Flat-Nosed Breeds
Flat-nosed dogs, or brachycephalic breeds, are so popular now. You can’t turn on the television, open a magazine or surf the internet without seeing some version of a Bulldog (French or English), Boxer or Boston Terrier. I have a special affinity for English Bulldogs, my father was in the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps […]
It’s Puppy And Kitten Time!
It’s spring and we are inundated with puppies and kittens, and we love it. In fact, even the employees are participating. We have two new puppies and a new kitten in the Wilderness employee pet family. Welcome Cotton, our vet assistant Aris’ new Old English Sheep Dog; Beans, Our assistant Mikah”s new cat and Olive, […]
Pet Health In The News
I try to keep up on current events and I do my best to share important subjects on the Wilderness Animal Hospital Facebook page. The most surprising article I found was about pets suffocating in snack bags. I haven’t seen this in practice, but the statistics noted are that 2-3 cases are reported each week […]
A Long Road
This August marks twelve years since I started at Wilderness Animal Hospital. It’s been great. I can honestly say I couldn’t have imagined a better career path. When I graduated (30 years ago!) I never thought I’d own a practice. I just wanted to follow in James Harriot’s path and work on every type of […]
Old & New
Embracing change I have been practicing medicine for 30 years and for all the ups and downs, joy and heartbreak, I wouldn’t change a thing. Being a veterinarian is a great profession and I’ve met so many amazing animals and made a lot of friends along the way. I know I am showing my age […]
Pet Food Labels
Every year I have the pleasure of speaking to the Tahoma Animal Sciences students about careers in veterinary medicine. Part of my presentation discusses statistics associated with pet ownership and money spent on pet care in the United States. The 2017 results show in the US, pet cats outnumber pet dogs, 94 million vs. 89 […]
Veterinary Innovations Conference
For better or worse, change is constant and everyone who has lived in Maple Valley for even just the last few years are witness to so many changes. Medical knowledge is expanding exponentially also. Where medical knowledge took 50 years to double in 1950, a 2011 study showed it only took 3.5 years to double […]
Fear Free Experiences
Hey Peeps! I’d like to introduce myself to you. I’m Dr. Deana McReynolds, associate veterinarian at Wilderness Animal Hospital. I’ve been given the (dubious) honor to take over the writing of this monthly article from the great Dr. Melanie McCoury, who’s moving on up to bigger and better things. I know I have big shoes […]
Toxic Algae
Hey Peeps! Many of you may have seen the recent media coverage of the devastating cases of dogs dying from exposure to toxic algae in the news recently. It’s a very real, serious threat to the health of humans, pets and wild animals. Most of the following information comes from the website nwtoxicalgae.org. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) […]
How I Learned To Love My Job
I was not one of those people who knew from a young age what they wanted to be when they grew up. I tried on many different hats – rescue animal farm owner, concert violinist, writer of the great American novel, math teacher, human ophthalmologist, professional organizer – to name a few. I found myself […]