Animal Medical Center of Seattle

12/21/2024

Happy First Day of Winter! ❄

We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that extremely cold temperatures can cause serious problems for pets such as hypothermia, accidental antifreeze ingestion, burns caused by fires or space heaters, and more.

12/17/2024

🌟HOLIDAY HAZARDS🌟

They might look beautiful but holiday decorations may be hazardous for pets. Here are a few tips to keep your pet safe this holiday season:

🎄 Securely anchor and keep pets away from the tree. Also remember to sweep up any fallen brush or pine needles.

💡 Hang strands of lights higher up. Not only can pets get tangled in strings, but these strands can give them a potentially life-threatening electrical shock if they bite through the wire.

🐈 Tinsel and ornaments can seem like toys (especially to cats) and can cause serious stomach issues if ingested. Avoid using tinsel when possible and stick with larger, shatterproof ornaments that aren’t easy to break or swallow.

If your pet experiences an emergency this holiday season, please call us at 206-204-3366.

12/15/2024

12/13/2024

Dennis the Warthog’s Journey to Recovery at the Animal Medical Center of Seattle

Dennis, a 14-year-old male common warthog, is a beloved figure at the Woodland Park Zoo. When his gait became wobbly, the zoo team consulted with Dr. Chai-Fei Li, one of our neurologists at the Animal Medical Center of Seattle (AMCS).

After reviewing videos and radiographs, Dr. Li suspected Dennis might have T3-L3 myelopathy, a spinal cord disorder, but initial tests weren’t conclusive. With Dennis’s age and the rarity of this condition in warthogs, the team considered other causes as well. After some discussion, they decided to proceed with an MRI to better define his condition.

The MRI revealed mild chronic disc disease and some spinal cord abnormalities. To treat this, the neurology team at AMCS performed a targeted injection of steroids and anesthetic into the thoracic lumbar junction and collected cerebrospinal fluid for further analysis. The procedure, conducted under radiographic guidance, was successful. Within days, Dennis showed improvement—walking more steadily and becoming more interactive. He continues to receive corticosteroid and analgesic medications to provide relief.

Dennis’s case was a challenging one due to his age and species, but thanks to the collaboration between the AMCS and Woodland Park Zoo teams, Dennis is walking better. His response to treatment is a testament to the power of advanced veterinary care and the dedicated efforts of those who care for the animals we cherish.

Dennis’s journey highlights the importance of collaboration between veterinary teams and the value of using advanced diagnostic tools like MRI to provide the best care for animals, no matter their size or species. It also serves as a reminder that, sometimes, the path to recovery can be as unique as the patient itself.

We are grateful to be part of Dennis’s remarkable journey to better health and are proud to support the incredible work done by the Woodland Park Zoo team in caring for this special warthog. Here's to many more years of Dennis’s larger-than-life presence and charm!

12/09/2024

Happy International Day of Veterinary Medicine!

Animal Medical Center of Seattle would like to recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and kindness that our veterinary professionals extend to our patients and their families every day.

We truly appreciate the compassion that veterinarians, technicians, and support team members have for all animals. Join us in saying THANK YOU to everyone who ensures the well-being of the pets placed in their loving care - we are forever grateful!

12/06/2024

Keep Pets Warm This Winter!

For pets of people experiencing homelessness, winter in Seattle can be unbearably cold. 💙

Animal Medical Center of Seattle is partnering with Seattle Veterinary Outreach to collect new or gently used dog sweaters and jackets. Your donation will help keep these beloved companions warm and cozy.

How to Donate:
📅 Dec. 6 – Feb. 28
📍 Drop off at our Main Hospital, open 24/7:
17518 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155

Your kindness will make a big difference for a furry friend in need. 🐾

12/05/2024

Today is ! You can celebrate this amazing day by adopting a pet from a shelter, volunteering at a local shelter or rescue, or spreading awareness about shelter animals.

12/03/2024

Does your mutt have an adorable mug? Or a feline who loves the limelight? 🐾📸

Join the Animal Medical Center of Seattle and PAWS - Progressive Animal Welfare Society for our annual Santa PAWS Holiday Photo Contest!

It’s more than capturing cute moments—it’s about making a difference. With just a $5 donation per photo entry, you’re helping animals in need at PAWS while spreading holiday cheer.

Winners will be selected in three categories:
✨ Overall Best Dog
✨ Overall Best Cat
✨ Overall Best Furry Family

The winners will be announced on January 7, 2025, on the PAWS page: PAWS - Progressive Animal Welfare Society.

Let’s make tails wag and spirits bright! 🎄🐾

To enter: https://m.shortstack.page/0pxN8p

11/28/2024

Today, and all through the year, we are grateful for your trust in our team when your pet is in need of medical care.

From the Animal Medical Center of Seattle family to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving.

11/25/2024

This is a friendly reminder that our emergency services at Animal Medical Center of Seattle will be OPEN on Thanksgiving Day. Our specialty teams may have changing availability for the week of Thanksgiving, so please call our office directly with any questions and plan early for any medication requests or other specialty related concerns.

11/21/2024

Thanksgiving is almost here! While we’re excited for the delicious feast, it’s important to understand which foods are toxic for pets.

Keep your cats and dogs away from:
🦃 Stuffing – as it may contain onions or garlic
🦃 Ham and other Pork – can cause pancreatitis, upset stomach or diarrhea
🦃 Turkey - Dogs should only have a little bit of meat, no skin or seasoning.
🦃 Turkey Bones – splinters may cause indigestion or bowel obstruction
🦃 Mashed Potatoes – may have been prepared with butter and milk
🦃 Salads with Grapes/Raisins – can cause kidney failure
🦃 Chocolate Desserts – toxic to both cats and dogs If your pet does ingest any of these foods

If you suspect your pet eats something toxic this holiday call Animal Medical Center of Seattle at 206-204-3366.

11/11/2024

Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. We’re so grateful to all those who serve our country and help keep us safe!

From all of us at Animal Medical Center of Seattle, thank you. ❤️

11/05/2024

November is .

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 50% of dogs over age 10, and 25% of all dogs will develop cancer. Although there is less information for cats, our feline friends also commonly develop cancer.

Cancer can develop in any body system. Symptoms vary according to the organs affected but may include:
• A lump or mass anywhere on your pet's body
• Difficulty eating or chewing, or a decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Persistent vomiting, drooling, or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Bleeding from the nose or mouth
• Abdominal swelling
• A wound that will not heal
• Limping or lameness
• Excessive drinking/urinating
• Straining to defecate or urinate

Other diseases may cause similar symptoms, but reaching a diagnosis as quickly as possible is important. Cancer will not resolve on its own, and early detection is critical for successful treatment.

To learn more about Animal Medical Center of Seattle's Oncology department, please visit: https://animalmedicalspecialists.com/oncology/

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! Our hospital will remain open today. We hope your day is filled with fun, spooky vibes, and wagging tails! 👻🎃🦇

10/29/2024

Back in January, Hamilton Groot, lovingly known as “Goose” was brought in by his owners with some concerning symptoms. His owners noticed increased coughing when he was in certain positions. A thorough exam was completed by Dr. Spry and our Internal Medicine service. Diagnostics revealed a significant amount of fluid in his chest. We were able to sedate Goose and drain the fluid from his chest.

About 3 weeks later we saw him for a follow up visit and a CT scan, which showed fluid build-up again, so we repeated the procedure to drain the fluid from his chest.

Goose was referred to Dr. Howser for a surgical consult. Dr. Howser recommended a combination of procedures: thoracic duct ligation, pericardiectomy, and cisterna chyli ablation.

In March of this year, Goose underwent surgery with Dr. Howser, which included a cisterna chyli ablation, thoracic duct ligation, and a window pericardiectomy. The surgery went well, and he was able to go home with his parents.

At his two-week re-check, Goose’s recovery was on the right path, and his owners were thrilled with his progress! We recently saw this sweet kid for another follow-up and are pleased to report that he has had minimal fluid buildup or coughing! We will continue to monitor and work with Goose’s owners to ensure he stays on the right track, but we are so pleased with his response to treatment and his resilience!

10/27/2024

It's Black Cat Day! Are you celebrating today? Share your special black cat with us in the comments!

10/24/2024

As the holiday quickly approaches, it’s important to remember that several popular Halloween treats are considered toxic to pets. Some of these include:

🎃 Chocolate
🎃 Sugar-free candies or gum containing xylitol
🎃 Raisins (especially chocolate-covered)
🎃 Candy Corn
🎃 Caramel Apples
🎃 Macadamia Nuts

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, contact Animal Medical Center of Seattle at 206-204-3366. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435