Animal Hospital News

posted by Dr. Deb on February 5th, 2012 in Cats, Dogs

 Professional Veterinary Dental Treatments are a lot different from the  ”teeth cleaning” or ”dental scaling” provided by groomers, kennels and other lay animal care givers without the benefit of general anesthesia.

Of course, The professional dental cleaning done by veterinarians is done under anesthesia so that the surfaces of the teeth under the gums, where painful periodontal disease starts, can be thoroughly cleaned then polished . Since pets are anesthetized for the deep cleaning process, your vet takes advantage by doing everything possible to restore oral health.  Your veterinarian can further evaluate underlying bone structure with radiographs, instill periodontal antibiotics around infected, but salvageable, teeth and perform extractions or oral surgery if needed.  It’s like you going to your dental hygienist, dentist, oral surgeon, and periodontist all at once– without voluntary cooperation! (Think how much that would cost if you did it all on one day!)

The best that can be done in an awake pet is a superficial scaling, removing the large chunks of calcified plaque (“claculus”).  The best behaved pets will tolerate a little more involved cleaning before tiring of the process. There is certainly  a benefit to this process, whether done by your groomer or veterinary assistant.  Removing the larger accumulations of calculus provides less area for bacteria to collect and certainly reduces the amount of smelly bacteria in a pet’s mouth.  This procedure may even extend the time between when professional veterinary dental treatments are needed.

But don’t get lulled into a false sense of security, just because you don’t see a lot of staining and plaque on the teeth.  If the gums are red or have lost their fine “knife edge” margin because of swelling, a professional cleaning should still be done.  Often, pet owners are amazed to discover that their pet has loose teeth (from periodontal disease) when there is no visible plaque on the teeth and gums actually look relatively healthy!  Certainly, any indication of loose teeth with or without gum disease warrants a thorough evaluation and treatment via a professional veteirnary dental treatment!

• Have your family vet evaluate your pet’s teeth every 6 month (with the rest of his comprehensive physical).
• Brush your pet’s teeth daily.   How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth   How To Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
• Ask your vet whether she will perform a superficial scaling if a professional treatment is not yet necessary.
• Have a professional cleaning done upon recommendation by your veterinarian.  For some pets, that may be only every few years, other pets may need professional help once a year.  Your vet will you give you the best advice to balance all the pros and cons of a professional treatment.

Start ‘em young!

posted by Dr. Deb on January 22nd, 2012 in Birds, Cats, Dogs, Exotics, Hospital Announcements, Other

When our children are sick, we take them to the pediatrician.  When our pets, our furred and feathered children, are sick, we take them to the vet.  Veterinarians are Pediatricians, Pediatric Surgeons and Dentists for the furred and  feathered (even the scaley and slippery!).

But, we at Cimarron Animal Hospital are not just Veterinarians, Technicians and Assistants.  In today’s world of fragmented health care, we are your Whole Family Health Care Team.   When we care for your pets, we also care for you and your family.  We realize that, while some families are able to revolve around their pets, most families are strung out in all different directions.  Kids have elaborate school and activity schedules.  Pet Parents have complicated work or vacation schedules.  Some pet parents are completely new to pet ownership.  Some are old hands interested in new medical care techniques.  Some pet parents are elderly, with physical and memory challenges, but they need their pets more than anyone.  No matter how quiet or chaotic our lives, we  all rely on the solid constancy and unconditional love of our pets, every day.
  All of a family’s lifestyle facets and challenges have to be considered when caring for a pet– whether it’s basic care or more intensive medical management.  Sometimes, our staff members also act as family counselors, life coaches, hospice care consultants, bereavement counselors, shoulders to cry on or home delivery helpers– whatever it takes to help you and your family take care of the pets that are the glue in our lives.
  Every human who walks through our doors has issues and concerns about his pet, her family, their jobs.  It all filters down to us.  It’s all important to us if it affects your pet.  Every human we see is as much a part of our family as every one of their pets.  That’s why Pets, AND their People are Our Passion at Cimarron.
  Whatever you need, no matter how small, how silly-seeming, how complicated or challenging, just ask!   We are here for you, your pets, your whole family.

posted by Dr. Deb on January 7th, 2012 in Cats, Dogs, Hospital Announcements

Discounts, Free Exams and nail trims, Optimal Health Care all in easy Monthly Payment installments!  Bringing the kind of optimal pet care that devoted pet owners want, more affordably!

We are bonded more with our pets than ever before.  In today’s high stress world, many of us prefer a relaxing moment on the computer with a cup of tea at hand and a warm cat in our lap than the swirling hubbub of a party full of people. We want our furry companions to be healthy forever, but this high tech world has raised the cost of veteirnary care, along with everything else.

We, at Cimarron Animal Hospital, are dedicated to providing optimal wellness care to pets who are people, too.  So, we’ve been working to create a way for clients to be able to afford the kind of care that they want for their pet companions….  Wellness packages that cover optimal wellness care paid for in more comfortable monthly payments!

We have packages for young adults, middle-aged adults  and senior dogs and cats.  Cat packages are further broken up into inside only or outdoor lifestyles.  Each package is custom designed for the lifestage and species of pet.  Owners pay 25% down on the package and the rest in 11 monthly payments via credit card.

Our Pet Friends Forever (PFF) Wellness Packages Include:

Optimal Wellness Care:   2 Wellness Visits, Necessary vaccinations (based on lifestyle risk assessment), Wellness blood and fecal screen (age appropriate), Professional Dental Treatment, Blood pressure monitoring, arthritis screen radiographs or cardiac screen radiographs if needed.

                                              3 FREE Visits during the year for Anything

                                             2 FREE Nail Trims

    Discounts                  Substantial Discount on Dental Cleanings

                                             3% Discount on any payments made in cash

                                            10% discount on everything else if the package is paid in full, up front!

Peace of Mind   With the 3 Free Visits, you don’t have to hesitate and second guess yourself about whether it’ll be worth the money to come in– it’s FREE– just come in!  After all, a real, live vet, actually touching your pet,  who knows your pet personally is going to be able to give you better information about your pet, in your home, with your lifestyle, than Dr. Google!  And, if they are both free, why not do the best?

Special Care can be rolled in:  Pets with medical conditions requiring additional monitoring, chronic medications and special treatments can have that additional care rolled into the package as well, spreading ALL those costs out over monthly payments instead of bigger lumps at a time during the year!

Better than Big Box Vet’s Wellness Packages:  If your pet passes away or you decide to go elsewhere, you only have to cover the charges of the services rendered up to that time.  You do not have to continue paying all year (unless you still owe for services and want to continue monthly payments as opposed to a lump sum payment) if your pet dies or you move- as you would with the Big Box Vets.  We won’t trap you into paying for anything that we haven’t provided!  Furthermore, we have the flexibility to customize packages for our Arizona pets and pets with special needs.  Pets are individuals and should not all be treated the same!

For details on pricing, please call our office at  520 886-1125

posted by Dr. Deb on December 1st, 2011 in Cats

Does your cat run and hide when it’s time to take medicine?

Cats are usually difficult when it comes to taking medicine, leaving owners throwing their hands up in frustration and cats leery of coming out of hiding. Here are some alternatives to forcing a pill down Fluffy’s throat.

You can try Pill Pockets that are specially made for cats. It is basically a cat treat shaped like a pocket where you place the pill in order to disguise it from Fluffy. This will work with some cats and others will simply eat the treat and spit out a half dissolved pill. What can we say, a cat knows what it likes and will not be tricked…….or do we have more tricks up our sleeves?

For cats with impeccable taste, you can go to a local compounding pharmacy where the pills can be turned into a chicken or tuna flavored liquid that can be mixed into Fluffy’s food……yes, as easy as eating cake! For those do-it-yourself people, you can crush the pill and mix it in Fluffy’s tuna for the same affect—as long as tuna (or beef broth) is OK with Fluffy’s Doctor, of course!  Learn more from Prescription Lab Compounding Pharmacy

Last but not least, some medications can be given transdermally, (rubbed into the skin). Fluffy can get his/her medicine while receiving love from you, how awesome is that?! It is true; a spoonful of love helps the medicine go down!

For more tips and tricks on medicating cats, contact  us @ 520-886-1125

posted by Dr. Deb on November 29th, 2011 in Other

“Despite the ever-increasing emotional bond we have with our pets, research shows pets are getting less preventive healthcare,” says Dr. Rene A. Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “Consequently, illnesses that are totally preventable, such as dental infections, intestinal worms and heartworms, ear infections and diabetes, are on the increase. … we encourage pet owners to bring their pets into their veterinarian for regular checkups.”

Pets are going to the veterinarian 25% less often than before.  Why?

The economy has a lot to do with it.  Less discretionary income puts pet care lower on the list of things we need to spend money on.  Sometimes we just don’t have the extra cash or credit for pet emergencies, let alone wellness visitis.  And, payment arrangements are hard to find at Veterinary offices.  So, here are some other options:

• Pet Health Insurance.  The same way it helps us get health care, it can help you afford pet care. Check out this site for comparison shopping the most reliable Pet Insurance Companies:  Trupanion.com
• Apply for Care Credit- a line of credit for medical expenses. 
• Seek out Veterinarians who accept Care Credit
• Seek out Veterinarians who offer monthly payments on Annual Wellness Packages-  dividing the expected expenses over the course of the year can sure make optimal pet care more affordable!
• Look for Vets who offer in-house Medical Savings Plans- let your vet help you save by putting money in your pet’s account for wellness or urgent care.
• Ask your Vet if they offer “Frequent Flyer Discounts“ for pets that come in more than once a year

Internet sources encourage owners to self-diagnose and even try treating at home.  While the internet has lots of good information, there is a lot of misinformation out there, too.  Make sure you  are getting medical information from a veterinary source, not just anyone. Here are some reliable sources for veterinary information:  Veterinary Partner  and   AAHA Healthy Pet.   Avoid putting off a vet visit based on “wait and see” advice from the internet.  Illnesses are almost always less expensive to treat and have better outcomes when treated earlier than later.  And, always remember, there is no substitute for your veterinarian’s hands-on examination and their advice based on personal knowledge of your pet! 

3 Year Vaccination rotations are becoming more popular, so owners are choosing to forego the annual health exams.  Many people don’t realize that the Veterinary Exam is the Most Important Part of their pet’s “vaccination visit”.  Of course, every pet needs appropriate vaccinations based on life risk assessments (which your vet can help you figure out), but it’s the up-to-date exchange of knowledge and the physical exam that let you and your pet’s doctor keep him in top form– not just the vaccines.

As more cats are staying indoors, owners are abandoning annual health check ups for their cats, being under the mistaken impression that their indoor cat is “safe” from disease.  It is true that indoor cats are unlikely to get contagious diseases and suffer less traumatic injury than outdoor cats.  But, indoor cats are more prone to metabolic disease, obesity, and diabetes than their more active outdoor counterparts.  The fabulous thing is that medical advances in the last several years are helping cats with metabolic diseases and diabetes, even renal failure, live up 2 or more years longer than before!  It’s worth checking it out!

   Tips for getting your cat to the vet with a minimum of stress (to both you and your cat)

• Train your cat to enjoy his carrier.  Click here
• Spray Feliway in the carrier 15 minutes before putting your kitty inside.  Tabby finds Happiness with Feliway- from youtube
• Put a towel or sweatshirt with your scent on it in the carrier for kitty to hide in.
• Ask your veterinarian for anti-anxiety medication to give before the trip
• Choose a Veterinarian with some of these cat friendly features

Time constraints make it difficult to get in to the vet during regular “Doctor Office Hours”. 

• Look for a Vet that allows Drop Off Appointments.  Drop your pet off while you go to work or run other errands.  Your Vet or Vet Tech can call you with physical exam findings and  recommendations.  You can make treatment decisions and pick your pet up on the way home!
• Look for Veterinary clinics with extended hours.

Just as for humans, an ounce of prevention (and a few dollars intermittently) is worth a pound (and big bucks) of cure for pets.

Pets should have regular checkups throughout their lives just like people.  Human physicians recommend annual exams for children and adults starting at middle age, annual blood testing starting at middle age, and some specialized tests as we advance in age (prostate cancer testing, breast cancer screening, colonoscopy).    Likewise, Puppies and Kittens should have monthly exams until 4 months of age (equate that to children at age 11).  Pets age 4-8 (equate to human ages 40-65) should have at least 1 exam every year.  Twice yearly exams for middle aged pets would be entirely reasonable.  That would be like a middle aged human getting an exam and wellness testing every 3 years.  Senior pets over the age of 8 should be examined every 6 months with an annual wellness blood and urine screen.

Sure, you will pay for 1 or 2 vet visits a year, but you will get your money’s worth!  Your vet will be able to detect problems that you can’t at home.  You can implement lifestyle, diet, or exercise changes to turn around some illnesses or slow down the progression of chronic disease, giving your family more great quality time with your pet.

Our rapidly changing ,constantly moving society will always present challenges to the things we want to do.  When you are feeling challenged about bringing your pet into your Veterinarian, call them.  Your family Vet probably has some ways to make the experience easier and better.   As our pets give us unconditional love, we need to give it back in comfort and quality of life.   Don’t let preventable disease steal precious years from your bond with your Pet Friend Forever.