Northshore Veterinary Hospital

08/19/2026

There are so many new pet food companies using marketing terms such as “fresh, human grade, no chemicals”.- these terms are unregulated, and the companies are not run by veterinarian nutritionists.

We trust and recommend Royal Canin, Purina, and Hills - who have a prove safety track record and use independent testing- They have been in the business providing quality nutrition for a long time

recall : https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/aug/19/dog-food-recalled-after-reports-of-pets-losing-their-sight-years

08/07/2026

Whatcom County Rabies Alert: Protect Your Pets, Protect Your Family

Recent reports confirm that two bats in Whatcom County have tested positive for rabies. While rabies exposure is uncommon in Washington, it remains a serious public health concern because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

The good news? Prevention is highly effective.

In Washington State, rabies vaccination is required by law for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. State regulations (WAC 246-100-197) require pets to be vaccinated and kept up to date according to veterinary recommendations.

Why is vaccination so important?
*Rabies vaccines provide excellent protection if your pet is exposed to the virus.
*Pets are more likely than people to encounter wildlife, including bats, which are the only known rabies reservoir in Washington.
*Vaccinating pets helps prevent rabies exposure in people and reduces the need for costly and stressful post-exposure treatment.
*If an unvaccinated dog, cat, or ferret is exposed to a potentially rabid animal, it may be required to undergo four months of confinement and observation. If rabies develops during that period, euthanasia and testing are required.
*Many people are surprised to learn that indoor cats are still at risk. Bats occasionally find their way into homes, and cats can be exposed simply by playing with or catching an infected bat. In fact, the last reported rabies case in a Washington animal other than a bat occurred when a cat contracted rabies after catching a rabid bat.

Most bats do not have rabies, but all direct contact with bats should be avoided. If your pet has contact with a bat, or if you find a bat in your home and are unsure whether exposure occurred, contact your veterinarian right away. Human contact with bats, dead or alive, should also be avoided. If a bat enters your home, contact the Whatcom Humane Society’s Animal Health Control services at 360-733-2080.
At Northshore Veterinary Hospital, we strongly encourage pet owners to keep rabies vaccinations current- This simple step protects your pet, your family, and our community.
Not sure if your pet is up to date on their rabies vaccine? Call our office. We're happy to help review your pet's vaccination status and keep them protected.

08/05/2026

Recently a bat found in the house of one of our clients living in Bellingham was positive for rabies.
While rabies is rare in humans, it is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. However, rabies is also highly preventable through avoiding contact with potentially infected animals and seeking prompt medical care after exposure to a rabid animal.
Please avoid contact with bats and other wild animals. Signs that an animal may have rabies can include unusual behavior, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, aggression, appearing unusually tame, or moving slowly or abnormally.
Every year, Washington reports an average of more than 15 cases of rabid bats. Domestic animals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses, should receive routine rabies vaccinations. Vaccinating pets helps protect both animals and their owners in the event of an exposure.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐬
• Do not touch bats with your bare hands, whether they are alive, injured, or dead.
• If you or a pet has come into contact with a bat, seek medical attention or contact your veterinarian immediately.
• If a bat exposure has occurred, safely contain the bat without touching it and contact Public Health https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3256/Bats-Rabies

• Keep pets vaccinated, including horses, as they may encounter bats outdoors or inside homes.
• Prevent bats from entering homes and cabins by sealing openings, repairing screens, and maintaining tight-fitting windows and doors.
People can unknowingly be exposed to rabies if a bat is found in a room where someone was sleeping. Because bat bites can be very small and may not be felt, anyone who wakes up to find a bat in their room should contact Public Health for guidance.

08/04/2026

Spokane Complex Fires
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The Board Members of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association and the Washington State Animal Health Foundation are sending out their thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the Spokane Complex Fires.

The fires, which are still ongoing, have devastated the northwest quadrant of Spokane with several hundred structures having been confirmed lost. The Indian Trail community seems to have been particularly badly impacted, with the raw footage showing entire streets with every home destroyed.

There are several non-profits that have stepped up to provide support for pets, equine species and large animals. We have spoken with a few of these groups but as you can imagine the groups on the ground are incredibly busy responding to this evolving situation:

The groups that we are currently aware of are:

- SpokAnimal (https://spokanimal.org/). SpokAnimal is on site at the Spokane Fairgrounds to provide shelter and care for displaced and lost pets. The Washington State Animal Health Foundation has just made a $5,000 contribution to support this work. If you wish, you can also support SpokAnimal's work at the following site: https://checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/spok

- Spokane Humane Society is accepting in-kind donations including pet food, blankets and toys at its main campus, 6607 N. Havana St., Spokane (donations can be left on the stone bench at the right side of the main building 24/7).

- Humane Evacuation Animal Rescue Team (HEART). HEART is also working at the Spokane Fairgrounds with a focus on equine species and large animals: https://www.heartofspokane.org/

- LOA Youth Ranch. This non-profit provides a therapy service through rescued horses. WSVMA understands that they are currently providing shelter space for horses that have had to relocate. You can support their ongoing work, including the care of these displaced horses, through their horse sponsorship program: https://loayouthranch.org/sponsor-a-horse/


Donations can also be made directly to the Washington State Animal Health Foundation, and 100% of any donations received will be used for this emergency response in support of animals in the Spokane region. When donating, please select "Disaster and Emergency Assistance" as the designated fund: https://wsahf.org/make-a-donation/

08/01/2026

Blue Green Algae Alert in Lake Samish: People, pets and livestock should avoid swallowing or inhaling mists from microcystin-contaminated water.

Health department releases guidance for residents who live near harmful algae bloom

06/24/2026

Traveling with pets this summer? What you should know:
Washington State has implemented a temporary emergency rule to help prevent the introduction of New World Screwworm (NWS), a dangerous parasite that can affect pets, livestock, wildlife, and even humans.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets entering Washington from states with active NWS infestation zones must now have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 5 days prior to entry. Animals originating from or traveling through countries with confirmed active NWS outbreaks are prohibited from entering the state.
These temporary measures are designed to protect Washington’s animals, agriculture, and communities from a serious animal health threat.
Learn more at agr.wa.gov/nws

06/23/2026

Reminder to call for anti-anxiety medication now in preparation for July 4th if you have a nervous pet at home

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth!

06/10/2026

RECALL ALERT

Cottonwood Heights, Utah (June 8, 2026) Go Raw LLC is expanding its February 17, 2026 recall to include an additional lot of Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe product due to potentially low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1).