A reminder to ensure that your pets are on regular flea/tick preventive medication. Check yourselves and your pets for ticks after outdoor outings, such as at Powell Butte Park in East Multnomah County and other brushy, grassy areas.

It's Arthritis Awareness Month. Just like humans, pets can develop arthritis, too. Arthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness, and mobility challenges. Older pets are more likely to develop arthritis due to the effects of aging. 1/2

Today on #MemorialDay, please take time to remember and honor those who gave all for our country. This weekend, and every day, they deserve our deepest gratitude.

A study in PLOS One reveals that cows can recognize and differentiate between human faces and voices, indicating higher cognitive abilities than previously thought. Researchers observed Prim'Holstein cows showing a visual preference for unfamiliar faces and matching familiar voices to faces.

Veterinary anesthesia resident Samuel Tucker has found that isoflurane is the most effective and humane method of anesthesia for paper kite butterflies, making it the preferred method for procedures such as physical exams and wing repair.

It's National Rescue Dog Day! “Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” ~ Karen Davison

We are entering the season for harmful algal blooms (HABs). Not all Oregon waterways are monitored for cyanobacteria, so it's important to know what to watch for. We post harmful algal bloom advisories and resources for identifying HABs on our web site: www.oregonvma.org/toxic-algae-... 1/4

Pet owners have minimal risk of contracting hantavirus from cats or dogs, says veterinarian Kate Elden. While pets can be infected, they rarely show symptoms and do not transmit the virus to people, the CDC says. 1/2

The CDC and LA County Public Health used serologic testing to confirm a case of H5N1 avian influenza transmission from a domestic cat to a veterinary professional, but officials say the risk is low. The cat, along with 18 others, had become ill after consuming raw animal products. 1/2

A new study ranks Oregon the best for animals! Among the metrics, Oregon ranked in the top 10 for number of veterinarians per 1,000 pet owning households, number of state conservation programs and initiatives, and ranked number 1 for animal protection laws.

May is Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month. The most common reason for skin problems in pets is an underlying allergy. Your veterinarian or a veterinary dermatologist can diagnose what is causing your pet's skin issues or asthma and recommend a treatment plan.

Today is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the impact of disasters on animals and how we can prepare for them. Put a preparedness plan in place now to keep you and your pets safe. More: www.oregonvma.org/care-health/... 1/2

Vaccinating animals against rabies protects them and creates a “buffer zone” between humans and rabid animals. Under Oregon law, all dogs are required to be vaccinated against rabies. Veterinarians strongly recommend vaccination for cats, ferrets and horses. 1/2

*Microchips work!* Cats Zeus and Hercules originally vanished from Dianna Rabetoy’s Southeast Portland yard in May 2024, when they were just under a year old. A few days ago, she received a call from an animal shelter in Los Angeles who found them and identified them by their microchips.

It's National Pet Week®, a time to celebrate the pets that enrich our lives! To keep your pet happy and healthy, veterinarians encourage responsible pet care every day with regular veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and a lifelong commitment to the well-being of your companion pet.

@oregonstate.edu Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Day will be held this Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pet Day is free and open to the public! There are lots of fun activities including teddy bear surgery, kid zone, Picasso puppy painting, nail trim education and more.

The Brightside Animal Center in Redmond is asking the community for help restocking its pet pantry as demand surges, with hundreds of local families relying on the service to keep their pets fed and at home.

Diabetes in cats is different than diabetes in dogs and requires a different approach to treatment and management. In recognition of these distinct differences, the upcoming version of AAHA’s Diabetes Guidelines separates the species into two guidelines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an early advisory to the public this week to guard against ticks. Tick bites typically spike in May, but “the data are telling us now is the time to take action.” Make sure you are using flea/tick preventives on your pets!

Today is World Veterinary Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians to human and animal health! This year’s theme, “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health,” highlights the vital role veterinarians have in safeguarding food safety, public health, and animal health. 1/4

Does your pet wear an ID tag? Is it microchipped? These two forms of identification could help you to be reunited with your pet should it become lost. Pet tracker tags and collars are another tool to help locate a lost pet but don't replace the need for an ID tag and microchip.

OVMA member and @oregonstate.edu Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine instructor Dr. Lillian Wong honored her late friend Dr. Amy Pelton's legacy with a free pet vaccine clinic in Monmouth. 1/2

Echinococcus multilocularis, a tapeworm that can be harmful to pets and people, has been found in the Pacific Northwest, leading area veterinarians to recommend regular dog deworming and proper pet waste removal and disposal. 1/2

On 4/20 Day, we want to remind pet owners to secure all THC products and foods containing marijuana in pet-proof containers and out of reach of pets. Keep pets away from cannabis plants. If your pet ingests marijuana, seek veterinary care and let them know you suspect marijuana poisoning. 1/3

April is Heartworm Disease Awareness Month. Heartworm cases are regularly reported in Oregon. Exposure to parasite-carrying mosquitoes increases with outdoor activities, but even indoor-only pets can be infected. Please protect your pet with heartworm preventive medication year-round.

Bonnie L Hays Animal Shelter is warning the community about a scam that is targeting people with pets. A scammer will call a pet owner and pretend to be an employee with a local shelter or veterinary clinic and demand payment in exchange for the missing pet. Do not pay! www.kptv.com/2026/04/15/h...

During National Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week, we thank animal care and control personnel who provide essential community functions by enforcing animal control laws, helping to protect the public from diseases such as rabies, and educating the public on the care of the community’s animals.

Several dozen cattle in Wallowa County have died from epizootic hemorrhagic disease, which leaves the brains of calves undeveloped or underdeveloped in the womb, resulting in stillbirth or calves born with serious brain necrosis. Graphic image alert: eastoregonian.com/2026/04/14/b...

It's National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Each year, several million people are bitten by dogs and about half of dog bite victims are children. Keep your dog up to date on its rabies vaccination. Without a current vaccination on record, your dog likely faces a quarantine if it bites someone.

Oregon has a reputation for being strong on pet ownership, from rescue to “the rainbow bridge.” In @opb.org's “Oregon Experience” documentary on the state’s animal welfare history, pets are the main characters. An estimated 92% of adults in Oregon have owned a pet in their lifetimes. 1/2

This Easter, we are reminding cat owners to keep lilies out of their homes. All parts—petals, leaves, stem and pollen—of the Easter lily plant are poisonous and can cause kidney failure in cats within 72 hours. Other Easter hazards include plastic "grass," chocolate, coins and plastic Easter eggs.

Veterinarians participating in the Dog Aging Project have enrolled more than 50,000 dogs in the study of aging and age-related diseases, including dementia, to the benefit of both canine and human health. 1/2

Benny is a new inductee into the Oregon Animal Hall of Fame in our Professional category. Benny is an emotional support dog working in the Oregon City school district. Learn more about Benny: www.oregonvma.org/oregon-anima...

Skipper is a new inductee into the Oregon Animal Hall of Fame in our Hero category. In April 2025, Skipper saved her family from a house fire that she, unfortunately, did not survive. Learn more about our Hero dog, Skipper: www.oregonvma.org/oregon-anima...

Congratulations to our 2026 Practice Manager award recipient Leanne Schuetze CVPM! Ms. Schuetze was honored for her work with clients and staff as the manager of Rogers Veterinary Service in Philomath. Read more: www.oregonvma.org/ovma-awards-...

Congratulations to our 2026 President's award recipient Dr. Stephen Hines! Dr. Hines of @wsuvetmed.bsky.social was honored for his work in educating the next generation of veterinarians. Read more: www.oregonvma.org/ovma-awards-...

Congratulations to our 2026 Veterinary Service award recipient Dr. Charles Hurty of Grove Veterinary Clinic! Dr. Hurty was honored for his work in creating and advocating for well being initiatives for the veterinary team. Read more: www.oregonvma.org/ovma-awards-...

OVMA member Dr. Mariah Kimball of Mt. Scott Animal Clinic and co-lead of the PDX Chapter of @thestreetdogco.bsky.social helped to treat pets in need this past weekend. “These are not necessarily services they could otherwise afford to provide for their pets, and these are family members."

According to Oregon State Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine researchers, the survival of dogs with cancer may be linked to the microorganisms in their gut. This finding emerged from a clinical trial involving a new form of immunotherapy.

Forrest, a 6-year-old border collie mix, survived salmon poisoning disease, which is a risk in the Pacific NW. Supervise dogs near rivers, streams, creeks, and docks, and never allow them to eat or contact raw fish, fish guts, carcasses, or Pacific giant salamanders.

Oral molnupiravir was associated with a 77% 6-month survival rate in pet cats with feline infectious peritonitis.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in adult dogs and cats. Without prevention and treatment, this can lead to tooth decay, bleeding gums, tooth loss, and even damage to internal organs. 1/3

Army veterinarians care for all the military working dogs across the U.S. Department of Defense. They're also responsible for military food inspection, certifying that food sold on base meets safety and health standards.

@dovelewispdx.bsky.social veterinarians saved a dog's life with 17 minutes of CPR after her heart stopped following accidental medication ingestion. Nelly's story serves as a warning to pet owners to keep medications out of reach and seek immediate veterinary care if accidental ingestion occurs.

Learn how the Oregon State University Gary R. Carlson, MD, College of Veterinary Medicine recently transformed their 2-course Systemic Pathology series, traditionally taught through lectures and laboratories, into a fully integrated team-based learning (TBL) experience: jav.ma/tbl

Pet birds that start behaving unusually, such as pulling out their own feathers or acting lethargic, should be seen by a veterinarian. Lethargy can be a sign of an acute illness, and feather-pulling can be a sign of discomfort or boredom.

Here are the top 10 toxins of 2025 affecting dogs and cats, based on case consultation data from Pet Poison Helpline. Keep your pets safe from these toxins!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Holidays from the OVMA and our member veterinarians. We also wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

At a rehabilitation facility in Kyiv, some of Ukraine’s wounded warriors are working hard to learn how to use their new limbs. A very special dog named Lavr with prosthetic paws is giving them inspiration to persevere.

New veterinary ER at Oregon State's Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides pet owners with treatment options and veterinary students with ER experience.