KLC Veterinary Services

08/10/2025

Unfortunately we have to suspend service calls for this evening. Traffic congestion in the area due to the concert tonight has inhibited our ability to get to and from our property. We will resume normal service tomorrow.

06/18/2025

We are privileged to be included in your pet’s journeys, in whatever capacity that may be. We are lucky to be considered part of the Mushu crew now. Rest peacefully Princess Mushu.

06/15/2025

Happy Lake Days to Lake Cowichan!

06/01/2025

We were recently called out to help a pup who decided to try out a fish hook piercing in her leg. The embedded barb had been cut prior to arrival, with only a small tip visible on each end. After deciding this particular fashion was not for her, we were able to remove the barb without complications.

So it’s a good time to discuss fish hook safety for pet owners.

Fishing is a popular activity, but it can pose unexpected risks to your pets. Fish hooks, often baited or hidden, can accidentally become embedded in your pet, most commonly the nose, tongue, or paw. Obviously we want to keep fish hooks away from our pets to prevent injuries, but if an incident happens, it’s important to know what to do.

Immediate Steps if Your Pet Gets a Hook Embedded:
1. Stay Calm
Pets are sensitive to your emotions. Staying calm will help prevent your pet from panicking and making the injury worse.
2. Prevent Further Movement
If possible, gently restrain your pet to prevent them from pawing, chewing, or moving, which could drive the hook deeper. Use a leash, towel, or another means of gentle restraint as needed.
3. Do Not Attempt to Remove the Hook
Fish hooks have barbs that can cause further damage if pulled out improperly. Removing the hook without the proper technique may cause severe tissue injury.
4. Trim the Line (But Leave the Hook in Place)
If a fishing line is still attached, carefully cut it to prevent pulling on the hook, which could worsen the injury. Leave the hook where it is until a veterinarian can remove it safely. If the hook has multiple barbs and it is safe to do so, you can use wire cutters to clip the barbed tips off any that are not embedded in the pet. Stop immediately if the pet becomes distressed or there is risk they may bite. This can prevent the free barbs from also becoming embedded while waiting for removal, but do not cut or shorten any barbs that are already embedded. Cutting the barb that is embedded can increase the difficulty in removal for your vet.
5. Keep the Area Clean
If the hook is embedded in a visible area avoid manipulating it. In some situations, a piece of tape can be used to help protect and stabilize the hook until removal.
6. Call a Veterinarian Immediately
Fish hook injuries require professional attention. Contact your veterinarian right away. Provide details about the location of the hook and your pet’s condition. Fish hooks are dirty and need to be removed as soon as possible to limit the risk for infection.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Fish Hook Injuries:
• Keep Hooks Out of Reach: Store fishing equipment securely in a tackle box or out of your pet’s reach. Take an extra step to cover exposed hooks after use.
• Clean Up After Fishing: Properly dispose of bait and fishing lines immediately after use to avoid accidental ingestion.
• Be Vigilant Near Water: Keep pets on a leash or closely supervised in areas where people fish.
• Leave Dogs at Home While Fishing: While we all love spending time with our dogs and want to include them in our activities, this is one that carries high risk for your dog.

When to Seek Emergency Care
Fish hook injuries should always be treated as a veterinary emergency, especially if:
• The hook is embedded in the mouth, throat, or another sensitive area.
• There is significant bleeding or swelling.
• Your pet appears in pain or shows signs of distress (e.g., excessive drooling, shaking head, limping).

Your quick action can prevent complications and help your pet recover safely. Always seek professional veterinary assistance for fish hook injuries. 🐾🎣

05/11/2025

We will be closed Tuesday thru Thursday this week, May 13-15.

05/06/2025

Maybe our cutest patient yet, this handsome young pup had a rough day. By the end of his morning hike, his owner knew something was wrong as he started to wobble and lose his balance. He was rushed to his daytime vet where he presented with full body tremors and ataxia. Knowing he required intensive monitoring and care to save him, they arranged for him to be admitted to an ER facility for round the clock care. Due to the risk for his condition to decline quickly, especially if his treatments were stopped, they reached out for medical transport so he could be monitored and treated en route to the ER. We were happy to help deliver this pup safely to the ER where he still managed to greet staff with tail wagging.

So what can cause these kinds of symtoms so suddenly in an otherwisese healthy pet? Ingestion of a toxin is always high on the list for puppies, even with the most vigilant of owners. And the most likely rule outs while out on a hike, include tremorgenic mycotoxins, blue-green algae, and mushrooms. There are also many other toxins and conditions that can cause ataxia or tremors that may be considered depending on the case. In this case, it’s likely due to a tremorgenic mycotoxin.

Tremorgenic Mycotoxins: A Hidden Danger for Pets

Tremorgenic mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by molds that can cause serious illness in pets. Here’s what pet owners need to know to keep their furry friends safe.

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What Are Tremorgenic Mycotoxins?

Tremorgenic mycotoxins are found in moldy foods, animal remains, compost, and garbage. When ingested, these toxins affect the nervous system, leading to tremors, seizures, and other severe symptoms.

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Common Sources
• Moldy Foods: Bread, nuts, cheese, pasta, and dairy products.
• Compost Piles: Decomposing organic matter.
• Garbage: Moldy scraps, leftovers, or spoiled food.
• Grass Clippings or Yard Waste
• Animal remains: wildlife that pass away, bits left over from hunting

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Symptoms of Tremorgenic Mycotoxin Poisoning

If your pet ingests moldy food or waste, watch for these signs:
• Muscle tremors or twitching.
• Hyperactivity, restlessness, or lethargy.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Seizures.
• Increased heart rate or temperature.
• Disorientation or difficulty walking, loss of balance, or wobbly gait.

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What to Do in an Emergency
1. Remove Access: Ensure your pet can’t ingest any more of the contaminated material.
2. Call a Veterinarian Immediately: Time is critical; tremorgenic mycotoxins can escalate quickly.
3. Do Not Induce Vomiting Without Guidance: Inducing vomiting could worsen symptoms in some cases.
4. Keep Your Pet Calm and Cool: Minimize stimulation, as excitement can exacerbate symptoms.

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Treatment

Veterinary care is essential for managing tremorgenic mycotoxin poisoning. Treatment often includes:
• Inducing vomiting (if safe and directed by a vet).
• Administering activated charcoal to bind toxins (if safe and swallow reflex is intact).
• IV fluids for hydration and support.
• Anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxants, and sedatives to control tremors.

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Prevention Tips
• Secure Trash and Compost: Use pet-proof containers.
• Monitor Outdoor Time: Keep pets away from compost piles and yard waste.
• Dispose of Moldy Food Properly: Avoid leaving spoiled food in areas pets can access.
• Supervise Scavenging Pets: Train your pet not to eat off the ground or rummage through garbage. A basket muzzle may help to prevent ingestion, especially while on a hike where it is difficult to monitor every second of your pet’s movements.

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Tremorgenic mycotoxins are a serious threat to your pet’s health. If you suspect exposure, seek veterinary care immediately. Quick action can make all the difference.

04/11/2025

We understand the recent announcement from Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital (CIVEH) regarding closure has sparked concern among pet owners.

For those who have not heard, as of April 13th, CIVEH in Nanaimo will be closed from Tuesday at 8:00 AM to Friday at 8:00 AM due to staffing challenges.

WAVES and CVVH are the other emergency hospitals located on the island.

- WAVES in Langford: (778) 432-4322
- VCA Central in Victoria: (250) 475-2495

These hospitals are open 24/7.

Summer is typically a busy time for emergency hospitals and to help prevent them from being overwhelmed as summer approaches, there are some things pet owners can do to help.

If you should need medical assistance for your pet, please contact your daytime vet first. They may have the ability to see your pet and know their history.

Try to decrease the need for urgent and emergency care by recognizing symptoms early and seeking care with your daytime vet before it becomes an emergency.

Take measures to prevent some of the most common emergency situations. Ingestion of toxins and foreign bodies is one of them. Keep lilies out of the house so cats are not exposed. Don’t buy products that contain xylitol and teach your dog a leave it command. Ensure everyone in the house knows how important it is to pickup socks around the puppy. Don’t leave pets in hot cars and take brachycephalic dogs on walks when the temperatures are cooler in the morning and evening. Reduce activity during the heat of the day to prevent heat stroke and familiarize yourself with early signs. Use appropriate preventatives for tick diseases.

We will continue to provide urgent care to pets when possible and appropriate for the case, but some cases will still need emergency care. It’s always best to phone ahead before you head to an emergency facility so they can prepare and provide you the most up to date information.

04/06/2025

We have adjusted our official hours in response to analyzing the data from calls and appointments over the last six months. This will help provide service during the most in demand days and times while also ensuring proper rest and recovery for the team. Our new hours are Monday-Wednesday 12pm-8pm and Friday-Sunday 4pm-10pm. Closed on Thursdays. If you have needs outside of our regular hours, you are always welcome to reach out to check availability.

04/02/2025

Determining when to say goodbye to a beloved pet can be one of the hardest decisions to make. A new resource is available to pet owners to assist with these difficult times.

Hospet is a tool designed to support pet parents through end-of-life decision-making. You can track your pet's unique quirks and joys (called Signature Traits in Hospet), complete Quality of Life assessments, create an end of life care plan, and log simple daily ratings to see the bigger picture over time.

It's free to get started—and can help bring clarity to those incredibly hard questions.

You'll also have the option to add us as part of your support team so we can follow along and help you make the most informed, compassionate decisions. Get started with Hospet using my link below.

Hospet is a tool designed to help empower owners by providing clear guidance for their pet’s care through the use of simple, powerful tools.

02/02/2025

Snow has continued overnight here. Working to clear the drive. We will try to move any appointments already scheduled that can be completed with the 4Runner to during the day and will have limited services available.

02/02/2025

Roads have not been cleared here yet. We will be limited in what services we can provide until the plow comes through.

01/08/2025

So after replacing all the belts again and a trip around the block we seem to be up and running with the ambulance. We’ll plan to take this week a little easy and have everything checked over in a couple days since they don’t know why the new belts failed.