Canine Medical

HPAI – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

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  Updated April 2025 AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) RISK TO CATS BEING FED RAW OR FREEZE-DRIED DIETS HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza), due to infection with the virus, H5N1, is a steadily increasing concern across the world. Since its discovery in the United States in February 2022, it has caused deaths in many wild birds, and has required the destruction of many commercial and backyard flocks to help limit spread. Infection in birds is usually caused by direct exposure to other infected birds and is often spread by migrating wild birds. Spread of H5N1 to other species is much less … Read more »

Recent Reports of Serious Upper Respiratory Infection in Dogs Outside of WA

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Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital has become aware of a recent increase of serious upper respiratory infection cases in dogs in Oregon, California and Colorado, among other areas. Several concerned clients have contacted us for recommendations as we move into the holiday season and travel plans are being finalized. Thankfully, at FVH, we have not seen an increase in coughing dogs nor cases of unusually severe respiratory problems in dogs and we do not think there is an immediate threat locally. Contagious, upper-respiratory infections are always at greater risk in scenarios where dogs are in group settings, such as off leash dog parks, … Read more »

COVID-19 and Companion Animals Update

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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

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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 »

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 »

Help! My Pet’s Got an Itch!!

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There is nothing more frustrating than being woken all night listening to a pet scratch, chew and lick.  And if you have experienced this, you know that it is probably equally as frustrating and sometimes painful for our beloved pets.  Itch and subsequent scratching and chewing of the skin can be caused by many conditions and it may take several visits to the veterinarian to help determine the cause and prevent recurrence of itch.  First and foremost, our goal is to stop the itch to ensure your pet’s welfare.  A pet that is scratching regularly, even when they don’t show … Read more »

Anesthesia, To Fear or Not To Fear?

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  My name is Debbie Figueroa and I am the Lead Licensed Veterinary Nurse at Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital. I have been a licensed veterinary nurse for 19 years and obtained my specialty board certification (VTS) in Canine/Feline practice. On a daily basis I am asked, “if this was your pet, would you place them under anesthesia”? The answer to that question is complex and must take into account each individual patient’s need and health status. Some items that are given consideration by the nurse: Is there an underlying health issue? (kidney disease, heart disease or thyroid disease). Is the patient … Read more »

Your pooch dread vet visits?

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Post contributed by FVH Veterinary Assistants: Help my dog hates the Veterinary Visit! As staff of a veterinary hospital, we strive to create and maintain an environment with few stressors: We minimize contact between our patients, we use as little restraint as necessary for procedures, we remain calm and gentle in our tone and movements, and we avoid situations that may cause emotional trauma to our patients. Usually our patients have had enough good experiences with us (or maybe just enough treats) that they no longer become fearful when we handle them for less-than-comfortable procedures. Sometimes though, we meet a … Read more »

Dermatology in Veterinary Medicine

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    Dermatology, as you may know, is the study of the skin and all structures of the skin such as hair and toenails. It’s not the most exciting part of veterinary medicine. We don’t get to play with a lot of shiny new gadgets – usually just our eyes and a microscope…and our noses. Yes, dermatology is smelly, sticky, and often downright gross! And I love it. The number of diseases that can affect the skin is enormous! Not only parasites and other infections, but allergies, cancer, and endocrine diseases play big roles. Auto-immune diseases can affect animals just … Read more »

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