Senior Pets

Older pets tend to have a tougher time when the weather changes. If you’ve noticed your senior pet struggling to go up and down stairs, or having trouble rising up after a nap, they may be having an arthritic flare-up. We can prescribe them anti-inflammatory medications to help them feel younger again during the colder weather.

Cats & Car Engines

If the weather starts to get chilly, make sure your pet has some place warm to stay. Look before you start your car, tap on the hood, or better yet, open it. Cats love warm places and they will often climb onto car engine compartments to get warm. Lacerations, burns and other injuries can occur for a cat when an engine starts. Always know where your pets are, especially when the weather turns colder.

Hero Saves Poisoned Dog

Pet of the Month

The team at Pembroke Veterinary Clinic wishes to honor Feisty Anderson as January’s Pet of the Month. Feisty is a frequent visitor with us, and despite some health issues in the past several years, Feisty is always happy to see all of his friends here at Pembroke. He does not have use of his rear legs, but he does no...t let that slow him down. He navigates his canine cart expertly throughout the building to see everyone, and he always greets everyone with a wag of his whole body!

Tip for Dogs with Dry Skin

Here’s a tip for dogs with dry skin...bathe them less often, and make sure to brush their coat in an effort to rid the skin of dander. When you do bathe your pet, make sure to use a shampoo and rinse made for their special needs. Do not use a shampoo or conditioner made for people. If you would like some help picking out a dog safe shampoo and conditioner, please bring it to our attention at your next visit.

It's time to check in with our Book Club Participants!

It's time to check in with our Book Club Participants! Last month we posted the selection "From Baghdad, With Love" and we've enjoyed reading about Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his struggles to bring Lava, a spunky puppy found in an abandoned house in Fallujah, safely to the U.S. and away from danger.
This book gives an incite to a Marines inner battle with the horrifying surroundings of war and the emotional struggle to be a fierce soldier while showing sympathy for a small animal in need.
Kopelman, in more than one instance, wonders if his fellow Marines will mock him if they realize how much he cares for Lava, the puppy he discovered.
Kopelman and the members of the First Battalion, Third Marines also known as the Lava Dogs, heard a noise in the abandoned home that served as their command post, they all raised their weapons in defense. They were shocked to discover a small dirty puppy in the midst of all the bombings and war torn surroundings. 
Kopelman writes, "The best part is how these Marines, these elite, well-oiled machines of war who in theory can kill another human being in a hundred unique ways, become mere mortals in the presence of a tiny animal."
Apparently Lava was in the home when it was stormed by the Lava Dogs, but not one of the men could find the courage to put him out on the streets. The book details the treatment of strays in war zones and the cruel and inhumane way they are disposed of and often used in bombing attacks by insurgents in Iraq.
Knowing Lava's fate if left to his own, Kopelman begins a long journey to get Lava safely into the states. Many people put their lives at risk to help in Kopelman's mission, including Anne Garrels, journalist for the National Public Radio.
In one nail-biting chapter, we realize just how dangerous the task is of getting Lava to the U.S. when Anne and Lava get to the Jordanian border. The scene is tense already as border patrol is strict and checkpoints are frequently subjected to bombings. Even a sneeze can be mistaken as a signal and can get you killed.
Lava probably senses the tension and in one fell swoop escapes the crate and continues to have Annie chasing him around their SUV. It sounds comical but this was no laughing matter to the border patrol and Lava and Anne were turned away.
 The hardest part to read is the frustration of Kopelman to go through this journey via email. Kopelman had to have the help of many people due to his commitment to the military and the location of his unit. Much of the book details his reactions to e-mails from Anne and also John Van Zante, director of Public Relations at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in California. John was also crucial in the fight to get Lava to a safe place.
In April 2005, after over 6 months of striving, Lava was able to land at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.
Lava is now living well with Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his wife, stepson and their other dog Koda.
We thoroughly enjoyed the book club selection and recommend this heartwarming story to other animal lovers. What did you think of Lava's story?
Did you have any favorite parts? Comment your thoughts and stay tuned for next month's book club selection!

New Year's Resolution

Does your New Year’s Resolution involve getting your pets behavior in check? We can provide advice regarding the correction of problems such as excessive barking, chewing, spraying, scratching, digging, house soiling and aggression. Make 2011 a great year for you and your pet!

Click below to view a pet behavior video from The Rachael Ray Show.

We appreciate our Licensed Veterinary Technicians!

This month we would like to honor the work of our licensed veterinary technicians!  Our dedicated team of LVT’s includes Steffany Swedberg, Tiffany Gray, and Samantha Craig.  Along with the many tasks they perform each day, these highly trained professionals provide expert nursing care for all our patients, conduct laser therapy services, and assist the veterinarians in surgery, monitoring the patients throughout each procedure.  We are very grateful to work with Steffany, Tiffany, and Sam each day and are proud to have them on our healthcare team!