Riverview Animal Health Centre

07/01/2025

Happy Canada Day from all of us at Riverview Animal Health Centre! ❤️

As we celebrate with fireworks, fun, and family, don’t forget that our furry friends might not be feeling the same excitement — fireworks can be frightening for pets. Make sure your pets are safe and secure indoors, with a cozy, quiet space to help ease their stress.

And remember — we’re always here for you.

We are open 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, with veterinarians and support staff on-site at all times. If your pet needs us today (or any day), we’ve got you covered. 🐾

06/18/2025

Everyone, meet Mullins! 🐾

This sweet 13-year-old Basset Hound was visiting his regular clinic for a routine wellness exam — and that visit may have changed the course of his life.

During the appointment, Mullins’ owner mentioned he had been straining to have bowel movements, something that had gradually worsened over time. Thanks to that conversation and a thorough diagnostic workup, a concerning hernia near his hind end was discovered.

He was promptly referred to Riverview Animal Health Centre for further assessment and treatment. After a detailed exam and discussion with his family, Mullins underwent surgery to repair a perineal hernia — a condition that often occurs in older, unneutered male dogs due to weakened pelvic muscles and chronic straining.

We’re happy to share that Mullins handled his surgery beautifully and was a calm, cooperative patient throughout his stay. After just one night in hospital, he was discharged to recover at home — and has been doing wonderfully ever since.

Mullins’ journey highlights a message we can’t stress enough:

1️⃣ Routine wellness exams are so important — especially for our senior pets.
2️⃣ If Mullins hadn’t gone in for his annual check-up, his condition could have gone undiagnosed for much longer, potentially leading to more pain, complications, or even emergency surgery.

Thanks to early detection and timely care, Mullins was able to get the help he needed — and we’re thrilled to see him thriving again.

06/12/2025

Everyone, meet Quinn! 🐶🖤

This shy but sweet 7-month-old Rottweiler came to Riverview Animal Health Centre after a little off-leash adventure led to a painful injury. When she returned from exploring, she was no longer bearing weight on her left leg.

Her local vet had already taken X-rays, which confirmed a fracture in her distal tibia — a common spot for injury in young dogs, whose growth plates are still soft and developing. After a thorough discussion with her family about surgery and the recovery process, Quinn was referred to us for treatment.

She underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture with two surgical pins, and a soft padded bandage was placed to support her healing. Quinn did incredibly well through her procedure and quickly won over the team with her sweet demeanor.

She stayed one night in hospital, then returned home to continue her recovery. Thanks to her owners’ dedication — attending all follow-ups for bandage changes and strictly following post-op instructions — Quinn is now more than six weeks out from surgery, and her latest radiographs show excellent healing and bone remodeling.

Her family tells us she’s ready to get back to her full, playful self — and we couldn’t be happier with her progress!

Here are two key takeaways from Quinn’s journey:

1️⃣ Puppies aren’t always ready for off-leash adventures — especially when their bones are still developing. A leash can help prevent accidents like Quinn’s.
2️⃣ Healing takes teamwork — Quinn’s recovery was a success thanks to both surgical implants and external bandaging, but it was her family’s commitment to aftercare that made the difference.

We loved having Quinn in our care and are thrilled to see her thriving again. 💛

06/05/2025

Everyone, meet Josh! 🐾

This sweet (and slightly mischievous) 1-year-old Domestic Shorthair found himself in a bit of trouble after a cat tower he was playing on tipped over and landed on his leg.

Josh was brought to Riverview Animal Health Centre after his regular vet took X-rays and confirmed he had a broken leg just above the ankle joint. After a detailed conversation with his owner about surgical repair and the road to recovery, it was clear Josh was in very committed hands.

Surgery was performed to align and stabilize the fracture — a metal plate and six screws were placed to support the healing process. Thankfully, Josh handled his procedure like a pro.

Despite the injury and the recovery ahead, Josh's playful spirit never faded. Although he’s an indoor cat, post-operative confinement was key to his healing. His family followed every recommendation closely to ensure his leg had the best chance to mend properly.

Now more than six weeks out from surgery, Josh’s latest radiographs show excellent healing and bone remodeling. His owners report he’s more than ready to get back to his usual antics — and we’re so thrilled to see him bouncing back!

Two important reminders from Josh’s journey:

1️⃣ Cat towers are great enrichment tools, but always make sure they’re securely anchored to prevent injuries.

2️⃣ Recovery is just as important as the surgery. With patience, diligence, and some extra cuddles, Josh and his family made a full recovery possible.

05/29/2025

Everyone, meet Red ❤️

Red is a sweet 3-year-old Australian Shepherd who came to us after his family noticed he was showing weakness in his hind legs, scuffing his feet, and avoiding jumps. Concerned, they brought him to Riverview Animal Health Centre for a closer look.

Our team assessed Red’s posture and movement and took x-rays, which revealed changes in his lower back. To get a clearer picture, we recommended a CT scan — this advanced imaging gave us a 3D view of his spine and revealed that his lumbar nerves were being compressed by a combination of bone deformity and scar tissue.

Thankfully, Red was an excellent candidate for a procedure called a Dorsal Lumbosacral Laminectomy, a surgery that relieves pressure on pinched nerves by removing a portion of bone. He did incredibly well during the procedure and was a total superstar during his overnight hospital stay!

Now back at home, Red is taking it slow and making steady progress. His family is working with him to get him back to his normal, happy lifestyle.

Two key takeaways from Red’s journey:

1️⃣ Early investigation and intervention helped us catch the problem before permanent nerve damage occurred.

2️⃣ Pet insurance played a vital role in ensuring Red could access the care he needed—quickly and without compromise.

We’re so proud to have helped Red on his road to recovery. ❤️

Keep healing, buddy!

05/26/2025

✨ 50 YEARS OF DR. FRANCIS ARSENAULT ✨

Today, we honor a true icon — Dr. Francis Arsenault, who is celebrating 50 incredible years as a veterinarian. 💛💙

For five decades, Dr. Arsenault has poured his heart into this profession. He has calmed countless anxious hearts (both human and animal), mentored generations of veterinary professionals, and has easily become the steady hand and warm soul that so many of us rely on — day in and day out.

He’s known for his wisdom, patience, and bone-dry sense of humor (pun fully intended 🦴). Whether he’s cracking a perfectly timed one-liner or keeping us all laughing between surgeries, Dr. Arsenault brings lightness to even the heaviest days — and keeps our spirits in better shape than some of the bones he’s fixed.

We are beyond proud to work alongside him, and grateful for every moment, laugh, and life lesson he’s shared with us. 🙌

If Dr. Arsenault has made an impact on you or your pet — we’d love for you to help us celebrate:

💬 Share a memory or well wish
📸 Post a photo of your pet he’s cared for
❤️ Like or share this post to show him just how far his legacy reaches

Let’s flood the comments with the same warmth and humor he’s given to so many over the last 50 years.

Congratulations, Dr. Arsenault — you are the heart of RAHC. 💛

05/25/2025

📣 Last chance to vote! Today’s the final day to cast your vote for Dr. Penny McLaughlin in the Trupanion Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards! 💙

If Dr. McLaughlin has ever made a difference in your pet’s life, now’s the time to show your support. Let’s help her shine as Veterinarian of the Year — vote and share before midnight! 🐾✨

Vote for Dr. Penny!

05/24/2025

⚠️ ATTENTION ⚠️

We’re currently experiencing technical difficulties with our phone system, and you may have trouble getting through.

If you have an emergency or need immediate assistance, please come straight to the clinic.

For non-urgent inquiries, you can also reach us by email at [email protected]

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue.

——————————————

⚠️ ATTENTION ⚠️

Nous rencontrons actuellement des difficultés techniques avec notre système téléphonique, et vous pourriez avoir du mal à nous joindre.

En cas d'urgence ou si vous avez besoin d'une assistance immédiate, veuillez vous rendre directement à la clinique.

Pour les demandes non urgentes, vous pouvez également nous contacter par courriel à [email protected]

Merci de votre patience et de votre compréhension pendant que nous travaillons à résoudre ce problème.

05/20/2025

We are so proud to share that Dr. Penny McLaughlin has been nominated for Trupanion’s Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards! 🩺🐾

This award celebrates veterinary professionals who go above and beyond — and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with or being cared for by Dr. McLaughlin, you know just how deserving she is of this recognition.

Let’s rally behind her and show our appreciation! You can vote now until May 26 — just follow the link below and cast your vote for Veterinarian of the Year:

👉 https://vetappreciationday.trupanion.com/vote/pLJs3McvJ/?si=pLJs3McvJ

Every vote counts — and sharing this post helps us reach even more people who love and appreciate the care Dr. McLaughlin provides. 💙

Thank you for supporting one of our very best!

Vote for Dr. Penny!

05/19/2025

🐾 Meet Neptune – A Trailblazer in Veterinary Medicine! 🐾

Neptune, a sweet 1-year-old Labrador retriever mix, recently came to see us at Riverview Animal Health Centre after being referred for a concerning hind limb gait. Upon examination, we discovered that Neptune had a severe case of laterally displaced kneecaps (patellas) — a condition that can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.

After an in-depth discussion with his family about how patellas should function (and how Neptune’s weren’t!), we explored all the options. Given the severity of his case, we decided together that a cutting-edge procedure called Patellar Groove Replacement (PGR) would offer him the best chance at regaining comfort and mobility.

✨ This surgery involves a partial joint replacement to correct deformities in the knee — and we’re proud to share that Neptune is the very first patient in the Maritimes to undergo this life-changing procedure! ✨

Neptune did incredibly well during his hospital stay and was a total superstar throughout. He spent just one night with us before heading home to continue his recovery, where he’s been steadily healing and adjusting back to his regular routine.

His family wanted to share an important reminder with fellow pet parents:

Puppies shouldn’t be lame.

Catching lameness early is crucial — it allows for timely intervention, reduces pain, helps prevent long-term complications, and ultimately improves a dog’s quality of life. In Neptune’s case, early diagnosis changed everything.

We adored having Neptune with us and are thrilled to see him on the path to a brighter, more comfortable future. 💙

05/14/2025

🐾 Welcome, Ruby! 🐾

Meet Ruby, a 12-week-old black Labrador Retriever who recently joined our Healthy Start Program! 💛

This program is designed to give puppies and kittens the very best foundation for a healthy life — including tailored vaccination schedules, parasite prevention, nutritional guidance, and support for all the curious (and sometimes chaotic!) stages of early life.

Did you know? Puppies like Ruby are born with temporary immunity from their moms, but it fades fast — that’s why timely vaccinations are so important during these early weeks!

✨ Want to learn more about our Healthy Start Program?

There’s no upfront payment, no enrollment fee, and no contract. Just great care from the very beginning. Call us at 506-387-4015 to get started!