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What Are Aural (Ear) Polyps? Aural inflammatory polyps are gelatinous masses of inflammatory tissue that typically arise from the middle ear (tympanic bulla) or the auditory tube and can grow into the ear canal or, less commonly, toward the back of the throat. In cats with a history of chronic ear irritation, these polyps represent a structural consequence of prolonged inflammation. Unlike tumors, inflammatory polyps are not cancerous, but they act like a space-occupying lesi

“People food” and houseplants are often unsuitable for our pets. Understanding what is toxic and why can help prevent emergencies and upset tummies for your furry loved ones. Urgent Paws is your local veterinarian open on weekends in Red Deer - Make an appointment with us after work hours or on the weekend for a pet check-up! What Plants are Poisonous to Dogs? Many common household and outdoor plants are toxic to dogs. Some of the most concerning include sago palm, tulips, az

What is atopy and what are its symptoms? Atopy, or environmental allergy, is an allergic reaction to airborne substances like pollen, molds, house dust mites and animal dander (skin or hair fragments). It is most common in dogs, but some cats are also affected. The incidence of atopy depends as much upon a pet’s genetic susceptibility as exposure to the allergen itself. (An allergen is any agent causing the allergic reaction.) Terriers, Setters, Retrievers, Dalmatians, Chine

Elimination diet trials can be tough! We’re here to help. The Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology would like to share some information and tips about this very important diagnostic step. Your veterinarian has reason to believe that a “cutaneous adverse food reaction” – which we will simply call a “food allergy” – might be playing a role in your cat’s skin or ear problems. By addressing this allergy, you can help your cat feel much better. That’s the good news! The bad

Elimination diet trials can be tough! We’re here to help. The Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology would like to share some information and tips about this very important diagnostic step. Your veterinarian has reason to believe that a “cutaneous adverse food reaction” – which we will simply call a “food allergy” – might be playing a role in your dog’s skin or ear problems. By addressing this allergy, you can help your dog feel much better. That’s the good news! The bad

It is not unusual for cats to vomit, as they have sensitive stomachs and often chomp on grass and other plants to help remove hairballs. You’ve probably seen little watery, furry vomit patches with bits of grass in them; that’s totally fine. In fact, there are several reasons why cats in particular seem to throw up more than we do, and most of them are nothing to worry about. The key is understanding when vomiting is normal and when it signals a more serious issue. Why Cats

What Is a Dog Hot Spot? A hotspot is essentially a patch of skin that becomes red, moist, and inflamed. Hot spots can appear suddenly, often when dogs lick or scratch the same spot too much. Once the skin is broken, bacteria spread around the hot spot, which can result in a larger hot spot or even a secondary hot spot nearby. Where Do Hot Spots Usually Appear? Hot spots often occur in places where the skin stays damp or warm. You might notice them around the ears, under the

Why is ear cleaning important? Ear cleaning is an important part of your dog’s grooming needs. Some dogs need more frequent ear cleaning than others. Dogs that are prone to ear infections often benefit from more frequent ear cleanings. The structure of the dog’s ear canal makes it difficult for material trapped deep within the horizontal canal to be expelled without the assistance of cleanings. This material can lead to itchiness and ear infections if not removed. Do I need t

Ear Infection in Cats If you suspect that your kitty has an ear infection, it's important to seek veterinary care as quickly as possible to identify the cause. A veterinarian can treat the ear infection, which will prevent the infection from spreading and becoming more severe. Left untreated, ear infections in cats can lead to hearing loss and ongoing discomfort for your cat. What causes ear infections in cats? Ear mite infestation is the most common cause of outer ear infec

Dogs tend to be more susceptible to ear infections than people because of the shape of their ear canal. Not only that, if your dog swims a lot or has long floppy ears they will be even more prone to ear infections due to moisture becoming trapped in the ear and creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. That said, with a little care you can help to prevent your dog from developing ear infections, and if your dog does get an infection by seeing a vet early there's a

Uh-oh! You just noticed your pet’s ears are hot, red and filled with black wax or maybe even white discharge and they are shaking their head, holding their head to one side or scratching a lot at their ears. Your poor pal may have an ear infection. Ear infections almost always happen for a reason. But what caused the bacteria or yeast (or both!) to infect your pet’s ear in the first place? One of these common causes are the most likely the culprit for your pet’s ear woes: Moi

Feline kidney disease is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting cats, especially as they age. It occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and maintain proper fluid balance. While it is a progressive condition, early diagnosis and proper treatment can significantly improve your cat's lifespan and quality of life. At Urgent Paws Vet Clinic, we work with pet owners to build personalized treatment plans that support long-term kidney health and comf

North American porcupines are common in wooded and rural areas and are most active at night. While they are not aggressive, they defend themselves with their quills and tail when threatened. Porcupines cannot shoot or throw their quills, but the quills are designed to detach easily on contact. Because of their barbed design, quills penetrate tissue easily, but they are harder to remove and won’t fall out on their own. Porcupine quilling injuries happen when a dog encounters a

Vaccines help teach your pet’s immune system how to recognize and fight off certain disease-causing agents. Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system's production of antibodies that identify and destroy these agents—before they can cause disease. This helps prevent or lessen the severity of future disease. Why is it important to have my pet vaccinated? Vaccinations protect your pet from highly contagious and/or deadly diseases and improve your pet's overall quality of li

Canine parvovirus infection is a highly contagious disease caused by canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). There are several strains of CPV-2, and all produce similar signs. The disease they cause is commonly called “parvo.” The virus attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and other canids like coyotes, wolves, and foxes. In puppies, the virus also can damage the heart muscle. All dogs are susceptible to canine parvovirus, although some dogs are at great

Spring has finally sprung! The weather is improving and dogs and cats that have been cooped up all winter are loving the outdoors! Unfortunately, that also means that you are very likely to encounter an “unwanted gift” (fecal matter) on the grass and even on the sidewalk while you take your pets for a walk. This can harbor intestinal parasite eggs that your pet can easily become infected with. A single parasite can produce up to 85,000 eggs per day, which are shed in the stoo

When your pet faces an unexpected illness or needs routine care outside normal working hours, Urgent Paws Veterinary Clinic in Red Deer provides compassionate, professional after-hours veterinary care so your pet receives the support it needs. Whether it’s late at night, a weekend or a holiday, our veterinary team is ready to help. Your Dedicated After-Hours Vet Team Founded by Dr. Sam Felker and Josh Felker, Urgent Paws fills a vital gap in Central Alberta’s veterinary

How to trim the nails The first step is finding the restraint that works best for you and your pet. Some people prefer trimming nails with the pet on their side, some while standing. Also our pets may have a preference of lying on their side versus standing for the nail trim. The quick grows out with the nail over time, so keep in mind that a longer nail will have a longer quick. As a general rule, we try to clip small amounts and gradually make the nail shorter until we get

Pancreatitis refers to a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. In dogs, research has demonstrated that genetics, conditions such as obesity, diabetes and hypothyroidism, and diet factors including dietary indiscretion (getting in the garbage) and high dietary fat intake, may play a role in the development of pancreatitis. In a healthy dog, the pancreas will release enzymes in an inactivated form until they reach the interior of the GI tract. This means that the e

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a common condition in cats. The lower urinary tract refers to the bladder and urethra (tube from the bladder to the outside), while the kidneys and ureters make up the upper urinary tract. Cats with urinary disease may exhibit one or more of the signs described below: Blood in the urine Urine with a strong odour Pain when urinating (crying or vocalizing) Straining to urinate, with or without urine production Frequent or small vol