Stayton Veterinary Hospital Newsletter / 2023 Issue No. 1

Solensia: Osteoarthritis Treatment for Cats

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes cartilage to break down and expose bone to bone. Bone on bone contact is very painful and can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues. Chronic pain can greatly affect a cat’s quality of life and often requires long term medication for pain management. Cat’s tend to be very stoic animals and it can be difficult to identify when they are in pain. If a cat is struggling to jump on and off things, go up and down stairs, or they have stopped chasing their favorite toys, it is time to have them evaluated by a veterinarian. They may be suffering from Osteoarthritis.

Administering oral medications to cats can pose to be very tricky and stressful for both cats and their humans. Luckily, there is now an injectable, FDA approved,

Osteoarthritis treatment called Solensia. Solensia is administered once a month by your veterinarian. Solensia is a protein that works like a cat’s antibodies. It targets the pain caused by Osteoarthritis. Treatment is simple and effective.

After just one treatment, owners should see a noticeable difference in their cats behavior. Their toy chasing, stair climbing days do not need to be over.

If you think that your cat may be suffering from Osteoarthritis pain, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to see if the once a month Solensia injections are a good option for them.

Welcoming Spring: Pet Checklist

Parasite Prevention

Although we do not have a “flea season” in the Pacific Northwest, there is often an influx of pesky parasites as the weather warms, the plants start to bloom and they start spending more time outside. Now is the time to make sure that your pets flea/ tick and heartworm prevention supply is well stocked and that you have set your calendar reminders to make sure they are administered on time each month.

Microchip/ Pet Identification

More time outside also means there is more potential for pets to wander and become lost. Making sure that your pet has a working microchip or some form of identification can play a huge part in assisting in getting them back home to you quickly. Microchips and identification tags are the first things that veterinary and shelter staff look for when a lost animal is brought in.

Grooming

Spring kicks off shedding season for all of our furry friends. Staying on top of grooming is an important part of your pets health. Poor grooming can lead to matts, skin irritation and skin infections.

Allergies

As things start to bloom you may notice your pets starting to scratch, rub and lick more. Animals can have seasonal allergies just like us. If you are noticing these changes, contact your veterinarian. There are treatments available to help alleviate their allergy symptoms.

Wipe Paws If Pets Have Been On The Grass

This time of year it is common for pesticides and fertilizers to be used to treat lawns and gardens. These chemicals can cause irritation to pets paw pads and between their toes. A great way to help avoid this problem is to wipe their feet each time they come in from being on grass.

GORILLA ROY

Over the course of the last 19 years in the veterinary field, I’d like to say I’ve seen it all.

Each day is filled with a variety of cases—bladder stones, porcupine quills, bizarre illnesses, cancers, allergies. This list goes on and on. However, I continue to encounter new illnesses, new questions from clients, and new life-threatening emergencies, even after all this time.

Frequently we are called upon to decipher seemingly random clues and form them into a diagnosis for our wordless patients. Symptoms, like a puzzle, are meticulously arranged to build a picture of health or lack thereof. Other times, the clues are blatant and the picture is immediately apparent. Roy was a patient in the latter group, saving us from having to decode the signs, but his issue was no less serious.

Six days prior to his visit, Roy had found a bottle of Gorilla Glue and enjoyed the excitement of chewing it up!

A couple days went by and Roy’s appetite began to decrease and he started vomiting. Soon Roy was not eating at all and drooling profusely. It was time for a visit to the veterinarian.

Though Roy was still playful and had a normal energy level, palpation of his upper abdomen caused him pain. Radiographs were taken to help determine the extent of damage caused by the glue ingestion. Thankfully his GI tract had been unaffected, but there was a large accumulation of glue in his stomach. The only way to save his life was to remove the contents of his stomach.

Mere hours later, Roy was in surgery. The glue had formed a solid ball in his stomach, expanding as it hardened. Food and water were not able to find any additional space within the stomach and there was no chance the glue was going anywhere without our intervention.

Carefully, the stomach was opened and the glue, about the size of a head of lettuce, was removed. With the offending ball out of the stomach, Roy recovered quickly. By the end of the day, he was back on his feet. His appetite returned and he put the unpleasant experience behind him. Though we’d like to assume that Gorilla Roy, as he was dubbed, learned a valuable lesson, no one is taking a chance— all glue has been kept far from his reach!

Written by Amie Gates

Common Household Toxins for Dogs & Cats

Grapes, garlic, yeast products (raw bread dough), onions , lilies , azaleas and tulips

Meet Our New Doctors

Dr. Jon Remy

Dr. Remy grew up just outside of Turner, where his parent’s small farm offered opportunities to raise a collection of cows, chickens, dogs and bees. He decided at a young age to become a veterinarian, and has yet to reconsider.

He went to Oregon State University and completed a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, then stayed at Oregon State for Vet School, graduating in 2023. During those years he spent his breaks from school working with the SVH team, and got to experience the incredible doctors, staff, clients and patients that make this community great. He is looking forward to joining the team here and developing relationships with his patients and clients. His favorite parts of veterinary medicine include the variety he gets to see in a day, developing long term relationships, and getting to improve the lives of animals and their people.

Outside of work, he enjoys running, making hay, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and looking for excuses to do projects outside. Dr. Remy is looking forward to finding ways to give back to a community which has been such a blessing to him.

Dr. Alanna Wildman

Dr. Wildman grew up in Cody, Wyoming. Growing up she always wanted to become a marine mammal veterinarian which led her to study marine biology at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. After completing her bachelor degree in marine biology, she took 2 years off to work in local veterinary clinics and soon realized the deep connections she made with clients meant the world to her and changed her track to work in general practice.

Dr. Wildman pursued her degree in veterinary medicine at Washington State University, where she received her DVM, and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. During her time at WSU she worked for a local clinic that served large and small animals and further expanded her horizon to the idea of working in a mixed animal practice which brings her to Stayton Veterinary Hospital. She has a special interest in dentistry, oncology, and general medicine.

In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowboarding, cooking and spending time with her furry kiddos Willow and Dakota.

Your Pet. Our Passion.

Take a peek at your care team busy at work!

Appointment Reminders & Communication Made

Easy with Pet Desk

The Pet Desk App is worth the download! It makes staying on top of your pets care easy and convenient. Through the Pet Desk App, you can send us appointments and medication requests. The App also allows you to check your pets vaccine records which can make scheduling grooming and boarding appointments much easier. Clinic specials are often sent through the Pet Desk App. You don’t want to miss out! If you are having trouble downloading the app or have questions, please call us and we would be happy to assist you.

Q: What should I do if my pet ever ingested a toxin?

Quick action and treatment is important. If you believe that your pet has ingested a toxin your veterinarian should be contacted immediately. The treatment window is often short and treatment should be performed as promptly as possible.

There are several things that you can do to help the doctor treat your pet as quickly and efficiently as possible. If the packaging of the toxin is available, bring it with you so the doctor can see all of the ingredients. Try to identify how much of the toxin your pet ingested. Take note of what time the toxin was ingested. All of these things are extremely helpful when treating toxicity.

Have a question? Email staff@staytonveterinary.com or call 503-769-7387 (PETS).

$10 OFF VETERINARY SERVICES

Mention the code TAKE10 at checkout on your next visit and get $10 off veterinary services of $40 or more involving a doctor.

Offer can be used once per quarter

REFER A FRIEND & GET REWARDED

Make a referral and receive a $30 Stayton Veterinary Hospital gift card once your friend completes their first visit to our clinic.

We appreciate referrals!

GET 25% OFF PET VACCINE WITH QUALIFIED EXAM

To qualify for discount, your appointment must be scheduled in advance during our Vaccine Clinic every Saturday from 11:30 AM–4:30 PM.

Limited spots available

Q&A CORNER

Michael Reynolds, DVM