At South Franklin Animal Hospital my goal is to try to offer the very best for my patients. This takes constant research, continuing eduction, networking with specialists, and investing money into the practice. I would like to keep my clients, established or potential updated on ways SFAH is evolving.
1/Fecal Flotation is a procedure to harvest intestinal eggs from an animal's feces for diagnosis under the microscope for appropriate treatment. There are a few methods for fecal flotations, but one that is superior and supported by the CDC. This is fecal flotation by centrifugation. This method needs more sample of stool and takes alittle longer to perform but well worth it. Here at SFAH, we have researched and instituted this new method of diagnosising intestinal parasites as of Jan 1, 2012. According to the CDC, the veterinary community is missing an enormous percentage of intestinal parasites in our pets and is recommending more attention to fecal floation method and routine deworming of our pets. The biggest concern, is environmental contamination and transmission to humans. Intestinal parasites are a huge threat to young children and immunocomprimised humans. So our most direct attention is to diagnosis appropriately and treat aggressively.
2/State of the Art CBC {complete blood count} machine, called a Procyte is being routinely used at our hospital for the most complete and accurate measurements. A complete blood count looks at red and white blood cells and platelets. It gives a complete measure, count, percentage, and dot plot for all of these cells. This is a critical measure in sick, wellness/baseline, preanesthetic, and monitoring. The Procyte machine is used in outside laboratories when a CBC is sent off, and at SFAH we have this machine in house, with results in less than 5 minutes.
3/Tonopen AVIA VET is being introduced at SFAH to measure intraocular pressure for Glaucoma. Since our medicine is geared at preventative care, this device will be fit in our protocols. The Tonopen is a non painful, quick screen on the corneal surface for eye pressure. It will be used on an animal's eye that presents for concerns with eye pain, red eye, cloudy eye,... It will also be used on all animal's 10 years and older as a screen. Since Glaucoma is extremely painful and will lead to blindness, treatment can alleviate pain, suffering, and possibly blindness.
4/Flexicult Vet Urinary Test is being incorporated into ALL our complete urinalysis. This is the gold standard for diagnosis of UTI. It is a in house, 24 hour culture for dogs and cats. It not only shows the type of bacteria in the urine, but if there is antibiotic resistance.
Our results with this test have been amazing and the cost for the urine culture, as compared to sending to an outside lab is almost 1/2.
5/Pet Insurance is a huge topic of importance that SFAH has researched and had staff training to beable to recommend and guide our clients in this vast area. There are two insurance companies that we have deemed leaders--Trupanion and Pets Best. Trupanion is our top choice for many reasons 1/local representative, 2/ one simple plan with or without deductible, 3/ 90% coverage, and 4/covers some specific hereditary and congenital conditions.
As cost of veterinary care continues to rise, pet insurance will become more and more important. Also, considering that vomiting/diarrhea and ear infections are the most common sick presentations owners present their pet to the hospital for treatment, and are covered!!
We will be educating, sending home information, and giving 30 day trials of Trupanion to help our owners be covered to beable to take the very best in care of their furry family members.
6/Dental Sealant, SANOS will help prevent plaque from attaching under or on the gingival margin. In instances where the pet already has signs of subgingival problems, SANOS has been shown to be beneficial as a liquid bandage in the pet's mouth on soft tissue. This is a wonderful sealant that we are offering for young animals, at time of spay or neutering, and post dental cleaning to help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation. Dental care is so important and anyway we can delay the disease the overall health benefit. Also a benefit of Sanos, is no at home re application or treatment!!
7/A new approach to the most important patient, our beloved Geriatric at SFAH will be in action from 2012 forward. This consists of examination of the 10 year and older pet every 6 months, to practice the most preventative level of medicine. The examination will consist of eye pressure check and tear production levels, staging of discomfort/pain for osteoarthritis, and body check of lumps/bumps. During this time, team approach with owner on nutrition, supplements, NSAID, dementia issues/concerns, urinary incontinence,... The geriatric pet will not be vaccinated for ALL vaccines like a <10 year old patient. This will be a team decision with the client on exposure and environment and vaccines justified. Of course, the heartworm 4dx test, fecal and giardia testing will be recommended yearly, along with labwork.
