New doctor treating pets at Alder Creek

For most people, the idea of a potential high-profile career as a lawyer in New York City might seem a welcomed sort of life.

In Dr. Philip Meltzer’s case, however, he decided it wasn’t for him. So in 2006, he traded in his law books for a stethoscope to become a veterinary doctor and recently completed his first week at Alder Creek Veterinary Clinic in Battle Ground.

Battle Ground residents will have a chance to meet Meltzer at the Clinic’s “Meet the Doctor” event, Feb. 4 from noon-3 p.m.

“I was a commercial litigator and got to work for some local politicians in New York,” Meltzer said. “But part of the job of being a lawyer is a lot of reading and writing without any hands-on work, and I reached a point where I decided I wanted that.”

Meltzer returned to college at age 47, when most people are looking to finalize their careers and retirement plans. Now 53, and with a degree from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, he assists local residents in the treatment of their pets, both large and small.

“Every day is a challenge and it gives me a chance to improve my skills as a doctor, either through doing ultrasounds, or surgery, or just general care,” Meltzer said.

In working with animals and their owners, Meltzer also understands the dynamic is different than just treating human patients, which brings additional challenges not found in other forms of health care.

“You can’t be just a doctor and a hand-holder,” Meltzer said. “It’s a balance of helping clients and their patients while also practicing medicine and science, so it’s a mix of various thought processes simultaneously.”

“We treat dogs and cats primarily, but also take care of bunnies and “pocket pets” like mice, gerbils and hamsters, as well as birds and some reptiles,” says the clinic’s owner Dr. Mary Ann Haggerty.

Haggerty became owner of Alder Creek in 2000, and helped convert a disused grain store on SE First St., into their new facility in November 2009. Meltzer says it’s a great environment to work in.

“I couldn’t be happier here,” he said. “It’s a great hospital with excellent facilities and a terrific staff.”

An avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking and downhill skiing, the Battle Ground area also had some lasting appeal for both Meltzer and his fiance, Dr. Yanan Shang, a neurologist at PeaceHealth.

“Having been in the Northeast, the Hudson Valley, and all over the country, we decided to trade winter snow for rain,” Meltzer said. “But we’re definitely looking forward to settling here for a while.”

Even though he’s only been on the job for a week, Meltzer had some advice for dog owners regarding what they eat and what they’re fed.

“Salmon poisoning is something we see quite a bit here. Raw fish have parasites which could be harmful, so be sure not to give them any which isn’t cooked first,” Meltzer said. “Sushi’s definitely not something you want your pet to eat.”

In his five years of work, Meltzer admits he’s seen dogs come into his office having eaten far worse things as well.

“Back in New York, I had an owner bring in a dog who’d eaten brownies laced with marijuana and was genuinely surprised when the owner admitted as much,” he said.

The remedy, Meltzer said, was pretty simple.

“Just let him sleep it off and make sure he didn’t get near them again,” he said.

Alder Creek Veterinary Clinic is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dangerous food for pets

Fish isn’t the only food which could be potentially dangerous to your pet. According to VPI Pet Insurance, here’s some other things to keep out of reach of your dog or cat.

•    Alcohol – Ingesting alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature, and intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure.

•    Caffeine – Coffee, tea, energy drinks or anything containing caffeine should never be given to your pet, as they can affect the heart, stomach, intestines, and nervous system.

•    Chocolate – Contains various levels of fat, caffeine and the substances methylxanthines. The darker and richer the chocolate, the higher the risk of toxicity for your pet. Depending on the type and amount ingested, dogs can experience vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, heart arrthymias, tremors and seizures.

•    Fat trimmings and bones – Contrary to popular belief, both are dangerous for dogs as they may cause pancreantitis and are a choking hazard. Also bones can splinter and cause and obstruction or laceration of your dog’s digestive system.

•    Fruit Toxins – This is specific to persimmons, peaches and plums and their seeds or pits, which can cause inflammation in the small intestine of dogs. Also, the pits contain cyanide which is poisonous and potentially lethal to both humans and dogs, should the pit be broken open and consumed.

•    Milk and milk products – Adult dogs are deficient in lactose, which is necessary for the digestion of milk and it can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues. Ask your vet for safer alternatives.

•    Mushrooms – Wild mushrooms contain toxins that trigger numerous organ systems, including the kidneys, liver, and brain and can result in system failures, seizures, coma, vomiting and death if consumed.

• Onions and Garlic – They contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which is toxic to cats and dogs and can damage their red blood cells. Onions, onion powder, or even cooked onions in small amounts can cause those cells to burst.

•    Salt – Believe it or not, common table salt is poisonous to your pet. But they can also get salt toxicity eating household play dough, swallowing ocean water, or ingesting something like paint balls, which are loaded with salt. Symptoms can be very severe and result in poor coordination, seizures or brain swelling, and need to be treated carefully by a veterinarian.

For more information on other bad foods for your pets and how else you can keep them safe and healthy, go to http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone.