Gift Ideas for Pet Lovers

As we find ourselves in this season of giving, despite the drop in temperature, we all feel a bit of warmth in our hearts. Many of us can attribute that to the comfort and love we get from our companion animals. Give your friends and their pets a gift to bring them closer this holiday season! At West Ridge Animal Hospital, it is easy to find a
gift for that animal lover in your life!


There are plenty of goodies for your furry, feathery, or scaly kiddos to be found, we provide an easy way to give the gift of wellness with gift certificates for veterinary care, boarding at the Purrs & Paws lodge, or time spent at our Sirius Fun Doggie Day Care! Other fun gift ideas include:

Kong Active, Classic, and Dental products

Keep your pups mentally stimulated in a safe, happy, healthy way this year

Greenies Dental Chews
We offer a variety of sizes to accommodate small, medium, and large breed dogs, as well as cats! Greenies are Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved; which is to the animal world what the American Dental Association's seal of approval is to the human side of dental health. They are an easy and painless way to help pets maintain good dental health. 

Avian and exotic toys
We carry toys and products from Avalon Aviary for your feathered friends stimulation and enjoyment. West Ridge Animal Hospital is proud to have two Avian and Exotic veterinarians on staff!

Lean Treats
A healthy alternative to table scraps this holiday season at an extremely affordable price! Keep practicing good manners or just reward desirable behavior with a healthy tasty snack.

Toe nail trims
Nearly every owner's hand trembles when they have to clip their own pet's toe nails. Give your friends a break this New Year and purchase a pack of toe nail trims for their furry or feathered friends!

Baths
Everyone likes a clean smelling pet. Let us help you out with a quick bath and brush.

Lip Smackin' Snackin' Holiday Cookie Treats

Ingredients:

3 cups wheat flour
1 Tbsp cornmeal
¼ cup grated cheese
2 tsp oregano
1 egg
6 oz. can chicken
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
½ - ¾ cup chicken broth

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 4 ingredients in bowl. Add egg, oil, and chicken and mix. Add enough broth to make a ball. Mix well. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Don't over cook. Cool completely.
(Recipe courtesy SmartPractice)

Battle of the Vet Hospital Stars 2012

  West Ridge Animal Hospital participated in the first Annual Battle of the Vet Hospital Stars hosted by the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado (VRCC) this past Sunday! WRAH had five team members compete against thirty-nine other Vet Hospitals from around the State. Participants competed in 20 laughter filled events including: Rock Em' Sock Em', Obstacle Courses, Motorized Toliet Bowl Racing, and Life Size Operation. Together the VRCC and Battle Participants (West Ridge included) were able to raise $4000.00 to donate to Pet Aid Disaster Services of Colorado. 

Pet Aid Disaster Services helps impacted communities; most recently assisting in the High Park and Waldo Canyon Fires. Additional information on Pet Aid Colorado can be found at their website, http://www.petaidcolorado.org/displaycommon.cfm.

Ralph and Lauren- a touching adoption story

So many people would balk at adopting a senior pet- let alone two!- but this story, written by a client, explains just why we older pets may just be the perfect choice!

Near the end of August our Beagle/Bassett mix, Ginger, whom we had for 7 years, since she was a puppy, was diagnosed with lymphoma and a week later unfortunately passed. At first we decided we did not want another dog as her passing was an immense loss for my husband John and I. A few weeks later we both (unbeknown to each other) began to look at the Weld County Humane Society website. Our cat, Oliver, who we adopted there about 6 years ago was missing his sister and our family had a gap that we felt the need to fill. One day on the website I saw Lauren's picture, then I saw Ralph's. They looked so sweet and I just felt so drawn to go and see them.

My husband came home that day and asked if I wanted to go to the humane society, after a long discussion about whether we were ready to get another dog or not we decided to go and just look. When we arrived we were overwhelmed by all the dogs and wanted to adopt them all! Then we got to Ralph and Lauren. I did not originally know that they were a pair of beagles that came together. They were on adoption special since they were almost 9 years old, had some dental issues, and had to come together. They looked so sweet, sad, and pitiful, something about them just tugged at our heart strings.

We decided to meet a puppy first, as we did not really want an older dog (we were afraid to lose another pet). The puppy was so energetic and loving, but we just couldn't get Ralph and Lauren out of our minds. We decided to meet them as well. I was expecting slow moving, lethargic old dogs, but in came Lauren prancing and jumping up giving kisses and Ralph wagging his tail wildly. It was instant love! We talked with the vet tech about their health and dental problems and decided we needed to discuss if we wanted the senior pair or the puppy.

On the way home John and I decided that the puppy would be adopted fast and that dental issues or not, Ralph and Lauren were for us. We felt they would be hard to find a home for since they had to come together and since they were older. I called that night and said I would be there after work to come and pick them up. We thought we were crazy for going from not wanting a dog again to taking two, senior beagles with teeth problems!
The next day I went straight from work to the humane society to pick up Ralph and Lauren. When I got there the puppy we had looked at was being adopted by another couple, who were very active and seemed a perfect match. At that moment I knew adopting Ralph and Lauren was meant to be. I got the dogs home and we immediately bonded!

Adopting two senior dogs was one of the best decisions we have made. As with any new pet there was the time period of getting into a routine, establishing trust, and a bit of training, but we had none of the issues that go with a puppy. They still love to play, but they also love to cuddle. Their activity level is perfect for our busy lifestyle and we can trust them to be at home. I would very much recommend adopting an older dog! Ours are so well behaved! They fit perfectly with our family and I can't imagine not having them!! Oliver loves them too, in fact we can't keep him and Lauren away from each other!

As for their dental work, we had both of them taken care of. I can't believe how it improved their energy level (it feels like we have puppies sometimes!), made their horrible breath go away (I don't mind their kisses anymore!), and how their eyes are brighter and you can just tell they feel good! Ralph has no teeth, and Lauren has 11. They eat normal, small piece, dry food just fine and are cuter than ever. We appreciate all that West Ridge Animal Hospital has done for us and our new family! Getting their teeth taken care of was so worth it! It seems expensive, but in the long run will help your pet so much.

Although Ginger will never be replaced, adding Ralph and Lauren to our family was one of the best decisions we've made! After their dental procedures, we now have two perfectly healthy, senior dogs and we couldn't be happier. Whether we have them for a year, or many years to come, adopting and caring for Ralph and Lauren is incredibly fulfilling! I would recommend adopting an older dog or dogs for sure!!!

Bionics, not just for Humans Anymore

Here is an interesting, fun bit of news:

Amputee cat gets bionic feet

Fri Jun 25, 6:12 am ET
LONDON (AFP) – A cat which lost both back paws after a traumatic accident involving a combine harvester has regained a spring in its step after being fitted with prosthetic limbs.

In a groundbreaking surgery carried out by Noel Fitzpatrick, a Surrey-based veterinary surgeon, the custom-made implants "peg" the ankle to Oscar's foot and mimic the way in which deer antler bone grows through skin.

The prosthetic legs, called intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics (Itaps) were developed by a team from University College London, led by Professor Gordon Blunn. Read more...

The Reptile Experience

GREAT opportunity to see some exotic animals, learn about their care, and meet the selfless people who run and volunteer at the Colorado Reptile Humane Society!

May 2-8: National Pet Week

National Pet Week was established in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA. According to the PetWeek.org website, "The goals of National Pet Week are to promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine." Check out the National Pet Week website for some helpful hints, inspiring stories, and fun games!



To help celebrate, Amazon's Armchair Commentary blog posts a list of essential pet flicks including Homeward Bound, Benji, and of course Old Yeller. Check out the list to find some great movies to cozy up on the couch with your companion and watch. Don't forget to pass the popcorn! (Light on the butter and no sugar-free sweetener please)

Halloween Party Pictures!

This year's West Ridge Animal Hospital/Sirius Fun Doggy Daycare Halloween Party was a huge success with over 30 dogs participating! We played Monster Mash, Dangling Bones and of course had a costume contest. The decisions were hard, but Duke the Pirate and Lacy (Snow White) scampered away with the prizes. See if you can spot the winners in the slide show below.

You're Invited!

Top 10 list of animal attackers

From the AAHA NewStat

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) this week released its top 10 list of animals responsible for causing injuries to insured pets.

According to a company press release, VPI came up with the list by reviewing 500 laceration and bite wounds claims. The list:

1. Snake
2. Coyote
3. Raccoon
4. Squirrel
5. Scorpion
6. Javelina
7. Porcupine
8. Ground Hog
9. Skunk
10. Rat

No. 6, the javelina is a hoofed mammal originating from South America that is often mistaken for a wild pig. Javelinas are common in central and southern Arizona. The javelina and scorpion attacks occurred only in Arizona, according to VPI.

Among those that did not make the list were goat, beaver, woodchuck, black bear, mountain lion, hawk, rabbit, sea urchin, and jellyfish.

Cats in Control

From the AAHA NewStat:

As if you didn’t already know it, a new study says that cats manipulate their human “masters” by using different types of meows.

For the study, which appears in the July 14 issue of Current Biology, the researchers recorded the vocalizations of 10 cats that were soliciting food from their owners. The so-called “solicitation purr” was found to have a high-frequency component similar to a cry. When the recordings were played for test subjects (some of whom had no experience with cats), people found the solicitation purrs to be urgent-sounding and not that pleasant.

The scientists discuss how “the structure of solicitation purrs may be exploiting an inherent mammalian sensitivity to acoustic cues relevant in the context of nurturing offspring.”

Labrador Most Popular Purebred

Reprinted from AAHA NEWStat Volume 7 Issue 03:

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Lab is the most popular purebred dog in the country, coming in at No. 1 for the eighteenth consecutive year. The bulldog is climbing the list, however, and jumped from the No. 10 spot in 2007 to take eighth in 2008. That breed has increased in popularity (as judged by registration statistics) by 69 percent in the last 10 years. The French bulldog also posted huge gains since 1998, increasing in popularity by 467 percent to take the No. 26 berth in 2008. At the bottom of the list was the American foxhound, a breed developed by George Washington.

Most popular dogs in the U.S. for 2008

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu

3rd Annual Greeley Chamber of Commerce Pet Fair

Dress up your K9 companion and come to one of
Northern Colorado’s premier pet events!

October 4th, 2008
11:00 AM—4:00 PM
At the Greeley Mall

Free Seminars

Pet Photos

Performance Demos

Weld C.A.R.T. (County Animal Response Team)

Pet Parade

Pet Costume Contest

And More!

New this year:
"Meet the Breed"
Get to know many different breeds of dogs first hand!
Learn which may be right for YOUR family!

Seminar Schedule:
11;00-11:45 Pet Loss/Remembrance - Downing Center for Animal Pain Management
12:00-12:45 Pet Nutrition - West Ridge Animal Hospital
1:00-1:45 Pet First Aid - Dr. Kidd, DVM
2:00-2:45 Dog Manners/Canine Good Citizen - Greeley Dog Training Center

For more information contact
Steph or Sharon @ 970-352-3566

Halloween Party!: UPDATED

UPDATE:
It is with great regret that we must announce that this years Halloween Party has been cancelled. Due to unforeseen events causing scheduling conflicts, we will be unable to host our yearly Halloween party. We are going to miss all those great costumes and sharing with our friends. Though we will miss you this weekend, we sure hope to see you this winter at our upcoming event.

Here are some great photos from last year to tide you over

Last Year's Winner!


mmmmm! Yummy Cake!


Another Fan Favorite!

Don't miss out on all the fun!

The Power of Canine Smell...

We all know that dogs have a far keener sense of smell... but DVDs?!? Now, I'm truly impressed!

Check out this article by the AP about pirated-DVD-sniffing dogs.

Who'd have thought?

Oscar the Hospice Cat

This topic really isn't related to our hospital in any way, but I thought animal lovers might be interested to learn about this nursing home cat that comforts people in their final hours (as reported by the Greeley Tribune/AP). This right here, this bond between pets and people, is the reason West Ridge Animal Hospital staff does what it does!