Announcements

December 24 - CLOSE at 1 PM
December 25 - CLOSED
December 26 - CLOSED
December 28 - We will be OPEN regular business hours

December 31 - CLOSE at 1 PM
January 1 - CLOSED
January 2 - We will be OPEN regular business hours

At the close of another year, we would like to wish you and your pets a warm and happy Holiday Season.

Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO, NATURAL CHOICE, COMPLETE CARE Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO MAX Cat Dry Foods with \"Best If Used By Dates\" between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in the finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier. Please click on the link below for more information.

Learn More: http://www.nutroproducts.com

We would like to inform you of a potentially serious condition affecting the purebred Golden Retriever dog. It is a disease of the eye, Golden Retriever Uveitis (GRU). It is thought to be an inherited condition which causes a progressive inflammatory reaction within the eye. Signs, which can be very subtle, can begin as early as 4 years of age and as late as 11 years of age. If not treated, the condition progresses to glaucoma and blindness.

All purebred Golden Retrievers need to be screened yearly for GRU starting at 4 years of age. As initial signs of the disease can be extremely subtle and require specialized equipment to accurately diagnose, an examination by a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist is required. This evaluation, termed a CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) exam (approx. $37) is less expensive than a typical ophthalmology exam, yet the benefits could literally be sight saving. If your dog is diagnosed, a once daily eye drop will be prescribed.

There are several veterinary ophthalmologists in the greater Seattle area who provide CERF examinations. If you have any further questions or need referral information please call our clinic at 206-782-4222.

We have a kitty looking for a new home. Calypso is a black, white & gray tiger stripe, 1.5 year old, spayed female with big yellow eyes and feathery white whiskers. She is up to date on all her vaccines and in apparent good health. The ideal habitat for her would be where she can spend quiet afternoons snuggled in your lap with no children to distract you. She is not destructive although she has been known to chew on plastic. She loves to cuddle but will nibble if she gets over stimulated or excited. Calypso is somewhat shy, likes to hide occasionally and is fearful of loud noises. She is a cutie and will dance her way into your heart. Contact us for more details!

As of September 2, 2008, we no longer provide boarding services. Our goal at Ballard Animal Hospital is to provide exceptional medical care to our patients and we want to focus our time and energy to that end. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. If you have an animal that requires medical care while you are out of town, we do offer medical boarding for ill and/or elderly patients and you are welcome to inquire as your need arises. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience. We made this decision because of our desire to focus on and improve our medical services.

If you are considering traveling or moving overseas and would like to take your pet, you will need to get informed about import regulations for companion animals. Depending on the country, it can be a complex and sometimes lengthy process, so get started early. Our hospital will need to know the destination country, travel date and mode of transportation so we can contact the USDA for the appropriate requirements specific to the country you are traveling to. You can also go to the USDA web site for general information (see link below). Under Related Topics, click on Travel with my Pet.

Nearly all countries require an international health certificate from your veterinarian stating that your pet was healthy at the time they were examined. Because of the time it takes us to process these travel documents, we charge a $75 fee. This fee is in addition to the domestic health certificate required by most airlines, the requisite exam fee and any vaccines and/or treatment fees that may be necessary. Traveling with your best friend can be fun ... but pricey!

Learn More: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/