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…
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 is unique and…
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 get into things…
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…
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that occurs worldwide and is emerging as a more common diagnosis in the Puget Sound area. It is caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria Leptospira, of which there are several serovars (strains) of significance. There are 8 main serovars that cause disease in dogs; meanwhile cats can be infected but rarely…
Did you know that on a 73 degree day, the inside of a car can reach temperatures up to 100 degrees in just 15 minutes? Even when you are parked in the shade with the windows cracked, this can still happen. Pets left in vehicles can suffer heat stroke and death in a short period…
Photo of dogs enjoying Marymoor Park, courtesy of SODA (Save Our Dog Areas) Dog parks are designed to provide a place where dogs can run free off-leash and socialize with other dogs. We are fortunate to live in an area that has several off-leash parks for us to choose from. But are off-leash dog parks right…
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is not one particular problem, but rather, it describes a group of clinical symptoms that may have more than one possible cause. What are the symptoms of FLUTD? Clinical signs of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease include: Frequent urination or visits to the litterbox Bloody or cloudy urine Straining to…
Taking a little time for prevention during the holiday season can help keep our pets safe. Here are a few safety reminders to help prevent the unwanted emergency trip to the vet: Electrical cords and light strings can be appealing to our pets. Keep them secured and out of reach to avoid potentially lethal electrical shock, or…
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…