Highway 24 Veterinary Clinic
5041 Wellington Road 32 RR#6 N1H 6J3 Guelph, ON, Canada

It's #NationalBirdDay , and while we refer our avian patients to hospitals that are more specialized in their care, some of our staff are pleased to have winged family members at home! Here are a few photos of our staff members' birdy stars. Whether you have avian family members, or if you see some crows or geese in your travels today, make sure you wish them a Happy Bird Day!

Though the weather today feels more like spring, we want to remind you that the clinic has some adjusted holiday hours coming up! Please note the following changes to our regular hours of operation: Friday, December 18th, the clinic is closing at 4 pm. (We are open Saturday, December 19th, our usual 9 am to 2 pm). Thursday, December 24th: clinic hours 8 am to 2 pm. Friday, December 25th and Saturday, December 26th - CLINIC IS CLOSED.... (As always, we are also closed on Sundays, including December 27th). Thursday, December 31st: clinic hours 8 am to 2 pm. Friday, January 1st, 2021 - CLINIC IS CLOSED. Regular office hours resume Saturday, January 2nd, at 9 am. More than ever before, supply deliveries are delayed this time of year - if you are ordering food, supplies, or medication for your pets, please ensure you order well in advance, so as not to run out over the holidays!

Brrrr, it's a chilly one out there! To keep you warm for a couple minutes, take this survey - what kind of cat are you? How about your family members and friends? https://catfriendly.com/toy-box/quiz-type-cat/

Well, here we are in January - as our new cover photo mentions, it is Walk Your Pet Month! This, of course, does not only mean dogs - we've known many different species that go for walks with their people! From ferrets to iguanas, guinea pigs to cats, horses to cows, and more! Show us your walking photos! #WalkYourPet

We've now reached the time of year where we see which toys that are labelled "indestructible" actually live up to the term ... How many toy casualties were there at your place this year? I know in this house, we said a quick goodbye to our Kong PetStix toy ... :(

Does Fluffy like her new toy? Would Simon rather have a different flavour treat? What does Callie think of the new brand of litter you've purchased? The creators of this app are seeking households to help them test it out - must love cats, and have at least one feline friend in the home! What does your kitty think? :)

How are your pet's New Year's resolutions going so far? This kitty looks like he's got the right idea, don't you think? ;)

"If you can say that your job, or even your life, is like trying to herd cats, then this day is for you, with our sympathy". (-Wellcat Quirky Holidays) Happy #CatHerdersDay to all! Yes, it's a thing! Check out this article! https://catsherdyou.com/happy-national-cat-herders-day/

Happy New Year! Here's to 2021 being a better year for all! Please remember that the clinic is closed today, if you have an emergency, please call the Emergency Veterinary Clinic at 519-650-1617. Otherwise, we will see you tomorrow!

Feeling the "brain strain" of working from home, or being quarantined, missing family visits, etc? In all likelihood, your dog feels the same way! These brain games will help you and your canine family members to fire up some neurons and try out some new tricks! https://fearfreehappyhomes.com/quash-quarantine-qualms-bra/

As we near the end of November, it's important to remember that while many of our pets are finished their seasonal heartworm prevention (though we recommend year-round intestinal parasite protection - ask a team member for details!), flea and tick control is paramount this time of year - these little bugs are very much active and looking to hitch a ride in this weather! Is your pet (and therefore your family!) protected? Call us for a custom recommendation today! #TickControl #FleaControl

Much like outbreaks of cold or flu viruses in people, the illnesses that affect our furry friends are often seen in "pockets" of positive or suspected cases. In recent weeks, we have been made aware of one such outbreak in our area - canine respiratory disease (often referred to as "kennel cough") is affecting some of our patients and those of other clinics around us. Often the only course of treatment is supportive care, and most dogs recover with few or no lasting effects. ...Dr Scott Weese, the animal infectious disease specialist, is conducting a tracing study, and has asked that anyone whose dog is showing symptoms of respiratory illness take a few moments to fill out a brief survey. If your pooch is feeling under the weather, would you consider helping out? Remember - if you suspect your dog is showing signs of illness, the key is rest, relaxation, monitoring fluid intake, and isolation from other canine pals until symptoms are completely resolved! If you are concerned about the health of your pup, give us a call at 519-822-1805! https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com//canine-respiratory-dis/

Happy #SaturdayStaffPick day! This week, we hear from team member Kim and her retriever, Mia! Her toy of choice is the Kong Wild Knots line of toys - especially the bears! Here is what Kim and Mia have to say about their choice: "Love these because teddies are Mia’s favourite toys and these last the longest. She has a blast getting the stuffing out and the squeaky but then is left with the rope inside which makes it last forever."

Well, it's 12 days until Christmas! Since it's Cat Lover's Month, here is a bit of a Sunday chuckle for you - 12 Days of Christmas, Simon's Cat style! (For anyone who has not seen Simon's Cat before, please note - this comic strip is made by people who definitely and very obviously live with cats - the mannerisms are bang on, right down to the happy paws!) How many of these scenes can you relate to?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUECzbdYIdc

Let's see those "hello" greetings! Happy World Hello Day to all!

Did you check out our online webstore yesterday for kitty stocking stuffers? We certainly hope so! Not to be outdone, here are some ideas for your pooch's stocking as well (we let the kitties go first because it's cat lover's month, after all!) - these items and more are available through our online webstore, check it out at http://www.myvetstore.ca/highway24

It is true that cancer affects our fur friends, often with the same vague/various symptoms as affected humans. We are lucky in Guelph to have the Animal Cancer Centre at the University of Guelph as a helpful resource - and as in human medicine, research into animal cancer forms is continuous and ongoing. Regular wellness visits are an important part of health screening for our pets - with the hope that we are able to catch any abnormalities early, and react accordingly! For more information about the Animal Cancer Centre - click here: https://www.ovchsc.ca/animal-cancer-centre/

While diabetes in pets can occur during any stage of life, it is more commonly diagnosed near their middle to late years. November’s Pet Diabetes Month is a great time to schedule your pet’s next wellness exam with us to ensure that their health is in top-top shape! Schedule by calling the clinic today! 519-822-1805

Today's #AdoptAShelterDogMonth feature is Linda, up for adoption through the Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society at their Stratford location. If you or someone you know is an experienced dog owner with a love for Shepherds, please consider giving Linda a forever home! http://ws.petango.com//adop/wsAdoptableAnimalDetails.aspx

We hope you had an amazing weekend! Our friends at the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have launched this video depiction of the challenges that veterinary medicine faces during these crazy times - as always, we are here for you and your pets, but we ask that you please have patience and be kind, knowing that non-emergent appointments may have to be booked further in advance than they historically were, prescription refills take longer than they used to, and the phone lines are busy more often than is ideal. Please remember, we're all in this together! https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=pCSZ4E_SSfU

Today's #AdoptAShelterDogMonth feature is Carberry! If you have a cat-free home, and a lap for a pooch to snooze on, please contact the Cambridge & District Humane Society for more details! https://cambridgehumanesociety.org/ad/adopt-a-dog/carberry/

Time for another #StaffPickSaturday ! This week's entry is from Dr Andrea and her beautiful Lab, Keeper! Here is the official review from Dr Andrea! We like to use the wobble Kong when we are needing Keeper to keep herself busy (leaving her alone or we are busy with our girls). She's the second large breed dog we have used it for, so it was a great investment. It was one of the only toys our last dog Darcy wasn't able to destroy! It does make a bit of noise when used on a h...ard floor, so if you have downstairs neighbors they might notice! Other than that it's a great toy to use as a slow feeder, or weight loss aid as it encourages foraging behaviour. Keeper was enjoying some royal canin gastrointestinal low fat kibble today! https://youtu.be/9B3hlSmKJ5U

Happy World Kindness Day to all! How are you partaking?

One of life's biggest struggles in a household with a dog! . Who has a ball/toy hog in the family?

As we near the end of #AdoptAShelterDogMonth, we will feature a couple of local adoption programs with dogs awaiting their forever families. If you have room in your life, or know someone who does, please contact the adoption programs directly - let's work together to find these pooches their forever families! Today we have Jersie and Lillie, up for adoption as an adorable pair, through the Guelph Humane Society. https://ws.petango.com//ado/wsAdoptableAnimalDetails.aspx

Adding another fur member to your family? Do you know how to distinguish between reputable breeders, shelters and rescues, and those that are less-than-reputable? Please do your research, make sure you're supporting people and organizations that have the pet's best interests in mind - here are some tips from our friends at the OVMA!

It's less than a week away! While Hallowe'en may be different this year than in previous years, it's important that we still try to have fun with it, and keep up the ghoulish spirit! Hallowe'en is a fun and spooky time of year for the whole family, however, with an abundance of candy laid out, doors constantly being opened and closed, and electrical wires being exposed, it can be a scary time for your pet! With Hallowe'en approaching in a few days, we’d like to share a few re...minder safety tips for your pet! Hide the treats: chocolate and other forms of candy can be very dangerous for your dog and cat. Make sure decorations are safe: cover electrical wires, make sure any smoke effects aren’t harmful, and don’t have loud and surprising decorations or animatronics near your pet. Glow sticks are often seen as chew toys as well, so make sure to keep those out of reach! Be mindful of your front door: with trick-or-treaters coming to your door throughout the night, it may be a good idea to have your pets in a room with the door closed. Make sure they have fresh water and are comfortable throughout the night! Pet costumes: if you are going to dress your pet up, make sure that the costume fits and they can breathe comfortably. It's often just easier to have the pets pose near decorations, rather than wearing them! Please don't ever put a costume on a pet that is resisting being dressed up. An idea - consider using a Thundershirt for your pet to help reduce the stress of the evening, and before you put it on them, draw holiday-themed pictures on the shirt with washable marker - instant costume, with calming properties! :) Microchip: this is a great time to remind you the importance of microchipping! Call us today to find out more. We hope that everyone has a fun and safe holiday this year. Happy Hallowe'en!

Remember, it's all about perspective. This is actually a fairly accurate depiction of a few of our feline patients, as they come into the clinic to see us, with their inner tigers all fired up. #BelieveInYourself

Well, today instead of a #StaffPickSaturday, we have a #SuperCuteKittenSaturday (that must be a thing, right??) - we saw many new adorable patients today, including wee little Luna. A whopping 2.54 pounds of tabby cuteness, Luna handled her first visit like a champ today - thank you to Luna's humans, and to all of our amazing clients, for another fun and busy Saturday, helping people, helping pets!

Grief is real. Sorrow is real. Guilt is real. The good news - support is also real. For all of us who have suffered in silence after the passing of a beloved pet - there are professional grief counselors available 24/7. This service is operated under the name Pet Compassion Careline - follow the link below for more information, provided by our friends at Gateway Pet Memorial Services. If you would like a pamphlet about the Careline's services, please inquire at the clinic, w...e are happy to provide you with one. https://www.gatewaypetmemorial.com/pet-compassion-careline/ #PetCompassionCareline #GatewayPetMemorial #PetLossSupport

Have you taken part in this study yet? The more pet owners who respond, the more accurate the data. Do you have a few moments to spare?

Does your feline friend give you the "slow blink"? Have you tried doing it back at them, to see what type of reaction they have? All pets, but especially cats, are the masters of non-verbal communication - we have so much to learn from our feline friends!

Happy Monday, friends! We are more than halfway through the month, and the weather is now showing us it is most definitely fall! One way to keep warm is to adopt a new furry friend! October is Adopt A Dog Month - though most shelters and rescues have had to change their adoption process to accommodate social distancing and such, they are still in operation, and there are still pets needing new homes - do you have space in your home, and your heart? #AdoptAShelterDogMonth #AdoptADogMonth

It's that time again - #StaffPickSaturday! Today's fun product of choice is recommended by reception/vet student team member Melisa (I guess technically recommended by her pooch Tikka!) - we would like to introduce you to the Toppl Treat Toy! Melisa says: "This is Tikka’s favourite toy (especially when it has peanut butter and Benny Bullys in it). It keeps her busy for quite awhile especially if I freeze it before giving it to her." Check it out here!... https://www.westpaw.com/dog-toys/puzzle/toppl-treat-toy

Happy Friday, all! As National Veterinary Technician Week wraps up, our RVT team wanted to share with you some of our absolute favourite veterinary words/terms. I should preface with the warning that vet techs enjoy words that roll off the tongue and can be repeated in different tones of voice - kind of like soothing mantras when we are trying to fix the fluid pump that won't stop beeping, or clean up the two thousand cotton balls we just spilled all over the floor... Tammy... - "cachexia" Lyndsay - "Trichuris vulpis" Anne - "Echinococcus multilocularis" Beth - "borborygmus" Jamie - "alula" (if you google this one, think birds, not alarm systems...) Charles - "trichobezoar" Narissa - "sulcus" Jesse - "conjunctiva" Sara - "Maltese" (Sara could not actually be reached for her answer, but we all know this is her fave word of all time...) Happy googling, folks!! Happy #VetTechWeek to all!! #RVTProud

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to celebrate Client Appreciation Day with us yesterday! It was a fabulous day to be outside seeing so many of you - we appreciate each and every person (and pet!) that came out to say "hello"! Door prize winners are being personally contacted, congrats to all winners! We really couldn't be who we are without you - all of you - so THANK YOU! :)

Apple cider, candies, raffles, oh my!! Come see us before 2 pm! We appreciate YOU!