Sylvania Veterinary Hospital
www.sylvaniavet.com

FYI

 











Better Business Bureau


OCTOBER 2003
Remember to give your dog and cat its monthly dose of heartgard. You should also apply the monthly dose of frontline for flea and tick control

MEMORIES LIVE ON ANIMAL FOUNDATION has received its first donations. Three donations have been received from SYLVANIA VET in the name of pets that have passed away. Several clients have made initial purchases of memorial bricks. Our first brick order will be placed by October 15. We have also received a donation of a bench to be placed in the memorial garden so one can sit and enjoy the solitude. Most significantly we received a large donation that has been designated to establish a Foundation endowment. The proceeds of the donation will be designated to the Suki Fund for Good Samaritan cases. A local artist, Mike Rothfuss, has been retained to create a sculpture to be the focal point of the garden. A grand opening party will be the Foundation's initial fund raising event. We hope everyone will consider attending this event. Details will be available in October.

PETTING IS A LIFETIME ACTIVITY is the title of a talk that Dr bob will be giving at Epworth Church October 7. He will be speaking to a group of retired senior citizens about the health, social and psychological benefits of owning pets throughout one's life. The public is welcome but reservations must be made for this luncheon meeting. If you would like to attend call Epworth Church, 419-531-4236 during the week. If you would like Dr. Bob to speak on this or any animal related subject feel free to call the office, 419-885-4421 or e-mail him at drbob@sylvaniavet.com.

FECAL CHECKS are an important part of your pet's annual wellness visit. This subject was covered in last month's FYI. A recent publication indicated that touching your pet's hair could transmit Roundworms, the most common dog and cat internal parasite. This revelation emphasizes that regular stool check and routine worming be performed on you pet throughout its life. It also tells us that one should wash their hands after petting a dog or cat. Be sure to keep your yard poop patrolled. Heartgard Plus and Interceptor the two most common monthly heartworm preventives also protect against internal parasites. Year round use of Heartgard plus or Interceptor, twice yearly stool checks, regular poop patrol of your yard and washing your hands after handling your pet should become routine.

NECTARINES CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR PET'S HEALTH. The fruit is healthy for man and beast alike. However, should your pet ingest a pit, a toxic reaction can occur. Severe stomach and intestinal irritation are the most commonly seen clinical signs. The nectarine is from a group of fruit belonging to the Prunus species. Other fruits in the species include peach, apricot, cherry, and plum. All parts of these plants except the fruit are toxic. Apple seeds contain the same toxin, cyanogenic glycosides. It is not a good idea to let your dog chew on sticks of the Prunus species. The inside kernel of the fruit should not be fed to your bird. Recently, a Golden Retriever was presented with nectarine intoxication after eating a whole nectarine. The dog vomited the pit but not before the toxic reaction occurred. Two days of hospitalization was necessary for him to get better. We have a list of toxic plants and fruits that might be common to your yard or neighborhood. It you would like a copy just ask.

DOGGY DAY CARE admission exams are being scheduled. Our day care director, Barb Harris, is currently conducting the necessary screening exams so your dog will be ready when our day care service opens. Unlike other local day care facilities in the area these temperament tests are FREE. Day care will be an enjoyable, recreational, and educational experience for your dog every time it attends a session. Rather than leave your dog at home all day while you work or attend other activities we recommend day care. You will be happier and feel less guilty. Your dog will definitely have a better time than being home alone all day. The house will not suffer from the effects of canine boredom or separation anxiety. Going to day care will also help you dog develop independence when you are away which will lessen the possibility of it developing separation anxiety. Day care will enhance the bond you have with your pet.

A PET CARE DESTINATION is the motto of the new SYLVANIA VETERINARY HOSPITAL. There will be so many innovations in the new hospital that we will be able to meet the special concerns of every pet owner. There are at lease four major innovations that will set the new hospital apart from every other veterinary practice.

  1. Our cat only facility will make cat lovers more confident that the presence of dogs will not stress their feline favorites. We expect a greater then 98% separation between cats and dogs in the new facility.

  2. Many other kennels and boarding facilities offer special "suites" at premium rates and give nothing more than fancy bedding, Internet video cam, and other fluff to justify the cost. Many kennels have double runs or larger runs for your dogs. Rarely does one observe a dog using a larger space for exercise. Double spaces separated with a guillotine door are there for cleaning purposes. While one side is cleaned the dog is closed into the other, usually smaller, space. It is hoped that the guest will void on that side. Your dog is being encouraged to void inside thus invalidating all your house breaking efforts. We think there is little benefit to the dog so we chose to do something that will enhance the quality of your dog's stay. Dog boarder and hospital patients will rest on radiantly heated floors. This special innovation is a real benefit for the pet. Our 5'x 3' runs give plenty of living room for each dog. Our innovative automatic dog walker will ensure that your dog will get outside and exercise 20-30 minutes at least twice daily. Your dogs will still go out at bedtime as well. You will not pay extra for these exercise sessions.

  3. Day care and canine learning center on site is unique for veterinary practices in the area. Monday through Friday day care will be available to all, including special sessions and rates when coupled with dog boarding. Our learning center will offer classes from size and age based kindergarten to basic and advanced obedience and beginner agility. Massage will be a part of the education provided during learning center classes. We have a safe and comfortable floor being installed in the learning center.

  4. Physical rehabilitation, physical conditioning and hydrotherapy will be available with our underwater treadmill. Dr. Sabra, Dr Bob and one of our techs, Sarra Nicely, will be running this one of a kind health center. We all know the importance of physical therapy for our recovery from injury or surgery. The same benefits can be provided to our patients with our Ferno underwater treadmill.

These and many other refinements of existing services as well as all the unique features of our current hospital make the new facility a pet care destination.

SYLVANIA VET HAS BEEN CHOSEN as one of the 400 leading veterinary hospitals in the USA by Pfizer. This designation means that a leading veterinary pharmaceutical company has recognized how hard we work to provide both quality patient care and client service. As a member of this elite group we will be asked to comment on the needs of the profession, be asked to participate in clinical trials of new products and receive support in continuing education for staff and clients, and practice management. We are thrilled to have been selected by Pfizer as a top national practice.

"ADDICT: RACING FOR RECOVERY" is the title of a documentary based on the young life of a lifelong Sylvania resident, Todd Crandell. The film premiered last month with a fund raising party held at the Franciscan Center at Lourdes College. Todd's story is inspirational as one learns about his life as an elite youth hockey player as it descends into massive drug and alcohol abuse and then his recovery to become an evangelist for a drug and alcohol free life. His organization, Racing for Recovery is sponsoring runs nationwide to pass the word about the positive addiction of exercise. The video is worth having and viewing with your children and grandchildren. We encourage you to learn more about Todd's story at www.racingforrecovery.com

STOP LIGHT IS ALMOST DONE at the new office. When fully operational there will be a turn lane on Holland-Sylvania from the south. Cameras are positioned so that the light will cycle only when there is a car waiting to exit from our driveway. Access and egress will be much safer for everyone because of the stoplight.

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET has become a little easier. If you have tried to find a motel that will allow canine or feline guests you have found the pickings slim. A new web site, www.bringyourpet.com will help you find a pet friendly motel in any area of the country. If you are moving to a new area we would like to help you find a new doctor for your pets. We have a roster of all AAHA certified hospitals throughout the country. When you request a copy of your pet's records be sure to ask us to check for AAHA hospitals in your new area.

FERRETS ARE BECOMING VERY POPULAR AT SYLVANIA VET. Dr. Ross, Sherry Lewis, a Tech, and a client, Peg Fransisco are in the process of developing a ferret club. It is the goal of the club to help educate the public about the proper care that ferrets require. In future FYI's we will publish information that will help you make purchase decisions, housing and feeding guidelines and vaccine requirements. An interesting fact about ferrets is that if a female is not bred or spayed she will come into heat and not go out of heat. When this happens the hormones of heat will cause the animals bone marrow to become suppressed and the animal will die of anemia.

DR LOVE IS BEGINNING AN ANNUAL WELLNESS PROGRAM for her bird patients. Over the next few months all our bird owning clients will begin to hear about how their pets will benefit from our new avian wellness plan.

Sign your dog up for the Sylvania October Fest pet parade
THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY SYLVANIA VET

 

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