2008 Christmas Party!

We just had our staff Christmas party and I thought you’d like to see some of the pictures. Jason, one of the technicians, brought his Wii Guitar Hero World Tour, which was a blast! We had good food, good company, and lots of laughs!

Cold Weather Tips

Christmas time is near and the clinic is slowing.  More and more people are starting to concentrate on festivities and less on preventative care. This doesn’t mean we don’t see the ill and emergent cases, but the annual wellness exams and other general preventative care does slow till after the new year. Our boarding of course picks up significantly.  We will be full till mid January and I have a little more time to play with these dogs and cats, instead of poking them with needles.  It’s my little gift for the holiday.

Several clients have been asking about the cold weather and how our pets handle it and when is it too cold for them.  These are a few winter rules to live by:

• Avoid paw exposure to ice melt – most can be toxic if ingested and caustic to even tough pads. If you do have some exposure, simply wash those paws to remove the material.
• Grooming. Now I don’t advise too much clipping of the coat in winter, but you should continue to keep the longer coats goomed and brushed. Consider clipping long hair on the bottom webbing of the paws to keep ice and snow from accumulating.
• Small and Toy breeds as well as short coated dogs should consider jackets and even boots to avoid too much exposure.
• Frostbite can occur within minutes in subzero temps to exposed skin especially ears, toes, and scrotum so avoid long exposure outside for those pets more prone (thinner coats, prick ears, etc.)
• Shelter. For those dogs that stay predominately outside, they need shelter from the cold, which in my opinion, would be more than just a simply dog house.  I would want something well insulated or have some heat source (heat lamp, etc) to protect the pet and keep water bowls from freezing.

Every pet will of course have different needs, but common sense should prevail in protecting those four legged family members. I hope everyone has a great holiday.

Welcome

Let me start with who I am.  I am a graduate of Texas A & M University ( Go Aggies, Beat Texas) BS in ‘97 and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2000.  Now I grew up with a grandfather that ranched all of his life even today and my father who ranched, farmed and eventually settled in the oil fields of West Texas.  I was very active in my local FFA, showing lambs, steers, and yes, chickens at county shows and some major ones like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I also did a lot of leadership and judging throughout my high school years.

Today, I practice medicine with dogs and cats and a few exotics, mostly pocket mammals. So how did I get to Northern Colorado from that background?

I got into vet school and discovered that I really love small animal medicine and surgery.  The level of medicine was limitless and more pet owners are able to reach those levels.  I also love the individual care and relationships with owners and their pets.

I also met my love and future wife while in vet school.  A woman who loves the Rockies, snowsking and much cooler weather than south Texas.  So here I am in all my glory, co-owner and only doctor in this practice.

This blog, I hope, can be a place for honesty, where we can learn and share experiences about our pets. I will give my slant on care and health for all of our four legged family members.

Thank you for checking this out and I look forward to your questions and comments.