Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)
420 Bronte Street South, Unit 205 L9T 0H9 Milton, ON, Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in pet ownership across the country. If you're considering buying or adopting a pet, it’s important to make sure the pet is healthy and free from potentially life-threatening illnesses, and to acquire pets from a reputable breeder, rescue or shelter organization. OVMA has developed resources to help guide prospective pet owners, including an infographic outlining red flags to be aware of when purchasing a pet and a buying a pet checklist. To learn more and to access these tools, visit bit.ly/OVMA-buying-a-pet.

To keep your aging companion happy and healthy during their golden years, it's important that you maintain their overall health and well-being. If you have a senior pet at home, read this article to learn about how you can assist your furry friend as they age: bit.ly/OVMA-senior-pets #NationalSeniorPetMonth

#DYK dental disease affects up to 85 per cent of cats and dogs over the age of three? Symptoms include bad breath, difficulty chewing, visible plaque buildup and red or bleeding gums. Your veterinarian can recommend a treatment plan to help improve the dental health of your mature pet.

Today, we're paying tribute to those who have selflessly served for our country. To the people and animals who have sacrificed so much, thank you. #RemembranceDay

With the cold weather coming, it's important to remain vigilant to protect our families, pets and community from COVID-19. Here's a reminder about how you can help keep everyone safe and healthy:

DYK: Parasites such as ticks, fleas and mosquitos, which transmit heartworm, remain active in fall temperatures. Prevention is key to keeping your pet healthy. Speak to your veterinarian to learn about parasite prevention for your pet.

Just like humans, animals can suffer from hearing impairments, including total hearing loss. If your pet is deaf or dealing with hearing loss, keep them on a leash outside, add a bell to their collar so you can easily find them and train them using hand signals. For more advice on caring for your hearing-impaired pet, speak to your veterinarian. #DeafPetAwarenessWeek

Owning a dog is a great responsibility. In addition to unconditional love, responsible dog owners commit to ensuring their pet is always provided with the basic standards of care, as outlined in the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act. Visit ontario.ca/page/animal-welfare to learn about the PAWS Act and your responsibilities as a pet owner. #ResponsibleDogOwnershipDay

Although the weather may start to cool down, it's still possible for your pet to easily become overheated or dehydrated. To keep them safe, always provide them with fresh, cool water, keep them inside on hot days and never leave them in a car unattended. #NoHotPets

As your pet ages, it's important to schedule regular checkups with your veterinarian to monitor their health and prevent any illnesses. This #NationalSeniorPetMonth, remember to book your senior pet's health checkup.

DYK: Guide dogs and/or service animals are specially trained to help people who are visually or hearing impaired, have a physical disability or who have epilepsy, type 1 diabetes or autism. When you see a guide dog wearing a harness, it means they're working and shouldn't be distracted. #NationalGuideDogMonth

Cats require plenty of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. If you have a cat, be sure to equip your home with cat trees, window perches, scratching posts and toys to keep them occupied throughout the day. #HappyHealthyCatMonth

Veterinary professionals: Recognize a colleague's extraordinary contributions to animal welfare, veterinary medicine and the veterinary profession by nominating them for an OVMA Award! The nomination deadline is Oct. 1. For award categories and more information, visit bit.ly/OVMA-awards.

Dr. Steph Marquette of Cassells Animal Hospital rode 1,112 km in support of the Farley Foundation you can made a difference, too! Help people and pets by registering and participating in the 2020 Summit Veterinary Pharmacy Ride for Farley on Sept. 12. Visit farleyfoundation.org/events for more information.

Celebrate #NationalPetHealthInsuranceMonth with a free four-week trial of OVMA Pet Health Insurance! To learn more, speak to your veterinarian or visit ovmapetinsurance.com.

It's possible that your cat will require medication at some point in their life. If you're having difficulty giving your cat a pill, here are some tips to help. For more advice about administering medication to your pet, speak with your veterinarian.

#BackToSchool can be stressful for everyone, including your pet! Now that the whole family has been home for much longer than normal, it's important that you prepare your pet for the upcoming changes. By following these tips, you can help your pet adjust to your family's new schedule:

Here's your chance to showcase your veterinarian's great work! The OVMA Award of Merit recognizes veterinarians for their dedication to our pets and their exemplary public service. Learn how to nominate your veterinarian at bit.ly/OVMA-award-of-merit.

Unlike most pet insurance companies, OVMA Pet Health Insurance applies your policy's deductible first, followed by the co-payment, resulting in a larger claim payout. To learn more about how an OVMA Pet Health Insurance plan can help you and your pet, visit ovmapetinsurance.com.