Durham Veterinary Clinic

08/23/2024

Our team get-together at Bowlaro was full of cheering, laughing, and silly faces. It also contained a healthy serving of humble pie. 💪🎳

08/21/2024

It's a tough, tough job. But someone's gotta do it. 💪💗

08/17/2024

Happy birthday, Dr. Scott Hamilton! And happy anniversary to Dr. Carolyn and Dr. Scott! Your kids have approved of this narwhal cake. 👏🏼

08/02/2024

Staff Spotlight!
Say hello to Christina! Christina is a Certified Veterinary Assistant and Inventory Manager. She got her certification in 2015, and began working for us in 2016. When she is not at home with her dog Belle, and cat Candy, you will find Christina riding her beloved horse, Pepper. She loves to trail ride, read, and relax on the beach or next to a cozy fire.
Christina will often take the lead on any rescue projects our clinic takes on, including one of our most successful cases of rehabilitation and adoption, sweet Rooster the cat. She is passionate about helping owners and patients alike in their time of need, and is always exploring new ways to implement Fear Free methods to keep our patients comfortable, and give them the best experience when here at our office.
Christina would like to thank all of our wonderful clients for being one of the reasons she enjoys her job so much!

07/26/2024

If your pets are patients at our clinic, they have a profile in our software program that includes a photo! We try our best to get photos of our patients while they are here in the facility, but understandably, not all of them want paparazzi in their face when they're here to see why they've been scooting. 😳 If you have a photo of your sweet pet on any of your devices that you'd like to make their profile photo for their records with us, feel free to send it to us via email! Please be sure to include your name, as well as the name of your pet.

[email protected]

Say cheese!

📸courtesy: https://www.concordia.ca/cunews/main/stories/2016/03/04/the-cat-who-takes-selfies-facebook-caroline-roux.html

07/25/2024

With heavy hearts, we send strength and support to all affected by the Park Fire. We also send our deep appreciation to all fire personnel, and all who are working so tirelessly to contain the fire and help those in need.

For up to date information on evacuation and shelter locations, click the link below.

Current, incidents, emergencies

07/24/2024

We are honored to be voted 2024 Best Veterinary Clinic by the readers of the Chico Enterprise Record! Thank you!

07/19/2024

Rooster Update!
About 1 year ago, we had a stray cat named Rooster come to live with us. Having made his territory the outside of Red Rooster Cafe here in town, Rooster was beginning to look rather unkempt. Although the employees at Red Rooster tried as they might to care for him, his fear of people made him unhandleable. He eventually made his way across the street to see what we had to offer. We were able to trap him, and after several months of extensive love and affection, and a few procedures and treatments to get him back to good health, we were able to find him an amazing home with a client who had been following his story.
Cut to today: Rooster is living his best life, sitting on laps, loving on grandkids, and soaking up as much love and attention as he can get! He came in today for his annual wellness exam and is in great health and spirits. We are tremendously thankful to our staff for all of the work they put in to making sure this boy had a fighting chance at a great life, and we thank our wonderful client, Linda, for giving Rooster his happily ever after. 🥰

07/05/2024

New faces alert!
We are so fortunate to have 4 new assistants on our team. Please welcome from left to right...

*Kiely - has her Controlled Substance License, and is considering pursuing veterinary school
*Xatziry - currently in school to become a Registered Veterinary Technician
*Sienna - minoring in Biology and Chemistry, Sienna is on track to go to veterinary school
*Emily - a Certified Veterinary Assistant with plans to attend school in the fall to become a Registered Veterinary Assistant

We know our wonderful clients will help them feel welcome here!

07/04/2024

Our hearts are with all who are affected by the Thompson fire, as well as the Grubbs fire.
If you are in need of shelter for yourself and/or your animals, click the following link for the most up to date information.

Current, incidents, emergencies

06/28/2024

"Suns out, tongues out!"
We're back in triple digits next week, and high temperatures are expected to last for several days. While we humans have several ways to stay cool, our dogs (especially our outdoor dogs) need extra special care to remain comfortable when it's hot out.
The primary way a dog can cool itself down is through panting. The passing of air across wet membranes in their mouth and airway help lower their body temperature. They can sweat through the bottoms of their feet, but panting and drinking cool/cold water is far more effective at keeping themselves comfortable.
Heatstroke in dogs can be very serious, and have lasting detrimental effects. Here are some ways to help ensure your sweet pooch is safe this summer:
-Provide plenty of fresh water
-Make sure they have access to shade at all times of the day, especially in the afternoon
-Misters can help lower the temperature of the air in their immediate vicinity
-If you and your dog go for daily walks, make sure to do them first thing in the morning, or after the sun goes down
-If you suspect heatstroke in your pet, call your veterinarian or take them to your local emergency clinic right away

*Photo credit https://embarkvet.com/resources/dog-overheating/

06/20/2024

Is anyone missing this sweet little lady? She was found loose on the corner of Durham Dayton Highway and Jones Avenue. If she looks familiar to you, please call our office at 891-5707.

06/14/2024

Is your pet afraid of loud noises? Fourth of July is just under 3 weeks away. Now is the time to prepare your pets! Click the link to read up on signs that your pet may have noise phobia, and tips to keep them safe during your Independence Day celebrations.

Are fireworks anything but a celebration for your pet? Discover tips and methods that can help keep your dog or cat calm when the booms go off. Learn More!

05/28/2024

Staff Spotlight: Say hello to Roger!

If you ever enter our hospital and think to yourself, "Wow! This place smells amazing!", you have Roger to thank for that. Roger is the head of our facilities department, and works very hard behind the scenes to make sure our hospital and our equipment are well cared for and clean. He also helps to make sure all of our patients are comfortable and safe.
Roger has been with Durham Veterinary Clinic for 2 years and 8 months. Originally from Orland, Roger loves to go "creek stomping" with his dog Greta, gardening, golf, tennis and basketball. He also has a cat named Endora. Roger's passion for veterinary medicine resides in making every animal's stay as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. He also loves seeing animals reunited with their owners. "Seeing both of their reactions always puts a smile on my face."
We are beyond fortunate to have Roger (and his homemade jerky 😋) on our team!

05/28/2024

Today, and always, we remember and honor our service personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.

05/01/2024

We just saw our first foxtail case of the season! Not necessarily a contest you want to win. 😣 Foxtails are a type of w**d that are highly prevalent this time of year. They can pose a great risk to our dogs, because as they brush against them, the seeds of this w**d can be inhaled into the respiratory system, or embedded into their skin. Once in the body, these plants don't break down, and have the potential to migrate to other parts of the body, causing serious harm. The most common location for foxtails to embed in a dog is in the ear canal. They can also be found between the toes, up the nose, and even between the eyeball and eyelid! Ouch!
Keeping the grass cut around your property, and sticking to paved or gravel trails when on a walk can reduce the risk of your sweet doggo picking up these pesky hitchhikers.
Call your veterinarian if you notice your dog shaking their head, or if they develop any new lumps or bumps, especially between the toes.
**Photo courtesy of https://www.southeastexaminer.com/2022/09/dogs-and-foxtails-a-dangerous-duo

04/24/2024

Is it a full moon today, or what? We are, again, having issues with our phone systems. If you are having trouble reaching us, or lose us during a call, please keep trying. We are currently working to resolve the issues and appreciate your patience. For emergencies, call Valley Oak Veterinary Center at (530)342-7387.

04/23/2024

We are currently experiencing issues with our phone lines, and appreciate your patience while we work hard to get them back up and running. For emergencies, call Valley Oak Veterinary Center at (530)342-7387.

04/16/2024

We have many patients who LOVE to come see the doctors and staff here at Durham Veterinary Clinic. There are also many pets who, unfortunately, have severe anxiety about visiting the office. There are many ways to help ease anxiety regarding visits to the vet, including aromatherapy, clothing designed to make your pet feel swaddled, nutraceuticals, training techniques (prolonged exposure therapy/desensitization), and pharmaceuticals from your veterinarian.

What are your go-to techniques to get your anxious pet to the vet?

*photo courtesy: lomabehavior.com

04/10/2024

Staff Spotlight: Meet Maria!
As a military brat, Maria lived in many places including Japan and the Philippines as a child. At the age of 5, she and her family settled down in Chico. In 1987 after several years in the customer service industry, Maria graduated from ROP in Animal Health. She has always loved meeting the needs of clients as well as their pets. In September of 2018, Durham Veterinary Clinic was lucky enough to snag her as one of our Client Services Coordinators.
At home, Maria has an 11-year-old Pitty named Kilo, and an American Bulldog named Mack. She enjoys dancing, boxing, shopping, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband, whom she met "cruising the Esplanade in 1981" went on to have 3 beautiful children, Tyler, Haley and Ashley.

"I feel like I have the best job in the world!" -Maria

04/02/2024

It is officially Spring! The flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and love is in the air for many a wild animal, skunks included. Early Spring is when many animals begin their mating rituals. Skunks will be out and about looking for that perfect someone with whom to start a family. While skunks are mostly nocturnal, they do come out at times during the day or at dusk to look for food and water.
Many of us have had a dog encounter a skunk, or know someone who has experienced this soul crushing stench. If it happens to your dog, here is a tried and true DIY recipe from the American Kennel Club for de-skunking your pup:

-1qt of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (found at any pharmacy or supermarket)
-1/4 cup baking soda
-1tsp of liquid dishwashing soap

Mix all ingredients together and bathe your dog. You may need to bathe more than once, and be sure not to leave the solution on your pet for too long as hydrogen peroxide may bleach the fur.

For more tips on how to eliminate skunk odor from your pet, visit the website below.

Don't panic, but act quickly if you want to remove skunk smell from a dog who has been sprayed. A few quick steps can help get rid of the skunk spray.

02/21/2024

The weather is (kind of?) starting to warm up, and with the warmer weather comes the re-emergence of dreaded mosquitoes and fleas. While they do stick around to a certain extent during cold weather, these pesky insects LOVE when the sun comes out. As we all know, mosquitoes and fleas can be remarkably annoying just by causing itchy bumps and welts, but did you know they can also carry diseases and parasites?

Mosquitoes are the tiny vehicles by which heartworm disease is transmitted to our pets. All it takes is one bite, and 6 months later your pet could test positive for a very costly and potentially fatal infection.

Fleas are a common source of tapeworms in dogs and cats, can cause Cat Scratch Disease in humans, and can contribute to an extremely uncomfortable skin condition called Flea Allergy Dermatitis (this occurs in pets who are allergic to flea saliva).

This season, make sure your four-legged loved ones are properly protected against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Fortunately, there are now several different options for coverage. From an injectable heartworm preventive that lasts a year, to yummy monthly treats that cover all three pests, your veterinarian can help you find products that fit your lifestyle and your pet's needs.

cartoon courtesy of: https://raesidecartoon.com/vault/grooming-fleas/

02/06/2024

Staff Spotlight: Meet Denise!
Denise is a member of our Client Support team, and has been with Durham Veterinary Clinic for 3 years. Originally from Chico, Denise obtained her RVT license in 1987. She is most passionate about advocating for peoples' pets and their needs, especially older pets. "I love seeing families with their new puppy or kitten, but really value being able to help with the senior pets and the decisions that come at that stage, especially because those situations can be so difficult."
Denise enjoys listening to live music, particularly 80's and Country, and is an avid hunter for vintage Halloween and Christmas decorations.
"I was lucky enough to reconnect with and marry my high school sweetheart and gained a beautiful stepdaughter who just obtained her Masters. I feel fortunate to still be doing a job that I love and am very thankful to be working at such a great hospital."
We are so fortunate to have Denise on our team!

01/23/2024

This sweet boy was just found in West Durham, somewhere near Durham 4 Corners. He has no identification on him other than a tan/brown and blue collar, and what looks like a flea collar. If he looks familiar to you, please call our office. (530)891-5707. We have called Butte County Animal Control to pick him up before we close at 5pm to ensure he has a warm and safe place to be for the night.

01/23/2024

Meet Chester! This cutie was found by a Good Samaritan in the pouring rain one month ago, and has been in foster care with one of our assistants, Alissa, ever since. He is now 10 weeks old, has tested negative for FIV/Felv, had his first FVRCP and dewormer, and is looking for his indoor-only forever home! As adorable as he is, Chester is not a kitten for beginners. Growing up without siblings means he has not fully learned his manners and he is still learning that hands and feet are not appropriate to put his teeth on. For this reason, Chester cannot go to a home with young children, or the elderly. His ideal home would be one that has another kitten or young, playful cat who can help him learn boundaries. He is also extremely curious (as the saying goes) and will need an owner who is willing to “kitten proof” their house and take precautions to keep him safe. He thinks it is great fun to run underfoot, chew on cords, and he is now banned from the laundry room because he repeatedly has tried to jump in the washer and dryer. However, Chester is highly motivated to play with toys and when he tires out, he will come snuggle and purr on your lap. Mischief aside, he is a wonderful kitten who just needs an understanding and patient owner to help him thrive!
For more information, you can call (530)891-5707, and ask to speak with Alissa.

01/17/2024

Missing someone sweet and snuggly? This darling girl was found this morning in the road at the intersection of Goodspeed and Midway, in front of the Sinclair gas station in Durham. She is older, and seems to be blind. She does not have a microchip or tags, but does have a Seresto flea collar on. If you recognize her, please call our office where she is currently safe and warm. 891-5707.

01/01/2024

Happy New Year!
Our office will reopen Tuesday, January 2. Wishing you a happy holiday.

12/21/2023

We’ve put Mr. Reynolds to work here at DVC. Can you spot him? He agreed to be Roger’s stand in on picture day. 📷

12/19/2023

Upcoming holiday hours:

Christmas
Closed 12/25 and 12/26

New Years
Closed 1/1