Western Hills Veterinary Clinic

5622 Mosiman Road
Middletown, OH 45042
513-422-4181

Office Examinations, Consultations and Surgeries by appointment: Please call!

• Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 7 PM
• Friday 8 AM to 6 PM
• Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM
• Sunday (for boarding and surgery drop-offs) 4 PM to 5 PM

Emergencies: Dayton Emergency Veterinary Clinic (937)293-2714

Where are we? Find out with...

Dr. Steph Speaks! — February 2010

Hi Folks,

Hello and Happy New Year! It's a sunny day here but very cold so a good time to stay in and get caught up on paperwork, including updating this column. I hope all of you had a lovely holiday season.

January... Isn't it the longest month? Seems to go on forever but there is time to slow down and enjoy indoor pursuits such as couch-surfing and eating, with the occasional closet-cleanout for a change of pace. I am happy to announce that I'm finally settling down to do some real writing, out of which has sprung a blog called Dog Physics, where I can fritter around with wordplay and such at my leisure. I am making it a point to publish finished essays, possible book chapters, and the occasional goofy photo, so you won't be bored by day-to-day accounts of how I clipped my dogs' toenails (although that can actually be exciting at times, depending on which dog is my quarry...). So enjoy, and perhaps when I get a novel or collection of essays published and on the New York Times bestseller list (c'mon, I can dream, can't I?) you 'll be able to say you knew me when.

In the meantime, I can report that the ponies are happy with this weather (since I'm not out riding them), and the dogs have enjoyed the snow (the cats don't care about it either way). Jasper the lab puppy is nearly 8 months old and a little over 80 lbs and we are very happy with him. Although I have to admit I wasn't entirely sold on the idea of a chocolate lab, I have been won over by his beautiful color (and for crying out loud, what was I thinking? I LOVE chocolate!). Everything about him is such a lovely deep brown except for his golden eyes. Even his big wet nose is brown. So... what did brown do for us? Definitely helped heal our aching hearts over losing Pete, Amanda and Spottsie all in the same year. And he keeps us busy checking on what the heck is in his mouth at any given time. He seems to have this need to carry stuff up to us and just SHOW us that he has it. But does he actually retrieve? Naaahhhhhhhhhhh. Just hasn't figured that out entirely yet. Or maybe — since he is rather a lazy sort — he's decided "why bring it back when she'll only make me chase it again? Let's just sack out!". These poor labs, such a rough life they have here. Coal, our formerly stray lab mix, has settled in wonderfully as well and is happy to roughhouse with Jasper. He should get a medal for his patient babysitting!

Also on the critter front, a third horse has graced our pasture since November when I gave in to an attack of temporary insanity and bought myself a pony on my birthday, no less. She is a lovely dark dapple grey Connemara mare named Hillside Lily Brown. We are still getting to know each other, and the biggest difference between her and my steady gelding, Paddy (and they are same breed, age and size) is that she is quick. Whew. I have the feeling if I'm not careful she'll either jump me out of the saddle or just dodge out from under me. She is very kind and good-natured though — although in the spirit of mares she is now Queen of the Pasture and makes the rules for Eddie and Paddy. Fun to watch.

So... now to business, albeit briefly. FEBRUARY IS PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH. Ever had a bad tooth? Not fun. In fact in my opinion it is one of the most miserable of miseries to which the flesh is heir. Or something poetic like that. Anyway, even one bad tooth can be a horrible experience, and our pets often can't tell us much about what's going on in their mouths, so as a result we frequently find serious dental problems on routine examinations. Infection in and around a tooth root can not ony damage the tooth and surrounding bone, but can serve as a reservoir for bacterial infections which enter the bloodstream and affect other organs such as the heart (bacterial endocarditis) and kidneys (renal disease). Caring for your pets' teeth is a necessary part of caring for your pet. We do realize it isn't always easy to brush a pet's teeth, but there are alternative products that can be used, and just an annual checkup to determine if any dental work is necessary will often prevent possible systemic complications.

Elsewhere on this website you will find a coupon for 10% off dental procedures performed at the clinic during the month of February, so if this is something you've been putting off, now's the time to take advantage of this money-saving offer. Be sure to call or stop by if you have questions — we'll be happy to talk to you about dental health care.

Happy Valentine's Day, don't forget to give your pets some lovin' too, and remember to keep the chocolate out of reach (except for those chocolate labs who insist on lying on your feet!)