Welcome to Washington Family Veterinary Clinic 

Winter Awareness

This month is Winter Awareness month! We have important information regarding common mishaps that occur this time of year.

Foreign Bodies in Dogs and Cats

As a pet owner you are the steward over your pet and need to be extra observant of what your pet eats and drinks. Taking care of pets through the year can be a difficult task, especially during the holiday months, so we would like to inform you of a few items that can and have been problematic.

Dogs have a rather large esophagus and a relatively small outlet from the stomach, so what may seem to be a snake to your pet can be very dangerous to his/her health. If your pet ingests something that obstructs the GI tract clinical signs may include, but not limited to: Colic (stomach ache), frequent vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia (stop eating), adipose (stop drinking), and lethargy. Getting your pet examined as soon as you see these signs or if you are concerned is recommended. One of our doctors will perform a physical examination and offer a few more diagnostic tests (radiographs, blood work) to make a diagnosis. If there happens to be a foreign body then generally the only treatment is to remove it surgically.

Common foreign bodies:

• Bones (poultry, ham, beef)
• Christmas Tree Ornaments (tinsel, lights, stringed popcorn, beads)
• Branches of trees and plants
• Toys
• Wrapping paper
• Clothing items
• Batteries

Holiday Toxicity

One of the first things we think of when the holidays come around is all the tasty treats. However, we should be doing a double take when we think about the treats our pets get. Many things that make the holidays so special and enjoyable are truly not pet friendly.

It’s so tempting to give fluffy a piece of something off the table, but it could be bad for his health. Many “people” foods cause our pets many health problems; one of the more severe side effects is pancreatitis. Some foods to make sure not to give your pet are:

• Chocolate (the darker the worse the affects)
• Coffee/Caffeine
• Grapes/Raisins
• Onions/Garlic
• Avocados
• Macadamia Nuts
• Xylitol (a sweetener in many products)
• Yeast dough
• Fried Foods (your pets can not metabolize these very well)
• Alcohol
• Milk
• Salt

We also see many holiday toxicity problems associated with holiday plants. For instance lilies we like to put out are severely toxic to cats and causes acute kidney failure. Some of the cheeriest sights come from mistletoe, poinsettias, holly, and pine trees. All of these are toxic to our pets. Be sure to keep these items out of reach of curious noses and teeth to prevent problems. Don’t forget to keep your pets out of the Christmas tree water, as this poses a threat to the health as well.

Winter Precautions

• When the temperature is below freezing make sure they are inside.
• For outdoor pets make sure they have the proper shelter to protect them from the cold and make sure their water supply isn’t frozen.
• With the holidays coming up you may be considering boarding your pet, if you do, make sure they are up to date on all the vaccinations they are required to have for that boarding facility.
• After walks in the snow or any place that rock salt or any other de-icers are in use, make sure to wipe off your pets’ legs and belly to prevent them from licking and ingesting those potentially dangerous substances.
• Antifreeze is a lethal poison for animals. Make sure to clean up any spills and consider using products that contain propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
• Just like any other time of the year, be sure you don’t leave your pet in the car alone.

We are offering a 10% senior (age 65+) discount on procedures done with a doctor* throughout the month of December!

*Excluding technician appointments, food, medication, etc.

CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

​Located in St. George , Utah the veterinarians at Washington Family Veterinary Clinic are committed to your pet's health. Dr. King and Dr. Barton have been working as veterinarians in the St. George area for the past 10-11 years and came together and founded Washington Family Veterinary Clinic in 2009.  Washington Family Veterinary Clinic excels in the science of veterinary medicine and brings a whole new meaning to quality practice.  Dr. Jace King, Dr. Clayton Barton, and Dr. Arden Gillespie and our staff have excelled in compassionate veterinary care in the St. George and Washington area.

Washington Family Veterinary Clinic is a full-service animal hospital whose mission is to provide the highest standard of veterinary care for your pets. We provide friendly, informative, and supportive services for you and your pet, while maintaining a superior working environment for our employees.

Our 4,000-square foot facility has four examination rooms, a euthanasia room, large surgery suite, spacious waiting area, EKG, digital radiography, blood pressure and oxygen monitoring.  We also have an in house blood machine and pharmacy. Other services include routine and orthopedic surgeries, specialized vaccinations, prevention and treatment, laser therapy, nutrition and behavior, dental hygiene, micro-chipping, chemotherapy and wellness exams. We also carry the Hill's Prescription and Science Diet Line of Canine & Feline Food.

Our “No-Show” Policy:

Due to our high volume of appointment requests, there is an automatic no show fee applied to accounts for appointments not canceled or rescheduled 2 hours before the scheduled appointment time. This is to better serve our clients; when we don’t get notified early enough, it takes time away from those who are trying to be seen that day.

Washington Family Veterinary Clinic offers a one stop for your pet's health, medical & nutritional care.

Your Pets . . . Our Family!