Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Dr. Mark Kummer grew up in southern California, but fled northward upon earning his veterinary degree from UC Davis in 1993. He joined the Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital team in 1995, and gratefully accepted Dr. Hall’s offer of partnership in 1999. Dr. Kummer has special interests in surgery, ophthalmology, and radiology. When not treating patients, he enjoys golfing, hiking in our beautiful mountains, and relaxing with his wife, Jennifer, son John Benjamin, and their horse and numerous cats.

COVID-19 and Companion Animals Update

July 12, 2023April 26, 2021 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Seattle’s King 5 News agency recently published an article reporting positive COVID-19 tests in 23 dogs. All dogs were part of a research study being conducted by the University of Washington to determine if companion animals living in the homes with known COVID-19 human infections might also test positive for the virus. These findings are consistent with prior scattered reports of companion animals, who are living with people with COVID-19 infection, testing positive for the virus. The importance of these positive tests is unclear. Thankfully, despite more than a year of the entire world living with COVID-19, severe clinical illness … Read more »

Heartworm in WA Update- Testing Now Recommended

July 12, 2023April 21, 2021 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Heartworm Disease has been a rampant problem in parts of the US for more than two decades. While the incidence in dogs in Washington State remains very low, it is rising. To help prevent this serious disease (and also control intestinal parasites), Fairhaven Vet has already been recommending monthly, year-round preventive medication (Interceptor Plus) for all dogs for the past several years. We now believe that yearly testing is also in the best interest of our canine companions. Heartworm is transmitted from dog to dog via Mosquito bites. A microscopic larvae is ingested when a mosquito bites an infected dog. … Read more »

Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Companion Animal Q&A Update 4-6-2020

July 12, 2023April 6, 2020 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

The following blog post is an update from Dr. Wendy Zawoysky’s post on 3/3/2020. We strive to keep our clients informed with the best information possible on COVID-19 and its potential affect on companion animals. Please continue to monitor our blog and social media posts for the most current information we are receiving. The widely reported occurrence of a Tiger at the Bronx Zoo testing positive for COVID-19 and showing signs of a cough and reduced appetite raises appropriate questions about the risk to pets from COVID-19, and whether they could become an important … Read more »

FDA Warning- “Grain Free” Diets Linked to Heart Disease?

July 12, 2023July 2, 2019 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Potential Link Between Grain-Free Diets and Heart Disease in Dogs- Diet Change Recommended for Safety The FDA published an article late last week highlighting a potential link between certain brands of food (producing mostly grain-free diets) and a significant increase in reported cases of “Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy”, particularly in medium and large-breed dogs. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy Currently, the cause of the problem is unknown, and is likely to be quite complex. Taurine and other amino-acid levels, the grains being used, manufacturing practices, and ingredient sourcing are all being investigated. It will be quite some time before we have a clearer understanding of … Read more »

FDA Fact Sheet on Isoxazoline-containing Flea and Tick Products, Including Credelio

July 12, 2023September 21, 2018 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm620940.htm The FDA released a Fact Sheet today to help ensure that pet-owners and veterinarians are aware of potential neurologic side effects from flea and tick preventive products containing that contain the Isoxazoline class of medications. These products include Credelio (the flea/tick preventive recommended by Fairhaven Vet for dogs), Nexgard, Bravecto and Simparica. It is unclear as to why the FDA released this fact sheet. The potential for virtually all effective flea/tick products to very rarely cause neurologic signs is well-known, but they are considered safe for the vast majority of animals. Dr. Kummer has emailed the FDA to enquire … Read more »

Parasite Control Recommendations

March 20, 2018 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Parasite Prevention 2018 Helping you to maintain optimal health in your 4-legged family members has always been our primary focus at Fairhaven Vet, and parasite-control is an increasingly important part of good, preventive, health-care! The incidence of external and internal parasites has clearly been rising in our area. These parasites not only pose a health risk to your pets, but many can cause disease in people as well. Fairhaven Vet now recommends Year-Round comprehensive parasite prevention for your pets: Dogs: A combination of once-monthly Credelio (Fleas and Ticks) and Interceptor Plus (Internal Parasites) is recommended for all dogs for excellent, safe … Read more »

FVH Puppy and Kitten Care Recommendations

June 21, 2021June 13, 2017 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Dr. Kummer, medical director and owner of the Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital, has recently updated the recommendations for care of your new puppy or kitten. Kitten Care Recommendations Puppy Care Recommendations

WA State Canine Influenza Update

January 12, 2018January 20, 2016 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Canine Influenza Canine Influenza Update by Dr. Mark Kummer — January 12, 2018: Despite the “red-flag” raised by a recent Fox News article, republished this week by the Bellingham herald, there has been no serious increase in flu cases on the west coast, and no confirmed cases reported in Washington for over 2-years. Consultation with the Washington State Veterinary Medical association, and with internal-medicine specialists at the two laboratories where we and other veterinarians send test samples, confirms this information. Occasional outbreaks of Canine Influenza, usually in shelter animals, remain a low-level problem in the United States, and have recently been diagnosed … Read more »

Travelling with your pet?

June 13, 2017June 30, 2014 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Written by Dr. Mark Kummer Canada by car: All pets greater than 3-months of age must be accompanied by a current Rabies vaccination certificate. No health certificate is needed. Remember, also, that all individuals over 16 must have a passport or passport card when crossing the border by car. Children travelling by car may utilize alternate documentation, check http://travel.state.gov/ for more details. Alaskan Ferry: All pets must have a current Rabies vaccination certificate (if over 3-mos of age), AND a health certificate issued at a veterinary exam within 10 days of travel (regardless of age). Pets will be turned-away from … Read more »

Arthritis and Our Pets

June 21, 2017November 7, 2013 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

FVH Senior Pet Handout Arthritis in Dogs Arthritis (also known as Degenerative Joint Disease or “DJD”) is one of the most common diseases of older animals affecting both dogs and cats. Pets are now living longer than ever. Many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, occur with aging and can be difficult to manage. With recent advances in veterinary medicine and surgery, there are now many things that can be done to help your pet with osteoarthritis. DJD is especially common and often devastating in large breed dogs over the age of 8. Sadly, DJD starts out mild but over several years … Read more »