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…
“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…
This month’s topic is allergies. So many of our patients are affected that it was hard to select just one “case of the month.” The most common types we see here are atopy (inhalant allergies), food, and flea. The diagnosis can be difficult, especially since some patients have multiple reactions. Achooooo!!! An allergy occurs because…
The upcoming 4th of July holiday is one that most of us humans love, but it can be terrifying for most dogs and cats. The noise from fireworks can cause pets anxiety and fear, and many pets will bolt at the sound of the loud explosions. Below are some steps you can take to help…