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Pet Press KALISPELL MAY 2019
406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
THE BEST OF MONTANA
Kayaking on McDonald Creek
I grew up in Wyoming, where the wind blows all the time. This is great if you want to fly a kite, but it’s less great if you want to spend any time on a lake. My family didn’t boat much, but I did grow up canoeing down the Platte river. When my wife and I moved to Montana, we brought the canoe with us, because that’s what we loved to do.
someone comes to visit in the summertime, we arrange a time to float down McDonald Creek in the evening. It’s a short trip, easy on those who haven’t kayaked much before, and it never fails to impress. Last summer, as we were floating, we rounded a corner and spotted tons of beavers. That’s normal; they’re everywhere. On the edge of the water, I spotted what I thought was another
Shortly after moving to Kalispell, and before the rest of my family arrived, some people at church invited me to float down McDonald Creek. I was happy to join in and break out the canoe again, but when I got there, I discovered everyone else would be in these nice 14-foot kayaks. I had a great time in the canoe; the journey down McDonald Creek from Glacier Park is fantastic. As we were pulling out of the water, someone invited me to try out their kayak for a bit. As soon as the paddle hit the water, I knew I could never let my wife get into a kayak, because then we’d have to buy one.
If I want to show someone what it’s like to live in Montana, I take them kayaking.
big, beaver splashing around in the shallows, having a grand old time. It wasn’t until I floated a little closer that I realized it wasn’t a beaver at all; it was a black bear! I was about 20 feet away, but he didn’t pay me any mind. He was enjoying his day on the water, just like I was. If I want to show someone what it’s like to live in Montana, I take them kayaking. What we have here is truly one-of-a-kind. Some people save for
years to take a kayaking trip of a lifetime, so I feel lucky that it’s something my wife and I can do almost every weekend in the summer. There’s something freeing about being in the middle of the river in a kayak. You’re totally in the moment and just seeing what nature has to offer. If you’ve never been kayaking before, I highly recommend trying it out this summer. It’s a blast. And I can even tell you about one of the best places to go kayaking in the world, right in our own backyard.
It wasn’t too long before my wife came on a trip down McDonald Creek, and sure enough, she was making plans to get our own kayaks before the day was done. We kept the canoe for a while, because it’s fun and the dogs like to ride with us, but kayaking is the best way to be out on the water. Since then, kayaking has become one of our favorite summertime activities. It’s so much fun to take the kayak down the river to see the wildlife, or float out onto the lake and watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. Anytime
—Dr. Jevon Clark 406.755.6886
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THE FUTURE OF PET CARE Veterinary La When someone says the word “laser,” it creates very distinct images in our mind. The trope of laser weapons in science fiction (and realitiy!) means many people think of laser blasts destroying peaceful planets, or sharks with laser beams attached to their heads. So, when a veterinarian recommends laser therapy for a pet, it’s not unusual for pet owners to be caught off guard. At The Animal Clinic of Kalispell, we’re excited to be introducing new technology to the practice and offer our patients new resources for healing with our Veterinary Laser Center. We are one of the few practices in Montana with the newest K-Laser in-office, the most advanced Class IV therapeutic laser. This low-level laser uses infrared light to stimulate natural healing at the cellular level without causing damage. K-Laser is used in therapy for both humans and pets. This kind of therapeutic laser technology has been around for many years, but the K-Laser Class IV is a game-changer. Weaker lasers demand more time to be effective. Dogs and cats would have to sit still for up to 12 minutes in order to get adequate treatment. With our Class IV therapy laser, treatment only takes around three minutes! This speed and power opens the door to endless treatment and healing possibilities.
Popular Streaming Services WHICH SERVICES ARE RIGHT FOR YOU? Finding that perfect streaming service for your family can cause parents some stress. There are so many options, and it can be difficult to determine which services provide child-appropriate content AND won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Luckily there are plenty of affordable platforms that have family- friendly content. Netflix and Hulu Known as two of the most popular streaming services that offer family-friendly content, Netflix and Hulu feature plenty of shows and movies that are perfect for kids. For families who own smart TVs or a digital media device, like Roku or Apple TV, both services are available after a quick app download. Both of these platforms have parental controls, allowing parents to set up accounts and restrictions for what their children can watch. You’ll never miss an episode of “Ninjago” or “Sesame Street” again! Their prices are reasonable as well, with Netflix plans ranging from $8.99–$15.99 a month and Hulu being slightly cheaper at $5.99–$11.99 a month. Amazon Prime Video For parents who are already Amazon Prime members, Amazon Prime Video is included with their membership. Those who aren’t can enjoy this streaming service by itself for $8.99 a month. Offering an extensive collection of titles of multiple genres, Amazon Prime Video is a great streaming service. Movies range from “The Daniel Tiger Movie: Won’t You Be Our Neighbor” for your toddler to the more serious “The Dark Crystal” for kids who are a little older. As with Netflix and Hulu, this service also has a parental control feature, ensuring kids don’t watch anything that may be inappropriate. Disney+ Disney+ will be the newest streaming service, which is set to be released later this year. Families will have access to classic Disney movies as well as other content that Disney has influenced. They’ll even have exclusive access to the newest Disney creations. It’s been speculated that anticipated titles “Captain Marvel,” “Toy Story 4,” and “Frozen 2,” will only be available to stream on Disney+. Parents can rest easy knowing that R-rated films won’t be available through this new service as Disney wants to keep its family- friendly approach.
Breakfast Bites Oatmeal isn’t the most exciting breakfast option, but with a little peanut butter and banana, it can be a great way to start your morning. The same is true for dog treats! Check out this simple, tasty treat recipe your dog is sure to love!
Ingredients
• • •
1 cup oatmeal, old fashioned oats
1 banana, medium
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (Note: Make sure it doesn’t contain any xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.)
Inspired by Southern Parm
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er Center At one point, laser therapy could have been associated with pseudoscience. But medical and technological advancements have paved the way for exciting breakthroughs. Research shows Class IV laser therapy can greatly help improve musculoskeletal problems in the back and hips. The K-Laser can also be used to:
UNDER THE KNIFE LASER
How Our Surgical Laser Revolutionizes Surgery
• Speed up healing after an injury or surgery. • Stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to improve oxygenation.
• Reduce arthritis pain in dogs. • Help cats with urinary tract disease. • Decrease inflammation in essentially any tissue.
Up until now, we’ve had a colleague come in periodically to offer laser therapy to our patients. Now that we have a K-Laser in-office, we’re able to provide consistent therapy to our patients across the valley. If you want to learn more about therapeutic lasers and how they may be able to help your pet, give us a call at 406.755.6886 and ask about the Veterinary Laser Center today.
In addition to the therapeutic laser, we are also excited to have been using a surgical laser at the practice for years. Far more powerful than the therapeutic laser, this incredibly precise laser beam is essentially a really high-tech surgical knife. The laser seals small blood vessels as it cuts, cauterizing surgical cuts and reducing bleeding. Some data suggests the surgical laser is even able to reduce pain at the incision site and speed up recovery. Thanks to our surgical laser, we’re able to perform a number of important treatments that aren’t practical with a conventional scalpel. For example, nasal surgery can do wonders for dogs who have trouble breathing, like pugs and bulldogs. Unfortunately, for a long time, this kind of surgery was pretty traumatic, with lots of post-operative complications. The soft palate in the nasal passage is extremely sensitive and bleeds horribly when cut. This made it difficult to finish the surgery and often led to post-op complications. The surgical laser revolutionized this procedure. The laser is able to cauterize the tissue so the soft palate doesn’t bleed when cut. When the dog wakes up, it’s able to breathe easily and with a reduced risk of post-op complications.
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Use food processor
to grind oatmeal into a fine powder. Peel banana, cut into quarters, and add to food processor. Add peanut butter and pulse until mixture forms a dough.
Thanks to the surgical laser, we’re also able to:
• Remove small skin tumors with local anesthesia, rather than having to put the pet under for surgery.
3. Roll out dough to 1/2-inch thick, then use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Transfer treats to nonstick baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown on top. 4. Let treats cool for at least 5 minutes before surprising your pup with a new breakfast
• More effectively address dental tumors without the gums bleeding.
•Make incredibly precise incisions, which are necessary when performing tumor surgery and abdominal surgery.
snack. Treats can be stored unrefrigerated in an airtight container for 3–5 days.
The technology behind surgical lasers has been around for a long time, and we’re excited to use it in our practice. This technology enables us to bring cutting-edge veterinary care to our patients in Montana and offer the resources so every pet can get the help they need quickly and efficiently.
406.755.6886
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM 1408 AIRPORT ROAD KALISPELL, MT 59901
Inside
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Adventure in Our Own Backyard
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Streaming Services Perfect for Your Family
Pet Care from the Future
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Oatmeal Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats
Safer Surgery for Your Pets
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The War Pigeon Who Saved the ‘Lost Battalion’
Brave Little Cher Ami THE WAR PIGEON WHO SAVED THE ‘LOST BATTALION’
Long before the invention of radios and cellphones, homing pigeons were used to send messages as early as the sixth century. During World War I, war pigeons carried lifesaving messages past enemy lines for the American and French armies, often being wounded in the process. In 1918, Cher Ami, a black check hen used by the U.S. Signal Corps, became the most famous of them all. On Oct. 2, the United States 77th Division was trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a three-month push by the Allies during the final throes of World War I to force the Germans to surrender. It became the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. For six days, the encircled division endured relentless attacks and suffered heavy casualties, but their orders were clear: don’t retreat and don’t surrender. The division dispatched two homing pigeons with requests for help, but both birds were shot down. When friendly fire began raining down on the 77th, Major Charles White Whittlesey felt he
had no choice but to send the last pigeon, Cher Ami. The pigeon’s desperate note read:
“We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.” As Cher Ami rose from the brush, she was shot down, to the despair of the watching soldiers. However, after a few seconds, she fought her way back into the air, flew through a torrent of gunfire, and made it to division headquarters 25 miles away. She had been shot in the breast, the eye, and the leg. Because of Cher Ami’s brave flight, 194 of the original 554 men of the 77th Division survived the battle. One month later, World War I came to an end. Cher Ami survived the war as well, thanks to the surgeons who performed emergency surgery on her. One soldier even carved her a little wooden leg. She became a well- known hero to both soldiers and children in the States. For her service in Verdun, the French Army awarded her the Croix de Guerre, and she was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame. Cher Ami finally succumbed to her wounds in June of 1919 and is now on display in the Smithsonian alongside Sergeant Stubby, a terrier who served 18 months on the Western Front.
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