A dog resting its head on a bed that says 'Cottage Vibes'
Line drawing of a composter that is used to discard pet waste.
Black and white line drawing of a happy dog wearing a life jacket.
Black and white line drawing of a wooden kitchen cabinet with glass doors, containing jars, bottles, dishes, and containers, with three drawers below.
Outline drawing of a retractable gate mounted on deck posts used for pets while at the cottage.
A black silhouette of a person standing with arms outstretched against a full moon in a night sky.
Black and white line drawing of a dog leash and collar.

Dogs at Hemlock

  • FOR REGULAR AND NON-EMERGENCY VISITS

    Muskoka Road Veterinary Hospital

    365 Muskoka Road S., Gravenhurst

    Well-regarded veterinary clinic open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.

    FOR SNAKE BITES, AFTER HOURS AND WEEKEND CARE IMMEDIATELY GO TO HURONIA VET IN BARRIE

    Huronia Emergency Vet

    391 Dunlop Street W., Barrie, ON

    Emergency, 24 hour service in Barrie.

    Phone: 705-722-0377

    Located 1 hour from cottage.

  • We love having dogs up at the lake but we also want to make sure we keep the area clean and enjoyable for all. Any pet waste should be brought to the compost bin at the back (right) side of the property. A pooper scooper is also located there and pet waste bags are located in the DOG SUPPLY KIT and in the dog drawer in the hutch.

  • Gravenhurst should have all you need for your pet. The following stores are approximately 30 minutes from the cottage:

    Canadian Tire

    431 Talisman Drive, Gravenhurst

    Has a great pet section!

    Monday - Friday 8am - 7pm

    Sat: 8am - 6pm Sun: 9am - 6pm

    Pet Valu

    351 Talisman Drive #7, Gravenhurst

    Full service pet store with all needs, including a dog wash for $15!

    Monday - Friday 9am - 7pm

    Sat: 9am - 6pm Sun: 10am - 5pm

  • Aside from the DOG SUPPLY KIT, we also have a drawer in the kitchen hutch where we store extra dog-related items (bottom drawer). Here there are additional waste bags, dog food (dry and wet), bowls/dishes and other useful pet items. Additionally, for dogs that may not be the strongest swimmers, we also have three dog lifejackets located in the deck box on the back deck. They come in small, medium and large.

  • Sometimes you may wish to keep dogs enclosed within the deck area when they are not under direct supervision. There are retractable gates located around the deck area to help secure dogs when needed. Note that these are mesh gates and will not completely deter dogs from escaping but rather help set boundaries for trained pups.

  • We do not recommend letting your pet wander alone. Rattlesnakes inhabit the woods around Muskoka (and Muldrew) and pets are the most likely to be bit due to their curious nature and adventurist inklings. Keep your pet close when outside and monitor their wanderings. Our deck is designed with retractable gates to keep pets close to the cottage when not under direct supervision.

    SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A SNAKE BITE

    At the site of the bite:

    • Puncture wounds/faint fang marks or scratches that ooze reddish fluid.

    • Bleeding

    • Swelling for bruising

    • Extreme pain, limping or acting aggressively when the affected area is touched

    Systemic:

    • Sudden collapse followed by an apparent, temporary recovery. This is a telltale sign of potentially lethal envenomation.

    • Neurological Symptoms: Muscle tremors, shaking, dilated pupils, and in severe cases, complete paralysis or loss of bladder control.

    • Gastrointestinal Distress: Sudden, unexplained vomiting and diarrhea.

    • Shock & Circulation Issues: Pale or blue gums, rapid panting, and excessive drooling.

    • Organ Damage: Discoloured or bloody urine (brown/dark red)

  • What to Do Immediately

    • Limit your dog's movement: Carry your dog to the car if possible. Walking or running increases their heart rate, which causes the venom to spread through the bloodstream much faster.

    • Keep the bite low: Try to keep the bitten area level with or below the dog’s heart.

    • Remove the collar: If the bite is on the face or neck, immediately remove your dog's collar, as these areas will swell rapidly.

    • Keep yourself safe: Do not attempt to catch, kill, or handle the snake. If safe to do so, quickly snap a photo of the snake from a distance for identification, but do not waste time tracking it down.

    What NOT to Do

    • Do NOT apply a tourniquet or ice: Using a tourniquet or ice can concentrate the venom in one area and cause death.

    • Do NOT suck out the venom: This is ineffective and can introduce harmful bacteria into the wound or cause venom to enter your own bloodstream.

    • Do NOT wait for symptoms: Do not adopt a "wait and see" approach, even if you don't see puncture marks or if your dog seems fine. Swelling and other severe symptoms can take minutes to several hours to appear.

    • Do NOT give human medications: ONLY antivenin will work.