Fall 2011

Vol. 1, Issue 2

                                                              Rachel Mahoney              

At Full Circle Veterinary Care we are committed to the human/animal bond through client and community education on animal care and health. Our focus is on the prevention of disease as well as the art of healing. We want to support you in all stages of owning a pet from helping you choose a lifelong companion to saying good-bye to a lifelong friend. In this way, together, we will come... Full Circle.

 

Dr. Cara Brannigan

 

Hello there fellow animal lovers!  My name is Dr. Cara Brannigan.  I am a fairly recent addition to Full Circle Veterinary Care.  I graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 and received my veterinary acupuncture certification from Colorado State University in 2008.  I practiced in Littleton for ten years before moving north and joining Dr. Patti Mahoney at Full Circle in 2010.

Besides practicing general medicine, I love surgery and dentistry.  I work with all small animals and exotics from dogs, cats, and pocket pets to reptiles and birds.  I am very passionate about pain management and feel acupuncture truly helps fill in any gaps modern medicine may have especially in the area of muscle pain.

Acupuncture compliments many areas of veterinary medicine by decreasing inflammation and pain, relaxing muscles, facilitating neurologic impulses, quieting allergies and seizures, boosting the immune system, and contributing to an animal's overall general well-being.

If I can answer any of your questions regarding acupuncture and whether or not it is right for your furry, feathered, or scaly companion or any other general veterinary questions, please do not hesitate to call me.  I look forward to meeting you and your family!

Here are some pictures of our clinic and some of its new features.

Controlling your dog's pain is essential to his overall well-being.  Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of drugs commonly used to control pain and inflammation in dogs.  NSAIDs help many dogs lead more comfortable lives.

What are NSAIDs?

NSAIDs help to control signs of arthritis, including inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.  Inflammation - the body's response to irritation or injury - is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.  NSAIDs work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, chemicals produced by the body that cause inflammation.  Some NSAIDs may also be used to control the pain and inflammation following surgery or injury.

Not all NSAIDs are the same.  Dogs and cats should not be given aspirin, tylenol, or ibuprofen, but your veterinarian may prescribe an NSAID to treat the pain or osteoarthritis or to control pain following a surgical procedure or injury.

What should you discuss with your veterinarian?

NSAIDs offer pain relief and improved quality of life for many dogs.  However, before giving an NSAID, or any drug, you should first talk to your veterinarian.  You should discuss:

• what the NSAID is being prescribed for
• how much to give
• how long to give it
• possible side effects
• what to avoid while your dog is taking an NSAID
• what tests are needed before giving an NSAID to your dog
• how often should your dog be re-examined
• your dog's previous medical history and any previous drug reactions
• all medications and products your dog currently receives

What should you know before giving your dog an NSAID?

Never give aspirin or corticosteroids along with an NSAID to your dog.

• NSAIDs should be approached cautiously in dogs with kidney, liver, heart and intestinal problems.
• Never give your dog an NSAID unless directed by your veterinarian.
• Don't assume an NSAID for one dog is safe to give to another dog.  Always consult your veterinarian before using any medication in your pet.
• Only give the NSAID as prescribed by your veterinarian.  Do not increase the dose, the frequency, or the length of time you use the drug unless first discussing this with your veterinarian.

 What side effects should you watch for?

Most NSAID side effects are mild, but some can be serious, including death in rare situations.  Common side effects seen with the use of NSAIDs in dogs may affect the kidneys, liver, and gastointestinal tract and may include:

• not eating or eating less
• lethargy, depression, changes in behavior
• vomiting
• diarrhea, black tarry-colored stool
• yellowing of gums, skin, or the whites of the eyes
• change in drinking
• changes in skin (scabs, redness, or scratching)   

If you suspect a possible side effect of an NSAID, STOP giving the drug to your dog and call your veterinarian immediately.

When giving your best friend an NSAID, remember these signs (BEST FRIEND):

Behavior changes

Eating less

Skin redness, scabs

Tarry stool/diarrhea/vomiting

FRIEND 

STOP the drug and call your veterinarian!

Many times during an office visit, clients will ask us why their cat needs vaccinations if they are strictly kept indoors and do not come into contact with any other cats.  Vaccines have been an integral part of preventive health care programs for severe decades.  No other medical development has been as successful as vaccination in controlling deadly diseases in companion animals.  Vaccination is a medical procedure, and the decision to vaccinate is made based on the risks and benefits for each individual cat.  To not vaccinate our pets is not an option.

The rabies vaccine is required by law.  The odds of your cat acquiring rabies are small.  However, if your cat was to bite someone, and you didn't have proof that your cat was vaccinated against rabies, your legal nightmare begins.  If your cat was not current on his vaccine, and you refused to euthanize your cat and have its brain examined to prove that it did not have rabies, then you would be legally required to quarantine your cat at a veterinary facility for six months at YOUR expense.  If no signs of rabies were present after six months, then your cat does not have rabies.  You would also be legally responsible for the cost of the bite-victim's (very expensive) post-exposure rabies treatment.

Vaccines against infectious diseases have done much to reduce sickness and death in companion animals, and vaccination is the cornerstone of preventive veterinary medicine.  As with any medical procedure or decision, the advantages must be a balance against the risks, and you and your veterinarian should discuss all of the options now available to determine the best vaccine protocol for your cat.

Nicole Tribbey, DVM

September is Senior Pet Health Month. 

Make an appointment with us for a 10% discount for a checkup for your senior pet (7 years or older).  Beginning at about age 7, your pet enters his or her senior years.  Often pets begin to develop diseases common to their senior human counterparts, such as diabetes, heart disease, endocrine disease and cancer.  These diseases can go unnoticed in their early stages.  Therefore, preventive health care is very important.  Together, we can help your pet enjoy a lifetime of good health.

Do You Know About Pet Insurance?

It's becoming more popular to have insurance for your pet.  Give us a call or stop by the clinic for more information.

No Interest Payment Plans are Available!

There is a program called CareCredit that is similar to your credit card.  It is a convenient, low minimum monthly payment program to help you accept the best treatment recommendation for your pets.  No annual fees and No Interest Payment Plans are available.  Give us a call or stop by the clinic for more information.