MAY 2002 FYI
TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET
has become much more difficult. The FAA has issued new rules concerning
flying unaccompanied. Basically, it is no longer allowed. Increased
security since 9-11 has caused the FAA to no longer permit shipping
pets as cargo on airplanes. From the limited information currently
available it looks like exceptions can be made but they will not
be easy to get. We would recommend that you look to alternate methods
to transport your pet if you will not be flying with it. If you
are a breeder planning a long- distance breeding, it may be necessary
to plan using a fresh chilled semen shipment rather than transporting
the dogs. We are members of the International Canine Genetics breeding
organization. We have participated in numerous long distance breedings.
We have collected semen for shipment as well as inseminated semen
shipped to us. Canine reproduction is one of our areas of advanced
interest. If you have any breeding questions feel free to contact
Dr. Bob at drbob@sylvaniavet.com
AAHA CERTIFICATION MEANS
SYLVANIA VET meets the highest standards of the profession.
We are the only hospital in the Toledo area that has full hospital
certification. Certification means that we meet or exceed the standards
of excellence established by the American Animal Hospital Association.
Did you know that no other veterinary hospital in our area is required
to meet any written standards of practice? No organization inspects
or polices a practice to insure the public that sterile technique
is met, emergency equipment or service is available or that complete
and thorough medical records are kept. AAHA certification mandates
that we have passed a rigorous evaluation process.
BLOOD BANK SAVES LIVES at
other area practices. Two local veterinarians asked us to help save
a patient's life by supplying whole blood from Toledo's only blood
bank. Because we had blood available we were happy to help animals
in need. If your dog ever needs a blood or plasma transfusion you
should know that we would never give inappropriate unmatched blood
to your pet. You should never allow your dog to receive blood that
has not been properly screened, typed and cross- matched. Our blood
bank always has a fresh supply of blood to use when an emergency
occurs. We are still looking for universal donor dogs to be members
of the blood bank. If your dog is over 50 pounds and 1-5 years old
why not volunteer it to be a member of our life saving team?
SECOND OPINIONS are an
important part of progressive, advanced, modern veterinary medicine.
We are frequently asked to give a second opinion on a difficult
case. We are happy to render assistance in diagnosing and treatment
of a sick or injured pet. When handled properly the client requests
that they would like to receive a second opinion. The first veterinarian
provides records, lab results and x-rays so the second vet has as
much information as possible. The two veterinarians should discuss
the case and work together to help the pet. It should never be necessary
to switch vets to get a second opinion. Physicians exchange information
on patients all the time and veterinarians should do the same. One
advantage of Sylvania Vet is that with four doctors every case gets
a second opinion when a problem gets difficult. Our doctors discuss
cases with each other daily.
CAPSTAR IS THE NEWEST product
in our arsenal of flea control products. This pill will kill all
fleas on a cat or dog within 2-4 hours of being given. It is designed
to give immediate results while the long lasting topical flea control
products begin to work. Topical Frontline Plus takes 24-48 hours
to reach full effect and lasts at least one month. If your pet has
fleas we will prescribe Capstar and Frontline Plus. With these two
products it is probably never necessary to treat your house or yard
for fleas. Remember that Frontline Plus is also effective against
four types of ticks. NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN APPLYING FRONTLINE
PLUS. Veterinarians are your best source for flea and tick control
information. Our entire staff is knowledgeable and available to
answer questions about flea and tick control.
NOVARTIS SUES PETMETD EXPRESS
for trademark infringement, false advertising and undermining the
client-veterinarian relationship. Novarits is a large manufacturer
of veterinary pharmaceuticals and does not authorize Petmed express
to sell their products in the US. We suspect other veterinary companies
might follow suit in suing Petmed express. REMEMBER, OUR PRICES
ARE BETTER THAN PETMED EXPRESS.
CHANNEL 11, WTOL, RECENTLY
INTERVIEWED Dr.Bob for a television story on aggressive dogs.
It is supposed to air the third week in May. The reporter was looking
for Dr Bob's hit list of the 10 most aggressive dogs. Rather, than
listing a rogue's gallery of nasty dogs, Dr. Bob tried to indicate
that most dogs are not born bad but rather benignly or actively
encouraged to become aggressive. There are dogs that are more aggressive
by nature but that doesn't mean that they have to be bad dogs. Most
of the most aggressive breeds have many dogs that are very good,
gentle dogs. In other words bad dogs are made, not born. He encouraged
a family to choose a dog appropriate for their numbers, age of children
and their work circumstances. Dogs should not be purchased from
a pet store. Temperament testing of a new puppy should be done before
or immediately after purchase. Games of aggression, rowdy, loud
play with the puppy, physical discipline should be avoided. Our
best advice is that before you buy a puppy, you should consult with
one of our doctors about how to properly choose a breed and how
to select a puppy from a litter.
CRIS WILKINS IS THE APRIL
TEAMMATE OF THE MONTH. Cris has been a member of our front desk
staff for over six years. To say she is a valued member of the team
is an understatement. If Sylvania Vet were a hockey team she would
have A on her sweater. This means she is a leader and someone that
we can all count on to provide the best of customer service. Cris
has two daughters, Danielle and Ashley. Her dog Retro is a regular
fixture at the front desk. Thanks, Cris for being such a great team
mate.
PROPERTY AT HOLLAND-SYLVANIA
AND HARROUN is now the official new location of Sylvania Veterinary
Hospital. Last Friday Dr. Bob closed the sale of the property. Planning
is well under way for a new, expanded and even better Sylvania Veterinary
Hospital. Your input on facility, services or design will be seriously
considered in planning the new hospital and boarding-grooming facility.
E-mail your suggestions to drbob@sylvaniavet.com
TOLEDO PARENT MAGAZINE
will feature an article about Sylvania Veterinary Hospital in the
May issue. We encourage you to pick up a free copy from many public
locations throughout northwest Ohio. We do not know the thrust of
the article but suspect it will center on our Pet Pal volunteer
program and our extensive involvement in community events. There
are many unique features about Sylvania Vet that separate us from
the rest of the area veterinarians but these are two of which we
are especially proud. Let us know what you think about the article
at info@sylvaniavet.com
MARY PERKINS, ONE OF OUR
OVERNIGHT TECHS, was married Friday May 3 to Daniel Lepley.
Congratulations Mary. We wish you and Dan well. The newlyweds will
be gone to an undisclosed location for a week. After her honeymoon
Mary will be back caring for our overnight patients and boarders.
SPRING IS TICK SEASON in
our area. There are at least three types of ticks common to NW Ohio.
If you camp, go to parks, run your dog in fields or have woods around
your home your dog or cat can get ticks. These insects attach tightly
to the skin of the pet and suck blood. They are capable of transmitting
several diseases including, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever and several others. Preventing ticks from getting on your
pet is difficult. Frontline Topspot will provide effective and early
kill to a tick if it contacts your pet that has been treated before
the exposure. Firmly grasping the tick's body with your fingers
(put your hand in a baggy) and firmly and steadily pulling it loose
should do removal of an attached tick. If the site of the tick's
attachment bleeds this indicates you got it all. If you live in
or frequent a heavy tick area we suggest Lyme Disease vaccine.
FIRST CANINE HEART BY-PASS
surgery was preformed at Texas A and M college of vet med. The
procedure was done on a Golden Retriever to correct a problem with
the heart's aortic valve. The operation was a success.
SARAH ACHEN, A JUNIOR OSU
VET STUDENT, will be working at the hospital this summer. Sarah
has been with us since her senior year at Northview when she was
our first mentee in the Ohio mentorship program. She then worked
in the boarding facility and as an assistant while completing a
chemistry degree, in three years, at University of Toledo. Sarah
was accepted to the OSU vet school two years ago. Look for Sarah
to be assisting in both outpatient and surgical areas this summer.
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES VERIFY
WHAT WE ALL KNOW, animals live longer and better lives if they
are not overweight. Additionally, the onset of chronic, debilitating
diseases was delayed up to 2.7 years over the overweight group.
We are constantly talking with you about keeping your pets weight
down. There is no a scientific study on animals to support these
recommendations. Dog food is not usually the culprit in weight gain
in our pets. Rather, it is snacks, table food and lack of regular
aerobic exercise. Chasing squirrels is not considered sufficient
exercise. Ask about controlling your pet's weight the next time
you visit.
DR. TATE IS ACCEPTED ONTO
A NATIONAL V-MAT TEAM. She will be a member of a team controlled
in North Carolina. Her training will involve several aspects of
crisis and disaster management. She may be called to assist in times
of regional or national disaster or possible severe agricultural
crises. We have all supported her participation in the V-MAT program.
We feel the hospital's entire team is a part of the V-MAT program,
as we will all work harder to cover Dr. Jen's absences.
IAMS PET FOODS HAVE DETERMINED
THE MOST popular pet names for 2002. Most popular puppy names
are 1.Max, 2.Buddy, 3.Princess, and 4. Rocky, 5. Belle. The top
kitten names were 1. Tiger, 2. Smokey, 3. Fluffy, 4. Kitty, 5. Shadow.
The most popular Midwest names for both dogs and cats are Ginger,
Gizmo, Buster, and Lucy.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
FROM ALL OF US AT SYLVANIA VETERINARY HOSPITAL
