Airport Veterinary Hospital

09/29/2025

We want to give a BIG thank you to Williams Lake Church who were kind enough to bring our staff fresh baked cookies last week for You Are Loved Week! So kind of them and greatly appreciated!

08/29/2025

We will be closed on Monday, September 1st. We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Labor Day! We will return for normal business hours on Tuesday, September 2nd at 9AM.

08/18/2025

The symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs might be mistaken for something less serious, but this is a condition that's potentially life-threatening.

08/18/2025

Your pup’s food matters more than you might think it fuels their energy, keeps their coat shiny, and supports everything from joints to digestion.

Look for dog food with real meat as the first ingredient, balanced nutrients, and no weird fillers or artificial stuff. Dry kibble, wet food, or a mix? Totally depends on your dog’s age, size, and needs.

And don’t forget: fresh water always, and treats in moderation (even if those puppy eyes say otherwise). 🐶🍽️

08/11/2025

We have been seeing A LOT of dogs with Pyometra, that I felt we needed to make an educational post.

A common theme in these dogs is that people have never heard of Pyometra, and are caught completely off guard by the diagnosis, so let’s talk about it.

A Pyometra is a uterine infection that occurs when a female dog goes through multiple heat cycles, and is not bred. With each heat cycle the uterine lining becomes thicker and thicker, and creates the perfect environment for bacteria to overgrow. This causes the uterus to fill with pus and makes these dogs very sick.

The symptoms of a Pyometra are lethargy, inappetance, vomiting, increased thirst, and sometimes vaginal discharge.

The treatment for Pyometra is an ovariohysterectomy (spay).

The other things that I have noticed that people are unprepared for is the cost difference between the two procedures. The average spay can vary between $400-1000 depending on where the procedure is performed, while the cost of a Pyometra can be $2500-5000 depending on where it is performed.

Why the difference for the same procedure??? These procedures, while doing the same technique, are NOT the same…. A uterus with a Pyometra can weigh a few pounds, and all of the tissue is infected. This makes the tissue more friable, and the risk associated with the surgery much higher. The blood vessels of the ovaries and uterus are very dilated, and are more easily torn during surgery, and require different suture, or a special device called a vessel sealer. The biggest difference… these dogs are VERY sick. They need IV medications for vomiting, dehydration, antibiotics, and possibly low blood pressure. We often find them in kidney failure, which requires 3-4 days of intense hospitalization and monitoring.

The hard part for the veterinary staff when this diagnosis is made… knowing this awful disease is 100% preventable. Most clients think the spay procedure is only to prevent unwanted pregnancies, until I put an ultrasound on their dogs belly, and give them the bad news. Because they have never heard of the disease, and are unprepared for the associated cost to treat their dog, we are all left scrambling to try and fix her.

When I first became a veterinarian I would do 1-2 Pyometra surgeries a year. I am now doing 3-5 of these a month. That is a huge increase in a short amount of time. I often wonder why??

These are my thoughts… in the last few years there has been a push to spay later in life to decrease the risk of orthopedic disease in large breed dogs. While I do see the reason for this, what has also happened, is people realize that a heat cycle a few times a year isn’t so bad, so why spay them “unnecessarily” if the risk of unwanted pregnancy is very low. But… they don’t know about this disease that is lurking in the background just waiting to present its ugly head.

My number one job as a veterinarian is to educate my clients about the risks to their pets, so I felt it was time to make this post. This is a disease I HATE, when I diagnose it. People are often stunned, feel guilt, and often financially unprepared to treat, then everyone is left scrambling to come up with the best plan possible.

If you take away one thing from this… a routine spay on a healthy dog costs way less than the same procedure for a Pyometra. Please please please spay your dogs! If you have a female intact dog, get them scheduled today! Get them on the wait list for the humane society, get them scheduled with your regular veterinarian. Remember about the evil that is lurking with every heat cycle they go through.

**cats can also get this disease, but we see it much less often in cats, because unspayed cats can be very annoying with their constant heat cycles, so cats are spayed at a higher rate**

08/11/2025

08/08/2025

Constant scratching, licking, or head shaking?
It’s not “just allergies”—it could be a sign of a bigger issue.

👩‍⚕️ August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month, and we’re here to help you spot the signs and get your furry friend relief! 🐕🐈

💡 Explore common causes of itching and the veterinary solutions that can help your pet find lasting relief! 🩺✨

📆 Early action = better comfort and long-term wellness.
Book a skin health check today! 🐾

🩺🐾🧴

08/08/2025

My cat: Always a baby.

08/08/2025

Learn about the veterinary topic of Flies and Mosquitoes of Dogs. Find specific details on this topic and related topics from the Merck Vet Manual.

07/31/2025

Oh hey, it's ! This is probably one of our favorite holidays, because we get to celebrate it twice a year. Help us celebrate by sharing a photo of your lovable mutt in the comments below! And be ready to celebrate again in December!

07/29/2025

Fleas and ticks aren’t just a nuisance—some carry life-threatening diseases. 🦠

From flea allergy dermatitis to tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and even bubonic plague (yes, really), these tiny pests can pose serious risks to your pets—and your family.

🧼 Prevention is key. Year-round protection and regular vet check-ins can make all the difference.

🎯 In this article, you’ll learn:
✅ The biggest health dangers fleas and ticks can cause
✅ Signs your pet may be suffering
✅ How to build a prevention plan with your vet

🔗 Read now and protect your pets: https://hubs.li/Q03yYQWb0