While we all look forward to the holiday season, filled with family, friends and feasts, a few precautions can help ensure our pets are thankful too. Check out the following tips to ensure a Happy Thanksgiving for all: If you decide to feed your pet a little bit of turkey, make sure it is cooked…
If you’ve been in our office lately, you might have overheard us using the ‘F’ word… that dreaded four letter word that makes us all cringe: Flea! With autumn just around the corner, many people believe that flea season is just about over. Unfortunately, this is not the case. A warm spring or fall can extend the…
Hot Spots (known in the veterinary world as “Acute Moist Dermatitis”) are a common skin disorder in dogs. Hot spots can appear suddenly and become red, moist, irritated lesions in a very short period of time. The lesions are often raw looking and can be very painful. What causes hot spots in dogs? Hot spots…
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…
Did you know that poor dental health in your dog or cat can lead to more serious problems, including hidden infections, diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys, and even diabetes? It all starts when bacteria from food remains in the mouth, where it forms plaque on your dog or cat’s teeth. Minerals in their…
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…