Posts

What’s the deal with bloodwork for healthy senior pets? When an animal comes to the veterinary hospital for an illness, it’s a lot easier to understand why the doctor is recommending blood work, a urinalysis, a fecal sample, or x-rays.  Basically, something is wrong and we are looking for confirmation of what that is and…

Halloween is fun scary for us humans, but it can be SCARY scary for pets. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep your pet safe and relaxed in your Hillsboro home if you take a few simple precautions Costumes Make sure your pet is comfortable and can breathe freely. Pets should only wear costumes when you are…

In 2009 I had just moved to Oregon.  My husband and I had decided to add another dog to our family.  A cute little rat dog caught our eye at a local adoption event and we just had to have him! Luca Chiweenie quickly snuggled his way into our hearts and we had to find…

Everything you need to know about heartworm disease but never thought to ask! There is a common misconception that we don’t have heartworm disease here in Oregon. Unfortunately, this is not true, and we’ve seen a steady increase in heartworm diagnoses in Washinton and Multnomah counties in the last few years.  Heartworm is a serious…

Is your dog on heartworm preventative? Heartworm is a serious disease, but the good news? It’s completely and easily preventable! Myth #1 – We don’t have heartworm disease in Oregon! Fact – Oh, yes we do. Via the CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council) surveillance numbers based on veterinary diagnostic laboratory reporting, there were 40 positive cases of…

Himalayan cats and other short-nosed breeds of cats & dogs can have dental problems at a young age. Sweet Nicky is only 2 but had some serious dental issues due to his breed- short-nosed dog & cat breeds (think Himalayans, Persians, Pugs, and Boston Terriers, among others) have a smaller space for the same number of teeth as…

How do I know if my pet is having an emergency? What NEEDS to be seen NOW? What can wait until later today or tomorrow? As with a lot of veterinary medicine, what classifies as an emergency can be a gray area.  The list below is far from complete, but it outlines a few of the most…

“You want me to give my cat what?!?” I usually get a look of horror or anxiety whenever I tell an owner that they have to medicate their cat. You can assume at some point during your cat’s life, it will need to be medicated for either an illness or an injury.   A lot of…

Will a dental cleaning really make my pet feel better? My oldest cat Lula (aka my Princess!) has had some dental issues over the course of her 12 years with me.  While she doesn’t build up tartar very fast and her gums look great, she has a history of tooth resorption – a painful condition…

Not all of the changes in an older pet are normal age-related changes. Many can indicate a medical problem, and if diagnosed early, most are treatable. A particular symptom may not immediately indicate one specific problem, however, as most symptoms can be caused by several different maladies. Therefore, it is important to consult a veterinarian…