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Pet Press KALISPELL AUGUST 2021
406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
It’s interesting to look back on some of my early encounters with animals in light of the career path I ultimately chose. I’m not sure how directly early interactions with pets influenced my choice to become a veterinarian, but it seems likely there’s a connection! One such early encounter was with my aunt and uncle’s dog, Otto. My family and I would drive from Casper to Cheyenne to take little vacations to see my aunt and uncle. One of the highlights of those trips for me was playing with Otto. Though some memories are lost to time, I have vivid memories of going up to Otto, a black Lab mix, when I was just 4 years old. He, like many other dogs and pets, just liked me, and I liked him! I even remember doing some training with him in their backyard. The connection was obvious and my family would often comment that dogs really liked me and listened to me. As any pet owner knows, animals are really sensitive to their environment and the energy of the people around them. Though you can get the best education in the world, if a veterinarian doesn’t bring the right energy to their interactions with animals, it can cause stress for the animals and their owners. Many of our clients have told me that they’ve had issues in the past with their dogs interacting with veterinarians and staff. Though we do have an occasional issue, I’m really proud that our clinic has a good energy that leads many pets to feel comfortable here. When their owners say, “He’s never been this good at the vet’s office!” I feel so gratified. WAS DR. CLARK DESTINED TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN?
Early Memories of Canine Encounters
One of my not-so-secret secrets is actually to ignore the dog or cat for a while on my first visit with them. I like to go into the exam room and chat with the pet’s owner for a while. That gives the animal time to warm up — and it kind of tricks them into thinking I’m not there for them. Approaching a new animal right away can create stress and distrust. Sometimes just entering the building creates stress if an animal has had bad experiences at another office. In that case, we’re not afraid to get a little creative. We recently met a dog and his owner out in the parking lot right by the owner’s truck. The owner told us that the dog had been lunging at his crate door and acting out, so we thought he might be more comfortable outside. Pretty quickly, he came up to me on his own and licked my face. That felt like a win! The problem was that next time he came to see us, we did the same thing, but by then, he’d figured out my trick! As I said, we don’t win every time. I think that having this kind of energy with animals is outside the realm of teaching, so I’m grateful that I’ve had it all my life. It’s fun to look back on those days with Otto and our Aussie, Lady, who absolutely tormented him, and see how I was able to be so comfortable early on in life. And to those animals who make me work a little harder or get more creative to do my exams, I’m thankful for you for keeping me on my toes!
– Dr. Jevon Clark
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MEET DR. JE
A Seasoned Veterina
Decades ago, when an engineering firm approached their senior draftsman Jerry Cosper with a full scholarship offer to attend engineering school, Cosper knew it was an important decision. Did he really want to be an engineer forever? Would he want to work long hours away from family and friends, creating hydraulic and electrical systems for the rest of his life?
Sticky Business IS PAINTER’S TAPE MORE USEFUL THAN DUCT TAPE?
The answer was no — and after he left the company and searched for answers, he decided to become a veterinarian instead.
Why a veterinarian? “It wasn’t a lifelong dream — but I wanted to be my own boss and work with people,” Dr. Cosper explained. In fact, Dr. Cosper has been a veterinarian for a long time before he ever joined the Animal Clinic of Kalispell in May 2021. He even owned a practice for 30 years.
What’s blue, sticky, and as useful as can be? If a roll of painter’s tape just sprung to mind, then you’re on the right track. Although duct tape has the reputation of being the most useful item in the world, we’re not so sure that’s the case. In fact, we’re not even sure it’s the most useful kind of tape . Blasphemy? Perhaps not. Painter’s tape lacks the adhesive qualities of duct tape as well as the fabric-style backing that gives the silver stuff its fabled strength. But here’s the honest truth about those qualities: They’re only there to let duct tape do things tape was never supposed to do. Long-term repairs? Structural support? Duct tape may be useful in a pinch, but around the house, you’re going to do a lot better with the blue painter’s tape. For one, it comes in a variety of sizes, and if you’re painting, that can be a real godsend. It’s also easy to lay flat, fold, and tuck into nooks and crannies (a quality it receives from the paper-style backing). But the real value behind painter’s tape is that it does the exact thing duct tape can’t: It goes on easily and comes off with no sticky residue left behind. That’s what makes it great for painting, but it also means it is ideal for hanging posters, putting a to-do list on the wall, or sticking a label on a jar of food. Painter’s tape doesn’t have the sheer strength of duct tape, but that’s a feature. A few wraps of painter’s tape will keep that extension cord coiled at just the right length, but the low strength means you can easily tear it when you need the longer cord. This works with cables, hoses, ropes, and straps and is great for keeping a house organized. You can also use painter’s tape to baby-proof outlets, wrap presents, divide a room in half between two feuding kids … the list goes on! What’s your favorite use for tape? Whatever that may be, painter’s tape has you covered.
After graduating from veterinary school at Colorado State in ‘92, he opened a nice clinic in New Mexico and worked with a wide range of patients. “We probably did 75% small animals (cats,
dogs), 20% horses, and 5% Four-H (farm) animals.” For Dr. Cosper,
the best part of the profession is helping worried pet owners, foster caretakers, and farmers overcome problems and put them at ease.
Chewy Chicken Catni
Superstar blogger Joy the Baker brings her baking prowess to the felines with this delicious treat recipe for cats.
Ingredients
• • • • • • • •
1 large egg
1 4-oz can of your cat’s favorite wet food
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
2 tsp olive oil 2 tbsp water
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
1 tbsp catnip
Inspired by JoyTheBaker.com
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DOG FIRST AID
ERRY COSPER
arian Joins Our Team!
PROTECT YOUR PUP’S PAWS If you’ve ever been on a long hike, you know how hard it can be on your feet. And you only have two feet, so imagine what it might be like for your canine friends who walk on all fours and often have no protection from sharp rocks, hot asphalt, and other hazards like grass awns or fish hooks! This month, we want to address some common issues we see in the summertime and help you better understand how to protect your pup’s paws or administer first aid if you’re out in the wilderness. Foot lesions are one of the most common injuries we see. Cheatgrass and foxtail awns can get stuck in between your dog’s toes and cause infection and abscesses. If you walk through an area with tall grasses, be sure to check your dog thoroughly afterward. Pay special attention to their paw pads and in between their toes, where awns are likely to get embedded and cause issues. It’s also a good idea to check their ears, nose, and mouth.
So, how did he discover our clinic? Dr. Cosper retired, sold his practice, and moved to Montana, but decided his retirement wasn’t ready for him! “I got bored at the house,” he laughed. He chose to apply at our clinic for one simple reason: “I like the way [Animal Clinic at Kalispell] practices. Dr. Clark’s practice is really good; [it’s] how my practice was when I sold it. His philosophies were my philosophies.” With so much in common, it’s no wonder that we’ve absolutely loved having Dr. Cosper here! Outside of work, you’ll find Dr. Cosper and his family boating, fishing, and even raising cattle over 40 acres of farmland. He’s fun to talk with, so don’t be shy. Come and say hello to him when you stop by!
Dogs also commonly get lacerations on their toe pads or the backs of their feet from hiking in areas with lots of rocks or shale. If your dog isn’t used to hiking on coarse shale or in rocky wilderness areas, they may get blisters on their paws. On hot days, the rocks retain heat that can lead to burns and blisters as well. We know firsthand that many dogs aren’t fans of wearing booties, but if you can get your dog used to them, they can be a great way to avoid these injuries. Otherwise, try applying a dog paw wax like Musher’s Secret. It’s made with natural food-grade ingredients so it poses no hazard to your dog if they lick it. But it will form a protective barrier against the heat and rocks. As the name suggests, it’s what mushers use to keep their sled dogs’ paws in good shape when racing on the snow and ice. If your dog does hurt its paws while you’re out on a trip, protect the wound with a bandage or even a clean tube sock to keep the area clean. Then, come see us for an exam and treatment when you’re back in town.
ip Cat Treats
Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 325 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, wet food, parsley, oil, and water until well combined. 3. Add rice flour and cooked rice, stirring to incorporate. 4. Spread mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. It should be about 1/3-inch thick. 5. Bake for 10–12 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool just enough to handle. Slice into bite-size pieces then return to the oven to bake for another 8 minutes. 6. Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving to your feline friends. 7. Store treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
406.755.6886
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406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM 1408 AIRPORT ROAD KALISPELL, MT 59901
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside
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Was Dr. Clark Destined to Become a Veterinarian?
2
More Useful Than Duct Tape?!
2
Meet Dr. Jerry Cosper, Our New Expert Veterinarian
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Chewy Chicken Catnip Cat Treats
3
Protect Your Pup’s Paws This Summer
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Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog
Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog
THIS GREAT PYRENEES GUIDED HIS GOATS THROUGH A WILDFIRE
In October 2017, California was in flames. One of those blazes was the Tubbs Fire, which charred its way through 36,800 miles of forests and vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma County. More than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, and 22 people were killed. But when the flames finally died, a four-legged hero emerged from the ashes: Odin, the Great Pyrenees dog.
“I said, ‘Okay, Odin, take care of the goats. You’ll be fine,’” Roland Hendel told ABC News.
Both Hendels were sure they were seeing their dog for the last time. Their hearts sank even further when they heard their home had burned down completely. But on a trip back to examine the ashes, something amazing happened.
“In the distance, I saw Odin’s tail,” Roland told ABC. “Sure enough, there was Odin coming at the head of all his goats.”
Not only did Odin survive the fire and run right up to the Hendels for belly rubs, but he also kept every single one of his goats safe! A few wild deer even joined the goats, and he shepherded them through unscathed. The incredible story made the news, and Odin became a local legend. Unfortunately, even legends don’t live forever. This April, Odin passed away after a long life of tail-wagging, treat-eating, and goat-saving. In his honor, Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri gifted the Hendels two new Great Pyrenees pups: Buddy and Snowflake. They’re following in Odin’s pawsteps, protecting the goats he loved so much.
Odin belonged to Ariel and Roland Hendel, two farmers in Sonoma County. When the Tubbs Fire threatened to char their home, they packed up as many of their animals and precious items as they could. Unfortunately, their flock of goats wouldn’t fit in the getaway vehicle — and their goat- herding dog, Odin, refused to abandon them. Great Pyrenees are prized livestock guardian
dogs that will do anything to protect their charges, and Odin lived up to his breed.
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