tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34335647748538709412011-07-07T15:08:06.394-07:00Bo Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417519954496047406noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-14928300319088845072011-07-06T11:39:00.000-07:002011-07-06T11:48:57.189-07:00

Cyanobacteria are very common organisms found in most of the freshwater in the Northwest. Some may be familiar with the organism’s more common name, blue-green algae. Under normal circumstances, blue-green algae are relatively harmless. However, under certain environmental conditions the blue-green algae begin producing rather rapidly. While the algae bloom, toxins are produced. These toxins

Bo Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18417519954496047406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-7814744088006853472010-01-30T08:43:00.000-08:002010-02-02T09:10:53.994-08:00

Starting Feburary 1st 2010, Hillsboro Veterinary Clinic will be offering a pet health care plan to help further cut cost for our clients. See a list of services covered and prices below:Vaccinations-FreeDogs-Rabies (Annual/3yr), DHPP (Annual/3yr), Bordetella, Parvo, and LeptoCats-FVRCP (Annual/3yr), Feline Leukemia, and RabiesThe plan covers one full set of vaccines per membership

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-59751907075839875812009-05-05T15:53:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:54:36.058-07:00

Heartworms are caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis, which is carried by mosquitoes that have bitten infected animals. The worms reside in the blood of the heart and nearby vessels of infected dogs. Heartworms can damage the heart and cause liver, kidney, and lung disease. They thicken the blood vessels in the lungs, lowering blood pressure and increasing the heart’s workload.

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-58119800998835832422009-05-05T15:50:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:51:56.856-07:00

Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite of the dog. Modes of infection include either ingestion of eggs from the environment or from prey that harbor the parasite. Roundworms are capable of moving across an infected mother dog’s placenta and into unborn puppies. Puppies can also become infected when nursing. Large numbers of eggs can be spread into the environment by an infected dog.

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-58674380815373290482009-05-05T15:49:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:50:32.790-07:00

Any cat that is at risk of carrying fleas is also at risk of becoming a host to tapeworms. The reason has to do with the cat’s highly effective grooming technique, plus the flea-tapeworm circle of life. First, flea larvae ingest the eggs of tapeworms. When fleas then mature and decide to move in with a cat, the cat reacts to their irritating little bites by licking the itchy spots, using its

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-91443359174036622222009-05-05T15:46:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:49:01.465-07:00

Infection of the outer ear is very common in dogs. A dog with an ear infection is uncomfortable; it shakes its head trying to get the debris out, and scratches its ears. The ears often become red and inflamed and develop a bad odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs. There are several kinds of bacteria and at least one type of fungus that might cause an ear infection. Without knowing

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-84406135475777861872008-09-24T15:36:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:37:53.278-07:00

Pet crates are an excellent way to train your dog and provide it with its own sanctuary. There are numerous benefits to crate training your dog, including a feeling of security for your dog and safety for young children. Crate training can prevent costly damage, helps you train your dog in proper chewing and elimination, easy traveling, and improves the pet/owner relationship. Some things to

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-76541430516728831012008-09-24T15:35:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:36:27.886-07:00

Corneal ulcers are a relatively common eye problem seen in veterinary medicine. The cornea is the clear shiny surface of the eye. It has three layers. The most superficial layer is the epithelium. Below the epithelium is the stroma, and the deepest layer is Descemet's membrane. Behind the cornea are the fluid, the lens, the nerves, and the muscle of the eye. If the cornea is penetrated, the

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-81016967030589106742008-09-24T15:33:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:34:58.134-07:00

Modern advances in DNA testing have provided a way to find out the composition, or breed ancestry, of your mixed breed dog. When was the last time your took a look at your furry companion and thought to yourself, “Is Max a shepherd or a collie?” If this is something you confront often, then Mars Veterinary is here to answer your questions. Mars Veterinary is a branch of Mars Incorporated, which

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-62493992226897730432008-09-24T15:31:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:33:04.514-07:00

While older dogs may move a bit more slowly and get a little gray around the muzzle, they shouldn't experience a complete change in personality. A dog that suddenly seems confused, distant, or lost may be showing signs of cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (or CDS) is a degeneration of the brain and the nervous system in dogs. It results in a deterioration of cognitive

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-44588140353086402332008-09-24T15:30:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:31:53.323-07:00

The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that brings air from the throat to the lungs. It is made of circular cartilage rings with a strip of muscle running along the top. Tracheal collapse occurs when the cartilage rings lose their stiffness and the circular shape collapses. Toy breeds are most commonly affected. Dogs with a collapsed trachea develop a chronic unproductive cough which is generally

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-47982354925122609452008-09-24T15:28:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:30:09.987-07:00

Cats exhibit symptoms similar to humans when suffering from allergies. They may sneeze, wheeze, or cough like they are trying to throw up a hairball but rarely does. Owners may notice bald patches where the cat has licked excessively. Allergens that affect cats are the same one’s that often contribute to human allergies, including house dust, pollens, and molds. To help ensure an accurate

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-20242379484695454532008-09-24T15:23:00.000-07:002008-09-24T15:25:41.102-07:00

Since the holidays are just around the corner, just a reminder that chocolates are dangerous for our dogs. Cats generally won’t eat chocolate, but many dogs will devour any chocolate in sight, regardless of type or quantity. Chocolate contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine that can be toxic to dogs. It also contains large amounts of sugar and fat that can cause GI upset (vomiting

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-66661177830802284312008-04-18T15:21:00.005-07:002008-04-18T16:22:19.602-07:00

If your veterinarian says that your dog has bloat, she means that your dog’s stomach is full of excess gas, fluid, or foam. Bloat generally occurs in large or deep-chested dog breeds. It has been suggested that one should not feed their dog a large meal and then engage in heavy exercise. But in truth bloat can happen spontaneously and without any known cause. Often, when the stomach becomes

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-49347337394436709992008-04-18T15:21:00.004-07:002008-04-18T16:20:17.885-07:00

Occasionally, bladder stones (rock-like collections of minerals that form in the bladder) may occur in dogs and cats. They can be a large, single stone or dozens of small stones the size of sand or pea gravel. Depending upon the type of stone, various risk factors may contribute to bladder stone formation. Diet, water intake, urinary tract infections, and urinary pH are all-important

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-89342187471395873222008-04-18T15:21:00.003-07:002008-04-18T16:18:48.994-07:00

Whether cat or dog, longhaired or short, all pets need regular grooming to keep their coats and skin healthy. Even shorthaired cats that keep themselves clean still require regular nail trims and benefit from regular brushing. Brushing stimulates the skin to shed dead skin cells and hairs. Regular brushing prevents hair from matting and controls shedding in the rest of the house. All animals

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-10846136831780673802008-04-18T15:21:00.002-07:002008-04-18T16:05:34.278-07:00

Our pets fill our lives with joy and companionship but for some pet owners the friendship they bring comes with faults. Approximately 15% of people are allergic to dogs or cats and at least 1/3 of them continue to own pets. Allergic people are often told to get rid of their pets, but most pet owners do not consider this a viable option. Many of these pet owners even get new pets after a previous

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-61548259203555262332008-04-18T15:21:00.001-07:002008-04-18T15:57:35.456-07:00

As patients age, slow developing diseases may become apparent. Arthritis, also known as “degenerative joint disease”, is the progressive and permanent destruction of joint cartilage. Pain in tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and bone is caused by inflammation and mechanical damage. Some signs that your dog may be affected by arthritis include falling behind during walks, difficulty getting up,

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-10373943712210738502008-04-18T15:21:00.000-07:002008-04-18T15:28:12.135-07:00

Dental disease is the most common infectious disease in both dogs and cats. Fortunately, most dental disease can be prevented by regular dental cleanings and daily plaque removal. We have a wide range of products and methods available for use at home to help keep your pet’s mouth clean and disease free. One of the easiest options is to feed your pet a diet specially designed to help fight dental

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-45545411869645686732008-04-18T13:31:00.000-07:002008-04-18T13:32:08.446-07:00

One of the most common problems for bird owners is that their birds fly away. Once your bird gets away the odds of catching it again are small. Clipping the bird’s wings, impairing it’s ability to fly, will not only keep your bird safely at home but may improve his attitude. Flighted birds are also more likely to fly into windows or mirrors and may cause serious injury to themselves. However, in

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-45643694327500030932008-04-18T13:30:00.001-07:002008-04-18T13:30:59.731-07:00

Occasionally, bladder stones (rock-like collections of minerals that form in the bladder) may occur in dogs and cats. They can be a large, single stone or dozens of small stones the size of sand or pea gravel. Depending upon the type of stone, various risk factors may contribute to bladder stone formation. Diet, water intake, urinary tract infections, and urinary pH are all-important

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-15669689256798852402008-04-18T13:19:00.000-07:002008-04-18T13:26:10.415-07:00

Now that your pet has been diagnosed with dental disease and you’ve scheduled a cleaning, we’re going to discuss what occurs while you pet is here having their teeth cared for. Since pets are not going to lie still with their mouths open voluntarily, full anesthesia is required to thoroughly clean their teeth. We understand that many pet owners are concerned about the risks of anesthetizing their

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-22303809037099108142007-12-13T11:58:00.001-08:002007-12-13T12:10:06.020-08:00

With the colder weather people are preparing their cars for winter. While antifreeze is great for our cars, it is extremely dangerous for our pets. The main type of antifreeze is ethylene, and it is also the most toxic. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that both cats and dogs enjoy, and very small amounts are deadly. As little as 1 teaspoon can be lethal to cats, and four teaspoons can be

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-56128451996273307302007-12-13T11:57:00.001-08:002007-12-14T13:56:50.019-08:00

Dogs and cats can develop diabetes. This disease is seen on a fairly regular basis, usually in pets 5 years of age or older and can be associated with obesity. Simply put, diabetes is a failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. The pancreas is a small but vital organ that is located near the stomach. It has two significant populations of cells. One group of cells produces the

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3433564774853870941.post-85362548600889999742007-12-13T11:56:00.000-08:002007-12-13T12:10:30.227-08:00

Kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. It is characterized by a dry cough, sometimes mistaken for choking, lasting from days to even weeks. Other than the cough, most dogs are still bright and alert. However, fever and enlarged tonsils may also occur. Kennel cough spreads rapidly between dogs housed in close proximity, such as a

Hillsboro Veterinary Clinicnoreply@blogger.com