Examinations

Because our doctors are kept busy all hours of the day keeping our furry friends healthy and happy, we suggest you call ahead to schedule an appointment for your own special pet. Drop-ins are welcome but may have to wait until a doctor is available. Alpine Animal Hospital makes every effort to honor time commitments. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify us as soon as possible. Unexpected emergencies can interrupt our schedule. Whenever possible, you will be informed if there is any delay with us seeing your pet. Alpine also provides a drop-off service for busy clients on the go. There is a small fee involved to cover your pets' comfy accommodations while staying with us. You may call and schedule an appointment to leave your pet at the hospital for diagnostic testing and treatment. At the end of the day, you can pick up your pet. We can arrange a consultation with the doctor at the time of pickup. Free estimates and payment options can be provided in advance. We make every effort to provide the most up-to-date and caring veterinary services for your pet/s at a reasonable cost. To do this, we require payment at the time we render service. Our hospital accepts cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and traveler's checks. Special payment arrangements are made on a selective, individual basis ONLY.

We also carry Hills Science diet prescription and regular high-quality diets, medicated shampoos, dental supplies, collars, harnesses, and leashes.

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Physicals

Yearly checkups and vaccinating against contagious diseases may be two of the most important things you ever do for your pet. When you bring your precious bundle in for an annual exam, you can expect a thorough, expert evaluation. We will check eyes, ears, nose, and mouth for signs of ulceration, discharge, impending infection, or tooth/gum concerns. We will also check coat and skin for overall condition. Legs, paws, and gait will be evaluated for any abnormalities and, yes, we do check under the tail too (how embarrassing!)... Please let us know if you or your pet have any particular concerns--they cannot talk, and you know your friend best. Here are some items of significance:

• Have any aspects of your pet's behavior changed recently?
• Has food/water intake increased/decreased?
• Have there been any changes in urine/stool production? Consistency?
• Have there been changes in diet?
• Has there been any sudden weight loss or gain?
• Is your pet on any medications?
• Has your pet recently wandered from your yard or been otherwise unsupervised?
• Has your pet had any dietary indiscretions recently? (i.e., getting into the garbage, taking table scraps)
• Has your pet gotten into any toxic substances or human products not listed for pet consumption?
• Have you noticed any new lumps or bumps?
• Does your pet's breath smell bad?
• Has your pet been vomiting frequently?
• Does your pet "scoot bottom" on your carpet or upholstery?
• Have you noticed small moving creatures the size of grains of rice on your pet's bottom or any wormlike creatures in vomit/stool?

If your pet checks out healthy, our veterinarians will then booster any vaccinations that are due and deworm as needed. By keeping your pet up-to-date on vaccinations, you are being socially and personally responsible. By immunizing your pet/s, you can help us to keep disease from being contracted or spread. A good tick and flea protection regiment is also highly recommended, and we have several excellent products for easy application and reliable results. Ask at the front desk for more details.

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X-Rays and EKG Diagnostic Services

Alpine Animal Hospital is proud of our X-Ray and EKG Diagnostic Services. Our animal technicians are trained with the most up to date techniques for radio graphing your special pet

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Laboratory Services

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Full Service Surgery and Endoscopy

At Alpine Animal Hospital, we offer a wide range of surgical treatments.  We routinely do: Canine/Feline Castrations Canine/Feline Spays (OVHs) Front Paw Declaws Dentistries Oral surgeries Lump/Tumor Biopsies & Removals Exploratories Orthopedic surgeries

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Dentistry

How common are pet dental problems and what causes them?

Dental disease is the most common health problem of pets. In fact, 85 to 90% of all dogs over the age of six years have periodontal (gum) disease. Most dental diseases in dogs (and in people) are caused by deposits of plaque (an accumulation of old cells, saliva and bacteria) building up on the teeth. As the plaque hardens, it turns into a substance called tartar, or calculus. The accumulation of tartar can reach such proportions that the tooth becomes lost within a shell of brownish, foul-smelling material. This condition seriously inflames the gums (gingivitis), and leads to the breakdown of the periodontal tissues (periodontitis), which secure the teeth to the surrounding bone and gum tissue. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause a dog to lose its teeth.

Other dental problems that require treatment include abscesses caused by broken or worn teeth, as well as advanced periodontal disease, structural problems caused by improper tooth alignment and/or abnormal numbers of teeth, pulpitis, which is an infection and deterioration of the inside of the tooth, and osteomyelitis (bone infection), which can affect the jawbone.

Quick Bites On Pet Dental Care - Dogs develop 28 temporary teeth at two to three weeks of age. Their 42 permanent teeth emerge at about four to five months. Studies show that by age 3, 80% of dogs exhibit signs of gum disease. Small dog breeds are more likely than large breeds to develop periodontal disease. Canine dentistry experts believe this is because the teeth of small dogs often are too large for their mouths, forcing the teeth closer together.       Cats have about 26 temporary teeth at two to three weeks of age. Their 30 permanent teeth erupt at about four months.  According to studies about 70% of cats have signs of gum disease by age 3. Cervical line lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about 28% of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

Love your pet? Take Pet Dental Health to Heart and make a commitment to provide routine dental care. Studies show that proper care of teeth and gums is at the heart of a total health care program for dogs and cats. Bacteria in your pet's mouth can lead to infections that eventually enter the bloodstream and could infect the heart, liver and kidneys. Don't let this happen to your best friend!

Here are three oral care steps recommended by the American Veterinary Dental Society: Flip that lip and check their teeth. Practice a home dental care routine. Get regular veterinary dental checkups. Ask your veterinarian for advice on dental care nutrition.

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All Breed Dog and Cat Grooming

Spoil your pet at the Alpine Spa with our professional groomers.  We will pamper your pet with a complete brush out/clip, warm massaging bath, pedicure and fluff dry. All Breeds of dogs and cats welcome!  So call now for your pets day of pampering!

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Boarding

Dogs are jumping for joy over our new outdoor exercise yards. Our camping pooches will enjoy at least three recess periods per day either with playmates or solo depending on their mood. Our canine guests will relax in their 4' by 12' indoor\outdoor kennels between play periods. We provide comfy blankets, fresh water, and Purina En formula kibble and canned food. And let's not forget our feline friends! They will cat-nap with snuggly blankets, enjoy a calm and quiet atmosphere, and get lots of loving touches from our staff.   Reservations are required for us to accommodate your special pet(s). Contact us today!!

For all pets in our charge, we require verification of current vaccinations. Any animal that has vomiting and/or diarrhea will be checked for internal parasites at the owner's expense. We want to make sure no parasites pass between any of our guests. All pets are welcome to bring a favorite toy, blanket, and special food. Please label all personal belongings so we may return them to you. Alpine Animal Hospital is not responsible for lost or destroyed personal belongings. We will gladly administer any prescribed medication to your pet during its stay for a small fee. Boarding pets can be picked up during regular office hours only. Boarders are charged the first day they are here (no matter the time they are dropped off) and each full day they are with us. On the day of go-home, if they are picked up before noon there is no charge for that day.

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Behavior Counseling

Unwanted Behavior

The best way to correct unwanted behavior is to first properly identify the trigger(s) causing it. Your video camera can come in quite handy in providing a visual diary that can aid your veterinarian in diagnosing the behavior(s) and recommending specific behavior modification exercises. A strong emphasis on positive reinforcement is maintained through the retraining process. Most unwanted behavior can be corrected. It just takes patience and the right knowledge. Look at these common problems and the solutions.

Dogs Chewing

Barking

Cats Scratching.

The first thing to do is get a good scratching post. Cats love choices so putting a scratching post in several different rooms is a great way to completely eliminate inappropriate scratching.  When you catch your cat scratching something it shouldn't, take him or her to the post. You can also try placing the scratching post near your cat's favorite scratching spot and scenting it with catnip. Covering the "favorite spot" with plastic temporarily can also help to deter scratching.

The first thing to do is get a good scratching post. When you catch your cat scratching something it shouldn't, take him or her to the post. You can also try placing the scratching post near your cat's favorite scratching spot and scenting it with catnip. Covering the "favorite spot" with plastic temporarily can also help to deter scratching.

Marking/Spraying.

Because cats are creatures of habit, changes to their routine can cause stress and lead to marking and spraying. Litter can be the problem too. It may not be clean enough, or it may be a type your cat doesn't like. Another cause is medical problems like a urinary tract infection. Because this behavior can start for a variety of reasons, the best thing to do is consult your veterinarian immediately. Call during our normal business hours and our staff will be happy to assist you in any way they can!

For more information on Behavioral Counseling and Therapy, contact Ann Jorgensen M.S. CPDT: www.thegoodpup.com

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Skin and Ear Problems

"No matter what the source of a dog’s allergy, their symptoms are usually seen as some form of skin disease."

Just like people, dogs and cats suffer from allergies. There are three types of allergies; inhalant, contact, and food. If your pet is chronically licking, chewing, or rubbing itself on furniture or carpet, your pet might be suffering from allergies. Our veterinarians are skilled at diagnosing and treating allergic reactions and/or chronic conditions.

The Palouse also produces a surplus of cheat grass. This dry, barbed weed imbeds itself into the skin and ear canals of our pets. If left alone, cheat grass can cause abscesses and perforate ear drums. So if your dog is shaking his head, scratching at ears, or cries out when you rub his/her ears, it might be time to make an appointment for our doctors to look in the ears with an otoscope.

Allergy season

Dogs are most commonly affected by allergies in late summer and early fall. Please understand that dogs can have difficulty with allergies during any season and some will suffer throughout the entire year. In some areas, 40% of the patients examined by a veterinarian are suffering from allergy-related disorders.

Just like humans, dogs can and do react to many things in their environment. However, while people exhibit symptoms of a runny nose, watery eyes, skin rash and possible stomach upset our canine companions’ symptoms usually manifest with skin problems. Whether the dog inhaled pollen grains, laid on a synthetic or wool fiber, suffered from a bite of an insect or reacted to some ingredient in his diet, their allergy symptoms are usually seen as some form of skin disease.

Allergies are a learned response

No animal or person has an allergy response the first time they encounter a problem substance. An allergy is a learned phenomenon of the body. The dog must encounter the substance more than once, usually several times, before an allergy develops. Unfortunately, dogs can be allergic to a wide range of substances. The list is endless. They can react to anything that people react to

Most dogs don’t even show signs of allergies until one or two years of age. Generally the pets have to be exposed to a substance for two seasons before sensitivity develops. Dogs with allergies will itch and itch and itch. In fact, even if the dog comes into contact with the substance only on the stomach area, the entire body may become inflamed and itch. Pruitis is the veterinarian medical term to describe an itching sensation and is often used to describe a dog with allergy problems.

Are you ready for a little biology lesson?

Canine allergies start when the body’s immune system responds to the allergen (substance to which the dog is allergic). When the body encounters an allergen, the dog’s immune system releases protein molecules called IgE. These molecules combine in a chain reaction with mast cells that are found in high numbers within the skin of the dog. This complex reaction causes the release of itch-causing chemicals; the most common one is called histamine. Since the reaction to the allergens occurs within the skin of a dog, allergies are considered a skin disease.

Although histamine and other chemicals are released in large numbers in the skin all over the body, there are specific sites that are affected to a greater degree. Dogs suffering from allergies show consistent patterns. They chew on their feet (the only place dogs have sweat glands and the glands become inflamed by the histamine). Dogs will chew on their sides (these areas are easily accessible plus then also respond quickly to the affects of histamine). They rub their faces on the carpet or grass and have repeated or chronic inflammations and infections of the outer ear canal (a skin structure loaded with numerous wax glands that over-react in the presence of histamine). If your dog is allergic to something it eats, something he inhales, or some substance he comes in contact with, his skin will be paying the price.

Does this sound like your precious pooch? Call and schedule an exam and consultation at 332-6575.

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Special Programs

Free Brief Examinations for New Adopted Pet Program

Alpine Animal Hospital offers Free Brief Examinations within 48 hours for newly adopted pets from area pet stores or Humane Societies.

Puppy and Kitten Wellness Packages

Take advantage of our special puppy and kitten packages. These packages are designed to fully protect your new pet with the proper series of vaccinations and dewormings. Plus, we will save you over 10% of the Package price if you prepay for the package. That is not all! Each package also includes permanently identifying your new pet with an AVID microchip, this is a $33.90 value FREE with your prepaid puppy or kitten package.

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