Dear Friends,
As we progress from summer to fall, we want to update you on 3 or 4 subjects that we feel are important.
Wellness Care:
Despite our personal experience with preventative health care, most people underestimate the importance of wellness check ups for their pets. The assumption that up to date vaccinations means a healthy pet is a dangerous one for your furry friends. In actuality, the annual physical exam is one of the most important preventative services you can provide for your pet. During this visit, your veterinarian will check all major organ systems, evaluate your pet's weight, discuss nutritional needs, make recommendations concerning flea and heartworm preventative and answer any questions you may have about your pet's behavior. Just as your physician may recommend wellness lab work, so may your veterinarian. (Remember, our patients can't talk to us about their symptoms!)
These tests check for kidney and liver abnormalities, diabetes, electrolyte imbalances, thyroid function and anemia as well as urinary tract and other infections. Statistically, about 20 % of pets will have some significant abnormalities without showing any external signs of illness!
These tests provide excellent baseline levels to refer to throughout your pet's life. Furthermore, if any abnormalities are detected, an appropriate course of action can be implemented. We recommend wellness screening at least every 2 years until your pet is a senior.
Senior pets should have physical exams done at least twice yearly. Since 6 months for your pet is comparable to 3 1/2 years of our life, these semi-annual exams are quite critical to your older pet. Blood tests will be done more frequently in your pet's senior years, as risk factors increase.
Please discuss wellness profiles for your pet at all stages of his life with your veterinarian. We feel that wellness lab testing is one of the best proactive steps our Hospital has taken in recent years to improve our patients health. |
Did you know?
90% of all veterinarians surveyed do wellness panels on their own pets.
August, September and October are our worst months for fleas, as their population maximizes in these months.
Fleas can be a major problem for dogs and dog owners. Your pet may be exposed to these blood-sucking parasites anywhere: in your own backyard, when you are on walks or even in your own home.
- Each female flea can produce 40 to 50 eggs a day, up to 2,000 in their lifetime[1]
- Even a few fleas can turn into a major infestation in a matter of days
Comfortis™ is the first FDA-approved, chewable, beef-flavored tablet that kills fleas and prevents flea infestations on dogs for a full month. Starts killing fleas in 30 minutes. Spinosad, the active ingredient in Comfortis, is environmentally friendly and you do not have to worry about how often your pet gets a bath!
This product works beautifully with Interceptor to give outstanding parasite control. If you have seen ticks on your pet, we would suggest Interceptor, plus Frontline Plus.
Help us help you! In an ongoing effort to make your pets health care as easy and convenient as possible, you can visit our online pharmacy (www.sharonlakes.com) or call our prescription refill line (704-556-1817 x16). You can also log in to your Pet Portal on our website to request your pet’s medication. If you do not have a Pet Portal, gives us a call and we will set one up for you.
We request your assistance to make sure you have the medication your pet needs in a timely fashion:
- The staff at Sharon Lakes needs 24 hours notice for ALL medication refill requests
- In order to best accommodate you, when you are down to 3-4 days of medication, notify us if you need a refill.
- Please do not wait until you are down to 1 day of medicine, or until you run out, as your pet's medication will be delayed!
- Please plan ahead; we cannot approve medication changes, approve prescriptions with no refills, or refill prescriptions on Weekends, Holidays, or after business hours.
PET PORTALS… your pet’s own website
- Access your pet’s health records online
- Get email reminder
- Access to high-quality health articles
- Request boarding, appointments, grooming, prescription refills, food, account changes and general questions. Print out your pet’s vaccination records. Set up reminders to send to yourself about your pet’s medication.
- Put pictures of your pet on your website
If you do not already have this, ask us how!
Coming in the Fall…
Photo Session for your pets and your family. Can be made into Holiday cards too! More details to come in our next newsletter.
Have a great fall!
Your Friends at Sharon Lakes Animal Hospital
