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Animal Care Centers Newsletter

Its Dental Season In August. Why it is important to treat on page 4
A Quarterly Newsletter Best of the Best in 2013 Thank you for voting us best of the best again this year, making it our 8th award. Pages 1 Meet New Members of Our Team Our rehabilitation and wellness center welcomes Dr. Suzanne Plamondon to our practice. Page 2 Does Your Pet Suffer from Anxiety? Get tips and tricks to help your pet overcome phobias, stress and anxiety. Page 3 Summer 2013 Dental Disease August and September are dental months and dental cleanings are 15% off. Read about why healthy teeth and gums are important for a healthy pet. Page 4

The Animal Care Center awarded Best of the Best in 2013

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Prescriptions
Did you know we have a prescription drug line (720) 484-5001 for rells? All you have to do is leave a message on our hotline with the following information: Your Name Your Pets Name Your preferred contact phone number Name of the medication Amount of medication You can expect your request to be lled within 24 hours. We will send you a conrmation email when your prescription is ready. Sometimes we are asked why it takes 24 hours to ll a prescription. By law all prescriptions have to be approved by a doctor. The best standard of care to ensure the proper medication reaches your hands is to have your primary doctor approve the prescription. That helps avoid dispensing the wrong medication or dosage. We do have a triple check system, however, when staff is rushed, even that wont prevent all mistakes. We are always happy to accommodate urgent requests. We just ask for your support in providing the best care possible by giving us 24 hours.

DOUGLAS COUNTY CASTLE ROCK

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Our 8th Annual Best of the Best Award

For the eighth time, the Animal Care Center of Castle Pines will be hanging a Best of the Best award in our waiting room thanks to your support. Our new grooming department also won the award for best groomer in Douglas County.

Word of Mouth
We also wanted to take the time to thank you for referring your friends and neighbors. New clients frequently tell us they heard about us through you. If you didnt get a chance to see the Best of the Best insert in your local paper, new clients can take advantage of our Try Us for $20 program. Any new client to our practice gets their rst exam or groom for $20.

Celebration in October
We are going to have our own version of Octoberfest to celebrate. We will have contests, door prizes, giveaways and of course complimentary nail trims for an entire day. Watch for an email announcing all the details.

ACC Summer Newsletter

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
! Anatole France

New Members of our Team

Suzanne Plamondon, DVM, CVA, MBA, DABVP Associate Doctor
We are excited to announce the addition of Dr. Suzanne Plamondon to our team. Dr. Plamondon, who you can also call Dr. Suzanne, is one of roughly 900 Diplomates of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (DABVP) nationally and internationally. DABVPs undergo a long and difcult process of additional studies and examination to become a board certied specialist in small animal veterinary care by the ABVP. The process takes 3 to 5years to complete. Dr. Plamondon graduated in 1998 from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, PEI Canada. She did an internship in equine internal medicine, which started her love for internal medicine. After practicing a year in an equine specialty hospital, she transitioned to small animal medicine where she practiced for 8 years. She served as Chief-of-Staff in several full service medical hospitals that led the nation in client satisfaction scores. She was recruited to a National Medical Advisor position to support DVMs nationally for any medical and surgical case consultation. Dr. Suzanne is also certied in acupuncture (CVA) from the Chi Institute in Florida. She practiced integrative care since her training with emphasis on geriatric, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disk disease, chronic arthritis and epilepsy. Dr. Plamondon was hired as Chief-Medical-Ofcer for Guelph Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Ontario where she was responsible for overseeing of an entire large and small animal teaching hospital (operations, medical quality, client service and nancial performance). She is currently training as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, a new board certied specialty in canine/ feline practice. Dr. Plamondon, will see cases for acute and chronic conditions in her areas of study and expertise: Allergies, skin disease and chronic dermatitis Hip Dysplasia - pets with lameness, pain or stiffness in the hips and hind end Geriatrics older dogs that often have multiple and complex issues going on at the same time. She excels at early detection of disease to get ahead of the disease before it becomes too advanced Arthritis and Obesity these go hand in hand together. Obesity increases inammation and pain in arthritis patients. Focuses on nutrition and supplements that target specic issues that these pets face Pain management - Dr. Suzanne is certied in acupuncture, cold laser therapy, stem cells and other alternatives to help pets who are living with chronic pain Please join us in welcoming Dr. Plamondon to Colorado and our practice. I love the outdoors, so Colorado is the perfect place to call home. When I am not working with animals, you will nd me on my bike, kayaking, hiking in the mountains and exploring the hidden treasures of our state with Calli my best friend and constant companion (She is a Cocker Spaniel with attitude). My passion is the pursuit of knowledge and I consider myself a permanent student. You will almost always nd me with a book in hand and currently sci- is my favorite genre. Animals are my rst love, however, I was never any good at science. So practicing veterinary medicine was not an option for me. Early on in my career I joined a veterinary practice and fell in love with the people and pets. Surprisingly, I found myself promoted to a supervisory position within my rst year and I really enjoy the challenge of leadership. I joined the Animal Care Center of Castle Pines because I had never seen a facility that was this well equipped and staffed. It felt like home from the moment I walked in the door. People were so friendly and inviting.

Lindsay Jenkins Client Care Supervisor

ACC Summer Newsletter

Tips for Phobias and Anxiety in Pets

Its that time of year when thunderstorms light up the sky. Thats one of many causes of pet anxiety. What are the tell-tale signs that your pet suffers from anxiety? What can you do to alleviate it? Anxiety in animals manifests in destructive behavior, loud vocalizing, panting, and obsessive-compulsive chewing or licking. Anxious behaviors are generally triggered by external stressors such as loud noises, isolation, or changes in routine or environment. Anxiety becomes problematic when your home gets destroyed or turns your road trip into a disaster. When it leads to obsessive-compulsive licking or chewing, it may be a precursor to broken teeth or wounds that get infected and require veterinary care. Below are a few tips to help your pet with anxiety or stress: Tip 1 Desensitize your pet Lets say, for example, your pet struggles during thunderstorms. Get a CD of a thunderstorm and play if softly at rst, gradually increasing the volume over time. Tip 2 Act normally Our natural instinct is to nurture. Inadvertently we are telling them Act scared and I will pet you. The more you act like its no big deal the faster they will embrace your attitude as well. Distract them with a favorite toy, game or their favorite treat. Use Rescue Remedy - Rescue Remedy is a natural way to calm pets during stressful situations. Anxiety Drops Homeopathic drops for travel or noise phobia. Composure Composure is a combination of amino acids and vitamin B1 to help with stress Alprazolam A fast acting medical treatment of panic and anxiety disorders. This is a great option to use in a pinch as Alprazolam reaches its peak benet in about 1 hour. Acepromazine This mild sedative works by blocking receptors in the intended for pets with intense phobias, separation anxiety, or a history of aggressive behavior. Prozac An anti-depressant that not only helps with depression, but also panic, separation anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Clomipramine A long acting drug, usually taking 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect that is used to treat dogs with severe separation anxiety. Tip 5 Thundershirt or Dryer Sheet A compression vest that has a calming effect on dogs (or cats). Thundershirts are based on the idea that pressure can increase feelings of safety and wellbeing, much like swaddling an infant. Rubbing your pet with a dryer sheet can desensitize your pet to changes in barometric pressure, reducing physiologic changes they may sense. Tip 6 Acupuncture Acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for PTSD, thunder anxiety and other noise phobias. Combined with medications or natural remedies you can substantially reduce your pets anxiety and decrease reaction to external stressors. Regardless of the approach you take, remember patience and consistency are the keys to seeing a successful change in your pets behavior. 3

Approximately 10.7 million dogs suffer from separation anxiety.

positive, fun tones. Over time your pet will associate what used to be a stressor with something pleasurable. Tip 3 Use natural remedies and drugs with immediate effect brain so they are not ooded with adrenaline. Tip 4 Drugs for long term or chronic treatment Anxitane calms animals dealing with environmental stress. It is not

ACC Summer Newsletter

Visual Inspection: First, check the mouth (some dogs and cats are a little head shy and W H Y I T S W O R T H T R E A T I N G this may take a little patience on your part). The most common illness for dogs and cats is Gently fold back the lips and look at the teeth and gums especially the very back teeth. periodontal disease. Pets contract the disease much like people do, and for the same reasons. Ideally, the teeth should be ivory or lightly tan Food particles deposited along the gumline are colored with a shiny smooth surface. The gingiva should be a nice pink color (except the perfect environment for bacteria to grow dogs with pigmented mouths) and free of any and form plaque. All animals have some areas of localized redness or swelling (puffy amount of bacteria in their mouths, but if appearance). If the pet has plaque or tartar their teeth aren't cleaned periodically, the build-up you will notice tan or brownish gums may recede away from the teeth, which debris accumulated on the teeth where the form pockets that are a breeding ground for more harmful bacteria. Severe gingivitis turns teeth meet the gum line. It may be most notable on the canines and cheek teeth into full-blown dental disease. which are the larger teeth along the sides of the jaw.

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D E N TA L D I S E A S E

guidance from your veterinarian can lead most pet owners to success. As a matter of fact, if you take it slow, most dogs and cats, even senior pets, will allow you to brush their teeth.

Dogs rarely get cavities, but severe gum disease and gingivitis can cause tooth and bone loss as the bacteria attacks the root. As gums become inamed, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause other internal damage. As the liver and kidneys lter the bacteria, lesions can form which decreases the normal function of those organs. Some cases of severe periodontal disease have even resulted in abnormal growths on the brain and heart valves. General health can suffer as the body tries to continually ght off the infection. Left untreated, periodontal disease can decreases both quality and quantity of life.

Feed your dog quality dog food. Some dogs will benet from "dental diets" that help Foul Odor: Pets with plaque or tartar build- scrub their teeth as they chew, or from foods up commonly have a foul odor to their breath. that have additives that prevent plaque from The bacteria feeding on the plaque that builds hardening. Talk to your vet about what diet is up on the teeth causes the odor. This infection right for your dog. can rapidly spread to the gums causing severe Take your dog in for regular oral exams irritation (gingivitis). If you suspect any of and cleanings. Oral exams with dental Xthe conditions noted above it is best for your rays done under general anesthesia are the pet to have their teeth cleaned and treated. only way to get a full picture of what's Additional symptoms of severe gum disease happening in your dog's teeth and below the include: gum line. Problems picking up food Bleeding or red gums Loose teeth Blood in the water bowl or on chew toys "Talking" or making noises when a dog eats or yawns Bumps or lumps in the mouth Not wanting the head touched (head shyness) Chewing on one side of the mouth Offer safe toys and treats for daily chewing. Chewing every day on toothfriendly goodies is another way to help prevent gum disease in dogs. Look for treats and toys that aren't hard, like: rubber balls, thin rawhide strips that bend, as well as rubbery toys in which you can hide treats. (Beware that hard rawhide can cause gastrointestinal problems if your dog swallows a large piece.) Proper dental care can help maintain a healthy, happy, and long life for your family member. We believe so strongly in dental health for our companions, we are offering you a 15% discount on a dental prophylactic cleaning from August 15th to September 30th. If you would like to make an appointment for a dental examination or cleaning for your pet, please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns to help in the decision making process. We hope these tips provide you, our valued client, assistance and direction in improving your pets oral and over all health.

How can you tell if you pet has gingivitis or dental disease?
Unfortunately, the rst symptoms of gum disease in dogs are no symptoms at all at rst.Its rare that pet owners ever notice signs of gum disease in their dog, and if they do, the gum disease is very advanced. By then, your pet may be living with chronic pain, which animals instinctively hide to avoid showing weakness. However, there are some easy early indications you can inspect on your own.

What can you do to prevent dental disease?

Brush your dog's teeth every day. You know that the best home care for keeping your pearly whites in top form is daily brushing -well it's the same for your pooch. While the task may seem a little daunting, it doesn't have to be. Patience, the right tools, and some

ACC Summer Newsletter 2013