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A Message regarding Canine upper respiratory infections

To all our friends and family of Roseway Veterinary Hospital:

We know that there has been a lot in the news recently regarding a new respiratory disease affecting dogs in Oregon and a few other states. We know that you are concerned about your dog’s health and look to us for answers and guidance. To that end, here are a few things we know about the disease and a few things to consider regarding your family member’s safety and health:

  • A respiratory illness is affecting our canine patients in some areas of the United States including Oregon.
  • Diagnostic testing has not yet confirmed the cause.
  • We are taking precautions at Roseway Veterinary Hospital if any respiratory disease is suspected in any of our patients coming to the hospital.
  • We have no reason to believe this illness can cause disease in people or cats. We (the veterinary community) do NOT believe that it is caused by the COVID-19 virus.

We are currently advising the following for our canine patients:

Ensure respiratory vaccines are up to date for eligible dogs, including Bordetella (aka kennel cough), Parainfluenza virus and canine influenza virus (which we currently have in stock). To reduce the risk of exposure, you may want to try to limit your dog’s time around other dogs. This may mean reducing or suspending time at doggy daycare or grooming facilities, limiting time in boarding facilities (and considering in-home pet-sitters) and avoiding dog parks and other public areas.

In the meantime, monitor your dog closely for any of the following respiratory signs: coughing or productive coughing (e.g., mucus from the mouth after coughing), sneezing, discharge from the nose or mouth, rapid or labored breathing, lethargy or weakness, decreased appetite or complete absence of appetite, or fever. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, please schedule an appointment with us for further assessment and notify the hospital of respiratory signs in advance of your arrival so that precautions can be taken to prevent infecting other dogs. If an appointment cannot be scheduled within 2-3 days with us, or if worsening or more severe signs are noted, please seek same-day care at an urgent care or emergency hospital facility. Please remember antibiotics should only be used under the direction of a veterinarian in response to clinical signs. Antibiotics do not prevent disease; they do not treat viral diseases and should not be started in patients without symptoms indicating a need for antibiotics.

We know that this can be scary, but we are here to help.

Pet Wellness Care in Portland, OR

Learn more about our pet wellness services below.
Pet Wellness Care

Pet Wellness Care

Our proactive approach to veterinary care

Preventative care is your pet’s first line of defense. Annual exams help by preventing, diagnosing and treating disease in its early stages, often before any noticeable symptoms begin. The earlier treatment starts, the more effective it is, keeping your pet from unnecessary pain and suffering.

When it comes to cats, pet owners tend to take them to the vet about half as often as dogs. However, both indoor and outdoor cats need regular wellness exams. One of the main reasons cat owners cite for not taking their cats to the vet is that their cats hate it—often they’re so fearful they can be very hard to handle. But there are things you can do to cut down on the stress and anxiety for you and your cat. Read more on our blog for some helpful tips for stress free visits to the vet with cats.

Annual Veterinary Exams

Roseway Veterinary Hospital’s comprehensive annual exams thoroughly evaluate general appearance, skin, lymph nodes and mucous membranes, as well as musculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous, circulatory, digestive and genital/urinary systems.

Vaccinations

Updated vaccinations are a highly effective way to prevent many common diseases and infections. For dogs, that means parvo, leptospirosis, distemper and rabies. Cats need vaccinations for feline leukemia, distemper and rabies.

Dental Care

Oral health is an important part of your pet’s life; annual teeth cleanings are the best method to maintain and improve dental wellbeing.

Parasite Control

Prevention and eradication are simple and efficient processes when anti-parasitic medication is used regularly.

Skin Care

Grooming and washing are fundamental aspects of proper pet hygiene. Good skin and hair health prevents matting, bacterial infections and more.

Proper Nutrition

Proper nutrition supports all of your pet’s bodily processes, bolstering their immune system and ensuring normal development. Many prescriptions foods are offered to aid in the treatment of various health conditions.

Behavioral Evaluation

Changes in mood or behavior are often symptoms of underlying medical conditions. Identifying these shifts help to isolate and treat the root cause.

Exercise

While both cats and dogs need adequate exercise, regular workouts support skeletomuscular and cardiovascular health in dogs of all ages.

Senior Animals

Preventative care becomes more significant for aging dogs and cats. Roseway Veterinary Hospital recommends increasing exams to at least twice a year and completing regular lab work for elderly animals. As pets get older, they are prone to many age-related diseases that are increasingly necessary to diagnose and treat. Many preventive health measures must be adjusted to better suit the medical needs of senior animals.

To learn more about our preventative care services, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (503) 446-2450. You can also request a visit online.