NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2007
DOCTOR LYNN LIFE NOW PART OWNER!
New Hope Animal Hospital is proud to announce the new partnership with Dr. Lynn Life in New Hope Animal Hospital and Pleasant Grove Regional Animal Hospital, scheduled to open in 2008. Dr. Life has been an associate at New Hope Animal Hospital for four years during which time her managerial and clinical skills have been a tremendous asset to our hospital. Her dedication to our patients and their owners has been inspirational, and the benefit of her management knowledge and enthusiasm will be evident as New Hope Animal Hospital moves forward with the construction of its sister facility, Pleasant Grove Regional Animal Hospital. Dr. Life shares and strengthens the mission of our hospital which is to provide high-quality, compassionate veterinary care and to educate our staff and clients. We are excited to offer our patients and clients more through this partnership.
AAHA ACCREDITATION RENEWED FOR NEW HOPE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
New Hope Animal Hospital has been an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited hospital since it opened in 1989. In April the AAHA team came for a complete inspection of our hospital. We passed and received a three-year accreditation! Only 12% of the veterinary hospitals in the United States are AAHA accredited! (Did you know that every human hospital must be accredited by law?)
Our hospital was evaluated in 18 areas: anesthesia, surgery, contagious disease control, dentistry, emergency/urgent care, client service, continuing education, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, housekeeping and maintenance, human resources, leadership, medical records, pain management, examination facilities, patient care, pharmacy and safety.
We voluntarily uphold high standards of patient care and protocols. We expect the best for our patients and our clients and strive to improve and progress.
NEW HOPE FOR A CURE IS NUMBER ONE!
Our American Cancer Society Relay for Life team was the top fundraising team for the Rogers relay! Go New Hope for a Cure! Each year our staff forms a team to raise money for the American Cancer Society. There are personal reasons for many of us, but cancer is a reality for our patients as well. Many of the drugs we use for our dogs and cats with cancer and immune mediated disease are ‘borrowed’ from the human side of medicine. Certainly the research that the ACS funds often provides new treatments and hope for our patients.
HEALTH NEWS FOR YOUR PET
CALICI VIRUS STRAIN THREATENS CATS
Traditional feline calicivirus infection is normally an upper respiratory disease of young, unvaccinated kittens and cats. Kittens and cats that do get the disease are generally treatable with a good survival rate. However in 1998, there appeared a new strain of this common virus. This strain has been associated with an especially high death rate (40%). It causes high fevers, swelling and ulceration of the face and feet, and pneumonia. Since 1998 this deadly virus has shown up in clusters in the United States. With outbreaks as close as Mountain Home (140 miles east of here!) and Springfield, Missouri, (only 76 miles from Rogers!), this virus is certainly a threat to our precious cats and kittens in Northwest Arkansas.
A vaccine for this new deadly strain of Calicivirus has not been available until recently. While protection from traditional calicivirus vaccination is part of your cat’s routine yearly vaccinations, the calicivirus vaccines that have been available do not offer protection against this devastating strain. With the introduction of a vaccine proven to protect against this strain of calicivirus, New Hope Animal Hospital is glad to now offer protection to your feline friend from this potentially deadly disease.
We will be vaccinating all cats using the virulent strain, but the vaccine must be boostered in 2-3 weeks to be effective. If your cat is not due for its vaccinations soon, we recommend vaccinating your cat now against the deadly strain of Calicivirus now (with the 2-3 week booster!) The disease is certainly a real and nearby threat and with such a high death rate associated with it, we want to protect our feline patients as soon as possible.
EVEN MODERATELY OVERWEIGHT
AFFECTS LIFESPAN!
Recent studies, including one by the National Academy of Sciences, show that 25 to 40 percent of companion animals are obese. What is worse is that many owners are unable to recognize obesity in their dogs. Three-quarters of owners don’t regard their dogs as fat. A roly-poly dog is not a happy or healthy dog, however. According to studies in humans and animals, just being 10 percent overweight may shorten life expectancy by 35 percent. And a 20 percent overage shortens lifespan by as much as 50 percent. The fourth leading cause of canine death is obesity-induced disease, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Your dog eats what you feed it and exercises as much as you encourage it. So obesity is very treatable…here’s what you can do:
Ø Compare your dog’s weight (honestly!) to the body Condition System chart at www.purina.com/dogs/health/BodyConditon.aspx
Ø Visit www.balanceit.com to calculate your dog’s caloric needs. If you need help determining how many calories your pet needs and how many it is getting, just ask us!
Ø Adjust the food portion and type throughout your dog’s life to fit its activity and weight level. Decrease servings, size and calories. Ask us about a commercial weight loss diet.
Ø Increase exercise. Offer your dog playtime and attention instead of treats.
ADVANCES IN FELINE BLADDER PROBLEMS
Interstitial cystitis (also known as chronic idiopathic cystitis) is a serious bladder condition of mostly indoor cats. The latest scientific opinion and research is that the stress of close confinement and boredom plays a significant role in this disease. www.osu.edu/indoorcat provides a wealth of information on the current views on interstitial cystitis and stress in cats. Other websites with products for enriching your indoor kitty and possibly preventing this problem are:
AND WHILE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT BLADDER HEALTH…
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d has been reformulated to help manage the three primary urinary disorders that can affect feline patients. This new formulation contains no excess salt, and is nutritionally balanced for long-term feeding. Prescription Diet c/d contains antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids to help with interstitial cystitis. It also contains controlled levels of magnesium to prevent magnesium phosphate crystals, and added citrate and vitamin B6 to decrease oxalate formation. This unique formula is an exciting advancement in the nutritional management of our feline cystitis patients.
MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION
LAUNCHES CANCER RESEARCH
Morris Animals Foundation (MAF) has announced the launch of a $30 million effort to manage and administer research grants to many of the world’s most prestigious colleges of veterinary medicine, universities, organizations, and scientists. World-renowned scientists and cancer specialists agree that his MAF-led effort will help save countless dogs from suffering and premature deaths. An added benefit is the potential of this research to produce breakthroughs in the prevention, treatment and cures of human cancers-in particular childhood cancers.
Statistically 25% of dogs will die of cancer; it is the number one cause of disease-related death in dogs over age two. Many of the most popular dog breeds are especially susceptible to cancer (60% of Golden Retrievers die of cancer.)
In addition to financial contributions through corporate sponsorships, MAF’s goal is to get 1% of the 44 million dog-owning households in the United States to make a donation of at least $50 in the name of their present dog(s), pet dogs of the past, and/or on behalf of a future puppy-for a total of $22 million. For more information on this effort go to www.curecaninecancer.org
WHEN YOUR KITTY’S BREATH STINKS…
If your favorite feline has ‘morning breath’ well into the night, don’t ignore it. What you smell could be signaling a serious health problem Ninety percent of the time, bad breath is cats signals a dental problem. Cats get gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque and tartar build-up on the surface of the teeth. One indicator of gingivitis is bad breath and having your kitty’s teeth cleaned can easily remedy the problem. When signs of gingivitis (red, bleeding gums and bad breath) are ignored, your cat is at risk of developing a more serious oral health problem.
TALK ABOUT TRIVIA!
A great place to find all the breeds of livestock with photos and trivia:
NEW PRODUCTS AT NEW HOPE
Good pharmaceutical companies are always working to improve their products. In this newsletter we feature two nutraceuticals that have changed to provide more complete building blocks for the organs they are intended. And a time-trusted flea product broadens its scope!
DENAMARIN IS THE NEW, IMPROVED DENOSYL
Providing increased levels of S-Adenosylmethionine, which is a molecule essential to liver cell function, has been scientifically proven to improve liver function without significant side effects. Our doctors have prescribed this for the supplemental treatment of liver disease in our patients for many years. Recent studies have proven that silibyn, a component of milk thistle, is also beneficial to liver function as well. We are excited to offer you a product that will provide both of these supplements beneficial to liver healing and improving liver function in one tablet.
Denosyl™ will now be replaced by Denamarin™ to increase the health benefits of supplementation of your pet’s liver. By adding scientifically proven silibyn to the S-Adenosylmethionine, our patients will be getting the benefits of two proven supplements. The manufacturer of both, Nutramax Laboratories, is a well-respected and ethical company, giving us assurance that we are providing the best care for your pet.
Denamarin™ is available in three sizes to make it easier to dose your pet properly.
COSEQUIN™ IMPROVES, TOO!!!
Not all glucosamine-chondroitin supplements are the same! Since nutritional supplements for joint support are not federally regulated, there is a wide range of products available that may or may not be effective in your dog or cat. In fact it is a well known scientific fact that the form of glucosamine and chondroitin used in most human products are NOT as effective as the products found in Cosequin™, and now Dasuquin™.
Nutramax, the producers of Cosequin™, have recently developed a more effective form of glucosamine and chondroitin for your pet known as Dasuquin™. A naturally derived compound known as ASU (avocado/soybean unsaponifiables) and bioavailable decaffeinated green tea polyphenols have been added to increase the levels of glucosamine and chondroitin available, providing a more comprehensive joint health program. And the new formulation is more efficient in delivery allowing a reduced price and increased value for you!
ADVANTAGE GOES MULTI FOR MORE PARASITE PROTECTION
Novartis Animal Health is proud to announce the addition of Advantage Multi™ which is a combination of their effective topical flea killer imidacloprid with moxidectin. The addition of moxidectin allows for protection against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and fleas in dogs and heartworms, ear mites, hookworms, roundworms, and fleas in cats. It is a topical that is applied where the pet cannot lick the solution. It can be safely used in puppies over 7 weeks old and at least 3 pounds and kittens over9 weeks old and 2 pounds. As with all topical solutions, you should wash after applying and do not allow contact with the treated area for at least thirty minutes (it is good advice to apply any topical to your pet before bedtime when human contact is limited while the product spreads.)
“WHAT IS HE CROSSED WITH?” CAN SOON BE ANSWERED!
Mars Veterinary, a new division of Mars, Inc., plans to release a DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs this summer. Called the Wisdom Panel MX™, it is a comprehensive DNA-based test that can identify more than 300 distinct genetic markers of more than 100 American Kennel Club recognized breeds. So now with a simple blood test obtained during a routine office visit, the program offers a unique report that includes the dog’s breed analysis, as well as information on the appearance and behavioral characteristics of the detected breeds. And we’ll be able to answer that question, “What is he?”
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