Dr. Primm's Warm and Fuzzies

1.       SEE YOUR VET. What you think is normal aging might be a disease process that is treatable if caught early.  Never underestimate the value of a veterinary exam.  Don't forget that pets cannot communicate verbally, so sometimes their hints of what is going on are only obvious to a trained eye. I know it sounds self serving, but there really is no substitute for good medical care...for pets OR people.

2.       DIET AND EXERCISE.  Pets are made to be 'on the move'. Animals in the wild are never couch potatoes and they always have to work for their food.  The things that they find or hunt are never processed and have no chemicals.  Obesity is uncommon in wild animals. Make sure that your pet is eating an appropriate and balanced diet (and not too much of it) and it is ok to offer fresh foods, provided you are accounting for the calories and you have checked into the choices to make sure they are safe.  If he/she exercises a lot one day, you can increase the intake, but if there is no exercise, you will have to balance for that.  Exercise is good for mind and body, so try to get out and walk together!

3.       DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS. There are lots of things that you can add to your pet's diet that can have very advantageous effects, like joint supplements and omega 3 fatty acids.  But BE CAREFUL!  Charlatans and thieves have tapped this market with their versions of these supplements, so be sure that you ask your veterinarian which ones he or she has the best experience with.  Remember, like other things, human medications are unlikely to be appropriate in these cases.

We have noticed a definite difference in our patients who follow these simple rules both in how long they live and how well.  Please feel free to add questions or comments to this blog and I will answer as soon as possible.

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Every 2 years, each veterinary facility in the state of Tennessee must be inspected by state inspectors. There is a long check list and each item must be checked off to receive a "premises permit".  The state Board of Health has established some guidelines to assure that all veterinary patients are getting a minimum standard of care statewide. Applebrook Animal Hospital has never received lower that 98% and for the last two years, we have received 100%!
I want to thank my awesome staff for insuring that our facility is clean and odor free and so much more. They go ABOVE and BEYOND the minimum standard of care in ways that are not inspected. Yes, it is important that there be an established minimum, but the real achievement is when a pet wakes from anesthesia safe and comfortable in someone's arms.  When a boarding pet feels out of sorts from being away from home and someone takes the time to warm his food and hand feed him.  When we have foster kittens and one gets sick on a Sunday and the assistant takes her home for the weekend to give TLC. These are the things that make me proud of my work and my staff.  My staff renews my faith in people and energizes my resolve to make a difference every day.  Thank you!

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I have been reading and enjoying Dr. Marty Becker's new book, Your Cat:The Owner's Manual. In it, he has little blurbs called "Dr. Becker's Best" and one of them caught my eye.  It is entitled "How to Become a Veterinary Favorite".  Of course I had to read it closely to see if I agree! :P
Here are the features he lists and then I will add my two cents worth (if I have them):
-You are a tiny bit early for your appointment. (Yep, we DO like this because it gives us a little time to get you started before we feel like we are running behind.  We pride ourselves on minimal wait times and efficient service.)
-You treat the entire staff with respect, warmth and good humor. (We seldom have an issue with this because most people respond warmly to our open and friendly attitude, but you all know that I say, "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." It is a practice that helps everyone.)
-You come armed with a full history of your pet's medical problem, the more detailed, the better.  (This one comes into play when someone other than the owner brings a pet in.  If you need to have someone bring your animal in for you, make sure you are readily available by phone if we have questions.)
-You've trained your cat to welcome, not fear, a veterinary visit, and you went through gentling techniques with your pet so we can easily examine everything. (Most people do not realize what a difference they can make with a cat by teaching it that the carrier is a GOOD thing. :) It CAN BE DONE. )
-You accept our recommendations. It goes without saying that we want the best for your pet and if you follow our suggestions, it gives us the best chance to do a good job.)
-You pay your bills. (We are here because we love animals and even though we probably would donate our time to the cause, we do have to pay for our equipment, building, uniforms and all the things that keep our doors open and our hospital clean and comfortable. A wise professor once told me, "Just because you love your job, does not mean that you should not get paid for it.")
-If we exceed your expectations, you recommend us to others with enthusiasm and frequency. (It is the highest compliment for you to put your stamp of approval on us to friends and family!)
I am going to continue to highlight Dr. Becker's pearls of wisdom from time to time, but really you should read this book.  It is entertaining and informative.  You can even read a copy in my exam room, so stop by anytime!

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There is a hot controversy over how and when to vaccinate pets. We at Applebrook have completed exhaustive research and revamped our vaccine protocols (yet again) to match the most current research and recommendations. 
We are in the process of building new packages, so that you, as the pet owner do not have to pass a crash course in veterinary medicine to pick what your pet needs. It is our job to be the experts and if it is easy for you to decide and do all that your pet needs, then you can mark your pet's preventive care off the list as done!
The bottom line is....Vaccination must be tailored to the individual pet, based on lifestyle, breed, species, etc. and there are certainly other preventive things that are just as important! We know what questions to ask you and you know the answers, so acting as a team, we can make the best choices for your pet.

Let us do the research and then you and your pet can just enjoy the benefit. The Lifetime of Wellness packages will be a "one price" deal and will include all the preventive care that your individual pet needs for the whole year.  You will not have to sort through 10 pamphlets and ask, "And how much does this one cost?" 
You can rest assured that your pet is the safest with us.

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This week was our last Wednesday to be open in 2012.  Our extended summer hours are over for the year as we head into fall and the school year. As always, boarding drop-offs and pick-ups can be prearranged on any day and medication/pet food requests can be emailed to staff@applebrookanimal.com and we will get what you need.  Of course, just because we are not seeing appointments does not mean that the pets already here are not getting cared for.  So don't forget, our appointment hours will NOT include Wednesdays.  Thanks for letting us walk the journey of your pets' lives with you. :)

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