At EastSide Veterinary Services, nutrition questions come up in almost every appointment, whether it's a new puppy owner asking what to feed, or a long-time client wondering if it's time to switch their senior cat to a different diet. We wanted to put together a straightforward guide covering what we tell clients most often, so you have a resource to come back to between visits. Why We Talk About Nutrition at Every Visit Diet affects far more than weight. It plays a role in your pet's coat and skin condition, digestion, energy, immune function, and long-term joint health. Many of the chronic conditions we manage later in a pet's life, joint issues, obesity, certain digestive disorders, have roots in feeding habits established years earlier. That's why we build nutrition into routine wellness exams rather than waiting for a problem to come up. The Basics We Cover With Clients Protein quality matters. We look for named protein sources (chicken, salmon, beef) rather th...

 Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is one of the best kinds of chaos. Somewhere between the introductions to the rest of the household and figuring out where they're going to sleep, one appointment should go straight to the top of the list: their first veterinary visit at a trusted local clinic like Eastside Veterinary Services. Here's exactly what to expect and how to prepare, so that first appointment goes smoothly for both of you. When to Book the First Visit Puppies and kittens should see a vet within the first week of coming home , even if they've already had a check-up with a breeder or shelter. If your pet is coming from a rescue or shelter, book the visit as soon as possible after adoption, records don't always transfer completely, and a baseline exam helps catch anything that needs early attention. Most puppies and kittens are ready for their first full round of vaccines starting around 6 to 8 weeks old , with follow-up boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until rough...

Kingston sits right in one of the highest-risk zones in Ontario for tick-borne disease. If your dog spends any time in long grass, wooded trails, or along the waterfront, tick exposure is not a matter of if but when. Here's what pet owners in Kingston need to know about ticks, Lyme disease, and how to keep pets protected. Why Kingston Is a Tick Hot Spot Ticks that carry Lyme disease have become established across Eastern Ontario, and Kingston and the surrounding Frontenac and Lennox & Addington areas are considered endemic. Warmer winters and longer falls have extended the active tick season: ticks can be active any time the temperature rises above roughly 4°C, which in this region can mean exposure from early spring through late November. Popular local spots for dog walking, such as Lemoine Point, Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, and trails around the Rideau Trail system, all fall within tick habitat: long grass, brush, leaf litter, and the edges of wooded areas. How...

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems veterinarians see in dogs, and one of the most overlooked. By age three, most dogs already show some sign of periodontal disease. Left unchecked, it does not stay confined to the mouth. Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys. The good news is that a professional dog dental cleaning, combined with some care at home, prevents most of this. Here at Eastside Veterinary Clinic in Kingston, Ontario, we walk every dog owner through exactly what happens during a dental cleaning, and how to tell when your dog needs one. Why dental health matters more than owners expect Pets are experts at hiding pain. A dog with a fractured tooth or an infected gum will often keep eating and acting normal, simply because showing weakness is not in their instincts. That means dental disease can progress for months or years before it becomes obvious. Left untreated, it typically leads to: ...