New Rules Come Into Effect August 1, 2024 New U.S. dog importation rules that affect cross-border veterinary care have been announced. These changes are being implemented by the Center For Disease Control (CDC) in the United States. These changes will come into effect on August 1, 2024.  While there are multiple implications for rescue organizations, breeders, show […]

While the diagnosis of tethered cord syndrome has been well-established in human medicine since the 1970s, it has only recently started to be diagnosed in dogs. It has only recently started to be recognized in veterinary medicine.  While it has been recognized with increased frequency  the literature remains sparse. Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) results from tension […]

We have recently seen 3 cases of acute kidney injury related to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). NSAIDs (pronounced “N-saids”) are widely used and readily available either over-the-counter or by prescriptions for human use. Aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac are some examples of this class of drugs that are commonly […]

There has been an increase in reporting of respiratory diseases in dogs. It has primarily been reported in several US states, and a specific new causative agent has yet to be identified.  Contagious respiratory disease in dogs (kennel cough or the canine infectious respiratory disease complex) is common and can be caused by multiple viral […]

The Public Health Agency of Canada has released a public notice regarding an Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) Salmonella outbreak linked to raw food diets. Feeding pets raw meat diets has always been a controversial issue with strong opinions on both sides. At Canada West, we request that the dog food left with our patients be cooked. […]

As the B.C. Government has announced that the province will be further loosening COVID-19 restrictions, we have made further modifications to our COVID-19 policy. These changes came into effect April 8, 2022. Clients will no longer be asked to remain outdoors or in their vehicle while their pet is inside for their appointment and are […]

A common saying in veterinary medicine is that “cats are not small dogs”. Cats are a very different species with different diseases — some even joke that cats have an extraterrestrial origin — feline UFOs you might say. We also see fever a bit differently in cats and dogs. Typically with dogs, if a diagnostic […]

The B.C. Government has announced that the province will move to Step 3 of its restart plan effective July 1, 2021. At Canada West, we are excited about the progress being made to limit the spread of COVID-19. According to the advice of Dr. Tam, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, we will continue […]

Back in 1999, the ASPCA APCC (Animal Poison Control Centre) first reported on the poisonous nature of grapes to dogs when they noticed a cluster of dogs that became seriously ill after eating grapes or raisins. In the ensuing two decades veterinarians have diagnosed many cases of grape and raisin toxicity in dogs, but the […]

Luna is a 2-year old cat that was presented to Canada West Veterinary Specialists on June 26, 2020, after being attacked by a coyote.   She was let outside around 4 am along with two other cats in her household. When the two other cats returned, Luna was nowhere to be found. Her owner went outside […]