Canine Medical Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital

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 »

Oral Health and Your Pet, Does it Really Matter!?

October 30, 2025August 5, 2013 by Dr. Wendy Zawoysky

The answer is an unequivocal yes! According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, nearly 80% of dogs and 70% of cats demonstrate signs of oral disease by age 4. The health of a cat or dog’s mouth directly contributes to the overall health of the animal. Following veterinary advice on regular oral exams, digital imaging and dental prophylaxis is a great pathway to a happier and longer life for your beloved companion. At FVH we perform comprehensive oral care under general anesthesia beginning at age 3 for small dogs and age 4 for all cats and all other sizes of … Read more »

Heartworm in WA?

April 2, 2024May 21, 2013 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

***Note our recommendations changed as of April 2021…https://fairhavenvet.com/heartworm-in-wa-update-testing-now-recommended/*** What is heartworm? Are pets at risk for heartworm disease in western Washington? How do I protect my pet from contracting this serious parasitic infection? These are important questions asked by clients new to the area or those travelling with their pets on vacation. What is heartworm? According to the FDA website on animal diseases, “Heartworm is a serious disease that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets. It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. The worms … Read more »

Biggest Loser…Dogs and Cats?

June 13, 2017May 1, 2013 by Nursing Staff

When you hear of medical conditions like heart disease, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis do you immediately think of diseases primarily faced by overweight people? Did you know that excess weight is one of the leading causes of these same medical conditions in cats and dogs?! Worse yet, nearly 55% of all pets in America today are overweight, with 1 in 5 pets considered obese. This excessive weight trend worsened in American dogs and cats throughout the past decade, mirroring the human obesity epidemic. As a result many weight related diseases are now showing up in our … Read more »