Dr. Rosalyn MacDonald

Je peux parler en français assez bien pour communiquer agus tha beagan Gàidhlig agam, for what it's worth🙂...

I'm a small animal vet in Hamilton, Ontario, but I grew up in and still consider Nova Scotia home. My first vet job was in Sydney, Cape Breton, in 2001, where I brought a few calves into the world, upped some downer cows, and passed unholy amounts of mineral oil through a tube to a colicky horse in the middle of the night.

I then decided, due to some chronic health issues, to leave "home" and head to Ontario so I might find work without on call hours, and this led to starting my second job as a vet in Ottawa in 2003 at a cat-only hospital, mentored by one of the best in the field. I stayed there several years, but ultimately I wanted to be closer to family, with one of my sisters having recently moved there with her young children. So, in 2014 I started at a dog and cat practice and have been an associate at that practice for 10 years. This is my 23rd year of practice!

I love animals, and I value the relationships I have with my clients and their pets greatly. Over the years I've been lucky enough to be trusted with a lot of precious creatures and keeping them feeling well. I've also realized, looking back, at the knowledge I've accumulated and, dare I say it in my 50th year of life, the wisdom I have gained. Of course I don't know everything, I am a human being with limitations, but I work hard to learn wherever I can.

I love talking to people that are engaged in their pets' well-being, and sharing some of the things I have learned gives me the satisfaction of knowing I am helping to improve the lives of pets and strengthening that beautiful human-animal bond.

I have 5 cats, Flora is the baby at 3 (in profile pic), Fergus is my prince, the only boy at 7 years, Poppy and Cider are probably about 9 (rescued together as adults, a bonded pair that were basically feral), and Roxy is somewhere in the neighborhood of 15, also unsure of her birthday as she was surrendered to me at work many years ago and person didn't know anything about her.

In terms of practice style, If I am recommending something for your pet, it is because I truly believe and have a basis in fact to know it will be more benefit than risk. I don't like medicating pets unless it can't be avoided, and I recognize the struggles of pet people to provide the best life they can for their companions in every way. I'm honoured to be even a little help where I can 😻