MARCH 2002 FYI
WE ARE ALL SOPHISTICATED enough
to know that we shouldn't believe everything we hear or read. Every time
I hear a PetMed Express TV ad I am reminded that advertisers can say
anything they want and are rarely called on the accuracy of their
statement. This rogue pharmacy, in Florida, claims to sell heartworm
medications and flea control products for less than veterinarians do. As
clients of Sylvania Veterinary we want you to know that their statements
are incorrect. Today we received a request from PetMed to fill a
prescription. It is our policy to call clients before we authorize any
prescription. We learned that this client, Mrs. Smith, would have paid
$126 for the same products we would have charged $112. In addition,
drugs purchased from a source other than a veterinarian will not be
guaranteed or supported by the manufacturer. Also, company rebates will
not be honored. This is because PetMed Express is not an authorized
distributor of any of the products they advertise. Mrs. Smith would not
receive a $5.00 rebate on her purchase of Heartgard Plus, and would not
receive the 12-month guarantee that accompanies this product. She also
wanted to purchase 6 Frontline. When purchased through us she would have
received a seventh dose free. This would not be given by PetMed. The
efficacy guarantee from the manufacturer would not have been honored.
PetMed Express is not a good deal. If you are tempted to purchase from
them be sure to check with us first. We would also like to remind you we
are here to support and discuss any product we sell you for your pet.
CAVALCADE OF CATS was held
Sunday, Feb. 17 and was a qualified success. The showing and judging was
terrific. Ninety-seven cats were judged in three rings and winners were
selected in four age groups. Dr. Bob was away with his son Matt,
celebrating his birthday. He is sorry that he could not be part of the
dedicated staff and volunteers that enabled the Cavalcade of Cats to be
held. It is not possible to individually thank everyone that helped.
However, several people must be singled out for their great support and
effort. Abbott Tool and Dr and Mrs. Sundheimer provided substantial
financial support. Claudia Lamanna and Ann Bondy put in countless hours
planning and executing the Cavalcade of Cats. Without these loyal staff
members our cat show would not be a reality. Maumee Valley Save-A-Pet
and Paws and Whiskers Feline Shelter not only provided cats for adoption
and cats for judging, but also helped with set up and break down. This
year we had several TV ads on channel 24. We had hoped that the
increased exposure would attract a large attendance. Unfortunately, our
spectator numbers were not good. The gate receipts are the main source
of profit that we are able to disperse to PAWS and Save A Pet. Next
month the final accounting will be available.
CAREER DAY FOR FUTURE VETS is
going to be held at Ohio State Saturday, April 20th. Anyone that is even
remotely considering a career in veterinary medicine is welcome to
attend the free career day and hospital tour at OSU. You can learn more
about the event and on the vet schools web site, www.vet.ohio-state.edu/
TOLEDO PARENT NEWS, the local
publication for parents of all ages, is planning a feature article on
Sylvania Vet. Published monthly, Parent, can be picked up free from many
stores through out NW Ohio. Look for our article in the April or May
issue. We publish a monthly column, Ask the Vet. If you would like to
have a pet related question answered in print be sure to e-mail Dr. Bob
at drbob@sylvaniavet.com
ADVERTISING FOR PET CARE PRODUCTS
in on the increase in all media sources. One cannot watch the TV,
read a magazine or open your mail with out seeing a full color ad for
some pet medication. As a pet owner we are sure you look at these ads
and wonder if what they are promoting is right for your pet. Rest
assured that we have examined and studied all the products that you are
hearing about. We have made decisions about what products are the
safest, most effective, and economical for your dog and cat. Feel free
to ask any staff member about any product you have heard about.
We
want to discuss one product that is going to be heavily advertised the
next few months. ProHeart is an injectable heartworm preventative for
dogs only. On the surface this sounds great. However, we think that this
product is a step back in the overall health care of your pet. We have
elected to not make this product part of our pharmacy. The injection is
given every six months, under the skin in the dog's neck. It remains
there for the duration as time release molecules dispense the drug. Your
dog has a blood level of the drug for the entire six months. We do not
like drugs over which we do not have control. Once in your pet it cannot
be removed. Should a reaction develop there is nothing that can be done.
Historically, when it is necessary for drugs to remain in the system
continuously there is the potential for damage to organs, particularly
the liver. We do not know if long term exposure to ProHeart can do
damage to your dog's organs. Using this injection eliminates the
internal parasite control that has been accomplished by using the
monthly heartworm medications. We will continue to recommend Heartgard
Plus as our primary heartworm preventive and under special circumstances
Interceptor. These monthly products work effectively and are only in
your pet's blood for a day or two. Over 15 years of use has proved their
long- term safety.
KIDNEY AND LIVER FAILURE IN CATS
are two devastating diseases of cats. The diseases are separate and
rarely occur together. Kidney failure is a common aging disease in our
feline friends. In many cases it is the consequence of normal wear and
tear as the cat ages. Early signs of kidney failure are weight loss,
increased water consumption and a lessening of activity and appetite.
There are many things that we can do to help your cat as its kidneys
deteriorate. One of our newest techniques to prolong the quality of your
pet's life is to insert a SQ catheter so that you can easily give daily
fluids to your pet. Special diets and medications are also a part of
kidney failure treatment. Liver failure can occur to a cat of any age if
it suddenly quits eating. Obese cats that loose weight too fast, are
susceptible to a disease know as fatty liver. Recovery is difficult but
is greatly enhanced by intensive feeding of a special diet. This
nutrition is administered through a feeding tube inserted into the cat's
esophagus. The e-tube is well tolerated by the cat and can be kept in
place for months. Should we make a diagnosis of either of these diseases
do not despair we will have many suggestions to help your cat.
LARGE BREED PUPPIES, those that
will be over 50 pounds as adults, have special nutritional needs. For
many years breeders used to tell new owners that they should give extra
meat, cottage cheese, vitamins and calcium to name but a few of the
popular recommendations. Nutritional research by Hills and Purina and
other quality pet food companies have proved that these supplements are
not needed and can actually do harm. If a large breed puppy grows too
fast bones, joints, tendons and muscles do not grow at the appropriate
rate. This can lead to the development of joint and bone diseases like
hip dysplasia and hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD). Diets have been
developed that actually reduce the calorie density of the food and
decreases calcium and phosphorus to slow the puppies' rate of growth.
These dogs will still reach its full growth potential. Before following
a breeders or pet stores diet suggestion we suggest you call us. During
your new puppies first visit we will also spend time discussing proper
feeding.
KEEP LUCAS COUNTY BEAUTIFUL
street pick-up is going to be in March. We have adopted Main Street and
Holland-Sylvania from the office to Central Ave. We are always looking
for help on our street pick-up. If you are interested call the office,
419-885-4421 and leave a message for Dr. Bob or e-mail him at
drbob@sylvaniavet.com After spending less than an hour helping our
community we will all go to Barry Bagels for lunch
A PET WITH AN EMERGENCY should
come to Sylvania Vet. We are committed to the health of your animal 24
hours a day, seven days a week. If you have any trouble after hours your
first call should be to 419-885-4421. Our answering service will then
call our overnight tech. If the tech can answer your questions and give
you advice they will. If it is determined to be a true emergency they
will instruct you to wait while she calls the doctor on call. This
should take only a few minutes to be sure that your pet gets the
appropriate emergency care.
SYLVANIA VET RECYCLES every
month, do you? We recycle all of our cans, plastic and cardboard through
Sylvania's twice- monthly curbside pick-up. We encourage all of you to
join us in the national recycling effort.
BLOOD TRANSFUSION FROM SYLVANIA
VET'S BLOOD BANK helped save Stosh's life. Presented as "just not
doing right" by his very observant owners we determined that Stosh had a
bleeding mass in his abdomen. In a period of 6 hours the percentage of
red blood cells in his blood dropped from 38% to 20%. Emergency surgery
to remove a ruptured spleen was performed. To replace some of the nearly
1500 ml of blood removed from his abdomen during surgery we called in
one of our donor dogs. The 500-ml unit of whole blood enabled Stosh to
withstand major surgery and the necessary recovery. We need more dogs in
our donor pool. If you would like to have your dog be a member of our
life saving team call the office and ask for Emily or Dr Jen,
419-885-4421 or e-mail drjen@sylvaniavet.com
DR AMY IS ENGAGED. Recently, Dr
Amy received a beautiful diamond from her long time boyfriend, Jeff.
Jeff is about to graduate from the vet school at Kansas State. He will
be relocating to Toledo and will be looking for a job in the area. An
exact date has not been set for the wedding. Congratulations Dr. Amy and
Jeff
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S
DAY
SYLVANIA VETERINARY HOSPITAL HEALTH CARE TEAM
