We promise to be gentle and friendly as we take care of your pet. We will always have a kind word to offer or a little treat to reward good behavior and bravery.
Exams & consultations
Health maintenance plans
Vaccinations
Rabies Licensing for Multnomah County
Feline leukemia testing
Parasite testing & deworming
Heartworm prevention
Pet identification microchips
Nutrition & exercise
Behavior and Training
Boarding facilities & doggie daycare
Grooming
Animal Accessories
Dental cleanings & periodontal treatments
Ultrasound
Spays & neuters
Declawing Your Cat
Surgery
Transportation and Home Care
The annual physical exam is an important part of your pet's good health. It gives us a chance to catch things when they're small problems instead of major challenges. This step may extend your pet's life and save you some money. Your doctor will check your pet's eyes, ears, skin, heart, lungs, stomach, legs, teeth; essentially everything from head to tail.
Of course it's also important to have your pet examined if they ever become sick, listless, stop eating, have a change in the amount of water they drink, have difficulty walking, become injured, or have a change in their usual personality or habits.
Dr. Barnes has a special interest in behavioral issues. If you're concerned that your pet is destructive with furniture, isn't using the litter box, may have separation anxiety, or is difficult to control, give us a call and ask to schedule a behavioral consultation. We'll have you complete a feline questionnaire or canine questionnaire first and fax it to us. This step will Dr. Barnes time to review your answers and prepare for the consultation before you arrive. At your appointment time, Dr. Barnes will perform a thorough exam discuss options with you.
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Puppies & Kittens
Our goal is to help pets live a long, happy, healthy lives. We think preventive medicine is an important part of this equation. Therefore, we take special care to educate you and help you understand what you can do to care for your pet. We start by offering a puppy and kitten plan. These plans outline the exam, vaccine, parasite testing, and deworming schedule you should follow. It also includes spaying or neutering you pet at six months of age and placing a microchip for pet identification.
Adult Dogs & Cats
Adulthood for most dogs and cats begin at age 1 and continues to age 8. During this time it's important to continue bringing your pet in for their annual exam each year. Our doctors will perform a complete physical exam, paying close attention to the eyes, ears, mouth, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, stomach, skin, and other important body systems. They'll ask you how your pet is doing at home and if there are any changes to their attitude or behaviors. Our doctors will also prepare a personalized vaccine schedule for your pet based on their health, lifestyle (indoor or outdoor), socialization (obedience training and doggie daycare), age, genetic predispositions, and other environmental factors to determine the best vaccine schedule for your pet. For adult pets, some vaccines now provide protection for up to 3 years. Our doctors will discuss with you the best individual vaccination schedule for your pet.
Senior Dogs & Cats (8 years and older)
Beginning at around age 8, pets enter their senior years. While some senior pets do just fine, others may experience some difficulties or develop diseases associated with their natural aging process similar to their senior human counterparts. Some examples are diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, endocrine disease, and cancer. The health of your pet can change rapidly, and sometimes these changes can go unnoticed. By working closely with your veterinarian, we'll do everything we can to help your dear friend enjoy their golden years.
For more details on our health maintenance programs, please make your selection:
Puppy Plan - Kitten Plan - Senior Plan
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Just like the annual exam, vaccinations play an important role in helping your pet live a long, healthy life. Vaccines give your pet the best defense against the spread of preventable diseases by specifically boosting their immune system against diseases. Puppies and kittens always need to complete their vaccine booster series, given each month. During annual exams, our doctors will review your pet's health, lifestyle (indoor or outdoor), socialization (obedience training and doggie daycare), age, genetic predispositions, and other environmental factors to determine the best vaccine schedule for your pet. For adult pets, some vaccines now provide protection for up to 3 years. Your doctor will discuss with you the best individual vaccination schedule for your pet.
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We can license your dog(s) an/or cat(s) for Multnomah County here at our hospital. They must be current with a rabies vaccination. We'll need to see written proof if we did not provide the immunization. There are two payment options: cash or check.
You can also go online to the Multnomah County website and license your pet.
www.multcopets.org
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Feline leukemia virus affects a cat's immune system, making it difficult for them to fight off infection. They will eventually become very ill; in most cases the disease is fatal. Sometimes this process happens quickly. However, some infected cats may become carriers and not show signs of infection for many years. Feline leukemia is mainly spread during a cat fight when an infected cat scratches or bites another cat. Feline leukemia is preventable. We first start by testing your cat to make sure that her or she is not infected with the virus. We can then vaccinate your pet against feline leukemia virus, providing your pet with the best possible protection against this disease. If the initial tests show that your cat is already infected with feline leukemia virus, our doctors will talk with you about ways to help your cat stay healthy and feeling well for as long as possible.
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There are several types of intestinal parasites that infect virtually all puppies and kittens and can commonly infect adult animals. Although these worms and other organisms live inside the pet, they produce eggs too small to be seen with the naked eye that pass in the et's feces. We use a microscope to test pet's fecal samples (i.e. their poop) for these parasites. Some parasites found in dogs and cats can also infect humans, sometimes leading to serious medical conditions. Detection and prevention are the best courses of action to protect your children and family. We recommend an annual fecal test and Interceptor for a monthly dewormer. In some cases, we may need to give a different dewormer at the annual exam. The best time to test your pet for internal parasites is at the annual exam. Just bring in a small, fresh stool sample. We will run a test and give you the results at the end of the exam. If your pet is infected, the doctor will choose the correct medication to treat your pet.
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Puppies and kittens are usually infected with internal parasites that are passed on from their mother either before they are born (puppies) or in the mother's milk and environment after they are born (both puppies and kittens). We recommend a two part deworming session and testing to confirm that your that new pet is healthy and parasite free.
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Heartworms are transferred to a pet by mosquitoes carrying the heartworm larvae. The larvae live in the pet's bloodstream, travel to the heart, and take six months to develop into an adult heartworm. These adult heartworms look like spaghetti. They clog the heart, eventually leading to heart failure.
To prevent heartworm, our doctors have chosen Interceptor medication since it safely kills the heartworm in the larval stage. Besides preventing heartworm, Interceptor also kills roundworms and hookworms, thereby protecting both your dog and your family from those intestinal parasites, which can cause disease in humans. A six-month lapse in medication will allow the larvae to develop into an adult heartworm and lodge in the heart. If this development occurs, a different, more expensive treatment plan is required.
Dogs:
- All puppies begin Interceptor preventative at sixteen weeks of age. They should remain on this monthly preventative for the rest of their life. Puppies that start Interceptor at less than six months of age will not need to be tested if they are consistently given the medication each month.
- We recommend heartworm testing if a dog is older than six months of age and has never had the preventative or it's been over six months since the last dose was given.
- Dogs that remain on Interceptor consistently (never more than a six-month lapse in coverage) will be approved for Interceptor renewal each year.
Cats are still considered in a low risk heartworm category in Multnomah County . Therefore, we do not recommend testing cats for heartworms or giving the monthly preventative.
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We use the Avid microchip for permanent pet identification. Collars and tags can fall off or be removed. When a lost pet is brought to us and has a microchip, we know there's a family somewhere missing their pet. It's only a matter of hours or days before we're able to locate and reunite them with their missing pet.
Identifying your pet with a microchip is a simple, easy process; a small microchip, the size of a grain of rice, is inserted by injection under the skin. Once the chip is placed you can then register your pet with Avid by mail. We use a scanner to confirm that the chip is activated and working, and we scan your pet each year during the annual exam to confirm that the chip is still working. More information about Avid microchips can be found at www.avidmicrochip.com/answer.htm.
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Proper nutrition and exercise can improve your pet's quality of life and extend it too. During annual exams, we'll talk with you about what you should be feeding your pet and how often you should exercise them. We carry the premium diet Wellness, made by Old Mother Hubbard. We've chosen this diet because it uses high quality ingredients and most pets find it very flavorful and tasty. We also have prescription diets in case your pet has special needs.
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We believe that the human animal bond is a significant and meaningful relationship. Obedience training, puppy socialization, and even advanced classes like agility & flyball training, or search and rescue training, as well as specialized one-on-one behavioral training are great ways to enhance and nurture this friendship.
Agility Classes & Private Lessons www.jumpstartagility.com
Jumpstart Agility
503-351-6492 |
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Behaviorist
Jacqui Neilson, DVM
503-236-7833 |
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Behave Canine Solutions www.behavetraining.com
NW Portland location:
Dogstar
1313 NW Kearney
Portland, OR 97206
503-488-5555 |
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Behave Canine Solutions
Hillsboro location:
A Doggone Good Place
21185 Evergreen Pkwy.
Hillsboro, OR 97124 |
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Behave Canine Solutions
SE Portland location:
Wag The Dog
2410 SE 50th
Portland, OR 97206 |
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Canine Behavior and Specialized Training/Boarding
City Dog Country Dog www.citydogcountrydogtraining.com
Caroline Spark, PhD, CDBC, CPDT
5331 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 258-210
Portland, OR 97239
503 740-4886 Fax: (503) 213-5954
caroline@www.citydogcountrydogtraining.com |
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Club K-9 |
| North Portland 503.289.7472 |
| Tigard 503.684.0447 |
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www.clubk-9.com |
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Columbia Dog Training www.columbiadogtraining.com
6255 NE Cornfoot Rd.
Portland, OR 97218
503-621-3180 |
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Competition Training Obedience
(Show Obedience)
Cindy Leung
503-628-3830 |
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Dog Aggression & Problem Behaviors
Trainers to the Rescue
Linda Powers
503-349-2695 |
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Happy Go Lucky www.happygoluckydog.com
1624 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
503-731-8774 |
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Oregon Humane Society Behavior Help Line • www.oregonhumane.org
503-416-2983
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Unleash Yourself www.unleashyourself.biz
1207 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
503-349-3088 |
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We carry the Gentle Leader head collar, a fast, gentle and effective way to control unwanted behavior. It's scientifically designed to work with your dog's natural instincts. It's truly amazing - behaviors change in minutes. The Gentle Leader controls jumping, pulling, barking, chewing, and begging and teaches sit and stay in one easy lesson. Ask us for details and a personal fitting.
For our cat lovers, we’re sorry to report there’s not much you can do to train your cat. They are the boss. The sooner you accept this fact, the sooner you’ll begin to appreciate your relationship with your cat... just kidding. There is hope. Most cats are very impressionable and open to learning good manners and respecting you and your furniture.
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We decided early on to have our focus be medicine. We do our best to help keep your pets happy and healthy. We refer boarding and doggie daycare requests to our wonderful friends in the neighborhood:
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Our focus is medicine. If there's a medical reason your pet needs to be shaved or clipped, we're here for you. We'll do our best to make it look pretty. For beautiful, regular grooming, we recommend:
| Zimmer's Grooming |
503.285.4264 |
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| Best Friend's Bath & More |
503.283.0327 |
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| Townhouse Pet Care Center |
503.230.9596 |
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Sara Stamper, a former NPVH employee is creating works of art - coats, bandanas, and catnip toys. You can see her coats at www.shaggydogstudios.com and email her at swstamper6@msn.com
| Shaggy Dog Studios |
503.317.4541 |
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By the age of 3 years, 70% of adult pets have developed the early stages of gingivitis and/or periodontal disease. To treat gingivitis and slow or stop the progression of periodontal disease, have your pet examined yearly. Your doctor will lift your pet's lip and examine the teeth and gums. Dental cleanings are usually scheduled every 1-2 years. Dental Cleaning and Extractions Handout
Benefits for keeping your pet's mouth and teeth healthy:
- They'll live longer - untreated periodontal disease sends bacteria to the heart and kidneys, which ultimately leads to more serious problems.
- They'll have fresh breath for nice smelling kisses - if you smell bad breath, there's a good chance an infection is already present in the mouth.
- They won't be in any pain or discomfort from loose teeth or infected gums - some signs to look for: difficulty eating or losing weight.
The dental teeth cleaning is performed under anesthesia and usually takes 40 to 60 minutes. We take several precautions to make it as safe as possible for your pet. We first run some blood-work to make sure your pet's kidney and liver are functioning normally and can safely handle the anesthesia. We also place an IV catheter and give fluids to maintain your pet's blood pressure and help them process the anesthesia for a quick wake-up and recovery. We use several types of monitoring equipment to ensure your pet's heart-rate, breathing, and temperature remain within normal ranges.
While your pet is under anesthesia, your doctor will perform an oral dental exam and chart the health of your pet’s teeth and mouth, noting any abnormalities. Sometimes your doctor may decide to take a dental x-ray to see the root structure and general health of the tooth or jaw. If a tooth is unhealthy and cannot be saved, your doctor will take great care in extracting the tooth.
Dental work and extractions can be painful to your pet. We take special care to block this pain while we perform the dentistry and extractions. We'll send you home with pain medication so your pet can have a quicker, pain-free recovery.
You can help keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy by:
- Choosing a healthy diet that may include the T/D diet (ask us).
- Offering healthy treats & toys like kongs and C.E.T. Chews that help clean
the teeth and prevent gingivitis.
- Avoiding inappropriate toys like cow hooves, sterilized bones, greenies,
and nylon bones. These toys are too hard and break or chip teeth.
- Brushing your pets teeth on a regular basis. While this idea may sound
silly, it's probably the best thing you can do to keep your pet's teeth and
gums healthy. Ask us about special brushes and dental tooth paste.
These steps can greatly reduce the onset of gingivitis and periodontal disease, extend your pet's life, and reduce the number of times your pet needs a dentistry, thus saving you money. Besides, smelly breath ruins great kisses.
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We use ultrasounds to help us identify internal growths or lumps, abnormalities with organs or tissues, or to find out if your pet is pregnant. By using sound waves to painlessly scan the body, ultrasounds are a safe, easy way to obtain a picture of what's happening inside your pet's body. We start by shaving your pet's belly. Next we position your pet on their back in a support cradle. Ultrasounds usually take about 20 - 40 minutes. If your pet is already experiencing pain or has difficulty lying still, we will use a safe, general anesthetic to complete the procedure. Dr. Sue Schallberger has been performing ultrasounds for us for over 5 years. She's very gentle, compassionate and knowledgeable.
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We believe spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important, responsible things you can do to help reduce the unwanted pet population. It breaks our heart to see so many abandoned, neglected pets each year.
There are some health benefits to having this procedure done early on in your pet's life, when they're between 6 ? 12 months of age. The chance of them developing certain types of cancer is greatly reduced and it will also help them avoid developing bad habits like leaving your property to mate or to get into trouble.
We take special care to make sure this surgery is performed safely and pain free. We'll talk with you about the importance of running some pre-anesthetic blood work to make sure the kidney and liver are functioning properly and can handle the anesthesia. We'll also recommend setting an IV catheter so we can give fluids which help maintain your pet's blood pressure and lead to a quick recovery. We also administer pain medication before, during, and after the surgery, and we sometimes send home pain medications if necessary. We use absorbable sutures so it saves you a trip back.
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| Declawing your cat |
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We believe declawing your cat should be the last alternative you consider to save your cat and your furniture. Cats scratch. It's what they do. We strongly encourage you to talk with us about some alternatives you should try first. These alternatives will require you to dedicate your time, money, and commitment to modifying your cat's unwanted behaviors or protecting your favorite couch or chair. It will be work and effort on your part and we think you and your cat will be happier and satisfied you chose these alternatives instead:
- The first and best option is to trim your cat's claws frequently, every two weeks. Dull claws will do less damage to furniture when your cat scratches.
- A second option is placing several sturdy, well-designed scratching posts in strategic locations next to your furniture to give your cat a correct place to scratch and rub.
- You can also buy replaceable slip covers that may be less appealing for your cat to scratch (surface material and textures) or are less expensive to replace.
- Softpaws are a temporary solution that cover your cat's sharp, destructive claws with a soft, vinyl cap that does not destroy furniture. We recommend this approach as an immediate intervention to save your furniture and sanity while you consider other options. You cat will still scratch, they just won't do any damage.
- Another option is storing water spray bottles around the house. You can discretely spray your cat with water when they scratch.
- You can put aluminum foil on the sitting areas of your couch temporarily to discourage them from jumping up on unwanted places to sleep or scratch. They don't like the sound and feel of aluminum foil.
- A final option is a spray called Feliway that appeals to a cat's sense of smell. It teaches them to mark with the scent glands on their face instead of marking by claw.
We encourage you to use several of these options together or in different combinations. Our certified technicians and doctors would be happy to discuss a personalized plan for you in detail by phone or at your next annual exam visit.
We also recommend you visit the following website to get more information on why declawing should be the last resort and what alternatives options are available:
www.declawing.com
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| Surgery |
We’re able to handle all types of general surgeries and most advanced or emergency surgeries. We have a dedicated surgical suite set up with special monitoring equipment and plenty of room to operate. We perform soft tissue surgeries, challenging exploratory surgeries, c-sections, and even orthopedic (bone) surgeries. In some instances your pet may need to see a surgical specialist. Your doctor will explain your options and refer you to a specialist. If it’s more convenient to have your pet’s specialty surgery performed at our hospital or if you simply prefer to have our staff and doctors directly care for your pet, we can arrange to have Dr. Tom Van Gundy, a surgical specialist, come to our hospital to perform the surgery.
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