JUNE 2003 FYI
DON'T FORGET TO GIVE YOUR DOG AND CAT ITS MONTHLY HEARTWORM
PREVENTION. THIS IS ALSO A GOOD TIME TO APPLY FRONTLINE TOPSPOT
FOR TICK AND FLEA PROTECTION
NEW HOSPITAL IS UNDERWAY. The official ceremonial
groundbreaking was held May 3. It was a great success with over
100 people attending. Dr. Bob, his wife Carol, their children Tricia,
Matt, Kevin, Tim and Tricia's son, Jack, turned the first shovel
full of dirt. Afterward everyone reviewed beautiful renderings of
the project and enjoyed sandwiches and cake. Last week the site
was cleared. Near the front two beautiful spruce and a large maple
were saved to be the focal point of the hospital's memorial garden.
This week we expect that site construction and sewer installation
will begin. If you wonder what the project is going to look like
stop in, we have the architect's renderings posted in our reception
area.
PET CARE TV is now playing in the reception
area. This infomercial format CD educates waiting clients about
pet health issues while advertising products of interest to pet
owners. This concept was first developed to be displayed in pediatrician's
offices. SVH is an initial subscriber to Pet Care TV.
OUR NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM has been installed.
The transition is moving along well but there are glitches in the
learning curve. Please be patient as we try to check you out, make
an appointment or get financial or vaccine records from the new
software. Ultimately this new Windows XP based software will be
terrific.
SABRA LUCAS TO JOIN SVH'S VETERINARY STAFF
in early July. Sabra is a graduate of Ross Veterinary School. She
completed her senior year of clinics at the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Lucas graduated with an undergraduate degree in graphic design.
After working in her chosen field she joined her brother to run
and expand the family custom cabinet business. After being in business
for several years Sabra decided to pursue her passion and become
a veterinarian. Sabra will be a great addition to our staff.
YOU ARE AUTHORIZED to forward this month's,
or any, FYI to your pet-owning friends. We try to include information
about animal diseases and issues that would make FYI interesting
to anyone that cares about animals. If this leads to someone coming
to our office then you will get credit for his or her referral.
Remember, there are cash awards and gifts for each new client you
refer.
COCOA MULCH IS BEING SOLD as a garden ground
cover. Because many dogs like to chew sticks and mulch we recommend
you not use cocoa mulch. The mulch can be toxic; just like chocolate,
if too much is ingested. The toxic material in cocoa mulch and chocolate
is theobromine, a cardiac stimulant. Toxicity is related to the
size of the pet and the amount of theobromine ingested. Therefore,
small amounts of mulch or chocolate will not be harmful, but the
effects are cumulative.
JUST A REMINDER we do not recommend that you
purchase any products from on-line pharmacies. Pet-Med Express is
now telling our clients that they will match our prices. Yes, that
is right; we have better prices, every day, than PME. Tell your
family and friends that it costs more to buy from on-line pharmacies.
See May FYI for more information on our prices compared to PME.
SIRENS ROARING AND LIGHTS FLASHING was what
Dr. Bob was confronted with when he picked up an emergency call
from Sheriff Deputy Mike Corbett. He used his squad car to transport
Toro, a Lucas County drug dog, to the office because he said, "
I am sure he has a gastric torsion". Toro and Mike beat Dr.
Bob to the office, as he had to obey the traffic laws. Examination
of Toro verified the suspected diagnosis of gastric torsion. A true
emergency, gastric torsion can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated
with surgery quickly. Four hours of emergency surgery and recovery
saved Toro's life. He is now back in the field, where he has had
great success finding a variety of illegal drugs.
Gastric torsion is most common in large, deep chested dogs but any
dog can develop the condition. Torsion usually follows eating a
large meal. Signs of the disease are non-productive retching; panting,
distended left side of the abdomen, and unsteady gate. If you have
any reason to suspect your pet has a gastric torsion you need to
call right away. Our overnight tech will know what to do and what
advice to give you.
MEMORIES LIVE ON ANIMAL FOUNDATION is now a
reality. The hospital's non-profit charitable organization will
soon begin selling memorial bricks and wind chimes. A ten-member
board of directors has been appointed. Dr. Bob and Carol Esplin,
Sharon Skilliter, and Art Stange are permanent members. Staff members
are Dr. Jen Tate, Lori Raab and Kelly Rowan. Representing clients
will be Kate Day, Pat Alton and Debbie Laviolette. Cooper-Smith
Advertising has designed promotional brochures. They will be available
at the office by June 15. We expect to place the first memorial
brick order by July 15. Call us at 419-885-4421 for more information
on the Memories Live On Animal Foundation. Look for a Foundation
page on our redesigned web site.
WHAT TO DO if you are bitten by a wild animal.
Recently, a client called because his dog had been in a fight with
a raccoon. He had been advised that his dog receive a booster rabies
vaccine and be isolated and observed for 45 days. Later that day
the health department called to verify this recommendation and be
sure he had an appointment. What the health department told us next
caused a shiver in all of us. Not only had the raccoon bitten the
dog but had also bitten the owner. The raccoon was killed in the
fight. The owner disposed of the raccoon body with no concern to
its rabies status. Our client is receiving a series of rabies treatment
shots from his doctor. If a wild animal ever bites you or your pet
you should try to capture the animal. It will have to be killed
so that its brain might be checked for rabies lesions. Without this
information your doctor and you will have to make difficult decisions
about whether to go through a rabies series. We advise you always
use care when you encounter a wild animal.
ASPCA POISON CONTROL center is on-call round
the clock 365 days a year, just like Sylvania Vet. We are a subscribing
member. This gives us immediate access to the wealth of knowledge
available on all toxic substances. If your pet consumes a toxin
we will contact poison control and consult with them on the best
way to manage its case. There is a fee of $80 for this consultation.
In May we had need for the service when two dogs were presented
having consumed an unknown amount of rubbing alcohol. One dog was
severely affected. The advice given by poison control helped us
cure these unfortunate dogs.
TICKS ARE BAD THIS YEAR. There are four types
of ticks common to our area. All will attach themselves to our dogs
and cats. All are capable of transmitting disease to our pets. All
four types of ticks are susceptible to Frontline Plus topical. We
recommend that if your pet goes into likely tick areas - wooded
areas, metro parks, tall grass fields, you apply a monthly dose
of Frontline to your pet. Yes, cats can get ticks!
EXPANDED HOURS TO BEGIN in August. After our
newest doctor, Kirsten Love, begins and is oriented to the practice
there will be additional appointment opportunities. Morning hours
will begin at 8AM and continue throughout the day. We will see appointments
through the lunch hour. Wednesday and Thursday we will be open until
8PM. Saturday we will schedule two doctors and be open until 5PM.
These additional hours are the result of your response to our recent
questionnaire.
WE ARE HIRING!!!! Once we are close to moving
we will have openings in the boarding kennel, front desk, and day
care and doctor assistants. We are also going to be hiring a full
time practice manager. Sylvania Vet is a great place to work and
we have terrific benefits. If you know someone that 
you
think would be a great employee have him or her contact Cris, 419-885-4421.
Be sure to keep an eye on the construction of the new hospital
Happy Fathers Day
The entire Sylvania Vet Staff
