Kent Veterinary Clinic and Coquihalla Veterinary Clinic

08/24/2024

Separation anxiety is ruff!

Unfortunately, our pets are not immune to anxiety disorders and can sometimes play off their owners own anxieties. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a boom in people getting dogs and cats in order to beat the boredom that came along with having to stay isolated from the rest of the world. This boom brought around what we affectionately call as the "Covid Puppy". This is a broad term used for dogs that were adopted by people during the pandemic. These pups were used to having their owners home all the time and never got the chance to experience time by themselves. When owners went back to work, these "covid puppies" struggled adjusting to new day-to-day routines. Thus leading to an increase in dogs with separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is quite common and isn't exclusively an issue for owners that got dogs during the covid years. We see dogs of all ages, sizes, backgrounds and breeds that experience some form of anxiety once their owners leave them alone.

Some common anxious behaviours we see from dogs are:
- vocalization; constant barking or howling while the owner is away
- unable to relax or sleep
- destructive behaviour
- inappropriate elimination

Dogs usually exhibit these behaviours around the owners personal belongings, in places where the owner usually frequents or where the owners leave and enter the home. In some cases, owners can still be in the vicinity but if the dog isn't interacting with them they can resort to above behaviours.

It is important to always visit the vet before diagnosing separation anxiety in order to rule out any other medical problems. Some diseases can cause dogs to have accidents in the house, have issues sleeping/relaxing or have different attitudes towards their owners.

What can owners do at home?
- Establish a predictable routine
- Make sure they are occupied while owners are away from them. Give them toys, chews or other enriching activities
- Have protocol in place that times a reward with the correct behaviour. For example, if your dog seeks attention you should ignore them and reward them when the voluntarily spend time on their own
- Give them an area where they feel safe and comfortable

We recommended getting puppies used to being in a kennel or area that they go in when the owners are away. Owners should encourage new puppies to be on their own and entertain themselves with the appropriate toys or treats. For dogs that already have separation anxiety, kennels should be used cautiously in order to avoid major destruction or the pet causing self harm. There are also medications that owners can give to help transition their pets to a less stressful daily routine. In severe cases, we recommend reaching out to a trainer to help owners retrain and establish new and acceptable behaviours.

If owners have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call us and we help as best we can. We also recommend checking out this article on the VCA website for additional information on how to combat separation anxiety in our furry friends.

08/10/2024

Tis the season.....Corn Season we mean!

In the Fraser Valley, we are lucky to have such amazing locally grown corn each summer! However, dog owners need to be extra cautious when serving up this delicious side with their summer dinners.

Corn cobs are among the top foreign body ingestions we see in dogs. Although our pups might think that they are quite a treat, it can become a very serious problem. Corn cobs can't be digested which means that our pets usually find another way of getting the cob out of their bodies. (i.e. vomiting it up, pooping it out or having a very nice veterinarian assist with the removal)

If owners suspect or know that their dog has eaten a corn cob, it is best to make them vomit it up as soon as possible. If they are able to get it up, it will help avoid any major blockages in the GI tract. A corn cob that has been lodged or stuck in the body can cause serious damage and may be life threatening.

We recently saw a pup named Koda that the owner thought had eaten parts of her favourite toy a couple weeks prior. She had been a bit off and the owner started to worry when she became very lethargic, started vomiting and refused to eat. Her bloodwork showed a serious infection and that her kidneys were shutting down. Our staff quickly admitted her to hospital and placed her on IV fluids. Due to the severity of her condition and the length of time she had been sick, Dr. Ricka decided that Koda needed emergency surgery.

During surgery, Dr. Ricka found a piece of a corn cob (about 1.5 inches) lodged in Koda's small intestine. The surrounding intestines had tried hard to push the corn cob through but it eventually got stuck. The intestines had become so damaged that 2.5 feet had to be removed! Foreign body surgery where parts of the intestines need to be removed is a very high risk surgery. The first week after surgery is the most crucial in determining how a patient will recover. Of course, we always want our patients to recover and do well but due to the nature of this procedure, infection and eventually death are a very real concern.

In Koda's case, her story has a happy ending. Koda is now a couple weeks post-op and doing very well! We encourage owners to be mindful of their pets during corn season and to contact either clinic if they suspect their dog has eaten a corn cob.

08/02/2024

These crazy poodles are dancing their way into the weekend!

Just a reminder that both of our clinics will be closed Monday, August 5th for BC Day. We will re-open for regular business hours on Tuesday, August 6th.

For any emergencies, please contact the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Fraser Valley at 604-514-1711.

Happy Long Weekend!

07/29/2024

Make sure to get your medication and food orders in before the long weekend! We are requesting that our clients let us know before Thursday, August 1st at 12pm if they need any products ordered or set aside.

We will be closed Monday, August 5th for BC Day. Our normal business hours will resume Tuesday, August 6th.

07/27/2024

It's too hot to handle...

Now that we are well into our first heat wave of the summer, we need to make sure our pups are staying cool. Our "squishy face" breeds or brachycephalic breeds are at the greatest risk at getting heatstroke but it can also affect our seniors, overweight dogs and dogs with heart conditions. It is best to keep the dogs most at risk inside during the intense heat and in a cool area of the house with access to water.

Did you know that dogs can only sweat through their paws and rely on panting to help cool them down!

Signs of Heatstroke:
- excessive panting
- drooling
- weakness
- collapse
- seizures in serious cases

Heatstroke can cause serious damage to the body and can eventually lead to kidney damage, blood clotting issues, shock and other series long term issues.

What can owners do at home when heatstroke occurs?
- apply damp towels to their pets feet and underside (Do not put in a cold shower or sq**rt with hose as changing their surrounding temperature too quickly can cause their blood vessel to constrict and actually delay cooling
- keep in a cool, shady place
- have a fan facing in the dogs direction
- call their vet clinic immediately for further direction

Let's keep our pups cool this summer and beat the heat (stroke)!

07/22/2024

*UPDATED*

As of July 22, 2024, the rules have changed again for dogs travelling from Canada to the United States. We apologize for any confusion that may have occurred with our previous email this morning as we were unaware that there would be yet another change.

Hopefully, these are the last of the changes for now but we are still encouraging clients to follow the CFIA website for the most up to date information. The new rules are as follows:

- All dogs must appear healthy when at the border crossing

- All dogs must be at least 6 months of age

- All dogs must have an ISO compatible microchip

- Owners must fill out the CDC Import Form 2-10 days prior to their arrival at their port of entry into the United States (This form will be valid for 6 months and is good for multiple entries into the United States

- It is no longer required to have a veterinarian's signature on export documents

Rabies vaccines are still recommended for all dogs traveling across the border as some states require the vaccine. A valid rabies vaccine will also be required for dogs to enter back into Canada. Owners should still bring their dogs Rabies Vaccine Certificate with them when traveling just as they did before.

CFIA Website Link: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/exports/pets/dogs-usa

CDC Import Form:
https://cdc-786687.workflowcloud.com/forms/fb112553-dd9a-4c3e-a75f-12d6b7e2f2a4

The United States border control has granted a 2 month grace period for these new regulations that will end October 1, 2024.

For any clients who have already asked us to fill out these forms and have not received them back yet, we will be refunding the $50 charge as a credit on your account.

Please call either clinic with any further questions and we will try our best to help. Thank you so much for all your patience and cooperation during this last month and we hope this is the end of the changes for everyone's sake.

Kind regards,
The Coquihalla and Kent Staff

07/13/2024

Unfortunately, at this time the CFIA, which is our governing body that controls the import and export of animals into and out of the country, currently does not have the staff or infrastructure to comply with the CDC rules and is therefore not endorsing any of their required forms.

As of August 1, 2024, only owners who have already traveled to the United States to obtain a U.S-Issued Rabies Vaccine and had the accompanying form signed by a CDC Verified Veterinarian will be allowed to cross the border. We currently have no say or part in these new regulations but we continue to follow the newest updates and strive to provide our clients with the most up-to-date information.

At this time, we are asking clients to look for the newest information regarding travel to the United States on the CDC and CFIA websites. Our staff members will try to clarify as much information as possible but we ask for your patience as we too do not have all the answers. Thank you for your understanding.

CFIA WEBSITE: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/travelling-pets-food-plants/travelling-pet

CDC WEBSITE: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/traveling-with-pets.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwqMO0BhA8EiwAFTLgIMZ-uOhwN8SN6D5cSQW8tT0txyn61pQ528M06ZTsHX9fcAHcrzflhBoCatsQAvD_BwE

07/06/2024

Let's talk about bloat, baby! Let's talk about GDV....

GDV or Gastric Dilation and Volvulus is a medical condition that mostly affects our big breed and deep chested dogs but it can occur in small dogs such as chihuahuas. Any animal is susceptible to what's called "simple bloat" which is when the stomach fills up with excessive amounts of gas but the animal still has a way of releasing that gas. Bloat becomes a very serious issue in dogs when the stomach flips or twists trapping the built up gas with no release, this is what we call GDV.

Some breeds are more at risk for this condition such as the Great Dane, St. Bernard, Standard Poodle, German Shepherd, Irish Setter, Doberman and even Basset Hounds. Most vet clinics offer a surgery for these breeds called a Gastropexy, which is where the stomach is tacked to the abdominal wall to prevent a full flip or twist. This procedure is usually done when these pups are under a general anesthetic for their routine spay or neuter.

GDV is a medical emergency! Dogs can become sick very quickly and every second counts as this condition will become fatal if left untreated. Common clinical signs are:
- an obvious bloated abdomen
- lethargy or restlessness
- trying to vomit with no success
- panting

What can owners do at home for prevention?
- Break up meals into 2 or more feedings throughout the day
- Avoid vigorous exercise before and after meals
- Reduce stress in the pet's environment
- Avoid elevated food/water dishes

It can be hard to determine if a dog is suffering from a true GDV but owners should seek veterinary care immediately if they see any signs of bloat. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the clinic and one of our team members will be happy assist in anyway they can.

07/01/2024

If you use our webstore, make sure you scoop up this offer from Hill's this Canada Day!

06/28/2024

Happy Friday!

Our Agassiz clinic will be closing early today at 5pm. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will be open again for regular hours Tuesday, July 2nd.

06/25/2024

Happy Canada Day Long Weekend!

We will be closed Monday, July 1st at both of our locations. Our clinics will resume normal business hours Tuesday, July 2nd.

If you are needing food ordered before the weekend, please call us before 1pm tomorrow Wednesday, June 26th.

We kindly ask that all medication refill requests be called in before Friday, June 28th at 1pm.

Please contact the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Fraser Valley for any emergencies at 604-514-1711.

Have a great weekend everyone!

06/18/2024

Happy Veterinary Appreciation Day!

Although this is technically a day for celebrating the veterinary profession as a whole, we have decided to shine a light on our amazing veterinarians. They work hard every single day to bring the best care to our furry family members. Thank you for all that you do Dr. Ricka, Dr. Waddington, Dr. Klein and Dr. Madsen!

06/15/2024

WELCOME DR. CARLI RICKA!

The current ownership team is thrilled to finally share the exciting news ... Dr. Ricka has officially joined the partnership group at the Kent & Coquihalla Veterinary Clinics!

We feel so fortunate to have her skills, knowledge and fun energy joining the ownership group. We are excited for the future ahead and the wonderful addition she brings to the team!
💚

06/15/2024

It's always recommended that pets have some kind of flea prevention on board to help decrease the spread to other animals and humans. A pet living with a flea infestation can have allergic reactions, hair loss and even suffer from severe anemia. Fleas can also act as a host for tapeworms.

With so many flea preventatives on the market, it can be hard for owners to pick which one is right for their pet. It's important to note that not all products are created equal and owners should be careful of products that don't have proper testing trials. The following are the products that we recommend:

Over the Counter Preventatives (Does not require a prescription):
- Advantage II
- Advantix (also kills ticks)
These products all soak into the pets hair coat and oils on the skin, not the bloodstream. The fleas or tick then get "hot feet" or paralysis and which will eventually lead to their death. All of these products have to be repeated monthly.

Preventatives Requiring a Prescription:
- Simparica Trio (also kills ticks and deworms)
- Bravecto (also kills ticks)
These products are absorbed into the bloodstream and when fleas or ticks feed they ingest the product and die.

Have you heard of Primidacide?
It's a new product we are carrying that is 100% Canadian made and more cost effective than other over the counter flea preventatives.

Not every product will work for every pet and some pets may have sensitivities to a certain product. Our staff would love to talk about which preventative would be best for your pet and answer any other questions you may have!

06/13/2024

Fleas can be a real nuisance and can plague your house for months! As we learned in the last post, fleas have different life stages which can stay dormant for months.

The peak season for fleas is August to October but in the Fraser Valley fleas are year long.

If your pet has fleas, it is super important that you also clean your house because the eggs, larvae and pupae will hide in the carpets, bedding, window sills, baseboards and cracks in flooring. A deep clean of your house is necessary if fleas are found. Remember wherever your pet goes, so do the fleas!

Here are some recommendations on how to handle a flea infestation:
- vacuum everything; pet beds, couches, carpets and any other areas your pet may
frequent
- wash everything your pet may have touched in hot water; bedding, clothing, shoes
and don't forget to clean your washing machine after!
- disinfect all hard surfaces
- use flea treatments around you home such as Siphotrol; it's recommended to use these sprays while the house in unoccupied in order to avoid inhaling the mist. These sprays should NOT be used on animals.
- keep clutter to a minimum; fleas will hide anywhere they can

These cleaning protocols should be done for at least 3 months after the initial diagnosis. This will ensure that all the life stages of the flea will be killed.

The good news is there are lots of flea preventatives out there! Stay tuned for a break down of what products we recommend!

06/12/2024

Just a reminder that our Hope location will close at 2:30pm today and our Agassiz location will close at 3pm for a staff meeting. We apologize for any inconvenience!

06/11/2024

Let's talk about the elephant in the room, or rather the fleas in the room!

The flea lifecycle lasts 21 days and has many different stages. Only 5% of the flea population are the live fleas living on our pets. The other 95% live around our homes!

Fleas are everywhere and are commonly spread by wildlife! Once a female flea lays her eggs, they will roll off of the animal and on to any surface such as the grass in your backyard. Owners can bring eggs or live fleas in on their clothes or shoes without even knowing.

A single female flea can lay 50 eggs per day!

Larvae will hatch from the eggs after 2-10 days. The larvae don't like light so they burrow into carpets, upholstery, cracks in hardwood floors and baseboards. This part of the cycle lasts 5-11 days.

These larvae create pupae which will cocoon themselves and mature into an adult flea. The pupae can stay in their cocoon for up to 6 months! They hatch into adult fleas when they can sense warmth or vibrations usually from our pets bodies. An adult flea will die after 4 days without a blood source.

Owner might not even see live fleas on their pets and instead see what's called "flea dirt". Flea dirt is not actually dirt but actually flea f***s it is a mix of blood meal and flea waste. The blood meal gives the "dirt" a reddish colour when wet and is usually a tell tale sign that fleas are present.

Stay tuned for more flea facts and how you can manage an infestation!

06/07/2024

Dr. Ricka had her work cut out for her today, spaying one of our biggest patients and one of our smallest! The contrast of their weights is quite funny to us as there is a whopping 100lb difference between them! Happy Friday 💙

06/04/2024

*UPDATE* Power is back on, thanks for your patience.
Hello everyone please be aware that both of our clinics are currently out of power which means our phones are also not working! Please be patient with us :) We are still currently running our scheduled appointments but have limited diagnostic abilities.

Thanks for understanding!
Staff at Kent and Coquihalla Vet Clinics

Send a message to learn more

05/30/2024

Both our clinics will be closing early at 3pm on Wednesday, June 12th for a staff meeting. We will resume regular business hours on Thursday, June 13th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause!

05/28/2024

*UPDATE* We are up and running, thank you so much for your patience.
Our phone lines are down at the Kent Location, hopefully we can get this fixed soon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Send a message to learn more

05/18/2024

*UPDATED JUNE 11TH*

The new rules that have come from the CDC in regards to dogs crossing the border has come with some confusion for everyone, including us! New guidelines and forms are coming out and we have reached out to our governing body for more clarification and what our clients need to do before crossing the border with their pets. We appreciate your patience and will update you as soon as we can. Look for a post closer to July 15th. If you have any further questions, please call the clinic and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have. We also urge you to keep an eye on the CFIA website as they will have the most updated information.

***********************************************************************

As of AUGUST 1ST, the United States will have new laws in place for dogs entering the country.

We have done some of the grunt work and looked into what they are requiring for dogs that are just visiting and not permanently staying in the U.S. Example: Just visiting for the weekend or going on vacation. These new laws are for any dog entering the states via air, land or sea. It should also be mentioned that the rules listed below only pertain to pets leaving and returning to Canada.

Canada is currently listed as a rabies free/low risk country. Owner's should make sure any additional forms are filled out prior to entering the USA if they are passing through or coming from another country of origin. Please read below for the new requirements for dogs entering the U.S.A via Canada:

- must appear healthy
- must be over 6 months of age
- must have a valid microchip
- owners must have valid rabies vaccine certificate or proof that the pet hasn't left the country (Canada) in the last 6 months
- owners must have filled out the CDC Dog Import Form prior to arrival at the U.S.A. The receipt is required upon arrival.

Check out the DOGBOT tool on the CDC website to find out what is required and which forms to fill out!

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html

05/16/2024

Just a reminder that we are closed on Monday, May 20th for Victoria Day.

If you have any emergencies over the weekend, please contact the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Fraser Valley at (604) 514-1711. We will be open for regular business hours on Tuesday, May 21st.

Saturday, Sunday & Monday- CLOSED
Tuesday- OPEN 8:30am-8pm

Happy May Long from Poe, the adventure kitty!

05/11/2024

Please join us in wishing our incredible Dr. Waddington a very Happy Birthday. Today let's celebrate her and all the amazing work she does for our community.

05/10/2024

We will be closed Monday, May 20 for Victoria Day. For specialty food orders and prescription refills, the last day to order is May 16 to have these arrive before the holiday. If you have a medical emergency please call the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Fraser Valley 604-514-1711. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday, May 21.

05/08/2024

Our Coquihalla location received notice that there will be a planned power outage Wednesday May 8 from 9:30am-12:30pm so will be closed during this time. If you need to reach us, you can call our Kent location at 604-796-9401. Thank you.

Send a message to learn more

05/07/2024

For Kent and Coquihalla Clients. Save on all your prescription foods and have it delivered right to your door! https://www.myvetstore.ca/

04/22/2024

It's Veterinary Receptionist week!

These lovely ladies work hard everyday and definitely deserve more than a weeks worth of gratitude. They are kind, compassionate and are an essential part of our team. Thank you for all you do Michelle, Misty, Robin, Barb, Kim, Janice and Vanessa (not pictured)!

If you are coming in for visit this week make sure to let the wonderful reception staff know how great they are!

04/04/2024

Dennis escaped from his vehicle outside of our Coquihalla office Wednesday April 3. He also goes by "Kitty cat". We would appreciate if you keep your eyes open for him and let us know if you see him. Thanks!

04/01/2024

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that thrives in water and moist environments. It is transmitted through wildlife urine like racoons, rats and squirrels. This bacteria can affect any species, even humans, however dogs are the most common because of their lifestyle.

Direct contact has to occur with an affected water source in order to contract leptospirosis. Dogs can become infected by coming in contact with any water source including puddles, lakes, ponds, vegetation and even mud!

Symptoms of leptospirosis can include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, weakness and several muscle pain. Lepto can be treated if caught early but can turn into a very serious illness and cost owners thousands of dollars in vet bills.

The good news is there is a vaccine for Leptospirosis! The vaccine covers the most common strains of leptospirosis but your dog can still contract other strains. However, if your dog if vaccinated, symptoms/illness can be less severe. The Lepto vaccine is not one of the core vaccines but should be available at most clinics.

Leptospirosis is prevalent in the Fraser Valley and should be discussed by your veterinarian at your dogs vaccine appointment. The Lepto vaccine needs to be boosted once a year and is recommended for any dog that spends time outside, even if their just in the backyard.

Leptospirosis is a preventable disease and it is important for owners to practice good hygiene so that they and their fur babies are less likely to contract the disease.

Helpful tips for owners:
- keep surfaces/areas clean where pets have urinated
- wash hands after cleaning up urinary messes
- have your dog p*e in a separate part of the yard away from where your family typically spends time, including if you have a garden
- keep water dishes clean and fresh
- avoid feeding wildlife around your home

If you have any questions in regards to your pet's vaccine status, whether your pet may be at risk or general questions about Leptospirosis, please call the clinic at 604-796-9401 (Kent) or 604-869-9474 (Coquihalla) to discuss with one of our staff members.