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Nikol Falzon, Eucharistic Congress Street, Mosta (2026)

24/02/2025

BLADDER STONES in cats and dogs are quite common at all stages of life and in both sexes, sometimes favored by genetic predisposition, inadequate diet, stress, recurrent infections, certain medications and others.

Common symptoms are the presence of blood in urine, urinating frequently but in smaller amounts, urinating inside or in unusual places, excessive straining to p*e or even trying to p*e and not managing.

Urine samples examined under the microscope can be extremely helpful to diagnose these tiny crystals as well as ultrasounds or even X-rays

Treatment is usually either surgical ( as can be seen from the photos of the stones we’ve removed from some patients ) as well as through a medicated diet to help dissolve the stones

Bladder stones ( uroliths ) can be avoided through a correct balanced diet +/- bladder supplements, regular urine a**lysis and or scans.

Fresh urine samples of your pets can be examined at Il-Veterinarju small and exotic pet clinic

14/11/2022

DID YOU KNOW . . . ❓❓❓
. . that Keeled Box Turtles (Cuora mouhotii) are highly endangered due to habitat loss and collection for the food trade in their natural habitat in China. Luckily though, they are being bred in captivity to keep assurance colonies alive. 🐢

17/12/2021

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Small animal and exotic veterinary clinic, offering exciting opportunity for a full time veterinarian and veterinary receptionist/nurse.

We are seeking caring, confident, dynamic, practical persons with the ability to build a good rapport with coworkers and clients.

Veterinarian:

The ideal candidate must be dedicated to providing the highest level of patient and client care possible. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced veterinarians and have access to the latest veterinary equipment. Clinical and surgical experience will be considered an ja asset but new graduates will also be considered. A valid driving license is crucial as part of your work load may be carrying out home visits.

Vet receptionist/nurse

Your varied workload will include welcoming people and pets, setting appointments, cleanliness around the clinic, restraining and handling various species of animals, inpatient care, discharges, and reception, to name but a few.

Past experience will definitely be considered an asset.

Interested candidates are kindly requested to send a CV and covering letter to ilveterinarju@gmail.com by the end of January

14/02/2021

Due to the ongoing pandemic, home visits are no longer a safe and responsible option. I am therefore asking clients to bring their pets to my new clinic Il-Veterinarju in Mosta where social distancing may be practiced more efficiently. Appointments may be booked via phone or message. Stay safe

12/08/2020

Unfortunately due to the sudden spike in cases of covid-19, I have decided to stop doing house calls for now.

I will be available over the phone and in certain consult rooms around the island.

Follow the directions of the superintendent of health, because they know best.

Take care, keep safe.

We were doing so well.

17/07/2020

PARVOVIRUS in dogs

CPV ( Canine Parvovirus ) is a highly contagious and resistant virus that is making the rounds at the moment on our islands. This virus has always been present but in certain periods of the year ( usually hot and dry ) the virus tends to spread and reproduce fast.

This disease commonly hits dogs who

- are not vaccinated ( usually puppies )
- are not vaccinated properly
- are stressed ( pregnant, menstruating, spent a day in the sun, lives in unhygienic conditions )
- vulnerable ( have other existing conditions ( especially immunosuppressive conditions ))

The virus is transmitted through the faeces of infected dogs. When other dogs smell or lick or are even close to the contaminated area, transmission becomes inevitable. The virus usually settles in the dogs intestine causing a heamorragic diarrea ( bloody diarrea ), vomiting, inappetence, lethargy and possibly fever.

In the past years, unfortunately we have seen a greater incidence of fully vaccinated dogs who can get parvovirus. A lot depends on the history and the state of the dogs immune system and the particular strain of virus that is around.

Due to its high virulence, this disease is very contagious especially in non vaccinated dogs and has a very high mortality rate.

Treatment usually includes supportive therapy ( drip ), anti emetics, spasmolitics and antibiotics/antivirals. Although everything is done, there is no guarantee that the patient will survive. Sometimes we come across patients who are in a very poor condition and survive, whilst others who seemingly don’t have many symptoms but unfortunately don’t make it.

It is good to take precautions ( ideally all year round ) like

- making sure your dog is uptodate with vaccinations ( yearly booster /tilqima tas sena )
- do not take out your dog if he is not vaccinated or unsure about his vaccination history
- avoid highly populated areas of dogs or areas where dogs all go to poo
- don’t allow your dogs ( especially the not fully vaccinated ones ) to play or lick shoes that you go out with ( because the virus can be carried on by your shoes )
- wiping your dogs paws and a**l areas helps too

If you need any further information do not hesitate to message me.

28/06/2020

INTERNAL PARASITES IN DOGS AND CATS

Internal parasites in domestic animals are very common and can affect dogs and cats of any age and gender, but puppies and kittens seem to be more susceptible to infestation to these parasites because of their age and immature immune system.

Very often puppies and kittens are already born infested with parasites that are passed down from their mother. All animals are unique and can have different systemic reactions to infestations with internal parasites.

Many animals may not show symptoms at all and be asymptomatic carriers of a particular parasite and spread it through their faeces. Other animals may have severe symptoms and even die if not treated on time.

The most common internal parasites are the worm family ( hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and roundworms ), coccidia and giardia.

Many internal parasites can infect people whilst handling faeces, bathing or grooming an infected dogs a**l area.

Infections with internal parasites are treatable and preventable by deworming your cat or dog regularly ( every 4-6 months ). It is recommended to repeat the treatment after 10-14 days ( depending on the medicine used ). Dewormers come in various forms - syrup, paste, tablets, drops and injection.

31/05/2020

EXTERNAL PARASITES PART II - TICKS

Ticks are haemophiles ( blood loving ) parasites that have a specialised mouth piece that drills itself in the host in a clockwise manner before it starts to feed.

Ticks are usually found in fields and move much slower then fleas. They can be distinguished between hard or soft ticks depending on whether they have a dorsal sheild or not. In Malta ticks are most commonly found on dogs , some stray cats , and at times other animals like rabbits hedgehogs and rats.

Ticks are dangerous because of their possibility to transmit other parasitic diseases such as LYME DISEASE, EHRLICHIOSIS, ANAPLASMOSIS and BABESIOSIS amongst others - other microscopic diseases that reside in the ticks salivary glands and are injected ( spat ) into the host before the tick begins to feed.

Prevention is extremely similar to the prevention of fleas

DROPS, TABLET, SPRAY & COLLAR are all effective

Unfortunately ticks can bite humans as well do it is important to make sure our pets are protected.

It is very important that ticks are not plucked off our pets if you see one, because most probably you will remove the body, but not the mouth piece, creating the possibility of complications. Ideally the pet is treated with one of the above and then the tick will die and fall off.

24/05/2020

EXTERNAL PARASITES - PART 1 - FLEAS

As temperatures rise, there is always a bigger chance that your cat or dog will pick up a flea or tick. These parasites have a much shorter life cycle in hotter climates ( they multiply in less time hence can infest pets, humans and households if left unattended ). They are heamophiles ( blood lovers ) and will search the body till they find a small blood vessel that they can bite with their mouth part.

Fleas are very small, fast and have very powerful back legs that allow them to jump. They usually leave small black droppings on the pets coat ( if you place these black droppings on a piece of tissue and apply a drop of water over them, you will see a red colour appear - indicating that it is flea dirt ( digested blood )). Fleas tend to live on the host ( cat or dog ) and then fall on the floor and lay many many eggs.

Fleas cause itching not because they run over the cat or dogs skin but because they bite the host and spit their saliva in the blood vessel before drinking the blood. The flea bite causes the host to itch or lick excessively - flea allergy dermatitis - the cat or dog itches continuously and ravenously, at times biting him/herself uncontrollably causing fur loss and wounds.

It’s quite easy to spot a flea on a cat or dog who has a light coloured coat but more difficult in pets with dark coats.

Prevention and treatment - according to me the best options are :

DROPS-that should be applied once every 4-6 weeks ( depending on whether it’s an indoor or outdoor pet ) and 3 days before or after washing at the back of the neck directly on the skin ( be careful to use drops that are species specific ( cat drops for cats and dog drops for dogs ))

TABLET - can be given once a month ( for cats ) or once every 3 months ( cats and dogs ). Usually works best for those kind of dogs who love to swim.

INJECTION - specific only for indoor cats and works for 6 months, causing sterility in fleas who try to bite the cat, hence stopping their ability to reproduce.

COLLAR, SHAMPOO or POWDER - personally I don’t find them as efficient and safe as the other options.

22/04/2020

GEORGE is still missing - it’s been more then 2 weeks but we are still hopeful he will be found. Anyone who has either seen him, or heard him, kindly let us know. A reward will be given to anyone who helps us get him home.

12/04/2020

GEORGE is still missing. Last seen in Mosta last Tuesday. He is very loved and deeply missed. If anyone has information or at least knows he is safe, kindly let us know. He is usually a loud cat so I’m sure he will make himself heard somewhere. Help us find GEORGE please.

07/04/2020

Our cat GEORGE, has gone missing in Mosta last Sunday - he is 10 years old and microchipped . Kindly private message me or call me if you have any information please

Nikol Falzon

24/02/2025

14/11/2022

17/12/2021

14/02/2021

12/08/2020

17/07/2020

28/06/2020

31/05/2020

24/05/2020

22/04/2020

12/04/2020

07/04/2020

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