::Northwest Animal Care Hospital:: What's New

What's New at

Northwest Animal Care

Cutting Edge Technology now available at Northwest Animal Care:
Great news for dogs that suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia
or other inflammatory conditions

Stem cell therapy works and it’s now available at Northwest Animal Care from a specially trained and certified doctor. Hip dysplasia and chronic arthritis are among the most commonly diagnosed conditions in dogs. The inflammation can be painful; it can impair mobility and eventually become crippling. In many cases, traditional methods of treatment are not entirely effective or long-lasting.

Stem cell therapy is a relatively new treatment that has been proven to provide tremendous, long-lasting benefits to dogs with chronic conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Both conditions are extremely common in dogs.

Different and far less controversial than human embryonic stem cell research, the adult canine stem cells used for this procedure do not come from embryos, but rather from the body fat of the dog itself. Nearly all fat tissue contains stem cells.

Adult stem cells have the ability to regenerate and repair injured tissue. The cells can be harvested from a dog in a simple procedure, processed and injected into the same dog so there is no chance of rejection.

Stem cell therapy has produced results ranging from good to amazing about 80% of the time. It offers people with dogs suffering from these degenerative conditions the chance to see their beloved pets happy, mobile and pain-free well into their senior years.

The therapy is gaining attention nationally.

While the procedure is not inexpensive, it is far less than some alternatives such as hip replacement and less invasive than other, less effective solutions such as acupuncture or long-term drug therapy.

Watch the video for more information. Call us to discuss whether your pet is a good candidate for this procedure.

	LEPTOSPIROSIS ON THE RISE Leptospirosis is a potentially deadly disease that has been around King and Snohomish Counties for some time. The disease can be transmitted to humans. Washington Veterinarians reported 109 leptospirosis infections in pet dogs between October 1, 2004 and June 15, 2006. Twenty-seven of the infected dogs were euthanized or died from the illness. Since late 2006 Washington State , and particularly in Snohomish and King Counties , has seen a marked increase in leptospirosis in dogs. The majority of the reported cases have been in our area, with over a hundred confirmed or probable cases. 37 fatalities were reported between October 2004 and October 2008. More recent documentation has been harder to come by but Public Health of Washington has reported 5 confirmed cases as recently as November and December, 2009. News of a number of more recent cases has circulated through the local veterinary community as well though specific data has not been collected. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria shed in the urine of infected animals. Infection can cause serious illness and death. Phizer’s “Four-Way” leptospirosis vaccine provides the most complete protection against this infectious disease. Talk to your veterinarian about whether whether this vaccine is a viable option to protect your pet.
	BE WARY OF FLEA AND TICK PRODUCTS: SOME CAN BE HARMFUL TO YOUR PET "Products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday as it outlined plans to make the products safer." The above is an excerpt from an article from Seattle's Komo News website. Over 44,000 reports were made indicating harmful reactions from pets to EPA-approved medications. At NW Animal Care we recommend REVOLUTION, a prescription-only, FDA-approved medication available only through a veterinarian – and is NOT a pesticide registered by the EPA. Although topically applied, Revolution is a systemically acting, broad-spectrum parasiticide that has a well defined safety profile combined with excellent efficacy to help protect your dog and cat against a wide variety of parasites. Your veterinarian is the best source of information to ensure the proper healthcare of your pet.
	WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE DASUQUIN For both dogs and cats, Dasuquin is a tasty treat for dogs and cats that have certain types of joint, leg or back issues. Dasuquin is a healthy way to help your pet maintain an active lifestyle as they get older as well. They come in easy-to-administer capsules or soft chews without adverse side effects. How it works: Dasuquin's active ingredients include avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) and chondroitin sulfate, as well as glucosamine. Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage in both humans and pets. It helps hydrate healthy joints by increasing the production of molecules that bind and hold water in the cartilage. Healthy cartilage provides cushioning which helps protect a pet's joints while exercising.
	WE HAVE RECENTLY INTRODUCED DAYBOARDING! We are now offering day boarding available for dogs. Available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, this is a great way for your pet to have fun and interaction with other dogs and trained members of our staff while you are at work or just when you need time for shopping or running errands. For group play times, your dog must well-socialized. Normal boarding requirements apply; your dog must be up to date on vaccines, exams and fecal testing. Your pet must also be well-socialized for group play. Our boarding facilities are second to none. We'd love to give you a tour; just call us and let us know when you can come in. In addition, our hospital is located right next door, where our doctors and technicians are close by in case medical treatment is ever needed.
	IF YOU HAVE AN OVERWEIGHT DOG AND DIET ALONE HAS NOT HELPED, THIS MAY BE THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR YOU. SLENTROL^® is the first proven dependable veterinary medication for the management of canine obesity. In recent tests 96% of dogs who used Slentrol as directed lost weight. With this product Northwest Animal Care can help your pet lose weight in a safe and healthy manner. SLENTROL^® (dirlotapide) is a selective microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor that blocks the assembly and release of lipoprotein particles into the bloodstream (via the lymphatic system) in dogs.
	TREAT YOUR DOG TO A RELAXING, THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Lisa is a Licensed Veterinary Technician here at Northwest Animal Care. She has also been trained at Northwest School of Animal Massage as a small animal massage practitioner. Massage has long been recommended by Veterinarians for injured pets and those with arthritis or joint pain due to weight or age-related issues. Massage has also been proven to be an effective treatment for pets that are stressed, overly aggressive or overly shy. Call us today and find out if massage therapy is the right solution for your pet's needs.
	NEW STUDY INDICATES INCREASE IN HEARTWORM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES According to the latest study from the Center for Disease Control, 14% of the people in America are infected with Toxocara, a parasite carried by dogs and cats that can be passed from pets to people. The finding was startling; much higher than it was originally thought to be. In their press release the CDC recommended, among other things, that pet owners regularly deworm their dogs and cats. This applies to indoor cats as well. Many cat owners are under the misconception that cats which are predominantly indoors are not susceptible to parasite infections such as heartworm. However, studies have shown that indoor cats can pick up internal parasites from other household pets or from residue that falls from the shoes of people coming in from outside. Revolution is designed to combat heartworm as well as other internal parasites that have been known to bother our dogs and cats: fleas, ear mites, hookworm (Anycylostoma tubaeforme) and roundworm (Toxocara cati ). Complete parasite protection begins and ends with Revolution® (selamectin).
	OUR LUXURY BOARDING SUITES ARE NOW OPEN AND READY TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS WHILE YOU ARE AWAY Our luxury suites are now open for business. Your dog can have a vacation while you are having a vacation. The suites are large and comfortable and come with a variety of services that will assure your dog has a great deal of fun and pampering while you are away. One of the services we love to offer to our suites guests is a daily email with a photo so you can see how much fun your pet is having. While your pet is a guest in our suites, we provide ongoing play times through the day. We will brush their coats and teeth (of the pet allows). The pet also receives a warm, relaxing daily massage each night and get a treat on their pillow at bed time. We will also trim their nails and give your pet a warm bath before you come back. Each suite has its own television and soothing music is piped in throughout the day. Our boarding facility is monitored 24-hours a day by trained staff. If you have more than one dog, there is a 40% discount from the daily rate for the second pet. We also have a great introductory offer; stay in the suites for three nights and get your fourth night's stay for free!
	A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET IS A BIG KEY TO A LONG LIFE FOR YOUR PET Science Diet^® Nature's Best^® is the first and only natural pet food CLINICALLY PROVEN to provide complete, balanced nutrition. REAL chicken shipped fresh, weekly, from USDA inspected facilities. REAL fruits, vegetables and wholesome grains from North American and European farms. Offering small bites for dogs who prefer smaller kibbles. High quality ingredients such as soybean meal and egg help build lean muscle, flaxseed and soybean oil give your dog a lustrous coat and soft skin – keeping adult dogs looking and feeling their very best. NO ARTIFICIAL preservatives. Not just HEALTHFUL but TASTES GREAT, too.