New Page 1


Celebration of Change A Letter from Dr. Goodman
The days are getting longer and the promise of warmer (drier!) weather is in the air. Zoey, our Golden Retriever, is excited about the prospect of longer, drier runs and less feet wiping afterwards. Our cats, Lilly, Annie, and Eileen are already enjoying naps in the brief sunspots and looking forward to the days of open windows and fresh air. I guess all Oregonians, furry or otherwise, look forward to the changes of spring. We at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital are no exception.
We’ve had some exciting changes of our own at MHVH! After a long and diligent search we’ve added two great veterinarians to our staff. Dr. Kristin Sulis joined our team in June while Dr. Scott Davis joined us in September. Both doctors bring the commitment of caring that you have come to expect from the Murrayhill staff, as well as superb diagnostic, medical, and surgical skills. As always, we continue to practice a team-based approach to patient care with twice daily doctor rounds and twice monthly doctor meetings to discuss our cases. Please join me in welcoming Drs. Kristin Sulis and Scott Davis to our team. Ask for an introduction next time you visit the hospital and be sure to check out their bios on our website at www. MurrayhillVetHospital.com. We’ve recently said good-bye to some great staff members and want to wish them success in their new endeavors. In an environment that fosters the personal and professional growth of our staff, we find that our encouragement often leads staff to other aspirations. In June 2003, Dr. MeiMei Welker moved to Montana after mountain biking the Continental Divide from Canada to New Mexico! She is currently practicing in Missoula where she fulfills her dream of practicing in a small mountain town. After eight years at MHVH, Dr. Kate Andreae moved to Colorado to be closer to family and enjoy more sunshine. She is currently practicing at a hospital in Boulder. We are particularly proud of Jan Latshaw, an icon for over eight years at our reception desk, who recently graduated with an accounting degree from PSU. Jan worked full time while attending school - a difficult and demanding task by any measure. The Oregon Department of Revenue is fortunate to have her but keep a look out, as she occasionally helps us out on Saturdays. Finally, Dr. Carrie Fleming will be graduating in June with a Masters degree in Public Health. She has accepted a very competitive internship with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia and we will soon be wishing her farewell. Despite these difficult departures, we are excited about the new doctors and staff members. All are committed to our mission. Laird
Always on the Cutting Edge

Introducing Our New Surgical Laser We are proud to offer laser surgery at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital. We have been using the laser for a variety of procedures including OVH and neuters, skin mass removals, oral surgical procedures, and more. Laser Advantages Less pain Less Bleeding Less swelling How does it work? The CO2 laser emits a small but powerful beam of light that is attracted to water in tissues. When the beam is aimed close to tissues the energy vaporizes the water in the tissue resulting in vaporization of the cells. This vaporization results in a “cutting” action when applied to the skin or other tissues. What does this mean for my pet? The use of laser for surgical procedures means less pain , less bleeding and less swelling at the surgery site. Laser surgery seals nerve endings as it “cuts” resulting in more comfort after surgery. Because the laser also seals small blood vessels during surgery, surgery time is reduced and that means less anesthesia for your pet. The laser does not crush, tear or bruise tissues because the only thing touching your pet is a beam of light. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding laser surgery or how your pet can benefit from this innovative technology. And be sure to stop by our Open House in June to see the new laser.
Springtime Hazards

Easter lilies: a Dangerous Decoration As springtime approaches and the Easter Holiday draws near, Easter Lilies crowd the displays at grocery stores, nurseries and home improvement outlets. But these beautiful white bell flowers should come with a warning to pet owners...they can be deadly. Many of us know that plants can be hazardous to pets if ingested. The poor Poinsettia has long gotten a bad rap for being toxic. But whereas the Poinsettia can cause irritation and gastrointestinal upset, the Easter Lilly can lead to kidney failure and death. Easter Lilies are mainly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant are toxic and even tiny amounts can cause severe poisoning. Poisoning causes vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite within a few hours after ingestion. Kidney failure occurs within 36-72 hours. If ingestion occurs, treatment should be sought immediately. Treatment includes inducing vomiting (if recent ingestion), giving oral activated charcoal and diuresis with i.v. fluids. Bloodwork and a urine analysis are preformed to assess the condition of the pet. Supportive care and hospitalization are also important. So please, admire the flower displays at the stores but don’t risk the health of your pet by bringing one home. ASWPCA Animal Poison Control Center 888.426.4435 www.aspca.org
Kitties for Adoption
Rupert		Kiki
Rupert and Kiki are two adorable and playful 10 month old kittens that are looking for a home. They were caught along with their mother outside of Jinn’s apartment complex. Their mother received an ovariohysterectomy, dental work, preventative care and was released. Kiki and Rupert were 12 weeks old and feral. With some love and affection from the staff, hisses soon turned into purrs. They are both FeLV negative, have received all vaccinations and have been OVH and neutered. We are looking for a loving home where these two can be kept together indoors. Please come by and visit these two wonderful kitties.
Meet the New Doctors

Dr. Kristin Sulis Hello. I’m Dr. Kristin Sulis. I graduated from the University of Illinois and have been in the field of veterinary medicine for over 18 years, starting as a patient caretaker when I was in high school. I moved to Portland 4 years ago with my husband and older dog, Seso. Since then we’ve added an outgoing acrobatic budgie, named Begeezus and a tomboy mini poodle, named DeeDee to our family. I love Oregon and enjoy outdoor activities, even in the rain. I am an avid sea kayaker, hiker and cross-country skier. I started practicing at Murrayhill in June 2003 and I am really impressed by the care and personal attention Murrayhill provides to it’s patients and clients. I am honored to be a part of the team.	Dr. Scott Davis Hello everyone! I’m Dr. Scott Davis. I’ve enjoyed meeting many of you already, and look forward to meeting more of you in the months and years to come. My veterinary education was at Oregon State University and Washington State University, graduating from both in 1999. After practicing in Portland for a year, I moved to Chicago and practiced small animal medicine there for 3 years. While I enjoyed Chicago, I missed my friends, family and the west coast, so I moved back to Portland last summer! Since coming back, I have returned to some of my favorite hobbies including in-line skating and hockey, home brewing, hiking with my 4-legged best friend, Elsie, and reconnecting with my many friends in the area. I am very happy at Murrayhill and look forward to a number of great years here!
Natural Remedies for Springtime Ailments

Dr. Lauren Chattigré & Steve Pets Can Have Allergies Too Springtime in Oregon...flowers, sweet breezes, and the onslaught of red eyes and itchy paws! Dogs and cats in our area suffer from many allergies during Springtime, and may rub their faces, chew their paws, or lick their legs and other areas. The first thought for most people is antihistamines, but there are some very effective natural remedies to consider. Antioxidants and omega fatty acids are extremely helpful, and for some animals, all they need for relief. For itchy skin, frequent bathing with an oatmeal-based shampoo and cream rinse helps soothe the skin and wash away pollens and other allergens. For itchy eyes, saline eye wash also flushes allergens away. And many animals, even if their allergies are only seasonal, benefit from being on a strict hypoallergenic diet. When these simple measures aren’t enough, alternative techniques such as acupuncture and homeopathy, or the use of Chinese herbs, are stronger, yet still natural, treatment methods. Murrayhill offers all of these modalities, as well as conventional options. And remember, any skin lesion or eye problem should be examined before assuming it’s strictly related to allergies. Who's That Handsome Cat With Dr. Chattigré Steve came to us from the Oregon Humane Society. He was originally seen as an unneutered male for a head tilt. During the process of our care we discovered that Steve is FIV positive. He has been with us for almost two years and his unique personality has earned him a place in all of our hearts here at Murrayhill. We still have hopes of finding him a loving home so if you have a home with no other cats and can responsibly keep him an indoor cat, please stop by and meet him. He also gets along great with dogs.
Celebrate Dental Month Year Round

Dental Care at Home for Your Pets February was National Pet Dental Health Month and Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital participated by offering a discount on dental procedures. Our promotion actually extended into March to help accommodate everyone who wanted to participate. Pet dental care plays an important role in keeping animals healthy. Dental disease can lead to chronic infection and loss of teeth. Yearly oral exams are recommended to check for dental tartar buildup and gingivitis. Once a dental cleaning is performed, the teeth are clean and healthy but treatment should not end here. Home dental care for pets can help to safely increase the time between dental cleanings. Pet dental care is a commitment and, honestly, dogs are much easier than cats to brush their teeth. All pets should be taught from a young age to allow handling and teeth brushing. For those with older pets training can still be successful. Start by allowing your pet to lick the flavored toothpaste from the brush. After a week, start using the brush to swipe at the teeth. Once your pet becomes comfortable with this action you can begin to reach the brush into the mouth toward the back teeth. For cats, alternatives include using a cotton tipped applicator instead of a brush to reach for those back teeth. Full brushing is recommended daily because plaque will begin to form after 3 days. Routine is very important in our pets life and regular brushing should be part of that routine. We recommend that you place all of the brushing materials near your T.V. so you can brush while you watch your favorite shows. Happy brushing!