WINTER 2012

90 E. Pittsford Road Rutland, Vermont 05701 Veterinary Phone 802-773-2779 FAX 802-773-0485 www.rutlandvet.com Clinic vs. [email protected] Hospital Did you know that there is a difference between a veterinary clinic and a veterinary hospital? A "clinic" has a set number of hours during which it is staffed or open, and does not provide twenty-four hour care. A "hospital" is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by either a veterinarian or para-professional staff at all times. By this definition, the Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center is a misnomer, because we are a full service hospital available to our clients Maureen Lovett and our community at all times. “Mo” is the first face you see when you walk in our front door, and her smile and easy banter have been a Why does this matter to you, as a owner? steady and reassuring presence behind Emergency service: Emergency veterinary care is crucial to pet owners. the desk for almost 14 years. She makes Emergencies happen at all times of the day, all days of the week. You can rest assured the difficult job of connecting our that at the RVCSC, help is just a phone call or a short car ride away. clients, their and our doctors seem easy. Perhaps this is because, as a Overnight Care: In many veterinary facilities, the staff goes home at night Rutland native, she knows just about and hospitalized pets are left alone. At the RVCSC, there is always at least one staff everyone in town. Or maybe it is member in the building, trained to monitor sick and recovering patients and to because she has been in the service make sure that every pet in our care is safe, sound and happy at all times. And one of industry her entire life, first at our doctors is always just a phone call Montgomery Ward’s for 13 years before away. turning to her love of animals and Size: Our facility offers over working at a veterinary clinic across 7,000 square feet devoted to service to town. There aren’t many people, your pet. This allows us to provide questions, or problems that she hasn’t care for many pets simultaneously, handled, always with tact and patience with ample space for our talented and a deep-rooted concern for the best and well-trained staff to manage their interest of our animal patients. needs. We have a dedicated surgery Our front desk receptionist is a bit suite, specialized exam rooms, like an air traffic controller. Mo spacious, clean, comfortable cages answers the constantly ringing phone, continued on pg. 4 continued on pg. 4 Dangerous Toxic Embrace Dangerous exposures to human medications are not only from pills! The Food and Drugs Drug Administration has warned that pets (and children) exposed to certain topical are curious, and some dogs hormones used by menopausal women to treat hot flashes can suffer from severe will eat anything in sight. Those two adverse affects. The topical hormones can come in the form of sprays, gels or creams, factors contribute to the fact that the and are typically applied to the forearm. Adverse effects in dogs can include swelling most common toxic exposures for pets of the nipples in both sexes, swelling of the genitals in females, and prostate are from items most of us have in our infections in males. homes: human medications. In fact, The accidental exposure to pets often occurs when women are holding their or according to the ASPCA Poison dog. Pets should not be allowed to lick or touch the areas where the hormones have Control Center, ingestion of human been applied. medications accounted for almost 25% In addition to topical hormones used by women, there is some evidence that of the calls to their Poison Control topical testosterone used by men may cause problems in animals as well. Hotline in 2010. If you or someone in your home is using any of these products, please exercise The most common culprits are caution. Apply the products to skin areas that will be covered with clothing and will medicines that almost all households not allow exposure to your children or pets. contain: non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, (such as ibuprofen and naproxen), and acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). These drugs can cause major problems in dogs and cats, even in small doses. Other dangerous drugs include antidepressants, drugs used to treat ADHD, pseudoephedrine (a decongestant found in many cold medicines), and oral anti-diabetic medications. Even vitamins can pose a threat, especially vitamin D derivatives. Keep your home safe for your pets by storing all medications in a medicine chest—not on your counters or nightstands. If you suspect an accidental ingestion by one of your pets, don’t wait for symptoms to occur! Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24- hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. (There may be a charge for this call.)

“If having a soul FEBRUARY IS DENTAL HEALTH MONTH! Seasonal According to the American Veterinary Dental means being able to Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have signs of periodontal disease by age three. Not feel love and loyalty TIP only can this disease cause pain, tooth and bone and gratitude, then loss, the resulting bacterial infections can enter the bloodstream, then spread throughout the body and cause animals are better off permanent damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. than a lot of humans.” Prevention is safer and far less costly than treating this disease, so please consider a dental checkup for your pet. – James Herriot Heart Disease Great & Small All Creatures Great and Small is a A dog’s heart beats between 60 and common in cats) classic novel by James Herriot, a 120 times per minute, and with each Rapid breathing, shortness of breath, renowned veterinarian in Yorkshire, contraction, oxygen and energy are difficulty breathing (open-mouth England, about caring for animals carried in the blood to the muscles and breathing in cats) ranging in size from mice to cattle. But organs of the body, and waste products Lethargy what about the size variations in just are carried away. As with humans, cats’ Behavior changes (less interested in two species: domestic cats and dogs? and dogs’ hearts consist of four chambers walks or play) According to Guinness World separated by valves that ensure the blood Weakness Records, the smallest living domestic flows in only one direction. Loss of appetite and weight loss cat on record stands only 6” at the Heart disease can either be congenital, Swollen abdomen shoulder. Her name meaning the animal is born with an Dogs and cats with mild heart disease is Fizz Girl, and she’s abnormality, or acquired, meaning the may not show any signs of illness. a Munchkin cat—a disease occurs later in life. There are a Unfortunately, the condition is usually breed of cats with number of different types of heart progressive, and eventually heart failure normal bodies but disease, but for most pets, the disease (the inability of the heart to pump an short legs caused by typically falls into one of two categories: adequate blood supply through the a genetic . 1. Valvular disease is a condition body) may occur. The record for the where one or more of the valves of It is sometimes possible to detect tallest domestic cat the heart do not close properly. The heart disease before your pet shows any is held by Scarlett's majority of dogs with heart disease symptoms. In addition to listening to Magic, a Savannah suffer from this. your pet’s heart for signs of a heart cat who is 18.07” 2. Cardiomyopathy is a condition murmur or abnormal rhythm, there are tall. The world’s where the heart cannot pump a number of diagnostic tests your longest cat is 48.5 effectively. There are several types of veterinarian may recommend, including inches long. This cat, cardiomyopathy, which is the most X-rays, ultrasound, blood work, a cat Mymains Stewart Gilligan common form of heart disease in cats. electrocardiograph and blood pressure named Mymains Photo courtesy of In many cases, the cause of heart tests, all of which can help determine Stewart Gilligan, also Robin Hendrickson disease is unknown, but as with whether the heart is diseased and the holds the record for the longest tail, at humans, risk increases with age. Certain extent of the disease. 16.34 inches. breeds of dogs and cats appear to be There is no cure for heart disease, but Dogs claim the title of the mammal predisposed to different types of heart early detection and treatment can help with the greatest diversity in size, disease. your beloved pet live longer and more although Guinness does not have a Hyperthyroidism can contribute to comfortably category for that. The Guinness World heart disease in cats, as can diets low in with the Record holder for the smallest living taurine, an essential amino acid. disease. dog in terms of height is a long-haired Heartworms, which One or Chihuahua named Boo Boo, who is a are transmitted by more long- mere four inches tall, and the smallest mosquitoes, can term in terms of length is another cause heart medicines Chihuahua named Brandy, who problems in may be measures a tiny six inches from nose both dogs and prescribed. to tail tip. The tallest living dog is a cats. Modifications to Great Dane named Giant George, an Signs of your pet’s diet and imposing figure at 43 inches tall. heart disease exercise regimen may be In dogs, longevity tends to be can be subtle, required, and follow-up related to size; in general, small dogs and may be examinations by your tend to live longer, and are considered mistaken for veterinarian at regular “seniors” at around age nine or ten, normal aging. intervals are strongly whereas giant breeds live shorter lives, They include: recommended to monitor the and are considered seniors as early as Coughing (less progression of the disease. five or six years of age.

Please recycle or share with a friend. MAUREEN LOVETT continued from pg. 1 CLINIC VS. HOSPITAL continued from pg. 1 which is rarely as simple as just and extra large indoor and outdoor exercise areas. booking an appointment. It requires Equipment: We have invested in the latest knowledge of what problems medical equipment and technology, including a constitute an emergency and must be digital X-ray system, EKG, blood pressure and pulse seen immediately, as opposed to monitors, laser therapy equipment, critical care waiting a day or a week. It might oxygen cage and modern dental equipment. We require first aid advice or a request for have a complete in-house lab and staff available an update on a hospitalized patient, around the clock to run any diagnostic test that all the while checking clients in and might be necessary. We are now converting our out, filing records and assisting sick and injured patients. computerized system to a completely integrated Mo lives in Rutland with her two system that will be paperless and seamless. This German Shepherd Dogs, Raina and will improve efficiency and communication, and Layla, a crazy cat, Tinsel (the rest of the will allow the staff to devote even more of their staff pretends they are busy when it time to patient care. comes to handling or treating Tinsel!), Staff Training: Because of our size and scope, and an Amazon Parrot named Harry. we have invested significant time and effort into She loves participating in competitive training and educating our staff. These efforts are obedience and tracking, and has won ongoing, with regular weekly educational staff many ribbons and titles. Raina and meetings and required webinars and seminars with Maureen belong to Caring Canines experts in many fields of veterinary care, ranging therapy group and visit area nursing from nutrition to preventive care. We encourage our staff to obtain advanced homes each week. Her other passions certification through college courses, which at least three staff members are currently include league bowling, the Red Sox pursuing. This education allows us to have high expectations of our staff—we expect and her many nieces and nephews. them to be able to answer any and all of your questions and concerns, either by themselves or by consulting with the doctors. We also expect them to recognize RVCSC when your hospitalized or boarded pet needs additional attention or care. And finally, we expect our staff to consider your pet their number one concern at all times. Credentials: Clinics (as opposed to hospitals) are not eligible for accreditation $10 OFF through the largest and most respected veterinary governing body, the American Any service over $50 during Animal Hospital Association. While this is a voluntary certification, our hospital has the month of February. submitted to its rigorous certification process and inspection since its very inception. MUST PRESENT COUPON. In fact, we are the longest continuously accredited member of the AAHA in Vermont,

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