Gwinn-Sawyer Veterinary Clinic

12/20/2024

We want the very best for our patients as we head in to the Holiday Season!

We hope you have the moment for quiet snuggles, peaceful walks, and a break from the chaos to cherish your furry family members.

12/18/2024

The Snowy Owls have come!
It's always exciting to see these graceful raptors magically swoop through our area while they winter in our warmer climate.

Unfortunately, this one was hit by a car, and their trauma and injury too extensive to repair.

We did have the opportunity to send another off for rehabilitation. And we send good energy for a full recovery.

We hope that you'll keep your eyes out for visiting wildlife. Snowy Owls are often so docile they can be plucked out of the woods and 'rescued', so we ask that you observe for injury and speak to a rehabilitator before transporting.

U.P. Wildlife Rehabilitation - Keweenaw Group
And
Keweenaw Wild Bird REC
are great sources for information regarding our wild birds.

12/03/2024

We all want every pet to have a loving home, especially for the Holidays. We also want every loving home to prepare and educate themselves to provide the best life possible.

The ASPCA understands that Americans often give pets as gifts and cautions, "the giving of pets as gifts only to people who have expressed a sustained interest in owning one, and the ability to care for it responsibly. We also recommend that pets be obtained from animal shelters, rescue organizations, friends, family or responsible breeders—not from places where the source of the animal is unknown or untrusted."

Statistically, the return or abandon rate of unexpected/surprise pets has decreased over the last several years, however, pets are now living longer with better health care. Families now must understand the time commitment and financial investment. Even goldfish can live over 20 years

Check out compiled pet life expectancies:
https://flowingdata.com/2023/09/19/life-expectancy-of-pets/

11/29/2024

It's Black Friday!
Many will be rushing off to their shopping adventures while others will be sleeping in.

Trek wants everyone to check that the garbage from yesterday's feast is secured and any leftovers balancing on the deck railings are away from curious critters.

Toxin and foreign body ingestions should be addressed immediately.

11/28/2024

The Clinic is not open today, although we do have a doctor on call for emergencies because toxin ingestion shouldn't wait a moment more.

We will be back in the Clinic tomorrow!

11/27/2024

We love our pets. We want the best for them and to shower them with delicious delights. Unfortunately, sampling in moderation is difficult for the average furry family member and this time of year toxins and pancreatitis cause lots of trouble.

Just ONE ounce of cheese for a cat is the calorie equivalent of 3.5 hamburgers. And 1 frosted cookie can be the equivalent calorie intake of an entire meal for your dog. Xylitol is now a common sweetener which is causing trouble in dogs.

Keeping pets away from table scraps, unattended garbage, unattended purses/coats, and "helpful" family members may require sequestering them to another room at meal time with their own kibble or chew toy.

Pet Poison Helpline :
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/is-table-food-poisonous-for-dogs/

11/27/2024

We will be closed tomorrow, but are here until noon this morning to get your medication refills out the door before your Holiday adventures.

11/26/2024

This week many will be hosting a feast and Trek wants to make sure no one gets themselves into trouble by sampling dangerous foods. Unattended meat, carcass scraps, brine, rising dough, and seasonings can be fatal if ingested; and no one wants to rush out of Holiday festivities to for a pet emergency.

11/25/2024

We will have limited hours this week as we plan to take some time with our own furry family members. Make your refill plans early.

We want everyone to have a restful week that does not include emergencies due to candy, bone, or toxin ingestion!

We will have a doctor on call at (906) 346-3528 for your emergencies.

11/25/2024

Out planning your Holiday treats for your purrrrfect pooch and cuddly cat?
The Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter accepts donations towards their Food Pantry. Spotting a good deal on pet foods is always a great day! Helping our community by donating some kibble or cans can make your day even better.

We all know that a costly heating bill, car repair, or medical expense can ruin a stable budget plan. We also know that pet owners would rather short themselves than let their pets go hungry. We can't all add a new pet to our homes, but we can keep pets in their loving homes with a little help.

https://upaws.org/food-pantry/

11/15/2024

Getting ready for your Black Friday Sales?
What better way to bring joy to a hectic time of year than support our homeless pets?

Check out the Wish List at Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter where you can ship right from Amazon, purchase and leave at Mares Z Doats when you stop in, or drop off at the shelter directly.

We all know that local shelters require community support to create an environment of healthy care for domestic pets that have found themselves in need.

https://upaws.org/get-involved/wish-list/

11/02/2024

Yep, we are in the Clinic today.
But Trek is hoping we can have a snuggle and review the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter 's Pet Photo Contest Winners for their 2025 Calendar.

If you're resting at home and enjoying the leftover Halloween Candy that has been carefully kept away from curious canines and frisky felines, you can review the photos here:

Fundraiser for Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter Inc

11/01/2024

Trek wants you to remember to tuck away any candy dishes and edible looking decorations that may cause for an unpleasant surprise!

We enjoy seeing all our patients...but for the routine adventures. Costumes, candies, and decorations can be very enticing to unsupervised pets.

10/31/2024

We love all the fun pet costume pictures, but Trek reminds us that not all furry family members appreciate the excitement and fun of screaming children, ringing doorbells, spooky decorations, and escape options.

We hope you have the opportunity to have a frightfully delightful day without any emergency vet visits!

10/30/2024

Trek reminds us that it isn't just chocolate in the candy bags that can cause an emergency Vet Visit. Raisins, Xylitol in gum, peanut butter, and candy, and tasty smelling candles all can ruin a perfectly pleasant evening.

Check out the cautions from the Pet Poison Helpline :

Learn about common Halloween dangers to pets. Dangers include chocolate, candy, raisins and glow sticks. Candy wrappers are also dangerous to dogs and cats.

10/29/2024

It's no surprise that National Black Cat Day and National Black Dog day occur in October. Trek thinks extra attention is good any time of year and is willing to bring awareness that dark colored animals aren't all bad.
We do recommend keeping pets inside during trick-or-treating, particularly dark kitties that aren't as visible on busy roadways with all the high traffic and excitement.

The HISTORY Channel spells out some black cat superstitions:
https://www.history.com/news/black-cats-superstitions

10/28/2024

Trek says that not all pets enjoy Halloween. Taking time to make extra plans so everyone has a safe and fun evening is important!

Do you have an anxious or reactive pet? We know this can make Halloween night difficult with the constant doorbell ringing, the strangers approaching the house, the loud chorus of “Trick or Treat” & small kids darting around - it can be pretty overwhelming for our pets!

Check out the graphic for a few tips that might help make Halloween night a little less stressful!