g103-glanbrook-veterinary-service

Who Is Your RVT?

Mon, 11 May 2026 23:53:48 GMT

For as long as you can probably remember, you've walked into your doctor's office- met their receptionist, and then met the nurse that's going to help the doctor take care of you. In your veterinary clinic it's the same! The RVTs do a lot of important things at GVS, from being part of a first puppy appointment, to being the lab tech, anesthesiologist, dental technician, even taking radiographs. We also get to help educate our pet parents, making sure that you understand what you need in order to make the best decision for your pets health. RVTs have worked in school for years to have the vast knowledge to care for your pet, as well as working with the veterinarians to help educate, and advocate for pets both young and old! The RVTs hold their careers extremely close to their hearts because we have worked tirelessly to be able to care for your pets, using continuing education and advancement courses to enhance skills.

A Day in the Life

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 23:46:18 GMT

Have you ever wondered what an average day in a vet clinic is like? As one of the

receptionists at Glanbrook, I will tell you what an average day for me looks like.

From puppies’ and kittens’ first vet visits to a beloved family pet saying goodbye,

we are a part of everything—at least in some way.

A day at Glanbrook starts 30 minutes before we open in order for me to look

through our emails, voicemails, faxes, and texts to determine which matters

require immediate follow-up. In addition, we make sure our waiting room is

stocked with coffee, treats, and music playing for our clients to enjoy as they

come in. Once the clinic opens and patients begin to arrive, the reception team

records patients’ weights, notifies the veterinary staff in the treatment area, and

checks patients in. As the day progresses, we focus on answering questions,

processing medication refills, booking appointments and providing comfort and

support to clients as they navigate their pets’ healthcare needs.

Whether a pet is preparing for surgery, currently undergoing a procedure,

beginning a new medication, or undergoing diagnostic testing to determine the

cause of illness, the reception team is available to assist. Even when we may not

be able to provide immediate answers, we make sure we do what we can to get

them for you. While most of our time is spent up front answering questions,

booking appointments, placing medication requests, and more, we also have the

opportunity to interact with our patients. Either the ladies in the back will bring

them up front for us to cuddle, or we will sneak away to steal some cuddles

during their visits. After all, we are all animal lovers—and who doesn’t love a

cuddle?

Working at reception also means being present during some of the most difficult

moments our clients face. When a cherished family pet is nearing the end of its

life, we are there to provide guidance and support. From providing cost estimates

and available products to simply being there to discuss what it may look like and

offer comfort, compassion and understanding we are there to help. We assist

families in selecting memorial products and ensure their wishes are respected.

Although we may not be present in the room for the entire appointment, we

share in our clients’ grief and recognize the profound impact these moments have

on families. While this is the most challenging aspect of our role, it is also one of

the most important, as it allows us to support both our clients and their pets with

dignity and care.

Our days are full of ups and downs, happiness and sadness, and can be crazy busy

or a little quieter. I love doing this job and being a part of the Glanbrook family,

helping where I can with our lovely clients and their even lovelier furry family

members. Thanks for spending the day with me.

For The Love of Fostering

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 23:05:18 GMT

Have you ever thought about fostering a pet in need?

Since rejoining the Glanbrook team, my own personal idea of it has been awakened. Dr. Heather works with a few rescues which allows the rest of the team to help get these guys on their way to a loving home. This is my experience of what it is like to foster.

My first foster was a lovely adult dog who was rescued from a high kill shelter in the US and brought to Canada. The first time I actually saw him was when he was brought in for his initial exam to the clinic. Like MOST of the rescue dogs that have such a long journey, he was terrified. This is a very important thing to know when considering opening your home to a rescue.

So, I asked myself some questions:

How do I think I can help this guy?
Can I afford to give him the help he needs?
Do I have time and patience to allow him to work though ALL the issues he is carrying?
I have other animals at home. Is this going to help or hinder his recovery? (Yes, rescue has a recovery process)
Am I going to be strong enough to let him go one day, to a forever home?

There are many other questions that you may want to ask yourself but these are a good start. After deciding yes to some, and maybe to others I decided being a temporary foster would be best, not only for me, but for the success of any rescue that would be under my care.

I had my first rescue for 1.5 weeks. During that time we slowly connected. My only goal was to make this guy feel safe. I wanted him to start trusting that not all people are bad. I set him up in his crate and even covered it up with a light sheet so he wasn't being overstimulated with everything else going on in my home. He felt safe in there. He ate, drank and slept in there. He came out willingly to use the washroom and went back in quietly for 3 days in a row. I didn't force him or ask him to do anything but always spoke quietly to him and offered my hand to sniff as I'd walk by his crate. After that 3 day mark I started noticing small changes.

I started to spend more time with him interacting outside. He had quite the goofy fun side just waiting to come out! Eventually he showed me that in fact yes, he does know how to be a real dog. He loved playing chase outside, fetch and sleeping as close as possible to me on the couch while watching tv. My heart melted every time he opened just a little bit more. These are just some of the examples I can give demonstrating how a little bit of time and consideration are required.

Then, it came time to "let him go". I like to call it, "move him forward in life". I thought I could do this! It went like so. The rescue I was temporarily fostering for contacted me to let me know they had found a suitable long term foster. They put me in contact with them. We chatted and set a pick up time, and went over any information I could share with them to help them adapt. I didn't want to let him go! To be completely honest, as soon as the new fosters pulled into my driveway I was a blubbering, crying mess. Good news! I wasn't the only one! To my surprise, they started crying too!!! In my opinion he hit the jackpot! There couldn't have been a better couple for him. My only hope was that they would completely fail at fostering and adopt him!! They did!

I am fortunate enough to still get updates from them, and I help them answer any questions they have. I'm grateful for this. They shared almost a similar experience with me when they told me the news of them adopting him. They had taken him to an adopt event held by the rescue to help all their rescues get exposure and adopted. It was then, they realized after 2 months that he could be gone one day. Just like me, they couldn't bare it and sent their adoption request in that day. Since then I have even been able to dog sit for them whenever they were away. This is a story with a very happy ending. But, fostering is an emotional rollercoaster. It is unexplainable. To fully understand you would need to do it. All I want to do is be a small step in helping those that can not help themselves on their way to a better life, even if it is not meant to be with me.

Since then I have fostered a few more dogs for the same rescue always on a temporary basis just so they would have a soft place to land. I am unable to do a long term foster as I do have other pets at home who seem to get a bit upset at every "new guy" that comes into my home.

My advice? If you can foster, please do! So many rescues don't have a facility to house the rescues at all and solely depend on fosters…..hopefully like you!

The Power of Your Pets

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:11:45 GMT

In March of 2025, I signed my dog Rylee up for St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program. She went through a behavioral evaluation and passed! We have been to nursing homes, hospitals, day programs, and more.

I knew that our pets were so important for our mental health and well-being, however I never expected the amazing response a 1-hour visit would bring to people.

Have you ever looked at your pet and felt your heart swell with love? Do you leave events early or rush home from work just to hang out with them? There have been studies that show owning a pet is associated with better mental health, including lowering anxiety, and depression. Pets provide companionship, unconditional love, and a sense of purpose. Interacting with them can trigger the release of mood-boosting hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. Regular activity, such as walking a dog or riding a horse, also contributes to improved physical and mental well-being.

Cuddling with your cat can literally lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and promote relaxation. The rhythmic sound and sensation of their purring and heartbeat can help with things like chronic pain, anxiety, and depression.

Our pets have superpowers!

Dog Sports

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 02:26:04 GMT

When I adopted my first Duck Toller, Indy, back in 2008, I had big dreams for the two of us. I had always wanted to compete in Obedience, and Indy and I were going to do just that. Over our two years of training and competition, Indy and I brought home a few ribbons and titles, and I have always been immensely proud of that. Our competitive time was cut short after his first cancer diagnosis at age 4. Indy lived until he was 12, and the week before we said goodbye, my beloved boy still went through his obedience commands with me.

So many options exist today for owners to participate in sport with their beloved canine companions. Traditionally we have thought about Obedience as the only option, but this is no longer the case. Even within Obedience there are variations on what can be done. And canine sports aren’t just for purebred dogs!

The purpose of Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Obedience is to showcase the connection between handler and canine. It involves the performance of a series of tasks that emphasize the connectedness between a handler and their dog, incorporating some traditional aspects of what dogs were bred for including jumping, retrieving, heeling, and scent work.

In recent years, the development and popularity of Rally Obedience has increased and has brought more people to the world of dog sports. Rally focuses on a series of stations that involve a pre-determined activity or task that each handler-dog team must accomplish. Those tasks might involve a sit-stay-walk around or a 360 degree turn before moving onto the next station. Both the CKC and CARO offer Rally Obedience trials and titles for both registered and mixed breed dogs.

Agility is a fast-paced dog sport that asks dogs to showcase their athletic abilities, maneuvering through a series of obstacles like jumps, tunnels, teeter-totters, and weave poles. Agility has traditionally been dominated by border collies (as it should!) but in recent years, the sport has celebrated some new kids on the block (just search “Lobo husky agility” and you’ll see!).

There are a number of other dog sports like dock diving and flyball among others. All of these share common threads: it is the bond between human and dog that is the prize. The benefits in dog sports are innumerable. Training in whatever sport you choose strengthens your bond with your pet. It allows your pet to flex their muscles, both physically and mentally and allows them to thrive doing what they were meant to do. It gives our dogs confidence. It makes you a better person and a better companion for your dog. You learn how to communicate with each other, you learn to understand what motivates your dog, you learn to be patient and flexible. It makes you understand behavior (both canine and human) to help you grow as an individual. And the titles and ribbons are fun, but they aren’t what matters in the end. And there are so many ways that things can be modified for differently-abled individuals, from choosing the sport (including the CKC’s Trick Dog titles) to course modifications during Rally and Agility. And if you choose to travel for trials, then you get to see some new towns that maybe you would never have, like the quaint little Georgina, ON where Indy and I got our first title.

Whichever you may decide, participation in dog sports with your furry companion has countless benefits to both you and your dog. And in the end, isn’t spending that valuable time together what’s really important?

Let’s Give a Big Hand to Our Polydactyl Friends

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 02:30:13 GMT

Have you ever seen a cat that looks like they have extra large paws, like they are wearing boxing gloves? You may have been meeting a polydactyl cat – a feline with a genetic mutation that gives them extra toes. Poly meaning many and dactyl meaning finger or toe. Most cats have a total of 18 toes.

The gene that causes the mutation is dominant, meaning if one parent carries the gene the kittens in the litter will have a 50% chance of inheriting the trait. The specific mutation regulates the sonic hedgehog gene which is important during limb and digit development. It is most common for the front paws to be affected. It is quite rare for only the hind paws to be affected, and even more rare for all 4 paws to be affected.

There are no major health concerns with polydactyl cats, they can live long, healthy, comfortable lives. However, they should have regular nail trims to ensure their nails do not grow into their paw pads/skin and to prevent the extra nails from getting caught causing injury.

Purrfectly Fun Facts

The Guinness World Record for most toes on a cat is 28!
It is believed early settlers brought polydactyl cats with them to the Americas as they were very helpful with pest control
Erin and Marsha have polydactyl cats
Hemingway loved polydactyl cats, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “Hemingway cats”

https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/polydactyl-cats

https://basepaws.com/blog/genetics-of-polydactyly-celebrating-the-hemingway-cats

Why Heartworm Testing and Prevention Is So Important – By Keli Halford

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 02:35:28 GMT

Do you test your dog for heartworm and intestinal parasites? Is your dog or cat on heartworm prevention? They should be!

In April of 2022, we had a group of rescue dogs arrive in Canada from San Pedro, Belize. At the sight of one, originally named Miss Gina, I fell in love. I offered a place in my home for Miss Gina as a foster-to-adopt so I could ensure that my own dog, Kayta, would get along with her. They were instant friends and we decided to adopt her. We renamed her Peach.

As per protocol, once she arrived, we tested her for heartworm and intestinal parasites. At the time, her test was negative for all parasites. This was great news knowing she came from a country that does not have the same veterinary care that we do in Canada.

A few weeks go by and Peach started to show some odd symptoms. Peach started coughing up blood, and was vomiting. We tested her again for heartworm and she was negative. The doctor’s treated her and she started to get better. Having no concerns as her health improved, we retested her for heartworm and intestinal parasites 6 months after she arrived in the country.

Peach’s follow up test was positive for heartworm this time around! I was upset but I knew that there would be no one better than Dr. Heather and her team to treat her. As we deal with many rescues at Glanbrook Veterinary Services, there is no one I would trust more.

The heartworm test that is commonly used here in Canada is a simple blood test that checks for a specific protein that is only found in the uterus of an adult female heartworm. Once a patient is bitten, it takes 4-6 months for the larvae to mature into a female adult heartworm. This is why we tested Peach when she came into Canada and again 6 months later. If we tested her after 4 months, we may have missed a positive test result because the female was not quite mature yet; and if we didn’t test her again after that 6 month time period passed, then her infection would be untreated and the heartworms would cause chronic damage to the blood vessels in her lungs and heart.

Once we found out she was positive, we started the treatment.

Any patient that is going through a heartworm treatment needs to be kept quiet and have strict exercise restriction. This is to minimize the risk of a potentially life-threatening blood clot to her lungs. Peach is a black-mouth cur and her breed is very high energy. There are multiple ways that I was able to help Peach stay quiet. Some of them included taking her outside on a leash to go to the bathroom and using calming medications that were prescribed by the doctors at GVS. I also would set up mind games such as lick mats and dog puzzles to tire her out mentally.

The heartworm treatment is divided up into 3 different injections. Throughout the entire treatment, the patient has to be rested and very restricted exercise. With Peach being a high energy dog, I knew this would be tough but I was willing to put in the work. They had warned me in advance that it is a long treatment and can be painful. Even though they warned me, I wasn’t as prepared as I thought that I was.

The first two months of the treatment goes by with Peach on some medication. I was able to keep her quiet enough but it was difficult with her sister, Kayta, always wanting to play. Now it was time for her first injection. I wasn’t ready for how painful this injection would be.

For the first injection, they get medication injected deep into the muscles of their lower backs. Injections into muscles can be very painful in general, but the medication that is required to kill the adult heartworms can sting both at the time of the injection and for the next week or two after it is given. Peach was given pain medication prior to the injection and for a few days after. We will have to go through two more injections back-to-back in another month.

After staying at the clinic all day, I was able to bring Peach home that evening. She was tired and painful. I had to carry her into the house and up to bed; she didn’t want to walk. Every time she got up, she was hesitant to move because she was so painful. It was sad to see but I knew this would help her in the end.

A few days later and she was finally moving ok on her own. Now, we have to wait one more month before she gets her second and third injections, back-to-back.

Before I started working at Glanbrook Veterinary Services, I will admit, I didn’t know much about heartworm prevention. I didn’t have Kayta on it but now going through this experience with Peach, I will always heartworm test my pets and have them on prevention.

The doctor’s strongly recommend all dogs get heartworm tested starting in April and starting prevention in June. Heartworm is still very prevalent in our area as we do get lots of mosquitoes. Any patient that is bit by a mosquito has the risk of contracting heartworm, if they are not on prevention.

The Differences in Veterinary Medicine: Canada vs. Belize. By – Rebecca Hurst

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 02:42:22 GMT

As many of you know, Dr. Heather and I travel to Belize twice a year to volunteer at Saga Humane Society. Dr. Heather was first introduced to Saga 6 years ago now, which is crazy to think we’ve been so many times! Although we are used to the differences between Glanbrook and Saga now, I thought I could share some more details about them. Whenever I return home from Saga, I am reminded of how lucky both us and our pets are. At Glanbrook we are very fortunate to have many tools available to us, whenever we need them. Our patients are able to have almost any treatment done in our clinic, without having to go elsewhere. We have in-house lab equipment, ultrasound, x-rays, sturdy working kennels, and even air conditioning!

Now in San Pedro, Belize…. When we have a patient that is needing any of the above, these are all the steps that need to be taken.

For bloodwork we first need to take the blood sample. We use whatever size syringe/needles that Ingrid (the AMAZING technician at Saga) has in stock at the time. Once the sample has been taken, Ingrid packages it in a cardboard box. It is then driven to the airport via golf cart, to be sent over to Belize City (approx 20 minute plane ride). Once it has travelled over the ocean, it is driven to the lab where it is run. The results are then emailed to Ingrid when completed. This usually takes 12-24 hours. At Glanbrook, we take the sample, and take about 15 steps to our complete in-house lab.

When a patient is needing ultrasound or x-rays at Saga, we hop in the back of the Saga golf cart WITH our patient (yes even with large dogs!). We then travel about 20 minutes to the only human imaging facility on the island of San Pedro. We wait our turn, restrain our patients for the images to be taken, then have to wait for them to develop. Once we are happy with the images, we hop back in the golf cart and head back to Saga. To evaluate the x-rays, we hold up the x-ray film to the ceiling fan light in the office. At Glanbrook, we snap the views needed and they show up on the computer screen within seconds.

Saga usually has around 30-40 dogs and 50-60 cats in their care at all times. They are either staying at Saga because they are sick and are being treated, or they are waiting to be adopted. Either way, the typical kennel in Saga is usually an old rusty wire crate or a plastic crate held together with zip ties. Most of the kennels do not have a functioning door or lock. Unfortunately crates are VERY expensive in Belize, and they have to use what they have available to them. At Glanbrook, your pets are housed in stainless steel kennels, with working latches and hinges.

Now imagine Belize…. 25-30 degree weather, sun is always out. Then imagine Saga, dog crates stacked one on top of another, a busy waiting room full of clients and pets. Then imagine how warm it must be, as they only have access to 1 wall air conditioning unit for the whole shelter. It just shows how something we never even think twice about in Canada, is a daily struggle at Saga.

My first time at Saga was truly shocking seeing how they manage to complete tasks that we don’t even think about here. And the dedicated team at Saga does it everyday without a complaint. If you are interested in learning more about Saga Humane Society, you can find them on Facebook, or visit their website www.sagahumanesociety.com . Just a little reminder that we should be SO grateful for what we have available for our fur babies.

Best in Show – By Chris Sander R.V.T.

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 03:32:59 GMT

I have been very blessed to have had many experiences with showing a variety of animals, including horses, sheep, beef cattle and of course dogs. Showing dogs being the most amount of work, but the most rewarding.

I grew up in a household that was active in dog sports with our Siberian Huskies. My mom mostly trained/worked in the Obedience ring, she also dabbled in Sledding and some Conformation (ie Dog Shows). By the way, Dog Shows are not completely like the movie “Best In Show”, but my husband does have two left feet like Eugene Levy’s character! My mom was the person who not only was my inspiration, but encouraged me. I spent many hours at the Hamilton Obedience Club in the 70’s and 80’s watching the dogs being trained. It was like an extended family! My mom used to quiz me on the different dogs breeds and general information.

My first competitive dog was a Black Miniature Poodle named “Eddie”. She was the smartest and most independent dog I’ve had the privilege to work with. Eddie was capable to training and competing in multiple sports at once, with just a change in her collar and lead, she was able to switch from Conformation to Obedience, Agility or Flyball. Agility was her favourite, she loved to jump! My favourite has always been the Conformation Dog Shows. Preparing a Standard Poodle for a show requires hours of work…clipping, bathing, blow drying and scissoring, as well as the daily maintenance grooming and training/conditioning. I was on a waiting list for over 18 years, before I got my first Scottish Deerhound “Piper”, grooming went from hours to minutes!

Agility, Flyball, etc are also fun, but Dog Shows make me more emotional, watching a well trained dog moving around in the ring is breath taking to me. I literally will sit on the edge of my seat when watching Dog Shows like Westminster or Crufts and my family knows that I’m just as vocal watching them on TV as when we watch the FIFA World Cup. Neither of them can hear me yell through the TV! For those clients that remember “Piper” she was a great example of a Scottish Deerhound, she had a mellow and loving temperament, very quiet (couch potato) in the house and a speed demon outside. She used to, not intentionally, intimidate the Standard Poodles. “Twister” thought that if he stood still, she would not charge or run into him!

“Piper”was actually related to GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, who was Best In Show (BIS) at Westminister Dog Show in 2011; she was the first Scottish Deerhound in history to win! No matter what breed or what sport, purebred or mix, dog sports are like a family community, supporting each other and making new friends and catching up with old ones.

My family and I are are looking forward to when we can start showing again, especially allowing spectators. If you every see “Breeze” and me at the Dog Shows, feel free to come by and say “Hi”

What I’ve Learned from my Colleagues as a Student Working at Glanbrook – By Annika Regnerus

Sat, 18 Dec 2021 03:39:15 GMT

When I was 13, I began volunteering at Glanbrook. I was a dog-lover through and through, and I wanted to become a vet. We had been taking our Brittany spaniel,, Tilly to Glanbrook for a couple of years, and I thought it would be wise to understand the behind-the-scenes workings of a vet clinic to decide if it would be a good eventual fit for me. Dr. Heather was kind enough to welcome me to the team. In the last 5 years at the clinic, the lessons I’ve learned have been inexplicably valuable.

One of the first lessons I learned at the clinic was the importance of efficiency. I was taught to anticipate what would be needed for an appointment so that clients would not have to wait long to be seen. I observed as the staff asked all the right questions to get to the root of a pet’s health concern. I quickly came to appreciate the veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and receptionists for their well-honed skills in efficiency without compromising thoroughness. With over thirteen thousand active patients to be seen at Glanbrook, efficiency is critical to allow the clinic to run smoothly. It was a skill I would get to employ when I began training as a receptionist. I practiced learning what concerns required immediate attention and worked to ask the right questions to help narrow the issue down to its core. The communication skills I learned working with the staff at Glanbrook have continued to benefit me, even outside of work.

The second major lesson I learned working at Glanbrook is the value of compassion. Without exception, every staff member at the clinic truly cares about each patient that walks through our doors. In the veterinary field, staff members are subject to a rollercoaster of events on any given day. The joy shared with a client who has just picked up a new kitten can be quickly contrasted by the pain felt by owners who are saying goodbye to a companion. I admired how my colleagues stood with clients through it all. Their passion for veterinary work became evident to me immediately; they viewed their time at Glanbrook as more than just a job.

When I began to work at Glanbrook, I quickly learned to acknowledge the importance of having a cohesive team. Even though things move quickly at the clinic, the Glanbrook girls were always happy to answer my questions. Clinic staff have learned to recognize when a team member is feeling burnt out, especially since COVID hit. We have stepped up to support one another. I am ever grateful to my Glanbrook family for their ceaseless effort to uphold me and each other. When we face difficult situations in the clinic, we are always willing to help one another and decipher a solution together.

Sometimes, when tough cases come up in the clinic, Dr. Heather will ask me, “Are you sure you still want to be a vet?” Watching every case that she sees in the clinic, I will admit that I have had my doubts. My colleagues at Glanbrook are strong people, and I do not always feel that I can handle the responsibility that they accept each day. I am endlessly amazed by the tireless work that goes on around me, and I am honoured each shift to be able to help out the amazing staff at Glanbrook in some small way. My answer is always, “I’m sure.”

Why Does My Pet Need an Exam? – By Dr. Marissa

Sat, 22 May 2021 03:56:52 GMT

I’m Dr. Marissa, one of the associate vets here at Glanbrook Vet Services, and I absolutely love what I do. I get to have hands-on interactions with so many amazing and wonderful pets every single day. In the 20-30 minutes that I see each pet, my job is to use all of my training to integrate the information that my team has gathered through history-taking and combine that with the findings of my complete physical examination into an overall assessment of your pet. I use all of this information to create a plan that best suits the preventive health care needs of your fur baby.

I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about the portion of each veterinary visit that takes place mostly inside my head – the physical exam. I’d like to focus on this because there have been many occasions where clients have made comments to myself and our support staff along the lines of, “Can’t I skip the physical exam – it’s too expensive” or “Fluffy is just due for shots – I don’t want the exam,” and I would like to offer a window into the minds of veterinarians everywhere that will hopefully explain just some of the many things that we assess when we see your pet for an examination.

Before I even put my hands on your pet, I observe them from a distance. Right now with COVID restrictions in place that prevent owners from coming into the clinic with their pet, I can watch each patient walk into the practice with my support staff and a checklist of assessments runs through my head. Here are just a few examples:

Are they walking?
Is their gait normal? Any limping?
What’s their level of interaction with my support staff? How is their behaviour?
Are they nervous? Happy? Overweight? Thin?
How does their coat look? Any hair loss?
Can they see? Can they hear if I call for them?

Once I’ve had the chance to say my hello’s and get in a few snuggles and cuddles, the hands-on physical exam starts. This runs from nose to toes to tail for each pet. Here are just a few of the things that I look at:

Body weight and condition score – any weight loss? Weight gain? Muscle condition loss?
All of these can suggest underlying disease processes that may be occurring, like low or high thyroid levels
Temperature – do they have a fever? Are they cold?
How do the eyes look? Can the pet see me?
Is the surface of the eye clear? Any redness/squinting?
Any new spots on the irises that could indicate a problem?
Are the lenses turning blue, which would explain any hesitation in the dark/dim light?
Are the eyelids normal?
Ears
Any sign of redness/irritation/discharge/infection?
Are they uncomfortable when I look in or touch the ears?
Nose
Any discharge/cracking of the skin/thickening of the skin?
Mouth
Any broken teeth?
Dental disease (plaque, tartar, gingivitis, etc.) that could explain bad breath?
Any growths/masses that have come up and are new?
Does the tongue work normally?
Lymph nodes
Any enlargement? Abnormal palpation? Painful?
Chest
How does the heart sound?
Is there a murmur? If so, what is the grade?
Is there an abnormal rhythm?
What are the pulses like?
How are the lungs?
Any crackling/wheezing/variation in sounds over the lung fields?
Abdomen
Is it soft? Can I feel any masses/abdominal organ enlargement? Are they sore anywhere? Gassy? Any hernias? Mammary masses?
Skin and coat
Are there lumps and bumps? Where are they, how big are they, what do they feel like, are they uncomfortable, etc.?
Any sign of fleas/ticks/mites?
Urogenital
Any abnormalities?

If everything on this list checks out and they appear to be in good health, then I am comfortable updating their vaccinations or prescribing the medications that they need to stay healthy.

There have been many cases where we have found problems during annual wellness examinations that the owners were unaware of; some have been minor and have required small adjustments in their lifestyle to help to improve (ie. starting a dental supplement to help with their teeth), while others have been life-changing. Some examples of the life-changing findings include:

Enlarged lymph nodes in a dogs with lymphoma
Hearing an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) in a dog with third degree heart block who is at risk of sudden death
Hearing a heart murmur in an elderly cat who is at high risk of throwing a blood clot to their lungs or legs
Palpating a large abdominal mass/tumour that could bleed into the abdomen and require emergency surgical intervention
And many more…

A physical examination may not seem that important, however, a complete physical assessment is the greatest tool in a veterinarian’s arsenal. It can allow us to catch problems early and help us to make appropriate recommendations for ongoing preventive care, as well as to guide any next steps in the diagnostic process (ie. x-rays, blood work, ultrasound, urinalysis, etc.).

Plus, we LOVE seeing your pets – their health and welfare is our passion!

“Wow, animals are so amazing.” – by Richelle Osborne (Glanbrook Vet Assistant)

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 02:54:05 GMT

When I walk around and see pets who help those with physical, learning, and other health difficulties, I think to myself “Wow, animals are so amazing. They help so many people with everyday tasks that others may take for granted”. What we don’t see is the impact animals have on our mental health. Whether it be a dog, cat, bird, or even a fish, our pets have a huge impact on the way we live and feel. They have a way of providing companionship, easing loneliness, and showering us with unconditional love. There have been many studies done that have proven interacting with animals lowers our blood pressure, slows our heart rate, eases muscle tension, and helps our breathing become more regular. I have seen the impact animals have on mental health in my personal life. I suffer every day from anxiety which includes mental and physical challenges. Coming to work every day and being able to be around different animals and then going home to my own three dogs brings me back to a neutral state and provides me with happiness that I personally do not get anywhere else.

The current pandemic has severely impacted many people and their mental health. It has caused a large amount of people to become more fearful, isolated, and unsure of the future. Having a pet or being able to interact with animals of any kind can help keep us in the moment and calm our minds even if it is only for a split moment while we are giving our pet a pat on the head. I wanted to mention the pandemic in this post as it is such a large part of our lives at this moment, but for the purpose of the blog I do not want to focus on it. I want to keep this post positive and keep the focus on how amazing animals are and the great job they can do with keeping us in a good place.

I could go on and on about all of the different studies that have been done that show statistics that prove animals have a positive impact on our mental health but I won’t bore you with all those numbers. What I want this post to do is to help you become more aware of the impact our pets have on us and help you become more mindful when you’re taking care of your pet or even petting someone else’s dog while walking down the street. The next time you’re petting your cat or taking your dog on their daily walk, make note on how you are feeling at that moment and then just enjoy the time with your pet. If our pets can teach us anything, let it be the lesson of living in the moment, whether that be the excitement that comes from the smallest treat or thinking that going for a walk around the block is the best part of the day. We don’t get forever with our pets so allow them to show you unconditional love and make you feel happy even if it is only for a moment.

How I learned to walk my dog. By – Dr. Julia Kim

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 02:55:58 GMT

How I learned to walk my dog. By – Dr. Julia Kim

I’ve had my first pup Roy for close to 11 years now and truthfully, he’s been a very easy dog. I have done minimal training with him and he has turned out pretty great, albeit a few idiosyncrasies here and there. In retrospect, I think this gave me a false sense of security regarding my dog training skills. Now in his golden years, he has mellowed out even more and our life had settled into a calm predictable routine.

Enter Susie. Like many, my husband and I have caught the pandemic puppy fever and found ourselves with an 8 week old puppy at the beginning of January. To put it lightly, life is very different. Although we love her, there are moments that make me want to curl up in fetal position. Nothing tested me more than trying to walk Susie. This 10 pound puppy was giving me a workout just trying to get around the block…and she was getting bigger every day. She sounded like Hannibal lector, and to be honest I was embarrassed. She hated it, I hated it, we were on entirely different wavelengths and just failing to communicate. But thankfully, there was a simple solution.

Many of you have seen the Transitional Leash, as we use it at the clinic to bring your wonderful pets in and out. Let me tell you, I think every dog owner should have one of these (and no I do not work for the company). Depending on how you use it, the transitional leash works by applying gentle pressure on either the top of the nose or high on the neck (instead of at the throat—which results in those dreadful choking noises). Now, it did take some patience and conditioning to get Susie used to it but after a few walks and a few at home sessions (thank you Aleka) it was like having an epiphany. She is still able to open her mouth, grab sticks or pinecones, bark and do whatever she pleases—the transitional leash just gives her the ability to focus. It also has the benefit of putting me in a calmer state of mind, which Susie (and also Roy) can read. It makes for easier communication between Susie and I, and she is able to follow my lead instead of me trying to control her. Our neighbours probably don’t even recognize us on our walks now, Susie has taken to the transitional leash like a duck to water.

There are still challenges, and Susie and I have a ways to go. Thankfully, I am able to bring her to Liskey’s for a safe and structured way for her to be socialized and am grateful for all the help and tips I get from the girls there. We are also in a socially distanced online obedience class with Aleka, that has provided me with even more information to help Susie succeed. I am learning so much and am more confident in my ability to calmly communicate with both my pups. I am so excited to apply these skills and knowledge in clinic, and hopefully share any useful tidbits I can with the flood of new puppies we are seeing lately.

As an update, I am happy to report that Susie got an A+ for leash manners this past week at Liskey’s and I could not be prouder (her report card is hanging on our fridge).

“No matter how you feel….Get up, Dress up, Show up….and NEVER give up.”

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 02:58:58 GMT

“No matter how you feel….Get up, Dress up, Show up….and NEVER give up.”

Practicing Veterinary Medicine on any regular day is hard, and amazing all at the same time.

It is definitely mentally stimulating, but also draining, physically tiring, and emotionally exhausting.

Practicing Veterinary Medicine during a global wide pandemic is like nothing I have ever experienced before.

The way I have practiced for almost 15 years, completely changed this year. I keep hoping to come out on the other side, unscathed, but the other side still isn’t in sight for now.

I must first acknowledge here, that I am VERY aware of ALL of the people that are working day in and day out to bring an end to this chaos. I know that the people on the front lines may never be the same. I know that we are ALL surviving through this. Thank you to all of you.

But, this blog is an insight into Glanbrook, and the clinic we run, and the lives we lead.

This past year, I have never felt so much pressure. Knowing that the success of my businesses is keeping 18 people employed….well, that’s enough to keep you up at night and then some. Have I been doing the right things? Have I been doing enough to keep my employees and my clients safe? What is coming next? Are things changing forever, or will we see an end to this eventually? These are the questions I ask myself all day, every day…….while the phones are ringing, while I am typing records, while I am seeing patients, while I am holding staff meetings, and not to mention worrying about my family, and trying to sleep.

We have transitioned from having clients in the building with their pets, to standing in the parking lot talking to owners, to being able to allow only one person in the building while they say goodbye to their family pet, after they have been screened, had their temperature taken, and while wearing a mask. We are still striving to be the compassionate humans we always were, but at a distance, with only our eyes to portray our kindness. We can’t hug our clients when they lose their best friend or when they show us a picture of their new puppy they are bringing in next week.

Perhaps the masks are thwarting our compassion, but they are also promoting a lack of respect among some of our clients. It is like some people hide behind them. It’s like the mask has given them the power to talk to us like we don’t matter, like we must give them all of our attention and our 1000 other clients don’t matter. The masks have made them angry? Or resentful? The phone calls instead of in person conversation have made them lash out? And to be unkind? I wish those clients could see the days that we spend from 8am to 7p in clinic seeing patients back to back all day long, answering and returning phone calls in between appointments, calling lab work, and typing medical records, completing surgeries, organizing child care, and online schooling, getting up at 6am to complete records or round before going to work, making referrals, responding to client emails, sitting in bed at night typing up consults, or placing orders for inventory, or researching abnormal cases, or travelling during COVID to help the animals and people in a foreign country. I wish those clients could realize that if I don’t call them back with their pets blood work in one hour, it’s not because I don’t care, or that I am doing something for myself, it is because I am tending to a really sick patient, or splinting a broken leg, or helping a family say goodbye to furry friend, or mourning the loss of my own deeply loved family pet, or trying to get my kids laptop working so that they can continue online schooling, or discussing cases and changes with my staff, or debriefing with my husband after a crazy day, or creating protocols for my clinic so that we can all stay safe.

Don’t get me wrong. This is my job. I don’t expect a thank you. I just expect that in a world that is falling apart, that we look out for each other. I expect that we remember that we are all doing this together. I expect that we remember above all else, to be kind and respectful of one another.

I want to get back to loving my job. I want to get back to being able to grow a relationship with a new client and laugh with them when their puppy gets the zoomies in an appointment, or cry with them when they are scared their cat is too sick to survive. I want to do surgery and enjoy doing surgery, without planning my COVID protocol updates, and organizing all of the clients I have yet to get back to in my head. I want to come in to work and be excited to be there, not still exhausted from the day before. I want my girls to enjoy coming to work as well, and not be worried about which client is going to yell at them next for missing something, or for not getting back to them immediately, or for modifications that have been implemented in our ever-changing protocol. I want to get back to being present, in the moment, at the dinner table, in the procedure or the appointment. That is only going to happen if we all do our part and work together.

My girls, that you interact with every time you visit Glanbrook, are my second family. They have adjusted to every change with fortitude. I know, with certainty, that these girls consider me to be their family too. I am so thankful for each and every one of them.

Chris is my longest work family member. She has strength like I have never seen. When Chris is there, I know everything is ok.

Crystal is my secret weapon…She is has super powers that allow her to run the front of my clinic like no one I have ever seen. She is genius.

Dr. Marissa is one of the most thorough and intelligent Veterinarians I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Hailey makes me smile. It may sound silly, but it is like she knows when I need a laugh and she is always there to provide it. I don’t know what I would do without her.

Dr. Julia is one of the most dedicated and compassionate Veterinarians I know, and I am so glad she is on my team.

Rebecca is such a solid member of our team. She gives 200% every day, and our clients and patients are so lucky to have her.

Andrea wears many hats and I am so grateful for her.

Annika is a future-vet, and I marvel at her work ethic and attitude daily. The world better look out because Dr. Annika is going to be fantastic!

Grace is a future-tech, and I have to say that the way in which she has grown this past year is fascinating. She is going to be an amazing veterinary technician.

Richelle has only been with us a short time, but she is already exuding compassion.

Leyna is a new member as well and seems to be loving what she does.

Caroline is our newest member, but she already keeps me entertained and is a welcome presence at our front reception.

Thank you to our loyal and supportive clients, you do help make our days easier. Just writing this blog has made me feel a bit better. I am hoping that 2021 proves to be a little easier for ALL of us. If not, I know I have a village behind me to keep going. We will get there.

I miss you so much Liskey.

Thank you, Dave. I love you.