VCA Canada 404 Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital

VCA Canada 404 Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital At VCA Canada, we're pet people too. We understand the importance of your morning snuggles and the t A healthy pet is a happy pet. Our hospital is here for you.

That's why our team of trained professionals offer quality care for your companion. We know them inside and out, which means we know when things are good and when we need to pay more attention.

It’s ! 🐶🐱Part of our program, the and are all about making sure families don’t have to face pet parent hardships ...
11/14/2025

It’s ! 🐶🐱

Part of our program, the and are all about making sure families don’t have to face pet parent hardships alone. We bring quality food and veterinary medicine for dogs and cats directly into neighbourhoods, and we do it with empathy. No judgment. No questions asked, just support. Because we know that behind every pet is someone doing their best, and sometimes a little help makes all the difference.

These events are entirely run by VCA Canada staff and qualified volunteers with the support of generous donations from compassionate partners and aligned organizations in the area.

No matter the circumstance, all pets deserve quality food, medicine, and a supportive ear for their families. The human-animal bond, and the connection to the community, are at the core of all we do.

Check out our team at a recent Pantry event in and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with these initiatives and the next public event .💙

Learn More: https://vcacanada.com/community-support

Cancer is a dominant cause of death in older dogs and cats, but early detection can make a huge difference.Here are a fe...
11/13/2025

Cancer is a dominant cause of death in older dogs and cats, but early detection can make a huge difference.

Here are a few ways you can support your pet’s health:
🕵️‍♀️ Know the signs 🕵️‍♀️
Lumps or bumps, sudden weight loss, changes in appetite, or unusual fatigue.

📅 Don’t miss your regular veterinary check‑ups 📅
Routine exams and screenings help catch problems early.

🖥️ Ask about diagnostic options 🖥️
Radiographs, bloodwork, and ultrasounds can provide clarity if something seems off.

💙 Focus on quality of life 💙
Treatment isn’t just about medicine. It’s about comfort, nutrition, and emotional support.

is about hope, prevention, and compassion. By staying informed and proactive, you give your furry family members the best chance at a long, healthy life.

11/05/2025

Why does your senior dog seem to sleep so… loudly?

You might notice twitching, paddling, vocalizing, or even pacing at night. It’s easy to chalk it up to “just getting older,” but there’s more going on beneath the surface.

As dogs age, changes in a part of the brain called 🧠🐶 the PONS 🧠🐶 (a small but important region in the brainstem) can affect how they move, sleep, and respond to the world around them. The pons helps regulate REM sleep and motor control, which means your dog’s sleep might look more active, restless, or even noisy as they get older.

Signs to watch for:
➡️ An increase in twitching or paddling during sleep
➡️ Changes in blinking or balance

How can you support your senior pet when you see the signs?
➡️ Stick to a consistent bedtime routine
➡️ Create a quiet, cozy sleep space
➡️ Offer gentle movement and brain-healthy nutrition

If sleep changes come with mobility or behaviour shifts, call your veterinarian and take a short video of their sleep behavior. This can be incredibly helpful for your veterinary team to assess the signs more accurately.

10/31/2025

🎃 Tonight’s the night! 🎃

Before the doorbell rings, here’s your quick cheat sheet:

🐾 Chocolate, xylitol, glow sticks = Trick
🍎 Apple slices, pumpkin puree and a quiet corner = Treat
🧁 Cupcakes, mini marshmallows = Cute, but dangerous

Keep the candy out of reach, the costumes comfy, and the pets calm. Halloween’s better when everyone feels safe.

🎃 Tomorrow’s the big night 🎃 and today’s the perfect time to make sure feels safe, fun, and welcoming for everyone in ...
10/30/2025

🎃 Tomorrow’s the big night 🎃 and today’s the perfect time to make sure feels safe, fun, and welcoming for everyone in our neighbourhoods, including our pets.

Whether you're setting out treats, prepping costumes, or planning your route, a few thoughtful choices can make a world of difference:

🐾 Keep candy out of paw’s reach and have pet-safe snacks nearby
🕯️ Light up walkways for comfort and visibility
🔕 Create a “quiet zone” for pets away from the doorbell and costumes

Here’s to a paws-itively safe and inclusive Halloween for all. 💙

10/30/2025

As a final wrap-up to October (and more importantly ) we wanted to take one more moment to celebrate and honour the incredible Registered Veterinary Technologists who make compassionate care possible every single day at our hospitals. From calming nervous pets to supporting complex procedures, your expertise and heart are woven into every moment of veterinary medicine. Thank you for your dedication, your empathy, and the quiet heroism you bring to our teams and communities. We see you. We appreciate you. 💙

😻 Happy ! 😻 Today’s the day we celebrate the headbutts, slow blinks, and 3 a.m. zoomies that make life with cats so spe...
10/29/2025

😻 Happy ! 😻

Today’s the day we celebrate the headbutts, slow blinks, and 3 a.m. zoomies that make life with cats so special.

Our feline friends might act like they run the house (and, let’s be honest, they do), but they still rely on us to keep them healthy and thriving. Here are a few (veterinary approved) ways to return the love today.

😺 Purr-scription for Wellness: Annual checkups aren’t just for dogs! Cats are masters of disguise when it comes to illness. A yearly veterinary visit helps us catch sneaky issues before they become cat-astrophic.

🧼 Litter-ally Important: If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, don’t assume it’s just cattitude. It could be a sign of stress, pain, or urinary trouble. Let’s talk before it gets messy.

🪥 Meowth Maintenance: Dental care isn’t just a human thing. Bad breath, drooling, or pawing at the mouth? Time for a veterinary check!

🎾 Play Hard, Nap Harder: Cats need enrichment too! Puzzle feeders, vertical spaces, and interactive toys help prevent boredom and behavioral issues. Plus, it’s claw-some bonding time.

💊 Don’t DIY the Meds: Human meds can be toxic to cats. Always check with your veterinary team before giving anything. Even if your cat insists they’re a “purr-fessional.”

🐾 🐾Every hospital has those unforgettable cases. The ones that remind us what teamwork, skill, and compassion can achi...
10/24/2025

🐾 🐾

Every hospital has those unforgettable cases. The ones that remind us what teamwork, skill, and compassion can achieve. This week, we’re inspired by our colleagues at VCA Canada Vancouver Animal Emergency and Referral Centre who cared for PhenWay, a brave pup whose journey is nothing short of remarkable.

Her story began quietly, with signs that didn’t point to anything urgent. But within 24 hours, her condition took a sudden turn. Bruising deepened. Shock set in. It was a race against time. The emergency team responded swiftly, stabilizing her and transferring her into the hands of a Criticalist for advanced care.

When PhenWay’s body began to heal, new challenges surfaced; a large wound that required ongoing attention. That’s when the surgical team stepped in, guiding her through ten meticulous wound care sessions across thirteen visits. Every phase of her recovery showcased what happens when different specialties unite with one purpose: helping a patient heal.

Through the support of the program, her family never had to face that journey alone. And now, PhenWay is nearly back to her old self. Strong, spirited, and surrounded by love.

Her story is a beautiful example of how collaboration across hospitals, specialties, and communities makes a difference every single day at 💙

🐾 Meet : Annabelle 🐾Beejay was Annabelle’s first horse and as a teen, her first true love. "We had him in our life for ...
10/20/2025

🐾 Meet : Annabelle 🐾

Beejay was Annabelle’s first horse and as a teen, her first true love. "We had him in our life for 17 years and he was a dog inside a horse’s body. He was basically the son that my mother never had and the brother I always wished for". He was a young thoroughbred that was supposed to go to the racetrack, but as incredibly handsome as he was, he was also kind of lazy. "That’s why they decided to sell him and how he came into our lives. He was just so charismatic, everybody’s favourite horse, but he was all mine.” She ended up riding that love she had for him all the way to veterinary school, an equine internship, then years later, halfway around the world.

Supported by VCA Canada, an incredible opportunity came up to travel to India and help eradicate Rabies in that part of the world. Annabelle jumped at the chance. She remembers; “It awakened something in me. That as a vet you can give back and come together, as a planet, on behalf of all living creatures.” She said to herself “I can do this.” And off to Goa she went.

Annabelle worked with a local team for two weeks, some carrying the vaccine, some not even speaking the same dialect, but all working together as a unit to learn and educate. "It's about caring for all living things and their interconnectivity. I feel that we are privileged to be able to do what we do, we need to use our knowledge and education to deliver the world we want tomorrow."

Goa even achieved Rabies Controlled Status and Annabelle says she is "appreciative that her company helped her to be a part of something like that". There are still other rabies missions out there, but as for Goa, we can say Mission Accomplished.”

10/15/2025

To our RVTs,

You are the heartbeat of our hospitals.

You are the pulse behind the care, the ones who move between exam rooms, treatment plans, and quiet corners where comfort is needed most. You lift, teach, clean, medicate, monitor, and guide, all while holding the emotional weight of the work with quiet strength and unwavering heart.

You hold space for pets in their most vulnerable moments, and for people in theirs. You translate fear into comfort, chaos into calm, and clinical precision into something that feels like love. You advocate when no one’s watching and you notice what others miss.

We see the long hours. The emotional labour. The resilience it takes to show up again tomorrow after a hard day today. We see the way you celebrate small wins, grieve losses, and keep going because it matters.

And it does matter. You matter.

Thank you for the skill, the heart, and the humanity you bring to this work. Thank you for being the kind of professionals who make veterinary medicine not just possible, but exceptional.

With deep gratitude,
VCA Canada 💙

🐾 : Meet Fleetwood 🐾Fleetwood came to our team over at VCA Canada Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty...
10/10/2025

🐾 : Meet Fleetwood 🐾

Fleetwood came to our team over at VCA Canada Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (MOVH) with signs of pneumonia. Lethargic, feverish, and struggling to eat. 😓

What followed was a months-long journey marked by resilience, expert care, and unwavering compassion.

However, despite initial recovery, Fleetwood’s condition worsened. Just two months later, he was facing a complex diagnosis: a pulmonary abscess, bronchiectasis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. His cough had become relentless, his energy depleted.

But Fleetwood wasn’t alone.

Thanks to the incredible dedication of the MOVH internal medicine and surgical teams, along with the support of our community giveback programs like , Fleetwood was able to undergo a successful thoracotomy and lobectomy. He spent time in the ICU, received round-the-clock care, and walked out of MOVH at the end of summer with a new lease on life.

Fleetwood was thriving. His sutures were removed, his prognosis was excellent, and his spirit was strong. ✨

This is what VCA Canada stands for: expert care, compassionate hearts, and a community that lifts pets and their people when they need it most.

Fleetwood, we’re so proud of you. 💙

🎃 Keep the pumpkins, lose the panic. 🎃 Fall is beautiful, but it can be risky for our pets. As the leaves change, so do...
10/08/2025

🎃 Keep the pumpkins, lose the panic. 🎃

Fall is beautiful, but it can be risky for our pets. As the leaves change, so do the hazards. Every autumn, veterinary emergency hospitals see cases that could have been prevented. Here’s what to watch for:

🍫 Toxic treats: Halloween candy, grapes, onions, and fatty leftovers can be dangerous.
🍄 Wild mushrooms: Some are deadly, and pets (and most pet parents) don’t know the difference.
🧊 Antifreeze: Just a few drops can be fatal, and it (unfortunately) tastes sweet to pets.
🔥 Fire pits & candles: Cozy for us, but risky for curious paws and wagging tails.
🧺 Decorations & costumes: Choking hazards, anxiety triggers, and overheating risks.
🧽 Cleaning products & pest control: Fall deep cleans and rodent traps can be toxic.
🦝 Wildlife encounters: Raccoons, skunks, and coyotes are more active this time of year.
🌧️ Cold snaps & slippery leaves: Senior pets and short-haired breeds are especially vulnerable.

If your pet shows signs like vomiting, tremors, or sudden weakness, that is the time to act. Don’t wait. Call your veterinary team.

📍 Find your nearest VCA Canada Emergency hospital: https://vcacanada.com/find-a-hospital
📞 Or call your local VCA Emergency hospital to learn more.

Address

510 Harry Walker Parkway South
Newmarket, ON
L3Y0B3

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