Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency
Category:

Common Pet Emergencies: What You Need to Know
General
No matter how much you love your pet, emergencies can still happen when you least expect them. Knowing about common pet emergencies, their signs, and how to prevent them can help you act quickly and possibly save your pet’s life. Here are some of the most frequent emergencies we see at Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency.

Ways to Include Your Pet in the Holiday Festivities
For Pet Owners
The holiday season is filled with joy, decorations, family gatherings, and delicious food. Humans aren’t the only ones who can enjoy this festive time—your pet can join the fun as well!

What Owners Need to Know About Diabetes in Pets
Health Tips
National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month, which is recognized in November, is an important time for pet parents to learn more about this chronic condition that affects dogs and cats.

Case Highlight: Peanut
General
Peanut, a 2 year old female spayed Chihuahua, presented to Mountainside Animal Emergency after being trampled by a horse in Squamish.

Mountainside Olympic Games
General
In the spirit of the Olympic Games, our Social Coordinator, Jamie, organized an exciting two-week event featuring eight fun games for our staff!

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips
Pet Safety
Our Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency team provides Thanksgiving pet safety tips to help ensure your holiday is drama-free—at least when it comes to your pet.

Celebrating Responsible Dog Ownership Month
General
September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, a dedicated reminder of our crucial role in keeping our canine companions happy, healthy, and safe.

Upcoming Dispomed Event
General
On October 16th, we’re excited to partner with Dispomed for an informative event focused on clinic equipment maintenance and repair.

Staff Highlight: New Lead CSR Emilie
Staff Highlight
Our new Lead CSR Emilie has been eager to learn the ins and outs of Mountainside Animal Emergency!

Sleep: Not Just for Fido
General
Sleep isn't just for pets - it's a critical component of human health and productivity, too.

New Staff Packages
Staff Highlight
We’re thrilled to welcome several new team members to Mountainside, including two veterinarians (more details coming soon), a lead CSR, a CSR, and a VA!

Garage Sale Fundraiser
General
Mountainside recently held our second Charity Garage Sale and BBQ fundraiser, raising $1,510.35 for our Angel Fund!

An Evening with the CWVS Neuro team
General
Our doctors recently had the privilege of hosting Dr. Nicholas Sharp and Dr. Francesca Samarani from the Neurology team at Canada West Veterinary Specialists & Critical Care Hospital for an insightful evening focused on enhancing neuro care at our hospital.

Case Highlight: Minnie
General
Sweet Minnie faced a serious situation after ingesting Lysol detergent that was accidentally spilled on her coat.

Case Study: Smudge
Case Study
Smudge, a gorgeous 15-year-old cat, worried her owners when she began gagging loudly. As the gagging progressed to vomiting, they decided to bring her to Mountainside to figure out what was going on.

Endoscopies at Mountainside
General
Did you know that our team is trained and equipped to provide upper GI endoscopy services?

Staff Highlight: Cat Gill
General
Cat is an RVN from North Yorkshire in the UK and always wanted to work in Veterinary from the age of 6. She grew up with family pets and has a soft spot for border collies. She studied at the Askham Bryan College of Veterinary Nursing in 2018 and graduated in 2021.

Angel Fund Garage Sale & BBQ Fundraiser
General
Join us on August 25th for our 2nd Annual Charity Garage Sale & BBQ, benefiting our Angel Fund!

Self Care: Time at the Gym
General
At Mountainside, we encourage our staff to find balance and take time for self-care. Whether it's hitting the gym, going for a walk, or simply spending time with loved ones, these activities can make a significant difference.

Jet-Setting Pets: Essential Safety Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
Pet Safety
Traveling with your pet can be an enjoyable and enriching experience. Whether planning a road trip, flying to a new destination, or simply taking a day trip, ensuring your pet's safety is paramount. Our Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency team shares important safety tips to keep in mind when traveling with your pet.

Staff Highlight: Leah
Staff Highlight
Originally hailing from Australia - Leah graduated high school and began her studies in exercise and sports science – after discovering this was more of a hobby for her rather than a career, she quickly jumped ship to the path of veterinary nursing by commencing her Certificate II in Animal studies.

Overnight Hospitalization
General
One of our goals at Mountainside is to support your patients when you can’t be there. We work closely with our referring partners to provide seamless overnight care.

Lunch Break Walks
General
Taking a lunch break walk, especially in nature, is highly beneficial for both physical and mental well-being. Physically, a brisk walk can improve cardiovascular health, aid digestion and boost energy levels for the rest of the day. Mentally, it provides a much-needed pause from work, allowing your brain to rest and reset.

July Case Study: Fern
Case Study
Fern, a 4-year-old cat, arrived at Mountainside after her owner's apartment building caught fire.

Paw Protection: Hot Pavement Safety Tips for Pet Owners
Pet Safety
As temperatures rise during the warmer months, our four-legged friends are just as eager as we are to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. However, pavement, sand, and other scorching surfaces can pose a serious threat to their well-being. Our Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency team explains the dangers of hot surfaces and provides valuable insights and practical tips to help keep your pet’s paws cool and comfortable all summer long.

New Ultrasound Referral Request Form
General
We're thrilled to share that our ultrasound service has already completed 110 scans in 2024! We have had many ultrasound referrals from you, our referral community, and we are so grateful to have been able to provide this for your patients. To enhance the efficiency of our service, we have a few important updates.

IDEXX Kidney Health Solutions CE BBQ
General
On June 5th, we partnered with IDEXX to host a Kidney Health Solutions CE event for our referring partners. Held on our stunning rooftop patio, with delicious catering provided by Smoke and Bones BBQ.

June Case Study: Daisy
Case Study
One evening, Daisy, a petite dog suspected of being pregnant, began showing unmistakable signs of labor. Seemingly struggling, she was brought to Mountainside where an X-ray unveiled a surprising challenge: a single, extremely large puppy.

Recover CPR Course
General
We're so proud of our team's approach to these lifesaving trainings. Whilst CPR is always a challenging time, it is also an opportunity to provide excellence in veterinary care. We are honored to have a team that is prepared and ready to support our pets and clients alike.

Staff Highlight: Em Leonard
General
Meet Em, one of our full-time CSRs. Originally from England, Em has always centered her life around animals.

Foreign Body Ingestion in Dogs
General
Our Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency team commonly treats dogs who have ingested a foreign body, and we explain all you need to know in case your canine friend is less than discerning about what they put in their mouth.

May Case Study: Pippin
Case Study
One morning, Pippin started vomiting and lost his appetite. When this continued, his owners took him to their family vet, who suspected a foreign object might be the cause.

CSR Appreciation Week
General
Client Service Representatives (CSRs) are the heartbeat of our hospital, ensuring everything runs smoothly and our clients receive exceptional care.

We’re Here For You And Your Patients!
General
As your dedicated emergency facility on the North Shore, we are committed to being there for your patients when they need us most.

Self Care
General
Our Hospital Director, Robyn Luscombe, recently attended the Ethos Veterinary Medicine Women Empowering Women retreat in Colorado.
Staff Highlight: Dr. Clare Peterson
Staff Highlight
Dr. Clare Peterson was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She graduated from UBC in 2007 with a BSc in Animal Biology before venturing to begin her studies in Veterinary Science in Australia.

Asthma and Allergies in Pets
General
Like people, pets can suffer from asthma and allergies, which can significantly impact their well-being and quality of life if not appropriately managed. Consider this guide as our Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency team’s timely reminder of Asthma and Allergy Month and learn about these conditions and how they can affect your pet.

Spring into Safety: Tips to Protect Your Pet
General
Our Mountainside 24/7 Animal Emergency team explores essential spring safety tips for cats and dogs, with a focus on yard and garden toxins, toxic plants and flowers, and more. We want to ensure your furry friend enjoys a happy and healthy season.

Dr. Lucy Cundall
Staff Highlight
Dr. Lucy Cundall is originally from the UK. She studied Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 2020 with a bachelor's degree and a love for exploring the invariably rainy Scottish mountains.

New Veterinarians Have Joined The Mountainside Team!
General
Last month, we shared the exciting news about the upcoming addition of two new veterinarians to our team.

Staff Aquarium Outing
General
This month, our team had an exciting outing to the Vancouver Aquarium to unwind and connect outside the hospital.
April 2024 - Jazz
Case Study
Jazz, the miniature schnauzer, was enjoying a walk with her owner when she was attacked by two large off-leash dogs.

Bad Taste: Protect Your Pet From Household Poisons
Pet Safety
Poison Prevention Week is observed annually during the third week of March. Although originally developed for people, this national awareness campaign is also a great reminder for pet owners, as many everyday items are highly toxic to dogs, cats, and other pets.

Katie Hickey
Staff Highlight
Meet Katie, the first of our Irish Technicians here at Mountainside. Katie started working with us in September 2022 after moving here from the west coast of Ireland.

Angel Fund Fundraiser
General
This year, we have put a big focus on raising money for our angel fund. This fund is used to help cover the costs of veterinary care at our facility for animals who would otherwise be euthanized due to financial difficulties.

March 2024: Meeka
Case Study
Gorgeous Meeka was running through the forest when she let out a loud yelp!

Soheila
Staff Highlight
I am originally from Iran and began a new chapter in Vancouver in 2019.

Skating Event
General
At Mountainside, prioritizing staff morale is at the core of our values.

Phones
General
We've recently been facing recurring challenges with our phone system, affecting clients' ability to connect with our reception team.

February 2024: Rambo
Case Study
Rambo, a playful 3-year-old cat, made his way to Mountainside when his owner noticed him vomiting repeatedly throughout the house.

Spring into Action: Lily Toxicity in Cats
Pet Safety
For many, lilies symbolize renewal and peace, but these springtime perennials are highly poisonous to cats.

Jamie Hurst
Staff Highlight
Meet Jamie Hurst! Raised in rural Niagara, Ontario, Jamie made the long road trip to Vancouver with her three pets in the summer of 2020.

January 2024: Rosie
Case Study
Sweet Rosie’s owners took her to her family vet when they noticed she had began vomiting undigested food that progressed to bile, and she had lost her appetite.

Orthopedic Emergencies in Dogs
General
January is Walk Your Dog Month, a pet-focused annual observance that highlights the importance of regular exercise to provide mental and physical stimulation for dogs.

Cold Weather Safety For Pets
Pet Safety
When cold weather strikes, most of us kick up the thermostat and spend most of our time indoors. However, if you are the adventurous type, you may want to bundle up and head out for some wintertime fun that includes your pet.

SPCA Holiday Giving Tree
General
Mountainside Animal Hospital is in collaboration with SPCA for Our Angel Tree fundraiser!

December 2023: Charli
Case Study
The resilient Charli has spent a lot of time stealing our hearts this year as she battled recurrent aspiration pneumonia secondary to Megaesophagus.

Dr. Harry Cozens
Staff Highlight
Dr. Cozens was raised in both the south-west of England and Nepal and pursued his passion for animal care from a young age.

Nat Mello
Staff Highlight
Meet Nat, our go-to animal enthusiast with a heart as big as Brazil.

Now Offering Ultrasounds with Dr. Megan Atwood!
General
We are so excited to welcome Dr. Megan Atwood to the team here at Mountainside!

November 2023: Yoda
Case Study
Yoda, a 5-year-old domestic short-haired feline, has endured a series of health challenges over the course of his relatively short life.

Making a List and Checking It Twice: Your Holiday Pet Safety Checklist
Pet Safety
The holiday season is here, and while this season is full of joy, celebration, and togetherness, the days also include packed schedules, tempting fatty foods, and distractions—an opportunistic pet’s potential recipe for disaster.

Halloween Safety Tips for your Pet
Pet Safety
Halloween is supposed to be scary, but haunted houses, horror movies, and spooky costumes are nothing compared to the fear that comes from an unexpected pet emergency.

October 2023: Poppy
Case Study
Poppy and her owner were spending some peaceful time up on the mountain when Poppy suddenly disappeared!

Chelsea Friesen
Staff Highlight
A Night in Emerg - The role of the referral and operations coordinator.

National Disaster Pet Preparedness
Pet Safety
North Vancouver is known for its breathtaking landscapes, but it is not immune to natural disasters, particularly wildfires.

September 2023: Charlie Brown
Case Study
Good Grief! Charlie Brown presented to Mountainside when his owners noticed that he had ongoing vomiting and a decreased appetite.

August 2023: Jerry
General
Brave little Jerry, a 6-year-old Bichon Frise, visited our hospital after his owners noted him straining to urinate.

Garage Sale/Community Event
General
We are excited to be hosting our first ever community fundraiser event! AUGUST 20

Protect Your Pet From Heat-Related Hazards
Pet Safety
Summer’s long days are filled with memorable sun-soaked adventures. However, unfortunately for pets, heat-related hazards can spoil these dreamy days.

Cara, RVT
Staff Highlight
Introducing Cara - Our Passionate Head Registered Veterinary Technician!

July 2023: Antimony
General
Have you ever treated a cat for asthma? Meet little Antimony, who recently had quite the adventure at Mountainside Animal Hospital.

Robyn Luscombe
Staff Highlight
Robyn has been in the veterinary world for over 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

June 2023: Monet
General
Ms. Monet visited Mountainside late one night after an afternoon snack caused her to vomit and start to pant excessively.

Got Chocolate?
Food Tips
Chocolate is toxic for dogs and clinical signs of chocolate poisoning may take hours to develop and last for several days.

Happy Veterinary Technician Week to Vet Techs Everywhere!
General
We wanted to give a shout-out to vet techs everywhere for the incredible work that each and every one of you do for your patients and teammates!