We are closed for 4 Saturdays throughout February and March for installation of exciting new equipment and staff training:

February

Saturday, February 11: Closed for installation of our new Midmark M9 Auto-sterilization System. The M9 is a human-grade autoclave machine used to sterilize surgical instruments. For more information on Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital’s state-of-the art surgical protocols, call us at 503-692-3300 or read about them here!

Saturday, February 25: Closed for staff training on the new M9 system.

March

Saturday, March 10: Closed for general staff training

Saturday, March 31: Closed for staff training on our new Sevoflurane anesthesia machines. For more information about how Sevoflurane can benefit YOUR pet during a surgical procedure or dental cleaning, call us at 503.692.3300 or read about it here!

We apologize for any inconvenience!

With dog parks, holiday pet parades, and pet boutiques galore, Wilsonville is one of the most pet-friendly towns around! MPVH is here to keep Wilsonville pets happy and healthy so they can enjoy all the pet perks that Wilsonville has to offer.

We now give Wilsonville pet parents even more peace of mind in two new ways!

1.  Our new Healthy Paws program

2. Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital is partnering with Paws 4 Perks to give P4P members exclusive discounts on premium veterinary care for their pets. Lori, The Groomer at Meridian Park, is also participating in the program with discounts to keep your dog or cat looking their best!

If you are looking for a Veterinarian near Wilsonville Oregon, come visit Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital or give us a call at 503-692-3300 to schedule an appointment today!

When the weather warms and spring rolls in, people get the urge to declutter and deep clean their homes and garages. If you’re a pet owner, use the tips below from Pet Poison Helpline to make sure your pets stay safe and are kept away from toxic cleaning products.

Strong acidic or alkaline cleaners pose highest risk – the most dangerous cleaning products are those which may cause corrosive injury or chemical burns. These include rust removers, toilet bowel cleaners, lye, drain cleaners and calcium/lime removers.

General cleaners are safe in small doses – cleaners such as glass cleaners, spot removers and most surface cleaners have a wide margin of safety. If ingested in small amounts, most only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Also, if they touch pet’s skin, they may cause mild irritation. Therefore, it’s still wise to keep these products out of reach.

Read the label – cleaning labels can provide helpful information, as long as you understand the terminology. Key words to look for include “danger” and “warning” as this indicates products with higher toxicity or the potential to cause chemical burns. Items that use “caution” as their primary signal word are “less toxic” than those using “danger.”

Risk varies by type of animal – birds and other exotic pets may be more sensitive to cleaning products, especially products that are aerosolized. “Birds have a unique respiratory anatomy called air sacs, which results in particular sensitivity to fragrances and aerosolized chemicals,” says Dr. Justine Lee, Associate Director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline. To be safe, aerosolized products should not be used in the same room as caged or free birds.

“Natural” does not always mean “safe” – some natural products can and will cause just as many problems as more traditional cleaners.

No need to worry about Swiffer Wet-Jets – it is a common internet rumor that Swiffer Wet-Jets are dangerous for dogs. In fact, no evidence exists that suggests Swiffer products are dangerous to animals when used properly.

When spring cleaning, be safe and keep all pets out of the area of cleaning until the room is well ventilated and all cleaning products have dried.

The best thing any pet owner can do is to be educated on common household toxins, and to make sure you pet-proof your house appropriately. Make sure to keep cleaning products up and out of your pet’s reach, but when in doubt, if you think your pet has been poisoned, contact Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital at 503-692-3300 with any questions or concerns.

Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital is now exclusively using Sevoflurane anesthesia! What is Sevoflurane (Sevo) and what does this mean for you and your pet?

Veterinary anesthetic protocols are rapidly changing for the better and we at Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital believe that every pet deserves the smoothest, fastest, safest anesthesia available.

When discussing surgeries, a common question we hear from clients is: “Why shouldn’t I get the ‘same’ surgery at the clinic down the road?”. The best answer is that,  for about a hundred different reasons, it isn’t the same surgery. One of these reasons is our state-of-the-art anesthetic protocol which now includes Sevo, the benefits of which are significant over older agents used at “low cost” clinics.

Sevoflurane is a new anesthsetic agent that is also used for human pediatric procedures. It makes surgical procedures safer and speeds up recovery with minimal problems that are often associated with older anesthetics – with no significant difference in cost!

• Sevo does not have a pungency that irritates the respiratory system. It is better tolerated and results in low airway irritability.
• Sevo has a low blood gas solubility, which allows anesthesia to be induced faster.
• Sevo has been show to be less of a respiratory depressant than older anesthetic agents when used for the same amount of time. This is especially beneficial for older pets with certain medical conditions that would otherwise prevent the procedure from being performed using older protocols.
• Patient recovery with Sevo is smoother and faster.

In addition, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released new guidelines (www.aahanet.org/Library/Anesthesia_Guidelines.aspx) covering all aspects of surgical anesthetic protocols.  The new guidelines call for a thorough patient history, comprehensive labwork, and a complete examination before determining the best course of action for the procedure. According to AAHA, anesthesia-related complications are responsible for a significant number of liability insurance claims, with most anesthetic-associated deaths occuring during the first three hours of recovery. Adding Sevoflurane to our already-stringent anesthetic protocols helps MPVH provide your pet with the best care before, during, and after anesthesia.

If you have any questions or concerns about Sevoflurane, do not hesitate to call us at 503-692-3300 or e-mail us at mpvhospital@frontier.com.

Santa Paws

What is on YOUR Pet’s Wishlist this Holiday Season?

“Sit!” “Stay!” “Come!” “Good Boy!”

Your pet has been so good this year, why not show them how much you appreciate their unconditional love and loyalty? Not sure what your pet may want in his or her stocking? We’ve come up with a list (and checked it twice!) of our most popular feel-good items that our patients enjoy:

Lupine Collars and Leashes - Lupine guarantees EVERY product they carry. Seems crazy but we’re not kidding! Whether Spot thinks his collar is more fun to chew than his bone, Fido prefers to walk himself or Fluffy seems to like the ‘feather boa’ look, they’re gonna replace it. No return shipping, no receipt, no questions asked! It’s that simple! And the best part? Your replacement goes back in the mail the next business day after the damaged item is received. Lupine collars and leashes come in various sizes and colors, a few of which are shown below:

Treats – We have a variety of treats, including HypoAllergenic, Rawhides, and Low-Calorie Fruitables!

Joint Supplements – Cold weather means sore joints in humans AND animals. If you think your pet would love some treats, but want a little more bang for your buck, try our Dasuquin Joint Supplement Chews! For more information about joint health and supplements, click here or give us a call at 503.692.3300.

Spa Day – If you are looking for something a little more decadent for the favorite animal in your life, a day at the spa with our Groomer is perfect! A high-quality groom at MPVH not only keeps your pet looking and smelling like a million bucks, but it is also good for their health!

Squeaky Clean Teeth – A healthy, white smile is the best gift you can give your pet. It is the gift that keeps on giving and your pet will keep thanking you with nice-smelling kisses long after the holidays are over. For more information about dental health or for a FREE Dental Consultation, call us at 503.692.3300!

For more pet gift ideas, visit Klondike’s Toy Box at www.mpvhospital.com or come on in to Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital today!

The holidays are fast approaching – if you are traveling this season, let Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital care for your pets! Receive a free nail trim when you schedule 5 days or more for Thanksgiving boarding before November 15th or Christmas/New Years boarding before December 10th. MPVH also has Master Groomers if you would like your pet bathed and/or groomed while staying with us! Discounts are given for multiple pets.

When you board your pet at Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital, our dedicated staff spends one-on-one time with each pet. Our canine friends get at least 3 walks per day and enjoy lots of affection. For our feline friends, you have the choice of our standard boarding or our luxury cat boarding known as “The Cat Chalet”. This upgraded option includes a luxurious suite with a water fountain, a selection of cat toys, fresh cat nip, climbing structures, a private kitty “restroom”, and a selection of cozy beds. Both boarding options include petting and snuggling.

We can also accommodate birds, reptiles, pocket pets, and other exotics!

Please see our Price List for our boarding fee schedule. Also, to help speed up the check-in process, you can now print and fill out out our Boarding Check-In Form ahead of time! Call 503-692-3300 for more information!

Portland Area Parvo Outbreak
A Parvo outbreak has been recognized in the Portland and Gresham areas after a deceased dog discovered in a dumpster tested positive for Parvo during routine testing by Mulnomah County Animal Services. Three additional cases have been identified. This time of year is the beginning of “Parvo Season”; however, MCAS reports that this amount of cases this early is highly unusual.

What is Parvo? Parvovirus is an extrememly contagious disease transmitted through ingestion of infected feces or vomit. It is most commonly contracted by unvaccinated puppies and dogs by licking their feet after walking through contaminated soil. Since Parvovirus is highly contagious and tends to stay in the environment (soil, clothing, food dishes, etc.) for 5 months or longer, it is extremely important to vaccinate all dogs for the disease. Any areas suspected to be contaminated should be thoroughly cleaned with bleach.

Symptoms typically include:
lethargy
severe diarrhea and vomiting
in some cases, cardiac problems

Since dogs with Parvo tend to have profuse vomiting and diarrhea, oral medications are not an option. Hospitalization with IV fluids, antibtiotics, and other medications are necessary. This treatment can last from five days to two weeks and can be very expensive; without treatment, Parvo can be deadly.

It is important that dog owners to keep puppies and dogs at home until they have received the full parvo vaccinations series (usually a first vaccine at 8 weeks of age, followed by 2 to 3 monthly boosters). Adult dogs typically received an initial vaccine with a booster two weeks later. If you’re not sure if your dog has had the vaccine or would like more information, call us at 503-692-3300.

With dog parks, holiday pet parades, and pet boutiques galore, Lake Oswego is one of the most pet-friendly towns around! MPVH is here to keep Lake Oswego pets happy and healthy so they can enjoy all the pet perks that Lake Oswego has to offer.

We now give Lake O pet parents even more peace of mind in two new ways!

1.  Our new Healthy Paws program

2. Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital is partnering with Paws 4 Perks to give P4P members exclusive discounts on premium veterinary care for their pets. Lori, The Groomer at Meridian Park, is also participating in the program with discounts to keep your dog or cat looking their best!

If you are looking for a Veterinarian near Lake Oswego Oregon, come visit Meridian Park Veterinary Hospital or give us a call at 503-692-3300 to schedule an appointment today!

Keywords: Animal Hospital Lake Oswego Oregon, Veterinarian Lake Oswego Oregon, Dog Groomer Lake Oswego Oregon

MPVH is excited to reveal our new Healthy Paws program! We now offer 12 months of UNLIMITED office visits for all pets in your household for just $149.99! In addition, you will receive 10% off all services and vaccines*!

The importance of wellness exams is paramount to the health and longevity of your pet. Dogs and cats age on average 7 times faster than humans and diseases can progress rapidly. Therefore, we have a shorter window of opportunity for disease detection and treatment. This is especially true for older patients. Even if your pet seems healthy, it is imperative to keep up with regular preventative healthcare to ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy.

*Some restrictions apply. Visit our office for details.