Woodlands Veterinary Hospital and Animal Dental Centre

05/08/2026

https://share.google/aimode/KTPFxOzyRZM7U52Eh

04/15/2026

Please start your monthly tick preventatives! It’s best to continue until it’s cooler than 4 Celsius.

03/19/2026

https://globalnews.ca/news/11736652/merritt-father-warns-others-ticks-medical-emergency/

Jamie Stevens believes the tick latched onto his son during a recent short hike they did in a grassy area on a bluff near their home.

02/08/2026

What can I say? Chihuahuas!

12/17/2025

Memo
To: Alberta Veterinary Practitioners
From: The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian
December 16, 2025
Subject: Fatal HPAI infection in a dog after ingestion of a neurologic snow goose
The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian has partnered with the University of Calgary Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine to provide this notice of a recent HPAI case detected in a dog.
In November 2025, a 10-year-old female spayed goldendoodle presented to an Alberta practice for
vomiting, inappetence, and lethargy. The dog had a long-term history of immune mediated
thrombocytopenia and was being managed with Atopica and prednisone. The dog was reported to
have ingested a sick snow goose one week prior.
On presentation, the dog was pyrexic (40.8°C) with mucopurulent discharge from the right eye.
Over 48 hours, the patient’s condition progressively worsened to collapse, blood-tinged saliva,
cough, dyspnea, and marked laryngeal swelling. Thoracic imaging progressed from unremarkable
to diffuse interstitial-to-alveolar pattern. Laboratory data showed persistent neutrophilia,
lymphopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, thrombocytopenia, dehydration, and declining oxygen saturation
despite aggressive therapy. The patient died four days after initial presentation.
The body was submitted to the University of Calgary, Diagnostic Services Unit, for necropsy.
Gross examination was unremarkable but histologic evaluation identified a severe acute multifocal
necrotizing interstitial pneumonia and a lymphoplasmacytic and neutrophilic meningitis. These
lesions are consistent with those seen in other HPAI infected mammals. Samples were submitted
to the Alberta Agriculture Agri-Food Assurance laboratory in Edmonton and tested positive on PCR
for influenza A H5. The original samples as well as tissue samples were then submitted to CFIA
and were confirmed positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1.
This is the second detection in a domestic dog in Canada, the first being in Ontario in 2023.
Previous Alberta cases have been detected in cats and numerous wild mammals. A reminder
that influenza in all species is a federally reportable disease that must be reported to a local CFIA
District Office.
H5N1 continues to circulate in wild waterfowl in Canada and mammals can be infected, particularly
through consumption of contaminated material. Alberta’s provincial laboratory can provide testing
for cats and dogs showing respiratory or neurological signs and have a potential exposure such as
contact with HPAI positive poultry, scavenging waterfowl carcasses, or consumption of raw food
containing poultry meat.
Contact the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448 if for additional information.

11/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BQgdrGzKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

11/18/2025

https://www.npr.org/2025/11/15/nx-s1-5609908/red-meat-allergy-ticks-death-alpha-gal-syndrome

Researchers say they believe they've documented the first known death from alpha-gal syndrome — a red meat allergy caused by tick bites.

09/16/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/178L487MRX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

There is a new outbreak of Salmonella linked to dog food and treats in four provinces and territories. 27 people have become ill, including six who were hospitalized.

Dog food and treats can be contaminated with bacteria, like Salmonella, which can make people sick.

Children aged 5 years and under, older adults, pregnant people, or people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness.

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling any type of dog food or treat.

More info: https://ow.ly/ZzsZ50WXbeH

07/22/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1F58DpyM1j/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Remember to avoid the foxtail grass around the city!

07/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AeSCi4b6G/?mibextid=wwXIfr