Traveling to Seoul, South Korea to attend the Korean Veterinary Practioners Conference, Dr. Kuck recently had the opportunity to deliver a lecture regarding inflammatory diseases of the liver in cats and dogs. A very successful trip, Dr. Kuck returned to Colorado with a new respect for the people of South Korea and the state of the veterinary profession there. His hosts, representatives of Yuhan Corporation, treated Dr. Kuck to a thorough introduction to South Korean culture and food. Locations visited while in Korea included the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, the Korean Cultural Heritage Village, The National Museum of South Korea among others. For more pictures and information about the trip visit the Willits Veterinary Hospital Facebook page!
The Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers provide endless recreational opportunities during the spring, summer and fall months here in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Ute Indians used to the know the Roaring Fork River as the Thunder River because of the way the river would rage during the spring runoff. No matter how strong a swimmer you or your dog are, the currents present in some parts of the river become very dangerous in the spring. If you use the river to exercise your dog, be mindful that the place where you practice retrievership at other times of the year can become a potential deathtrap. If your dog tires or simply inhales some water drowning is a real possibility. There is also high risk to people attempting to rescue their dog from the boiling current. Be mindful where and when you choose to throw the stick this spring and stay safe!
Join Willits Veterinary Hospital for a day of learning and socializing with others interested in local food and animal stewardship!
One of the most popular wintertime activities here in the Roaring Fork Valley is alpine touring or telemark skiing. Naturally, a lot of backcountry skiers like to take their dogs with them for some exercise and to enjoy some time outside after a long week of work. Snow has started to fall on the Elk Range outside of Aspen and will soon be tempting many skiers to slap on the climbing skins and cut some fresh tracks. Each year several dogs sustain cuts from skis as they excitedly weave in front of their owners as they head down the mountain. These cuts are typically to the outside of the lower leg where tendons and nerves live just below the skin’s surface. Cuts to tendons, nerves and large bloods vessels require costly emergency surgery and potentially lifelong morbidity for the patient. Your dog’s temperment and behavior should be carefully considered before heading for the mountain. If you do ski with your dog, an emergency bandaging kit is an important consideration. This would be helpful for controlling bleeding and covering a wound until emergency care can be administered. All cuts should be carefully examined for more extensive damage to important deeper structures. Be safe, have fun and remember to be prepared for the unexpected!
Willits Veterinary Hospital will be closed on Monday, September 3rd in observance of Labor Day! We will re-open Tuesday, September 4th at 8:30 AM. If you have an emergency during our brief closure please contact Valley Emergency Pet Care at 970-927-5066.
Also, due to a generous donation from one of our clients the self serve dog wash has been upgraded with a brand new raised floor to keep pets out of any standing water during their bath! We have also added a hairdryer for quicker drying after your dogs bath! Stop by and check these and all of our new additions anytime, or just to say hello!
Now you can pick up refill medications and prescription foods over the weekend at Willits Vet! For prescription medications just email or call-in your refill request by 5:00 on Friday afternoon and you can pick it up between 10 AM and 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday. If you are shopping at Whole Foods make Willits Vet one more convenient stop on your to-do list. If you have a special food request please have your order to us by Wednesday afternoon to ensure time for shipping. Weekend pharmacy hours are just one more way Willits Vet is trying to add convenience to your experience!
This is a typical foot injury resulting from mountain biking with a dog.
If you like to mountain bike with your pup keep in mind that injuries to the footpads are common, especially if you haven’t been exercising regularly with your dog. Dogs feet, like ours if we go barefooted, will toughen up the more you exercise them but the pads are pretty sensitive initially. Be sure to ease into outdoor exercise to try to prevent injuries like the one in the image above. Also, be mindful of the sort of terrain you are on. For instance, the trails in Aspen and Snowmass tend to be more dirt and mud while the trails in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs tend to be rockier. Rockier trails will harder on the feet than dirt or muddy trails. Also, be sure to bring water and allow for plenty of rest stops to avoid heat injuries. If your dog wants to rest, appears overheated or is having a hard time breathing give them a break until the breathing returns to normal. If your dog is older or is overweight they may be more susceptible to both foot and heat injuries. Have fun, be safe and be aware!
When you buy a box of Lucky Day Animal Rescue (LDAR) note cards you directly support their rescue efforts; saving dogs and cats from kill facilities around the country! Willits Veterinary Hospital is a proud sponsor of the LDAR card program and also an active supporter of their rescue efforts. LDAR is a foster based animal rescue group headquartered in Aspen, Colorado in the Roaring Fork Valley, but seeks to place dog and cats in permanent homes throughout the state of Colorado.
You can find the LDAR cards proudly displayed in our lobby! They can also be purchased directly from LDAR online at http://www.luckydayrescue.org/ Lucky Day Animal Rescue is also actively seeking both foster and permanent homes for many of their animals. If you are interested in participating in any way give them a call today at 970.618.3662. A box of 10 cards complete with envelopes is just $20!
I am happy to introduce the new Gift Certificate and Self Service Dog Wash Loyalty Program at Willits Vet. Now you can give the gift of health to friends, family and pets in need with a Gift Certificate from Willits Veterinary Hospital! Gift Certficiates make the perfect birthday, Christmas or new puppy/kitten gift for an animal lover in your life. If you know someone struggling to provide care for their pet this would be a great time to consider a gift certificate.
Also, when you purchase 5 dog washes at our self service dog wash you get the 6th wash free; just purchase a punch card at the front desk the next time you are in. We will make sure the dog wash is clean when you get here and we’ll clean up after you when you leave. There’s no dog too dirty, too smelly, too big or too small for the Willits Vet self service dog wash.
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