With respect to pets, though two dogs in Hong Kong have tested positive, none in the US have tested positive to date…
With respect to pets, though two dogs in Hong Kong have tested positive, none in the US have tested positive to date…
Since 1971, Seattle Veterinary Associates has been focused on making life better for people and their pets. Our community is undergoing some dynamic challenges with respect to the recent COVID – 19 outbreak and we want to assure you that we are doing everything within our power to ensure that our clients, patients and employees stay safe and healthy. As a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, we already have cleaning protocols in place that mitigate viral transmission to our patients . These same protocols and products are reported to be effective against COVID 19 and we are also following enhanced cleaning guidelines outlined by the CDC, WHO and our local health dept. The following are some action items that have been taken with respect to your safety as well as the safety of our SVA family: 1.All public and treatment areas are being sanitized multiple times daily using proper protocol 2. Starting Tuesday, 3/17/20 we will be discontinuing all preventative/wellness care visits, surgeries and dental procedures and focusing on emergent cases where animals are sick or injured. We will also be instituting a drop off policy to minimize your exposure and that of our staff. Staff members will […]
We understand the concern that Coronavirus has brought to the area and we want to make you aware of the steps we are taking to protect our valued patients, clients and staff. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no animals in the United States have been identified with the virus, and there is no evidence that dogs or other pets can spread COVID-19. However, we advise that contact between pets and sick people be avoided or limited whenever possible. We recommend you refer to the American Veterinary Medical Association for the most up-to-date veterinary-reviewed information about COVID-19 and pets. Employees and pet owners who have symptoms of respiratory illness (cough, sneezing, shortness of breath, fever) are asked to stay home and not come to the hospital until they are free of fever (100.4 F [37.8 C] or greater) or associated symptoms for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medication. If you are experiencing these symptoms above, and your pet has a scheduled appointment, please reach out to us to reschedule your appointment. We ask all employees and pet owners to follow the CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of disease: wash their hands […]
The recognition keeps coming! We’re so proud to announce another of our veterinary clinics has been recognized as one of the top 20 veterinary clinics in all of Seattle. With the amount of competition, this is no easy task. Chosen be expertise.com –because of our reputation, credibility, experience, availability, and professionalism Queen Anne Animal Clinic comes out on top!
By Michael Balas, DVM Our veterinary practice prides itself on our commitment to fear free visits for your pets, and many of our staff members have undergone special training to make the hospital a more relaxing environment for our patients. There are multiple non-pharmaceutical techniques we utilize to help make your pet’s visit to the hospital a happier experience. Occasionally however, some pets will become so stressed they can become a danger to themselves or others and your veterinarian might recommend an anti-anxiety medication prior to visits. This does not mean your pet is being naughty or cannot be managed. It means that we have noticed your pet has a level of stress that we can potentially help with. There are a variety of pharmaceutical options that can be used to help with hospital- based anxiety. Two of the most commonly used medications in veterinary medicine are trazodone for dogs and gabapentin for cats. Trazodone helps increase serotonin levels within the brain which reduces anxiety. Given a few hours prior to an exam, it can lessen fear-based behaviors such as reacting to being approached or examined, cowering, and barking. It also aids in treatments such as blood draws and vaccinations, […]
By Catherine Gamber, DVM You likely know someone who has had, or perhaps yourself have had, a surgical procedure performed with laparoscopy and had a quick recovery afterwards. Laparoscopic surgical techniques are now being used in the veterinary field with similar benefits. A great example of this is a laparoscopic ovariectomy. Laparoscopic ovariectomy is a minimally invasive approach to spaying dogs. Two small incisions (approximately 5-10mm long) are made along the dog’s abdominal midline. One incision is used to pass the videoscope into the abdomen, while the other is for the surgical instruments. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to aid in viewing of the abdominal organs and blood vessels. A special device is used to seal the blood vessels and tissue around the ovaries so that they can then be removed. The incisions are then sutured closed. Spaying your dog laparoscopically holds many benefits compared to the traditional procedure. Visibility is improved with the videoscope, which can magnify and provide enhanced lighting. Compared to a traditional spay, where tissues connecting the ovaries to the body wall are blindly torn, the videoscope allows a direct view of the ovaries so that these ligaments are not torn. This, in conjunction […]
It’s with great pride and joy that we announce that Green Lake Animal Hospital was voted “Best Veterinary Clinic” in Seattle Magazine’s 2019 reader’s choice poll! We’re so excited to have this honor, knowing how many veterinary clinics there are in Seattle. The competition is steep! Thank you to all those who voted! We’re so appreciative!
In Seattle, we’re fortunate to rarely suffer the treacherous winter conditions routinely seen in other parts of the country. Despite our relatively mild weather, winter can still cause problems for our furry friends either because of the cold itself or because of measures we take to deal with the cold, wet days. Here are some things to look out for to keep our pets safe this winter. Several concerns arise with respect to warming up the insides of our homes. Carbon monoxide detectors are crucial to warn you if your fuel-burning appliances are leaking the fatal gas into your home. Space heaters should be used with caution in locations frequented by your pet. Pets can knock over these heaters resulting in fires. A pet sleeping too close to a heater for too long can burn itself, too. Heating your home can reduce the humidity of your home which can worsen a pet’s skin or respiratory issues. Humidifiers can be helpful to keep your pet comfortable. During walks with your dog in the snowy pass, consider lubricating their paw pads, the skin, and the fur between the pads with petroleum jelly or musher’s wax. These can protect their tootsies against the cold, […]
Making appropriate nutrition choices for your new puppy or kitten is an essential part of ensuring normal development and optimal health. However, with so many food options now available it can be difficult to know if you are making the right decision for your pet. So what do you need to know about your growing puppy or kitten in order to feed them appropriately? Here is a quick guide. Puppies should be fed a diet meant for growth because unlike adult dogs they are sensitive to calcium and phosphorus levels; too much or too little can result in abnormalities of bone growth, which may not show signs until adulthood. High fat diets should be avoided in large and giant breed puppies to reduce the risk of too rapid of growth which can also contribute to bone issues. Unlike dogs, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they subsist on mainly animal tissues to provide nutrients their own bodies cannot create such as arginine, taurine, and vitamin B3. They have higher protein requirements compared to dogs as well. Kittens need 50 percent more protein than puppies do and adult cats need twice the protein compared to adult dogs. These special needs are the […]
Another summer is starting to wind down, and here comes autumn in all its golden larch glory. These are great months for longer hikes – water is more plentiful, the temperatures are a little cooler and the trails are a bit more open. With summer hiking well behind us, you’ve probably already composed your dog hiking pack. You’ve packed extra potable water, extra dog food for the strenuous hikes and ensured you have bandaging material in case of paw pad tears. You may even have tied a bear-bell to your dog’s collar (a great way to ensure they don’t sneak up on and surprise a foraging bear). You likely know all about our giardia contaminated water. But as you relax by the river and enjoy watching our migrating salmon leap, you may not be aware of the danger these beautiful fish can harbor. Dogs that eat raw or undercooked salmon can become infected with a parasitic worm called Nanophyetus salamicola. This worm can also infect non-salmonid fish and even salamanders! The end result is a condition called salmon poisoning. This disease is rare, but when seen is specific to the Pacific NW, and the Cascade Mountains. This is […]