WE'RE CHANGING - FOR THE
BETTER
If you have been to All Creatures
Animal Hospital lately, you cannot help but notice all the mess and
construction in the far corner of our parking lot.
These are some of the changes that
are in the works:
- You will find our facility
expanding to approximately 24,000 square feet. That will make
our hospital and supplemental facilities among the largest in the
nation
- However, size isn't
everything. We believe that what's inside our walls and minds
is really what counts. Our completed facilities will include
additional boarding, a 4,500 square foot dog training area,
grooming facilities, examination rooms, a spacious and comfortable
waiting area, and lots of veterinary talent
- For a better look at what we're
doing, drop by our reception area where we have posted plans
- Thanks to a lot of wonderful pet
lovers, we've come a long way in 11 years.
- We have gone from two small
examination rooms to our soon-to-be eight exam rooms
- Our surgery suite will have three
surgery tables and a much larger recovery area.
- Due to the large dental case load
we are adding a separate dental suite.
As far as related activities are
concerned, this is what we're planning
- The existing Noah's Treasures will
become a non-profit organization with all of the proceeds and
donations going to benefit adoption animals. We hope our
low-income spay/neuter assistance program will be funded through
Noah's Treasures.
- We have had a lot if inquiries from
pet lovers who would like to serve as volunteers to provide animal
care and to help with the retail program of Noah's Treasures.
Volunteer applications are available.
The final question we're getting:
when will construction be completed when will there be an open
house? My answer is not soon enough. We appreciate your trust
and patience as we work to improve our facilities.
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CANCER IN
PETS
Cancer can occur at any age, but is
diagnosed much more frequently as pets age. Cancer is a
leading cause of death in senior pets. Cancer can occur on
the skin, or in any part of the body. Malignant cancers often
spread to other locations in the body. Once they reach either
the liver or lungs, they may quickly spread throughout the
body.
There are no blood tests to
determine the type cancer. Diagnosis of the particular typ of
cancer depends upon microscopic examination of a tumor
sample. A sample is often obtained by a biopsy.
Many cancers can be cured by
surgical removal The smaller the lump and the sooner it is
removed, the better the prognosis. To determine an accurate
prognosis, the tumor must be examined. Often, pet owners ask
if they must have all lump removals biopsied. My response is
what I was taught at OSU vet school - "If it is worth taking out,
it is worth a biopsy" A biopsy gives you either the peace of
mind knowing it is not malignant or the bad news of malignancy -
knowledge that can help you prepare or seek further
treatment.
Many pets are successfully treated
for cancer at All Creatures animal Hospital, with some pets
surviving past their life expectancy. Cincy Kiser has been
fighting lymphoma for over 15 months now.
Signs of cancer to watch for:
- Change of bowel or bladder
habits. Diarrhea or constipation, straining to urinate or
defecate, blood or mucous in the stool or urine.
- A skin wound that does not
heal. Some skin cancers don't appear as a lump, but
rather as raw, bleeding or scabby areas.
- Unusual bleeding or
discharges. Bleeding from the mouth, ears or nose may
indicate a tumor inside.
- Drooling or difficulty
swallowing. This is very common with mouth and throat
tumors.
- Changes in respiration.
Nagging cough, hoarseness, tiring easily, rapid breathing, or
excessive panting are signs of heart and/or lung disease. The
cause of this disease may be cancer.
- Abdominal distention. A mass
in the abdomen may make the pet appear to be bloated or to have
gained weight.
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes in behavior, temperament,
activity level or habits.
Call immediately if you see any of
these abnormalities.
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ALL CREATURES WELCOMES DR.
BARBARA GLEASON
We would like to introduce you to
Dr. Barbara Gleason, our latest addition to our staff of
veterinarians.
Dr. Gleason graduated from Ohio
State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Upon
graduation she became a relief veterinarian at various clinics,
experience which has become increasingly valuable in small animal
medicine and emergency care.
Since joining us this past June, she
has a special interest in client education and small animal
preventive medicine.
Dr. Gleason lives in Northern
Kentucky with her husband, four children, fifteen cats, two dogs,
one bird, one red eared slider, and three hamsters.
We hope you will have the
opportunity to meet Dr. Gleason soon.
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DOUBLE
ADOPTION
Anyone who reads this quartly
publication knows that we think it's a wonderful idea to have more
than one pet in a household if that's affordable and if you select
pets that can:
- live peacefully with one
another
- are housebroken,
- if they are spayed and
neutered
There are other factors such as
thinking about your specific reasons for adopting a cat or a
dog. If you come up with only one or two reasons such as "I
love dogs" or "kittens are really cute" you may be missing out on
some other positives that can be important to you in the long
run.
For example, one survey has listed
the values of adopting a pet, can you really list the values of
adopting a pet in any special order? These reasona re listed
in no special order
- a need for companionship
- something to care for
- something to stay busy with
- something to tough
- something to focus on
- someone to exercise
with
- a way to increase one's personal
safety.
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HEAT STROKE NEEDN'T
BE!
It's no secret that dogs and cats
are subject to heat stroke. The most affected breeds are the
"short-nosed" breeds such as pugs, Boston terriers, Pekinese,
Boxers and bulldogs. The reason? They have constricted
breathing channels to get into their system. Hot summer days
- as well as other kinds of circumstances such as being locked in
an enclosed automobile greatly increase the likelihood of a heat
stroke. Airways can be surgically opened up at All Creatures
with laser surgery for dogs susceptible to heat stroke.
These are some tips on pet care
during the hottest months of the year which can save you from a
very personal tragedy:
- First, remember that cats and dogs
don't sweat like humans. What may be comfortable for you may
be a disaster for your pet. Your pal controls his body
temperature by panting, which provides a cooling effect. That
isn't a very efficient way of cooling and it is also
dangerous. Even just a few moments in a closed, stifling
vehicle can be fatal or brain damaging to your pet.
- Also, if you travel with your pet
in a carrier, poor ventilation can make matters even worse,
especially if you add the internal temperature of your auto on a
sizzling summer day.
One of the best ways to protect your
pet is to make a habit of planning ahead. These are some
examples of what this can mean.
- If you pet spends much time
outdoors, plan to provide plenty of shade, as well as a fresh
supply of cool water.
- If you walk you dog on hot or humid
days, plan to stay in the shade or keep the walk relative
short.
- For a veterinary evaluation of your
dog's susceptibility to heat stroke have your pet's airway
evaluated. Surgery may be necessary.
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ASPIRIN: FRIEND OR
FOE
We have heard all sorts of
conflicting stories about giving your pet aspirin. Should you
or shouldn't you?
The answer is more complicated than
the question
- Aspirin is certainly effective in
helping to reduce pain in pets.
- You should get professional advice
before giving your pet aspirin in any quantity.
- Asprin is generally save for dogs
in small doses which take weight and other factors into
account.
- Some dogs are unable to tolerate
aspirin, causing them to vomit.
- Most cats are able to handle baby
aspirin, but you must be cautious. The small size of a cat
make professional advice important. A cat needs up to 72
hours to metabolize aspirin (much longer than the time required by
dogs or humans)
Aspirin helps relieve arthritic
pains as well as headaches. Just be careful, and rely on
professional advice.
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FELINE
FRIDAY
All Creatures had three feline
spay/neuter clinics this spring. Pet overpopulation is a
major problem in Clermont County. An adult female cat can
have up to three litters of kittens a year. We spayed and
neutered over 100 felines this spring!
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ARE WE TOO CASUAL ABOUT
TICKS?
Here's a good question: Are we
inclined to be a bit too casual bout dangerous pests such as
ticks?
We believe that we might betty well
be too casual about ticks, partly because we spend so much time
worrying about flea control. Without suggesting that we
should have less concern about fleas and some other pests, the fact
remains that the danger of Lyme disease - which is transmitted by
the deer tick - can be serious for your pet.
These are some facts you should know
about the deer tick and Lyme disease:
the most recently diagnosed disease
of dogs transmitted by ticks is named Borreliosis, which is
commonly known as Lyme disease.
- Lyme disease was first diagnosed in
people in 1975. It was diagnosed in dogs in the early 1980's
and it is now being reported in a growing number of areas
throughout the nation.
- Infected dogs can become lame in
one or more legs. Swelling and pain in joints cause the
lameness, and fever is also common in an infected dog.
- It takes laboratory tests to
confirm a diagnosis of the disease. At all Creatures we offer
an in-house lyme disease test and also a vaccination.
- Antibiotics are available for the
treatment of Lyme disease. Frontline and the Preventick
collar can eliminate ticks before they can spread disease from
infected to non-infected canines. Preventive veterinary
medicine is the key to success.
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THANKS ALL
CREATURES
Dear Ms. Pilis,
Thank you so much for taking your
time and showing your fascinating creatures. Our favorite
animal was the fat rat. It was so cool! You made career
day so much fun.
Your friends, the fifth grade
students and teachers at Merwin Elementary.
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BLOCKAGES CAN BE
SERIOUS
Over the years we have seen numerous
animals whose intestines were blocked. In some cases, surgery
is necessary to remove the blockage.
In most cases, the blockages we find
are caused by foreign objects which have been swallowed by the
pet. This is actually a continuing confirmation of the fact
that pets will swallow all sorts of things if they get the
opportunity.
What should you do about this often
serious problem? Admittedly, that's easier said than done,
but the short answer comes down to this: protect your pet.
You do this by keeping anything your pet could possibly swallow in
a safe place.
Here's a short list of some of the
items you need to use caution with:
- Toys - make sure that all toys are
much too large for a pet to swallow
- Coins - for some reason, pets tend
to swallow money
- Pins, needles and thread - these
are especially bad due to the sharp points which can do additional
damage once they are inside the body
- easter basket grass
- dental floss
- panty hose
- yarn and string - these are
NOT good cat toys in addition to the potential for blockage, these
items can get stuck around a cat's tongue cutting off
circulation.
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COMMERCIAL
Hopefully you have seen our
commercial on TV. Typically it airs on the Animal
Planet. Our commercial won a Telly Award. The Telly
Awards were started in 1980. They showcase and give
recognition to outstanding non-network and cable TV
commercials. The telly has become one of the most sought
after awards in the TV commercial and video industry.
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MEET OUR NEW BOARDING KENNEL
MANAGER
Tonya Raye has joined Kathie Bass as
our new boarding kennel managers at All Creatures. Before
taking on the responsibility of the boarding kennel, Tonya worked
as a technician
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ST. PATRICKS DAY
PARADE.
All Creatures participated in
the St. Partick's Day parade in Cincinnati, Employees,
volunteers, and their pets came out for the big event. We had
assistance winning first place with "Elliot" the pot-bellied, pig,
our ACAH homemade unicorn, Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue, and
The Dobe Rescue. Thanks to everyone who
participated.
