Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital

Momma and Babies Need a Home!

Recently, one of our clients, Rebecca, had a young stray cat wander into her yard.  As it turned out, the cat was very pregnant and after a few days of trying to coax her inside, Rebecca was finally able to get Momma cat into the screened in porch. Just days later, Momma cat had settled in,  and given birth to 6 sweet and healthy kittens, 3 girls and 3 boys. The photo above shows Dr. Chea Hall holding one of these kittens when they were only 2 weeks old. The kittens birthday was August 6th so today they are only 4 ½ weeks old. Rebecca is doing a wonderful job fostering Momma cat and her 6 little babies but they are all looking for a permanent home. 

Here are the kittens markings and information.

1) White with brown tabby - female

2) Brown tabby with white paws - female

3) Brown tabby with kink tail - female

4) Brown tabby with white paws and kink tail - male

5) White with brown tabby - male

6) White with brown tabby and 2 spots on back - male

If you have the perfect home for any part of this sweet family please contact Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital at 503-579-3300 so we can pass your information on to Rebecca.  You can also email your information to team@murrayhillvethospital.com

Why Does my Pet Stink? Odor Control for Pets

Our pets have become part of the family in our society. Most of them live in our house with us, snuggle with us on the couch, the bed, ect. Sometimes, if we do not take precautions, we may notice that our house does not smell as fresh as it once did and you may wonder what you can do to avoid that. Here are some tips that may be helpful for that.

Your pet’s bedding may be fluffy and comfortable, but may also be a place that harbors bacteria, dirt and oils. We recommend investing in a bed for your pet that has a removable cover that you can wash once or twice a week.

Because our pets are low to the ground, another place that harbors their dirt and bacteria may be the carpeting. Vacuuming often and even using some carpet fresheners may help control odors you are noticing. Be sure to use pet friendly products. Most people with family pets notice that they may need to get their carpet professionally cleaned more often than families without pets. If you have stains on your carpet from your pet’s accidents, be sure to let the carpet cleaners know so that they can treat those areas with special attention.

Dogs may have a natural odor that you find unpleasant. Frequent baths with pet friendly shampoos and grooming regularly may help. Our groomer Joni has 25 years of experience and along with giving a fantastic bath, she can also take care of those pesky toe nails. If you are still concerned, your veterinarian may be able to detect if there is a medical problem creating the odor. Be sure to make an appointment to discuss these concerns.

Cats are usually fastidious groomers and very clean. However, frequent litter box maintenance is a must to avoid unpleasant odors. Some cats will even urinate and defecate outside the box if it is not clean enough for them!  For more tips about litter control, check out Solving Litter Box Problems from The Humane Society of the United States.

If you have followed these suggestions and still have some concerns about any unpleasant smells you are detecting, please make an appointment or call to discuss these concerns with one of our staff members here at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital. 503-579-3300

Happy Birthday Maddie!!!

Today is Maddie's 10th birthday and to celebrate, Maddie and her mom (Dr. Elizabeth Altermatt) made some amazing cupcakes for her friends at Murrayhill, complete with dog bone sugar cookies on top. Maddie sweetly gave away all of her cupcakes in exchange for some tasty dog treats! Not too many of course, she is watching her girlish figure. Even at 10, Maddie still keeps active and goes running with her mom once a week. For her birthday Maddie also got a bath by Joni and had her nails all done up. What a birthday!

Happy Birthday Maddie!!! We love you!

Do you want to learn more about our recent blog topics? Here are a few related links.

For people new to the world of pet ownership, there are many decisions that have to be made. The following sites can help you make those decisions by offering reliable information. Start with these resources to learn more about the proper care of your pets:

• This guide from the Humane Society has basic care tips for new dog owners.
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals explains canine arthritis.
• The pet-care section of About.com also has an in-depth article on caring for older dogs.
• About.com has a very extensive guide to cat care, covering all stages of development.
• A dog’s teeth are vital to their functioning.  For a list of symptoms to look for if you suspect dental problems, take a look at this list.
• Also, visit our website for more information about all your pet care needs.

Thank You, Pot Pie!!