When should veterinarians start discussing nutrition with new pet owners? How can veterinarians ensure their puppy and kitten patients are on the right track with their diet? Watch our latest quick, digestible video snippet prepared by and featuring board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Allison Wara as she gives us the scoop on proper nutrition for puppies and kittens during their growth phases. She shares expert advice on growth diet formulation and explains how veterinarians can check...

How can pets with specific medical conditions, such as lower urinary tract disease, gain from water supplementation? What guidance can we offer pet owners to ensure their pets receive adequate hydration for optimal health and disease prevention? Watch our latest quick, digestible video snippet prepared by and featuring board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Allison Wara as she gives us the scoop on the crucial role of water consumption in maintaining health and managing diseases and...

Are there measures that can be taken to prevent urinary tract health issues in pets? Can nutrition play a crucial role in managing these issues? Watch our latest quick, digestible video snippet prepared by and featuring board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Allison Wara as she gives us the scoop on relative supersaturation tests conducted on some commercial diets as a reference tool to assess the risk of urinary crystal formation or prevent its recurrence. Dr. Wara has also prepared a...

GET THE LATEST SCOOP ON THE TOP 5 MYTHS ABOUT CATS AND PARASITES While indoor cats have less exposure to parasites compared to outdoor cats, they are not entirely immune. Pet owners must take preventive measures and be aware of potential risks to keep their beloved indoor felines healthy and parasite-free. In this month's KITTY INSIDER, Dr. Kelly St. Denis debunks the top five myths about cats and parasites, highlighting why even indoor felines require vigilant protection.

GET THE LATEST SCOOP ON FELINE NUTRITION In veterinary clinics, three primary vital assessments are routinely performed during patient visits: temperature, pulse, and respiration. However, it's important to also consider pain and nutrition when evaluating the health and well-being of feline patients. In this month's KITTY INSIDER, Dr. Kelly St. Denis emphasizes the importance of discussing nutrition at every veterinary visit. She offers practical advice on ways to incorporate nutrition into...

GET THE LATEST SCOOP ON RABIES Spring is the season that draws everyone outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. However, it's also a time when wildlife and neighbourhood cats become more active, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. In this month's KITTY INSIDER, Dr. Kelly St. Denis discusses rabies prevention and vaccination, providing invaluable insights into safeguarding our feline friends. She also talks about essential preventive measures to ensure the well-being of our...

A complete diet provides all the essential nutrients, but could still be unbalanced; if the ratios between the essential nutrients are ideal, then the diet can be considered complete and balanced. A classic example is the ratio between the minerals calcium and phosphorus (Ca:P) which needs to be at least 1:1, but not higher than 2:1 for adult dogs and cats. Micronutrients are defined as those required in the diet in mg/kg or parts per million (ppm). Depending on the ingredients used or the...

Dietary fibre has several beneficial effects on the digestive system and on general health. For instance, it promotes regular intestinal transit, helps reduce the risk of diarrhea and constipation, and regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Dietary fibre is a part of the plant that corresponds more specifically to the plant cell wall. It is characterized by its resistance to enzymatic digestion and absorption in the small intestine, but is completely or partially fermented by the...

There are published nutritional profiles (or standards) for gestation and lactation, growth and adult maintenance for dogs and cats. However, there are no specific nutritional profiles to define how diets should be designed for senior or geriatric pets, or for working dogs holding a wide range of jobs. Therefore, nutritional needs should be assessed on a patient-by-patient basis and they should take into consideration all of the animal, dietary and feeding management factors for the current...

How can RVTs show more compassion and take things less personally to fully enjoy their profession? What is the difference between compassion and sympathy? In this video from our series Top tips for RVTs, Jolene Watson, an emotions-centered coach, professional speaker, and proud RVT, focuses on strategies to avoid empathy fatigue. She shares her perspective on emotional navigation and regulation, suggesting that expanding one's emotional vocabulary and understanding can help manage stress. She...

Empowering technicians in OA treatment !This webcast is presented as part of our series on canine osteoarthritis addressing pathogenesis, disease awareness, canine and owner quality of life, and osteoarthritis management, including new developments.In this webcast, Dr. Georgina Beaumont and Evie Tummon, RVT, provide comprehensive up-to-date education on various aspects of canine osteoarthritis (OA) from a new perspective, the RVT's perspective, and the important role RVTs/AHT play in...

How can RVTs help create a stress-free environment for pets at the veterinary clinic? What steps can be implemented to ensure the comfort of our furry friends during their veterinary visits? In this video from our series Top tips for RVTs, Jessica Benoit, a registered veterinary technologist and veterinary technician specialist in behaviour, shares her top five tips for providing a calm and comfortable experience to patients at the veterinary clinic. She emphasizes the importance of ensuring...

Veterinary professionals often regard the "gold standard of care" as the best and only way to practise veterinary medicine. However, human medicine is increasingly adopting a "spectrum of care" approach, which tailors treatments to individual needs and circumstances. By factoring in variables such as cost, client expectations, and the specific requirements of each pet, this approach could potentially elevate veterinary practice, offering optimal, personalized care for all patients. Perk up...

Dietary changes are often the first step in diagnosing and treating dogs with chronic enteropathy, aiming to provide balanced nutrition, avoid allergens, and resolve symptoms. While many dogs improve with dietary changes alone, it is essential to closely monitor the dog's response and adjust the diet as needed for sustained symptom relief. Ultimately, collaboration between veterinarians and pet owners is crucial for proper management and improved quality of life for affected dogs. Perk up with...

Ixodes scapularis, known for transmitting diseases like Lyme disease through pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, has expanded its geographic range in recent decades, posing new health risks in these areas. This expansion, partly due to warming temperatures, is also influenced by other factors, including the fact that adult female ticks infected with B. burgdorferi could have better survival rates during winter compared to uninfected ticks. Perk up with your monthly shot of Vetspresso! In...