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Find a pet to fit your lifestyle By Annie Walsh Buying a new designer purse or a plasma TV on impulse may be a monetary regret once the bill is seen. Still, these impulsebuys can always be returned. An impulse purchase of a new pet, on the other hand, can end up being a decade-long commitment that may not be the best situation for the pet or the owner. Before buying that puppy in the window, there are many elements to consider. Lifestyle is the most important thing to consider when buying a new friend. Before contacting pet stores, breeders or shelters, put in the time to research different kinds of pets and breeds. “Go to the library, or come in and check out our library, but investigate what the breed is bred for,” says Brianna Beauvait, development associate at the Longmont Humane Society. It’s important to learn about the characteristics of the animal’s breed such as maintenance, energy level, friendliness toward other pets, exercise requirements and how the pet interacts with children. While it is human nature to see a beautiful young puppy or kitten at a pet store and want to take it home, the pet’s needs should be put first. “You really have to think of it as not for yourself, but the welfare of the animal,” Beauvait says. Single Owner or Family For a single guy or gal who works through the day and doesn’t have much free time, a dog isn’t a great option. “Get a cat,” Beauvait says. “It’s not a pack animal, but it wants to see you.” A cat will be more understanding if it’s left alone, and no one has to rush home to take it for a walk. The litter box makes both the cat and the owner’s lives easier. For a family with children, older animals tend to be a better option, says Carrie Adams, owner of Four Paws in Longmont. PET CARE

Finding a pet to fit your lifestyle may take some searching. At he Longmont Humane Society people will find a variety of animals, including Igor, top, an 8-year-old male cat. Training is another part of the Humane Society, in which Moby, a 6-month-old dog, works with Janine West, a TLC volunteer coordinator and K9 coach. Playful kittens may also be fun, such as Dawson, a 6-month-old female cat. (Paul Litman) 5

animal will start acting out in different ways,” Beauvait says. The only way the animal will bond with everyone is if everyone in the house is on board. Still, Adams remains positive saying, “You can work through anything with the right supervision.”

Skittles, a 4.5-month-old male dog, gets some training at the Longmont Humane Society by Janine West, a TLC volunteer coordinator and K9 coach. (Paul Litman)

Older dogs and cats tend to be less hyper and require less maintenance. If the pet is coming from a shelter, chances are they may already be house-broken. “If you want a dog, consider doggy daycare, pet sitters and dog walkers,” Adams says, because not everyone can make it home for lunch to take out the new puppy. Family Agreement If an animal is going into a family atmosphere, it’s important that everyone is in agreement with the new addition. While one child may want a cat, and another wants a dog, it’s important to come to a family agreement that everyone is comfortable with. “Dogs and cats pick up on energy and the

Buying or Adopting Finding a trusted breeder may be the easy answer to finding the perfect pet to fit a lifestyle. “You can mold them into who you want them to be,” Adams says. A major advantage is knowing where the animal came from and if there are health risks that run in the family. Breeders can also answer personal questions about the animals and their tendencies. Still, adoption is often the best choice for pets and owners. “Make adoption your first option,” Beauvait says. “Millions of pets have no home. I think that dogs and cats that have been through shelters know that they are getting a second chance and they try really hard.” Saving a pet’s life and having a new addition to the home is an incredible option for both the animal and the owner. Every dog and cat that goes through the Longmont Humane Society has been temperament tested, which is an extensive process conducted by the animal welfare counselors in order to find out more about the pet. “We are one of the few shelters in the country with a behavioral department like this,” Beauvait says. Adopting through a humane society can be a great option for families because each animal is given a strict age rating, that has been extremely valuable when placing adopted pets in families with small children.

Choosing a second pet for your home If this pet purchase isn’t the first and there’s another animal at home, there are a few ways to see if the new pet will be the right addition. “There are trainers councils that have pets meet on neutral territories to see how they get along,” says Carrie Adams, owner of Four Paws in Longmont. The Longmont Humane Society also conducts a pet meeting if there’s another animal at home. These meetings are successful when two dogs

are involved, because dogs are pack animals and there is always a leader or an alpha dog. If both dogs are alphas, there may be conflicts within the pack and in the home. If a puppy is being introduced to an older dog at home, consider taking the new pet to dog school. “Puppy kindergarten is key to having a well adjusted puppy,” Adams says. This will help the dog become more social and learn how to interact with other dogs.

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By Kristi Ritter When selecting a veterinarian, you’re looking for more than a medical expert. You need to find someone you can speak with comfortably to address the needs of your pet, while also finding someone your pet can warm up to. But finding a veterinarian that meets your needs, as well as your pet’s needs, can be a task. The best way to find one is to ask other pet owners. A friend, neighbor, dog trainer, groomer or sitter may have some great recommendations on who they visit for their pet’s medical needs. Dan Mones, VMD, with Longs Peak Animal Hospital in Longmont, says, “A lot of people come from word of mouth, especially with dogs because owners talk when they’re out walking. People who are aligned with a vet are always a great recommendation.” Mones also recommends finding a veterinarian as soon as you get a pet, because it’s much better to plan ahead and have a relationship built with a vet who knows the history of you and your animal. “It’s important to establish a relationship with a veterinarian when your animal is healthy,” he says. “Then if an emergency arises you know who to call and they already know your animal.” You will also have to choose whether you’re more comfortable going to a single veterinarian clinic or a practice that offers 8

multiple doctors. While people can call and request individual doctors at multi-doctor practices, it may not be the right fit for everyone. For Mones, he feels that working as part of a multi-doctor practice allows the vets to consult on cases to ensure the best solution for the animal. However, if you choose a multi-doctor practice, Mones says you can always meet all the doctors so you know who you might be working with. “If there’s an opportunity to meet the other doctors, that’s great. It’s good to have a relationship with the entire hospital.” And if one particular doctor doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean the entire practice is out. Maybe a different doctor on staff would work better for you and your animal. Establishing a relationship with the rest of the clinic’s staff is also vital to the success in building a long-term commitment with a veterinarian. Knowing that the staff extends their friendliness and compassion to you will say a lot about the practice. “From walking in the door, you’ll get a feel about the hospital from talking with the staff and taking a tour,” Mones says. “As a pet owner you need to get the sense that the doctor is going to do what they can to help your animal and give him the best care possible.” PET CARE

Checklist to finding a veterinarian There are many points to consider when choosing a veterinarian for your pet’s care. Jim Nash, hospital administrator for the Community Pet Hospital in Firestone, says it’s important to have a good fit with a veterinarian. “Every veterinary practice will have a niche. This niche should be what you’re looking for in a practice, while sharing the high values you have for your pets,” he says. Nash offered some tips on things to look for when choosing a veterinarian.

Visit the Facility • When you take a tour, does the facility look clean and organized? Does it smell? • Is the hospital in good repair? • Are the patients calm and comfortable? Do they seem well cared for? Facility Location and Convenience • Is the office convenient to get to? • Do they offer office hours when you need them? • Do they offer emergency services or have a relationship with a local ER? • Are all appointments scheduled or do they accept walk-ins? Services • What services do they offer? Will those meet your needs? • If services are unavailable, do they offer convenient alternatives, such as referring you to a specialty practice or alternative therapies? • What new services have they implemented recently? This may show their commitment to learning new procedures and continuing education. • Do they offer such services as grooming and boarding? This may be convenient for your pet since he won’t have to go to yet another facility for care. • Does the practice have the necessary equipment in good repair and inspected regularly? • Have they adopted new technology to improve the level of care, efficiency of practice and convenience for the client?

• Are X-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, EKG, endoscopy and other diagnostics done in-house or referred to a specialist?

Standards of Care • What is the practice’s philosophy about anesthetic procedures, wellness and preventive care, diagnostic testing, specialty referrals and end of life decisions? Costs • Are written plans provided and reviewed prior to treatment? • What is included in an examination fee? • Do they offer payment plans? Financing? • What methods of payment are accepted? Doctor Accreditation Look to see if the doctors are accredited by any major associations. This may give you insight into their training and specialties. Ones to look for include the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) – approximately 17 percent of all practices are accredited through this, the American Veterinary Medical Association – every graduating veterinarian will have a membership in this association and most will keep up with it, and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. Support Staff/Customer Service • Is the staff trained, certified or credentialed? • Don’t be afraid to ask why the staff enjoys working there. • Do pets respond kindly to the support staff? If they don’t, it may signal a problem that he senses. • Do they extend the compassion, friendliness and care you would like? • What methods of communicating with the hospital are available – phone, e-mail, texting, social media? • What is the process for handling client complaints, feedback or returns?

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Adopting a Pet Shelters, rescues offer a variety of animals By Summer Stair At some point, most people will own or have owned a pet bought from a pet store or breeder or adopted through shelters or rescues. But how do you know which option is best for you? “People should feel great about adopting,” says A.E. Nash, executive director of the Colorado Reptile Humane Society in Longmont. “You are making your community a better place, and you should be proud of adopting rather then doing it for profit.” Other benefits of adopting an animal is you can choose what age you want your

Angel, a 6-year-old Mustang, strikes a pose at the Colorado Horse Rescue. (Paul Litman) 12

Tammy, a German Shepard and Rotweiler mix, is walked by Humane Society of Boulder Valley staff member, Kayleigh Paladino. (Paul Litman)

animal to be, as well as know you are getting a full health disclosure on the animal. Most rescues and humane societies also offer ongoing support through training classes. While some might be hesitant to adopt because of the animal’s history, they shouldn’t. Stacey Couch, programs director for Colorado Horse Rescue, says most animals at their rescue facility are not there because of neglect, but because their owners could no longer take care of them and surrendered them. Surrendered animals often come with a past-owner history. Horses While there are several things one should think about before adopting a horse, some of the biggest requirements to consider is space, cost and the commitment. Potential adoptees would have to show they have suitable living quarters for horses, Couch says. On average, a horse could cost between $500 and $1,000 per month for food and boarding, which includes the cost of daily hay and grain, trimming and shoes every six weeks and unexpected vet bills. Horses also PET CARE

have a long life span and on average live to be 25 to 30 years old. At Colorado Horse Rescue, Couch says all horses go through training to determine their handling level. When potential owners visit the horses, the handling level of the horse and rider are taken into account. “Our goal is to find forever homes and prevent the horses from coming back here,” Couch says. “We want it to be a good fit for both parties.” Half of the horses at the rescue are surrendered by owners and the other half are impounds. Potential owners can choose from older horses that are often great for minimal riding or as a companion animal, or younger horses that may need a little more training, but will offer a lifetime of riding. Couch advises people interested in adopting a horse to first take lessons or lease a horse to make sure it is a commitment they want to make. If adoption is the direction chosen, new owners will get recent vet history, a full disclosure of the history available, as well as a full support system through clinics and classes on training, care and feed. Dogs, Cats and Small Mammals Adopting a dog, cat or small mammal can be a big commitment. Bridgette Chesne, director of shelter services at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, says families or individuals must think of practical considerations – lifestyle, activity level, maintenance, the animals life span and finances – to determine the right type of animal for their needs. Getting an older pet that is already potty trained or that doesn’t have to be groomed every six weeks are criteria people should keep in mind when looking for a pet to adopt. From top: Alley lounges in her own personal kitty condo at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Ditka, a 21-day-old mouse, is only one of the small mammals ready to be adopted at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Sky, a 27-year-old horse at the Colorado Horse Rescue, lives at the 50-acre facility west of Longmont. (Paul Litman) PET CARE

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At the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, animals have gone through behavior and health assessments so they can be paired for the right home. Pet owners with animals already at home can even bring their pets in for a visit to make sure the animals are compatible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When adopting, you are giving an animal at a shelter a new beginning and saving their life,â&#x20AC;? says Lisa Pederson, chief executive officer at the humane society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People can feel good and know they are getting an amazing animal.â&#x20AC;? Reptiles When adopting a reptile one must ask themselves: Is this animal a good match for me? Nash says people often make a mistake with reptiles because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take into consideration space requirements or the amount of care that may be required. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are reptiles for sale and adoption who will bite you when you handle them,â&#x20AC;? Nash says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you want a pet to snuggle with, a reptile might not be the best match.â&#x20AC;? Nash says people are often led to believe that a reptile can live in a small tank, which is not true. Reptiles require a lot of space to roam. Without it they will become depressed or even aggressive. In this case, adopting can be helpful, because you will be told exactly what type of environment the animal needs. Reptiles also require a lot of care and nutritional needs. Commercial foods are not always the best option, so owners may have to order food through the mail, adding to a householdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly budget. Lighting is also a big concern for reptiles, because if it is inadequate it could cause malformations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a lot of care; specific environmental requirements for them to live,â&#x20AC;? she says. At the Colorado Reptile Humane Society, those who adopt will get a full disclosure of the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and will always have a strong support system if questions should arise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want people to be successful with our animals,â&#x20AC;? Nash says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want them to succeed and enjoy their animal.â&#x20AC;? PET CARE

Dr. Donald Dreyer, of the Animal Hospital in Longmont, examines Vern Jones' 6-year-old yellow Labrador, Blaze. Jones has been taking his pets to Dreyer for nearly 30 years. (Paul Litman)

General YourWellness guide to a healthy pet By Nathalie Winch Although rewarding, it is expensive and time consuming to be a responsible pet owner. The following guidelines are only the most basic tips for some of the most common pets. Pet owners or anyone with questions should consult with a local expert or veterinarian.

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Dogs & Cats Dr. Tricia Hartwig, DVM, of TLC Animal Hospital in Longmont, says there are far too many breeds to generalize about the basic care guidelines for dogs and cats. “To understand the dog and how its going to fit is to understand what they’re bred to do,” Hartwig says. Anyone who is thinking about getting a dog should research the different breeds in order to get the type of dog that best fits their lifestyle. As far as cats, Hartwig says a common mistake is to assume that a cat is independent and isn’t affected by its environment. “I think people think cats are independent things, or they don’t need people and don’t care what happens in their environment, but they care tremendously what happens and 15

they do need people,” Hartwig says. If a cat is defecating or urinating inappropriately, or exhibiting signs of rebellion, she says they are trying to make a statement to their owner. Usually, if the environmental issue is addressed the cat will respond with appropriate behavior.

vaccines are recommended for all horses. • Oral care – Dental care is critical for all horses. They should visit with a veterinarian or dental practitioner at least twice a year. Poor dental care can result in a variety of poor health conditions.

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Horses Equine expert Stephanie Wendorf, of Roanoake Farm and Knick O’ Time Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation in Longmont, recommends the following for responsible horse ownership. • Water – Clean water should be available to a horse at all times. • Deworming – Rotate every eight to 12 weeks with various deworming products, based on the time of year and developmental stage of internal parasites. • Farrier – A horse will need to have their hooves trimmed, or new shoes applied, on average every six to nine weeks, depending upon a horse’s work, nutritional habits and terrain. • Vaccinations – Annual or semi-annual

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• Shelter – Horses need access to shelter from inclement weather year-round and proper shade during summer months. Proper shelter includes barns with proper ventilation, loafing sheds or pole barns. Fencing should be well maintained. Barbed wire is not considered safe fencing for horses. Exotic Pets Dr. Donald Dreyer, DVM, of The Animal Hospital in Longmont, offers the following basic care tips for exotic and pocket pets. • Lizards – Iguanas, geckos, chameleons, bearded dragons and other lizards are not considered low-maintenance pets. Like many other animals, they require a lot of time, care and knowledge. Plastic cages with a solid bottom work well for lizards because lizards are notorious for chewing on things and for squeezing through small spaces. Flat and loose papers, such as newspaper, indoor/ outdoor carpeting or alfalfa pellets should be kept on bottoms of cages. Along with an aquarium, lizards require UV light for vitamin D. A heat source should also be provided, such as a heat rock where they can lay for added warmth. It should be placed underneath the loose papers so they aren’t burned. Like all reptiles, they should be kept in a 60- to 75-degree climate. They also enjoy being misted with water, or should have a flat dish of water to moisten themselves to reduce flakiness, especially in dry climates. • Turtles – There are many varieties of turtles and tortoises. The most common kept as a pet is the North American box turtle. Most pet turtles, especially box turtles,

A Texas Ornate Box Turtle rests in its glass aquarium at Aqua Imports. (Paul Litman)

need an aquarium with the same requirements as lizards. UV light, 60 to 75 degrees, a basking area to warm themselves and water where they can wet themselves. Unless they are an aquatic species, water dishes should be kept shallow to avoid drowning. One of the most common problems found among reptiles, especially turtles, is xenotic condition, where salmonella is spread to humans through the reptile’s stool. Keeping their habitats clean is essential to reptiles and their owners well being. A bleach and water solution, one part bleach to 20 parts water, is recommended for proper, once-a-week cleanings. Pocket Pets Common problems among all pocket pets are upper respiratory infections, diarrhea and skin conditions. The following are basic guidelines for different pocket pets, according to Dreyer. • Rabbits – Rabbits can live on average between five and six years. They have a gestation period of about 30 days. They should be housed in mesh-bottom wire cages so their stool can drop through. They can also be kept outside in a free-range environment. Rabbits should be fed pellets marketed specifically for their species. • Guinea pigs – Guinea pigs have a lifespan of four to seven years. They should be housed in temperatures between 65 to 79 degrees and should be kept in a mesh, wire-bottom cage. The bottom of the cage should contain wood shavings or shredded paper. It should be emptied and cleaned at least once a week. • Hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats – These pocket pets are known to have short PET CARE

lifespans. Hamsters live on average 18 to 24 months. Gerbils live three to four years. Rats can live up to five years. Mice live between 1.5 to 3 years. All of these mammals can chew well and should be kept in solid-bottom, plastic cages. They need to be entertained with exercise wheels, tunnels or mazes. Mice and rats are known to have short gestation periods, around 20 days, thus males and females of reproductive age should be kept apart, unless owners are trying to breed. Birds The most common birds kept as pets are canaries, parakeets, cockatiels, cockatoos, amazon and macaw parrots, and lovebirds. Birds are susceptible to chills and upper respiratory infections, thus should be kept away from drafty conditions. Their cage is best kept near thermostats where temperatures are more constant. Owners should cover their cages at night to maintain constant temperatures. A normal body temperature for a bird should be around 106 degrees.

Other common problems among birds are feather picking, which is often caused by boredom. Putting different antihistamines in their water or getting them a mate can offer relief. Birds can also be sprayed with water to moisten their feathers and alleviate dry skin conditions. Most birds should be kept in wire-mesh

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Asst. Discus swim in their freshwater fish tank at Aqua Imports in Boulder. (Paul Litman)

cages with bottom drawers to collect droppings. Bottoms can be kept mostly bare since most birds suspend themselves on perches. Sandpaper on perches to keep nails short is discouraged because it can cause sores on the bottom of birdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feet. Fish A common misconception is that fish are low-maintenance pets. Maintaining healthy fish aquariums require a lot of time and expertise. They need to be cleaned, tested and siphoned at least once a month. Luke Reilly, an aquarium maintenance technician and fish expert for Aqua Imports in Boulder, recommends the following guidelines for proper fish care. Reilly prefers glass aquariums to acrylic because acrylic, although lighter, tends to scratch more easily. Among regular aquarium maintenance Reilly also conducts tests to see if the filter and lights are functioning, maintaining the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proper chemistry, its pH level, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels, and checking for excessive algae. Aquariums are most sensitive to improper chemical levels when they are first set up, because it takes the bacteria four to six weeks to cultivate thus being able to proper20

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ly break down fish waste. In general, freshwater aquariums are simpler to maintain than saltwater tanks. In addition to algae and pH levels, saltwater needs to be tested for calcium, alkalinity, salinity and trace elements. The most common mistakes fish owners make are either overcrowding their aquariums or overfeeding their fish. PET CARE

Preventing feline urinary disease By Summer Stair Urinary tract problems are common among cats, and often reveal themselves through blood in the urine and urination in inappropriate places. Dr. Ami VanDeventer, DVM, of Louisville Family Animal Hospital, says cats will alert their owner to problems by urinating outside the litter box, urinating frequently and in small amounts, straining for long periods of time in the litter box, decreased appetite and a change in water intake. It is often assumed that any problem with the urinary tract is a urinary tract infection, but cats can suffer from urinary tract disorders for a variety of reasons. The term Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease includes idiopathic cystitis, various types of crystals and stones, and bacterial infections. Dr. Jeff Peila, DVM, of Valley Veterinary

in Longmont, says often cats younger than age 7, are prone to feline idiopathic cystitis, which is an inflammation of the bladder for unknown reasons. Recent research suggests the cause being a neuro-chemical reaction related to large amounts of stress. Alleviating stress in the environment can be helpful in treating this issue, and speaking to your veterinarian can help identify potential sources

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of stress. Synthetic pheromones can help reduce stress levels, and on occasion anti-anxiety medications may be helpful. Increasing the amount of water consumed through the use of canned food and/or a recirculating water fountain can also be helpful. VanDeventer says other cats that may have more problems include those who have a genetic predisposition to forming crystals in their urine. The formation of struvite or calcium oxalate crystals is the result of inborn errors of metabolism combined with dietary factors. The crystals cause inflammation within the bladder, resulting in proteins, mucous, and red and white blood cells leaking into the bladder. All these substances can stick together with the crystals, forming a plug which can block the urethra, which is the exit from the bladder. This can be life threatening if left untreated. When the crystals look as though they may be passed on their own, a vet may prescribe a prescription for a specific food, increased water intake and an antibiotic to prevent further infection, Peila says. Crystals can also lead to stones in the bladder. Some types of stones can be dissolved with prescription diets, but in many cases surgical excision of the stones is required. Adult and senior cats, 7 and older, are more prone to experiencing serious problems with urinary infections. Peila says the diagnosis of a UTI is confirmed through a positive culture. VanDeventer also recommends annual dental examinations. Poor oral health can allow bacteria to enter and spread throughout the body, she says. To prevent or to help eliminate reoccurring bladder problems, VanDeventer and Peila recommend keeping the litter box clean so cats can empty their bladders regularly, provide fresh water daily and strive for a stress-free environment. Along with dental checkups, cats should get an annual checkup and senior cats (older than 10), or those who have a history of urinary disease, should be seen every six months for an exam, blood work, blood pressure check and urine analysis. Identifying and treating or eliminating problems that can lead to urinary tract disease is much easier than dealing with them after they develop. PET CARE

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By Kristi Ritter Finding a healthy nutrition and diet plan for dogs and cats should start with consultations with veterinarians. They can help determine plans that best meet the animals’ needs, as well as yours. But most importantly, they need to be plans that can be stuck with to ensure a good, quality diet for your animals. Robert J. Silver, DVM, MS, and owner of Boulder’s Natural Animal clinic, says it’s important to watch dog and cat diets. “My perspective on nutrition is that it is one of the single most important contributions to their health,” he says. Although Silver quite often recommends an alternative diet for animals as opposed to commercial foods readily available, there are some general rules he suggests owners give their pets as part of a nutritional plan. Cats Cat owners should be concerned about giving their feline friends excessive amounts of carbohydrates, which can often be found in commercial foods. Silver recommends feeding cats as little dry food as possible, instead substituting their meals with more canned food. “Excessive carbs link to obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infections and can 24

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promote cancer that is already there in cats,” Silver says. Dogs Dogs naturally eat a lot more than cats because of their size, and that amount of food can get expensive. While most people turn to dry foods as a sole source of nutrition, Silver recommends to his clients to add healthy leftovers to their diet. However, adding human foods to a dog’s diet is not recommended by all veterinarians. Dr. Rebecca Ruch-Gallie, an assistant professor at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, discourages feeding pets table scraps, but she’s also realistic. She suggests that if you’re going to give your pet any human food, it shouldn’t be much more than a teaspoon for a large breed dog, and one-eighth of a teaspoon for a cat or small dog. “Anytime they get something not nutritionally balanced, they are less likely to eat their regular food, resulting in throwing off their balance of nutrients,” she says. Ruch-Gallie believes it’s vital for pet owners to consult with their veterinarian to find a nutritional plan that works for the animal. “It’s important to feed them good quality food right from the start,” she says.

Ruch-Gallie recommends a trip to your veterinarian to do body condition scoring as a guide to finding the proper food amounts. As animals age their food needs change, usually because their energy requirement is lower than that of a young or adult animal. Sometimes the stomach also doesn’t process as well in older animals. Continuing at the same food amounts may result in obesity. Measuring out the proper amount of food for the day, along with treats, will help you keep your animal’s diet plan intact. RuchGallie also says it’s helpful if only one person is doing the feeding and giving treats because it keeps the family in control. As for treats, if you’re going to give them, opt for healthy options such as air popped popcorn, green beans, carrots and apples. If you are going to give them a biscuit, break it into pieces to make them think they are getting a lot more than they are. “The size of the treat is not important, they’ll still feel happy,” Ruch-Gallie says.

How Much to Feed The consumption recommendations on most commercial foods are designed for a pretty active and reproductive dog or cat. In addition, most dogs and cats today are spayed or neutered, meaning food should be less than recommended amounts.

Dogs and Cats need necessary nutrients Dogs and cats need a well-balanced diet with the proper amounts of nutrients and vitamins to keep them healthy. Ruch-Gallie says those necessary nutrients are much the same as humans need in their diet plan. A good solid protein is vital to a dog and cat’s nutritional plan, as well as healthy fats such as fish oil, flax oil and safflower oil. A good mixture of insoluble and soluble fibers will also help regulate the glucose in the body. And finally, good complex carbohydrates are needed for

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any dog or cat diet. These nutrients can usually be found in one of three types of foods available for cats and dogs: dry, semi-moist and canned. The main difference between them is the water content. Older animals might need more moisture if they have kidney problems. Also, don’t ever feed cats dog food or vice versa. The individual foods are designed to be different in terms of the animals’ nutritional needs.

Nutrition guided by activity, age By Summer Stair Every horse needs different levels of feed and nutrition in their diet depending on age, weight, activity level and overall health. Tanja Hess, assistant professor of equine sciences in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University, says a horse owner will know their horse is at a healthy weight when they maintain their body condition score when idle. The following information provided by Hess is a guide to horse nutrition. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advised horse owners contact an equine nutritionist or veterinarian if they have any concerns about their horses diet or weight. The Basics Horses get their energy primarily from grass and hay, Hess says, which is 26

commonly referred to as forage. This type of food is the foundation to a healthy diet. Owners should expect their animal to eat around 2 percent of their body weight in dry feed daily. If an animal is in pasture and is getting its forage from grazing, owners can expect them to eat 11 to 16 hours a day and naturally consume the required amount. If the pasture is low, owners should supplement grass grazing with hay. It is also important to take into account the condition of the forage. Hess says forage should have a high leaf-to-stem ratio with no dust or mold. While grass and hay provides horses with a great foundation, they must have salt available to maintain sodium chloride in their diet. Clean, non-frozen water is also an important part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Grain Not every horse will need grain in their diet, because it depends on how physically active they are. Grain is often fed to provide PET CARE

energy with protein and phosphorous in the grain mix. When a horse is eating forage and grain, keep it at a 50-50 ratio based on weight and volume. There are several different types of grains that can be fed to horses. It is important that owners feed their horse the correct grain for their class or energy level, Hess says. If owners are unsure, they should consult an expert for help. Supplements and Antioxidants A horse will need a supplement or antioxidant depending on their activity, age and overall health. Because this is so subjective, Hess says to consult with an equine nutritionist or vet on what may be needed. Snacks It is OK to give horses treats when handling them to reward good behavior, but treats should never be given in an idle situation. It is important to a horse’s health to follow a diet and not let them overeat. But when a treat is called for, Hess recommends carrots or apples.

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Nutrition tips for exotic and pocket pets By Nathalie Winch The following offers nutritional advice for common exotic pets courtesy of A. E. Nash of the Colorado Reptile Humane Society in Longmont. Nutrition information for birds and pocket pets was supplied by Dr. Donald Dreyer at the Animal Hospital in Longmont, and Luke Reilly, a fish expert and aquarium maintenance technician of Aqua Imports in Boulder, offered nutritional information for fish. This is only a basic guide, as owners should consult a veterinarian.

of overfeeding them these insects. Box turtles should not eat any carbohydrates or dairy and too much fruit can cause them adverse health effects.

North American Box Turtle North American box turtles are omnivores. They should be fed a combination of greens and other vegetables. Collard, mustard, kale or turnip greens are best, especially when paired with cilantro or dandelion, hard winter squashes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, dried figs, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. Chop or shred these ingredients for a healthy mix. This diet should be supplemented with insects, such as earthworms, meal worms and super worms, also known as zophoba. Box turtles much prefer insects to the vegetable portion of their diet, so be cautious

Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs are the only mammal that can not synthesize their own vitamin C, which can cause scurvy. Because of this, owners should always feed them commercial pellets specifically manufactured for guinea pigs which are supplemented with adequate amounts of vitamin C.

Bearded Dragon (Paul Litman) 28

Red Eared Slider Turtles This aquatic pet can be fed live insects, such as crickets, super worms, meal worms, various cockroach species and sometimes they can eat red wiggler worms. These insects should comprise about two thirds of their diet, with the rest of their diet being greens and vegetables.

Birds Canaries and parakeets should be fed quality commercial food, such as a mix of millet and small seeds. Steer away from feeding birds, especially larger birds, too many sunflower seeds because the high fat content can cause obesity in domestic birds. Snakes Snakes should be fed every 10 to 14 days and in enough quantity to maintain a healthy body weight. This amount averages three to five adult mice for adult corns snakes, or up to 7-pound rabbits for large Burmese pythons. Snakes are fed what is known as F/T prey, or humanely euthanized rodents, birds and PET CARE

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rabbits which can be purchased frozen, then thawed and fed to snakes with tongs. Green Iguanas Iguanas are strict herbivores and should be fed a combination of greens and vegetables, such as collard, mustard, kale and turnip greens, as well as the same berry combination suggested for box turtles above. Green iguanas should not be fed animal proteins, eggs or tofu. Feeding them insects can result in organ failure. Bearded Dragons These large lizards are omnivores and should be fed the same combination of vegetables and fruits suggested for box turtles. This should be supplemented with limited amounts of crickets, super worms, meal worms, earth worms or pinky mice. Leopard Geckos and Veiled Chameleons Leopard Geckos and Veiled Chameleons are strict insectivores. They can eat super worms, meal worms, crickets and various cockroach species. Occasionally, they enjoy feeding on red wiggler worms.

Large Porcupine Puffer fish (Paul Litman)

Fish Many varieties of fish food are manufactured for each kind of fish. They come in several forms, such as fish food flakes, pellets or pill-shaped food. The most common problem found among fish owners is overfeeding. Remember, a fish’s stomach is only the size of its eyeball and people should only feed fish an amount they can consume within about 30 seconds. It is especially important to feed fish sparingly when first starting out an aquarium to allow enough time for bacteria that feeds on fish waste to cultivate, allowing the water’s chemical levels to become balanced.

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Lulu plays with Happy Hounds owner, Olivia Neill, while in one of their suites. (Paul Litman)

Home Away from Home and a high degree of personalization. By Annie Walsh “We have limited boarding space and it’s It’s never easy to leave a dog behind, but customized,” Neill says. “We spend a lot sometimes a vacation sans dog is necessary. more one-on-one time with the dogs.” There’s no need to feel guilty when dropping If your dog is used to a bit of luxury and a off the dog at a boarder. More than ever, dogs lot of attention, make sure he or she can pass are getting royal treatment and personalized the test to be admitted to board care at boarding facilities. overnight. To avoid chaos, the When choosing a boarder, the animals are tested on general first thing to do is take a tour of commands, comfort with the the facility. Cleanliness is one of staff and behavior with the other the most important things to animals. The staff keeps records look for at a boarder. Make sure on each pet and the information the space is odor-free and orgacan be helpful when the animal nized. is trying to adjust to the new The next things to consider space. are the staff, supervision, securi“Sometimes the owner misty, co-mingled play requirements reads the dog’s body language and exercise options, says Olivia Gonzo hangs out at and thinks they are having fun Neill, co-owner of Happy Happy Hounds Doggie when they are barking or pantHounds in Longmont. Daycare. (Paul Litman) ing, but they are actually scared At Happy Hounds, the facility and have anxiety,” Neill says. boasts five suites for dogs look“It’s important to know dog behavior and ing to spend the night in luxury. The body language.” This is one aspect why the individual rooms are equipped with doggy staff is an important part of the dog’s stay. beds, real walls – as opposed to glass or The Dapper Dog Say Spa in Longmont fencing – windows and plasma TVs. The also prides itself on its personalized facility also provides round-the-clock care PET CARE

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environment for overnight boarders. “We have no kennels,” says office manager Amber Spenny. “The dogs are never put in a kennel unless the owner asks for it. The dogs are free to run in the big room.” For boarders, there is an overnight care bedroom where dogs can snuggle up to a staff member who stays the night, or they can make their own bed with the other dogs in the main room. “If you’re boarding a dog, clients are more comfortable knowing someone is here,” Spenny says. “We put bedding out and they can sleep wherever they feel like sleeping.” But this type of boarding freedom and care is only offered to established clients and there is an evaluation and checklist, she says. Both facilities concentrate on the individual dogs and try to create home-like environments so owners and pets can feel safe and comfortable during their time apart. While traditional kennels can be less expensive, the care is often less personalized and can be more stressful on the pet. Still, some dogs are happy with a few companions to play with and a warm bed at night.

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PET CARE

Lori Prince, owner and groomer at The Paw Spa, grooms Milford. Left, Leo Eaton, grooms Mocha. (Paul Litman)

Groomers help keep animals looking tip-top By Nikki Downs Every pet owner who has taken a dog or cat to a professional groomer knows the anxiety this experience can inflict on the animal. Well-chosen groomers not only have the tools and experience to make your pets look their best, but they should also have the personality to set pets at ease and make them comfortable. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true that do-it-yourself grooming facilities can be more affordable, but many people find the tools and the know-how of a professional groomer worth the extra effort. Before you entrust your pooch to the hands of a stranger armed with razors, scissors and a scrub brush, remember that a wise PET CARE

choice in a groomer can determine the outcome and comfort level of your pet. Facility The primary concern for pet owners should be the cleanliness and organization of the facility. Jane Komperda, owner of Bark Me Beautiful, and Lori Prince, owner of The Paw Spa, both agree that if a groomer is deficient in this area, pet owners should be wary of entrusting their pet to this person. Tools that havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been disinfected in between each grooming or that are lying around where pets can step on them or get cut by them are clearly a sign of negligence. Stations that are kept clean, swept and 33

Schedule grooming for these pampered pooches While a Labrador Retriever may need little more than a good scrubbing in your bathtub, some breeds require grooming on a regular basis. For some breeds, home grooming and professional grooming are absolutely necessary. • Schnauzer – Whether for show or merely a companion, trimming is standard for Schnauzers. Brush once a week, professionally groom them every month for show dogs, and every three months for companion dogs. • Shih-Tzu – Lifelong grooming requirements make early grooming habits necessary. Brush young dogs daily, older dogs weekly. Professional grooming recommended every two weeks. • Poodle – Grooming a Poodle is as much for health as it is for beauty. Bathe and professionally trim your poodle every six weeks. • Rough Collie – A Collie’s double coat requires consistent, firm brushing. Brush daily during the shedding season, and twice a week otherwise. Collies should be professionally groomed at least four times a year. • Bichon Frise – These fluffy coats require extra maintenance; a daily 15 minute brushing is usually sufficient. Professional grooming is a monthly process. • Yorkshire Terriers – Yorkie puppies have hair almost identical to human hair, and like a person’s it needs to be brushed every day. Monthly professional grooming will greatly enhance the coat, as well. 34

disinfected regularly are a good sign of a responsible, professional groomer. A quick look around a groomer’s studio will be enough to give you a feel for their compliance with Pet Animal Care Facilities Act’s standards of facility safety and cleanliness. Grooming tables with loops to safely hold the animal on the table is a must in all grooming establishments. Another important thing to ask is where the groomer keeps the animal while it is waiting to be groomed or picked up. Most groomers have a kennel room with cages of all sizes, but it’s important to get a good look to make sure you’re comfortable with it. Do they provide food and water while they wait? Are cages cleaned and maintained? Prince feels it is good for the dogs to use a kennel system. “Dogs are pack animals,” she says. “They like being in a den, and a kennel is like a den.” Cages keep pets safe from loose tools and conflicts with the other dogs. Some groomers, however, don’t feel quite as strongly about kenneling dogs as others do. Choosing a groomer may involve deciding if your pet would be more comfortable in a kennel or roaming around the facility with the groomer and other dogs. Komperda is comfortable allowing one or two dogs to run free while she works, especially if this will help calm them or if they are particularly comfortable with her shop. Groomer Keeping animals comfortable involves more than containment methods. A groomer has to create an environment friendly enough to keep pets at ease, and if the dog likes the groomer, this step is much easier. “Dogs actually develop a relationship with me,” Prince says. The animals get to know the groomer as much as the owner does. A dog or cat that warms up to the groomer quickly will make the experience go smoothly from start to finish, both for the groomer and the pet. Another important thing to keep an eye open for is how

Jim and Marianne Csotty drop-off Cristy, their 6-year-old Maltese, at The Paw Spa for grooming. (Paul Litman) PET CARE

groomers handle skittish or nervous animals. Most groomers have plenty of experience with these behaviors, but it’s important to make sure they aren’t harsh or mean with the dogs. A gentle but firm hand is absolutely necessary, as some dogs need coaxing and some need a little discipline. It’s helpful to know what kind of measures your groomer may use when confronted with an unruly or frightened animal. Cats, Komperda says, are particularly thin skinned, requiring extreme care and gentle techniques. For most animals she adheres to the safety of the looped leash on the table, but for cats and puppies she thinks it’s important to try grooming them on her lap instead of the table. As most pets are members of the family or their owner’s best friend, it’s important to feel confident about the dog’s safety and well-being when it is dropped off at the groomers. A clean facility, friendly groomer and good communication between you and the groomer ensures your pet will come home from its experience both looking and feeling its best.

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Puppy Training Teaching dogs ensures them a happy life By Nathalie Winch There are many benefits to training a dog while it is still a puppy. One of the most important reasons being that dogs will less likely be relinquished from their homes if they are well trained. Statistics show most dogs are relinquished for behavioral problems when they are between 6 and 12 months old, according to dog trainers John Hendershot and his wife, Diann Yandrich, of Two Bears Dog Training in Erie. If these dogs had been trained when they were young, they might have never developed unwanted behaviors and therefore still be in loving homes. Also, it is much easier for a dog to adopt positive behaviors when it is still young. And although it is possible to train mature dogs, it is more difficult. Hendershot and Yandrich always try to convey to their clients the importance of training dogs while they are puppies. Hendershot has been in the business of training dogs since 1997, and Yandrich has trained 36

John Hendershot, co-owner of Two Bears Dog Training, works with Sierra, a 6-month-old German Shorthair Pointer, owned by Aimee Schlander.

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and worked with dogs and other animals since childhood. Hendershot considers training to be one of the greatest gifts dog owners can give to their puppies because if a person trains a puppy, it will grow into a well-mannered dog that will be welcome in their home throughout their whole lives. “Without the gift of training it’s like throwing a baby into a situation and asking them to understand the rules. They will get fearful, panicky or become aggressive,” Hendershot says. The most common behavioral problems puppies will have are mouthing, chewing and housebreaking. But these are easily solved with basic training techniques. And although some owners might experience some difficulties with overly demanding puppies, shy puppies are usually the kind of dog that develop behavioral problems later on in their lives. “A trainer can recognize personality traits in puppies and know what traits can develop into behavioral problems down the road,” Hendershot says. Hendershot and Yandrich follow the theo-

ry that all behavioral problems in dogs can be traced back to a conflict over resources between the dog and its owner. Trainers often separate resources into five basic categories, which include (1) socialization with humans or other dogs, (2) food, (3) play time, (4) territory and (5) reproduction. Training is simply ensuring a dog checks in with its owner before being allowed to gain access to a resource, according to Hendershot. When an owner is nagging, or if a dog is consistently being scolded without consequence, a conflict develops. Most importantly, if a dog is not trained, it will interpret its owner as a barrier to resources rather than a pathway toward those resources. Training puppies, or controlling access to resources while dogs are still puppies, will develop what Hendershot calls a “check-in behavior” in dogs. This is the basis of what Two Bears Dog Training teaches dogs to develop well-mannered behaviors. They teach owners that if resources are controlled in a nurturing environment then dogs will continue to look to their owners before trying to access resources.

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Originally a dairy farm, our little farm was purchased in 1976 for pasture and hay for a family business. In 1998, Randy and Debbie had the vision to create Green Tree Equine Facility, to provide a comfortable, casual, affordable boarding facility where horses have plenty of space to move around and their owners could come and congregate, all in the spirit of the horse. 4508 Oxford Road, Longmont, CO, 80503 • (303) 447-2754 www.greentree-equinefacility.com

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Basic training essential for rider, horse By Summer Stair Basic training for a horse is one of the most important things an owner can do for themselves and their animal. “Training is beneficial for both horse and rider,” says Michelle Vergez, trainer and manager of Silverstone Stables in Longmont. “It is about safety overall. The more your horse knows, the safer they are.” Untrained horses can resort to natural instincts and portray wild animal behavior becoming potentially dangerous given their size. Vergez says every horse requires a foundation in training whether they are ridden or simply handled. While horses are often bred for specific disciplines or purposes, Vergez says not every horse follows what they have been predestined for. “The key factor is the heart of the horse and whether they want to do it or not,” she says. “If a horse is bred for it and likes it, they will be great at it.” PET CARE

Depending on the breed, horses can begin training any where between 3 to 5 years of age. Vergez says owners should seek out help whether they are working toward a specific discipline, such as hunter or jumper, or basic riding lessons. When a horse and rider begin training, Vergez says it is often in dressage, which teaches a horse to be supple, balanced and responsive. It will also increase the horse’s flexibility, responsiveness to aids and balance, which makes the horse stronger and easier to ride. Jumpers, hunters, trail horses, pleasure horses and English and Western show horses can all benefit from dressage training. It will ensure the horse is athletic and obedient, and will help the owner become a better rider. “Every horse should be started with a basic foundation in dressage,” Vergez says. “It basically is the ultimate communication with a horse and gives you (the rider) total control.” 39

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Specialty veterinarians lend expertise in more advanced medical cases By Kristi Ritter Just like humans who require specialists to care for them, sick or injured pets sometimes need the care of a veterinary medical specialist. But many people don’t know there are specialists out there to help animals with the intricate problems that may occur. “Specialty vets are an important part of the circle for overall pet care,” says Karen McCormick, DVM, CVA and owner of the Alpine Hospital for Animals in Boulder. McCormick says general veterinary practices are the lifeblood for specialty practices, which often refer patients to them when there are issues that only a specialty vet can treat. “It’s more beneficial for the client and the pet to go to a certified surgeon or specialty vet if that’s the care that is needed.” Specialty veterinarians attend an additional four years of training after veterinary school. While there is some clinical training involved, there is a great deal of academic training that specialty vets go through, including research and publications. Leonard Jonas, DVM, MS, DACVIM, is an internal medicine specialist with the Wheatridge Animal Hospital, which also operates a Boulder satellite office on Thursdays. “The training we do to become a specialty vet is similar to physicians and their extra training,” he says. “It’s very broad in what we need to do to get a specialty degree. Ultimately, it takes veterinary medicine to the next level.” Specialty veterinarians can hone in on several unique areas of medicine, including surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology, dentistry, critical care and oncology. These specialties can be for small animals, such as dogs and cats, or large animals such as PET CARE

horses. McCormick says clients will quite often turn to them for recommendations for a specialty veterinarian, and they can sometimes even give them more than one choice on where they would like to take their animal. Overall, she advises clients to first talk to their primary vet to make sure they are going to a place that can take care of their animal’s needs. “Making a decision of where to go is hard because you don’t really know what your animal needs,” she says. “That’s where your primary veterinarian can help you with that decision.” Jonas says they get a mix of referrals with some coming from primary vets and others from the owners seeking their services. But no matter where the patient comes from, it’s their job to provide seamless care for the animal and determine the exact problem based on the extra training they receive. Specialty veterinarians will also keep the patient’s primary veterinarian in the loop on the treatment. “It’s our job to handle the more complicated and difficult procedures and diagnostics that most general vets are not equipped to handle,” Jonas says. 41

Understand your pet’s cues for pain By Nathalie Winch Not all of us are animal whisperers like Nancy Bruington of Longmont. If she wants to know if an animal is in pain, she talks to pets to find out what is on their minds. Bruington visits pets in their homes, at shows, events, special interest meetings, veterinarian offices and over the telephone. Bruington notes a study conducted by Colorado State University: When injured animals were videotaped alone they would be in lowered postures, or giving cues of pain or discomfort, but when their owners entered the room they would rally, stand up and look attentive. It was theorized that animals will sometimes hide their pain because it is in their instinct to want to nurture their owners and reciprocate the love they receive from their owners. But, when armed with knowledge, pet owners might be able to distinguish from certain visual and behavioral cues if their pet is happy or showing signs of pain. Dr. Lee Woods of Broadway Animal Hospital in Boulder describes the following as classic symptoms that a pet is suffering some form of discomfort. Lethargy Pets who are unusually lethargic, disinter-

ested or display unusual reticence are typical signs of discomfort. If in pain, a pet will tend not to focus on its owner or won’t turn its head or pay attention to regular activity or noise. Panting and Whimpering Dogs or cats that are panting for no apparent reason, or who pant if they aren’t hot or haven’t been exercising, are usually in physical discomfort. Whimpering is another sign that a pet needs to be taken to a veterinarian. Seclusion Cats in particular will go into hiding from their owners when they are feeling ill. Both cats and dogs will also be less inclined to greet their owners. They also might avoid contact with family members if they are experiencing health issues. Appetite Loss of appetite in a pet can point to many different issues, but this is a clue that your pet could be ill. Poses Cats can assume a sphinx-like pose when they are sick. And, when symptoms are severe enough, cats and dogs will lie down, stretched out and avoid moving, even when called, if they are in great pain. This is a basic guide. If you have any questions, check with a veterinarian or knowledgeable expert for more information.

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Spayed, neutered pets have less behavior issues By Summer Stair Having your pets spayed or neutered may be one of the best things you can do for them. According to Dr. Phyllis Holst, DVM, of the Animal Medical Clinic in Longmont, surgically altered pets are often happier and better behaved pets because they will not be driven by mating instincts that could lead to undesirable behaviors for pets and owners leading to undue stress at home. While certain breeds of animals should reproduce, it takes a caring and loving family who will care for the animal during its pregnancy, care for the newborns and locate good homes for the offspring. But according to the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance, this often is not the case. The Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund in Denver reports that each year 165,000 cats and dogs enter Colorado shelters and in 2008, more than 38,000 of these animals were euthanized making the need for spaying and neutering more important. Aside from having a well-behaved pet, other benefits of spaying and neutering your pets include protecting them from potential health problems in the future. Holst says ani-

mals who do not get surgically altered have a higher chance of experiencing problems with their reproductive organs. In a male this includes the prostate, while females could encounter problems with their ovaries and uterus. Pet owners can rest assured that the surgery is minor and is considered an outpatient procedure. Holst says the pet may feel minor discomfort for one to three days, but the recovery time is amazingly fast. Despite popular belief, male and female animals can be surgically altered at any point in their lives. Holst says all pets should see a veterinarian prior to any surgery to make sure they are up-to-date on shots and have no underlying health issues. If pet owners are planning on getting their pets spayed or neutered it is often advised to do it before they reach sexual maturity (around 7 months), so unwanted behaviors are not experienced, Holst says, although the surgery can be done at any age. While it has often been thought that pets gain weight after being surgically altered, this is not true. The Metro Denver Shelter Alliance’s Web site states as long as a healthy diet and exercise regime is followed a pet should stay at a healthy weight regardless of being spayed or neutered. Once pets are surgically altered, they will be ready to be a good member of the family. “Having your pet spayed or neutered is a part of responsible pet ownership,” Holst says. “People should be responsible for their pets.” PET CARE

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By Kristi Ritter Annual blood testing for your dog and cat is an important part of diagnosing disease or detecting early signs of problems. Because animals are good at hiding their problems when something is wrong, these tests are vital to the overall health of animals. Dr. Rebecca Ruch-Gallie, an assistant professor at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, says by the time an animal is looking sick, it may be too late to do much for them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sooner we can pick up on something, the sooner we can treat or change something to keep them healthier for longer.â&#x20AC;? Identifying a problem early on may often lessen the cost of treatment. There are numerous types of blood testing for animals, including a complete blood count that takes a look at the numbers and types of cells in the body to make sure they stay consistent. Ruch-Gallie says they also quite often do a biochemical or diagnostic profile which looks at the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s metabolism to make sure the main organs in the body, such as the kidneys and liver, are functioning properly. Other blood testing that can be done include thyroid levels, heartworm tests and feline leukemia for cats. These annual tests are conducted by general veterinarians through a simple blood draw. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We encourage people to start this process early,â&#x20AC;? Ruch-Gallie says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While we have a normal range of values for most animals, there are some that fall below or above this range and that may be normal for them. The testing allows us to then look for trends of changes in their levels.â&#x20AC;? Ruch-Gallie says some of the most common things they discover in annual testing is changes in an animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kidney function, which could lead to chronic kidney disease, as well as diabetes and chronic liver changes. Overall, an early detection of any type of problem will help aid in the management of the disease or illness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to the quality and quantity of animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives,â&#x20AC;? she says. PET CARE

Dr. David McCluggage administers acupuncture to Romeo, an 8.5-year-old German Shepard belonging to Linda Lawler. (Paul Litman)

Alternative treatment can help many animal ailments By Nathalie Winch Acupuncture, the insertion of needles into anatomical points to heal, has been used in Chinese veterinary practices for more than 3,000 years. In the United States, acupuncture has been accepted within veterinary medicine for many decades, and in increasing numbers since the establishment of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in the 1970s. Veterinarians have been combining acupuncture with Western medicine for a variety of health conditions in almost every species of companion animal. Solid needles, hypodermic needles, bleeding needles, electricity, heat, massage and low power lasers are used to stimulate acupuncture points to treat maladies, according to the International PET CARE

Veterinary Acupuncture Society. Acupuncture, according to Dr. David McCluggage of Chaparral Animal Health Center in Longmont, has helped to heal many different kinds of ailments in animals, including allergies, skin conditions, back problems, diarrhea and cancer. McCluggage, who has been a veterinarian for 18 years, specializes in holistic and complementary medicine. He has studied acupuncture in combination with traditional Western medicine for more than a decade. He says a common misconception among pet owners is that Western medicine is in competition with alternative treatments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reality is that all are beneficial. They should be used together to heal,â&#x20AC;? he says. Although no scientist has been able to 47

prove exactly how acupuncture works, research suggests it can be tremendously effective. And although not a cure-all, McCluggage has witnessed acupuncture perform wonders for many animals. The first acupuncture case McCluggage ever treated was on a dachshund who had been suffering from partial paralysis and debilitating pain for the past eight months. After he treated the dog with acupuncture, it was able to leap up and run to its owner – free from any sign of pain or paralysis. A basic understanding of acupuncture can be explained as needles placed where there is a high concentration of lymphatic, nerve and blood activity. The needles help to redirect the body’s energy, or the body’s “chi” according to ancient Chinese, which puts the body back into balance. In Western terms, it has been proven to stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm and cause the release of chemicals, such as endorphins and cortisol, according to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but do

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Dr. David McCluggage administers an acupuncture treatment to Romeo, an 8.5-yearold German Shepard belonging to Linda Lawler. The treatment is for hip and back issues. (Paul Litman)

exist. Sometimes health conditions can be worse for up to 48 hours after acupuncture treatment. Some animals become sleepy or lethargic for a day after treatment. But these effects mean that the treatment is working and are most often followed by significant improvement, according to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. When choosing acupuncturists make sure they are certified veterinarians and have formal training in the practice of acupuncture.

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Obi-Wan relaxes while receiving a massage from Equine Massage Therapist Tara Flanagan. (Summer Stair)

Massage beneficial for animals By Summer Stair Animals feel stress and tension much like humans do, and it often comes from being sick, physical activity or daily demands placed on them. A massage can help animals relax, reduce stress and anxiety, increase alertness and responsiveness, and promote general wellness. Equine Massage While all horses benefit from a massage, those who wear a saddle on a regular basis or who perform strenuous activity may see the most benefit. “It’s like wearing a 50-pound backpack, and while wearing it doing physical maneuvers,” says Tara Flanagan, equine massage therapist and owner of Body English for Horses, of a horse wearing a saddle and rider. Horses who are stabled, geriatric, active, retired or depressed also see the benefits of massage and human touch. Rehab can also be a big part of equine massage. “It makes stiff bodies feel better and lets the horses know someone cares about them,” Flanagan says. Horse owners can also see benefits, whether they are doing the massage or hiring someone to do it, because they can PET CARE

spot problems early on before they develop into something more serious. The emotional part of massage and touch is also a big part of equine massage. Flanagan adds that horses are sensitive animals, so are aware of moods and what is going on around causing them to take on unheeded stress. “Massaging your horse is a way of communicating with the animal,” she says. Retired horses, those who have an illness or who have experienced big changes, will also benefit from massage because it is a way for the owners to let them know they are still cared for and loved even though they may not be ridden as often, Flanagan says. “It is beneficial for every horse and it makes the owners feel good,” Flanagan says. “It is the quietest time to be with your horse.” Canine Massage Deb D’Andrea, a canine massage therapist and owner of 4TheLuvOfDogz, says it is important to know your dog and its body because by nature dogs will often compensate for minimal problems rather than showing their owners they hurt. Because of this, 49

D’Andrea recommends dogs start massage at an early age so if a problem arises it can be caught early on and prevented before other areas become affected. Dogs can find pain relief through massage when health problems arise, such as with cancer, arthritis or dysplasia of the hip. It can also help relax muscles and increase the flow of oxygen through the blood. Benefits can be found in post-surgery healing especially in the lymph and immune systems, as well as pre-surgery massage for its calming effects. So how do you know if your dog needs a massage? “Watch your animal, they’ll tell you,” D’Andrea says. “There are subtle cues.” Pet owners should always look for limping, whining, changes in temperament and decreased physical activity as signs that your pet may need a massage or a visit to the veterinarian. As far as preparing your pet before and after a massage, don’t worry about it. “Dogs will take care of themselves naturally,” D’Andrea says. With each individual dog, much like humans, they may not care for a particular

Canine Massage Therapist Deb D’Andrea gives her patient, Oli, a massage. (Courtesy Deb D’Andrea)

massage technique or style, but they can always let their massage therapist know. Afterwards, dogs naturally drink plenty of fluids in their post-massage recovery.

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Pet insurance may help financially By Kristi Ritter The costs associated with caring for a pet can put a dent in a wallet. According to a study done in 2007 by the American Veterinary Medical Association, an average household spends $356 a year on veterinary costs for their dogs and $190 annually for cats. Routine wellness exams are vital to our pet’s health, but when sudden illnesses and accidents occur, the costs associated with it may be too significant for an owner to pay. This is where pet insurance can be a lifesaver. Tammy Wilson, DVM, at Nelson Road Veterinary Clinic in Longmont, says the main reason people should have pet insurance is because problems in animals can show up suddenly, resulting in a trip to a clinic that owners may not be financially prepared for. “So many conditions show up suddenly, so you may not recognize the problem until you need emergency care,” she says. “Having pet insurance as a backup gives you a financial comfort that you don’t have to make a decision based solely on money alone.” Most people are surprised about pet insurance options and the fact that they are available for animals. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association estimates about 1 million pets are now insured in North America. Here are some answers to popular questions regarding pet insurance. Where should you buy pet insurance? The best option for selecting a pet insurance company is to ask your veterinarian. Wilson says their office recommends the ASPCA, VPI and Purina insurance plans. However, these are mainly for small animals, so if people are considering insurance for large breed animals such as horses, one she recommends and uses personally is Markel. What does pet insurance cover? While the coverage amounts and plan types vary with each insurance company, most have several levels to choose from depending on the owner’s particular needs. PET CARE

Wilson says pet insurance is usually used in two cases: emergency situations or illness, or an accident, such as the pet swallowing a foreign object or getting hit by a car. Lisa Hockensmith, communications manager for Petsmarketing Insurance.com Agency, a subsidiary of the Hartville Group, says there are a variety of plans that customers can choose from based on their coverage and budget needs. She represents pet insurance offered by the ASPCA. “We start with an accident-only plan, followed by an accident plus illness plan and two levels that offer wellness care,” she says. How does pet insurance work? Pet insurance is easy for customers to use, as most are done on a reimbursement process. People can see a veterinarian of their choice and pay for the charges up front. Then, most insurance plans require a form to be filed with the claim to receive a certain percentage of the expenses reimbursed. Hockensmith says the ASPCA plans reimburse 80 percent of allowable charges. How much does pet insurance cost? Individual rates can vary, but they are a lot more cost effective than you may think. Wilson says on the low end, some cats can run as little as $5 a month for emergency care only, all the way up to $40 a month for a full package on an animal that may include annual care, emergencies and routine care. With the four plans available through the ASPCA, level 1 starts at $8.50 a month for cats and $11 for dogs. On the level 4 plan, cats are $58.50 a month and dogs are $68. 51

Courtesy Aspen Meadow Veterinary Speciliasts/Jon Orlando

Emergency veterinarians provide after hours treatment By Kristi Ritter Most pet owners will deal with some type of animal emergency in their lifetime, such as a broken limb or the ingestion of a foreign object. Obviously, we can’t make our animals have these emergencies during regular business hours, as mishaps can occur in the middle of the night. If you’re concerned about your pet, you should never hesitate to call your veterinarian. And if it happens to be late at night, local emergency veterinarians are there to help. Laura Higgins, DVM, with Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists in Longmont, says the primary advantage of an emergency vet is to be available in the off hours. Aspen Meadow is a 24-hour veterinary facility that provides specialty services and emergency care. “We’re here to treat and address anything the owner is concerned about,” Higgins says. 52

“And while not all cases may be life threatening, some owners may just need to have the reassurance from a vet that it’s OK.” But knowing when you should take your animal to an emergency veterinarian can be difficult. “Any time your pet is in pain and you can’t get in touch with your regular vet, that’s when you should come to us. Your pet shouldn’t have to wait,” she says. Trauma injuries are often in need of emergency care, whether it’s a laceration, dog fight, being hit by a car, ingesting objects or medications, or even eating rocks, which isn’t uncommon for our furry friends to indulge in, especially if it’s a puppy. But if an animal is vomiting, has diarrhea or even has difficulty breathing, it’s time to get them to an emergency veterinarian. Even if you’re not sure, Higgins says to call the emergency clinic and ask to speak to a nurse. “We likely can’t help them resolve a PET CARE

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What defines an emergency? The following symptoms, courtesy Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists in Longmont, are definite emergencies and require immediate medical attention. • Difficulty breathing, blue tongue or raspy breath sounds. • Swollen or distended abdomen, with or without productive vomiting. • Inability to urinate or defecate, especially if straining. (Cats may repeatedly go to the litter box, lick at the genital area and/or vocalize). • Ingestion of toxin, including but not limited to: chocolate, rodenticides (D-con), prescription, over the counter or illegal drugs, xylitol (artificial sweetner), nicotine and household cleaners. It’s important to bring the container with you. • Traumas such as being hit by a car, falling from a height or experiencing a blunt force, even if the animal is not showing any ill effects. • Collapse/inability to stand or walk. • Loss of balance or consciousness, convulsions or seizure activity. • Penetrating wound, such as bite wounds, gunshot or stab wounds. • Bleeding that does not stop within 5 minutes (Apply pressure using a clean cloth while on your way.) • Vomiting or diarrhea with blood. • Heatstroke: heavy panting, weakness, temperature greater than 104 degrees. When faced with a veterinary emergency, call ahead to the office with the animal’s breed (or approximate size), age, present symptoms and any other health problems. While on the phone, confirm the exact location of the clinic.

problem over the phone, but at least they’re getting a trusted recommendation,” she says. While it’s difficult to know exactly what’s going on with the patient without seeing him, the nurse may be able to offer advice. Most of the time though, if an owner is worried enough to call, the animal should be seen by a veterinarian. Emergency veterinarians not only treat your pet for the care needed, they also communicate with your primary veterinarian about the care required. Higgins says if it’s an outpatient care case, they usually follow up with a letter to the primary veterinarian letting him know what occurred. However, if the patient needs to stay the night, they call the primary veterinarian in the morning making them aware of what’s going on. Together, the two offices and the owner will best decide the method of continued care. Many emergency veterinarians such as Aspen Meadow also act as overnight care for animals that might need constant monitoring but the primary veterinarian doesn’t provide late hours.

Courtesy Aspen Meadow Veterinary Speciliasts/Jon Orlando 54

In any case, deciding if your animal needs emergency care can be difficult. To be safe, ask your primary veterinarian for a local emergency office’s phone number so you have it handy just in case. And when an emergency arises, it’s best to call a local emergency office in your area and consult with them on the best action to take. PET CARE

Coping with emotions after losing a pet By Nathalie Winch The loss of a pet can stir up overwhelming emotions and a string of questions for many pet owners. Although some people might consider intense grief over the loss of a pet to be abnormal, nothing could be further from the truth. Sometimes, it can actually be harder for a person to deal with the loss of a pet. Owner of Gentle Psychotherapy with offices in Boulder and Denver, Anne Catarello, MA, LPC, is a counselor who specializes in pet loss and bereavement. One of the most important messages she tells her clients is that it is both normal and natural to feel a variety of emotions after the loss of a pet. “Grief is a normal and natural process that allows your body to heal, and giving yourself permission to heal is important,” she says. Every human to animal relationship is unique. But there are some standard emotions people can expect to feel after a pet passes away, such as guilt, denial, anger and blame. But these types of emotions are often suppressing deeper feelings of intense helplessness, sadness or grief. Being honest with one’s feelings is an important step in the healing process. In order to accept grief and allow themselves to heal, people can rely on a variety of support systems, according to Catarello. She suggests a person become educated about the grieving process and rely on support systems from fellow humans and perhaps other pets. “It’s important to grieve within the context of support,” Catarello says. “You shouldn’t isolate yourself from other people. If grief is supported, then a person can recover.” People can also seek help from an expert, or a bereavement counselor such as CatarelPET CARE

Psychotherapist and owner of Gentle Psychotherapy Anne Catarello helps her clients deal with the loss of a pet by educating them about the different stages of grief, and then empowering them with tools to help them overcome the grief. (Paul Litman)

lo. She validates people’s emotions and helps them to grieve by providing them information about the many stages of grief and then gives them the tools to overcome it. If someone is going through a bereavement stage, Catarello suggests they should not make any major decisions, such as deciding whether to get a new pet. People should be patient with themselves and wait until they have healed from their initial loss. If people are faced with having to euthanize, Catarello suggests seeking “anticipatory bereavement counseling” or talking to a counselor before they have to say goodbye. Although nothing can make the decision to euthanize painless, if people can prepare themselves for the loss ahead of time, it can cause significantly less shock or grief. “It can be good to talk to your pet to get your system used to the idea of their death. Have conversations with your pet, with your veterinarian and with your family in order to prepare yourself for the loss,” Catarello says. Most importantly, a person needs to give themselves permission to grieve in order to heal. While there is no timeline to loss, Catarello says the grieving process is normal and often necessary in order to overcome a tragedy such as the loss of a beloved pet. 55

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Phyllis Holst, DVM Animal Medical Clinic 133 S. Main St. Longmont, CO 80501 303-772-3090

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Specialization: Dogs and cats. Breeding and pediatrics. Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University, Master of Science in Canine Reproduction from Colorado State University; Bachelor of Science in Botany and French from Iowa State University Memberships: American Veterinary Medical Association, American Shetland Sheepdog Association

Dr. Phyllis Holst began her career in veterinary medicine after working in a veterinary research lab at Colorado State University, and a successful career as a breeder of Shelties. She has shared her special training and love for purebred dogs as author of “Canine Reproduction, The Breeder’s Guide.” She has an equal love for caring for all kinds of family pets and their many needs. She lives with two Shelties, a cat and tropical fish. Her hobbies include gardening, taking care of her underwater aquarium, greenhouse and flowers, hiking on a weekly basis in the mountains and singing in the choir. She has been a family veterinarian for pets in Longmont since 1979.

Doggie Daycare and Boarding Facility

Sandy Labourdette, owner DIA Dog Club LLC 22351 E. Bayaud Ave. Aurora, CO 80018 303-344-3647 (303-DIG-DOGS) www.diadogclub.com Biography: Established in September 2006, the DIA Dog Club provides quality doggie daycare services. Products/Services: Doggie daycare and boarding facility, grooming, training, airport shuttle, 24-hour pick-up service, all-inclusive pricing. Specialization: DIA Dog Club offers special care for all pets, but especially senior pets. They also accept pets with social issues. Because of the exceptional set-up of the kennel, they are able to make sure that they get plenty of outdoor time and love though they are lacking certain social skills. Memberships: Colorado Association of Doggie Daycares DIA Dog Club is located on a 6 acre park-like setting just 10 minutes south of DIA on E-470. Each pet receives a private kennel with indoor/outdoor access, and are able to run about the 3-acre play areas jumping over obstacle courses, crawling through tunnels, leaping on top of platforms and keeping themselves cool in the swimming pools. The pets receive two play sessions a day equivalent to about seven hours of playtime. DIA Dog Club prides itself in 24-hour pickup service, and is flexible on hours for easy drop-off to help save you money. Its shuttle service is a private shuttle directly from the kennel to your airline’s front door and back again. DIA Dog Club is your pet’s vacation home away from home until their family returns to find them healthy, well exercised and happy…with big smiles on their faces. PET CARE

PROFILES

Animal Communication

Nancy Bruington

13941 Elmore Road Longmont, CO 80504 303-776-2070 www.corhs.org info@corhs.org

Animal Whispering 303-682-0500 Longmont, CO www.animalwhispering.com 1doctorb@comcast.net

Business Information: Animal communicator doing onsite consulting, home visits and telephone communication. Products/Services: Communicating with animals to improve relationships with pets and their owners, trainers and handlers. Specialization: Issues of behavior, health concerns and general relationships from a dog, cat, horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s information Biography: Former chiropractor and teacher, married adult children, experiencing a third career as an animal communicator Education: Doctor of Chiropractic, Bachelor of Science Additional Training: Interspecies communication Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, reading Number of Years in Practice: 10 years as an animal communicator, retired chiropractor

Business Information: Colorado Reptile Humane Society is the only humane society in the United States dedicated to reptiles and amphibians. Products/Services: Works to improve the lives of reptiles and amphibians in captivity and in the wild through education and action. Accomplishing that mission by providing shelter and proper husbandry while securing loving permanent homes for the animals entrusted to our care; providing captive care education to the public; participating in conservation efforts locally and internationally; and engaging in rehabilitation and release of native species. Number of Years in Practice: Since 1999 Upcoming Event: The Reptile Experience, June 26 and 27, noon to 5 p.m. Hours: Open only by appointment

Grooming

Parkview Pet Grooming Owner Beckie Michall Dimock 101 Buchanan St. Firestone, CO 80520 303-833-5150 parkviewpet@comcast.net Specialization: Owner Beckie Michall Dimock is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer, Red Cross CPR and First Aid Pet Certified Education: Pedigree Career Institute, Tucson, Ariz. Additional Training: ADT Clean Kennel Course, American Red Cross CPR and First Aid Pet Certified , John Stazco Salon Owner Seminars, Groom West 3 day Educational Seminar 20042010 Products/Services: Puppy programs, full service grooming for all breeds dog and cats Hobbies/Interests: Riding Harley Davidsons and showing Champion Schipperkes Memberships: National Dog Groomer Association of America, International Society of Canine Cosmetologists, Colorado Professional Pet Groomers Association, Chamber of Commerce, Firestone Drug and Safety Awareness 58

Animal Shelter Colorado Reptile Humane Society

Sherry Pender Barking Bathtub 1524 Bowen St. Longmont, CO 80501 303-772-8732 siss1@localnet.com

Biography: Sherry Pender began with all breed grooming 38 years ago with a local show and boarding facility called Longmont Kennels. She was their head groomer until she began her own grooming business three years later. Pender runs an all-breed grooming shop with quick in and outs striving to give pets a styled clip that will bring out their personality caring for each pet individually. Products/Services: Natural shampoos and products, teeth brushing, conditioners, free health and grooming care tips, nail trimming, anal glands released, ears cleaned and blow drying. Education: 38 years experience, master groomer, show grooming in Scotties, Westies, Poodles, Malmutes, Schnauzers, Shitzhu and professional handling. Sweepstakes judging at AKC shows. Memberships: Rocky Mountain Boston Terrier Club and Boston Terrier Club of America PET CARE

Veterinarian

Joan Primeau, DVM

Pet Sitting

Karen Wallace Two by Two Pet Care 720-253-8582 www.twoxtwopetcare.com karen@twoxtwopetcare.com

Business Information: Two by Two Pet Care offers full service pet sitting. They strive to create a working partnership with their human and pet clients to ensure their comfort and satisfaction from beginning to end. Two by Two is fully insured and bonded. Biography: Karen Wallace has cared for animals for nearly 30 years. She has varying experience with shelters, farms, kennels and other pet sitting companies. For more information or for any questions please contact Two by Two Pet Care. Products/Services: Pet sitting is a less stressful alternative to boarding. Two by Two Pet Care offers mid-day walks while owners are at work or in-home care while on vacation.

PET CARE

Penny and Chuck Myers Family Owned and Operated

4998 WCR 34, P.O. Box 584 Mead, CO 80542

(303) 263-0287 www.pennylanepet.com “Commitment to provide compassionate care to the families we serve and the pets they love.”

PC-145626

A Pet’s Place Animal Hospital 731 N. Main St. Longmont, CO 80501 303-651-7322 apetsplacelongmont.com office@apetsplacelongmont.com Business Information: Small animal veterinary hospital Products/Services: General medicine, surgery, dentistry, specialty foods and retail items Specialization: Dogs and cats Biography: Growing up in Greenville, S.C., Joan Primeau moved to Longmont in 1990. She was a Veterinary Technician before getting into and while attending CSU. After graduating in 2000, she worked in Boulder before joining the Longmont practice, which she purchased in October 2008. Hobbies/Interests: Enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two boys, doing Bikram yoga, skiing and mountain biking. Education: Bachelor of Arts from University of George, Colorado State University, DVM Memberships: Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association

Reserve Your Space Now

in the 2011 Pet Care publication

Unique book for pet lovers with resources and stories on all areas of pet care, adoption, training and more!

Pet

Care Call Today! 303-776-2244 800-270-9774

Colorado Reptile Humane Society 13941 Elmore Road, Longmont..............303-776-2070

12680 County Road 28, Platteville..........970-785-2134 Rocky Hill Ranch Boulder and Weld counties......................303-396-9397

Humane Society of Boulder Valley 2323 55th St., Boulder.............................303-442-4030 Longmont Humane Society 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont................303-772-1232

Rocky Mountain Equestrian Center 7200 Rabbit Mountain Road, Longmont..720-629-2642 Timberline Dog Boarding Company 6368 Ephesus Road, Longmont...............303-774-2052

PET BOARDING A Lov-In Touch Pet Chalet & Spaw 7019 County Road 5, Erie.......................303-651-3999 BarCar Acres Pet Resort 1234 County Road 343/4, Berthoud.........303-678-1371 Bowhaus Dog Daycare & Boarding 415 Jones Court, Erie...............................303-828-4989 Camp Bow Wow Dog Daycare & Boarding 3631 Pearl St., Boulder.............................303-442-2261 Canine Campovers LLC Longmont, Boulder, Frederick, Lyons.......303-998-1111 Carbon Valley Animal Hospital & Kennel 101 W. Grant Ave., Firestone..................303-833-2244 Cloud 9 Canine Dog Daycare 9247 N. 63rd St., Longmont...................303-709-4617 Cottonwood Kennels Play & Stay For Pets 7275 Valmont Road, Boulder...................303-442-2602 Dapper Dog Day Spa 7960 Niwot Road Suite B12, Niwot.......303-652-9191 DIA Dog Club LLC 22351 E. Bayaud Ave., Aurora................303-344-3647 Divine Canine LLC 1141 South St., Louisville.........................303-464-1380 Dog City Inc. 2907 55th St., Boulder.............................303-473-9963 The Dog Spot 5155 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................720-565-3647 Fetch! Pet Care Boulder......................................................303-450-5143 Flying Piglet Ranch 677 County Road 18, Longmont.............303-485-6041 Green Tree Equine Facility 4508 Oxford Road, Longmont................303-447-2754 Gunbarrel Veterinary Clinic 4636 N. 55th St., Boulder........................303-530-2500 Happy Hounds LLC 1822 Sunset Place Suite 2, Longmont.....303-774-8158 Happy Tails Dog Ranch 18490 County Road 1, Berthoud............970-532-4040 Longmont Small Animal Hospital 20 Third Ave., Longmont.........................303-651-3039 Longâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peak Animal Hospital 9727 Colo. Highway 66, Longmont........303-776-6666 Mountain Vista Dog Daycare & Boarding 60

Whispering Pines Pet Resort 14360 N. 83rd St., Longmont.................303-776-3907 WindStar Kennels 14077 County Road 5, Longmont...........303-485-2176

PET BREEDERS

ACC Ranch & Kennels Peyton, CO 80831

303-648-3553

www.AllergyFreePuppies.com

Kittredge German Shepherds P.O. Box 1044 Kittredge, CO 80457 Darlis Lopez

PC-145747

PET ADOPTION

303 674-6736 PET CEMETERIES & EUTHANASIA PennyLane Pet Cremation Services Inc. Mead.........................................................970-535-4091 Precious Memories Pet Cemetery & Crematory 5815 E. Highway 14, Fort Collins............970-482-7557

PET GROOMERS Ask For Mary Louise Pet Sitter & Groomer Boulder County........................................303-845-2837 Barcar Acres Pet Resort 1234 County Road 343/4, Berthoud.........303-678-1371 Bark Me Beautiful 1144 Francis St., Longmont......................303-776-0332 The Barking Bathtub 1524 Bowen St., Longmont.....................303-772-8732 Boulder Pet Grooming 1805 Walnut St., Boulder.........................303-442-6888 Cruisin Clips Boulder County........................................303-913-4569 Dapper Dog Day Spa 7960 Niwot Road, Niwot........................303-652-9191 Doggie Depot-North Boulder Inc. 4525 Broadway, Boulder..........................303-443-7297 The Dog Spot 5155 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................720-565-3647 Gone to the Dogs Pet Grooming 9356 Rogers Road, Longmont.................303-776-6677 PET CARE

Groom Clip A Groom Boulder County........................................720-218-1968 Gunbarrel Grooming 4636 N. 55th St., Boulder........................303-530-0134 Happy Hounds LLC 1822 Sunset Place Suite 2, Longmont.....303-774-8158 The Hydrant Pet Grooming 2900 Valmont Road Suite E2, Boulder.....303-442-7550 Laund-Ur-Mutt 637 S. Broadway, Boulder........................303-543-9592 A Little Shop of Groomers 1134 Kimbark St. Suite C, Longmont......303-651-2371 Love Your Cat 4443 Driftwood Place, Boulder................303-581-9536 Pampered Pooch Grooming 2750 Glenwood Dr. Suite 6, Boulder......303-444-0508 Parkview Pet Grooming 101 Buchanan Ave., Firestone,.................303-833-5150 Paw Spa 700 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont................303-772-4522 Paws & Claws Pet Grooming 1023 Main St., Longmont........................303-678-8200 Pawsitively Pampered Pet Groom 222 Fifth St., Frederick..............................303-833-9933 Paws 2 Groom 800 S. Hover St., Longmont....................303-776-4503 Peak to Peak Grooming 4949 Broadway St., Boulder....................303-442-0269 Petco 205 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont................720-652-4642 PetSmart Grooming 1125 Hover St., Longmont......................303-702-9526 Struttin’ Pup 2850 Arapahoe Suite 110, Lafayette........303-665-3038 Tidy Paws 720 Austin Ave. Suite 105, Erie................303-828-4241 Timberline Dog Grooming 6368 Ephesus Road, Longmont...............303-774-2052 Topknot & Tails 9188 Jotipa Drive, Longmont...................303-651-3585 Unleashed Dog Center 459 S. McCaslin Blvd., Louisville..............303-554-9343 Valley Veterinary Hospital Grooming 1191 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont..............303-776-0234 Wagg-In Wheels Mobile Dog Grooming 4456 Galley Court, Boulder.....................303-443-6828 Wags & Wiggles Grooming Salon 2153 Cypress St., Longmont...................303-651-1475 Whispering Pines Pet Resort 14360 N. 83rd St., Longmont.................303-776-3907 WindStar Kennels 14077 County Road 5, Longmont..........303-485-2176 PET CARE

PET SHOPS & SUPPLIES Aqua Imports 2690 28th St., Boulder.............................303-444-6971 Blue Hills Dog & Cat Shoppe 2255 Main St., Longmont........................303-651-2955 Colorado Animal Health 3530 Stagecoach Road, Longmont..........303-772-2636 The Dog Spot 5155 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................720-565-3647 Farfel’s Farm 906 Pearl St., Boulder...............................303-443-7711 1225 Ken Pratt Blvd #108, Longmont

Four Paws & Co 303.485.1565 • www.fourpawsandco.com Hygiene Feed & Supply 7455 Hygiene Road, Hygiene..................303-776-4757 Left Paw Pantry 7740 Manila Place, Longmont..................303-652-6060 Lots of Luvn Pet Care & Happy Healthy Pets Biz 342 Seward Ave., Lyons..........................303-823-6199 Madison’s Munchies Longmont.................................................303-655-1354 McGuckin Hardware 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................303-443-1822 Murdoch’s Ranch & Homes Supply 2255 Main St., Longmont........................303-682-5111 Nature’s Select Super Premium Pet Foods of Northern Colorado 1325 S. Terry St., Longmont....................303-684-9703 Niwot Rental & Feed 291 Second Ave., Niwot.........................303-652-2900 Only Natural Pet Store 2100 28th St. Suite 1C, Boulder..............303-449-5069 PCs Pantry for Dogs & Cats Inc. 2600 30th St., Boulder.............................303-245-9909 Petco Animal Supplies 2480 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................303-544-1888 205 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont................720-652-4642 PetSmart 1850 30th St., Boulder.............................303-939-9033 1125 S. Hover St., Longmont..................303-702-9526 Prepared Pet Boulder County........................................303-776-1294 Simply Bulk 418 Main St., Longmont...........................303-678-7037 Struttin’ Pup 2850 Arapahoe Suite 110, Lafayette........303-665-3038 Tidy Paws 720 Austin Ave. Suite 105, Erie................303-828-4241 61

Think it doesn’t work? Then you don’t know Jack. Proven Indoor & Outdoor Solutions from Invisible Fence® Brand. Still think there’s no way to contain all the exuberance, enthusiasm – and exploring – your pet displays every day? Even for a Jack Russell? Not to mention making sure he’s safe, secure and comfortable indoors and out. Then you don’t know Invisible Fence® Brand electronic pet solutions. For more than 35 years we’ve been providing pet owners with trusted technology, proven training methods – and total peace of mind. We offer a unique combination of safety, quality and value. Our outdoor solutions fit any home or terrain and are customized to your pet. Our In-Home® solutions quickly teach your dog new safe areas. And our Perfect StartTM Pet Training method makes it easy to teach puppies as young as eight weeks how the Invisible Fence® Brand safety solutions work. At a tenth of the cost of a regular fence, Invisible Fence® Brand gives you the strongest product warranty in the industry and a 99.5% time-tested success rate.

Call us at (800) 578-DOGS (3647) or log on to www.invisiblefence.com to find a dealer near you. 800 Series Collar & Transmitter

Northern Colorado Authorized Dealers Larimer-Weld Boulder Counties

Shields™ In-Home Solution

970-223-8354 303-499-0220

™

www.invisiblefence.com

PET SPAS, MASSAGE, SERVICES, ETC. Animal Whispering 2226 Mariner Drive, Longmont...............303-682-0500 Aqua Imports 2690 28th St., Boulder.............................303-444-6971 Bark Avenue 101 East Chester St., Lafayette................303-664-9663 Body English for Horses Front Range..............................................970-390-2157 Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning 104 Main St., Longmont..........................303-762-7946 Cate Secor, Animal Reiki Practicioner Longmont.................................................303-651-6937 Colorado Horse Rescue 10386 N. 65th St., Longmont.................720-494-1414 Dapper Dog Day Spa 7960 Niwot Road, Niwot.......................303-652-9191 4TheLuvOfDogz Boulder......................................................978-807-5005 Gentle Psychotherapy Pet Loss & Bereavement Counseling, MA, LPC 100 Arapahoe Ave. Suite 3, Boulder.......720-352-0930 Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center 5761 Colo. Highway 66, Longmont........303-823-8455 Holmes Cutting Horses Longmont.................................................303-956-1887 Invisible Fence Front Range..............................................970-223-8354 Knick O’ Time Horse Rescue 14509 N. 83rd St., Longmont.................303-359-2273 Left Paw Pantry Boulder County........................................303-652-6060 Lots of Luv’n Pet Care 342 Seward Ave., Lyons..........................303-823-6199 Rabbit Mountain Equestrian Center LLC 7198 Rabbit Mountain Road, Longmont..720-629-2642 Smiley’s Pet Care & Portraits Inc. Boulder......................................................303-993-6292 Spectrum Equestrian Center 8550 N. 39th St., Longmont...................720-470-3072 The Poop Connection Boulder......................................................303-652-3728 Scoopy Doo’s Longmont.................................................303-678-8860 The Dog Spot 5155 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................720-565-3647 Ultra Dental Pet Care Boulder.....................................................303-449-9543

PET CARE

PET SITTING & DAY CARE

Ask for Mary Louise Please Pet sitter and Certified Groomer

303-845-2837

PC-145047

Whole Pets Natural Pet Food & Supplies 2835 Pearl St., Boulder.............................303-444-4733

www.askformarylouiseplease.com

Barcar Acres Pet Resort 1234 County Road 343/4, Berthoud.........303-678-1371 Bowhaus Dog Daycare & Boarding 415 Jones Court, Erie..............................303-828-4989 Camp Bow Wow Dog Daycare & Boarding 3631 Pearl St., Boulder.............................303-442-2261 Canine Cardio Company 13 Exner Place, Longmont.......................303-834-8841 Carbon Valley Pets Pet Sitting ....................................303-916-8819 or 720-434-3710 Cloud 9 Canine Dog Daycare 9247 N. 63rd St., Longmont...................303-709-4617 Cottonwood Kennels Play & Stay For Pets 7275 Valmont Road, Boulder...................303-442-2602 Critter Sitters Extraordinaire Longmont.................................................970-532-3751 Dapper Dog Day Spa 7960 Niwot Road Suite B12, Niwot.......303-652-9191 DIA Dog Club LLC 22351 E. Bayaud Ave., Aurora................303-344-3647 Divine Canine LLC 1141 South St., Louisville.........................303-464-1380 Dog City Inc. 2907 55th St., Boulder.............................303-473-9963 Feathers to Furr Boulder and Weld counties......................303-638-7198 Fetch! Pet Care Boulder......................................................303-450-5143 Happy Hounds LLC 1822 Sunset Place Suite 2, Longmont.....303-774-8158 Happy Tails Dog Ranch 18490 County Road 1, Berthoud............970-532-4040

Happy Tails Pet Sitting and Services LLC Mead, CO

720-352-0910 Little Angels Pet Sitting Boulder County........720-882-7036 and 720-352-3419 Longmont Professional Pet Sitters 69 Spring Dale Place, Longmont..............303-774-0738 Lots of Luv’ N Pet Care LLC 342 Seward Ave., Lyons..........................303-823-6199 63

Love On A Leash Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Longmont.................................................303-651-6937 Mountain Vista Dog Daycare & Boarding 12680 County Road 28, Platteville..........970-785-2134 Mrs. Doolittle’s Doggie Daycare 1301 10th Ave., Longmont......................303-772-4142 Paw Au Pair Longmont.......................303-485-8498, 720-299-2413 Smiley’s Pet Care & Portraits Inc. Boulder......................................................303-993-6292 TLC Home & Pet Tending Service 949 Eichhorn Drive, Boulder....................303-494-4852 Two by Two Pet Care .................................................................720-253-8582 Whispering Pines Pet Resort 14360 N. 83rd, Longmont......................303-776-3907 WindStar Kennels 14077 County Road 5, Longmont..........303-485-2176

PET TRAINING Barcar Acres Pet Resort 1234 County Road 343/4, Berthoud.........303-678-1371 Bark Busters of Boulder 715 S. Longmont Ave., Lafayette.............877-500-2275 Dapper Dog Day Spa 7960 Niwot Road Suite B12, Niwot.......303-652-9191 The Divine Canine LLC 1141 South St., Louisville.........................303-464-1380 Doggie Depot-North Boulder Inc. 4525 Broadway, Boulder.........................303- 443-7297 Doggy Do-right LLC Longmont.................................................303-776-4221 Green Tree Equine Facility 4508 Oxford Road, Longmont................303-447-2754 Happy Hounds LLC 1822 Sunset Place, Longmont..................303-774-8158 Paws-itive Traits Dog Training Longmont.................................................720-427-0908 Petco Animal Supplies 2480 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................303-544-1888 205 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont................720-652-4642 PetSmart 1125 S. Hover St., Longmont..................303-702-9526 1850 30th St., Boulder.............................303-939-9033 Riverstone Agility 15975 WCR 5, Longmont.......................303-748-8647 Rabbit Mountain Equestrian Center 7200 Rabbit Mountain Rd. Longmont, CO 80503 720-629-2642

Home of Sleepy Hollow Farm Boarding and Training of Hunters and Jumpers

www.rabbitmountainequestriancenter.com

Silverstone Stables 8939 Nelson Road, Longmont................303-774-8991 Tenderfoot Training 45 Plains View Road, Boulder...................303-444-7780 Two Bears Dog Training 4731 N. 119 St., Erie...............................303-828-5196 Whispering Pines Pet Resort 14360 N. 83rd St., Longmont.................303-776-3907

VETERINARY CLINICS & HOSPITALS A Pet’s Place Animal Hospital Primeau, Joan R., DVM Riley, Scott L, DVM 731 N. Main St., Longmont.....................303-651-7322 Action Veterinary Housecall Practice Ostgaard, Wendy, DVM Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties........303-823-9989 Agape Animal Health Center Reamer, Sharon, DVM 10 Mumford Place, Longmont.................303-485-7718 Alpenglow Veterinary Specialty+Emergency Center Booth, Matt, DVM Fabrick, Corinne Deborah DVM, ACVIM Gall, Trent, MS Hall, Rebecca, DVM Heaney, Allison M., DVM, MS Rooney, Matthew B., MS, DACVS Sanderson, Karen S., DVM, DACVIM Swetz, Rachel, DVM Van De Wiele, Carrie Mae, DVM, MS, DACVIM Williams, Sean, DVM 3640 Walnut St., Boulder.........................303-443-4569 Alpine Hospital For Animals Adams, Stacey A., DVM Brockmann, Liv K., DVM Bureau, Nancy, DVM, CVA Eppinger, Catharine, T DVM, MAV, CVC McCormick, Karen A., DVM, CVA Sayles, Candace E., DVM, CVA 3210 Valmont Road, Boulder...................303-443-9661 Animal Clinic at Table Mesa Takahashi, Irene M., DVM 601 S. Broadway Suite C, Boulder...........303-499-3331 Animal Hospital Dreyer, Donald P., DVM Ferguson, Lynn D., DVM Nankervis, Renee Z., DVM Shoens, Linda M., DVM 1250 Main St., Longmont........................303-776-3454 Animal House Veterinary Clinic PC Keith, Daniel C., DVM Glenn, Janet K., DVM 889 E. South Boulder Road, Louisville.....303-666-4888 Animal Medical Clinic Holst, Phyllis, DVM 133 S. Main St., Longmont......................303-772-3090 PET CARE

Arapahoe Animal Hospital Abbott, Bonnie L., DVM Hayes, Greg D., DVM Myers, Alan M., DVM Smith, Scott, DVM 1730 15th St., Boulder.............................303-442-7036 5585 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder..................303-442-7033 Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialist Rooney, Matthew, DVM, MS, DACVS Duerr, Felix, DVM, MS, DACVS, DECVS Yaphe, Wendy, DACVIM Crumbaker, Denise, DVM Laura Higgins, DVM, MS Huval, Danielle, DVM Kutz, Jason, DVM 104 S. Main St., Longmont......................303-678-8844 Banfield The Pet Hospital Fuant, Karen K., DVM, MS, ACVIM Johnson, Karen, DVM Lester, Bob, DVM Lund, Elizabeth, DVM, MPH, PhD Marshall, Kerri, DVM, MBA Zabell, Ari, DVM, ABVP 402 Center Drive, Superior.....................303-543-3907 1850 30th St. Suite B, Boulder................303-413-8454 1125 S. Hover St., Longmont..................303-485-1971 Boulder Emergency Pet Clinic PC Amer, Kristy, DVM Barrett, Kelly, DVM Berndt, Yvette, DVM Grimm, Cindy, DVM Hunter, Cristie, DVM Richardson, Kristyn B., DVM Sebor, Jeremy C., DVM 1658 30th St., Boulder.............................303-440-7722 Boulder’s Natural Animal PC Robert Silver, DVM, MS Reynolds, Michelle, DVM 685 S. Broadway, Boulder........................303-494-7877 Boulder Valley Cat Clinic Etges, Dave, DVM, MS, BS 2825 Wilderness Place, Boulder...............303-444-6369 Boulder Veterinary Hospital Ansbaugh, Craig A., DVM Berman, Edward B., DVM Ellis, Rich, DVM Hayes, Allen R., DVM 3630 Broadway, Boulder..........................303-442-6262 Broadway Animal Hospital Kalenzi, Patrick, DVM Woods, Lee A., DVM 1405 S. Broadway, Boulder......................303-499-5505 Carbon Valley Animal Hospital & Kennel Bagg, Roger M., DVM Ukrainchuk, Lesya A., DVM 101 W. Grant Ave., Firestone..................303-833-2244 Centennial Valley Animal Hospital Barlow, Lisa E., DVM PET CARE

Quigley, Erin Melinda, DVM Rickford, Virginia I., DVM 259 Century Circle, Louisville..................303-666-9363 Chaparral Animal Health Center McCluggage, David M., DVM 9390 W. Rogers Road, Longmont...........303-702-1986 Coal Ridge Animal Hospital Knudson, Anita R., DVM Russell, Jessica C., DVM 6171 WCR 20, Firestone.........................303-833-1137 Community Pet Hospital Adams, Natalie, DVM Griffin, MJ, DVM Malone, Sarah, VMD Nash, Jennifer, DVM Nelson, Ann, DVM Schwarz, Chris A., DVM Servis, Laura, DVM Smith, Wade, DVM Stonehocker, William, DVM Tremblay, Jennifer, DVM 6050 Firestone Blvd., Firestone................303-652-5222 Culver Veterinary Hospital Culver, Millissa J., DVM Culver, Vernon L., DVM 14534 N. 107th St., Longmont...............303-772-3688 Erie Animal Hospital Towner, Sally Jane, DVM Kriger, Tricia, DVM 4745 E. County Line Road, Erie..............303-828-0373 Flatirons Veterinary Care PC Irmiger, Robert A., DVM 61 Betasso Road, Boulder........................303-444-4315 Flinchum, John, DVM, MS 1141 Vivian St., Longmont.......................303-702-1755

Foothills Animal Clinic Caring People Caring For Your Pet Dr. Cindy Bauman

2820 Jay Road • Boulder, CO • 303-443-1635 www.foothillsanimalclinic.com

Gunbarrel Veterinary Clinic Brad, Louis, DVM Feller, Michelle J., DVM Gustafson, John, DVM Welcom, Judith A., DVM Williams, Leslie T., DVM 4636 55th St., Boulder.............................303-530-2500 Humane Society of Boulder Valley Bolser, Jennifer S., DVM Groshong, Lesli Hick, DVM Gutierrez, Cristina A., DVM Read, Robyn L., DVM Vail, Jenelle L., DVM 2323 55th St., Boulder.............................303-442-4030 65

Indian Peaks Veterinary Hospital PC Sabichi, Lisa A., DVM McGee, John, DVM 3015 Sterling Circle, Boulder....................303-938-9474 Jasper Animal Hospital Dodge III, Donald D., DVM Space, Kelly, DVM Hanley, Leah, DVM 1369 Forest Park Circle Suite 101, Lafayette....................................................303-665-4002 Longmont Humane Society Amy, Douglas E., DVM 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont................303-772-1232 Longmont Small Animal Hospital Dill, Rick, DVM Shaffer, Harvey D, DVM 20 Third Ave., Longmont.........................303-651-3039 Longâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peak Animal Hospital Cousins, Michael E., DVM Davison, Debra Michelle, DVM Meyer, Laura, DVM Mones, Daniel Richard, VMD Russell, Jessica, DVM 9727 Colo. Highway 66, Longmont........303-776-6666 Louisville Veterinary Clinic Bender, John, DVM 2000 Centennial Drive, Louisville.............303-666-6829 Louisville Family Animal Hospital Collins, Greg, DVM Smith, Katie, DVM Vandeventer, Ami, DVM 332 McCasin Blvd., Louisville...................303-661-0702 Lyons Veterinary Clinic Duncan, Jolene, DVM Gibson, Geralyn, DVM 412 High St., Lyons..................................303-823-6767 Mountain Ridge Animal Hospital & Pain Center Bentz, Jennifer Ann., DVM, CVA Landry, Robert, DVM, DAAPM, CVA Ingram, Jennifer, DVM 87 N. Highway 287, Lafayette.................303-665-4852 Mountain View Animal Hospital Harbert, Roger K., DVM 6160 N. 71st St., Longmont....................303-530-2200 Nelson Road Veterinary Clinic Benscheidt, Steven E., DVM Wagner, Melinda Kay, DVM Wilson, Tammy, DVM, MT (ASCP) 8875 Nelson Road, Longmont................303-678-8387 Nederland Veterinary Hospital PC Evans, Joseph Malcolm, DVM 646 Highway 119, Nederland.................303-258-7355 North Boulder Companion Animal Hospital Everett, Darrin, DVM Patton, Susan, DVM 2750 Glenwood Drive Suite 9, Boulder..303-443-9003 66

Niwot Veterinary Clinic J. Douglas Courtley D.V.M. - Cottonwood Park Square Corner of North 79th & Niwot Rd.

303-652-2194 Olde Towne Animal Medical Center Muench, Susan M., DVM 426 Terry St., Longmont..........................303-651-9400 Pet Menders Animal Hospital Fuller, Ed, DVM Russell, Todd, DVM 2790 Moorhead Ave., Boulder................303-494-0840 Pets & Pals Veterinary Hospital DeHaan, Michelle G., DVM 10693 Arapahoe Road, Lafayette.............303-666-0254 Schlutz, Deb, DVM 9747 N 89th St., Longmont....................303-678-0808 South Boulder Animal Hospital Kay, Clinton, DVM Bock, Joseph, DVM Ellis, Christine, DVM 4660 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder..............303-494-4344 Tender Loving Care Animal Hospital Hartwig, Tricia M., DVM 700 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont................720-494-8251 Town & Country Veterinary Clinic Thompson, Timothy J., DVM 17295 US Highway 85, Platteville............970-785-2284 Valley Veterinary Hospital PC Biller, Robert W., DVM McComb, Jennifer, DVM Peila, Jeffrey F., DVM Warren, Anita, DVM 1191 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont..............303-776-0234 1801 N. Hover St., Longmont................303-776-5010 VCA Allpets Animal Hospital and Clinic Boulder Shinn, Jennifer, DVM Porter, Merry Carol, DVM Edgren, Bridget, DVM Tucker, Laura, DVM King, Mike, DVM Fertig, Amy, DVM 5290 Manhattan Circle, Boulder...............303-499-3366 VCA All Pets Animal Hospital Lafayette Sunshine, Randall J., DVM 805 S. Public Road, Lafayette...................303-586-4914 Village Pet Clinic Orme, J Stanley, DVM 2130 N. Main St., Longmont...................303-772-9282 Wheatridge Animal Hospital - Boulder 1658 30th St., Boulder.............................303-424-3325 Windward Veterinary Services Schlutz, Deborah Denise., DVM 9747 N. 89th St., Longmont...................303-678-0808 PET CARE

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