Torn Crainial Cruciate Ligaments

Like us, your dogs are likely more active during the summer; playing ball, hiking, swimming, catching frisbees.  All of these fun activities can put your dog at a greater risk of tearing her/his cranial cruciate ligament.  (In humans it is equivalent to our anterior cruciate ligament - a very common injury on the Sunday football field.)  The crainal cruciate ligament (CCL) stabilizes the femur to the tibia in the stifle (knee) joint.  A dog who tears this ligament is [...]

Grain-free Diets

Be aware - this is the time of year for toxic algae blooms

What you need to know before you head to the lake for a swim with your dog:

This is the time of year where the warmer temperatures and nitrogen rich stagnant waters are the perfect ingredients for a toxic algae bloom cocktail.

Harmful algae blooms are caused by the perfect storm of warm, slow moving water and nutrient pollution. Most of Oregon's mountain reservoirs have all three ingredients.  Because the high Cascades are rich in phosphorous, human activities such as logging and forest fires cause erosion and these nutrients end up washed into our rivers.  Nitrogen based fertilizers used on agricultural lands also end up in our waterways.  These conditions feed recurring algae blooms.

Lake Billy Chinook is a prime example of a heavily used recreational body of water that is plagued each summer with toxic algae blooms.  This is a man-made reservoir that is popular for water sports, with poor circulation and warm temperatures. If you or your pet ingest the water you could become ill.

The Oregon Health Authority reports, "Over the past 12 summers, Oregon Health Authority has issued 14 advisories for algae blooms in Central Oregon, spanning five lakes and reservoirs in the region. With increasing summer temperatures and warming rivers, more blooms are likely to occur."  So check the website for current cyanobacteria (blue-green) advisories: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RECREATION/HARMFULALGAEBLOOMS/Pages/Blue-GreenAlgaeAdvisories.aspx

 

What is a Designer Breed?

It's all about the genetics.  Let's look at what makes a "Designer Breed".

Zoonotic Diseases

What is a zoonotic disease and should you be concerned?

Pet Insurance. How Does It Work?

If you are considering a pet health insurance policy for your pet, then take the time to carefully research and compare your options.  There are a vast number of companies out there that offer pet insurance and a menagerie of coverage.  As with human health care plans, it can be a bit confusing.

Have you considered cooking at home for your pet?

The vast majority of us buy commercially prepared diets for our dogs and cats.  However, pet owner surveys tell us that handing table scraps to our dogs is common.  So if you are sneeking morsels off the table to Fido then you are giving him food that is not formulated for a dog's digestive tract or his nutritional needs.

Is It Time To Say Goodbye?

Is it time to say goodbye?  Euthanasia, when the time is right, will most likely be the most difficult decision you will make during your pet's lifetime.  We have such an emotional commitment with our beloved pets that making the decision to end their life can be excruciating.  Sometimes the time for euthanasia is clear and there is no doubt you need to end their suffering.  Sometimes your pet's comfort wanes and waxes and the timing is not so clear.  We can help you [...]

The Dangers of De-Icers

What exactly are in those chemical de-icers?  Are they safe for my pet? 

National Pet Dental Health Month

Is pet dentistry really all that important to my pet’s health or is my vet exaggerating the need?