2012 Staff Pumpkin Carving Contest!

Pumpkin Carving Contest 2012

Here are some entries from our staff pumpkin-carving contest for 2012.  Spooky!

From Dr. Baillie, in honor of Moe the clinic kitty!

From Kristen, a pumpkin remembering our dog friends.

From Dr. Plantz,  a wolf howling at the full moon!

From Kathleen

From Sue,  a witch holding out a tiny pumpkin.  

Only a Few Days Left for Cat Art Exhibit...see Clinic Kitty Moe's new portrait!

This is the final week for the art exhibit at Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo. Artist Kat Corrigan's work, some of which is drawn from her annual Thirty Cats in Thirty Days project, is still on display. Several paintings have sold and several people have commissioned her to do portraits of their cats during the exhibit. Do stop by during business hours and enjoy. A special feature: Corrigan has painted Clinic Kitty Moe, seen in this photo examining his own portrait. "I was amazed how much she caught the spirit of Moe", said Dr. Baillie's wife Peg Guilfoyle. "She took a quick snapshot on her phone and turned it into a portrait." How do we know she caught his spirit? She titled the painting "The Boss"!

National Pet Week May 6-12

Fun and Games! Follow image link below to play several different pet games--all celebrating the fun our pets can bring us!

(and yesterday's mystery animal--did you guess "Tapir"? Although they are not a "pet", you'd be able to see them at local zoos.  They are related to horses and rhinoceroses.)

Poetry for Cedar Pet!

Stillwater poet Ann Bushnell offered a commissioned poem this winter as a fundraiser for her church, and we signed up.  She made several visits to the clinic, visited with Dr. Baillie, and here are the results.  We enjoyed it, and hope you do, too.  (We like reading it out loud!)

Poetry for Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo
by Stillwater poet, Ann Bushnell

CEDAR PET CLINIC LAKE ELMO

Doctors Baillie, Ulfeng, Plantz

are here to offer a fighting chance

for those with feathers, fur or hide.

Sick or hurt, they're brought inside

so their lives can be enhanced.  

The entire staff helps everyone,

owners, patients, all who come.

On the counter sits big Kitty Moe

who watches the ever-changing show

and he may let you pet him some.

They'll treat a parrot or your pet rat,

a beagle, a basset, a calico cat,

lizards, chickens, chinchillas, too.

I bet they'd take a kangaroo

if it should come to that.  

Clinic's in Lake Elmo, a country town,

but people come from miles around,

bring Buddy and Max, Bailey and Beulah,

Fifi and Daisy, Amelia, Tallulah,

some striped or spotted, brindled or brown.

It's not just patients that come through

to visit the Clinic, it's Girl Scouts, too,

and each first grade class across the street

is shown around. They think it's neat, and

draw animal pictures to say, 'thank you.'

Doctors and staff have been together 

for so many years, they have the measure

of each other.  They know their need is

for owners and patients to succeed;

these efforts give them pleasure.

Essential to the clinic is Peg, Doc's wife,

who designs the website,, cheers his life,

reads telephone holds, writes the blog,

appreciates every cat and dog,

and knows they are treated right.

This clinic has been Doc Baillie's dream

for forty years and now it seems

at last it has been realized.

Lake Elmo knows it has a prize --

The Cedar Pet Clinic and its team.   

The Numbers are in! 846 pounds!

Clinic Kitty Moe Posing Atop the Pile

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to our annual Pet Food for the Food Shelf drive this year.  If you were in during the month of March, you will have seen the gigantic pile of pet food, for all species,  donated by the community as part of March FoodShare month.  Clinic kitty Moe got into the habit of posing atop the pile and demonstrated considerable interest in sniffing all the different kinds.   We eventually loaded it into staff vehicles and delivered it to the Valley Outreach Food Shelf in Stillwater, which weighed us in at 846 pounds of pet food.   The Food Shelf is grateful;  they know, as we do, that feeding a beloved companion animal is an important part of many people's lives.   Thank you very much;  next year we may have to add on a room to hold the donations!

Visiting the Elementary School Science Fair

We're proud to be regular visitors at the Lake Elmo Elementary School Science Fair, and one night a few weeks ago, Drs. Baillie and Plantz, and five staff members travelled across the street to join in the fun.   We had a classroom, a few tables, and a laptop or two, but the real stars of the evening were Joso (Dr. Baillie's golden retriever), Red the Tortoise (owned by vet tech Kris), and  Crackers the Amazon Parrot (from practice manager Mila).  "There were so many people in there, that we mostly responded to questions from the children", said Dr. Baillie.  "Kris talked about the proper set-up and care for Red the Tortoise, and we fielded many questions about heartworm and tick-borne diseases.  Crackers was very vocal and entertaining and the kids were fascinated by a talking bird.  And Joso, who adores children, may have actually gotten his fill of petting;  he was pretty tired when I got him home!"  The children... and the adults...enjoyed a laptop display of radiographs showing, among other things, a chicken with an egg inside, and we also showed a program on Dog Bite Prevention for children.  (We have staff trained in this kind of work, and sometimes take Dog Bite prevention programs to summer festivals in the area.)

 All in all, we think the children had a good time, and we know that we did.  The Science Fair is one of our favorite nights of the year.  

Pet Food is Piling Up!

Official clinic greeter Kitty Moe enjoys perching on the pet food!

It's only been one week since we announced that we would again be collecting pet food for the Valley Outreach Food Shelf, and already our consultation room has more than 300 pounds stacked in a rapidly-overflowing corner.    Thank you so much for your generosity!   Dr. Baillie reports that, after the Pioneer Press picked up our announcement on March 8,  calls and drop-ins began to increase from all over the east metro.   "Bags of dog and cat food are coming in, and some bird food as well", said Dr. Baillie.  "At this rate, we'll have to make two trips to the food shelf.  Last year's total was 650 pounds of food, and it looks like we'll exceed that this year."   The clinic will accept donations through the end of March FoodShare month; any brand, any size, for any kind of pet.

See www.cedarpetclinic.com for business hours.  

For Valentine's Day (and every day!), Dr. Plantz suggests how we can bring the love...

With Valentine’s Day coming up, we all like to show our dogs how much we love them.  We don’t have to buy new toys or give them calorie- rich treats, though.  Here are some ways to show your dog how much you love him without adding unneeded calories or breaking the bank:

Be Mine

**Take off her collar and spend a few minutes scratching her fur and skin where her collar normally sits.  She will love getting scratched in an area that doesn’t normally get any attention.

**If your dog shows interest in the TV, rent some movies with nature animal themes (maybe wolves).  Turn the volume up, sit on the floor with her, and see how she responds to various animal noises and images.

**Try dancing with your dog.  Turn on a fun song, put your dog’s paws on your waist and dance away!  

**If your dog likes car rides, take him for a long car ride in the country with the window part way down so he can smell all the good scents of the country.

**When your family exchanges Valentines, wrap up one of your dog’s toys and let her unwrap it with the family.  She will feel included and probably find new joy in an old toy.

**If your dog likes ice cubes, add a little chicken or beef stock to the water and make delicious, low calorie treats.  You can also drop one kernel of his food into each compartment.  As your dog licks the ice cube, he will eventually get a tasty surprise.

**Speak to your dog through an empty paper towel tube.  Your voice will sound funny to her and will get her excited

**Give your dog a massage.  When he is laying down relaxed, rub his back, legs and head.  He will enjoy the feeling as much as we enjoy our massages.

**Play hide and seek with your dog.  Distract her, then run and hide.  See how long it takes her to find you (try places like a closet or the bath tub).   When she finds you, give her a lot of praise.

For more ideas on how to show your dog how much you love him, check out the book “97 ways to make a Dog Smile” by Jenny Langbehn

DR. BAILLIE WILL LEAD STATE-WIDE VET ORGANIZATION

In February, Dr. John Baillie will be appointed president-elect of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, taking his place in the leadership of the 1979-member state-wide group, which is the professional association for all veterinarians in the state.   The MVMA names, among its missions, goals of advocating effectively for animal welfare, enhancing the knowledge and skills of veterinary professionals, and identifying and mentoring future leaders of the veterinary profession.  Dr. Baillie will assume its presidency in February 2013.  
 
At the same meeting next month, Dr. Baillie will be inducted as a Life Member, having joined the organization shortly after his graduation from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1972.   

 "It wasn't easy to come up with the dues at that point, as I recall", he laughs, "but I think I already knew that the MVMA was in synch with my own commitment to supporting the human-animal bond.  And so I've stayed a member for forty years.   I'm glad for the opportunity now to give back something to the organization and particularly for the opportunity to support and encourage students and new graduates into the field state-wide, as we've always done in this practice."   Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo, and Dr. Baillie, have launched staff members into veterinary school over the years;  both current associates Drs. Anna Ulfeng and Noemi Plantz began work as junior staff members with Dr. Baillie, went to vet school, and came back to work for him after their graduations.  

 "For the MVMA, I had the opportunity a few months ago to participate in a 'white coat' ceremony at the University, welcoming new graduates into the profession.  It was very rewarding for me," said Dr. Baillie.  He also recently attended the Leadership Development Conference for the national veterinary professional organization, the American Veterinary Medical Association,  in Chicago.  

Official Greeter, Kitty, Moe~

Wishing you and yours good health and great happiness throughout the season and coming year. From all of us at Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo (and from our Official Greeter Kitty, Moe!)

THE SPIRIT CLUB VISITS CEDAR PET

Lake Elmo Elementary Spirit Club Visits Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo

Last month, Dr. Baillie welcomed the Spirit Club from Lake Elmo Elementary, our neighbors across the street.  The after-school club makes monthly visits to discover what it takes to run a business, and all about being an entrepeneur.  In this case they only had to walk across the street to meet our clinic animals including front-office Kitty Moe, to receive a tour and a talk about being a veterinarian.   Dr. Baillie has been hosting visits and tours for young people for years, including dozens of Girl Scout troops who have played the X-ray guessing game, seen the 'backstage' spaces at the clinic, and learned about animal care.   

Long-time Vet Tech Sara

Sara--One of the first employees in
 at Cedar Pet Clinic, Lake Elmo

Long-time vet tech Sara is leaving Cedar Pet to help train the next generation of veterinary technicians, a job that is critical to veterinary medicine and the proper care of our patients.  Sara was one of our first employees in Lake Elmo, starting with us when still a student;  she has been a critical part of the vet tech staff, and will be much missed.  Her new job is as Program Chair for the Veterinary Technology Program at the Minnesota School of Business/Globe University, supervising instructors and students, particularly by coordinating and recruiting externships.   We'll still see her -- she will continue as a volunteer with our work at the Wildcat Sanctuary -- and we wish her all the best in her new position.   Sara is shown in the accompanying photo, with Dr. Noemi Plantz, monitoring a tiger during dental work at the Sanctuary earlier this year.

Everybody Wins Pet Show--2011!

Everybody Wins Children's Pet Show gives out 27 awards this year. Shown is Peekaboo the Pekinese with owner and Dr. John Baillie: Peekaboo's ribbon was for Kindest Eyes in the pet show! See all photos below:

Puppy Power at Cedar Pet

Puppy Power at Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo

These two beauties -- Dr. Baillie calls them Big Puppies -- visited Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo together one day recently, and prompted a rash of staff photography. The bulldog, Spike, is in our animal care staff Zoe's family, and was there for a special purpose -- a puppy play date. Clumber spaniel Forest is an only puppy, and owner Jayde, one of our vet techs, wanted the six-week-old to have some socializing and puppy play time; Spike was a willing participant. They played together under the admiring gaze of the staff. Forest, whom practice manager Mila says always looks sleepy, did wake up enough to chew on Spike's ear; the two wore themselves out with fun and spent part of the afternoon spooning and sleeping close together.

What a life!

FROM OUR VETS: Dr. Noemi Plantz talks ticks!

We’re in tick season in Minnesota and Wisconsin now, and it’s a long season… this year, clients started to tell us about ticks on their dogs in February, and we expect to be hearing the same stories up until December. Wood ticks and deer ticks differ in size, and a bit in appearance (who’s looking that closely?!), but both species can transmit disease to your dog, even if your dog spends minimal time outside. Because of their grooming habits, it is unusual for cats to have problems with ticks.

Adult Deer Tick

Prevention is best with tick-borne diseases. Your dog should be vaccinated for Lyme’s disease yearly, and Frontline Plus should be used to prevent ticks from attaching long enough to transmit bacteria. Most tick diseases require the tick to be attached and feeding for at least 24-48 hours. If your dog is protected with Frontline Plus, ticks will die within a few hours of attaching to the skin. Frontline should be continued into November, as ticks will be active during these months.

All of the diseases we list here have been diagnosed in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and all have been seen by our practice.

Lyme’s disease: caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and transmitted through deer ticks. Symptoms include recurrent lameness, decreased appetite and energy, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, the kidney can be involved and symptoms will progress very fast.

Ehrlichiosis: caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia canis. Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased energy, and fever. Severe cases of the disease can decrease platelet function in the blood and could lead to bleeding disorders.

Anaplasmosis: caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased energy, fever, and painful swollen joints. Some animals develop vomiting and diarrhea.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: caused by the organism Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased energy, fever, painful muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting and diarrhea. Some dogs develop severe signs such as heart arrhythmias, bleeding disorders and neurological signs (dizziness, seizures).

Many of the symptoms of tick borne diseases are similar, and can be vague and difficult to distinguish. If your pet is showing any of the symptoms listed, give us a call. We can test for exposure, and for infection.

What A Difference; A Year of Growth in a Boxer Puppy

On the left, exactly one year ago, technicians Kirstin and Kris happily support a set of newborn boxer pups. It is always a fine moment when our staff helps bring these wonderful babies into the world. And it's even more fun when we get to watch them grow up.

And on the right, on this date, mother Ruby on the left, and former puppy Thor on the right, posing with our staff on a recent visit to the clinic. Thor has gone from one pound at birth to 56 pounds at this weighing; Dr. Baillie calls him "a big, good-natured boxer, typical of the breed". And beautiful, too. Thor's sister Jada is also in the practice.

Technician Kirstin, by the way, is now a first-year veterinary student at Ross University on St. Kitt's Island. She writes regularly to the clinic, and recently reported that she and her husband have adopted a local dog down there. We know it will be in good health!