It might surprise you to know that pets have their own love language, and it’s not that different from ours! At Eastside Veterinary Associates, we know that bonding with your pet is important to you, and in this blog, we help you decode the love language of pets so that you can build a lifelong loving relationship with your furry companion. 

Translating the Love Language of Pets

Our pets express their love in many ways, and while they can’t leave us love letters or  actually “talk,” signs of pet affection are likely all around you. In the popular book The Five Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman explained how people give and receive love, and our pets “speak” these same languages, too. Let’s take a look at the similarities between Dr. Chapman’s five love languages and how pets express love.

Words of Affirmation: Who among us doesn’t like to hear praise? When your verbal expressions of affection such as, “What a good boy!” or “Such a pretty girl!” are met with a tail wag and enthusiastic yip—or perhaps loud purring—your pet feels the love in your words and “speaks” right back to you to express their unconditional love.

Acts of Service: When we care about someone, we do what we can to make them happy, and pets that speak this language do the same. If your dog follows commands with very little encouragement, he’s telling you in no uncertain terms that you’re his favorite human. 

Receiving Gifts: Some pets feel the most loved when they receive delicious new treats or fun new toys, and they’ll often reciprocate by dropping things at your feet—whether it’s your slippers covered in slobber or a mouse. 

Quality time: Some signs of pet affection show up as cat-shaped shadows following their favorite humans everywhere. If you’ve got a clingy cat or canine, their love language is quality time, and giving you their undivided attention is their superpower. While it’s always nice to have a sidekick, let us know if their need to be near you goes a bit overboard—your pet could have separation anxiety. 

Physical touch: Head boops and biscuit making mean your feline feels that you’re the cat’s meow. And if your dog does his best to steal a kiss every chance he gets, his love language is physical touch, and carving out plenty of cuddle time is the best way to share the love right back. 

Now You’re Speaking Their Language

Understanding pet behavior and recognizing the signs of pet affection will help you speak the love language of pets and create an even deeper bond with your pet. To learn more about how pets express love, feel free to contact our team.

As pet owners, we cherish our furry companions and want the best for them. When it comes to their health and well-being, we seek out the most advanced and effective medical treatments available. Like human medicine, veterinary medicine continues to make significant strides in various fields, including surgical techniques. 

At Eastside Veterinary Associates, we perform most soft tissue surgeries such as spays, neuters, mass removals, bladder stone removal, foreign body removal, splenectomies, etc.  We invest in the best surgical equipment and training of our staff. Most recently, we have a vessel sealer device that is helping to reduce the surgical time, which also means less anesthetic time. If more advanced surgery is recommended for the best care for your pet, we can refer you to groundbreaking innovations available at our referral specialists who are also improving the lives of our beloved pets.

Advancements in Veterinary Surgical Technology

In recent years, there has been a remarkable surge in the development and adoption of cutting-edge veterinary surgical procedure technology. These advancements have revolutionized how we approach various surgical procedures, making them safer and more effective than ever before.

• Minimally-Invasive Surgery: Just as in human medicine, minimally-invasive surgery has become increasingly popular in veterinary care. Using specialized instruments and tiny incisions, veterinarians can perform complex procedures with reduced pain, faster recovery times, and minimal scarring for our furry friends.
• Laser Surgery: Laser technology has found its way into the veterinary operating room. Laser surgery offers several benefits, including precision in tissue cutting, minimized bleeding, and reduced risk of infection. It’s particularly useful in delicate surgeries and procedures involving soft tissues.
• Advanced Imaging: Diagnostic imaging plays a crucial role in modern veterinary surgery. High-resolution imaging techniques, such as CT or MRI scans enable veterinarians to visualize internal structures better, which aids in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Innovative Surgical Techniques in Veterinary Medicine

Alongside technological advancements, innovative surgical techniques have emerged, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in veterinary medicine. These techniques provide solutions for conditions that were once considered untreatable, giving hope to pet owners and improving the quality of life for their pets.

• 3D Printing for Prosthetics: Just like in humans, 3D printing has opened up new possibilities in veterinary surgery. Custom-made prosthetics and implants can now be designed and manufactured precisely to help pets with limb amputations, joint issues, and various orthopedic conditions.
• Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cell therapy is another groundbreaking technique that has gained traction in veterinary medicine. By utilizing the regenerative properties of stem cells, veterinarians can promote tissue repair and regeneration, offering relief to pets with chronic joint conditions or certain degenerative diseases.
• Orthopedic Advancements: Orthopedic pet surgery has seen remarkable advancements, with innovative approaches to joint replacements and repair procedures. Pets suffering from hip dysplasia, torn ligaments, and other musculoskeletal issues can now receive advanced treatments, which provides them a better quality of life.

Veterinary Surgery Advancements

Beyond specific techniques and technology, veterinary surgery, as a whole, has seen improvements that benefit our beloved animals. These advancements have led to better surgical outcomes, reduced risks, and enhanced overall care for pets needing surgical interventions.

• Improved Anesthesia: Safer and more effective anesthetic agents have been developed to significantly reduce the risks associated with anesthesia during surgeries. This allows for a smoother surgical experience and better postoperative recovery for our pets.
• Enhanced Monitoring: Advancements in monitoring equipment have led to better real-time assessment of a pet’s vital signs during surgery. Close monitoring ensures early detection of any potential complications, enabling immediate intervention when necessary.
• Laser Therapy for Post-Operative Healing: Laser therapy isn’t just limited to surgeries. It can be used post-operatively to speed up healing, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain in pets recovering from surgical procedures.

The field of veterinary surgery has come a long way, offering hope and solutions for pets facing various health challenges. At Eastside Veterinary Associates, we are committed to providing our patients with the latest and most effective treatments available, and we will refer you to surgical specialists should you need them. 

While we will refer you to veterinary surgeons for orthopedic or very complex surgical procedures, we are here to serve your pet with exceptional wellness, preventive, and dental care. Bring your dog or cat to Eastside Veterinary Associates for leading-edge veterinary care. Call us at (425) 882-7788 (Kirkland), (425 )276-4100 (Newcastle), or book an appointment online today.

How to Prepare Your Pet for a Safe and Successful Procedure

When your beloved fur baby is scheduled for surgery, it is normal to feel anxious about the procedure. But surgery is a regular part of veterinary care for pets, and your vet will take the best possible care of your furry friend.

By making sure you prepare your pet for the big day, you can help ensure a successful procedure too. The team at Eastside Veterinary Associates would like to share 5 top tips for pet surgery preparation.

Animal Surgery Checklist: 5 Tips for a Successful Surgery

Your veterinarian will give you pre-surgical instructions for your pet. A vet will take your pet’s breed, size, and medical history into account before providing these tailored instructions. Make sure you reach out to your vet if you have any questions at all:

1. Make Sure Vaccines are Current

Does your pup have all her vaccines? Including the ones that are recommended by your vet but not necessarily required? If not, it may be time for her to get those done. Talk to your veterinarian about which vaccines they recommend for your pet.

If your pet receives surgical services at a different veterinarian than the one that gave them their shots, you’ll need to bring shot records.

Make sure you get all the necessary vaccines about two weeks before the scheduled surgery.

2. Schedule a Grooming Session

Whether you bathe your pet at home or send her to a groomer, now’s the time to make an appointment. You won’t be able to get your dog or cat wet for about two weeks after surgery. With a thorough grooming session, she’ll be ready to snuggle up with you stink-free after her procedure.

3. Avoid Feeding Your Pet Before Surgery

Pets who undergo sedation or anesthesia should refrain from eating the night before surgery. We generally recommend taking food away after 8 pm for a 12 hour fast before admitting at 8 am. Your pet can have water during this entire time. Please check with your veterinarian about pre-visit pharmaceutical doses and any special medications that are needed such as insulin.

4. Keep Pets Indoors

Do you have an eager hunter on your hands? Keep him inside the night before surgery to make sure he doesn’t eat any critters or other substances that could affect the procedure. This can help keep Fido or Kitty safe during surgery.

5. Go for a Potty Walk

Leash your pet up and go for a short, supervised walk around the block on the morning of his surgery. Don’t let him eat anything, but do let him sniff around and go potty. Empty bowels and bladders can help the surgery go more smoothly for the veterinary team—and for your pet.

Pet Health and Wellness After Surgery

Just as they did before your pet’s procedure, your veterinarian will give you detailed instructions for helping your pet recover. Follow them carefully and make sure you call your veterinarian with any questions or concerns.

If your pup or kitty needs to be spayed or neutered, reach out to Eastside Veterinary Associates. We provide attentive surgical services to all dogs and cats in the Kirkland, Newcastle, and Renton areas. Call us to learn more about what we can do for your pet.

This blog is all about what happens when a male dog’s erection won’t go away. It’s important to be upfront about these matters because, well, male dogs get erections fairly often. The more pet owners are familiar with them, the better. Canine male anatomy is on full display, even when they’re not aroused. However, their penis can get into a lot of trouble when they encounter an issue known as pet paraphimosis. 

Not Going Away

Male dogs have the following basic equipment down there:

• Two testicles inside a scrotal sac
• Prepuce (external sheath)
• Glans

You may have heard it referred to as a red rocket, lipstick, pinky-winky, or wee-nis, but no matter what it’s called, the glans is the part that sticks out during an erection.

Is It Harmful?

The prepuce safely houses the delicate tissue of the glans. It is warm and moist inside the prepuce and protected from exposure or injury. However, when a dog is sexually aroused or otherwise stimulated by their environment, the glans will stick out for all to see.

Normal Functions

Dogs also have a secondary reproductive gland called the bulbus glandis which, like testicles, look like two balls at the base of the penis. After ejaculation, the bulbus glandis becomes engorged and leads to the breeding tie between the male and female. This can last upwards of 20 minutes and increases the odds of impregnation. 

During this time, the glans penis remains open to the elements. Pet paraphimosis occurs when the erection doesn’t go down after 20-30 minutes following an erection or ejaculation. 

Why Does This Happen?

Pet paraphimosis can be linked to the following:

• Physical trauma to the area
• An obstruction in the glans penis or something wrapped around the base
• A growth or tumor
• A Neurological condition
• Anatomical abnormality

Dog owners should have a good idea of how long the erection has lasted before intervening. If the erection doesn’t go away after 20 minutes or so, inspect the area for any visual clues. Remove any hair or string that’s causing a prolonged erection. Lubricate the glans with sterile lubricant to try to smooth the way back inside the prepuce. 

When It’s Time to Come In

An extended period of pet paraphimosis is considered a pet emergency. Constant, prolonged exposure to air, bacteria, and irritation to the tissue. Plus, it can be very painful for dogs to experience. We can decrease swelling and attempt to replace the glans inside the prepuce. In severe cases of pet paraphimosis, surgical intervention is required. 

Pet Paraphimosis

The good news is that, while dog erections are common, pet paraphimosis isn’t an everyday occurrence. That said, it’s always best to know exactly what you’re looking at and when to seek help. Our team at Eastside Veterinary Associates is always here for your dog. Please give us a call anytime at 425-882-7788 (Kirkland) or 425-276-4100 (Newcastle).

Winter Pet Care Tips in Washington State

Now that colder temperatures are on the doorstep, it’s time to bring out the heavy jackets, scarves, and gloves. Put the ice scraper and winter emergency kit in the car. Now you’re ready for winter’s cold, wind, and occasional snow.

Next, take steps to protect your dog from harsh winter weather. These five winter pet care tips will give you a leg up whatever Mother Nature throws your way. 

Winter Care for Pets

Animals are very curious by nature, and they love to explore, even when it’s cold outside. It’s up to you to ensure they have everything they need to stay safe from the winter weather.

Invite Him Indoors

It’s important to keep your pets inside when the temperatures drop below freezing. Hypothermia and frostbite are real risks for pets (even with all that fur), and they cannot verbally tell us when they’re feeling cold. If you have to let your dog out, try to do so in short bursts. As much as they might fight you, keep your cats inside to keep them safe and warm.

Dress Him for the Weather

There is plenty of weather gear for pets that can help keep your furry friends toasty if they have to spend time outside. Provide your short-coated, elderly, very young, or very thin animals with a toasty warm sweater. In very cold weather or paw pads to offer an extra layer of protection from the cold.

Wipe His Paws After Trips Outside

De-icing salts and chemicals can irritate your pet’s footpads, and is toxic if ingested. Keep a damp towel handy, and thoroughly wipe his feet after his potty walks and treks around the neighborhood. Remember: even if the walkways look clear, there’s a good chance of salt and chemical buildup.

Keep Him Away from Deadly Antifreeze

Animals are attracted to the traditional sweet taste of antifreeze. Unfortunately, this substance is deadly to many small creatures. Be extremely careful how you use and store antifreeze to be sure it is safely away from your susceptible pets.

Provide Shelter

Some animals truly love being outdoors, and providing a warm, sturdy shelter can protect from harsh wind, rain, and snow.

Give your pet a draft-free structure in which he can comfortably sit and lie down. However, keep it small enough so it holds his body heat. Raise the floor off the ground, and cover it with clean straw or cedar shavings. Face the entrance away from the wind, and cover the door with heavy plastic or sturdy waterproof fabric.

The staff at Eastside Veterinary Associates is here to help you with everything from winter care to annual wellness exams. To learn more about our services, please call (425) 276-4100 for our Renton location and (425) 882-7788 for our Kirkland location.