Aurora Cat Hotel
79 Crockart Lane L4G 0Y6 Aurora, ON, Canada

Mia is a 3 legged cutie, she lost a leg due to frostbite and was rescued afterwards. She has the cutest and greatest personality!!!

** Warning - this post may be distressing to some, however is meant to serve as a learning opportunity to all pet owners ** A sad case this week, and a reminder... that not all items considered toxic to our pets will be labelled that way.. Earlier this week Jaz, an 8 year old Tonkinese was presented to us with acute ataxia, weakness, panting and blood in her urine. On initial examination Jaz was noted to have very pale gums and a rapid heart rate, so blood was immediately collected for testing at our in-clinic laboratory. These results showed us that her Packed Cell Volume or PCV was a staggering 10% (we would expect a cat's normal value to be 30-41). Jaz had lost 66% of her oxygen carrying capacity which explained her weakness and shortness of breath. With no significant blood loss to explain this finding a slide was made of her blood and examined under a microscope which showed changes in her red cells that were suggestive of either an immune mediated disease (Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia) where the body's own immune system attacks it's red cells, or an intoxication of paracetamol or onions. A blood sample was sent to the pathologist to perform more specific tests to diagnose the underlying process and supportive treatment for Jaz was commenced whilst we awaited the results. During this time a second conversation was held with Jaz's owners and the discussion quickly turned to a meal of burger mince she had been fed 4 days prior to becoming unwell. Unfortunately, Jaz's owners were unaware that the grated onion within the burger mince meal could have such disasterous effects. Lab results received the following day indicated there was evidence of both the suspected diagnoses, however the over-whelming changes resulting in the destruction of the red blood cells was consistent with the onion ingestion. Poor Jaz was farewelled on Saturday and her distraught owners were kind and compassionate enough to let us share her story in the hopes that they could spread awareness of onion toxicity and spare another family from losing a furbaby to this fate. A little more about Onion Toxicity - Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which is toxic to cats and dogs. The ingestion of onions causes a conditon called haemolytic anaemia which is characterized by damage to the red blood cells. Onion toxicity can cause the red blood cells circulating through your pets body to burst. No amount is considered safe, so please exclude any onion products from your pets diet.

Why hello there

Evy is such a cutie

Ruby is such a cutie!

Sesame wearing a headband

Say hello to NaoNao the Scottish fold

Sesame is a handful

Aja is such a cutie!

Nami is such a cutie