Animal Clinic of Kalispell - December 2018

WHAT GOES UNSEEN Ultrasounds Help Pet Owners Make Better Decisions When someone mentions ultrasounds, most people think about the first images they saw of their babies. Ultrasounds and childbirth are so linked that many people are surprised to learn veterinarians can use ultrasounds, too. That surprise only grows when they learn what veterinarians use ultrasounds for. While ultrasounds can let you know if Mittens has been getting around, veterinarians most often use ultrasounds to help diagnose pet problems without having to resort to surgery right away. Thanks to sound waves and computer-imaging technology, ultrasounds provide real-time images of what’s going on inside your pet. A stethoscope can tell a veterinarian if your dog has a heart murmur, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the dog has a tumor or heartworm disease. Using an ultrasound, the veterinarian can look at the heart as it moves. If the valves are contracting normally, then there is no reason to have your pet go under for surgery. And if the ultrasound finds something abnormal, you and your veterinarian have time to discuss the situation and determine the right course of action. Before the ultrasound, the only way for a veterinarian to know what was going on inside an animal was to put them under anesthesia and open them up. This was incredibly stressful for the pet, their owner, and the veterinarian. If the veterinarian found something troubling during surgery, they had to call the owner quickly and hope they answered the phone. The owner would then have to make a decision about the situation. Often, there was very little time to discuss their options, as their pet was quite literally in the middle of surgery. Thanks to ultrasounds, veterinarians can get more done with less trauma to the pet. With more information and less pressure, pet owners can make better decisions about the health of their pet. Considering how beneficial ultrasounds can be in treating your pet, it’s no wonder many pet lovers in the Kalispell area are willing to drive over two hours to find a clinic with this technology. Fortunately, such a long journey isn’t necessary. The Animal Clinic of Kalispell has a top-of-the-line ultrasound machine in the office. Dr. Clark and his team have used ultrasounds to examine countless pets, lessening the need for surgery or helping pet owners know when surgery is absolutely necessary. We can get the information you need to help you make the best choice for you and your pet.

The Tail of One Cool Cat

I’m the only cat in a house full of people and dogs. Some cats might not care for the commotion, but I couldn’t ask for a better home. I’ve never met a dog, cat, or person I didn’t love. My mission in life is to be everyone’s friend. To do this, I like to spend my days hanging out on the front porch to greet anyone who comes by the house, visit my girlfriend Cleo across the street, and stroll around the neighborhood. I might try exploring somewhere new, but every day, I make sure to get back home when the kids on our street get out of school. I love to lie on my back on the sidewalk so the kids can pet me as they walk by. Who can say no to that kind of attention? It’s a good life, and I think I’m a pretty lucky cat. Can you imagine being called Teardrop forever? – TJ

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325 F. 2. Combine flour, cinnamon, and

ginger in a large bowl. Add coconut oil, molasses, and water, and mix until you can form a ball. 3. Roll dough on a sheet of parchment paper until it’s 1/4- inch thick. Carefully cut into desired shapes — 4 walls and 2 roof pieces per dog house. Place pieces onto cookie sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes. Once the pieces are done, let them cool completely on a cooling rack. 4. While the gingerbread cools, mix tapioca starch and maple syrup to create thick icing. Use the icing to attach all four wall pieces and roof pieces together to make your dog house, and let sit until icing hardens. Use extra icing to decorate, and feel free to add plain yogurt chips for some extra flair.

406.755.6886

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