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Speaking of pets | Animal Care | Animal Diseases | Cats are not little dogs | Creepy Crawly Parasites | Wildlife and exotics | Vet Life and It’s not just a vet life | Out and About | Howlidays
Speaking of pets
2018 AVMA Conference
I woke up in Denver this week. Actually, I woke up Sunday morning at 6:18 a.m. to a series of texts from a client asking when I would be in the office that day. Even when I mentioned that it was six AM where I was, there were a couple more texts. Normally,...
5th Graders Come To Visit Guardian Animal Medical Center
We were in early last Thursday. We had to be. The fifth graders were coming! They would be arriving at 9:30 a.m. and we had to have all of our treatments done and stations set up before they arrived. This is the ninth year that Mrs. Muncy has walked her...
Animal Care
Torn Cruciate
In the middle of Friday afternoon appointments, I met Bo. Bo was a small mixed breed feist sort of dog who was a little over seven years of age. The appointment said “right back leg limping and won't put much weight on it. He won’t let owner get near it.” Sure enough...
Vomiting
At the end of a long hard week, I think the theme of the week was vomiting dogs. While there are plenty of highlights to a busy week (Ember is healed enough to be off pain meds; Hava’s ears are much better; Cora’s misplaced testicle was found and removed; Sadie was...
Sequences for the win
Sometimes things happen that rarely would have if it wasn’t for sequences. Willow was an example of a series of sequences. Willow’s sequences started with her dad deciding he wanted to work with animals instead of humans. Rusty started an accredited veterinary...
Animal Diseases
Respiratory Syndrom in Dogs
On my way in Friday, my phone rang. Morning phone calls are never good. “Doctor, where are you?” “Seven minutes.” Steph doesn’t care where I am. She wants me there. I can tell. “What’s up?” “Roxie is here, and she is in respiratory distress. We have her on...
What You Need To Know About Cushing’s Disease
They say things come in threes and such was the case last week. Hydi, Molly, and Dixie were all in for Cushing’s tests. Cushing’s is a disease where too much cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland. Cortisol is a natural steroid produced by the adrenal...
Cats are not little dogs
How to Make Your Cat Smell Better
Cuddling up with your feline best friend is undoubtedly one of the best parts of being the parent of a cat. When you have had a long day, there is little better than snuggling up on the couch with your furbaby on your lap. Running your fingers through her...
Why you Should Get your Cat a Scratching Post
If you are new to feline ownership, you will probably create yourself a list of all of the essential items that you need to buy when you first bring your new furbaby home. While bedding, a litter tray, and food bowls are almost certain to appear in your...
How to Teach Your Cat to Use a Litter Box
Setting up your litter box One of the most common reasons that cats fail to use a litter box is because it is set up all wrong. Placement is one of the most important aspects of successful litter box usage, so it is crucial to get it right. Each household...
Creepy Crawly Parasites
What You Need To Know About Parvo
It started Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. with two black lab/Weimaraner puppies, Tucker and Tank. They were coming from the ER, where they had been diagnosed with parvovirus. Parvovirus is a very common, highly contagious viral disease that is very resistant...
Gut Feelings
I had a feeling standing in the room. I was looking at a young terrier type dog. The owner was a young, very smart elementary school student. She disliked the poster on parvovirus in my room. I calmly explained that all owners didn’t understand like she...
Wildlife and exotics
Wildlife Rehab
A busy Saturday morning when I was interrupted with a sealed greeting card. I could see through the envelope that it isn’t hate mail. Even though those are rare, most vets are hurt deeply and remember the few that they get. I know I do. Veterinarians are often accused...
Ground Hog
There were a few bleary eyes as Albert headed to a new home today. He came from a not-great situation as a little kit already imprinted. He couldn't be released, and we became quite attached. We got permission to keep him on an educational permit, but Covid has cut...
Falconry Training
I have a desk falcon. She is slight, less than a quarter pound, but she certainly has a mind of her own. Falconry is commonly done with locally caught birds or captive raised birds. Most (almost 80%) of the young hawks and falcons die their first year. Being caught as...
Vet Life and It’s not just a vet life
Technology
COVID 19 has certainly changed our world. Things that we used to take for granted are now different. Simple things, like moving animals through the hospital or communicating with clients are now more difficult. But through all of this, I have had the knowledge that...
Stress Relief
Sometimes it feels like it still should be May. Sometimes it feels like it should be 2021 or maybe 2022. Even practiced introverts like me are starting to feel the stress of social distancing, uncomfortable masks and this parking lot thing we have called curbside...
Special Patients
It had been a rough week! In addition to the COVID inefficiencies and the rising temperatures of the weather and clients, I had to put two of my favorite patients to sleep. While I love all animals, I don’t think there is any question that Labrador Retrievers are near...
Out and About
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Howlidays
Christmas Presents
It is Christmas time! It is also the season of Hanukkah, Kwanza, Pancha Ganapati, Saturnalia, Bodhi Day and others according to Wikipedia. And while none of these should be known as the time of spending, it is fun to have an excuse to buy things for those we love....
Holiday Letter
Yappy Howl-I-daze!December 2019 Wow! Guardian Animal is finishing another record year! We work harder and harder to keep your pets healthy and happy. Of course, there will be emergencies and days, but we are striving to make it work. Our first two chemo patients are...
Holiday Visits
This holiday season when you go home to visit your family, don’t forget to check on the animals. Older family members may not physically or mentally be able to care for their pets. Younger family members may not be stepping up to take responsibility for the care of...