Cottage Lake Veterinary Hospital

06/30/2025

Happy upcoming 4th of July! We are here to help if any of your fur babies need any short-term anxiety relief medications to help them through any fireworks noise phobia episodes. Please be sure to request these at least 48 hours prior to the 4th to allow for time to fill the prescription requests.

We also recommend trying non-prescription interventions such as Feliway products for cats, Adaptil products for dogs, white noise makers or other background music/sounds, or Thunder Shirts. Please reach out any time if you have any questions. Have a safe and fun 4th!

04/22/2025

We are proud to announce that we have passed our AAHA evaluation! Every 3 years, Cottage Lake Veterinary Hospital undergoes a rigorous inspection and evaluation through the American Animal Hospital Association to ensure that we continue to uphold the highest standards of quality care for our patients and clients. This marks 16 years of being an official AAHA-accredited practice.

This type of accreditation and evaluation process is required for human hospitals, but is voluntary for animal hospitals. Only about 15% of animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada are accredited by AAHA, and we are proud to say that we are one of them!

AAHA has determined that our practice demonstrates an exceptional level of medical care and client service, and we strive to deliver nothing less than excellence. If there is anything that you need, please do not hesitate to reach out. (Spring is here -- do you have your flea preventatives?)

Our goal at Cottage Lake Veterinary Hospital is to provide our patients and their owners with thorough and compassionate care.

03/15/2025

Hello Cottage Lake Community!

Starting this weekend, we will resume being open on Saturdays from 9AM to 4PM for your Wellness, Illness, and Urgent Care needs.

Thank you for your continued support, it is an honor to serve our community!

03/07/2025

We had not one, but two super cute litters of Silken Windhound puppies in this week. The first is 7 weeks old, and they were brought in to visit us the day they were born for a check to make sure everything is as it should be. Look at how much they have grown in such a short time! The second litter is 8 weeks old, and they are thriving!

03/07/2025

Pet Parents, Let’s Talk Bird Flu (H5N1): Keep Your Cats Safe at Home!

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) is out there in 2025, and it’s not just a bird thing—it’s hitting pets too. At Cottage Lake Veterinary Hospital, we’re here to help you keep your furry friends safe with some useful facts and pro tips.

As of March 06, 2025, H5N1 is spreading fast—wild birds, poultry, dairy cows in 16 states, and even cats and dogs are catching it. The CDC reports 70 human cases since April 2024 (thankfully no person-to-person spread yet), and pets like cats are getting sick from raw pet food products, raw milk, or coming into direct contact with (often consuming) infected birds. Cats are especially at risk, with some fatalities linked to the virus in recent months.

What’s the Deal?
Cats: Super susceptible. Some have died after drinking unpasteurized milk from infected cows or eating wild birds. Look out for lethargy, breathing issues, poor appetite and/or fever.
Dogs: Can catch it too, but it’s far less common and usually mild.
You: Very low risk unless you’re handling sick animals without protection.

Wild birds shed H5N1 in their spit, f***s, and mucus—gross, right?
How to Limit Exposure at Home (Especially for Cats):
Keep Cats Indoors: No bird-chasing adventures! Indoor cats are far less likely to snag H5N1 (and other infectious diseases) from wild critters.
Skip the Raw Stuff: No raw milk, meat, or pet food—cooking kills the virus.
Bird-Proof Your Space: Move bird feeders away from cat patios or windowsills, and clean up droppings pronto—H5N1 can linger there for hours.
Shoes Off!: Bird p**p on your soles? Leave shoes at the door so your cat doesn’t sniff or lick the virus inside.
Wash Up: After handling poultry, or other sick animals, scrub your hands—keep the germs off your fur babies.
Watch for Weirdness: If your pet is acting off, call us at 425-788-0693 ASAP.
We’re keeping an eye on this outbreak so you can focus on snuggles, not stress.

02/25/2025

Hello Cottage Lake Neighbors!

Much like the rest of you, our internet and phones are down after that crazy storm, but we are open and seeing appointments. We saw crews working to do line repairs, so we are hoping everything will be sorted out soon.

In the meantime, enjoy this picture of Brie stretching it out after a long day of naps.

02/24/2025

🌟🐾 Patient of the Week: Meet Spencer! 🐾🌟

At nearly 13 years old, this Domestic Shorthair is a paper-loving champion who stole his mom’s heart over a decade ago! We recently welcomed Spencer for his senior wellness exam, and he breezed through with a purr and a swish of his tail. 😻

🧸 Favorite Toy: Anything paper—packing paper, newspaper, or bags!
🔥 Favorite Nap Spot: In front of the fireplace in chilly weather, or stretched out on Mom’s legs during TV time. When it’s warm, you’ll find him basking on his catio!
🍗 Favorite Snack: Tasty bites of chicken or fish—yes, please!
🐶 Sibling: Raven, an 11.5-year-old Retriever/Lab mix and Spencer’s loyal buddy.
🐦 Favorite Activity: Bird-watching from the window, indulging in lazy cat naps, and taking leash walks around the backyard for a breath of fresh air.
🐱 Fun Fact: Spencer was found homeless in Kirkland at 2 years old and spent just one week at Meow Cat Rescue before Mom brought him into his forever home.

📅 Reminder: Got a senior kitty at home? Schedule their wellness visit to keep them happy and healthy for years to come!

Spencer, thanks for brightening our day with your sweet nature and playful spirit. We can’t wait to see you (and Raven) again soon 💙

02/20/2025

Good news, everyone!

Starting in mid-March, Cottage Lake Veterinary Hospital will once again be open on Saturdays for all urgent and non-urgent appointments. Got a busy weekday schedule? We got you!

Thank you all for being such wonderful clients. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

02/20/2025

Good news, everyone!

Starting in mid-March, Cottage Lake Veterinary Hospital will once again be open on Saturdays for all urgent and non-urgent appointments. Got a busy weekday schedule? We got you!

Also, please be advised that tomorrow (February 20th), the clinic will be closed from 12pm to closing time for an extended staff training session. If your pet has a surgery booked tomorrow morning, discharge will proceed as normal. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you all for being such wonderful clients. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

-Colin Miller, DVM

01/27/2025

🌟🐾 Patient of the Week: Silken Windhound Puppies!🐾🌟

This week, we’re thrilled to spotlight not one, but FOUR adorable little patients! Recently, we had the joy of welcoming a litter of Silken Windhound puppies into our hospital shortly after they were born.

📜 History: Silken Windhounds are a relatively new breed, developed in the late 20th century by combining Borzoi, Greyhound, Saluki, and Whippet lineages to create a sighthound with a balanced combination of athleticism and amiable temperament.

❤️ Temperament: These dogs are known for their sweet, affectionate nature. They’re gentle with children and friendly with other pets, making them excellent family companions.

⚡ Athleticism: Silken Windhounds are incredibly agile and fast. They excel at dog sports like agility and lure coursing. Despite their speed, they love to curl up on the couch and relax as much as they enjoy a good sprint.

🎨 Appearance: They’re medium-sized dogs (22-25lbs, 18-24 inches at the shoulder) with flowing, silky coats that come in a variety of colors and patterns, making each one uniquely beautiful.

🤔 Fun Fact: Silken Windhounds, like other sighthounds, have an elongated skull that enhances their field of vision up to 270 degrees (compared to 180-200 degrees in other breeds), helping them to excel in spotting movement from far away. This unique facial structure also helps with temperature regulation by providing extra nasal surface area to cool the air before it reaches their lungs, keeping them comfortable during periods of activity.

These little ones have a bright future ahead, and we’re so excited to watch them grow into the elegant and loving companions their breed is known for.

📸 Check out the photos of these precious pups below! (Attached: two photos of the Silken Windhound puppies)

01/20/2025

🌟🐾 Patient of the Week: Meet Bruno! 🐾🌟

Weighing in at a mighty 3.25 lbs, Bruno is a 13-week-old Bombay-Russian Blue mix with a big personality! Bruno visited us for his FVRCP vaccine, which protects against several upper respiratory pathogens in cats. He handled his visit like a champ and even enjoyed a Churu treat as a post-vaccine reward! 😻

🧶 Favorite Toy: Anything he can chase – balls are his current obsession!
📺 Favorite Activity: Watching “Cat TV” or playing with his big sister, Lita 🐾
🍗 Favorite Treat: Churu – the ultimate reward for a brave kitten!
🐾 Siblings: Lita, a 10-year-old Miniature Pinscher mix, and Bruno’s favorite partner in crime 💕
🐱 Fun Fact: Bruno was a surprise gift from a family member. He is the first ever cat in the family, but he’s fitting right in! He and Lita are already best friends and love spending time together.

At Bruno’s appointment, we covered all the essentials for a kitten visit including vaccines, parasite prevention, dental care, nutrition, socialization, training, feline enrichment, and more.

📅 Reminder: If you have a new kitten at home, don’t forget to schedule their vaccine appointments! Vaccines are an important step in keeping your kitten safe from preventable diseases. Proactive care is key to helping your kitten grow into a healthy, happy adult cat! 🩺

Bruno, we loved meeting you and can’t wait to see you again soon! 💙

📷 Enjoy photos of Bruno watching Cat TV, hanging out with his sister, and most importantly- enjoying his hard earned Churu treat!

01/13/2025

🌟🐾 Patient of the Week: Meet Emmy! 🐾🌟

Say hello to Emmy, a stunning 14-year-old blue Domestic Shorthair who visited us last week for her annual physical exam and senior bloodwork. Emmy was such a brave girl during her visit, especially for her blood draw – a star patient! ✨

🐾 Favorite Toy: Her trusty kicker toy – she’s got some serious moves!
🛌 Favorite Spot to Sleep: Mom’s bed or lounging on her cat tower like a queen 👑
🌿 Favorite Snack: Catnip – Emmy knows how to unwind!
🐱 Siblings: Emmy shares her cozy life with her littermate and best friend, Libby.
📺 Favorite Activity: Snuggling with Libby or catching all the action on “Cat TV” – birdwatching is Emmy’s specialty 🐦
🐾 Fun Fact: Emmy and Libby have quite the life story! They were both born right here in Seattle, but moved to Florida shortly after being adopted. Their owner sadly passed away, and the two found their way back to Seattle before being adopted into their new forever home through MEOW Animal Shelter in Kirkland 💕

🩺 As Emmy heads into her senior years, her annual bloodwork is an important way to monitor her health and catch any potential issues early. Cats are masters at hiding illness, so proactive care like this helps keep Emmy thriving and happy!

Check back next Monday for another Patient of the Week!