For Dr. Steve Haley, a career in veterinary medicine perfectly combined his lifelong love of pets with a fascination for science. Growing up in rural Clackamas county, he spent his childhood learning to care for and cherish a wide variety of animal friends. “We raised horses, chickens, ducks, geese, Airedale terriers, and cats.” Dr. Haley remembers fondly. “I have always had a love and respect for animals and know the joy they bring to our lives.”
This love and respect for animals are at the heart of Mountainside Veterinary Hospital and our approach to patient care. This week, we’re catching up with Dr. Steve Haley to learn more about his life, veterinary career, and the mission behind Mountainside. Get to know Dr. Steve Haley What do you find most inspiring about caring for pets? What are the best things about your job? SH: I love the variety! I have told friends and colleagues for years that what I love most is that no day is the same. There is always something new to learn and there is always opportunity for growth in veterinary medicine. Also, I am a very social person and I truly cherish the interactions with our clients and the relationships that have been built over my career. Do you have any special interests when it comes to veterinary medicine (ex. chronic disease care/management, surgery, senior care, etc)? If so, what about those fields interests you? SH: I have been fortunate enough to have worked with veterinarians and surgeons over the past 20 years who coached me and helped me develop my comfort and skills. Surgery is my happy place because it’s where I can fully focus on what’s in front of me. I love laparoscopic surgery specifically and the benefits that less invasive surgery provides our patients. I also enjoy the challenge and reward of chronic disease management. It’s incredibly gratifying to help patients with chronic conditions feel and live better. I’m particularly interested in diabetes management and was a co-author of the AAHA's 2010 diabetes management guidelines. What do you think the future of veterinary medicine looks like? SH: There is so much happening in veterinary medicine right now! During my career, we have grown in leaps and bounds when it comes to pain management, fear-free handling, early detection technologies for internal diseases and cancers, and new therapies that truly help change outcomes. I think we’ll keep seeing a lot of changes and improvements with time and the doctors at Mountainside Veterinary Hospital will always strive to practice and incorporate these new therapies as they arise. Speaking of Mountainside, what was your motivation for opening your own veterinary clinic? What role do you think MVH serves in the community? SH: I have always wanted to own a practice! To me, leadership is a lot like coaching: you have a team that needs to be able to deliver excellent outcomes consistently. I really enjoy being a part of that process. Owning a veterinary clinic gives me the chance to develop an amazing team who believe in what we want Mountainside to be. You’ve been in the veterinary industry for over 20 years now. What’s one thing you believe all veterinary professionals can do right now to make veterinary medicine even better? SH: Cherish and nurture the spark that got you here in the first place. It's super easy to get overwhelmed and overworked in veterinary medicine. Don’t forget the “why” that motivated and drove you to work so hard in high school, college and veterinary school. It’s a tough and challenging road to become a veterinarian and practice is a continuation of that. Embrace the challenge, it’s a lifestyle. Professional veterinary care with heart in Beaverton, Oregon With his deep ties to the community, genuine care for the human-animal bond, and keen interest in progressing the field of veterinary medicine, Dr. Haley leads by example. He’s committed to building a team that goes above and beyond to provide professional veterinary care with heart. Whether you’ve just welcomed a new friend into your home or are helping your pet navigate their golden years, we’re here to ensure your pet gets exceptional care at every stage of life. Visit our website to learn more about our team and services or to schedule an appointment! With warmer weather right around the corner, many of us are looking forward to long hikes, camping trips, and summer backyard barbecues. But we’re not the only ones eager for summer. Warmer weather also means a resurgence of fleas, ticks, and other parasites throughout the US. Luckily, it’s easy to prevent and treat these common pet parasites, so you and your furry friends can enjoy a happy and healthy summer together.
Common Pet Parasites in Oregon Parasites are organisms that live in or on a “host” body, feeding off its resources and potentially causing harm. Many of the parasites that affect our pets can also be spread to or have a negative health impact on people. That’s why it’s especially important to have a prevention and treatment plan in place if you suspect your pet has been exposed. Some of the most common parasites we see at our clinic in Beaverton, Oregon include fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites. Fleas Fleas are tiny, blood-feeding parasites capable of jumping up to 13 inches in the air. That would be like the average person jumping over 1,000 feet! Fleas use their impressive jumping skills to leap onto hosts like pets, people, and wildlife. Signs of fleas include red bumps or pimples, constant itching or scratching, and dry skin or even hair loss. To check your pet for fleas, comb or brush your pet carefully, especially around the neck, belly, and inner legs. You may find adult fleas, which are small and brown and often move or jump when disturbed. You can also check for “flea dirt,” which looks like black pepper or grains of sand. Here in Oregon, where winters are mellow, fleas can survive year-round. This makes parasite prevention an important part of your pet’s wellness plan. If left untreated, a flea infestation could lead to serious infections, anemia, and other diseases. They also reproduce quickly! According to PetMD, “If you bring home just one adult female flea, in 60 days your home could be overrun by as many as 20,000 fleas!” Ticks Similar to fleas, ticks feed on the blood of humans and animals. Here in Oregon, they’re most active in the spring and early summer, but can also be found well into the fall. Most ticks live in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas, but they can also live in piles of backyard leaves or garden shrubs. They hunt by resting on the tips of grass or shrubs, waiting for a potential host (like a frolicking pup or unsuspecting hiker) to brush against their hiding spot. Once the tick climbs aboard the host, it finds a feeding spot and attaches itself for a blood meal that may last several days. During this time, small amounts of saliva from the tick may enter the host’s bloodstream. This is how disease spreads from ticks to humans and animals. Because ticks can secrete small amounts of saliva with anesthetic properties, most hosts don’t even know that the tick has attached itself! Because they can go undetected, it’s important to check yourself and your pets for ticks after outdoor summer activities. Brush your pets and inspect their skin thoroughly, especially behind the ears and between the toes, after each hike. Heartworm We’ve written at length about the dangers of heartworm and how to prevent the spread of heartworm disease. This dangerous disease is caused by a parasitic work, Dirofilaria immitis, which spreads through mosquito bites. Once a pet is infected, it takes up to six months for larvae to become mature adults. Once they mature they begin reproducing, causing damage to nearby blood vessels and reducing the heart’s ability to pump. Because most pets don’t show symptoms until their heartworm disease is severe, it may be a year or longer after the initial infection before you notice anything is wrong. If left untreated, heartworm is always fatal. When it comes to heartworm, prevention is the best way to protect your pet! Intestinal Parasites Intestinal parasites are parasitic worms that live in your pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some of the most common types include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Because they live in the GI tract, their larvae and eggs are passed through feces, which can spread the infection to nearby soil and water. Transmission could be as easy as your pup drinking from a contaminated puddle at the dog park or your child walking barefoot through contaminated soil. Symptoms of intestinal parasites depend on your pet’s age, general health status, and the type of parasite they’ve contracted. They’re most dangerous for puppies and kittens, animals with a chronic health condition, and older pets. But if left untreated, intestinal parasites can still be dangerous for healthy adult animals. Prevent and Treat Pet Parasites Beaverton, Oregon, like any other place, has a variety of parasites that can affect our pets. And our warm, humid summers increase the risk of flea and tick infestations during this time. Fortunately, protecting your pets from these common pet parasites is often as simple as a monthly preventative. Our recommendations include: For dogs:
For cats:
From fleas and ticks to heartworms and intestinal worms, these pesky parasites can cause serious health problems for pets. Luckily, prevention is a simple way to keep them happy and healthy. Through regular check-ups and annual lab work, we can give your furry family members the love and protection they deserve. Still have questions about parasite prevention? Get in touch to schedule an exam. Need a refill on your monthly preventatives? Order online through our convenient pet pharmacy. |