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30 Dec

Posted at 05:00h in i-Care by
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Introduction: Wren’s Scary Encounter with String Cats are curious by nature, and sometimes their curiosity can lead to serious trouble. Meet Wren, a sweet and affectionate cat who found herself in a dangerous situation after swallowing a piece of string. When Wren arrived at i-Care Veterinary Hospital in Coombs, BC, she was vomiting, lethargic, and in pain. Her case highlights the dangers of string ingestion in cats—and serves as a reminder to cat owners about what to do in emergencies like this. https://youtu.be/VFECpFZMrn0 Why Is String Dangerous for Cats? Cats love to chase and chew on string, yarn, ribbons, and shoelaces. But if swallowed, these items can quickly become life-threatening. The Risks Include: Intestinal Blockages – Strings can become stuck under the tongue or in the stomach, pulling tightly through the intestines and causing them to bunch up like an accordion. Tears and Perforations – A taut string can saw through the delicate walls of the intestines, leading to internal infections (peritonitis) or sepsis. Emergency Surgery – If the string can’t pass naturally, surgery may be required to remove it, which can be expensive and risky. Wren’s Story: Diagnosis and Treatment Wren’s case highlights how quickly string ingestion can escalate—and how prompt veterinary care can make all the difference. Day 1: Emergency Visit Wren came in vomiting and showing signs of severe distress. Upon examination, Dr. Alastair Westcott found a string looped around her tongue, pulling tightly through her intestines and causing painful bunching. Dr. Westcott immediately cut the string under her tongue to relieve tension, which improved her comfort and stabilized her condition. Wren was then sent home overnight with instructions for careful monitoring. Day 2: Follow-Up Ultrasound The next morning, Wren returned for an ultrasound exam with Dr. Alastair Westcott, a veterinary ultrasonographer at i-Care. Why Ultrasound? Ultrasound provides a non-invasive, real-time view of a pet’s internal organs. It allows us to: Detect blockages, inflammation, or intestinal bunching. Decide whether surgery is necessary—or whether it can be safely avoided. Monitor changes without exploratory surgery, reducing stress and costs. The ultrasound revealed that Wren’s intestines were no longer tightly bunched, and the string appeared to be moving through safely. We opted to continue monitoring her carefully rather than rush into surgery. What to Do If Your Cat Eats String 1. Don’t Pull the String! If string is visible in your cat’s mouth or rectum, never pull on it. This could cause internal damage, including intestinal tears or rectal prolapse. Instead, trim the visible portion and call your veterinarian...

20 Dec

Posted at 18:08h in i-Care by
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Welcoming a new kitten into your home is an exciting time! Those tiny paws and playful pounces bring so much joy. But as a responsible pet owner, one of the most important steps in your kitten’s care is their first visit to the veterinarian. At i-Care Veterinary Hospital, we recently met Phoebe, a sweet kitten with Siamese-like colouring, for her first vet visit. Let’s explore what happens during this crucial appointment and why it’s so important. Why is the First Vet Visit So Important? Early veterinary care lays the foundation for a lifetime of health. This visit helps ensure your kitten is developing normally, identifies any early health concerns, and provides necessary preventative care. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about your kitten’s care, such as feeding, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations. What to Expect During the First Visit https://youtu.be/dLle-Z5VgpI A Warm Welcome At i-Care Veterinary Hospital, we know how special your first visit can be. Your kitten will be greeted with lots of smiles and gentle handling to help them feel comfortable. Our team loves meeting kittens, just like Phoebe, who quickly became the star of the clinic during her visit! Thorough Physical Examination During the first appointment, your vet will conduct a full physical exam to check your kitten’s overall health. This includes examining their: Eyes, ears, and mouth Coat and skin Body condition (weight, size, and muscle tone) Heart and lungs Abdomen for any unusual lumps or signs of pain For Phoebe, Dr. Chris Milligan reassured her owner that she was the right size and weight for her age, despite her small appearance. This is a common concern for new pet parents! Preventative Care: Deworming and Vaccinations Kittens are vulnerable to parasites and infectious diseases, so their first visit usually includes: Deworming treatment: Intestinal worms are common in kittens, and deworming ensures these pests don’t cause health issues. Core vaccinations: Phoebe received her first vaccines to protect against panleukopenia, calicivirus, and feline herpesvirus. Dr. Milligan also discussed vaccinating Phoebe against rabies, which is especially relevant for cats on Vancouver Island. While Phoebe is an indoor cat, Dr. Milligan explained that bats—common in the area—can sometimes find their way inside homes. Indoor cats may occasionally catch bats, posing a potential rabies risk. Follow-Up Instructions Lindsey, our Lead Technician, returned Phoebe to the exam room to reunite her with her owner after the treatments. Following Dr. Milligan’s instructions, Lindsey informed Phoebe’s owner that her next round of vaccines should be...

04 Dec

Posted at 02:27h in i-Care, Procedures by
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At i-Care Veterinary Hospital in Coombs, BC, we understand that your pets are family. That’s why we offer Vet Tech Appointments—a convenient, stress-free way for your furry friends to receive routine care. In this post, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a typical day, following Emily, our technician in training, as she provides personalized care for four special patients. https://youtu.be/dL5A3Dyireo?si=m3NfTLOeHFUaclcS What Are Vet Tech Appointments? Vet Tech Appointments are visits handled by trained veterinary technicians for routine care that doesn’t require a veterinarian’s direct intervention. These appointments can include: Vaccines Arthritis injections (like Librela) Post-operative or dental follow-ups Nail trims, ear cleaning, and more They’re quick, effective, and help ensure your pet’s ongoing health while giving vets more time to focus on complex cases. A Day in the Life of Vet Tech Appointments at i-Care On this particular day, Emily cared for: A Golden Retriever who received a Librela injection to manage arthritis pain, making those golden years a little more comfortable. Bandit, a dog attending a follow-up appointment one month after having several incisors and molars extracted. Follow-ups like these ensure pets heal properly and are back to their happy selves. Bambi and Winston, two adorable kittens getting their second round of vaccines. Their owners also left with flea, tick, and worm medications to administer at home. Teddy the Pug, who stopped by for a quick Librela injection in the reception area. Why Choose Vet Tech Appointments? Vet Tech Appointments are perfect for pet parents looking for convenient, compassionate care for their pets. They also help pets feel more comfortable by minimizing the time spent in the clinic for routine treatments. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a Vet Tech Appointment for your pet, call us at 250-947-9364 or visit us online at https://icarevet.com. At i-Care Veterinary Hospital, we’re here to keep your furry family members happy and healthy!...