FYI June 2002
SORRY THIS MONTH'S FYI
is late. Dr Bob writes the e-mail newsletter and he was busy, moving
into a new home. After living in the same home for 21 years Dr.
Bob and his wife, Carol, decided to build a new house. After ten
months of planning and watching construction they moved June 4.
CANADIAN RESEARCHERS
recently discovered that humans were able to transmit bacteria,
Staph aureus, to their pets. Sixteen cases of cat, dog and horse
infections were directly related to an infection first found on
the human owners. This is the first time such human-to-pet zoonosis
has been demonstrated with Staff aureus.
CANCER TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE
at Sylvania Vet should your pet ever receive the diagnosis of
a malignancy. The treatment of cancer has advanced for many tumors
so that improved quality and duration of life is a likely outcome.
In many situations we are able to provide treatment that converts
a certain fatal outcome into the management of a chronic disease.
Should we ever diagnose your dog or cat with cancer we will discuss
a variety of treatments and their costs. Not all cancers respond
to chemotherapy, but many do. We consult with a variety of specialists
in oncology and radiation oncology. If we feel your pet is best
served by a referral to a specialist we will give you this advice.
Recently, a local veterinarian referred a case to us that he was
not comfortable treating. We will be working with a cancer specialist
from Michigan Veterinary Specialists to prolong the cat's life.
SYLVANIAVET BLOOD BANK
is still looking for a few good dogs. We need to enroll 4-5 universal
donor dogs. We will probably have to type 20 dogs to identify the
universal donors we need. Help us out by volunteering your dog to
be a member of our blood bank. You dog can help save the life of
another family's pet. Call Dr. Jen or Emily for more details.
FELINE HEARTWORM DISEASE
is an emerging disease of cats. We have been recommending all cats
take monthly Heartgard for Cats for several years. We would like
to reinforce this recommendation with some current information about
Feline Heartworm Disease (FHD). As with dogs, FHD is transmitted
by mosquitoes. The presentation of most cats with FHD mimic asthma,
that is, respiratory distress. Cats with FHD may also present with
chronic vomiting. The most serious sign is sudden unexplained death.
There is no treatment for FHD and diagnosis is not as easy as it
is in dogs. We do not recommend annual testing because treatment
isn't possible. We do recommend all cats take monthly Heartgard
for Cats from April through December. Studies have shown that even
strictly indoor cats are at risk for FHD.
BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY
was recently visited by three of our registered technicians. Lori,
Gloria and Sarra visited the large animal sanctuary in Kanab, Ut.
There are over 700 dogs in the Dogtown area. Cats are kept in two
areas, WildCats Village and Benton's House. Our trio of techs carried
a donation from the hospital to Best Friends. You can learn more
about the sanctuary on line at www.bestfriends.org or by calling
435-644-2001. We will be doing more to help Best Friends.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE DOG WATER
FOUNTAIN at Wildwood Metro Park? Located in the courtyard of
the visitor center is a running water drinking fountain for your
dog. Several years ago we donated this fountain so that dogs, accompanying
their owners on walks, would not dehydrate or overheat. There is
also a fountain on the University Trail at Richards Rd funded by
Sylvania Vet. These are two of our community support programs.
GRIEF SUPPORT is looking
for a new location. Over the last year our twice-monthly group sessions
have been moved from several locations. We lost the Burnham building
first then moved to the Sylvania library and finally the Sanger
library. All these locations are no longer available. We hope to
have a new, permanent location for the grief support group by July
first. Claudia Lammana, our certified grief counselor, continues
to facilitate our grief support effort. If you know anyone that
is having trouble coping with the loss of their pet, please advise
them to call and ask about this no cost service.
VETERINARY PET INSURANCE
recently extended their pet insurance policy to cover birds.
This is a first in the pet insurance industry. Those of you with
valuable birds should consider VPI insurance for your bird. We have
applications or you my contact VPI at www.petinsurance.com Industry
experts expect the number of pet insurance for all animals to dramatically
increase in the next five years. We have had very positive experiences
with pet insurance claims and are comfortable recommending you consider
purchasing a policy for your pet.
PERMETHRINS ARE HIGHLY TOXIC
TO CATS. This synthetic flea control product is included in
most over the counter (OTC) flea control products sold for dogs.
Clients frequently apply it to their cat and cause a serious and
often times fatal poisoning. We do not feel that the OTC flea control
products are effective. The best and safest product for flea control
is Frontline Plus. The product is not toxic to any mammal including
humans. It is also effective against ticks. No other product is
as effective and as safe as Frontline Plus.
BRAINSTORMING GATHERINGS
OF CLIENTS and staff members for the new hospital have been
completed. Many great ideas to improve the hospital were suggested.
If you have not seen the new hospital location, it is on Holland-Sylvania
immediately across from Harroun. There is a sign indicating the
future home of Sylvania Veterinary Hospital. Suggestions that were
received included separate dog and cat entries and waiting areas,
increased exam room size for dogs, separate check-in and check-out
areas at the front desk. Boarding will be expanded with more natural
light, improved ambiance and radiantly heated floors. In the next
month Dr. Bob will be interviewing architects to begin developing
plans. Look for more details in future FYI's.
PYGMY SPERM WHALE SAVED
by a donation of Diflucan by Pfizer Inc. A Florida marine aquarium
was caring for a Pygmy Whale, Glory, after being rescued from a
beach near Clearwater. It was determined that she had a fungal infection
in her lungs. The 751-pound mammal needed $4,500 of medication to
cure her. The money was not available at the aquarium. Pfizer stepped
in and donated the product. You may track Glory's progress at www.cmaquarium.org
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT
MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER are available for the asking. Do you need
a real early drop off for your pet's surgery or an after hours pick-up?
With our overnight staff this is not only possible but happens every
week. How about staying during your pet's surgery and holding it
while it recovers; no problem. Have your pet groomed while you wait
or hold your pet to assist the groomer, we can do that. We are here
to serve you; if you need something special all you need to do is
ask.
DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING
through the night? Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that having
a pet sleep in your bed or in your room may contribute to your insomnia.
A survey revealed that 21% of dogs and 7% of cats snored. The need
for the pet to go out during the night was a significant disruption
of a good night's sleep. Pets sleeping in bed with the human were
a serious sleep interrupter. If you have trouble sleeping you must
consider the impact of having your pet in the room with you. We
recommend for this and other reasons, that pets not be allowed to
sleep on your bed.
HAVE A GREAT JUNE
THE STAFF OF THE SYLVANIA VETERINARY HOSPITAL
