Essex Animal Hospital & Canine Rehab / Fitness Centre

08/01/2026

07/30/2026

Please keep in mind starting next week August 4th there is some road work being done in Essex until the end of November! Plan your route to your pets upcoming appointments with us!💙
- Essex Animal Hospital Team

07/27/2026

🐶 Is your dog constantly shaking their head or scratching at their ears? 👂

It might not be "just an ear infection"—it could also be a sign of allergies.

Ear infections (otitis externa) are one of the most common conditions we see in dogs, and allergies are often the underlying cause. If your dog keeps getting ear infections, it's worth looking for the reason behind them.

Watch for these signs:
👂 Head shaking
🐾 Scratching at the ears
👃 A bad odor
🔴 Red, inflamed ears
🟤 Brown, yellow, or black discharge
😢 Pain or sensitivity when the ears are touched

The good news? Treating the ear infection is the first step, but identifying and managing underlying allergies can help reduce future flare-ups and keep your pet more comfortable.

📞 If your pet is showing any of these signs, give us a call to book an appointment. Healthy ears start with finding the cause—not just treating the symptoms! 🐾

07/24/2026

Civic Holiday is coming up! Please contact the clinic for any medication or food refills so we can help you before the long weekend! If your pet is having an emergency please contact the Walker Road Animal Hospital at 519 - 972-9000.

07/17/2026

💧🐾 Leptospirosis: A Hidden Risk for Dogs in Southern Ontario
Leptospirosis ("Lepto") is a bacterial disease that dogs can catch from wildlife and contaminated water or soil. It's becoming increasingly recognized in Southern Ontario and can make dogs very sick.
How do dogs become infected?
🐀 Contact with urine from infected wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, rodents, or other animals.
💦 Drinking from or swimming in puddles, ponds, ditches, or slow-moving water.
🌿 Exposure to contaminated soil or wet grass.
Signs of leptospirosis may include:
🤒 Fever
💤 Lethargy
🤢 Vomiting or diarrhea
🍽️ Loss of appetite
💧 Increased thirst and urination
🟡 Yellowing of the gums or eyes (jaundice)
Leptospirosis can cause serious kidney and liver damage, and in some cases can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Did you know?
⚠️ Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to people. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate precautions help reduce this risk.
How can you protect your dog?
✅ Vaccinate against leptospirosis—it's considered a core lifestyle vaccine for many dogs in Southern Ontario.
✅ Avoid allowing your dog to drink from puddles or stagnant water.
✅ Discourage contact with wildlife and rodents whenever possible.
✅ Contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog develops signs of illness.
If you have questions about whether the leptospirosis vaccine is right for your dog, we'd be happy to discuss your pet's individual risk and help you choose the best protection. 🐶💚

07/15/2026

Did you know that Southern Ontario is home to blacklegged (deer) ticks, which can carry several diseases that affect dogs? Mosquitoes also pose a risk by spreading heartworm disease. The good news is that many of these illnesses are preventable with the right protection.
Tick-borne diseases we see in Southern Ontario include:
🦠 Lyme Disease – Can cause fever, limping, swollen joints, lethargy, and, in rare cases, kidney complications.
🦠 Anaplasmosis – May cause fever, joint pain, decreased appetite, lethargy, and low platelet counts.
🦠 Ehrlichiosis – Less common in our area but becoming more frequently diagnosed as ticks expand their range. Signs can include fever, lethargy, bruising, weight loss, and bleeding disorders.
🦟 Heartworm Disease
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes—not from pet to pet. The worms live in the heart and lungs, where they can cause coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulties, heart disease, and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening.
How you can protect your pet:
✅ Use veterinarian-recommended tick and heartworm prevention as directed.
✅ Check your pet for ticks after walks, hikes, camping, or time in long grass and wooded areas.
✅ Remove ticks promptly—the sooner they're removed, the lower the risk of disease transmission.
✅ Keep up with annual wellness exams and recommended screening tests.
✅ Ask us if the Lyme vaccine is recommended for your dog's lifestyle.
Ticks can be active whenever temperatures are above 0°C, so they aren't just a summer concern. Mosquitoes are typically active from late spring through fall, making heartworm prevention an important part of your pet's healthcare.
Have questions about the best parasite prevention plan for your pet? Our team is happy to help! 🐶🐱

07/13/2026

Are your cats ears itchy???

It might be ear mites! These tiny parasites are one of the most common causes of itchy ears in cats, especially kittens and outdoor adventurers.

🦠 Signs your cat may have ear mites:
• Constant scratching at the ears
• Head shaking
• Dark, crumbly debris that looks like coffee grounds
• Red, irritated ears
• Sensitive or painful ears

💡 Fun fact: Ear mites are so tiny you can’t see them with the naked eye—but they can cause a LOT of irritation!

The good news? 🩺 Ear mites are treatable! Avoid using home remedies, as they may make things worse.

❤️ Keeping your cat on regular parasite prevention can also help protect against ear mites.

Think your feline friend might have itchy ears? Give us a call—we’re happy to help get those ears feeling comfortable again!

07/10/2026

Sydney lounging while waiting for the underwater treadmill to fill for her session🩵

06/28/2026

Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦
Please see our hours for the upcoming holiday! Please get your orders in by Monday June 29th so we can make sure everyone has what they need for the long weekend!

03/28/2026

Easter is coming up! Just a friendly reminder of our hours below. Please reach out in advance if you are going to need any prescription food or medication to make it over the holiday weekend🐣🌸

Our Easter Hours are as follows:

Friday April 3rd - Sunday April 5th - CLOSED
Monday April 6th - OPEN 9 - 5pm