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December 16, 2010
Winterizing Your Pets
Winter has finally arrived in Denver! Some of us are elated to be preparing for skiing, snowboarding and ice skating, while others are snuggling in for a long winter nap. Our pets are similar to us, some love winter weather and others would rather stay inside. Here are a few tips to keep pets safe and healthy during the colder season.
If the temperature is too cold for you, your pets will be cold too. Keep pets inside as much as possible. If your pet lives outside, be sure to provide shelter from the snow and wind. Shelters may need extra insulation such as blankets inside or a tarp on top to keep your pet warm. Some dogs, such as Husky, Malamute or Saint Bernard, love cold weather and are well insulated on their own. Some small, short-coated breeds such as Dachshund, Beagle or Chihuahua, may need an extra protection like a coat or sweater to make them more comfortable in cold weather. Be sure that coats and sweaters fit well. If your dog goes with you for winter sports, watch for signs of hypothermia such as shaking, burrowing in the snow, slow movements or disorientation.
Cats that live outside will often curl up inside the car hood to keep warm. Remember to bang on the hood or honk the horn before you turn the key if your cat or wildlife may be sheltering there. Cats will need a box or house to shelter in even on a covered porch or inside your garage. Remember to remove ice from water bowls that are outside.
Pocket pets and reptiles will also need extra warmth in the winter. An additional light source or a move to a warmer room for winter will keep these pets from trying to hibernate during the winter months. Birds also need to have added warmth from a light source or be placed in a warm room. A heavier cage cover at night and avoiding drafts are helpful to keep your bird healthy and happy.
Be sure to keep your pet away from ice/snow melt products, antifreeze and windshield fluid. These products can cause serious health problems in your pets. Use a warm, wet washcloth to clean your pets feet when your pet comes indoors from outside. Washing will prevent your pet from licking product off its feet and melt ice from between toes and keep slush off your floors. Antifreeze will cause kidney failure if ingested. Antifreeze taste sweet and animals will drink it readily. Be sure to clean up any spills in your driveway or garage. If your pet ingests antifreeze, it is a medical emergency. The sooner a pet is treated for antifreeze ingestion, the better its chances for survival.
As you prepare for the season of winter sports and happy holidays, keep your companions warm and dry to insure they will continue to celebrate all seasons with you for years to come.
December 14, 2010
Holiday Safety Tips
Holiday foods we enjoy can be a problem for your pet. Alcoholic beverages, fatty food scraps and bones can be harmful or toxic. Keep your pet on his regular diet and caution visitors against giving your pet "special treats." The artificial sweetener xylitol, which is present in some chewing gum, breath mints, candy, can be very toxic to dogs.
Those decorations may look nice, but ribbons, yarn, tinsel, and string can cause intestinal obstruction and bunching of the intestine along the length of the string. These conditions require expensive surgery and can often be fatal. Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock. If you will be decorating a live tree this year, remember to cover your tree stand with a tree skirt to prevent you pet from drinking the water in the base. The liquid and various additives can make your pet sick.
WPVC wishes your family a Happy and Safe Holiday Season! For more information, please visit our Pet Library or give us a call.
October 13, 2010
Recall issued of certain Blue Buffalo dog foods. By: Jennifer Fiala
The makers of Blue Buffalo pet foods are recalling certain lots of the companys Wilderness Chicken-Dog, Basics Salmon-Dog and Large Breed Adult Dog products due to fears that the food may contain higher levels of vitamin D than are specified.
Product involved: 4.5-, 11- and 24-pound bags of Blue Wilderness Chicken dry dog food with best-if-used-by dates of JUL1211B, JUL1311B, JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z and JUL2811Z;
In a news release issued on Friday to the Associated Press, Blue Buffalos Richard MacLean, vice president of business affairs, instructs owners with dogs that show signs of lethargy or exhibit unusually frequent water consumption or urination to immediately contact a veterinarian.
In all cases the symptoms have subsided upon discontinuing feeding these products with no apparent long-term health consequences,the release states.
Consumers who have incurred expenses for veterinary services and/or laboratory testing fees related to the recalled products can call the Blue Buffalo customer service department at (877) 523-9114 for reimbursement.
October 12, 2010
Howl-0-Ween Festival. The Doctors and Staff at Washington Park Veterinary Clinic invite you to join us at the diagonal at Washington Park on Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 11am. to 4pm. for the first annual Howl-O-Ween Festival.
Here are some of the festivities that will take place: Silent auction, trick or treating (for your furry friends), doggie costume contest, vendors with lots of goodies, games for your furry and non furry kids, adoptable dogs, and much more! The proceeds will go to local animal rescue groups.
WPVC will have a booth at the festival, this would be a great time to meet with the Doctors and staff. We look forward to meeting you and your furry friends.
September 28, 2010
Halloween Tips for Your Pets The Doctors and Staff at Washington Park Veterinary Clinic wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season! Halloween begins the festivities and New Years Day ends the season. We send out the following tips to help you keep your pets safe this season and throughout the year.
Explain to everyone in your home (including kids) how dangerous treats are to pets. Keep dogs out of the candy bowl. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause nerve damage and even death in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more concentrated it is, the less it takes to cause problems in your pet. If you notice these symptoms of chocolate poisoning, contact us immediately or call your emergency vet right away because your pets life may be in danger:
Excessive drooling or urination, pupil dilation, rapid heartbeat, vomiting and diarrhea, hyperactivity, muscle tremors and seizures. Candies or gum containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs and cats. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur. Please call us or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you have questions about possible toxicity. Remember that popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are swallowed. Corn cobs are common foreign objects retrieved surgically from intestines any time year.
Make sure costumes arent annoying or unsafe for your pet. It should not constrict the animals movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au natural or donning a festive bandana. Take a close look at your pets costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet leading to injury. Halloween can be a frightening time for family pets. Walk your dog before trick-or-treaters start their visits. Keep a firm grip on the leash many dogs are frightened by people in costumes. Many dogs will run after trick-or-treaters. If your dog has nay aggressive tendencies, fear of loud noises or a habit of excessive barking, place him in a quiet room as far away from your front door as possible at least a half-hour before trick-or-treaters arrive. All but the most social dogs and cats be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
Find a secure place in your home to keep your dogs, especially if youre giving out candy to trick-or-treaters. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesnt dart outside. Many pets get loose when the door opens, and the presence of little (and big) costumed people often scares animals, increasing the chance dogs will run away or get hit by cars. Place a dog gate in front of your front door to block access in case someone accidentally lets your pet out of the place where hes confined. If you want to have your dog near the door to greet visitors, keep him on leash. Keep all cats indoors. Make sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date I.D. tag. Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.
Pets can become very stressed by holiday activities and unwelcome interruptions in routine. Contact us if your pet is lost, sick, or if you have questions or concerns about coping with the holiday season.
June 24, 2010
What can you do with your Pet Portal? View pet information, receive vaccination and appointment reminders, receive important medical alerts and clinic news, order prescription and food refills, post photos of your pets, create and print instructions for pet sitters, access reliable information on a wide range of pet health topics, print proof of vaccination for boarding, ask questions or communicate your concerns via Pet Mail, an easy to use messaging system monitored by our staff Monday - Friday, request appointments, and much more.
How do you get a Pet Portal? Call or visit our clinic and give the receptionist your email address, then visit our web page and click on the Pet Portal link on left side of the page. From there, you can set up your Pet Portal account and we will email you a password. Its that simple.
May 18, 2010
In celebration of the new Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps, the Postal Service, together with Ellen DeGeneres and Halo: Purely for Pets, is giving shelter pets around the country a First-Class Meal. During the launch of the stamps, Halo will be donating a million meals to animal shelters around the country.
We want more Americans to know about the millions of shelter pets that need good homes. Nearly half of the animals that enter animal shelters are euthanized. Many of these cats and dogs would have made a wonderful pet...if only given the chance. You can make a difference. Adopt a pet, volunteer at a shelter, or just get the word out by buying these stamps.
This campaign continues the Postal Service's 50+ year tradition of raising awareness of serious social issues with special commemorative stamps. The 44-cent stamps feature photos of five cats and five dogs who were all adopted from shelters. Stamps To The Rescue
March 30, 2010
Early Detection Program at WPVC
Did you know?
If detected early, 75% of common diseases in dogs and 63% of common diseases in cats can be prevented by dietary modifications alone over a one year period?
Kidney disease is one of the major causes of illness and death in dogs and cats, but symptoms do not usually appear until 2/3 of kidney function has been lost? If caught early, the animal can live with this condition for many years.
If a liver problem is detected at an early stage of the disease and is administered proper treatment, the chance of your pets recovery is in your favor.
Early detection of diabetes is extremely important because an early therapy regimen can be more effective and easier on the animal. Detecting and monitoring diabetes early can also prevent damage to other organs.
March 25, 2010
 With warmer weather upon us, heartworm season is here. Wherever mosquitoes are found, dogs and cats are at risk of picking up heartworms and should be on a heartworm control program. As with most diseases, heartworms are much easier to prevent than to treat.
At WPVC, we carry Heartgard Plus. It is safe and effective at preventing heartworms, and will also eliminate pre-existing populations of roundworms and hookworms as well as reduce the incidence of re-infection by these parasites. We recommend Heartgard Plus be used year round to prevent parasite problems. If your dog is a collie or other herding breed, please check with your veterinarian before starting any heartworm preventative.
Before giving any preventive medication, a quick and simple blood test will be done to determine if your pet is already infected. Pets that have consistently been on a preventative program should be rechecked every year. If a pet is found to have heartworms, treatment to eliminate the worms is available, but it is very difficult and can be quite harsh.
We carry Revolution for cats. Cats can be hosts for heartworms as well. Any outside cat should be protected from heartworms, fleas, and other parasites with Revolution.
Now is the time to begin heartworm prevention. Please call to set up a pre-screen Heartworm test.
March 23, 2010
Be prepared for Flea & Tick season. Fleas and ticks can bring diseases into your home. The season begins when the temperature rises above freezing, which can occur all year long in Colorado.
We do have fleas in Colorado! Because of the dry climate; we may not have the same degree of flea infestations as our neighboring states, but in only takes one flea to begin an infestation of your home. Ticks are a concern for every Colorado pet owner. Many of us are very active with our pets, taking them hiking, biking & camping. The bite of a tick or flea is irritating and may cause an allergic reaction. Ticks can carry and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Erlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
The best time to apply topical flea and tick control is before these pests become a problem. At WPVC, we carry Frontline Plus. Frontline Plus kills fleas and ticks on your dog or cat and prevents re-infestation. Be sure to purchase the appropriate size for your pet and apply according to the directions. Remember, cats are not small dogs. Do not interchange cat and dog products.
March 23, 2010
Vaccination against Giardia is no longer available at WPVC. The vaccine has been discontinued and will not be re-introduced by another manufacturer.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite found in many Colorado lakes, streams and ponds. Animals at risk of acquiring Giardia are: outdoor dogs and cats that swim or drink from a contaminated water source.
Symptoms begin with diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. Giardiasis is diagnosed by performing a microscopic examination on a small amount of fresh stool. Giardiasis is treatable. If you have questions regarding Giardia and Treatment please give us a call or visit the Pet Library at our website.
March 10, 2010
February, 2010
February 1, 2010 8:53 a.m. EST http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/01/pet.teeth.care/index.html
January, 2010
As many of you are aware, Dr. Dawn Metzger sold Washington Park Veterinary Clinic to Dr. Karen Jones-Diller in August 2008. Dr. Dawn has been planning her retirement since the sale. She has been gradually reducing her days at the clinic, and is now retiring as of February 20, 2010. This is an exciting new phase of her life. While we are sad to see her go, we look forward to hearing of her new adventures. Please plan to attend an open house retirement party for Dr. Dawn on Saturday February 27, 2010 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Hors doeuvers and beverages will be served. If you cannot attend, please send any correspondence to Washington Park Veterinary Clinic and we will forward it to Dr. Dawn. On another sad note, our technician, Renee Haynes will be moving to Utah to care for her brother and his family. We are sad to lose her, but recognize her need to be with her family.
January, 2010
Canine Influenza is similar to flu in humans. Fever, cough, runny nose and lethargy are common symptoms. Dogs at highest risk for flu are dogs that go to daycare routinely, board or go to dog shows or agility trials frequently. Recent media attention is focused on the new Canine Influenza vaccine. WPVC along with AAHA & AVMA consider this vaccine a non-core vaccine. This means that not all dogs need this vaccine. The vaccine may reduce the risks associated with influenza, but may not stop your dog from getting the flu altogether. Some boarding kennels are requiring this vaccine in order to have dogs stay in their facilities. Please visit our website or call us for more information on whether your dog should have the influenza vaccine. If your kennel requires the vaccine, please contact us for an appointment.
January, 2010
Swine flu (H1N1) has been contracted by a few cats, ferrets and dogs in the United States and Colorado. If anyone in your household has the swine flu, treat your pets as you would any unaffected person in your household. Isolate your pets from the sick person in your household. Keep your clothing and hands clean when petting, feeding or watering animals. Wash your pets bedding and dishes frequently. If your pets exhibit flu symptoms, please call us to schedule an appointment.
January, 2010
Vetsulin PZI Insulin recall. Vetsulin may cause unregulated blood glucose and hypoglycemia in some pets. Production of Vetsulin has slowed while the company investigates the problem. The manufacture of Vetsulin may be discontinued. We have a number of patients that have been using Vetsulin for some time. We are transitioning cats to a new PZI insulin or to Lantus (Glargine insulin). There is no new PZI product labeled for use in dogs, so we are transitioning to NPH insulin, which is a human product. If you have questions regarding Vetsulin or transitioning your pet to another insulin product, please call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jones or Dr. Lin.
January, 2010
Early Detection Labwork packages are being offered in 2010. Antech Laboratory is bundling many of the laboratory procedures that we have always recommended such as complete blood counts, chemistry profiles, heartworm blood test and fecal parasite screens. These packages are offered at special pricing to benefit your pets. Please ask any staff member or veterinarian to explain which package is best for your pet.
December, 2009
Saturday office hours are here..!
At WPVC, we understand just how hectic and busy your week can be. With work, traffic, school, children & family, it is often difficult for many of us to find or make the time to bring in our beloved companions for the care they deserve. In our effort to make life a little bit easier for you, WPVC will be re-opening its doors for Saturday appointments. We are now open for Saturday appointment from 8am. To 12pm. These will fill up fast, so book your appointment soon. |
Washington Park Veterinary Clinic
Washington Park Veterinary Clinic
393 S. Pearl St.
Denver, CO 80209
(303) 871-8050
With the Holiday season around the corner, WPVC would like to point out these common-sense cautions that will help keep your pets safe this time of year. We want the holidays to be a happy time for you and your pet, not a time for an emergency visit to your veterinarian. 
Forget the Mistletoe & Holly. Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems, and many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.
Ingesting tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage. Take young childrens candy supply and put it somewhere out of reach of pets. Caution children about leaving candy wrappers on the floor. Dispose of candy wrappers before your pets get to them, since the wrappers can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. Make sure the dogs can't get into the trash. When walking dogs during or after Halloween, watch carefully for what they might pick up and choke on. Bits of candy and wrappers abound on sidewalks and streets after holidays. 
Manage your pets health online with Pet Portals. Pet Portals are secure, private pet health websites that give you direct access to manage your pets health 24/7. We are happy to offer pet portals free of charge to all clients who have an active email address.
Your pet cant talk and often shows no sign when something is wrong. So how do you know? Early Detection is not one test, a series of tests or just one visit. Its a new way of caring for your pet, just like human medicine allows us to care for ourselves. Medical advancements enable your doctor to diagnose potential diseases before they become a serious issue including heartworm, thyroid disease and intestinal parasites. With current medical testing and technology, you can protect your pets like never before. By following our simple program, many diseases can be detected early. Catching a disease early can make all the difference, adding years to your pets life.
