Bites of Valuable Information

for You and Your Pet

NEW!  

Vectra 3D

Repels and Kills Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes

March 2008

A whole new dimension of parasite protection has arrived!

Introducing a NEW monthly topical for dogs that repels and kills fleas, ticks and mosquitoes! 

     While we all welcome the longer days of spring, when all flowers bloom and our area turns green, we do NOT enjoy large influx of fleas, ticks and mosquitoes that attack our pets AND us!  Luckily for our pets Summit VetPharm has launched a monthly treatment plan to protect dogs from the onslaught of these nasty varmits - Vectra 3D

 

• Fleas are the most common external parasite of companion animals. Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin disease of dogs and cats! Fleas can cause big problems for pets, including skin disease and anemia. Some animals are highly allergic to flea saliva and may scratch themselves continuously. Tapeworms are the most common parasite associated with fleas. Though not transmitted by bites, fleas cause tapeworm infestations when the dog grooms and ingests a flea carrying the tapeworm larva.

• Mosquitoes carry diseases and parasites that can afflict both your dog and cat. These diseases include the blood-born parasite causing heartworm disease and West Nile virus.

Vectra 3d Offers:

• New – a novel, triple action formulation that parasites have never encountered

• Complete – kills fleas at all stages of development, four species of ticks, plus three species of mosquitoes

• Fast – kills 96% of fleas within 6 hours, up to 100% in 12 hours

• Repels and Kills Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes – three vectors that may transmit disease

• Lasting – provides a full month of protection even after bathing or swimming

• Safety – gentle enough for puppies as young as 7 weeks

• Easy – an applicator so unique and easy-to-use, it’s patented

• Traceable – authenticity and veterinarian exclusivity is protected

 

Please note that our introduction to Vectra 3d is part of a multi offering of topical flea products.

We continue to offer Frontline Plus for dogs and Revolution for cats.

However since Frontline Plus has been on the market for over 15 years,

some of our clients have noticed a lower tolerance in preventing fleas.

Vectra 3d offers the superior protection at the same cost.

 

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Needle-free Feline Leukemia Vaccination

January 2008

      As part of our commitment to fight feline leukemia we will now be administering the vaccine in a new and alternative way.  Merial has developed the first vaccine specifically licensed for transdermal administrations meaning NO shots, NO needles!

      The vaccine is administered with a VETJET ™ Transdermal (needle free) Vaccination System that consists of an air-pressure system.  By using air pressure, the vaccine is sprayed through an opening about the diameter of a human hair and it takes less than 3/10 of a second!  The medicine is then delivered directly into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle.  By using this vaccine method, needed protection will be given but will help prevent the rare occurrence of injection-site tumors, chronic inflammation and vaccine reactions.

 

No needles?

Hurray!

Puppy & Kitten Kindergarten Class

December 2007

                As our valued client you are invited to attend our FREE Puppy/Kitten Kindergarten classes and learn

         the basic tips on caring for your new baby!   Even if you don’t think you need help, bring your puppy/kitten

         to socialize and meet new friends!

        What you will learn:  

        Health & Wellness – Importance of vaccines, deworming, preventing fleas & ticks, spaying & neutering

        Behavior  – Accepting being handled for grooming, learning good manners, house training

        Socialization – Overcoming fearful behaviors and gaining confidence around people and other pets

        Nutrition – Good food = Good life

        Pet Insurance – What’s it all about?

        Who can come:

        All puppy & kitten patients* of Veterinary Services plus their families. Children 6 and over welcome.

         *  Ages 6 months and younger, having received at least 2 puppy/kitten vaccines. 

              For everyone's protection - puppies must be leashed & kittens mush be in carriers.

        When:

        Mondays or Wednesday evenings 6 - 7pm (pending attendees preference). Reservations are required.

        Those interested please call: 803-648-5489 or email: Kindergarten class to schedule.

        Where:

        Veterinary Services - 1721 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC

        What you will receive:

        Meet puppy specialists, tour our facilities, free samples, refreshments.

What a wonderful way for you and your new baby

to start a great life together!

Questions or Comments?

  Thank you to all those who have participated in our puppy classes!

  After-hours Care

 November 2007

     In a continuing effort to better serve our clients, Veterinary Services is pleased to announce a new hospital staff position: after-hours caregiver.  We now have a caregiver residing above the clinic that will be able to provide after-hours, loving care to our hospital patients and boarders.   In addition to our on-site hospital cameras and the professional veterinary care your pet already receives, our caregiver will be available in the late evenings, weekends and holidays to ensure the comfort and safety of your pets. The after hours caregiver will also be available work with the on-call doctor and meet clients with after-hour emergencies.

     The addition of this position is part of our commitment to provide our patients with the highest level of care while maintaining our dedication to the quality service that you have come to expect.

We’re Celebrating!

                                                                                    September 2007

     We are proud to announce that we have completed our evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and have once again been awarded accreditation as “Best of the Best”!  Approximately only one of every six veterinary hospitals achieves this distinction.  And we remain as the only AAHA certified hospital in Aiken County.

!

     As an AAHA accredited practice, we adhere to the highest codes

of excellence in veterinary medicine. 

 

    To maintain our AAHA accreditation, our hospital voluntarily agrees to be inspected by trained AAHA professional, on over 900 aspects covering everything from Anesthesia, Pharmacy, Medical Records and Housekeeping.  Our accreditation symbolizes that our facilities, equipment and staff perform in the highest possible standards in order to provide your pet the best veterinary care.

To find out more information about the importance and high standards of AAHA click here.

Veterinary Services Now Offers Pet Portals

February 2007

:   Pet Portals is a private, secure access to YOUR pet’s health records through our website.  Your password-secure Pet Portals account provides health information that’s tailored to the needs of your individual pet(s).  With your Pet Portals account you can manage your pets’ health care at any time of the day, night or during holidays when our hospital isn’t open. 

    You can request a doctor’s appointment, a boarding or grooming reservation, refills on medications, topical treatments or diets, print vaccine schedules, set up reminders to administer Heartgard, Frontline, update your contact information and ask us any (non-emergency) question

    Traveling with your pet? Pet Portals allows you to access your pet’s health information from anywhere in the world via our secure website.  Need to travel unexpectedly and can’t make a boarding reservation?  Use Pet Portals to leave detailed, easy to read pet care instructions for your pet sitter. 

Registering is easy!

Click here to obtain your secure password.

Already registered with Pet Portal?

Click here to log in and begin managing your pet's health records.

Health News

Heartworm Disease in Cats

     Many people are familiar with heartworm disease in dogs, but are unaware that cats may also contract the parasite.  Cats are not a natural host for heartworms, and the incidence of infection is low.  Nevertheless heartworm infected cats have more severe clinical signs than dogs.

     Clinical signs in cats may be severe and vary greatly (even sudden death occurs). Diagnosing this disease is difficult.  Several bloods tests and x-rays must be performed. Once a cat has been diagnosed as positive, very little can be done.  Sadly there are NO treatments for heartworm positive cats. 

     Protecting your cat against this terrible disease couldn’t be easier!  A once a month topical treatment of Revolution is all you need.  Revolution is the first-ever FDA-approved, topically applied medication for cats that:

Your cat's protection against heartworms, parasites and fleas is now... an EASY once a month treatment!

Pet Insurance

Health Protection for Pet - Financial Protection for You

     Pets are a part of our lives. They are our companions, guardians and best friends. But just like any loved one, they can fall into harm's way - from bee stings, allergic reactions, swallowing a foreign object or breaking a bone.  Even the most caring pet owners are often unprepared to handle expensive veterinary treatments and surgeries that accidents or illness can bring.

     Advances in veterinary medicine have made caring for pets incredibly sophisticated. Veterinarians now have access to many of the same tests and procedures available to humans.  Performing CT scans, MRIs, orthopedic surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments are common and routine.  Unfortunately, the cost of these new services can be expensive. If your pet has an accident or becomes ill, you may be facing a $2000 operation to save her life. 

     That is why many pet owners are securing their pet’s health with pet insurance. Pet insurance is simply “peace of mind” for pet owners.  It reimburses the money you spend on your pet’s veterinary care so you won’t ever have to choose between their health and your personal finances.  When your pet is ill or injured the last thing you need to worry about is the expense of its treatment.

     Pet insurance not only ensures that pet owners can afford emergency care treatments but also offer wellness options for preventative care – such as annual check-ups, vaccinations, spaying, neutering, parasite & heartworm protection, blood work, dental cleanings and prescription flea and tick control and more. 

     Pet insurance companies and plans vary.  It is a good idea to shop around carefully.  Some key questions owners should ask are:

For additional information on Pet Insurance visit our " Related Links" page.

Found a baby "something"?

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Pictured here - newborn rabbit.