Author: Tanya Crocker In late November, we held our first invasive cardiology lab here at Canada West. Invasive cardiology involves using diagnostic and therapeutic tools, such as balloons, catheters or stents that are inserted directly into the patient’s body to treat heart disease.  They are much less invasive than traditional surgical procedures and can be […]

In my last blog, I alluded to some medications that can affect the liver. Medications used to treat infections caused by fungus is one such family of drugs and when they are used, blood tests are done on a periodic basis to help monitor the health of the liver. While fungal diseases have always been […]

The recent article in the Vancouver Sun about the established presence of Amanita Phalloides (a.k.a. the “death cap”) in Vancouver made me think of the cases I have dealt with over the years where mushroom toxicity was suspected. Mushroom toxicity is a year round concern in the Lower Mainland due to our temperate climate. Cases […]

Palm was at our hospital yesterday to get her sutures removed from the 2nd surgery.  We are happy to report that the surgery was successful.    The key to success in such wounds is to go back to surgery when the underlying tissues are not infected.  This is problematic when the skin is not intact […]

We had been concerned that Palm’s large thoracic wound would not heal easily with the first surgery. The size, the depth and the contamination of the wound which would have occurred at the time of her trauma made it very likely that some of the skin would not be viable. About 25% of her wound […]

All of us at Canada West Veterinary Specialists and Palm’s family are touched by the caring and generosity we have witnessed since she has been hospitalized. Palm has well-wishers from North America, Australia and as far as Bejing! Our miracle girl has been doing well.  We were hoping to send her home for a few […]

Authored by Dr Laurence Braun Palm, a blind woman’s guide dog, was involved in a tragic accident last Thursday. When she was suddenly caught by the automatic closing door,  Palm was dragged by the Skytrain to the end of a station, striking a pole. Fortunately, a staff member from Burquitlam Animal Hospital happened to be […]

Authored by Nicole Jameson Fritz This is the story of Luna, a 3 year old female mixed breed husky, who was hit by a train. After being hit, Luna got up and ran away.  Fortunately for her, the other dog she was walking with quickly found her and her ‘Mom’ recognized that she was in […]

Breakfast Television (City TV)  got us up bright and early this morning and came to film the workings of a specialty hospital. We were pleased to have the crew there and we thank the pet owners who graciously came in a bit earlier than usual. Click here to watch the video on Breakfast TV’s website.

Authored by Dr Marco L. Margiocco. Our field of specialization has evolved over the past two decades to respond to the need to provide specialized diagnostics and treatment options for the management of heart disease, a condition that affects approximately 10% of dogs and a not well known number of cats. In order to become […]