Pelham Animal Hospital

08/29/2025

Happy Friday!

08/29/2025

We have a long-weekend approaching! Please remember to check your prescription medications, food or supplements and order early if you are running low!

08/22/2025

Happy Weekend! 😝

08/20/2025

08/18/2025

As fall approaches we're all beginning to anticipate (and look forward to!) cooler temperatures. Fleas are also getting prepared for the fall flea surge, when conditions are prime for reproduction and seeking protection from the oncoming winter. Make sure your pets continue on a proven flea prevention year round for the best protection!

08/15/2025

Happy Weekend!

08/15/2025

*** Please review the linked article regarding Important Information about a newly identified tick-borne disease in Southern Ontario ***

Although we are a long way off from having all of the information regarding this issue, it is clear that there are a handful of confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), and to this point the majority all seem to coincide with dogs who have a history of being in the Long Point area of Southern Ontario.
This disease is spread via Dermacentor ticks (aka: American Dog tick), which is a species very common to Ontario but formerly not in the spotlight for disease transmission in our area, until now.
What this means for dog owners is that we all need to be aware of the risk of tick-borne diseases, especially when travelling to different areas with our pets. It is best to try to avoid high risk areas of long grass or leaf litter, and ensure that your dog is on appropriate tick prevention as directed by your veterinarian. Even with tick prevention, performing regular tick checks on your dog is crucial, as some diseases can be transmitted before tick control products are effective in killing a tick on the host. If your dog has been in the Long Point area and is ill, your veterinarian will need to know the travel history.
Humans are also at significant risk from RMSF, so remember to utilize the above strategies for anyone potentially exposed to ticks, especially if you have travelled to the affected area. If you are ill, and have or had exposure to ticks, make sure to let your physician know about your travel history. As with many diseases, early detection is critical for successful treatment.
Remember, humans cannot contract RMSF directly from dogs, but a diagnosis in dogs is relevant to human health because we both become infected in the same manner - from an infected tick. Since we typically spend time outdoors with our canine companions, this means potential trouble for both species.
We are keeping our eye on this situation and will do our best to provide updates as information comes our way.

https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2025/07/articles/animals/dogs/rocky-mountain-spotted-fever-what-to-look-for/

08/11/2025

With this current heat wave, it is important to remember that it is NEVER ok to leave your dog unattended in a vehicle, even for a short time (even with the windows open!). Vehicles can heat up quickly, even when it is not extremely hot outside. An outdoor temperature of 21° C can result in an interior temperature of 40° within an hour. It doesn't take a great leap of logic to understand how quickly temperatures would reach dangerous levels with our current situation. Dogs are unable to effectively regulate their body temperature, so they are extremely vulnerable to heatstroke, and even a small increase in their overall body temperature can cause dehydration, brain damage and even death.