Tips for Celebrating Pet Appreciation Week

Did you know that June 4-10 is Pet Appreciation Week? We love and support our pets throughout the year, but this week is a special opportunity to show your furry friend just how important they are to you. Read on to discover some of our top tips for celebrating your four-legged member of the family. Try a New Treat Our pets deserve the best, and that includes their diet. In addition to making sure your pet gets their normal healthy diet, try offering them a new treat. This could be a cookie from a pet-friendly bakery, a new bone, or…

Your Pet’s Best Shot

Vaccinations have become a hot topic—especially with all the new pet adoptions during the pandemic. But when it comes to your pets, vaccinations don’t need to be controversial or complicated. As veterinarians, we know that vaccinating your pets is one of the best, least expensive ways to protect their health. The core vaccines not only prevent illnesses with a high fatality rate, the also protect you and your family, as many of these diseases can infect people. While any medical treatment involves some degree of risk, in the case of vaccinations, the benefits far outweigh any potential side effects. Adverse…

Brush Up On Your Pet’s Dental Health

Six Tips for Brushing Success Get comfortable. Kneel or sit in front of your pet instead of standing over him. Practice lifting your pet’s lip and reward with praise. Use toothpaste made for pets. Human toothpaste might hurt your pet’s stomach. Go slow. Start with rubbing your pet’s gums with your finger and letting them lick some of the toothpaste off the brush. Brush gently and start with short sessions. Increase the length each time you do it. Give lots of praise! Be patient—it may take several tries for your pet to get used to brushing. If you haven’t taken…

‘Tis the Season—to be Careful!

While most people look forward to the holiday season, the same isn’t necessarily true for our pets. From scary costumes on Halloween to an abundance of table scraps at Thanksgiving, this is a time for extra caution when pets are around. And let’s not forget sparkly decorations and even fireworks—there’s a lot to be aware of especially if this is your first holiday season with a pet. Tips for a Pet Safe Halloween When expecting visitors, put your dog or cat in a quiet place away from the door. This will help prevent them from getting worked up. Keep bowls and…

A Healthy Mouth Starts with Clean Teeth

Healthy teeth and gums play an important role in the overall health and well-being of our companion animals. If you’ve been putting off a dental check-up and cleaning for your pet, this is a great time to get back on track. Periodontal disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in adult cats and dogs and, if left untreated, can damage the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. And if you’ve noticed stinky breath, periodontal disease may have already started. Fortunately, dental disease can be prevented through routine cleanings performed by our highly skilled doctors and veterinary technicians. For more…

Did you know?

At Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital, we’re more than your local vet. We’re your partners in keeping your pet healthy for years to come. Your pet’s health is important to us, which is why we offer a wide range of veterinary services. We focus on preventing and minimizing health issues and protecting your pet from harmful diseases. Our wellness care is tailored to each of our patients and their individual needs. Our professional team provides the care and guidance your pet needs to live a long, healthy and happy life. We understand that your pet is an important part of your…

On Their Own Again

If you’re headed back to work after staying home for COVID-19 precautions, your dog may have some trouble adjusting. After spending long periods of time together, being on their own may be difficult for some pets. Watch for signs of stress and depression and try these tips to help them with being alone again. Exercise. With less time for long walks with you, your pup may appreciate doggie daycare or visits from a dog walker to provide stimulation while you’re at work. Dogs need to be up to date on all vaccines and parasite preventive for doggie daycare, so if…

New Furry Baby? We Can Help!

Do you have a new puppy or kitten? Congratulations! A new furry friend is always cause for celebration. We can help your furry baby start off on the right paw with these important steps. Vaccinations with boosters are especially important for young puppies and kittens as they do not have full immunity from many serious infectious diseases. For example, the parvo virus in dogs and panleukopenia in cats are both deadly gastrointestinal diseases. It’s critical to ensure your puppy or kitten has completed the entire series of combo vaccinations to keep him or her protected. A wellness visit is important because this…

Bark, Bang, Boom! Keeping Your Pet Comfortable This Summer

The coronavirus crisis has changed our lives in countless ways, and there’s no denying that summer 2020 will look very different from past summers. In particular, the pandemic will change how we celebrate the July 4th holiday. With most large community fireworks displays canceled, it’s very likely that smaller, neighborhood displays will fill the gap. Fireworks can send your pet into a panic. If your best friend has an extreme reaction to the noise such as heavy panting, drooling, shaking, hiding, or trying to escape, the Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital team may be able to help with medication. If you…

Twice the Duration, Half the Stress

Summer Special! Find the Golden Ticket in Bravecto Plus for cats and you could win a Sure Feed Microchip Feeder while protecting your cat! Cats are vulnerable to parasites, especially in multi-pet households. Fleas, ticks and other nasty parasites can cause serious health problems in your cat or kitten. That’s why it’s important to protect your feline friend with a premium, longer-lasting product that can also help ease the stress of treatment. Bravecto Plus protects your cat from fleas and ticks, plus prevents heartworm disease and treats intestinal worms with a single, 2-month dose. Plus, from June through August, you could win…

Celebrating Pet Dental Health All Year Long!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, but at Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital we believe that every month is a good time to focus on keeping your pet smiling for years to come. That’s because your pet’s teeth are key to their overall well-being. Behind your pet’s pearly whites could be some seriously dirty secrets. Did you know that, by age three, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some evidence of periodontal disease? At advanced stages, dental disease can significantly impact a pet’s quality of life, making eating difficult due to mouth pain. Plus, bacteria from…

The Ugly Truth About De-Icers

Given the amount of snowfall we’ve already seen this year, it’s time to talk de-icers and the dangers they pose to your pets. Commercial de-icing products are usually full of chemicals that are harmful to animals. Your best friend could ingest them when cleaning themselves or suffer significant skin irritation and even burns. The most common de-icers are made of calcium carbonate, calcium magnesium acetate, or chloride salts of potassium, magnesium, and sodium (“rock salt”). Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting as well as elevated blood sodium levels can occur when a pet ingests these products. The calcium-based salts…

Resolve to Have a Healthier Pet in 2020!

What contributes to a pet becoming obese? The reasons vary. Sometimes it’s as simple as a lack of exercise and too much food. Age can play a role, too. As pets get older, their energy levels drop, and that often coincides with a tendency to exercise less. And pets who’ve been spayed or neutered gain weight faster than pets who haven’t been sterilized. Regardless of the reasons behind your pet’s weight problem, there are several steps you can take to help your fluffy friend get back into his or her skinny collar, like measuring food to combat overfeeding, turning your…

Pet Safety Tips

You better watch out! There’s lots of fun to be had during the holidays, but also quite a few hazards for your pet. Here are a few safety tips to keep your pet jolly this season. Keep chocolate and sweets out of reach. The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentrations of caffeine and theobromine, two substances that are extremely toxic to pets. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener often found in candy, peanut butter and chewing gum, has been linked to liver failure and death in dogs. Curb the table scraps. Gravy and any fatty meats like turkey skin and ham are on…

What’s That Lump?

So you’re snuggled up to your furry best friend scratching the “kick button” and you feel it: a lump that wasn’t there before. It’s understandable to be concerned, because one in four dogs and one in five cats will develop cancer in their lifetime. November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, which was created by the Animal Cancer Foundation to raise awareness of the prevalence, symptoms and treatments for cancer in our companion animals. We think it’s very important that pet parents to be as educated as possible about pet cancer, especially when it comes to identifying those lumps and bumps your pets…

Halloween’s No Treat for Pets!

Halloween is a fun, spooky and often tasty time for us—but many treats associated with Halloween can put your pet’s health at risk. Here’s seasonal food (and drink) that you should definitely keep out of paw’s reach: Chocolate can cause upset stomachs, heart arrhythmia, panting, abnormal heart rhythm, kidney failure, seizures, and even death if large amounts are consumed. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, as they contain the largest amounts of methylxanthines, substances toxic to dogs and cats. Caffeine and coffee contain these same substances and should be kept away from your pet. Xylitol—a sweetener often found in peanut butter…

The Scary Fact of Kidney Disease and Your Cat

There's a strong possibility that your cat will eventually need treatment or management of kidney disease: it’s the #1 cause of death in cats over 10, and it’s estimated that more than half of cats over age 15 have reduced kidney function. What’s even scarier is that our feline friends rarely show any symptoms, and they’re easy to miss when they do. Symptoms you can be on the lookout for include: urinating outside the litterbox soaking the litterbox weight loss drinking more water Sadly, by the time most cats show symptoms the disease is very advanced. That’s why diagnosing reduced kidney function early…

Halloween Costume Contest

Get your furry friends and creative minds ready for our annual pet costume contest! We know your pet has been waiting a long time to get all fancied up, and we don’t want them (or you) to get impatient for those adorable outfits, so we make our contest last all month long! To enter your pet, just head over to the Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital Facebook page and post your pet’s photo in the comments of our Halloween Pet Costume Contest post. Then share the post with your friends and family to get as many likes as possible! The pet photo with the…

Welcome Dr. Roth!

We have MORE exciting news... Please join us in welcoming Dr. Roth to the team! We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Sarah Roth to the experienced medical team at Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital! Dr. Roth is a wonderful addition to our hospital, and we can’t wait for you to meet her! Originally from Dalton, Georgia, Dr. Sarah Roth moved to the Kirkland area in 2017, shortly after graduating from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. As a veterinarian, Dr. Roth loves dentistry and soft tissue surgery, but most of all, she loves building relationships with her clients and their pets. To her, these relationships are the most…

We’re in the Top 15% of Hospitals!

We just want to brag a little bit and mention that we have once again been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)!After a rigorous annual review of approximately 900 quality standards including our protocols, client service, medical equipment, facility and more, we have successfully renewed our AAHA accreditation for 2019, thus demonstrating our commitment to your pets’ care.AAHA-accredited hospitals are the finest in the industry, and unlike human hospitals, not all animal hospitals are required to be accredited. Only the top 12–15 percent of animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada have achieved accreditation, and to keep this…

Welcome Dr. Orechovesky!

We have exciting news... Please join us in welcoming Dr. Orechovesky! We are very please to welcome Dr. Shad Orechovesky to theexperienced medical team at Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital! Dr. "O" is a wonderful addition to our hospital and we can't wait for you to meet him! Growing up in Vermont gave Dr. Orechovesky the passion for the outdoors that drove him to make the journey to Washington. Always hiking, rock climbing, skiing, or just enjoying a nice nature walk, he can be found outdoors when not at the veterinary hospital. Graduating from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts in…

Why You Should Avoid Grain-Free Pet Food

By now, you’ve probably heard the warnings about the link between grain-free diets and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. DCM is a heart condition that can result in abnormal cardiac rhythms, congestive heart failure and even sudden death. Veterinary cardiologists, nutritionists and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are currently investigating a possible link between those types of diets and the development of this life-threatening heart condition. There are now enough solid, scientific studies to prove grain-free diets cause heart disease. We have seen this happen to patients at Juanita Bay, and our local, board certified veterinary…

Staying Safe in the Sun

Warm summery days are finally here, but with the sunshine comes a whole host of tips to keep your pets safe in the nice weather.One of the dangers to worry about is heat stroke, which can be more common in dogs than humans due to the less efficient way they release heat from their bodies. The best way to avoid this occurrence is by being aware of the situations that could leave your dog in a position particularly vulnerable to the summer heat: One of the dangers to worry about is heat stroke, which can be more common in dogs…

Heartworm Tips

As pet owners, it’s not unlikely that you’ve heard of heartworm disease. While not overly common here in northwest Washington, it’s still important to note the cause and implications of these little pests. Dogs and cats can contract heartworms when bitten by infected mosquitos leaving baby heartworm larvae inside your pet. The worms grow up and move on to live in the heart, lungs and blood vessels of infected animals, which is very serious for pets and can result in heart failure, lung disease and even death. We are indeed lucky to live in an area where this parasite is…

Honor Cancer Survivors with Your Pet!

Join the Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital team at the American Cancer Society Paws for a Cause event at Juanita Beach Park on May 18th from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Strut your mutt in support of the fight against cancer at a 5K Fun Walk and stick around to enjoy the day's fun activities which include a dog agility course, costume contest, vendors, food trucks and even dog nail trims! There will also be a free lunch for all of the amazing cancer survivors in the crowd. Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital is a very proud sponsor of this family-friendly, community event and we can't wait to see you all…

Meet Dr. Clark!

April 27th is World Veterinary Day, so we wanted to take some time to recognize some of what makes Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital so special. For over 50 years, our hospital has been working with pet owners to help their pets live long and healthy lives by providing the most advanced, progressive care and technology. We do this because it is what we would want for our own animals, and we know how important it is that they be seen with a loving eye as well as a knowledgeable one. The owner and medical director of Juanita Bay Veterinary Hospital…

Spring Is Here, But So Are The Parasites!

Your pets are much more likely to encounter fleas and ticks in the spring and summer, as these critters thrive in warmer weather. Don’t overlook the problems these pests cause: fleas can trigger hot spots and dermatitis, and tick bites can transmit several dangerous diseases. During this time of year, you should thoroughly check your pets for fleas and ticks on a daily basis. This can be done while you are playing with your best friend or grooming them. Although fleas and ticks can be anywhere on your pet’s body, they prefer posting up near the head, ears, neck and…

Kidney Disease in Pets

Did you know that kidney disease is the #1 cause of death in cats over 10? Or that nine out of every 1000 dogs examined suffer from kidney disease? March is National Kidney Month and because this condition is so common and can be deadly, it’s important families be aware of the symptoms of kidney (renal) disease. For cats, a visit to the vet is warranted if you notice any unusual elimination problems, such as straining to urinate without producing urine or urinating outside the litter box. Increased vocalization is often a sign as well. In both dogs and cats, other symptoms…

Puppy Prep 101

National Puppy Day is March 23rd—and in addition to encouraging puppy adoption from shelters and rescues, it’s also a day to create awareness about the best way to care for these pawsome friends who give us an unconditional lifetime of love. At JBVH, we have a plan for puppy care that will make sure your new bestie gets everything he or she needs! It’s important to get your puppy in to see us as soon as possible after adoption. This is because puppies need vaccinations and parasite testing right away—their developing immune systems mean they can become seriously ill very…

Protect Your Pets From Poisons

What’s lurking in your house that could make your pet sick? Turns out, lots of things. National Animal Poison Prevention Week is March 17—23, and we want you to be aware of substances that should stay out of paw’s reach! Human medications. Keep them in sealed containers and locked away as pets might see loose pills and think they’re treats. Plants. Dogs and cats like to chew on plants, but some can make your pet very ill. The most common toxic plants are azaleas, lilies, daffodils and tulips. Antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but even small amounts can be…

Preparing Pets for Disaster

Natural disasters can happen without warning and just like their human families, pets need to be prepared. Making sure your animals are ready of a catastrophic event (earthquake, flooding, heavy snow) can help make it less disastrous for all of you. One of the first things you need to do is make sure all your pets are up-to-date on their vaccines. If your animals are in a situation where they must travel, or placed in a boarding facility or evacuation shelter, having current vaccines is paramount for their health as well as the health of other animals. Pets should also…

A Safer Way to Get Your Pet’s Meds Online

Ordering pet meds and prescription food online is so convenient, right? Click a few buttons, type in a little info and products are delivered to your door. JBVH has our own VetSource online pharmacy, If you use online pharmacies, we encourage you to purchase your pet’s prescription preventatives, medications, and diets from that site for several reasons. When you do, the purchase is automatically documented in your pet’s medical record, and the product’s guarantees stay intact. That’s not always the case when you buy online without a direct veterinary relationship at sites such as 1-800-PetMeds, Fosters & Smith, Chewy.com and…

Pet Steal Your Heart?

If so, it could be a serious problem! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s important to keep all those heart-shaped boxes of treats out of paw’s reach. Chocolate is extremely dangerous to both dogs and cats. The toxic substance in chocolate is theobromine, and it is present in all chocolate—even the white kind. As a rule, the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine present, with the most dangerous being unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa powder. If you think your pet may have ingested chocolate or any harmful substance, don’t hesitate to call us at 425-823-8411. It’s also a good…

Senior Pet Health Month

September is Senior Pet Health Month! Did you know that your pet is considered a senior at age 7 or 8? Our senior pets have given us so much love and joy over the years! We can return the love through understanding and caring for their changing needs. Read our Senior Pet Health Month News

Fourth of July Pet Safety

The 4th of July is full of good times with family and friends, great food and spectacular firework displays. While this spells fun for us, it can be a frightening and potentially hazardous time for our pets. Sadly, we have many calls for pets that go missing during this time. Keeping your pet indoors, providing ID tags with current contact information and a registered microchip are the most important safety measures you can take to protect your pet. If your pet becomes anxious around loud noises and you feel they may need medication to help keep them calm during the…