Hastings Veterinary Hospital

08/03/2026

What a wonderful story. You may recognize 1 maybe 2 faces in this report💜

07/24/2026

It is not our neighbourhood but it could be.

A bat located in Aylmer, Ontario, has tested positive for rabies. An individual who was exposed to the bat is receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis which will prevent them from contracting the virus.

Rabies is a viral disease that is spread through the saliva of animals. It affects an animal’s brain and eventually leads to death. Humans exposed to the virus – usually through a bite or scratch from an infected animal - require treatment to avoid death.

⚠️A positive rabies test result serves as a reminder to all community members that rabies is present in our region, and everyone should know what to do if bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal.

Know how to prevent rabies for you and your loved ones:

- Always watch wildlife from a distance
- Avoid touching, petting, or handling unknown animals (including dogs and cats)
- Teach children to stay away from wild animals and strange dogs or cats, and to tell an adult when they have been bitten or scratched by an unknown animal.
- Vaccinate your pets against the rabies virus
- Keep pets indoors at night
- Do not attempt to feed wildlife
- Do not touch or approach sick animals, or animals acting strangely or aggressively
- Be familiar with signs of rabies in your pets and wild animals

Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals. Observing a bat does not cause rabies; if you see a bat in your home, avoid handling it and call a local wildlife rescue for support.

Learn more about rabies on our website: www.swpublichealth.ca/rabies

07/13/2026

If you're unsure whether it's too hot to walk your dog, use the five-second rule: place your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet's paws. Schedule walks for early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler.

05/11/2026

Ticks are small, but the risks aren’t. Lyme disease can lead to painful symptoms in pets like swollen joints, lameness and muscle soreness. In more serious cases, it can even affect kidney function.

The good news? Prevention is simple. Talk to your veterinarian about the right parasite protection for your pet. 🐾

05/07/2026

Just when you need a little cuteness in your life😍Ohhh Marley you filled that void in seconds🥰

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

💜

Today is World Veterinary Day—and it feels like the right moment to pause and recognize the people who quietly carry so much.

To the veterinarians, technicians, assistants, receptionists, and support staff across the veterinary industry: you show up on the best days and the absolute hardest ones. You celebrate new life, fight tirelessly for the sick, and comfort families through heartbreaking goodbyes. You do it with compassion, skill, and a kind of resilience that often goes unseen.

You are the steady hands in emergencies, the calm voices on the other end of the phone, and the advocates every animal deserves. You carry the weight of decisions that aren’t easy, and you still come back the next day ready to care again.

Thank you for the long hours, the emotional strength, and the endless dedication to patients who can’t speak for themselves. What you do matters more than words can capture—not just to the animals, but to every person who loves them.

Today, and every day, you are deeply appreciated. 🐾❤️

04/23/2026

It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to put your pet at risk of heartworm, a serious but preventable disease. This , take a simple step that makes a big difference: talk to your veterinarian about heartworm prevention.

04/06/2026

Do you know about leptospirosis? It's a disease caused by bacteria carried mainly by rodents and wildlife. Pets can become infected through contact with the urine of infected animals such as raccoons, skunks and rats. Dogs can also contract the disease by swimming in stagnant water or simply by drinking contaminated puddle water.

If your outdoor activities could put your dog at risk, speak to your veterinarian to learn if the leptospirosis vaccine is suitable for your pet.

04/01/2026

Tick Talk is an online hub for everything you need to know about ticks, tick season, where ticks can be found, and tick prevention.