Announcements

We hear that heavy snow may coming to our neighborhood. If we have difficult driving conditions, the hospital will make every attempt to stay operational, but to help our employees get home safely, we may close a bit earlier than usual. If snow is sticking to the streets, the best thing to do is give us a call. If you get a inclement weather message and have a PET EMERGENCY, check out CONTACTS or call us at 206-782-4222 and follow the phone prompts for emergency information. Updates also available at facebook.com/ballardanimalhospital.

Open your wallets and give from your heart!
You are invited to attend our first annual Second Chance Benefit
Sunday, July 17, 2011 ... 10 AM to 2 PM at the hospital

Our staff has been lightening up! We are finding treasures in our garages, corners and cubbies that are no longer used or needed and donating them to be sold at the Second Chance Benefit. We have a volunteer staff helping too, so 100% of the money raised will go to Old Dog Haven or added to The Chester Fund.

Old Dog Haven helps western Washingtons homeless senior dogs. They are a nonprofit group using a large network of people to provide loving and safe homes for abandoned senior dogs that are eight years old or older. They assist individuals, shelters and other rescue groups with finding temporary foster care and permanent final refuge care for dogs that are too old for adoption, perhaps in the last months or year of their lives or in fragile health. Old Dog Haven relies on foster parents and donors for its income to keep dogs comfortable and happy in their final days. Go to www.olddoghaven.org for information on how you can help.

The Chester Fund helps pets receive essential medical attention that may not be possible otherwise. It is a special account where we hold money raised at hospital events and from clients who wish to make a difference in the health of a pet. The Chester Fund idea started when a kitty came to us with medical problems that required treatment beyond the ability of his owner to pay. The owner surrendered the cat and Chester became a live-in patient at Ballard Animal Hospital. He received the necessary medical treatment and began to thrive under the watchful eyes of our technical staff and doctors. Chester was a happy ending story and the inspiration for The Chester Fund.

Hope to see you at our Second Chance Benefit sale. Every dollar you spend will go toward the cost of essential medical treatment for a pet or help an older dog find a loving home.

Learn More: http://www.facebook.com/BallardAnimalHospital

Santa Rowse was in the house recently. He talked to the animals - big and small - one and all. You can view the Santa Rowse pet photos at www.facebook.com/ballardanimalhospital. Go to Photos and click on the Santa Rowse album.

Photography by Sochil A.

November 25 - CLOSED

December 23 - CLOSE at 4 PM
December 24 - CLOSE at 1 PM
December 25 - CLOSED
December 26 - CLOSED
December 27 - OPEN regular business hours

December 31 - CLOSE at 1 PM
January 1 - CLOSED
January 2 - CLOSED
January 3 - 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.

We did it! Our first annual client appreciation day, BITE-OF-THE-DOG, was a splendid success! Drizzle and all! The bicyclist from the Fremont Solstice parade braved the chilly weather and entertained us with their bravado. We served about 100 lunches to clients and friends. We introduced PET PORTAL. We gave away a six month supply of Frontline flea control to one happy couple thanks to the folks at Merial. Jenny with HANDS to PAWS Small Animal Massage (www.handstopawsanimalmassage.com) did her magic on some very lucky four-legged friends. We did exceptionally well on cash donations collected for the Seattle Animal Shelter and kind words from clients about our hospital, doctors, staff, the event, etcetera were well ... priceless!

If you have not signed up yet, please take a moment to activate your free PET PORTAL by clicking on the button on our home page. It is access to us and your pets health care records 24/7!

Thanks again to everyone who came by to say hello and share a bite with us! See you next time.

Client Appreciation Day
Start summer with a tasty
BITE-OF-THE-DOG
Saturday, June 19th
(same day as the Fremont Parade)
12:00 until 2:00 pm
We value your patronage and a great way to show appreciation is by the giving of food ... just ask your pet. So we have partnered up with the Frontline folks and are planning a little gathering at the hospital for our favorite persons and their (well behaved) critters!
• We will treat you and a friend to a tasty grilled hot dog, beverage & kiss!
• We will have tidbits and playthings for talented pups!
• Enter to win a six month supply of flea control!
• Chef Rowse will show off his grill skills (he is already a talented doctor)!
• HANDS TO PAWS - Small Animal Massage Therapy. Treat your pet to a free mini massage by Jenny! One lucky pup will win a free full session!
• Face painting by Anna!
• Totally brilliant staff appearances too!
Because we love our clients almost as much as we love our patients!

Our hospital will be closed Monday, May 31, 2010 for Memorial Day. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Thanks to all our military serving here and abroad.

We have added a new feature to our website. PET PORTAL. At any time of day or night, our clients can connect with us. Here are some of the great features of PET PORTAL:
• View pet health information
• Request appointments
• Update contact information
• Print out proof of vaccination for boarding or travel
• Request prescription refills
• Set up email reminders about when to give pets medication
• Request and schedule a convenient time to pick up prescription diet products
• Create and print instructions for petsitters or kennel staff
• Post favorite photos of their pet
• Access reliable information on a wide range of pet health topics

Click on PET PORTAL on the home page or under Services to find out more. It is like having a window into Ballard Animal Hospital 24/7!

At the close of another year, Ballard Animal Hospital would like to wish you and your pets a warm and wonderful holiday season.

We are lucky to work in an industry where what we accomplish everyday has a positive impact on patients and the people who love and care for them. We want to make your life and the health of your pets a little bit better! This upcoming New Year will usher in new beginnings. So at this time, we extend fresh hope to those in need and send best wishes to our family of friends and clients.

From all of us to all of you - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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/