JULY
2002 FYI
TOP
EIGHT AGGRESSIVE DOGS were identified by insurance companies.
Based on liability claims insurance companies are profiling certain
breeds. It is possible this profiling may lead to increased rates
for those owning targeted breeds. Statistics show that once a pet
has bitten it poses an increased risk to bite again. The breeds
or groups of dogs found to have bitten the most are, in order of
those most involved in bites, German Shepherd, terrier group, Doberman
Pincher, Rottweiler, Boxer, Chow, Great Dane, Siberian Husky. Currently,
Nationwide Insurance will not write homeowners policies for individuals
owning Rottweilers, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Presa Canarios, Chows
and wolf hybrids. These statistics should emphasize the importance
of choosing a pet properly, giving early behavior guidance, and
enrolling in socialization and obedience classes. We discuss behavior
development with every new puppy presented to us. We are happy to
schedule a pre-purchase visit to discuss what you need to know to
choose the right dog for your family. We do not want any of our
patients to become part of anyone's statistics.
PET
TRUST FUNDS have received legal approval by a New Jersey
Court. These funds are to provide for the care of a companion pet
when the owner dies. These trusts can provide continued care for
a surviving pet for up to 21 years. The amount may not grossly exceed
the amount needed to provide care for the animal(s). However, the
trust's legality cannot cause delays in probate by challenging the
validity of the will.
DIFFICLUT TO MEDICATE PETS
may now be treated more easily, accurately, and less traumatically.
Several common drugs are available from Compounding Pharmacy in
a gel form that is applied to the animal's earflap. The plo-gel
concept has made it possible for all pets to be medicated without
stressing the pet or subjecting the owner to possible injury. We
also just tested a compounding machine that enabled us to make a
paste of almost any medication. After a two-month trial we were
disappointed to find that the process was time consuming, accuracy
of dosage was difficult, and the paste was not very palatable. We
have returned the machine and advised that the company improve the
product. We would also like to suggest that whenever you give any
medication to your pet you follow the administration with a teaspoon
of water. This will prevent the medication from getting stuck in
the esophagus.
NATIONAL ON-LINE ADOPTION
CENTER can now be found at www.one2onecare.com
Over 800 shelters and thousands of dogs and cats can be found at
the site. When we have our local adoption center activated on sylvaniavet.com
we will link to this larger resource of adoptions. If you are currently
looking for a pet to adopt we would suggest you contact us, we have
five or six cats and kittens available for adoption. We just placed
a chocolate lab puppy that was rescued by a caring client. The Toledo
Humane Society, Paws and Whiskers Cat Shelter, Maumee Valley Save
A Pet, Planned Pethood, Project C.A.T.S., The Animal Shelter and
numerous other humane organizations provide adoption opportunities.
Before making an adoption choice we would recommend a pre-purchase
consultation to help you chose the correct pet.
INTERNET PHARMACIES ARE UNDER
FIRE from federal and state pharmacy
boards and regulatory agencies. Our big nemesis, Petmed Express,
accepted punishment without admitting guilt for over 30 violations
of Florida Pharmacy Law. The admission carried a $100,000 fine and
other stipulations. The company could have lost their pharmacy license.
The company was notified that it would not receive such lenient
punishment if it should again violate Florida law. We encourage
you to not support this organization. Our prices are better, our
service is better, and we are the authorized seller of the products
they frequently advertise. Another pharmacy, out of Canada, has
been advertising in the US. It is illegal for them to sell to US
citizens and it is illegal for a US resident to purchase products
from this foreign company. Their prices are great but they may not
be selling products comparable to the US approved products.
RESCUE ANIMALS USED AT THE
WORLD TRADE CENTER were assisted
by the Suffolk County SPCA. Our entire staff made a donation to
the rescue effort by sending money to the SPCA. In addition to helping
the rescue dogs, the Society aided pets directly affected by the
tragedy. They provided care for a cat that was trapped on the roof
of an apartment. The owners were not allowed to return to their
building. If you would like to help in the on going rescue project
go to the SPCA's website, www.suffolkspca.org
SILVER SCREEN WELLNESS PROGRAM
has hit the ground running. We
have enrolled over 75 senior pets in the first two months of our
new geriatric health promotion program. Designed to provide advanced
diagnostic and medical care to your aging pets the Silver Screen
Program is a valuable tool in prolonging the life of our long time
companions. It is estimated that there are 18 million dogs and 22
million cats that are seniors. We hope that our advanced care program
will enable all our patients to exceed the average life span of
each breed of dog or cat. We encourage each of you with senior pets
to inquire about the Silver Screen Program. In the future look for
a Silver Screen page on the Sylvania Vet web site, www.sylvaniavet.com
GENTLE LEADER HEAD COLLARS
are a superior control and training tool. Many dogs are difficult
or impossible for all family members to walk. With a gentle leader
this will not be a problem. From unruly behavior to severe dominance-aggression,
we have used the gentle leader as a part of a modification program.
If you have behavior troubles or just concerns about your dog or
cats behavior we are happy to schedule a behavior consult. We encourage
you to call early when you are having trouble with your pet. If
a problem progresses it is much more difficult correct.
DISH IS THE ACRONYM
for changes associated with the behavioral signs of brain aging.
D disorientation, confusion, aimlessness, I interaction changes
with family members, S sleep patterns are altered, H house-soiling
rules are forgotten. When you suspect your aging pet may be showing
signs of brain aging we recommend you consider switching to a new
Hills Prescription Diet: B/D. This is a great first step in helping
your older dog deal with the inevitable consequences of getting
older. We would recommend B/D replace the senior diet you switched
your pet to when it crossed into its senior years if any of the
DISH signs are noted. When brain aging signs advance there is a
medication, Anipryl, that may be prescribed to help with the signs
we call Cognitive Dysfunction.
FRONTLINE PLUS
should be on all your dogs and cats by now. We are still in tick
season. There are four types of tick that are common to our geographic
region. All are capable of transmitting Lyme disease and other blood
parasites. Used monthly Frontline Plus will kill ticks before they
are tightly attached and sucking blood from your pet. Flea season
got an early start but will be in full flower by mid-July. No other
flea control product is as effective and as complete in preventing
flea infestation on the animal and in the environment. We feel that
it is a waste of your money to buy a flea collar. They just do not
work. Over the counter products do not work as advertised. Did you
know that a pet could be so heavily infested with ticks or fleas
that it can become anemic? If you have questions concerning how
to manage a tick or flea problem feel free to ask a staff member.
We are your best and most authoritative source for flea and tick
control advice.
COPY CAT WAS BORN DEC. 22,
2001 at Texas A&M University.
So what, you say! Well, Copy Cat is just that, an exact clone of
not its mother but its donor, Rainbow, a female calico, domestic
short hair cat. AAHA has determined that eight percent of cat owners
would like to clone their cat. However, one must realize you are
not getting a new version of your beloved pet. You are only getting
a cat that has an identical appearance. Personality, socialization
and behavior are what make your pet so special and these traits
cannot be reproduced. One should think of cloning like identical
twins and identical twins have differences. If you are interested
in cloning you may contact Dr. Duane Kraemer at Texas A&M college
of veterinary medicine.
LASER DECLAWS ARE SUPERIOR
to the traditional method of declawing cats. The advantages of laser
surgery are less bleeding, less post surgical pain, smaller surgical
incisions and quicker recovery. Additionally, the cat will not have
to have a tourniquet applied to its leg during the surgery or a
tight pressure bandage applied and then removed the next day. The
tourniquet and the pressure wrap can diminish circulation to the
foot and surgical site and cause delayed healing and unexpected
post surgical limping. We charge $45 additional to use our CO2 surgical
laser. We think this is money well spent.
DID YOU SEE the great article
about Sylvania Veterinary Hospital in the June issue of Parent Magazine.
The author did a great job of capturing many of the points that
make us a special pet care facility. There were pictures of two
of our Pet Pals. This organized volunteer program is unique in our
area and may be unique in the country. We encourage you to pick
up a free copy of June "Parent" or ask us for a reprint
of this truly special tribute to Sylvania vet.
Have a great Fourth of July
The staff of Sylvania Veterinary Hospital says it is great to be
an American
