Cat Scratching….Help!!

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          Concerns about inappropriate scratching among cat owners are a common occurrence. In some cases, the destruction is bad enough that pet parents consider re-homing their kitty. The good news is that for those facing this stressful situation there are some solutions that can help. It is vital to understand that scratching is a normal behavior of cats. Cats use scratching to mark their territory and frequently traveled routes. Scratching can occur more at times of change or stress – such as the addition of new furniture, a change in the family, a new pet or … Read more »

COVID-19 Client Update 6-11-20

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The past many months have provided no shortage of challenges as we have learned to adapt to the ever-changing landscape that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented. I cannot begin to say how thankful I have been for the veterinarians and team members that make FVH such a great place to work. Their dedication to maintaining patient care, while on the front lines as an essential business, has been inspiring. And I would be doing a disservice to our loyal client base if I were to not offer a big thank you! You all have been so gracious in working with … Read more »

Puppy Socialization during COVID-19…What to do?!!

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          Socialization is the exciting stage of life when a puppy is open to new experiences. This crucial time period from roughly 3 – 14 weeks will set the stage for how your puppy reacts to the people, places, and things in the world around her for the rest of her life. Raising a young puppy during a socially distant pandemic creates some challenges, though there are many creative ways to provide valuable experiences. Set up a “novel room” – this is a room that a puppy can go into each day and discover new sights, … Read more »

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

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          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 »

COVID-19 Client Update 3-19-20

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Our goal during this ongoing crisis is to make sure we can remain open to service our sick and chronically ill patients. In our continued effort to mitigate exposure to COVID-19 for you and our staff, we are implementing additional safety measures. The following policies will be in place beginning Monday, 3/23: It is very important that you complete the patient medical history form available on our website prior to your visit https://fairhavenvet.com/forms/patient-medical-history-form/ Be sure to bring a cell phone on the day of your visit. Arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. On arrival to our parking … Read more »

COVID-19 Client Update 3-16-2020

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Dear FVH Client, COVID-19 continues to be a concern for us all. We are monitoring local, state and national authorities for the latest information. Please review our blog post published last week on ways we are working to protect you and our staff. Effective immediately, FVH will begin implementing changes to staffing levels and scheduling priorities. We will officially become a medical-only facility until May 1st to ensure continued care of sick dogs and cats in our community. Nursing appointments will still be available for vaccination needs based on specific qualifications, please contact the hospital for further information. All elective … Read more »

COVID-19 Client Update

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Dear FVH Client, As many of you are already aware, the COVID-19 virus continues to be a topic of concern in WA state. With the first confirmed case of the virus in Bellingham diagnosed yesterday, local health authorities are encouraging vigilance in reducing additional transmission within our community and beyond. Our Veterinarians and veterinary nursing staff met this morning to discuss measures to protect ourselves and you, the clients we serve. The good news is that as a veterinary hospital we are already vigilant in preventing the spread of infectious disease in our cat and dog patients. Many of the … Read more »

Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Companion Animal Q&A

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          Hi everyone, its Dr. Wendy. Let’s talk Coronavirus! We are fielding an increasing number of calls from concerned clients about the human Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its relevance to companion animals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no animals in the United States have been identified with the virus, and there is no evidence that dogs or other pets can contract or spread COVID-19.  Here is a link to the specific section at the CDC site where animals are addressed: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#animals. Below are my quick answers to your most common concerns based … Read more »

Nature Lover, Cat Lover…Should a Cat Go Outside?

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Nature lover, Cat lover…a perspective. An outdoor cat is any cat that spends time outdoors including feral, stray, farm, unowned, and indoor/outdoor cats.  An estimate from 2013 suggests that outdoor cats kill 1.3 to 4 billion wild birds and 6.3 to 22.3 billion wild mammals in the US, per year!  And not all prey are quickly killed by cats.  Many may be maimed or injured creating an even greater humane concern.  One rehabilitation center in Minnesota admitted 5600 animals in 2019 that had been attacked by cats.  Cats are considered just one of the many reasons for population decline of … Read more »

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

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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 »

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