As many of you know, I have been volunteering with World Vets for the past several years. The organization operates in over 45 countries on 6 continents. Their mission is to “improve the health and well-being of animals by providing veterinary aid and training in developing countries and by providing...
Current studies estimate that over 50% of cats in the US are overweight or obese. In fact, obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in our pet population. Unfortunately, the problem often goes unrecognized by their caretakers. So is your cat overweight? Can you feel his ribs easily? Does he...
Fall is a great time for hiking in our beautiful Northwest wilderness, and many dogs enjoy hiking and backpacking along with their owners. Below are the ASPCA's expert tips to ensure your dog's safety as you explore the great outdoors: Pack a Leash With so many nooks and crannies to explore on...
We like to say around here at Bothell Pet Hospital that, "Old age is not a disease!" While we would never treat an animal based on its age alone, the reality is that the health of dogs and cats can change as they get older. Just like in people, there...
In our last blog post, we discussed fleas with a focus on identification, transmission, and associated illnesses. If you missed it, please refer to "Fleas 101" for July 2016. This month we will focus more closely on prevention and treatment. Thankfully flea treatments have come a long way from the days...
Ahhh, summer! What's better than a Western Washington summer, with our warm days and still enough moisture to keep our beautiful, lush greenery? We all love it, and so do our pets, but unfortunately, we have some unwelcome guests that love it too... Fleas! Fleas thrive in warm, moist weather. Since we...
By Naomi Keiper DVM One of the more common reasons for dogs to visit the veterinarian is itchy skin. Pruritus (itch) can be a frustrating condition for both owners and veterinarians due its many complex underlying causes and the challenges in achieving adequate control in some dogs. Every patient presenting for itch...
Anxiety and stress related problems are unfortunately quite common in dogs and cats. Thankfully, Bothell Pet Hospital has some solutions that might help you and your pet cope with this problem more effectively. Some of the common causes of stress may include: Insufficient socialization Inadequate training or care Loud noises such as fireworks...
Did You Know Xylitol Can Have Serious and Fatal Effects in Dogs? by Dr. Lesley Kovar Kaiya is a 2 year old Husky who, a couple of weeks ago, ate protein bars baked by her owner. Several hours later, she started vomiting and having diarrhea. Many of us have naughty pets that...
On one of our recent sunny days, Dr. Smith and her family were doing yard work when their kitty Splash decided to munch on the leaves of some daylily shoots that were coming up. Lily plants are highly toxic to cats: Easter lilies, daylilies, tiger lilies and other members of the Liliaceae...
