236-36th St.
Bellingham, WA 98226
phone: 360-647-1980 fax: 360-647-1869
Village
Veterinary Hospital is a full service veterinary hospital with well-trained
staff members to provide the best care for your pets. Our team includes an
experienced front desk staff, well trained veterinary assistants and four
licensed veterinary technicians. Doctors Carrie Trimble, Cindy Lucas and Rachel
Bangert have over 57 years of combined experience enabling them to provide
excellent medical care for your pet.
If your pet is scheduled for any type of anesthetic required procedure, it is important that you fast your pet the night before you bring them in for the procedure. This includes any treats in the morning and in the case of dogs, no access to cat food! We recommend that you take away their food by 9:00pm the evening before, however they can still have access to water. It is important that your pet stays well hydrated. The reason for fasting is that some anesthetics may cause vomiting in some animals and we do not want to risk aspiration of vomit during recovery from anesthesia. Recovery from anesthesia is monitored closely; however the risk is still there. Pocket pets, rabbits and birds have different requirements as well as animals who are diabetic or are neonates. You will be given specific instructions in these cases before the surgery date. Surgeries such as spays, dog neuters or other abdominal or lengthy surgeries generally require an overnight stay. This is primarily to keep your pet confined and quiet initially and so we can monitor and evaluate their condition before going home. Some pets may need additional medical treatment post-operatively. We may also request to keep your pet with us if the procedure was done late in the day and the pet has not recovered fully from anesthetic by discharge time. We ask that all animals having anesthetic procedures be admitted by 8:30am the morning of the procedure. The surgery may not be scheduled until later, however our technicians need to have time to prepare your pet for surgery and run lab tests if necessary and the veterinarian may wish to review your pets history to determine the safest anesthesia protocol for your pet. Pain Management Scientific evidence proves that pets experience pain the same way we do. Suffering acute as well as chronic pain are clinically important conditions that adversely affect an animal's healing time, immune system response and quality of life, and methods to prevent and control pain must be tailored to the animal. Proper pain control involves not only anesthesia, but additional medications given for the sole purpose of relieving surgical and post-surgical pain. We employ pre-emptive pain management strategies for our surgical patients as well as those pets in chronic pain (such as arthritis). Our veterinarians believe strongly in optimal pain management for surgery patients. This may include pre and post surgical injections as well as oral medication to go home with your pet. What is a PAS? A Pre-anesthetic Screen (PAS) is a series of laboratory tests run to evaluate your pets organ (kidneys and liver, etc.) function for their health and ability to process anesthetics. It enables is to determine the safest anesthetic protocol to use on your pet. These tests are offered to any pet undergoing an anesthetic procedure, but is highly recommended for any pet over seven years of age. This is an age when some animals may start having changes in organ function and, especially large breed dogs, is considered geriatric. Even young pets, however, can benefit from these tests as some early changes or problems may not be detected by just a physical examination. It is also helpful to have a baseline for comparison of future testing. When cleaning your pet's ears, use only small amounts of a veterinarian recommended cleaner. Message the cleaner into the ears well and wipe out with a cotton ball and/or swab. Be sure to remove as much of the fluid as possible. A dog's ear canal is shaped roughly in a "J" shape so when using cotton swabs you will not come near the ear drum unless you are being too rough and really pushing it down the canal. Always be gentle when wiping out the ears. Often dirty or infected ears already have very irritated skin and too much rubbing can make them worse and even cause some superficial bleeding. Never put anything in a pet's ears if they are extremely painful and you haven't seen your veterinarian. If the pet's ear drum is ruptured, some medications and cleaners can cause a lot of harm. It is highly recommended that dogs that do a lot of swimming have there ears cleaned with a drying solution after every dip. Same goes for dogs that have been bathed - especially if the have floppy ears as they don't get a good opportunity to dry naturally. Excessive moisture can cause infections! Home nail-care instructions Most dogs and cats need to have there nails trimmed periodically, especially if the are not very active or not walked on hard surfaces often enough to keep them filed down on their own. Dog and cat nails grow continuously and have a blood and nerve supply (the 'kwick') that can cause some bleeding if clipped too short. Application of a clotting powder ('kwik stop') or even cornstarch can stop nail bleeding. There are many styles of nail trimmers available. Be sure that you find one big enough for you pets nails (especially in the case of large breed dogs!). For very small dogs or cats even a human nail trimmer may work, just be careful not to pinch the pet's pad with the corner of the trimmer. A small dremmel tool with a grinding stone works great too if just a small amount needs to be trimmed (and your pet isn't scared by the unusual sound!) This may take some getting used to by your pet. Below are some simple diagrams illustrating the nails and proper amount to cut. The more often they are trimmed the father back the 'kwick' will move and more nail can be removed. Many dogs have black nails that make it difficult to see where the kwick ends. In these cases shaving off a little at a time until the center of the nails starts to soften, indicating the kwick is getting close, will prevent accidental clipping of the kwick
Anal glands (or anal sacs) are small glands located at the opening of your pet's anus. They excrete a thick, very smelly substance. In most animals this are used for identification, marking territory and for defense (like a skunk). Generally anal glands are expressed naturally during a bowel movement or in times of stress, however, some pets may be more prone to impacted anal glands which cannot be emptied. In some cases this can even lead to abscessed anal glands which may require antibiotic and/or surgery. Diets high in fiber that bulk up feces can help with normal expression, but some pets may need to have them manually expressed periodically by someone who knows how. Groomers usually do this as part of the grooming regimen. It is not a very pleasant job, but easily learned by the pet's owner. A dog is more apt to have anal gland problems than a cat. They may start licking around their anus more often or scoot it on the ground in an effort to express them. If you suspect your pet may be having these problems, it may be a good idea to have them checked by your veterinarian or a technician. Four Leg Frolic When embarking on a trail journey or going to a dog park with your four-legged pal there are a few key things to consider for making a safe and fun adventure. Be sure that you and your pet know voice commands. It is very important that you be in control; you never know when a tempting squirrel or bouncy rabbit may cross your path tempting a game of chase. Consider the weather; will it be warm outside? If you are packing a water bottle for your self bring an extra for your pet; they make handy folding travel bowls for dogs that can be purchased at most pet supply outlets. It is very important in warm weather for everyone to stay well hydrated. If it might be rainy and muddy you should bring along a towel for cold muddy feet. Taking an extra moment to grab supplies for your self and your dog can make the difference between a great day and a disaster. Since most of our four legged friends enjoy relieving themselves naturally in the woods, please be sure to bring waste bags along to pick up after your pal. This will ensure the next person on the trail behind you doesn’t have a shoe mishap. At the start of the hiking, biking, and swimming season please remember that it has been a long winter. Most of our pets have been indoors lounging with only the occasional weather permitting adventure. Take things slowly to begin with and work up to the big adventure. Pets’ muscles need warming up as do humans’. Tails may become sore due to a long day of swimming and feet may develop blisters from running on the trail or beach. Be watchful for shells and barnacles that can cause pad injuries- consider paw protectors if spending a long day at the beach. In conclusion, when journeying out for the day with your pal pack a small bag for him or her containing a few essential items: small portable bowel, bottle of water, leash and extra leash (just in case) small towel, waste bags, treats, and a few first aid items. Some suggested items for your first aid kit: tic puller, rubber gloves, gauze, vet wrap and some band aids. You never know when these things may come in handy for you or your dog. Embarking on an afternoon of out door fun and frolicking should be fun for both you and your four legged pal. A quick few considerations will insure that there will be plenty of adventuring with few follies. Check out these websites for local trail descriptions and maps: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/trails/trails.jsp http://www.gratefuldogs.org/GD_Locations.html What is periodontal disease? According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop gum disease by the age of three years. Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition affecting dogs and cats. Infection and inflammation of the gums and supportive tissues of the teeth are caused by the bacteria present in plaque and calculus (tartar). The problem begins when plaque and calculus are allowed to build up on a pet's teeth, especially below the gumline. Bad breath, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, receding gums, loosening and the eventual loss of teeth are characteristic of the condition. Prophylactic treatment to keep the teeth clean is of great importance. Your veterinarian may recommend an oral hygiene program that includes regularly brushing your pet's teeth with toothpaste formulated for animals. Oral rinses and specially formulated chews are also available. Diet is a major factor in the development of plaque and calculus. Soft, canned or sticky foods should therefore be avoided, while certain chewing toys are beneficial. Specially formulated diets with dental benefits (reduced accumulation of plaque and calculus) are now available for dogs as well as cats. Be patient when initiating oral home care, especially in older animals. It is best to start dental care at an early age. Introduce brushing gradually and begin by rubbing your pet's teeth and gums with a soft gauze wrapped around a finger. Gradually switch over to a toothbrush designed for pets or to a very soft human toothbrush. Avoid forceful restraint of the patient; rather make it a bonding experience and always praise and reward your pet for its cooperation. Oral health has a profound effect on your pet's general health. Periodontal disease may cause bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream with potentially harmful effects on internal organs. On the other hand, poor systemic health may manifest in the oral cavity in various ways and may also exacerbate periodontal disease. Your pet's dental examination is therefore not limited to the oral cavity but always includes a general physical examination. Laboratory examinations, to evaluate systemic disease concerns, may also be recommended. Some dogs and cats suffer from chronic oral infection or stomatitis, a poorly understood condition which is difficult to treat.
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