Essex Animal Hospital & Canine Rehab / Fitness Centre

09/03/2026

Join us in supporting this great organization that helps pair trained service dogs with veterans that are suffering from PTSD! Lace up your running shoes for a good cause!

⏰ Time is RUNNING out to register for the Paws for the Cause 5K Stroll and Roll happening October 3rd, 2026! 👟

You can register for $20 or raise pledges to get a little something extra for you and your furry friend! Lunch will be provided after the event.

Registration closes September 12th, so don't wait, sign up now and walk for our local Veterans.

All the info is at: https://go.rallyup.com/5k-roll-and-stroll-2026

09/02/2026

We are closed this weekend for Labour Day!
Enjoy the Long weekend!

08/28/2026

Please go out and support Helping our Hero’s this weekend at the Kingsville Legion Branch! Doors open 3:30pm and the first band goes on at 4:30pm! It’s a great cause!

⏰Time is running out⏰

Don't lose out on grabbing your tickets for the Paws and Power Chords Summer Music Festival on August 29th at Kingsville Legion Branch 188 .

Join us and hear John Thomas Blues Band , Petals of Gold , and Jen Knight outside before the summer ends!

Advanced tickets are $30, and $40 at the door!

Come and rock out with us as we raise money to pair service dogs with Veterans in our community.

Get your tickets at : https://go.rallyup.com/pawsandpowerchords2026

08/07/2026

Just a reminder the main intersection in Essex is closed! Please be mindful when coming in for your appointment🤍

🚧 Road Closure Notice – Maidstone Avenue & Talbot Street North 🚧

Construction at the intersection of Maidstone Avenue and Talbot Street North is underway. Please refer to the detour map below to help plan your route while the intersection is closed. We encourage motorists to follow the posted detour signs and allow extra travel time.

🛍️ Businesses in the area remain OPEN and the Town’s contractor will attempt to keep them accessible throughout construction.

For full details and project updates, visit our website: https://ow.ly/rEiz50ZuCXA

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while these improvements are completed.

08/01/2026

07/30/2026

Please keep in mind starting next week August 4th there is some road work being done in Essex until the end of November! Plan your route to your pets upcoming appointments with us!💙
- Essex Animal Hospital Team

07/27/2026

🐶 Is your dog constantly shaking their head or scratching at their ears? 👂

It might not be "just an ear infection"—it could also be a sign of allergies.

Ear infections (otitis externa) are one of the most common conditions we see in dogs, and allergies are often the underlying cause. If your dog keeps getting ear infections, it's worth looking for the reason behind them.

Watch for these signs:
👂 Head shaking
🐾 Scratching at the ears
👃 A bad odor
🔴 Red, inflamed ears
🟤 Brown, yellow, or black discharge
😢 Pain or sensitivity when the ears are touched

The good news? Treating the ear infection is the first step, but identifying and managing underlying allergies can help reduce future flare-ups and keep your pet more comfortable.

📞 If your pet is showing any of these signs, give us a call to book an appointment. Healthy ears start with finding the cause—not just treating the symptoms! 🐾

07/24/2026

Civic Holiday is coming up! Please contact the clinic for any medication or food refills so we can help you before the long weekend! If your pet is having an emergency please contact the Walker Road Animal Hospital at 519 - 972-9000.

07/17/2026

💧🐾 Leptospirosis: A Hidden Risk for Dogs in Southern Ontario
Leptospirosis ("Lepto") is a bacterial disease that dogs can catch from wildlife and contaminated water or soil. It's becoming increasingly recognized in Southern Ontario and can make dogs very sick.
How do dogs become infected?
🐀 Contact with urine from infected wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, rodents, or other animals.
💦 Drinking from or swimming in puddles, ponds, ditches, or slow-moving water.
🌿 Exposure to contaminated soil or wet grass.
Signs of leptospirosis may include:
🤒 Fever
💤 Lethargy
🤢 Vomiting or diarrhea
🍽️ Loss of appetite
💧 Increased thirst and urination
🟡 Yellowing of the gums or eyes (jaundice)
Leptospirosis can cause serious kidney and liver damage, and in some cases can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Did you know?
⚠️ Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to people. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate precautions help reduce this risk.
How can you protect your dog?
✅ Vaccinate against leptospirosis—it's considered a core lifestyle vaccine for many dogs in Southern Ontario.
✅ Avoid allowing your dog to drink from puddles or stagnant water.
✅ Discourage contact with wildlife and rodents whenever possible.
✅ Contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog develops signs of illness.
If you have questions about whether the leptospirosis vaccine is right for your dog, we'd be happy to discuss your pet's individual risk and help you choose the best protection. 🐶💚

07/15/2026

Did you know that Southern Ontario is home to blacklegged (deer) ticks, which can carry several diseases that affect dogs? Mosquitoes also pose a risk by spreading heartworm disease. The good news is that many of these illnesses are preventable with the right protection.
Tick-borne diseases we see in Southern Ontario include:
🦠 Lyme Disease – Can cause fever, limping, swollen joints, lethargy, and, in rare cases, kidney complications.
🦠 Anaplasmosis – May cause fever, joint pain, decreased appetite, lethargy, and low platelet counts.
🦠 Ehrlichiosis – Less common in our area but becoming more frequently diagnosed as ticks expand their range. Signs can include fever, lethargy, bruising, weight loss, and bleeding disorders.
🦟 Heartworm Disease
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes—not from pet to pet. The worms live in the heart and lungs, where they can cause coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulties, heart disease, and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening.
How you can protect your pet:
✅ Use veterinarian-recommended tick and heartworm prevention as directed.
✅ Check your pet for ticks after walks, hikes, camping, or time in long grass and wooded areas.
✅ Remove ticks promptly—the sooner they're removed, the lower the risk of disease transmission.
✅ Keep up with annual wellness exams and recommended screening tests.
✅ Ask us if the Lyme vaccine is recommended for your dog's lifestyle.
Ticks can be active whenever temperatures are above 0°C, so they aren't just a summer concern. Mosquitoes are typically active from late spring through fall, making heartworm prevention an important part of your pet's healthcare.
Have questions about the best parasite prevention plan for your pet? Our team is happy to help! 🐶🐱