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.  

FROM OUR VETS: Spring is springing already?

Early Spring in MN!
Photo Credit:  Colorful Tulips by Vera Kratochvil

Dr. Baillie was featured on KARE 11 TV last week talking about wildly early warm temperatures this year... 75 degrees before St. Patrick's Day!... and the Baillie family golden retriever Joso has been doing his own demonstration.  Joso is very light-colored, and he's been showing wood ticks and deer ticks frequently over the last few weeks as he comes in from the yard. As the vet's dog, Joso is protected year round, and that is what we advise -- all parasite control should be used twelve months of the year for both dogs and cats.  We have Frontline Plus in stock, as well as Heartguard for heartworm/intestinal worm protection.   There has been a significant increase in other tick borne diseases (Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichia) in the last few months,  and we are recommending to clients to get started now to protect your companion animals from these pests.  

View the news clip:

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.  

Presidential Pet Stories Make the Holiday Even Better

Parrots, sheepdogs, foxhounds, Newfoundlands, canaries, lovebirds.  Goats, alligators, ponies, and many many cats, including a Siamese named Misty Malarky Ying Yang.  Since our nation's founding, we've always had presidents, and the presidents have always had pets.  

Read more:

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/presidential-pet-stories.html



Photo Credit:  White House by Peter Griffin

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

Little Momma, Little Prince, and Little Lord Feducci

We've heard people say that one of the things they enjoy about our website is the scrolling, rolling gallery of pets that enter our doors and, in particular, the names of those pets.  We take these shots in our reception area (and there's a tremendous archive on the website);  at this writing, the gallery starts with a Bernese Mountain Dog named Walter and a sweet-looking kitten named Monster, and includes a rat named Faust.  We have our share of more conventional names, though.    It has recently been reported that, for the fifth consecutive year, Buddy has been the most popular dog name for adoptable dogs, and Lucy was most popular for adoptable cats.   We have 26 Buddys currently in the practice -- five avians, fifteen canines, two felines, one bearded dragon, one iguana, one tortoise and one guinea pig.  And our Lucys are one ferret, five felines, one guinea pig, and fifteen canines.  

It's fun to just pick a word and see what turns up.   In the first name "Little", for example, we take care of

Little Lord Feducci, dachshund

Little B,  parakeet

Little Bear,  Australian Shepherd

Little G,  rabbit

Little Linda,  cockatiel

Little Momma,  cat

Little One, pit bull

Little Prince,  hamster

Little Smokers, cat

Little Rhino, King Charles Cavalier

And in a related category.... a chinchilla called Tiny Puff!  

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.