VCA Canada Bayview Animal Hospital

15/08/2025

🐾 : Griswold’s Journey 🐾

Griswold, a 4-year-old Lab mix, lives for playtime, tail wags, and keeping up with his family. But when he tore a crucial ligament in his knee, everything changed. He was in pain, unable to move like he used to, and he needed surgery to get his life back.

His owner was doing everything she could, but the cost of the procedure was still out of reach.

That’s where and VCA Canada Bellbrae Animal Hospital stepped in.

With nomination of the case from the team, and support from the fund, Griswold received a TPLO surgery from a visiting orthopedic surgeon and the dedicated staff. He was surrounded by care, compassion, and people who believed in giving him a second chance.

Today, Griswold is thriving; soaking up every ounce of love (and belly rubs) as he heals.

We know, that when we come together for the ones who can’t speak for themselves, we change lives. Paw by paw.💙

13/08/2025

Do you know the signs of in pets? Lyme disease isn’t just a concern for humans, it can seriously affect our pets too, especially dogs who spend time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas.

Early signs can be subtle, like fatigue or loss of appetite, but may progress to joint pain, fever, and even kidney issues if left untreated. That’s why prevention and early detection are so important.

11/08/2025

🐾 Meet 🐾 Farnaz | The Doctor With a Twist

Growing up Farnaz always loved science. And horses. Her parents were very academically focused so they loved that she loved science. They wanted her to become a doctor. But those horses - they ended up leading her to a different stream . “I told my parents, ok, I’ll be a doctor…but with a twist.”

The horses reined her in with how they expressed themselves without words. How something as simple as a flick of an ear, or their posture could tell you everything you needed to know. “I felt like I understood them and they understood me.” Communicating with animals and understanding them on an emotional level, remains a passion of hers to this day.

Fast forward some years, and Farnaz got to be a part of our . One of the most hands-on, immersive experiences a can have. Every year, we welcome students from across the country and give them real clinical experience, while making sure they feel supported, mentored, appreciated and heard.

She’d already worked in five other clinics before joining a VCA Canada hospital, but she noticed right away; "...something felt different here. The way they treated me was unlike anything from other clinics. Pretty much every single person in that building was helping me learn.”

She got more exposure and opportunity, rotating through , , , , and even . “I was getting right in there. I even got to scrub in on surgery. It really showed me how all the specialties work together. You had access to everything. I really valued how my learning was actually prioritized. They don’t just care for pets. As a student, I felt cared for by VCA Canada.”

Farnaz has since graduated and moved to to start her career as a Doctor (you hear that Mom and Dad?) of Veterinary Medicine.

Her experience in the DVM Summer Student Program proved to her that whether you walk into a VCA Canada Hospital on two legs or four, you are in good hands. And because they take care of the people behind the pets, the pet care only gets better.

06/08/2025

🐾 Empowering Canadian Independence, One Paw at a Time. 🐾

We’re proud to support the incredible work of the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, a national organization helping gain greater mobility and independence through professionally trained .

Since 1984, CGDB has been changing lives; training guide dogs for individuals with across the country, and for those in the Ottawa area. These dogs aren’t just companions. They’re lifelines, helping people navigate the world with confidence and freedom.

And we get to be a part of their success! Our teams provide essential veterinary to these future service , from puppyhood through training and beyond. Regular , , and are key to keeping these dogs healthy, focused, and ready to serve.

We know that behind every successful guide dog is a community of support, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of that circle.

06/08/2025

If you or someone you know could use some help getting their pet the items they need, check out Ottawa Paw Pantry 's upcoming event!

We are super excited to announce our next pop-up pet food bank, happening August 16 from 1-4 PM at 🎉 At our pop-ups, folks can walk up with a bag and go home with cat and/or dog food, no questions asked. Please help us spread the word!

01/08/2025

⚠️ Content Warning: This post contains burn injuries that may be sensitive to some. ⚠️

🐾 Paw It Forward Spotlight: Meow Meow’s Journey 🐾

This week, we’re proud to highlight a powerful story of compassion and community support from our amazing team at VCA Canada Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital. Their dedication and heart made all the difference for a very special patient: Meow Meow, a 1.5-year-old domestic shorthair who survived a devastating house fire.

Meow Meow arrived with severe burns to her face, paws, and ears, and was oxygen-dependent due to smoke inhalation. Her family was hospitalized from the fire, and a caring neighbour stepped in to bring her to safety. That same neighbour also helped rally the community to pool funds for her treatment. An incredible act of kindness that set the stage for her recovery.

Thanks to incredible community efforts, a donation from our hospital, and our program, Meow Meow received the intensive care she needed. As she healed, her sweet and gentle personality began to shine through, winning hearts and reminding everyone what resilience looks like.

Stories like this truly inspire us and we are so grateful to be part of a network that puts compassion at the heart of care.

31/07/2025

🐾🍄 Heads Up, Pet Parents! Mushroom Season is in Full Swing! 🍄🐾

With a little moisture and some grass, mushrooms can pop up overnight in your yard, at the park, or along your favorite trail. Some are harmless, but others can be dangerously toxic.

And unless you’re a mushroom expert, it’s nearly impossible to tell which is which.

If your dog decides to sample one, watch for signs like vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or just acting “off.” If you notice anything unusual, call your veterinarian right away.

The best way to protect your pup? You.
Do a daily (or even twice-daily!) mushroom sweep and be the fun guy who keeps the bad fungi away.

Your dog is counting on you to be their mushroom bouncer!

Stay safe out there, and share this with fellow dog lovers to spread the word.

30/07/2025

Welcome to the Club!

Between kennel cough, surprise vet visits, and that one sock they definitely ate, pet parenthood is a wild ride. helps you plan for the expected (and the unexpected) with pet wellness plans that fit real life, real budgets, and real love.

We have multiple plan options to choose from, all tailored to you and your pet. Think doctor-recommended vaccines, diagnostics, and early disease detection to keep them healthy at every stage of life. It's more than a plan, it’s a partnership that provides the tools and support to keep your pet thriving.

What’s included?
✨ Unlimited Exams! Checkups, sick visits, and re-checks — whenever you need them.
✨ 24/7 Veterinary Chat! Questions at midnight? Get expert answers anytime.
✨ Preventive Wellness! Flexible plans & convenient monthly payments to stay ahead of your pet’s health.
✨ Available add ons! Vaccines, diagnostics, dental & more.

Chat to us anytime to go over the tailored wellness plans that make routine veterinary care easier to manage — month by month, visit by visit.

28/07/2025

Meet !

🐾 JENNIFER 🐾 | 30 Years in Veterinary Care

Jennifer has spent her life surrounded by animals. Growing up, she explored the outdoors with her parents, forming an early bond with nature and wildlife. That connection never left her and played a huge part in shaping her path into .

But it wasn’t until years later, working in emergency care, that her bond with animals deepened in a way she never expected. “My first kitten came to me the day he was born. In a plastic bag with a brick, from animal control. I was just tired of euthanizing animals, so I took him home and bottle-fed him. I raised him like he was my kid. We developed a mutual respect and a bond that was otherworldly. A deep, deep connection that until you feel it, you can’t understand.” Then came another. And another. “I depend on them as much as they depend on me.”

That kind of connection — raw, healing, mutual — is what drives Jennifer’s work. And after 30 years in the industry, from private practice to academia, she says this is the first company where she truly feels the people are cared for just as deeply as the pets.

Jennifer is part of the ongoing work across our hospitals to recognize and respond to the emotional toll of veterinary care. Through the , our teams are learning how caregiver burden affects , and how that stress can transfer to professionals. The program offers evidence-based tools to help our Associates manage that burden, reduce burnout, and reconnect with the joy of the work.

For Jennifer, it’s more than a program, it’s a reflection of a culture that finally sees the whole person behind the scrubs.

So when you entrust your pets to , whose hands are they in? The kind that understands that pets care for us just as much as we care for them. And that’s why we care for and support the people behind them.

23/07/2025

Summer in Canada means longer days, warmer walks, and a whole lot of panting. Especially from our fur covered friends.

As , we see firsthand how quickly heat and dehydration can sneak up on pets. Whether it’s a dog that overdoes it on a sunny hike, or a cat that’s not drinking enough water at home, the risks are real (and preventable).

We always remind clients: • Keep water bowls full and accessible • Walk dogs early or late to avoid • Watch for signs of overheating (heavy panting, drooling, red gums, or lethargy) • Never leave in parked cars, even for just a few minutes.

isn’t just about filling a water bowl, it’s about paying attention. It’s frozen broth cubes for the pup who plays hard, shaded backyard corners for the sun-loving senior pet, and check-ins with your vet when something feels off.

18/07/2025

🐾 Paw It Forward Friday: Bruce & Zeus 🐾

At the very start of this year, Bruce and his dog Zeus were the victims of a violent home invasion. Zeus, doing what dogs do best, tried to protect his dad at all costs.

The result was catastrophic.

Calgary Police acted quickly. Bruce was taken to Foothills Hospital in critical condition, while Zeus was rushed to VCA Canada Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency Centre for emergency veterinary care.

Zeus’s injuries were devastating. He sustained:
• A fractured skull
• A bullet that passed through his eye socket
• A shattered jaw
• Bullet fragments embedded in his tongue

He underwent enucleation surgery to remove his damaged eye, a mandibulectomy to address his shattered jaw, and soft tissue surgery to remove ballistic fragments from his tongue. He spent five days in the hospital, fighting, healing, and defying the odds every step of the way. Despite the immense trauma, and with the incredible life-saving efforts of the team at , Zeus pulled through and was reunited with his owner Bruce just 6 days after the incident!

Thanks to the support of programs like , Zeus was able to receive the care he needed. Today, he’s recovering with his family, surrounded by love.

We are SO proud to be part of a veterinary community that shows up when it matters most; with compassion, expertise, and heart.💙

16/07/2025

In hospitals full of serious care, here’s what our never compromise on. 💙