to determine urgency and appropriate actions.

🐾Possible outcomes and next steps
- Stable: If the RVT determines your pet is stable and does not need immediate care, Bayview Animal Hospital will contact you the next day to schedule an in-clinic appointment.
- Requires immediate attention: If the RVT determines the situation is urgent or an emergency, they will help arrange after-hours care or refer you to a recommended emergency facility and advise what to do en route.
- Home-care guidance: For non-emergent issues, the RVT may provide safe home-care instructions and monitoring recommendations until an in-person visit is possible.

10/28/2025

What makes veterinarians stand out is their ability to communicate across species. They listen not only to pet owners but also to the subtle cues animals give, often working with limited information to make life-saving decisions. Their commitment goes beyond medicine—they advocate for animal welfare, educate communities, and often work extremely long hours in extremely emotionally demanding situations.

Every day, they show up with compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication to care for our pets. Veterinarians deserve much more than they receive. We appreciate every vet, but most of all our amazing doctors here at Bayview.💙

Please be kind to veterinarians!

Most practicing veterinarians aren’t nearly as rich as the public thinks we are.

One of the biggest surprises while promoting my book, A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian, has been how much the media focuses on the rising cost of veterinary care — a topic that exposes one of the most painful misconceptions in our profession.

It’s easy for pet owners to assume veterinarians are wealthy because of the fees they pay. I’ve heard countless stories from colleagues on the receiving end of jokes about “funding their next vacation” or “buying a new car,” all while carrying the heavy financial burden of student debt.

What many clients don’t realize is that most of those fees go right back into keeping the clinic running — paying for equipment, medications, staff wages, and rent — not into a veterinarian’s bank account.

And here’s the irony: the same financial strain that clients feel is also affecting the people caring for their pets. Rising costs, inflation, and massive student loans have left many veterinarians struggling to get ahead, delaying milestones like buying a home or saving for the future.

These hidden realities take a real toll on mental health and wellbeing in our field.

By talking about this more openly, I hope we can foster greater understanding and empathy in the exam room — recognizing that your pet’s care team is navigating their own challenges, too.

Your pet deserves compassionate, high-quality care.
And the veterinary professionals providing it deserve compassion and respect. ❤️

Want to learn more about what it really means to be a veterinarian?
📘 Get your copy at acompasionatecalling.com

10/21/2025

🐾❤️Shoutout to our incredible veterinary receptionists (Client Care Specialists)!❤️🐾

You’re the first smile clients see, the calm voice on the phone, and the steady hand behind the scenes. From juggling appointments to comforting worried pet parents, your kindness, patience, and multitasking skills keep everything running smoothly.
Your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed — you’re the heart of the clinic, and we’re so grateful for everything you do. We have your back! Thank you for being amazing!

10/15/2025

🐱FELINE URINARY BLOCKAGES‼️

Urinary blockages in cats—especially male cats—are a life-threatening emergency that every pet parent should know about. These blockages occur when the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) becomes obstructed by crystals, mucus, or small stones, preventing the cat from urinating properly or at all. Male cats are more vulnerable due to their narrower urethras.

🐾 Early Warning Signs to Watch For:
-Straining in the litter box with little or no urine output
-Frequent, unsuccessful trips to the litter box
-Crying or vocalizing in pain while trying to urinate
-Blood in the urine or urine that looks pink or brown
-Excessive licking of the ge***al area
-Lethargy, hiding, vomiting, or loss of appetite

These symptoms can escalate quickly. If your cat cannot urinate, toxins build up in the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure, heart complications, or even death within 24–48 hours.

Why Immediate Veterinary Care Is Critical:

A blocked cat needs urgent medical intervention. Treatment typically involves:
-Urinary catheterization to relieve the blockage
-IV fluids to flush toxins
-Pain relief and medications
-Monitoring for complications like dehydration or electrolyte imbalances

Delaying care can result in bladder rupture or permanent damage to the urinary tract.

✅ Prevention Tips:
-Encourage water intake (wet food, water fountains)
-Feed a vet-recommended urinary health diet
-Reduce stress in multi-cat households
-Schedule regular veterinary checkups

If your male cat shows any of these signs, don’t wait—call your veterinarian immediately.

Your quick action could save your cat’s life. 💙

10/10/2025

Bayview Animal Hospital will be closed on Monday, October 13th to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. In the event of an emergency, Bayview clients may phone 902-245-5205 for information on reaching the veterinarian on call.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂

10/03/2025

🎉 October is Registered Veterinary Technician Month! 🐾

This month, we proudly celebrate the incredible work of our RVTs — the compassionate, skilled professionals who are the backbone of veterinary care.

🩵What does an RVT do?
RVTs are highly trained and licensed professionals who:

- Assist in surgeries and monitor anesthesia
- Perform diagnostic tests and lab work
- Provide nursing care and administer medications
- Educate pet owners on wellness and treatment plans
- Support veterinarians in delivering top-tier medical care
- Advocate for animal welfare and mental health in the profession

Their dedication, expertise, and empathy make a world of difference in the lives of animals and their families every single day. To our amazing RVTs: thank you for your tireless commitment, your gentle hands, and your big hearts. You are truly heroes in scrubs! 🐶🐱🐰🐾

09/24/2025

⚠️TEMPORARY CLOSURE⚠️
Bayview Animal Hospital will be closed on Thursday, September 25th from 12:30pm-1:30pm for a staff meeting. In the event of an emergency, Bayview clients may phone 902-245-5205 for information on reaching the veterinarian on call.

09/23/2025

💩Dogs can become infected with intestinal parasites through exposure to contaminated soil or f***s that contain the eggs or larvae of hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. Bring a sample to your pet’s next visit to be tested and ask us about year-round parasite preventatives!

09/15/2025

Did you know that declawing is a partial digit amputation? When cats are declawed, the last bone of each ‘toe/finger’ is removed. This procedure includes the cutting of soft tissue, tendons and nerves at the tip of the finger, which can lead to serious side effects. Although this procedure may be required to treat an unresponsive nail infection, tumor growth or severe trauma, elective declawing is illegal in the majority of Canada, including Nova Scotia.

Scratching is a normal expression of feline behavior. Not only does it contribute to nail health, it is also a means to communicate! While nail trimming is efficient and easy for most cats, continued scratching on unwanted surfaces can become frustrating! Try redirecting your cat’s normal scratching habits to designated areas. Carpet, sisal rope, cardboard, or softwood surfaces can satisfy even the pickiest felines. Strategically placing these scratching outlets around the house, observing what your cat enjoys and encouraging use with positive reinforcement can lead to success!

08/20/2025

🌞 Summer Hydration Giveaway! 🐶🐱

UPDATE:

CANINE HYDRATION PACK WINNER, Diana Theriault (Kali)
FELINE HYDRATION PACK WINNER, Brianna Arsenault (Louis & Dolly)

We’re giving away two hydration bundles — one for a lucky cat and one for a lucky dog! Each bundle includes:
💧 Pet water fountain
🍪 Bag of treats
🥤 Portable water bowl
🎾 Fun toy
🧊 Your very own Yeti water bottle
Let’s keep our furry friends cool and hydrated this summer!☀️💦

Here's how to enter:

🐾Post a picture of your cat or dog in the comments (only one entry per person!)
🐾Let us know their name and their favorite thing to do during the summer!

This contest is open to anyone within Digby and surrounding areas. We'll randomly select a winner and notify via this Facebook post on September 4th. The winner will receive a bundle, which must be picked up at Bayview Animal Hospital!

Contest ends on Wednesday September 3rd, winner will be contacted on Thursday September 4th.

Please Note: Bayview Animal Hospital will never ask for personal or financial information. If you receive a message claiming to be from us that requests sensitive details like your bank account, please block and report it immediately.