VCA Canada Shamrock Animal Hospital

06/03/2026

One of the coolest things about being part of a larger veterinary community is getting to share incredible stories and educational moments from across our hospitals. Today, we’ve got a fascinating look into some x-rays!

These X-rays show a pup’s paw after having a toe surgically removed due to a mast cell tumor.

While tumors are a common reason for this procedure, our teams sometimes have to perform a toe amputation due to severe infections, traumatic injuries, or painful bone disorders. It sounds like an intimidating surgery, but dogs are incredibly resilient. They adapt beautifully, and mobility is rarely impacted long-term.

In fact, this patient recovered like an absolute champ and doesn’t even notice the missing digit! 💕

X-rays like these are crucial for our medical teams to plan surgeries precisely and ensure the best possible outcome. We love seeing how quickly our furry patients bounce back and get right back to being playful pups.

Have you ever met a pet with a successful amputation story? Drop a comment and tell us about your resilient fur babes! 👇

05/30/2026

Update: Home 🏠
Do you know this sweet girl called “Cow” found last night (May 28th) on Pritchard in Comox? Help us reunite her with her family!

This sweet senior kitty came to us this afternoon with her name and number on a collar, but we and the finders have both been unsuccessful in contacting them so far!

If you know who this sweet girl is and have a way of contacting her owners, please let them know she is safe and warm at our centre and ready to go home!

We can be contacted at 250-339-7722 or [email protected]

Thank you! 😊

05/29/2026

05/20/2026

🐾 👀 Are my pet’s eyes supposed to look like that? 👀🐾

As a veterinary team, we see pet parents searching for eye health advice all the time. From mysterious "eye boogers" to sudden changes in how your furry family member navigates the living room, eye health can feel incredibly stressful.

To save you a late-night Google rabbit hole, our medical team has broken down some of the top things you actually need to look out for:

👁️ The "Cloudy" Question: Notice a hazy blue or grey tint in your senior pet’s eyes? While many owners immediately worry about cataracts, it is often a normal, painless aging change called nuclear sclerosis. However, only a veterinarian can tell the difference and ensure their vision stays protected!

👁️ The Nighttime Stumble: Pets are masters at hiding vision loss. Often, the very first sign of a problem isn't physical, it’s behavioural. If your dog or cat is suddenly hesitating on the stairs, bumping into furniture in low light, or refusing to jump on the bed at night, their vision might be changing.

👁️ The Discharge Decoder: Clear or slight white tearing can be normal allergies or dust. But if you notice your pet squinting, rubbing their face, or producing yellow or green discharge, it’s a clear signal from their body that it’s time to see a professional.

Clear, comfortable eyes are vital to your pet's quality of life. If you’ve noticed any changes in your pet's eyes or behaviour, don't guess at home, let our experienced team take a look.

05/18/2026

To all our Veterinary Assistants,

🐾 You are the person holding the anxious pet close so they feel safe during an exam.
🐾 You are the one resetting the treatment room in a flash, anticipating exactly what the technician or veterinarian needs before they even ask.
🐾 Your hands are steady, your stamina is unmatched, and your impact reaches every corner of our hospitals.

From the messy, fast-paced moments of an emergency to the soft, heavy silence of a hard goodbye, you hold the floor together.

So, to every Veterinary Assistant across , we see the dirt(?💩), the sweat, the tears, and the absolute heart you pour into this job daily. And we don't just notice your work, we notice how we honestly couldn't do this without you. 💙

Happy Week!

05/13/2026

Safety first, last and always ✅

Need more than what a First Aid Kit can provide for your pet? Find your local Animal Hospital at the link 👉 https://vcacanada.com/find-a-hospital

05/12/2026

🐾 Protecting the Paws that Can't Speak for Themselves 🐾

Our commitment to care doesn’t stop at our doors. It’s built into our DNA, and it's led by experts who dedicate their lives to those who cannot speak for themselves.

Today, we want to shine a spotlight on our very own Dr. Margaret Doyle; a healer by day and a forensic visionary by night.

When she isn't leading the charge at VCA Canada Riverbend Animal Hospital, Dr. Doyle is serving as a forensic veterinarian, uncovering the truth in the most difficult cases, and this week she is taking the stage at the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association (IVFSA) Conference to share critical insights into the intersection of animal welfare and criminal justice during the Court Testimony Workshop.

🗓️ Tuesday, May 12, 2026
⏰ 1:00 - 5:00 PM
📍 Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

But not only is she speaking at external conferences, Dr. Margaret Doyle also hosts exclusive internal webinars across VCA Canada, and is:

✅ Educating our Associates on the subtle signs of non-accidental injury.
✅ Training our teams to recognize "The Link" between animal cruelty and domestic violence.
✅ Empowering our staff with the tools to be the first line of defense for pets in danger.

We don't just treat animals; we protect them. By educating our teams on the gravity of animal abuse, we are helping to create a safer world for both pets and the people who love them.

Our Standard. Our Promise.