Dr. Primm's Warm and Fuzzies

1. My teeth HURT!

If you see visible tartar or smell a noxious odor in your dog or cat's mouth, chances are there is periodontal disease. Bad breath is NOT normal at all. A huge percentage of pets have periodontal disease by the age of 3 years and it can range from uncomfortable to excruciating.  During a dental prophylaxis, trained veterinary professionals can diagnose and treat pain and infection, even though your pet can’t tell you about it. Dental infections can spread to other organs and cause liver abscesses and a host of other issues.Don't wait! Your pet is dying for you to get proactive about this important issue. We always offer FREE DENTAL SCREENS if you wonder if your pet suffers from periodontal disease.

2. I can age gracefully.

Everyone is getting older every minute, but pets age faster than people and they depend on us to keep their golden years as golden as possible.  Feed a premium diet designed for aging pets.  Pet food manufacturers have really put their research dollars into helping to head off age-associated disorders, like osteoarthritis and obesity. Ask your veterinarian about which supplements might help your pet stand tall against senior health issues. Do not just assume that he/she is "just getting old".  There are always things that we can try and many of them make a huge difference. Let us do senior screening to find out about what really would help.

3.Being overweight will shorten my life.

Because pets stand on all fours, the impact of obesity is somewhat different for them.  The forces of gravity center on their middle back and one of the most common places I get a pain reaction on exam is this area. There are other consequences of obesity, like diabetes and pancreatitis.  When we examine your pet for his/her yearly physical exam, we will tell you his/her Body Condition Score and provide you with a calorie guide +/- diet suggestions to help your pet be happy and healthy for as long as possible.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email us. It is our pleasure to help you and your pets!

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Pets are an important part of the American household. Your pet owning experience will be most enjoyable if you carefully consider which pet best suits your family, home, and lifestyle. The primary reason dogs are given up to animal shelters is unfulfilled expectations, so make an informed decision. Take time, involve your family, and give careful consideration to the following questions:
What is special about dogs?
The saying that "dogs are a man's (or woman's) best friend" has a lot of truth to it. Dogs have been faithful companions for tens of thousands of years. They are friendly, affectionate, and entertaining. They are also capable of doing extraordinary jobs-and seem to enjoy doing them.
What choices do you have?
Dogs have been selectively bred for generations to highlight specific physical and behavioral traits. The amazing diversity of dogs includes varied sizes, haircoat lengths, colors, temperaments, and activity levels. A dog's size may affect its lifespan: the lifespan of a large-breed dog tends to be shorter than that of a smaller dog.
What are the special needs of dogs?
Some dogs may be at greater risk for certain medical conditions, while others may require more training, exercise and patience to help them to become good companions. Ask your veterinarian about health conditions and behaviors that may be common in the breed you are considering.
Who will care for your dog?
As its owner, you will ultimately be responsible for your dog's food, shelter, companionship, exercise, and physical and mental health for the rest of its life. While families should involve their children in caring for a pet, youngsters need the help of an adult who is willing, able, and available to supervise the daily care of a pet.
Does a dog fit into your lifestyle?
Feeding, grooming, exercise, play and elimination are daily needs that must be considered in caring for a healthy, happy dog. Think about the following factors when deciding if you should get a dog and in determining what breed would be the most appropriate for you and your family:
-Do you live in the city, suburbs, or country?
-Do you rent or do you own your home?
-Do you live in an apartment or single-family home? Do you live at ground level or on the 21st floor?
-How long is your work day? Do you frequently have obligations after work?
-Who will care for your dog(s) in your absence?
-Do you have other pets?
-Are there any restrictions on number or types of pets where you live?
-What future changes might occur in your living situation that would affect your ability to keep your dog in years to come?
-Are you prepared to meet the grooming needs of a dog -whether at home or at a professional grooming facility?
-What are you looking for in a dog (e.g., jogging or hiking companion, cuddly lap dog, or high energy companion)?
Can you afford a dog?
The purchase price for a dog can vary tremendously by breed and source, and is only the initial expense for a dog. Dogs need high quality food, proper housing, mental stimulation (e.g., toys, play time), and regular visits to a veterinarian for preventive care. Other costs may include emergency medical treatment, grooming, boarding, licensing, identification, sterilization (spaying or neutering), training, and accessories. Pet health insurance is available and can help defray unexpected expenses resulting from illness or injury.
What should you look for in a healthy dog?
A healthy dog has clear, bright eyes; a clean, shiny hair coat; and does not appear thin, overly fat, or show signs of illness, such as nasal discharge or diarrhea.
When choosing a dog, pick one that is active, friendly, inquisitive, and not afraid of you. The dog should accept gentle handling and not exhibit signs of aggression. The temperament of a puppy's parents may be an indication of its future behavior.
What must you do to prepare for your dog?
Before bringing your new dog home, prepare an appropriate place for it to eat and sleep and have ready the necessary accessories such as a collar and leash, ID tag, food, and water bowls. Be sure to pet-proof your home to prevent injury to your dog or damage to your possessions. For example, make sure that electrical wires and cords are out of the reach of curious mouths. Ask your veterinarian about other ways to make your home safe for your pet. Schedule a veterinary examination to assess the health of your new companion as soon as possible to ensure it receives the appropriate vaccinations and any needed health care. If you have medical information from your dog's original owner, including its vaccination and deworming history, be sure to take this information with you on your first visit to your veterinarian. Not only is your veterinarian best qualified to evaluate the health of your new companion, but he/she can advise you about proper immunization, parasite control, nutrition, sterilization, socialization, training, grooming and other care that may be necessary to protect the health of your new pet.
If you choose a puppy, be prepared for several weeks to months of housetraining and some initial medical expenses for wellness exams, vaccinations and neutering. If you plan your puppy's arrival when there is sufficient time to socialize and housetrain it, your puppy will learn faster and more likely grow into the adult dog you've always wanted. If your community offers puppy classes, they are a great way to socialize your new companion and help it learn some basic commands. Frequent, positive contact with people and other dogs early in the puppy's life enhances its future interactions with your family, other people, and their dogs. Any dog can become bored and potentially destructive if left alone all day without an outlet for its exercise, exploratory, and social needs. Therefore, set aside time each day for activities that are fun for you and your dog such as walking, playing, petting, grooming, etc. Remember that dogs are highly social creatures, and isolating a dog to the backyard with no interaction is one of the worst things you can do.

WHEN YOU ACQUIRE A PET,
you accept responsibility for the health and welfare of another living thing. You are also responsible for your pet's impact on your family, friends, and community. A pet will be part of your life for many years. Invest the time and effort necessary to make
your years together happy ones. When you choose a pet, you are promising to care for it for its entire life. Choose wisely, keep your promise, and enjoy one of life's most rewarding experiences!
NEW PUPPY TIPS
-Six to 10 weeks is considered an ideal age for a puppy to move to a new home.
-Spaying or neutering your new pet is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Talk to your veterinarian about the best time to have your puppy spayed or neutered.
-When possible, meet the puppy's parents-their temperaments are often good indicators of what the puppy's temperament will be.
-If you are getting a puppy as a second pet, remember that some older pets may be less tolerant of a puppy's behavior. Ask your veterinarian or dog trainer about introducing your puppy into its new animal family.
-Crate training can be an effective method for training your puppy. Ask your veterinarian or dog trainer for more information.
For more information, visit: www.avma.org and www.akc.org  or just ASK US! We love adoptees!

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What does it mean to serve?  I think that it means doing things to make the lives of others better in some way.  My mother always says "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." We can all find ways to serve our fellow man and not all of them are giving money to charity or building houses for the homeless (although these are great ideas). I challenge you, in this Christmas season, to find some small way to make someone happy.  People do it for me every day, like when they post photos that they know will make me smile on Facebook or bake me and the staff cookies.   If you are truly ambitious, find a way to make several people happy! Hand out free smiles. Let someone know that you care about them. Send a long lost friend a note or a card.   Guess what.  When you do these things....it will make your life better too!

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We get lots of calls for medication refills and sometimes we actually have to refuse. We explain that we need to examine the pet before we can refill in certain cases.  Some callers tell us that we are greedy and ridiculous, but actually, we are just law abiding. Our pharmacy (and all LEGITIMATE pharmacies) follows the Federal Prescription Law, designed to protect all patients, human and animal.  The Law requires a doctor/patient/client relationship and a full examination for that specific complaint within the last year.  In other words, we have to know you, your pet and his/her health condition(s) and have done a physical exam within the last 12 months.. Please understand that when we refuse to fill a medication, it is not OUR policy, but compliance with Federal Law.  We like to make everyone happy and keep all pets healthy, so if you get an answer from us that you are not happy with, wait for us to explain. 

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Recently all of our positive reviews on yelp.com were filtered (hidden).  Their FAQs (I could not get a live person to discuss it with me) report that reviews are filtered if they are solicited. They say that they want to encourage objective reviews.
We encourage all our visitors to give us feedback on our web survey and through reviews.  We do not give discounts or incentives for reviews, but we do believe in the notion "If you like us, spread the word!" and if you did not have a good experience, please report it somewhere so that we can learn from it.
This same company is MORE than happy to SELL me options to increase my visibility, but casts aspersions on my asking my clients for feedback, implying that I am dishonest.  I am deeply offended by these implications made by a faceless entity who does not know me and I think it is an attempt to force me to BUY their ad service.  This is not how Applebrook Animal Hospital works and I feel that these practices are wrong!  I would encourage everyone to avoid this service and not be trapped into using it because it came pre-installed on iPhone and iPads. No one likes to be manipulated. 
Please continue to place reviews on our web site and anywhere you can.  I appreciate your opinions, no matter what. I am going to go back to being my positive and friendly self now...thank you for your patience! :)

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