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July 2022 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
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Every Dog Has Its Day WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE MUTTS ANOTHER LOOK
an average of 390,000 are euthanized, often due to a lack of room and resources. Spaying and neutering is the best way to stop this tragedy, but the dogs already there still need homes. Purebreds are rare in shelters and generally get adopted quickly, so almost all of these dogs are mutts, and they deserve just as much love and care.
Some people use the word “mutt” as an insult — but mutts are some of the best dogs I’ve ever known. July 31 is National Mutt Day, which encourages us to remember that mixed-breed dogs all over this country need loving homes. Many people are willing to pay top dollar for a specific breed, but the type of dog I like to call a Heinz 57 makes just as good a companion. My family currently has a mutt named Greg we love dearly. Dr. Susie and the kids prefer more exotic names for our pets, so they weren’t super on board when I chose his name, but it fits him perfectly. Like many mutts, Greg is kind of a dope, but that’s part of what makes him so much fun. He’s a well-behaved, friendly dog, and I wouldn’t trade him for the most expensive purebred. Purebred dogs are great when bred responsibly, but they’re generally at a higher risk of hereditary disease than your old-fashioned mutt. You can also feel fairly confident that your Heinz 57 didn’t come out of a puppy mill. Plus, when you adopt a mutt, you’re often saving a life. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), about 3.1 million dogs enter shelters every year, but only about 2 million get adopted. Happily, about 710,000 reunite with their owners. But Prescription Price Increases Price increases related to inflation and supply chain issues continue to affect us all. Veterinary clinics are regrettably no exception and will have no choice but to increase many pet prescription prices beginning July 1. Our prescription vendor is also no longer providing us with free shipping, so we are sad to announce the end of this service. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your continued support. Please call our office if you have any questions about your pet’s medications.
As technology advances and more people adopt dogs out of shelters, genetic testing for mixed-breed dogs has
become increasingly popular. You can buy a kit, swab your dog’s cheek, send it back in the mail, and receive an accounting of your dog’s genetic background. But while it can be fun, it’s not always incredibly accurate. A blood test works much better, and we do those in our office for curious dog owners. Sometimes, we make bets around the office about how the test will come back and give a small prize to the winner! It’s always a good time, and dog owners love finding out which varieties make up their Heinz hound. Incidentally, almost all cats are mutts. Veterinarians joke that there are only three cat breeds: domestic short hair, medium hair, and long hair. We label them that way because we have no idea what they actually are! There are purebred cats, of course. But they’re rare, and you’re even less likely to find one at a shelter than a purebred dog. Cats are even more likely to be euthanized than dogs, so don’t overlook the feline mutts when seeking out your next pet. Mutts may not be perfect, but who among us is? What they lack in pedigree, they tend to make up in kindness and gratitude. If you’ve never had a mutt before, now is the perfect time to give one a chance. You might find your very own Greg.
–Dr. Jeff
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Champing at the Bit The Best Companion MEET OUR NEW VETERINARIAN, JESSICA NEIL!
KEEP THE SMOKE AT BAY RCaemmpovreetShemSomkeell of fi There’s only one way to make the great outdoors even greater — the campfire. But if your campfire smell lingers on your clothes for days after you enjoy the fire, it can be anything but “great.” Kill the smell with this go-to guide. But first — why does this happen? Fabric clings to whatever it comes in contact with, and some fabrics, like cotton, tend to cling harder than others. Smoke is light and small, so it can easily penetrate fibers of your fabric, and wood may contain chemicals and compounds that can be very damaging to clothing. Thus, not removing the smoke smell could permanently alter your clothes. Go bitter or go home! Lemon juice and white vinegar are strong enough to cut through stains and smelly particles, but they’re gentle enough to keep your clothing in good condition. There are a few ways you can use it. You can soak your clothes in vinegar and cold water prior to washing. Alternatively, add a splash of lemon juice to your washing machine before washing any smoky clothes. Try adding a little H2O. Water is actually a very powerful compound. In a heated form, it has the power to kill bacteria and eliminate gnarly smells. So, if you have strong, lingering campfire smoke smells, try washing your clothes in very hot water. This will pull the smoke from your fabric. However, don’t use this method all the time. Water can be harsh — even to the very item you’re cleaning. It’s time to keep it organic. Rather than relying on solutions or water to clean your garments, hang your smoky clothes outside. This is a useful solution for items that cannot be washed at home, but it may not be completely effective. If that’s the case, try rubbing your clothes with dryer sheets to lift the smell, too! Try It: Don’t trust a home remedy with your favorite clothing item. Instead, place a few T-shirts you don’t care about near your next campfire. The following day, try a remedy on that shirt! If you run into any difficulties, consult with a trusted dry-cleaning expert.
Dr. Jessica Neil has dreamed of joining this profession since she was a child. “I never really had a plan B when I was growing up,” she remembers. “I grew up doing 4-H and working with horses and pigs, and I always wanted to be able to work
on my own animals and other people’s animals. I considered it my only option!”
Originally from Colorado, Jessica attended college in Grand Rapids and graduate school in Arizona. After graduating in 2021, she completed a yearlong internship at an equine hospital in Kentucky. “It was a great experience,” Jessica says. “I wanted to pick one
species to feel really good about, and I learned so much. While out in the field, I also got to see the best sunrises and sunsets.”
Now she’s glad to be home and eager to branch out to other species when she joins Surface Creek Vet in July. She’s looking forward to treating the many dogs, cats, and livestock
that come through our doors. One notable addition will be that Dr. Jessica will begin seeing equine patients. “I thrive on being ambulatory and going to people’s houses,” she says. “You work in situations that aren’t always ideal, but you also get to think on your toes.”
Proving that Jessica loves pawed pets as much as those with hooves, she and her husband Tanner have a Jack Russell named Colt and a mini Aussie named Cleo. Tanner is also a Colorado native and hails from “just over the mountain” in Parachute. The couple loves to be outdoors and explore nature whenever possible. “We like to do all kinds of stuff,” Jessica says. “Camping, wheeling,
biking, paddleboarding — and we’re hoping to expand on that even more now that we’re home!”
Jessica is eager to hit the ground running, and Surface Creek Vet is just as excited to have her. “I’m looking forward to being at home and seeing people I’ve known my entire life and working with their animals,” she says. “I can’t wait to continue to grow those relationships!”
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EVERY PET LOVES A TREAT
But How Much Is Too Much? Everyone loves a good treat, and our cats and dogs are no exception. But just like with humans and ice cream, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. More pets are overweight than ever before. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50% of pet cats and dogs are overweight or obese. Worse, many surveyed owners didn’t even realize their pets weighed more than recommended.
cats eat 20–35 calories per pound of weight each day, while dogs should consume 25–30 calories per pound. When you do the math, you might discover that you've been inadvertently feeding them too much — or that they're consuming more calories in treats than you realized.
When making your calculations, remember that a maximum of 10% of treats should come out of the calorie total. If your
No one wants their pet to suffer, especially not from the thing that brings them the most joy. But most people don’t want to cut treats out entirely. Treats make pets happy, and they serve as helpful incentives in training. Luckily, pet nutrition experts have determined when you might be going overboard. They recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily nutritional intake. Of course, many people don't know how many calories their pet eats. But you can easily find out by referring to the calorie information on their food package. Experts recommend that
pet’s ideal intake is 500 calories each day, they shouldn’t be getting 500 calories of regular food and 100 calories worth of treats. Mealtime amounts of food should be adjusted to account for the snacks they are eating throughout the day. Otherwise, that little extra can cause big problems later.
Just like with humans, it’s fine to splurge now and then. But indulging too often can lead to a ballooning waistline and subsequent health problems. If you aren’t sure whether you’re feeding your
pet the right amount or need help calculating their ideal caloric intake, we’ll be glad to discuss your pet’s specific needs during your next visit. Nutritional requirements can vary by breed, and each animal has a unique metabolism. We’ll help you figure out what’s best for your four-legged friend’s health while making sure they don’t lose out on the happiness occasional treats bring.
Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding
PPuema np uk itnBDu ot tge rTar enadt s Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Kendra Richardson Tim Carlill Bob & Pam Arnold Memory McDermott Susan Harding
Kris Heimbichner Jere Hollembeak Sarah Ator Jacque Koehler Gus Hirsch
Combine taste with good nutrition by giving your dog these simple, healthy dog treats that will keep them coming back for more.
INGREDIENTS
• • •
2 tbsp peanut butter
• • •
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients. If needed, add water to make the dough workable, but ensure it remains dry and stiff. 3. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick sheet. Cut into 1/2-inch square pieces or use a cookie cutter to make individual treats. 4. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, and place cookies an inch apart. Bake for 40 minutes, or until hard, and let cool before serving.
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1 2 Remove the Smell of Campfire Smoke inside this issue
Celebrating Mixed-Breed Dogs for National Mutt Day!
Meet the New Vet in Town
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Is Your Pet Getting Too Many Treats?
Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats
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A True Canine Hero
THIS AMAZING PUP SAVES THE DAY — TWICE! A Round of A-Paws New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
The dog first looked into the pond to locate the ball. Then, knowing the boy was in danger as he teetered on the edge, the dog tugged on the little boy’s vest with his teeth, pulling him backward to safety near the back patio of the home. Once the little boy was in a safe location, the dog located a pole net that had been leaning against the house and brought it over to the pond. While his tail wagged with pride, the dog fished the ball out of the pond. The dog then put the net down on the ground near the pond and brought the ball over to the boy. This German shepherd saved the day for this little boy and girl — and also saved the boy from injury and needing a dry set of clothes! What an amazing canine. He deserves a treat and a round of a-paws!
Heroes don’t always wear capes or stand on two legs — and in a specific case with a German shepherd, this is exceptionally true! A dog noticed that one of his favorite tiny humans was in some serious danger, so he saved the day, two times! A little boy and girl enjoyed the day, tossing a ball back and forth in their backyard. When the girl overthrew the ball, it unfortunately fell into a small pond behind the boy. The girl rushed inside the house to get help, but the boy stayed outside and even ended up leaning over the edge of the pond as he tried to retrieve the ball on his own. This is when a protective German shepherd, lying nearby in the grass, saw everything and immediately sprung into action.
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