What are the opening hours?

Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm

Bear Creek Animal Clinic

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United States
Ashland, OR
Bear Creek Animal Clinic

Bear Creek Animal Clinic Quality Care Today For Many Tomorrows To Come Call us fo an appointment today!

02/21/2025

Please help Chevy find his humans 💙

02/19/2025

What are the benefits for neutering my dog/cat?

These routine medical procedure not only help control pet overpopulation,
it also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, and allowing your pet to live a longer, healthier and happier life.

Neutering Reduces or eliminates risk of spraying and marking,
Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents.

The risk of your pet having testicular testicular cancer is eliminated
and decreases the chances of prostate disease.

02/18/2025

What is the importance of radiographs during dental procedures?

Dental radiographs are critical in veterinary dentistry for several reasons.
They are considered a standard of care in veterinary dentistry.
By providing a complete picture of an animal's oral health.

Many dental problems, such as periodontal disease, tooth root abscesses,
impacted teeth, or bone loss, cannot be identified
through a visual examination alone.

Radiographs provide a detailed view of the structures beneath the gumline
and allow the vet to determine the extent of the dental issues
and plan the appropriate treatment such as extractions, restorative procedures,
they help assess the number of tooth roots, root abnormalities,
they are essential for monitoring the progression of dental disease.

They help by minimizing the patient pain by Identifying problems
before they cause severe pain or infections

For example during the dental examination on this patient all teeth look healthy above the gumline, this patient was given a 1/4 dental disease grade, how ever
thanks to the help of the radiographs during the dental cleaning,
we were able to see more that just the surface.

02/17/2025

We had a celebrity come in today 💙. Mr. Rocky the Park Ranger! 🌲🏔 Go check out the book his dad wrote about his adventures! Here is the link if you are interested https://www.barkrangerbooks.com/

02/15/2025

Did you know that carnations, daisies, lilies and tulips are toxic to dogs and cats.

Be aware of pesticides and chocolate.

02/15/2025

National pet theft awareness day is celebrated each year on February 14th to raise awareness about pet theft and to educate pet owners on how to protect their animals and advocate for stronger laws against pet theft. Thousands of pets are stolen each year in the U.S often for resale, illegal breeding or in some states dog fighting rings. Laws regarding pet theft vary by state, and in some cases pets are legally considered property making penalties for theft relatively minor. This day serves as a reminder for pet owners to stay vigilant and take preventive steps to keep your beloved pet safe.

How to protect your pet:
Microchip your pet, this helps increase the chances of recovery if your pet gets stolen or lost.
Use Id tags with your updated information and make sure your pet wears a collar with the proper identification every time you leave the house.

What to do if your pet is lost/stolen:
Report it immediately to local animal control, shelters, law enforcement and any local veterinarian hospital/clinic.
Spread the word in your community with flyers and social media posts.
Check online marketplace and Social media for any listing matching your pet’s description.

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day 💘

02/13/2025

Why is anesthesia-free dentistry not recommended ?
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) emphasizes that proper dental care for pets should include the use of general anesthesia because it ensures a complete and thorough dental evaluation and effective cleaning. Anesthesia-free dentistry is stressful and painful for pets and the risk of injury is high. It falls short of the standards required for a comprehensive and safe dental evaluation and treatment for your pet.
Reason #1 Limited Access:
Without anesthesia it is nearly impossible to thoroughly examine all aspects of a pet's mouth. Under anesthesia, a complete oral exam is performed along with oral cancer screening and probing of all teeth for gum pockets and mobility.
Reason #2 No radiographs:
General anesthesia allows for proper positioning to take dental radiographs, which are essential for identifying underlying dental disease (e.g. Periodontal bone loss and abscesses) that are not visible during a routine cleaning. Think about it this way: a tooth is just like a tip of an iceberg. You don't know what is below the surface just by looking at it; oral radiographs allow us to see below the surface and determine the status of each tooth.
Reason #3 Incomplete Cleaning:
Teeth cleaning in an awake pet is difficult because it won’t allow us to fully access all tooth surfaces, especially under the gumline, which can result in incomplete removal of plaque and calculus. This restricted access can lead to missed disease. Incomplete cleaning may allow dental disease to progress unnoticed, potentially leading to more serious health issues over time.
Reason #4 Pain and Stress Management
Anesthesia ensures patient comfort and ensures that the patient remains pain free and calm during what can be an uncomfortable procedure. Without it pets can experience unnecessary pain and stress. A conscious pet may move suddenly or resist the procedure to increase the risk of accidental injury to both the pet and the veterinary staff.
Reason #5 Ability to perform advanced procedures.
In most cases a dental cleaning reveals the need for more advanced treatments such as extractions or periodontal surgery. These procedures require anesthesia to be performed safely and effectively. Anesthesia allows the veterinarian to perform all necessary interventions in one session, rather than having to schedule multiple appointments which might delay critical treatment.

02/11/2025

What is a Pyometra?
Pyometra is a serious and potential life threatening uterine infection that occurs in unspayed female animals, most commonly dogs and cats. It typically develops due to hormonal changes following an estrous (heat) cycle which can lead to bacterial growth in the uterus. There are 2 types of pyometra
Open pyometra is when the cervix remains open, allowing pus to drain out. Signs include a foul-smelling vaginal discharge often with pus or blood.

Close pyometra is when the cervix is closed, trapping pus inside the uterus this form is more dangerous as it can cause the uterus to rupture leading to severe complications like peritonitis (an inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity in dogs)
Symptoms
Lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, increase in thirst and urination, abdominal swelling and vaginal discharge.
Causes
Hormonal imbalance, bacterial infection, retrained urine debris or infection after a heat cycle.
Treatment
Surgery ; spaying which is the removal of the infected uterus and ovaries is the most effective treatment. Medical management in certain cases, antibiotics and hormonal treatments may be attempted however these are less reliable and often temporary.

Overall the best prevention in this case will be spaying female pets before their first or second heat cycle.

02/04/2025

Today we celebrate one of the most loyal, loving, and iconic dog breeds

02/03/2025

Due to the Heavy Snow and the hazardous driving conditions we are closing early today. We will be returning to our regular business hours tomorrow morning until further notice.
Please call SOVSC for any emergency
Address: 4901 Biddle Rd, Central Point, OR 97502
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: (541) 282-7711

02/03/2025

🤷What is a COHAT🤔
At Bear Creek we call dental cleanings COHAT
but what does it stand for?
C - Comprehensive
O - Oral
H - Health
A- Assessment
T- Treatment

This is a procedure that requires general anesthesia,
Why you may ask?
It helps us to safely perform this procedure.
Anesthesia keeps the dog still and prevents them from moving around,
which is highly dangerous for both the dog and the veterinary team.
It allows the veterinarian performed a complete oral exam including below the
gum line. The small sharp tools used during the dental procedure could accidentally
cut the inside of the dog's mouth if they move suddenly, also
prevents feeling pain or distress during the procedure and is necessary for
taking dental x-rays.
Radiographs help us check for issues that can't be seen by the naked eye
and are needed to assess teeth that are below the gumline.

02/02/2025

February a is month of love and care,
So let’s celebrate the pets we adore 😻
February is the perfect time to celebrate
the special bond between your furry companions & you.
Whether you're snuggling up during a chilly day or
planning outdoor activities, this month is all about showing
extra love to your four-legged family members.
This month is packed with reasons to snuggle closer
and give extra belly rubs. In this month we also celebrate
Pet Dental Health & Spay and neuter awareness.
Let this month be a reminder that love comes in many forms
including the wag of a tail or the gentle purr of a happy cat.
Stay warm, stay engaged, and most importantly, keep creating
beautiful memories with your beloved pets.🐾

01/30/2025

Who is behind the study of animal behavior or how we call it this days Ethology 🤔

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist, biologist and geologist, he believed that animal behavior was generated by instinct. His groundbreaking ideas revolutionized the study of biology and ethology with his theory of evolution by natural selection. He transformed our understanding of the natural world and how species including humans have developed over time. His observations suggested that species are not fixed but change over generations, driven by environmental pressures and competition.

Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist best known for his pioneering research on classical conditioning. His work laid the foundation for understanding how organisms learn through association. While studying digestion he noticed that dogs salivated not only when food was presented but also in response to stimuli associated with food, footsteps or even the sound of a bell. This led him to conduct experiments where he paired a neutral stimulus like a bell with an unconditioned stimulus like food. Over time the bell alone now a conditioned stimulus caused the dogs to salivate a condition response. Pavlov’s experiments remain a classic example of how environmental stimuli can shape behavior

F. Skinner’s experiment with teaching a rat to press a bar for food is known as operant conditioning, which associates a certain activity with punishment or reward.
Sociobiologists theorize that complex social patterns arise, develop, and sometimes even disappear based on their survival value.

01/29/2025

The Study of Animal Behavior

Today, biologists and veterinary specialists refer to the study of animal behavior as ethology. Is a branch of biology and zoology that focuses on understanding how and why animals behave the way they do in their natural environments.
Ethology examines and studies various aspects of behavior including;

Instinctive behavior
It allows animals to performed very complex behaviors without learning them, by instinct, intuitively, untaught or simply can occur without prior experience through trial and error.

Learned behaviors
Are actions that result from experience or environmental interactions that are not intuitively or untaught but rather developed or learn through interactions with their environment like other animals, people, or their surroundings for example; a dog fetching a ball, a bird learning a specific song or even a chimpanzee or panda using tools to access food.

Social behaviors
Are interactions that occur between two or more individuals animals, usually of the same species or within a group. This includes cooperation, communication aggression, territoriality, kindness and parental care.

Survival Strategies
They are the ways animals used to stay safe and alive in their environment and its divided in 3 categories like; physical characteristics( thick fur, sharp teeth and claws, good eyesight and hearing.), behaviors ( migration, hibernation, chemical warfare), Adaptations ( camouflage, teamwork, sharing resources.).

01/25/2025

Why do we recommend gabapentin and trazodone before appointments?

Sedation is an aid to make the vet visit more smoother and comfortable for your pet.
It helps them by reducing their stress, anxiety, it make them feel more relax and calmer during the exam and/or treatment especially if the dog/cat has a history of fear or aggression at the clinic, or if a procedure requires them to stay still for accurate diagnostics like X-rays or ultrasounds or even before surgery.

Trazodone is a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication frequently used to reduce stress before vet visits or during post-surgical confinement and rest at home. Gabapentin is often used for easing anxiety and pain in these situations. These two medications are often prescribed together. It is important that they are given on an empty stomach however it's okay if you need to hide the medication in a piece of cheese, pill pocket, meatball etc.

There are so many reasons why your pet might benefit from trazodone and gabapentin before their visit for example;
- Fear of new environment
Vet hospitals are filled with unfamiliar sounds, smells and people which can be overwhelming for them.
- Past negative experiences
If your pet has had a stressful or painful experience at the vet in the past, they may associate the visit with fear.
- Handling stress
Pets are often restrained or examined in ways they aren't used to which can make them anxious and stressed.
- Preventing Escalation
Some animals may become so anxious that they react aggressively and in some cases this doesn't mean they are aggressive they are just trying to protect them self, or simply a warning to the handler or doctor that is performing the exam that we just have
exceeded their limit and in this case it becomes difficult for the vet/tech to provide the care that is needed.

If you have questions and/or concerns regarding giving your pet anxiety/stress medications, please feel free to reach us.

01/23/2025

Here are some common Issues you will encounter while training your dog 🐶

- Fear or Aggression
Aggression found in dogs can usually be classified as conflict-related, fear-induced, predatory, pain-induced, inter-male, territorial, and maternal. Persistent house soiling may be caused by a medical problem, infrequent walks, sexual maturity, fear, or inconsistent training.
It’s important to go at their pace and work with a professional trainer if needed and keep in mind this will be a slow process and it's going to take time.

- Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety happens/develops if a pet is not used to being left alone. Gradually increase the time spend away from your pet and provide toys and comfort items to make them feel secure

> If your dog is a jumper or likes greeting people by jumping up, immediately turn your back and ignore them until they calm down and once calm reward them with attention.

01/23/2025

Happy national answer your car questions day ❤️🐱
Do you think Jesper is a 🕵️‍♀️ spy?

Address

1955 Ashland Street
Ashland, OR
97520

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 5pm
Thursday	7:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	7:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(541) 488-0120

Website

http://ashlandvet.com/

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Videos

🐾Healthy Gums, Healthy Pets !🐾 🦷🪥 Did you know gum desease is one of the most common health issues in Pets?. If your fury friend has red gums, bad breath or trouble chewing? Root planning might be the solution! What is Root planing you ask ? It’s a deep cleaning treatment that removes harmful bacteria and tartar from below the gumline, reducing infection and inflammation. It’s a critical step in treating and prevention periodontal disease, and can prevent tooth loss or the need for extractions. Don’t wait for dental problems to get worse schedule a dental exam at Bear Creek Animal Clinic Today ! Let’s help your pet live their best, healthiest life 🦷

Happy national answer your car questions day ❤️🐱 Do you think Jesper is a 🕵️‍♀️ spy?

Today we would like to talk about punishment vs regarding good behavior and Negative vs positive behavior Punishment and rewarding - Rewarding good behavior is considered positive reinforcement. Using an unpleasant occurrence to create a desired behavior is known as negative reinforcement. - Punishment is an unpleasant occurrence used to eliminate an undesirable behavior. Positive & Negative behavior Positive punishment is adding an unpleasant occurrence at the time of a behavior to stop the behavior, while negative punishment is removing the desired end result to stop the behavior. example if ypur dog like to jump up and you would like to eliminate this behavior simply turn around and ignore him/her untill they stop. Training and socialization are an ongoing process and every pet is different. Your pet will become well mannered and confident with time, patience and consistent effort .

Did you know cats can do tricks 😎😻 In fact, it's a great way to provide them with enrichment and also discourage unwanted behavior. The best way to train a cat is with positive reinforcement; reward them with a treat after they attempt a trick or after they stop an unwanted behavior. For example, if your cat has a habit of scratching on furniture, you can redirect them to a scratching post and give them a treat to reinforce the desired behavior. Eventually your cat will associate these behaviors with a tasty reward. It's recommended to pair clicker training with treats so they associate the click with a reward. Some other benefits of training your cat: - Help overcome boredom or restlessness - Gives your cat a sense of accomplishment - Creates positive bonding time between you and your cat - Mental stimulation may extend the life of your cat! Kittens and young cats are easiest to train, but cats of any age can learn!

Foxtail season has begun 😱 We removed 7 foxtails last week. Foxtails are dangerous; they migrate under skin and through tissues. They cause abscesses and significant trauma. Thankfully this gals Mom got her in fast and we removed 2 from her nose. We were just as happy as our Lanager was in the background 😻

Behavioral Changes?

Changes in our older pets always warrants further investigation. The are a few causes, and many options to keep our geriatric loved ones comfortable, happy, and safe. #bcaccares

Safe dental chews for dogs

A good rule of thumb: If a chew toy isn't so soft you can squish it, it's too hard for your pets teeth. This dog broken his tooth chewing on antlers. This tooth will be surgically removed to alleviate his pain. #bcaccares

Itchy Ears

Itchy ears? You never know what we may find. These are ear mites. They're common in cats and very contagious amongst pets. Don't worry, they cannot be transmitted to people though. Thankfully! #bcaccares

Dog Sign Language for FearAnxiety

Is your dog scared of the sound of thunder, fireworks, or loud noises in general? Do you know what signs to look for when your pup is trying to tell you they're getting nervous? Check out this short video from Zoetis on doggie body language and ask us about new treatment options for noise aversion.