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FREE!!
Frontline
Flea and Tick
Preventative |  | |
2 free doses of Frontline with six-pack purchase |
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Pet Spotlight |
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Sketchy Kitty |
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Greetings!
Welcome to Spring and hopefully the start of a sun-filled summer! We have many exciting topics in this month's issue of the Wet Nose News. Please take a quick minute to read the articles and let us know if you have any questions or comments. With the sun comes fleas, so now more than ever we need to remember to give our pets their flea, tick and internal parasite preventatives. We are offering two months of Frontline Flea and Tick Preventative FREE with the purchase of a six-pack. Making sure our pets have proper identification, especially as they spend more time outdoors, is one way to ensure they will make it home every night. Microchipping is an inexpensive way to identify your dog or cat, even if they won't wear a collar. The microchip can be placed under the skin (no anesthesia required) during most routine examinations. If you are interested in flea and tick preventative or microchiping, please give us a call. Enjoy the sun! Scott Shuler, DVM Bio Carrie Fleming, DVM, MPH Bio Kim Maun, DVM Bio Nick Gowing, DVM Bio Colleen Flaherty, DVM Bio |
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National Hug Your Cat Day
May 30th is National Hug Your Cat Day. And here we thought every day was hug your cat day!
This month, when you give your cat that extra special squeeze, take the time to ask yourself, "Is my special squeeze getting a bit too squishy around the waistline?" If you answer "Yes" you're not alone.
Obesity is one of the leading health problems affecting adult cats. Obesity predisposes our feline friends to a multitude of problems including diabetes, respiratory disease, cardiac disease, hepatic lipidosis, arthritis pain and decreased longevity. It is a serious problem.
How do you know if your cat is at risk? Begin by asking yourself a few easy questions. Can I feel his/her ribs? A healthy cat should have ribs that are easy to feel. Does he/she have a visible waistline? Take a birds' eye view of your cat as he/she is standing and you should be able to detect a nice "tuck" at the waist. If you are unsure or if you think your cat is overweight, it is time to ask for help.
How do we get our overweight cats to shed the pounds? Unfortunately, there is not one simple solution. There are numerous strategies we might recommend depending on your cat's energy requirement, lifestyle, medical condition, tactics for demanding food, etc.
Take home tip: For starters, try to get a handle on how much food your cat eats each day. Use a measuring cup so there is no room for guessing.
The road to weight loss is not always easy, but it sure is easier than treating the consequences of obesity.
PS. For those of you without cats, June just so happens to be National Adopt a Cat Month!
Colleen Flaherty, DVM Bio |
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Introducing our Amazing Client Care Coordinators!
 | | Arielle (with Pippy), Katie (with Buffalo), Terri (with Sketchy) and Kimberly (with Copper) |
They've answered your calls, helped you through some tough moments, and worked with you to find solutions. They keep their cool, and handle the front line with grace and competence. But how much do you really know about our Client Care Coordinators? Learn more about us
Not surprisingly, what drew each of the four women behind the front desk is deep commitment and passion for veterinary medicine and the care for creatures great and small. However, did you know that Kimberly is studying American Sign Language and has helped translate for a Deaf client? Or that Arielle started out at a no-kill cat sanctuary in Olympia, Washington, which set her on a path to working at Northwest Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital (NWNVH)?
The Client Care Coordinators are a vital part of our team - good communications, teamwork and collaboration are vital for running a smooth hospital. Each comes to NWNVH with a unique background and set of experiences and passions. Katie, a native Oregonian, is finishing her studies in animal sciences and fisheries and wildlife at Oregon State, with an emphasis on animal behavior and conservation. Her heart is in humane education and rehabilitating abused pets; in her spare time, she looks after her menagerie of three dogs - the most recent a rescued bloodhound mix - and one cat. She is never happier than when playing with her family.
Arielle lives in the Northwest neighborhood and loves seeing clients out and about in the community. She started out at a large veterinary hospital as a doctor's assistant, before moving to Portland and joining us. She is a big fan of "little white dogs" and has two dogs and cats of her own. Kimberly got involved with veterinary medicine back in high school, through an internship with a veterinary practice. She also has years of customer service experience, and enjoys bringing these elements together in her work at the clinic. Terri, also a native Oregonian, currently lives in Troutdale, where she loves the nature, rural environment, and exploring the gorge, Columbia River and abundance of waterfalls. She has two grown twin daughters, and appreciates the respect for the doctors and the medicine at the NWNVH. She values working with the team and the clients to respond to whatever situations come through the door.
We appreciate their grace under pressure and commitment to our animal family members!
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Pet Spotlight: Sketchy Kitty
We have our own resident clinic cat. If you happened to walk behind the scenes, you may spot an older gray lady napping on the back counter in her basket, under the microscope cover. Because she is prone to matting, she may be sporting a particularly striking lion cut.
Sketchy came into Dr. Shuler's life when he was in veterinary school, and lived with Dr. Shuler and Dr. Fleming until she chose hanging out with other animals over living with a toddler. She was relocated to the clinic and has never looked back.
An older lady, Sketchy has different sized pupils due to an inner ear condition, and has a very high-pitched scream in place of a typical meow. She's developed arthritis and takes medications, but otherwise she's holding her own. She's a spirited creature and - like a true Portlander - loves her food. She has been known to crawl into open bags of cat or dog food, and has a penchant for "Cheese It" crackers - along with sunbeams, large dogs, and screaming at the top of her lungs to anyone who will listen.
We love her very much. She is at times our clinic counselor; and in exchange, she has a handcrafted sweater, a hair stylist, and several personal assistants at her beck and call. She tolerates a great deal, except for anything that is not her idea.
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National Dog Bite Prevention,
May 15-21, 2011
Did you know an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year in this country? Children, in particular boys between the ages of 5 and 9 years, are far more likely to be bitten. Always remember any dog has the potential to bite and most people are bitten by their own dog or a dog they know. Certain dog breeds have the potential to cause more harm, but no breed has been proven to be more likely to bite. Even though dogs have become part of our family, we must still remember that they are dogs and may react with unexpected aggression.
May 15-21, 2011, is National Dog Bite Prevention Week so as dog owners and members of our community, it is important to understand the things we can do to prevent dog bites. The American Veterinary Medical Association has compiled tools to help protect us and our families from dog bites.
What's a dog owner to do?
- Carefully select your pet. If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, please set up a time to meet with one of our veterinarians. Our doctors are the best source of information about behavior, health and suitability.
- Make sure your dog or puppy is socialized by exposing him or her to a variety of situations.
- Take the time to train your dog or puppy. Basic commands can help establish a bond of obedience and trust with your dog.
- Keep your dog healthy and pain-free. Dogs that are hurting or uncomfortable may behave differently or out of character.
- Spay or neuter your dog. Intact male dogs are more likely to bite than unneuter dogs.
- Be a responsible pet owner. Keep your dog on a leash unless in an approved off-leash area. Maintain control of your dog, especially in stressful or unfamiliar situation.
Ways to prevent a bite or stop a dog attack
- Don't run past a dog. Dogs naturally want to chase.
- Never disturb a dog while it is eating, sleeping or protecting a toy.
- Always be cautious around a strange dog regardless of its size or breed. If approached by a dog, stay still; allow them to sniff.
- If you are threatened, remain calm. Don't run or scream. Try to move away from the dog slowly.
- Never leave a baby or child alone with a dog, even the family dog
Dogs are wonderful animals and companions. By acting responsibly, we not only reduce dog bite injuries, but also enhance the relationship we have with our dogs.
Carrie Fleming, DVM, MPH Bio |
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