When Spring arrives, many of us are anxious to get outdoors and and start working hard to clean up our yards, plant gardens and create a beautiful landscape for the warmer months ahead. By being aware of potential hazards in the outdoors we can keep our pets safe from accidental poisonings and help avoid the…
Now that we’re starting to see “sun breaks” here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re starting to think about all of the places we’d like to travel… Although traveling is not ideal for all pets (some dogs and cats would much prefer you bring them a souvenir instead), planning ahead can save you lots of stress and…
Obesity in pets can lead to a variety of health problems including diabetes mellitus, joint problems and a decreased life span. Recent estimates in the United States show a rising number of overweight dogs and cats each year. Generally, if your pet is at an ideal weight, you should be able to easily feel their ribs with…
by Lesley Kovar, DVM A few weeks ago, I traveled to San Andres Island (politically part of Columbia, but geographically off the coast of Nicaragua) as a member of a World Vets team—a non-profit organization that provides free veterinary care to communities in undeveloped countries. Last fall was my first experience with this wonderful program,…
Ear infections in dogs are most often due to bacteria or yeast in the ear canal. This can be triggered by a number of things, including ear mites, hair growth in the ear canal, a foreign body, trapped water, allergies, hypothyroidism—even frequent swimming or bathing can lead to infection. Once an irritation occurs, the dog’s natural…
Arthritis is a medical term used for any chronic condition that causes damage to the cartilage or joints. Although cats can be affected, arthritis is most commonly found in dogs—both young and old. Arthritis typically appears in the stifle (knee), hip, elbow, shoulder, carpus (wrist), or hock (ankle); it can also occur in the spine. Most cases…
The mere mention of “cancer” often conjures thoughts of angst, fear, and grief. Unfortunately, at Bothell Pet Hospital, as in most veterinary clinics, we deal with cancer on a daily basis. It seems as though everyone knows someone who is fighting cancer, if not themselves; and it is no different in our dog and cat…
Fall is a great time for hiking in our beautiful Northwest wilderness. Many dogs enjoy hiking and backpacking along with their owners… including Dr. Kovar’s own Shane, pictured here. Here 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…
“Neurologic disease” refers to disease affecting the nervous system, which is comprised of the brain, spinal cord and nerves throughout the body. Very similar to ours, a dog or cat’s nervous system can be affected by numerous disease processes. These processes can be traumatic, inflammatory or infectious, degenerative, neoplastic and sometimes idiopathic—meaning we do not…
We would like to dedicate this blog post to our long time technician Rachel and her beloved dog, Brody. Brody was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, which is heartbreaking to us all. Rachel is letting Brody live every day he has left to the fullest, and we are all celebrating the phenomenal life…