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 disaster relief worldwide.” In October…
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 have a waistline when you look…
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 are certain acquired conditions and…
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 of stinky flea collars…
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 have such a perfect…
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 family can cause kidney failure…
By Dr. Kim Hsu, Bothell Pet Hospital It has been said that practicing medicine is an art. Doctors continuously make recommendations that affect the health and well-being of their patients both short and long-term. The latest technology, new research findings, and owners’ resources all factor in to our diagnostic and treatment plans. These can be…
Image by German photographer Elke Vogelsang It’s time for a pop quiz! What is the number one reason for vet visits? If you said ear infections, you’re right! According to Veterinary Pet Insurance, this was the number one reason for canine vet visits in 2015. It also made the top 10 for cats, at number…
Here at Bothell Pet Hospital, we have a passion for practicing good veterinary medicine and a true desire to advance our dental skills. Recently our technicians attended a dental seminar at the Animal Dental Training Center in Baltimore focused on oral health, assessment, radiology, and treatment. The seminar was taught by Dr. Ira Luskin, an…
Bad breath is not normal, and it is not just “something you have to put up” with if you have a pet. Bad breath is usually a sign of oral disease—approximately 70-80% of pets have signs of oral disease by age 3. From Plaque to Tartar to Periodontal Disease Plaque, a sticky “bio film” that…