Companion Animal Hospital

06/27/2024

🚨 Protect the Ones You Love! 🚨
Smart911 is a free service available in your community to help you when you call 9-1-1. By signing up, first responders will have access to the important information you provide, ensuring they can better assist you during an emergency. This includes details like medical conditions, current location, and even information about your PETS.
Make sure Police, Fire, and EMS can locate and help you and your furry friends quickly and efficiently.
Sign up for Smart911 today and give yourself peace of mind knowing that help is always prepared.
🐶🐱
https://ottertailcounty.gov/public-safety-law/increasing-your-safety/smart911/

06/06/2024

How does a cat get “stressed” when all they do is lay around all day? Did you know cats can have diseases that are triggered by stress? Even when they are pampered by their people, some cats internalize the stressors of their environment. Living with other cats is definitely something that causes low-level everyday stress in a cat’s world. The best way to mitigate this stress is to follow the “N+1” rule: for all important resources (see the great article below) you should have one extra than the number of cats in the house. For example, if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 litterboxes.

Easy access to key resources helps prevent conflict in multi-cat households 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛. This includes food and water bowls, litter trays, scratching surfaces, resting areas, and playtime/toys:

😺Food - Cats are lone feeders, so it’s best to prepare food and feed cats out of sight of each other to prevent competition over food. Try offering food separately and in their usual place if your cats are fed together or ad-lib.

😺Water - Offer several water stations on each level of your home. One water station per cat, plus a spare is advised. Keep water bowls filled to the top and place them away from corners so your cats can access them from 360° and feel safe when they drink.

😺Litter trays - A minimum of one tray per cat plus a spare is advised. Spread trays out in quiet locations throughout your home. Some cats will ambush each other when hooded trays are used, so try offering open trays too. Scoop each tray out twice daily, and empty them every 1-2 weeks. Cats prefer to urinate and defecate in different areas and don’t like using soiled trays, so good litter tray hygiene is essential in multi-cat households.

😺Resting areas - Elevated resting/perching areas are good as these allow cats to observe their surroundings and sleep from a place of safety. Enclosed beds can provide an additional sense of security, just remember to offer beds with more than one entry/exit point in multi-cat households (to enable easy escape).

😺 Scratching surfaces - All cats need to scratch! Offer one scratching surface plus a spare in different areas of the home. Place scratching surfaces near where your cats sleep (so they can stretch and scratch after resting) and on the edge of their territory i.e. near doors/stairs to encourage use. Each cat will have their scratching preference, so you may need to try different surfaces/designs to establish what they like.

😺Playtime - Playing mimics hunting behaviours, so it’s best to play with each cat individually as cats are solitary hunters. Wand toys are great for interactive play. Scheduling regular playtimes can help reduce anxiety or boredom, which is good for all cats, but especially important for indoor-only cats or those living in multi-cat households.

*Avoid getting another cat if there is already conflict between the cats in your home. Contact your vet if you are worried about your cat's behaviour. Referal to a clinical animal behaviourist who specialises in cats may be beneficial. ❤️🐈‍⬛

06/03/2024

🪻🌷🌸MEET OUR PETS MONDAY🌸🌷🪻

Thumper, Kona, and Misty (labs), Franklin (rabbit) and KC (feline) are the happy furry family of CVT Carly. (Not a typo, Thumper is the dog, Franklin is the rabbit 😉). Thumper is a blood donor for the Red River Animal Emergency Hospital and Kona is starting the process as well.

Carly joined Companion Animal in 2022. She is originally from Kensington, MN and has her degree in Veterinary Technology from NDSU. This year marks 10 years in her career.

Carly’s favorite part of the job is client education.

When Carly isn’t working she likes to spend time outside with the dogs and her husband and 2 little boys.

05/28/2024

Please join us in an incredibly difficult goodbye and heartfelt best wishes to Dr. Morgan Young. Dr. Young has practiced with us for almost three years, but has chosen to return to her home state of Iowa to live and practice closer to family. Thank you, and you will be missed.

05/24/2024

Our office will be closed Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. We will have lobby hours for food and prescription pick up from 9-12 on Saturday and Emergency Service as usual if needed. Enjoy a SAFE weekend!

Planning a Memorial Day BBQ? Keep your furry friends safe with these tips from our partners at Heart + Paw.

05/23/2024

Congratulations, Charles!

Meet Charles Vaughn, a junior at NDSU whose dedication and hard work have earned him acceptance into three prestigious veterinary schools, including the University of Minnesota. 🩺

During his time at NDSU, Charles not only excelled in his studies but also served as the vice president of the Pre-Vet Club, forging valuable connections within the field. 👏

When reflecting on his NDSU experience, Charles advises prospective students not to shy away from making connections, emphasizing the incredible support and opportunities they can provide.

Read more about Charles' story here: t.ly/ez4WA

05/17/2024

❤️For almost 45 years❤️ Thank you!

This week’s Now & Then is Companion Animal Hospital! Thank you for taking care of our furry friends!

05/16/2024

The gnats are back and at it again. If you are finding lesions like this on your dog’s belly they are typically NOT itchy and your dog would be acting and eating normally. You only need to be concerned if your dog is suddenly acting lethargic or licking or chewing or rubbing elsewhere in their body. Happy Spring!

05/04/2024

May the Fourth be with you today.

04/26/2024

Highlight reel for our 2024 “Earth Day Trash Dash” team: most unusual item- the purple comb, the yellow styrofoam sandal, or a page of an ECG report given to a client from our clinic- blocks away!? Dr Young even found a bag that was perfect for hauling more trash. Thanks, team- that was a lot of rubbish!

04/25/2024

Please make dinner easy and fun on Monday- join many of our team members at the benefit for the local Humane Society of Otter Tail County! Great food, fun auction items and raffle prizes and an excellent cause.

We are so happy to finally announce the menu for our Spring Fundraiser. $10 per plate gets you a scrumptious Gobble Up Turkey sandwich, coleslaw, chips, a cookie, and lemonade or water to drink. Bring a friend and join us on the home stretch of our expansion campaign at the VFW in Fergus Falls April 29th from 5-7 pm. We're excited to see you!

03/30/2024

Your yearly reminder!

Easter and Mother's Day are two of the most dangerous holidays for cats for one reason: lily poisoning. 💐

As a part of our No Lilies for Kitties educational campaign, we're kicking off the series by sharing which species of lilies are toxic to cats. True lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species) are extremely toxic to cats and can potentially cause severe kidney failure. Check out the graphic below for examples, and visit the link below to learn more:

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/veterinarians/free-resources-clinic-clients/no-lilies-for-kitties/

03/25/2024

Due to the weather and safety of our staff we will be closing at 3:00 today. If you have an emergency call 218-739-3383 and the Dr. on call will assist you. ❄️

03/15/2024

Tomorrow is the big day! Remember:
1. Each cat must come in his/her own carrier.
2. Paperwork must be filled out, one sheet for each cat, before you arrive. Do not plan to fill it out in our lobby, you will be asked to return to your vehicle with your cat until the paperwork is filled out.
3. All cats will have the tip of one ear removed to be identified as fixed strays. You cannot decline this part of the surgery.
4. You will receive a call or text when your cat is ready to be picked up. All cats must be picked up by 3:30 PM.
5. Although you may need a small amount of food to get a cat into a carrier or trap, no larger meal should be fed that morning.
6. You will be provided a copy of postoperative instructions. If you would like to read these instructions ahead of time, please see the comment below.

Mild winter = early spring = a potential explosion in the stray cat population. Our local Humane Society of Otter Tail County is already FULL! We want to help. It will be all hands on deck next Saturday when we host a SPAY/NEUTER marathon. If you know of outdoor/stray/feral cats we can help. We will be providing these surgeries at no cost (free will donations welcome to defray costs) to the first 40 cats to arrive. Cats MUST be in a carrier and have surgical consent form filled out prior to arrival. Pick up forms at Companion Animal Hospital, the Humane Society of Otter Tail County or submit online at our website. Surgery drop off will be from 9:00-9:30 am next Saturday, March 16th. Cats will be discharged later the same afternoon with aftercare instructions. Spay and neutering cats now could prevent hundreds of kittens crowding the shelter this spring.

03/07/2024

Mild winter = early spring = a potential explosion in the stray cat population. Our local Humane Society of Otter Tail County is already FULL! We want to help. It will be all hands on deck next Saturday when we host a SPAY/NEUTER marathon. If you know of outdoor/stray/feral cats we can help. We will be providing these surgeries at no cost (free will donations welcome to defray costs) to the first 40 cats to arrive. Cats MUST be in a carrier and have surgical consent form filled out prior to arrival. Pick up forms at Companion Animal Hospital, the Humane Society of Otter Tail County or submit online at our website. Surgery drop off will be from 9:00-9:30 am next Saturday, March 16th. Cats will be discharged later the same afternoon with aftercare instructions. Spay and neutering cats now could prevent hundreds of kittens crowding the shelter this spring.

03/04/2024

🌞Meet our pets Monday is back! Say hello to Dakota, Raine, and Charles! These lovely pets belong to technician Brigitte. Brigitte’s favorite things about her job are surgery prep and watching her patients grow up! When she isn’t working her hobbies include all the outdoors things (!): hiking, camping, and lake time with family and friends.

03/01/2024

We had some AWESOME visitors yesterday. These Kindergartners really knew their stuff about taking good care of pets. They also cracked the code and told me why a dog was vomiting by correctly interpreting her X-ray!  The future of veterinary medicine is in good hands.

02/20/2024

Happy National “Love Your Pet” Day! Go ahead and brag about your pet below— we love seeing pictures and hearing all about them getting loved on 🩷

02/11/2024

🖐️Give me Five! 🖐️ (Or younger)! Help spread the word AND prevent a litter by spaying and neutering your cat early enough!

February is Feline Fix by Five awareness month! We’re helping to spread the word about the best time to spay and neuter kittens – BEFORE five months of age! Kittens can be safely spayed or neutered once they are two months (or once they weigh two pounds). Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your cat, and you can also learn more at felinefixbyfive.org

02/01/2024

Tell me it’s February without telling me it’s February. Daisy is ready to love with her new haircut and her boostered rabies vaccine. Rabies tag fun fact: did you know most clinics follow a standard tag shape and color that rotates every year (green bell, blue flower, orange oval and red heart). The number at the bottom is unique to each pet vaccinated, and so if you find a lost dog with a rabies tag, please call the phone number on the tag (belongs the clinic who gave the vaccine) and they can help identify the pet).

01/13/2024

Wish your cat could have an easier relaxing vet visit? Does the thought of a full waiting room and barking dogs make you want to hiss and hide? We agree. That’s why we are making our Wednesday evenings more cat friendly by doing CATS ONLY from 5:30-7:30 on Wednesday evenings. Call today before they fill up, and stay tuned this week as we highlight other cat friendly changes! (And don’t worry, our canine friends will still have an evening option on Mondays!)

01/08/2024

❄️❄️Meet our Pets Monday- Volume VIII❄️❄️

These sweet faces are a tough act to follow, but after admiring Walter (the handsome black cat), Willie (the inquisitive looking German Shorthair Pointer or GSP) and Rue (the happy Golden Retriever), you will see Hailey’s smiling face!

Hailey has been with Companion Animal Hospital for over two years. She is a veterinary assistant, and upon completion of her degree in Business Management and Marketing from MState in the spring of 2023, she has taken on an accounts receivable and office management role.

As with many of us, Hailey’s favorite part of the job is the animals, but also getting to know clients when she works at the front desk.

When Hailey isn’t at work, she enjoys walking, fishing and reading. Thank you, Hailey!

01/02/2024

Happy New Year and Happy “Meet our Staff Monday”! This week we introduce Samantha. She is a certified veterinary technician and has been at CAH since 2016. In addition to her medical duties, Sam also does the enormous job of ordering all of the clinic’s food, supplies, and prescriptions.

Sam is pictured below with her Boxers-Riggins and Rue- her cats -Robin, Sake and Barney- and her family’s bearded dragon and two chinchillas.

When Samantha isn’t caring for animals she enjoys traveling, camping, hiking - almost anything she can do outdoors with her dogs. She enjoys cooking (we are often the lucky recipients!) and in the winter months she enjoys quilting.

Sam says “the clients/patients that I’ve gotten to know over the years” are the best part of her job. “I love that every day is different always keeping me on my toes and constantly learning new things.”

Thank you Sam, for what you do!

12/16/2023

❤️ Thank you for your thoroughness, Doctors!❤️

(When you have a minute, click and watch the video!)

As Official Veterinarian of the North Pole, AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson has performed this important annual examination with the aid of Ashli Selki, past-president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA).

12/14/2023

Lots of questions about the canine respiratory disease being seen across the country. No, we have not seen any significant cluster of cases in our area, but we are certainly hearing of several cases in the Fargo- Moorhead area. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends avoiding dog gatherings if possible. With the holiday season near, we realize that may not be possible. If your dog is coughing, monitor closely and consider a veterinary visit sooner rather than later. If your dog has been coughing, consider him or her contagious for the next 30 days, and do not bring them places like the groomer, dog,park, or around family dogs. In our clinic, we are mitigating risk by asking families with coughing dogs to please wait in the car and call inside when they arrive for the appointment, we are using a devoted exam room to see these dogs. We are taking appropriate sanitization measures while minimizing or alleviating the amount of time a potentially contagious dog would be in a public area of our clinic.

12/05/2023

We're sprucing up our front lobby and would love to feature some of our clients furry friends. We'll be selecting ten photos to print on canvas and display for a year. At the end of the year, the photos will be returned to their respective owners as a keepsake. Photo submissions should be e-mailed to [email protected]. Photos will be accepted thru Dec. 22nd. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your pet's cutness!

12/03/2023

🤣🤣🤣On Instagram you can watch a comprehensive video of every hat this woman has crocheted for her dogs. Happy silly Sunday.

12/02/2023

What a fun opportunity for high school students!

11/21/2023

We will be open from 7:30-5:00pm on Wednesday November 22nd. We will be closed on Thursday, Novemeber 23rd and resume normal business hours on Friday November 24th. Again we will have a doctor on call for emergencies.