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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

Life with pets is full of joy, but regular veterinary care can be challenging for working pet parents, especially on weekends and evenings when many clinics are closed. As your local weekend veterinarians in Red Deer, Urgent Paws Veterinary Clinic is here to help answer common questions pet owners have when an unexpected health concern arises. Will Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Vet Visits? Most pet insurance plans cover urgent or emergency visits, especially when the cond