Here at East Bend Animal Hospital we are passionate about all aspects of our pet’s health, including their oral health. Just like people, our furry friends often experience dental issues which can progress into dental disease. Oral care at home, and at the veterinary hospital, can both play important roles in keeping our pets healthy. [Read more…]
Fear Free Veterinary Visits
We recently celebrated our one-year anniversary of being a Fear Free Certified Practice here at East Bend Animal Hospital (one of only six practices in the state of Oregon and the only one in Central Oregon). We know that veterinary visits can be scary for your pets so we are committed to making our clinic as stress-free as possible. East Bend Animal Hospital also strives to create a positive veterinary experience for all of our patients.
What is Fear Free?
The Fear-Free initiative was founded by Dr. Marty Becker (from North Idaho Animal Hospital) in 2016. Fear Free focuses on the emotional well-being of all patients and works to reduce anxiety, fear, and stress during their veterinary visits.
In order to become a Fear Free Certified Practice all staff members must complete a Fear Free Certification and the hospital must pass a comprehensive onsite evaluation. Each year the clinic is reviewed before renewal is granted.
How do we implement Fear Free at our clinic?
- Our staff has taken time to complete extra education in behavior and low-stress handling techniques.
- We utilize species specific pheromones throughout the clinic for dogs and cats.
- Calming music is playing in all exam rooms and in the lobby.
- We have separate dog and cat waiting areas and examination rooms.
- A variety of treats are used throughout each patient’s visit and are available around the clinic (we encourage our clients to help themselves).
- We practice low-stress handling techniques (no scruffing or holding down a patient for treatments or examinations).
- We utilize PVP’s (pre-visit prescriptions) when needed to help a patient feel relaxed and stress-free before arriving at the clinic.
Please call us today if you would like to discuss how we can make your pet’s visit as stress free as possible.
Senior Pets-Aging Gracefully
Did you know that approximately 40% of the pet population in the U.S. are considered seniors, but sadly only 14% of these pets receive regular senior care?
We love our gray faced dogs and cats here at East Bend Animal Hospital and want to change those statistics!
So, when is your pet considered a senior?
The equivalent is approximately 60 years of age for a human which translates to
- Over 9 years of age in a Cat or Small Dog
- Over 7 years of age in Medium or Large Dog
- Over 6 years of age in a Giant Breed
How can you ensure your senior is receiving adequate care?
Senior exams are recommended every 6 months which is the equivalent of going to your doctor every 2-3 years. The importance of senior wellness exams and screening (bloodwork) became apparent in a recent study where veterinarians found health problems in 80% of the dogs examined over 9 years of age. Many of the findings and diagnostics results were not noticed by owners prior to the screening. Pain was also identified in 1 out of 4 dogs which had not previously been noted by the owner.
Senior wellness screening includes a full examination of all body systems including screening for pain and orthopedic disease, sensation changes (vision/hearing) and cognitive disorders. We also recommend annual bloodwork which includes; complete blood count (white blood cells, red blood cells), biochemistry profile (liver, kidney, electrolytes, blood proteins, diabetes screening), thyroid screening and urinalysis. These blood panels are designed to detect early disease processes which may not yet be recognized symptomatically in your pet. Remember that dogs and cats are VERY good at masking illness and disease. We also have the capability here at East Bend Animal Hospital to provide a variety of early intervention based on our findings. This can include nutrition recommendations (food IS medicine), supplemental and herbal support, acupuncture or chiropractic care as indicated. We also love to focus on antioxidant therapy for our seniors which have years of accumulated oxidative damage to their cells/bodies. When these interventions are started early, we can help prevent permanent damage or the development of chronic illness.
Our furry gray-faced friends deserve optimum care for their years of unconditional love and devotion and we can’t wait to be a part of making their senior years the best possible!
Ticks
Let’s be honest, ticks are gross. They can carry and transmit disease by attaching to a host and feeding on their blood. We hear about diseases that humans can contract from ticks in the news all of the time, but our canine friends are definitely not immune to these gross arachnids. Lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis are three diseases that can be transmitted to our furry friends. Transmission can occur in as little as 36 to 48 hours after a tick attaches to its host.
According to Deschutes County, there are approximately 20 species of ticks that live in Central Oregon. They are most active in the spring, early summer, and fall. They often live in forested or bushy areas; this can include backyards, hiking trails, camping areas, and parks.
To reduce the chances that your dog will contract a tick, it is recommended that you check your dog for ticks daily. This can be done my brushing your pet and examining their skin closely (especially after spending any time outdoors- including in the backyard). If you find an engorged tick, be sure to carefully remove it. To detach a tick, part your dog’s fur. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull straight upwards to detach the tick’s mouth from the skin.
There are many great preventatives available to help protect your dog from ticks while enjoying our beautiful backyard in the summertime. Give us a call today to determine which product is the best option for your pet’s lifestyle.
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