Gray Street Veterinary Services

06/18/2026

June 18th is Veterinary Appreciation Day 🩺🐾

Today we celebrate the veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and support staff who dedicate their hearts to caring for our beloved pets each and every day. Thank you for the compassion, patience, and care you provide to animals and the people who love them. Your hard work truly makes a difference! 💕

06/15/2026

From backyard adventures to park visits, everyday moments can come with hidden risks for pets 🐾

Help keep them protected all season long. Ask us about parasite prevention.

06/12/2026

For those clients and patients I have assisted over the past 7 years while at Gray Street Veterinary Services, I thank you for your friendships and kindness over the years. Animal care is the one thing that I always loved being part of.

Unfortunately, as of today, I will no longer be a regular face you will see at the office. However, I hope to still see many of your familiar faces — and tail wags — around town.

I will deeply miss all the kisses, purrs, wags, cuddles, and the special bonds formed with so many wonderful pets and their people, and my amazing coworkers more than anything.

Thank you for trusting me to be part of your pets’ lives and for making my time at Gray Street Veterinary Services so meaningful. ❤️🐾

Wishing everyone the very best in health and happiness.
Sincerely,
Michelle

06/11/2026

Here's a great "HOW TO" on removing ticks. ⬇
Shared from:
https://www.vetsupply.com.au/blog/how-to-remove-ticks-from-dogs-with-pictures/

How to Remove Ticks from Dogs
vetsupply April 04, 2023

As a responsible pet parent, tick-check should be a part of your dog care regimen, especially if your dog loves to spend time outdoors. Dogs are vulnerable to tick bites and hence, it is important to keep them safe from these pesky parasites.

How to remove ticks from dogs
Hundreds of tick species are prevalent, and they transmit tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Canine Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Canine Anaplasmosis, and several others that affect both humans and dogs. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to get rid of ticks on your dog.

How to Spot Ticks on Dogs?
Ticks are tiny, eight-legged insects that resemble spiders. Ticks bite dogs to feed on their blood, which often results in inflammation and redness. Dog ticks are just big enough to be seen, especially after a bite when they resemble little warts. You can easily feel them as small bumps while running your fingertips down your dog’s fur or spot them using a magnifying lens for closer inspection.

Where to Spot Ticks on Dogs?
Now that you know what to expect while finding a tick, let’s have a look at the common places ticks hide on dogs.

Ticks are black, brown, or tan, and generally prefer to dwell on the warmest and moistest places on your dog’s skin, including these areas:

6 Common Places Ticks Hide on Dogs

Inside the ears
Under the collar
Around/around eyelids
Between toes
Between the back legs
Around the tail

How to Remove Ticks from a Dog
At Home
Once you’ve spotted a tick on your buddy, it is essential to know how to remove them correctly. It might not be a fairly easy task to remove a tick from a dog, since you need to remove the entire tick to avoid leaving its mouthparts under the dog’s skin, which could cause an infection. However, following the simple steps given here should make the job easier.

1 – Preparing To Remove Ticks

There are a few things you’ll need to do before you start removing the tick from the dog. This includes the following:

Make sure your dog is steady and relaxed. You can do so by giving him his favourite pet chew toy and a few pet treats (along with your love and affection).
Wear disposable gloves which can be swiftly discarded after use. This will protect your dog from other infections.

2 – Part Your Dog’s Fur

Before you start removing the ticks, do a thorough examination of your dog’s coat. If your dog has a thick coat, it is even more crucial to spot the tick before starting the process.

Look for ticks in the common areas on your dog where ticks prefer to hide. This will help you spot a tick faster.
You can do so by making small sections on your dog’s body. Part your dog’s fur on each section and check for any live tick.

3 – Using Tweezers or Tick Remover Tool

Once you spot the tick, using tweezers or a tick remover tool is the easiest way for to remove a tick from your dog at home. A tick remover tool is easily available online.

Grab the tick key with tweezers from its head and mouth regions and pull it out. If you grab by the body part, the head may remain attached to the skin even after pulling out its body.
Twist the tick in a clockwise direction and pull it up, ensuring that the entire tick comes out.

4 – Disposing Of the Tick

After removing a tick from your dog’s body, it is very important to discard it properly. Follow these steps for the safe disposal of ticks:

Kill the tick by placing it in a container of rubbing alcohol or hot, soapy water. This will prevent tick re-infestations.
Once you finish removing all the ticks, cover the container with a lid and leave it for a day or so as ticks may take up to a few hours to die. Now, throw this in an outdoor trash.
Removing ticks from your dog will not only save them from painful tick bites but will also prevent life-threatening tick-borne diseases. If you face any trouble attempting to remove ticks from your dog, take him to a veterinarian for help.

Also, opt for a flea and tick prevention treatment for dogs that will ensure complete protection of your pal from these pesky creatures.

06/08/2026

June 8th is National Best Friends Day 🐶💛

Who better to celebrate with than the loyal companion who’s always happy to see you, always ready for an adventure, and always by your side? Dogs and cats can be truly some of the very best friends we could ask for. Give your pet some extra love, treats, and belly rubs today!

06/04/2026

June 4th is National Hug Your Cat Day 🐾💕

Whether it’s a gentle cuddle, a cozy nap together, or a little head boop, today is all about celebrating the comfort and love our feline friends bring into our lives. Give your kitty an extra squeeze today… if they allow it, of course! 😸

06/02/2026

Thank you to those who participated in our parasite counting contest in May! 🪱🐛
Congratulations to Nicky and Jim Hopkins, the only one who got the exact number of 86 worms!

06/01/2026

Keeping up with your pet’s care shouldn’t feel overwhelming 🐾

Pet Health Club helps make routine care easier to manage with affordable monthly plans.

Included benefits:
✔️ Preventative care support
✔️ Easier monthly budgeting
✔️ Valuable savings
✔️ Ongoing wellness for dogs and cats

Monthly pricing:
🐶 Dogs: $55/month
🐱 Cats: $45/month

Ask us about Pet Health Club or visit pethealthclub.ca to learn more.

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

The prickly characters are out and about.. we've seen and heard of several instances already.. please be aware, and be cautious with your pets!
Here's some guidance below ⬇

Porcupine Quills in Dogs and Their Dangers
Mar 23, 2017 | Updated by LifeLearn on Mar 27, 2024

I just moved to a rural area. What should I know about the risks associated with porcupines and their quills for my dog?
Porcupines are the third-largest rodent and live in many rural areas of North America. They weigh between 15 and 35 pounds. They are herbivores (plant-eaters), slow-moving, and have poor eyesight, although they have a great sense of smell. Because they are nocturnal, they mostly feed at night. They are not aggressive, but they will defend themselves, their offspring, and their dens, if needed.

Quills are modified hairs and are covered with scales that act like fishhook barbs, causing the quills to keep moving inward, deeper into the tissue. Porcupine quills can puncture the skin and move through muscle, ultimately penetrating body cavities and internal organs. Because the quills carry bacteria with them, once they pe*****te the skin they can act as a source of infection and cause abscesses.

I have heard that porcupines can throw or shoot their quills to defend themselves. Is this true?
Porcupines cannot shoot their quills at an assailant. That said, the quills are easily pulled from the porcupine’s skin once they make contact with an attacker. Porcupines will also use their quill-filled tail like a club, swinging it at a potential threat.

Will porcupine quills eventually work their way out of the skin if nothing is done to remove them?
No, the tiny barbs on the shaft of porcupine quills cause them to move inward, deeper into the tissues, rather than working themselves out. The quills open the door for infection, and the deeper the quills pe*****te, the more serious the infection can be. Dogs can end up with abscesses over much of the body, making treatment much more complicated and increasing the risk of a potentially fatal, body-wide infection.

Should I cut the quills to make them easier to remove?
It is a misconception that cutting embedded porcupine quills will “deflate” them, making them easier to remove. Cutting the shaft makes the quill splinter more easily, which ultimately makes it harder to remove. It may also allow for segments of quills to become lodged in the tissues.

Can I remove the porcupine quills from my dog myself, if needed?
No, it is extremely painful for the dog to have porcupine quills removed without sedation or anesthesia, and potent pain relief. Attempting to remove the quills can result in a struggle, which can push the quills deeper, and a dog may lash out and bite, without meaning to hurt you.

What should I do if my dogs get quilled?
Minimize your dog’s movements and prevent him from rubbing his face if there are quills there. Rubbing may drive quills deeper, making them more difficult or impossible to remove. Get to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Dogs need deep sedation or general anesthesia to have porcupine quills removed safely. Your veterinarian will remove as many quills as possible, but it is important to understand that they may not be able to remove all of them. Any quills that cannot be removed will be monitored for migration and potential complications.

What are some potential complications if my dog is quilled by a porcupine?
The most serious potential complication of porcupine quills is infection deep in the tissues. Migrating quills can also embed in joints, poke into the eye, or even pe*****te the brain or other organs, creating a life-threatening health crisis.

If a dog gets a mouthful of porcupine quills, will they learn to leave porcupines alone?
Unfortunately, most dogs who get into trouble with porcupines do not learn from their mistakes. The best defense against porcupine quills is prevention. Avoid allowing the dogs to roam at dusk or after dark and prevent them from going into areas with known porcupine dens.

Contributors: Courtney Barnes, BSc, DVM; Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Robin Downing, DVM, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CRPP

© Copyright 2026 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Last updated on Mar 27, 2024.

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