Fantastic Beasts Veterinary Services Nanaimo

09/07/2026

08/11/2026

A message to our Valued Clients

Please note that Fantastic Beasts Veterinary Services Nanaimo will be closed on Friday, August 21st.

We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to plan ahead for any food or medication refills your pet may need.

Thank you for your continued trust and for allowing us to care for your beloved companions. 💙🐾

08/10/2026

FIP in Cats: What You Need to Know

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) used to be considered a death sentence — that's no longer the full story.

🐾 What is FIP? It's a mutation of feline coronavirus — a common, usually mild virus — that in a small number of cats develops into a serious, systemic disease. It triggers an extreme immune reaction that damages blood vessels and organs.

🐾 Who's most at risk? Kittens and cats under 2, especially those from multi-cat households, shelters, or catteries where coronavirus circulates easily.

🐾 Signs to watch for: lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, a fever that won't respond to antibiotics, a swollen belly, or eye/neurological changes.

🐾FIP generally appears in two forms, though a cat can show signs of both:
- Wet (Effusive) FIP: Causes fluid to build up inside the chest or belly, leading to a swollen abdomen or trouble breathing.
- Dry (Non-Effusive) FIP: Causes inflammation and small lumps (granulomas) in organs like the eyes, kidneys, liver, or brain, leading to vision changes, weight loss, or balance problems.

🐾 The good news: Antiviral therapy is now legally available to Canadian veterinarians, with strong success rates for many cats. Early diagnosis makes a real difference.

If your cat is showing any of these signs, don't wait — give us a call. Early diagnosis and treatment give cats with FIP a much better chance today than ever before.

📞 778-716-8387
fbvsn.ca

08/08/2026

Pyometra: What Every Dog Owner Should Know

If your unspayed dog is showing lethargy, increased thirst, vomiting, a swollen belly, or discharge, don't wait — pyometra is a medical emergency and needs immediate veterinary attention.

Pyometra is a serious, potentially life-threatening uterine infection in which the uterus fills with bacteria and pus. It develops from a combination of hormonal changes and bacterial infection — most often E. coli, which travels upward from the va**na into the uterus. This typically happens during a dog's heat cycle (estrus), when the cervix relaxes and becomes more permeable to bacteria.

Timing: Usually strikes 4–6 weeks after a heat cycle ends (range: 2–16 weeks)

Open vs. closed cervix: Open means visible discharge; closed means no discharge but a faster, more dangerous decline

Diagnosing pyometra typically starts with a physical exam — your veterinarian will look for signs like va**nal discharge and ask about a recent heat cycle. From there, one or more additional tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis:

Ultrasound or X-rays to check for an enlarged, fluid-filled uterus
Blood work
Urine sample
Vaginal cytology

Treatment: Surgical removal of the infected uterus is the most suitable treatment — it removes the source of infection completely and gives your dog the fastest, most reliable path to recovery

Spaying is the best prevention. If your dog is intact, ask us about spay timing at her next visit.

Concerned about your dog? Call us at 778-716-8387 — after hours, go to your nearest emergency vet.

08/03/2026

Is your dog constantly itchy? It could be atopy.

Atopy (atopic dermatitis) is an inherited tendency for dogs to react to everyday environmental allergens — pollen, mold, dust mites — rather than food. Here in BC, our damp winters keep dust mites and mold around year-round, while spring and summer pollen can trigger seasonal flare-ups.

🐾 Watch for: paw licking or chewing, face rubbing, recurring ear infections, red or thickened skin, hair loss
🐾 Onset: signs usually first appear between 6 months and 3 years of age
🐾 Good news: it's manageable, not curable — medicated baths, diet, allergy testing, and medication can keep your pet comfortable

If your dog's scratching more than usual, give us a call at 778-716-8387 to book an exam.

08/02/2026

Keeping Pets Safe This Summer

Warmer days are here, and a few simple precautions can prevent serious heat-related emergencies:

🔒 Never leave pets in a parked car — even briefly, and even with windows cracked
💧 Always have fresh water and shade available
🐾 Test pavement with your hand for 7 seconds before walks — too hot for you means too hot for paws
🌡️ Know the signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, weakness, or vomiting — these are emergencies
🐶 Flat-faced breeds, seniors, and pets with health conditions overheat faster — go easy on exercise this time of year

Questions about keeping your pet cool this summer? Give us a call at 778-716-8387

Photo credit: Jamie Street

06/26/2026

Hot weather is here — and our pets feel it more than we do.

Dogs and cats can't cool themselves the way we can. They don't sweat through their skin, and on a hot day, that puts them at serious risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke — both of which can become life-threatening very quickly.

Signs your pet may be overheating:

• Excessive panting or drooling
• Restlessness or agitation
• Bright red or pale gums
• Weakness, stumbling, or collapse
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Glazed eyes or confusion
• Seizures

Things to watch in hot weather:

• Never leave your pet in a parked car — even for a few minutes. Temperatures inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels within minutes, even with the windows cracked.
• Limit walks and outdoor exercise to early morning or evening when it's cooler.
• Always provide fresh, cool water and access to shade.
• Be especially careful with flat-faced breeds (bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats) — they overheat more easily and are at higher risk.
• Hot pavement burns paws. If the ground is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their feet.
• Senior pets, puppies and kittens, and pets with heart or respiratory conditions are more vulnerable.

When to call us:

If your pet is showing any signs of heat stress, act immediately. Move them to a cool area, offer small amounts of cool (not ice cold) water, and apply cool wet towels to their neck, armpits, and groin — then call us or head to a veterinary clinic right away. Do not wait to see if they improve on their own.

Heatstroke can cause organ damage within minutes. Early intervention saves lives.

Stay cool out there — your pets are counting on you.

Fantastic Beasts Veterinary Services Nanaimo
778-617-8387 | fbvsn.ca | Nanaimo, BC

06/25/2026

Beautiful Plants. Hidden Danger. Know What's in Your Pet's World.