Dr. Primm's Warm and Fuzzies

All the events surrounding the book have been so much fun! The Collegedale Library Local Author series was amazingly fun and I am so flattered by the turnout.  We had a forum of questions and they were very good ones! I cannot believe the outpouring of interest and support. Thank you.

My Author Website has a new address:  www.drprimm.com. Please check it out and tell me anything you would like to see!

As you know, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Tennessee Tails for the first year is going to animal rescues, Pet Placement Center and HES. So spread the word.

Comments (0)     

This week I saw a dog who is normally pretty happy to be at Applebrook.  But on this day, he hid under his owner's legs. He didn't mind me reaching for him and ate a treat from my hand, but was clearly distressed by something that was different on this day.  His owner even commented. Nothing bad has ever happened to this dog here, so what do you think caused his concern today and not the last time?
I think that the answer lies in the SIGNS.  Remember the old song, "Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band? It said "Signs, Signs, Everywhere there's signs.
Blocking out the scenery. Breaking my mind. Do this! Don't do that! Can't you read the signs?"  I do. (In fact, I will be humming it all day thanks to this blog!)
Animals live in a very different world than ours.  Their sense of smell allows them to read the signs everywhere.  So to this poor dog, there may have been a sign that said "I was hit by a car and rushed in here. I was afraid and I was in pain".  If you have ever approached a Haunted House for Halloween with the creepy signs along the sidewalk, telling you to Beware and RIP, you have an idea what the signs might make your dog feel.  Only you know that the Haunted House is just for fun and he does not.  You know that the animals that were seen here at Applebrook, left feeling much better than when they arrived, but he doesn't.
So if you can associate a trip to Applebrook with treats and calm, we will try to make sure that your experience does not match up with whatever signs, he might be seeing on the front door!

Comments (0)     

Everyone in our area is aware that it seems to rain EVERY day! We are over average on yearly rainfall by several inches, but have you thought of the consequences this wetness might have on your pets?
Standing water in puddles is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and they carry and spread diseases, like heart worms.  We will not start to see the results of our wet summer for a few months as the dogs trickle in for testing.  Never, never skip your monthly heart worm preventative! It is even more important now.  If you realize that you have missed your doses and it is less than 30 days late, give it immediately, but be sure to tell your veterinary professionals about the late dosing.
Puddles can also be a place where pathogens gather and pets like to drink from them.  Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacteria that can be found in the urine of wildlife. It is a zoonotic disease (can be spread to people) and can be life threatening to dogs. There is a vaccination for this disease and if you feel that your dog is at risk (i.e. drinks from puddles, goes hiking or plays in the woods, etc), ask your vet about this vaccine.
Remember to use your relationship with your veterinary staff to your advantage and to the advantage of your pets.  Ask us if there are special things that you need to watch for.  We try to make our clients aware of timely issues like these, both at Applebrook and in things like this blog!

~Kathryn Primm, DVM

Comments (0)     

As you probably know, I have a presence on social media, for both my practice and my book, Tennessee Tails.  There is always a flurry of activity regarding medical recommendations and controversy over what to feed or when to vaccinate.  These flurries will always be with us, as people seem to enjoy controversy and seem to like to find ways to prove the "establishment" wrong.  This web site says "Don't believe what your vet says." That article says that we have been doing things wrong for centuries.
But there is an EASY answer.  Find a veterinarian that YOU trust. Ask the right questions (or any question that you have). Get to know this person. Find someone that you believe in your heart has the best interest of your pet first in his or her mind. Build a relationship with this vet and let the vet build a relationship with you.  Then follow their recommendations.   A relationship based on trust and concern and built out of people of good character is worth 1000 suggestions on a random web page or even a peer-reviewed article in a trustworthy media source.
I care about my pets and their people.  I worry about them all the time. I read and study and review each medical recommendation that I make.  I do not want to let anyone down by being out of date. There is no substitute for a relationship and there is no shortcut.
Go and build relationships.  At some point you might find that you want to write a book about it!

Comments (1)     

Tonight is the official Launch of Tennessee Tails :Pets and Their People!  We have the entire pet friendly patio at Beef O Brady's here in Ooltewah from 5-8 pm.
If you have heard me on the radio or seen me on TV, but cannot attend, no worries.  Just call Applebrook at 423-238-7387 and tell us that you want a signed copy.  We can ship you one where ever you are!

Comments (0)