​


​In our line of work we help our clients face loss on a regular basis.  We walk them through how to know when “it’s time” to let their friend go, we offer support when the rigours of age or disease become too much for their loved one to bear, we hold their hands as they navigate fear, confusion and even anger and, we’re there for them when they make the eventual decision to come into our Hospital and bid their furry friend good bye.  Each one of us at Brentwood Bay Vet has encountered death a hundred times or more and we’ve each done it with empathy, with well timed hugs, with compassion and a firm resolution to guide our client(s) through the other side of it safely. 

Today was different though.  Today we were the ones in need of hugs, we were the ones in need of support and we were the ones in need of reassurance as we made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to our beloved Office Cat B.  At roughly 18yrs old her body had grown very frail, her mind was starting to falter and she was fading a little more almost daily.  Her bad days were outnumbering her good days.  She was our friend, coworker, our emotional support, our trouble maker, our beautiful little styrofoam stealing goblin and we loved B too darn much to ever risk having her suffer so the decision was made to let her pass from this world.  True to form, B spent her final day helping do one last Hospital order with Office Gal Shauna, helping Office Gal Katy do laundry and helping Dr Simon read the newspaper before being snuggled and whispered to and told how much she was treasured as she slipped painlessly away. 
​
Brentwood Bay Vet is very quiet today because our littlest team member is gone but Office Cat B thankfully lives on in 9 amazing years of pictures and snuggles and memories and stories and even the books that Office Gal Shauna created about her and we know, that if we hear the faint jingle of a bell in the corner of our Hospital, that Office Cat B will have stopped by to make sure that the family she fell into is doing OK. 
.
Office Cat B.
Roughly 2002 - June 13, 2020

13 November 2018
 
Dear Clients,
 
We at Brentwood Bay Veterinary Clinic try our best to tailor our vaccine and parasite control to the needs of your dog.  This means that it's important for you to tell us about your dog's lifestyle and any travel plans so that we might work with you to establish your dog's individual needs to keep them safe, happy and healthy for the coming year.  As you know, we vaccinate on a rotating, 3yr schedule that includes Distemper, Parvo and Rabies Virus' and this protocol was designed to meet the needs of the average dog living on Vancouver Island.  Recently, there have been some concerns regarding Leptospirosis and its encroachment on Vancouver Island.  The average dog may not find itself at a risk of exposure to Leptospirosis as he or she goes about their daily routine however, dogs traveling East of Manitoba may benefit from being vaccinated against Leptospirosis.  So far, there have only been a few reported cases on Vancouver Island that we are aware of but, with Leptospirosis shown to be present in the urine of some wildlife on Vancouver Island including marine mammals, you may wish to consider and discuss with the Veterinarian your dog’s possible risk factors especially if you and your canine companion frequent our Island’s beaches or remote camp sites. 

As always if you have questions or concerns about your dog's health, well being, vaccination status or, their vaccination protocol moving forward, please call our Clinic, we would love to talk to you about the health and safety of your dog!

As some of you may or may not have observed, K9 Parvovirus had been fairly prominent in the news lately with 11 cases in the Sooke area which unfortunately includes 2 deaths.  For those of you with adult dogs (dogs 18mths of age or older) who are healthy and free of any illness' and, who are up to date on their vaccinations or, who have had a recent Titre Test done, this poses little risk to your K9 companion.  For those of you with puppies (dogs under 18mths of age), dogs who are very elderly, dogs who have health issues or, dogs who have lapsed in their vaccinations/are unvaccinated, this may be something that you want to discuss with your Veterinarian.  

Parvo affects dog's gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by contact with contaminated feces (stool).  The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time.  Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects.

Some of the symptoms of parvovirus may include:

• Severe, bloody diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Severe weight loss

Most deaths from Parvooccur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.  No specific drug is available that will kill the virus in infected dogs, and treatment is intended to support the dog’s body systems until the dog’s immune system can fight off the viral infection.  Treatment should be started immediately and consists primarily of intensive care efforts to combat dehydration by replacing electrolytes, controlling vomiting and diarrhea, and preventing secondary infections.  Sick dogs should be kept warm and receive good nursing care.  When a dog develops Parvo, treatment can be very expensive and sadly, we we often lose the patient despite aggressive treatment.  Early recognition and aggressive treatment are very important in successful outcomes.

If you have any questions about your dog's vaccination status or, if you'd like to book an appointment, please don't hesitate to call our Hospital.  We'd love to assist you in making sure your dog is protected against Parvovirus and, whatever else he or she may need to continue having worry-free adventures with you!