The Pet Gazette

As advances in veterinary medicine and medical knowledge take place, we as veterinarians often modify or augment our treatments and medical practices. This has happened at Coral Veterinary Clinic with the use of modern modalities such as ultrasound, laser, and digital radiography as well as traditional but effective modalities such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. We felt that now would be a good time to revisit our approach to heartworms in cats.

In 2001, we were presented a lecture by Dr. Judy Levy from the University of Florida Vet School in which she stated that the prevalence of heartworms in cats in the U.S. to be around 6% of the cat population. Research since has shown the prevalence of feline heartworm exposure in the U.S. may range as high as 33%, depending on the state. The range in Florida is 11-15%.

Another interesting statistic was that indoor cats represented 8-27% of the cases of feline heartworms depending on the study. This means that indoor cats can have exposure to heartworms via mosquitoes as do outdoor cats, although obviously not as frequently.

Heartworms in cats are unfortunately very hard to diagnose, and most cases are only confirmed after the death of the cat. None of the blood tests are completely accurate, as they are in the dog, and the clinical signs of the disease in cats can be variable. The most common initial signs in the cat include difficult breathing, coughing, vomiting, and sudden death. Obviously, these signs can be associated with a wide range of other diseases in the cat.

In addition, it is much more risky and dangerous to treat cats for heartworms when compared to dogs. They are very susceptible to toxic reactions from the present heartworm treatments, so the U. of Florida just recommends treating the asthma-like secondary symptoms.

Because it is a far easier disease to prevent than treat, and because all cats are at risk for exposure, the U.F. is recommending that all cats be put on heartworm preventative. We join the veterinarians at U.F., in recommending heartworm preventative for ALL cats, indoor or outdoors. Since the present accuracy of feline heartworm tests are questionable as opposed to the canine tests, the U.F. is not recommending annual feline heartworm tests. The preventative is safe for even for those cats who already may have heartworms, and it will prevent them from getting any more, which could make the levels of their disease worse.

It is a complicated issue, and we understand if some cat owners are confused. We welcome you to question our vets about feline heartworms. Obviously, the risk for indoor cats is less, but there is still a risk. The only two approved heartworm preventatives are Heartgard, an oral heartworm exclusive preventative, and Revolution, the new topical product that also prevents fleas, ticks, ear mites, and other parasites. Please ask us if you have any questions about these products, or about heartworms in cats. We know you agree with us in wanting the best for your cat friends!

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the most common form of kidney disease in dogs and cats. In North America, it is estimated that 2.4% of dogs over 10 years of age and 8% of cats over 10 years of age have CKD. It is a disease that is a challenge to manage for veterinarians as well as owners. It is often associated with other conditions such as hyperthyroidism in cats and heart disease in both species, and it can contribute or lead to conditions such as hypertension, anemia, anorexia, and gastrointestinal problems in both dogs and cats.

When CKD is present, there is a decrease in the rate of filtration of blood through the kidneys (called glomerular filtration rate or GFR), and the kidneys are unable to maintain a balance of proper amounts of material in the blood. This leads to azotemia, which is defined as an abnormal (elevated) concentration of urea (BUN), creatinine, and other non-protein nitrogenous substances in the blood. If azotemia levels are high enough, the body develops uremia, which is a toxic syndrome that occurs as a result of abnormal kidney functions.

Treatment for CKD in veterinary medicine has mostly relied on low protein diets, maintaining hydration with water, moist foods, and subcutaneous fluids to maximize GFR, and treatment of the secondary conditions of hypertension, anemia, GI problems, and anorexia. Until now, the only methods that can significantly lower uremia toxins are kidney transplants and dialysis, which are costly and relatively uncommon in veterinary medicine.

However, in 2006, Vetoquinol U.S.A. released AZODYL, a novel patented product based on the principle of Enteric Dialysis - the process by which beneficial bacteria consume uremia toxins or metabolites present in the large intestine. It has long been known that the intestinal wall allows small molecules (including BUN and creatinine) to pass from the intestine wall into the bloodstream, and vise versa. Azodyl contains live, non-pathogenic bacteria that are specifically screened and selected for their high affinity and capacity to metabolize uremia toxins. Under normal health conditions, some amount of uremic solutes flow into the large intestine by diffusion. In CKD, the toxic uremic solutes accumulate in the blood and continue to diffuse into the large intestine, although in dramatically higher quantities. The bacteria in Azodyl metabolizes the diffused toxins in the large intestine and sends them out of the body in the stool, effectively lowering uremic solutes in the blood.

Azodyl truly is a breakthrough product for CKD, and one of its great appeals is that it is very safe. All the bacteria used are normal enteric (gut) bacteria, just dosed in higher concentrations to remove the higher concentrations of uremic toxins. All of you owners of chronic kidney dogs and cats should contact your vet about starting Azodyl as soon as possible.

The other blood chemistry parameter that is often elevated in CKD is phosphorous. Phosphorous is not a nitrogenous waste product, but can be very toxic to the body with elevated blood levels. Until now, the only ways to lower phosphorous levels effectively have been with low phosphorous diets such as k/d and u/d, and with phosphate binders, such as aluminum hydroxide (Amphogel). Most pets find the aluminum hydroxide extremely unpalatable, to the point where it is very difficult to give to the pet.

Vetroquinol has also released a product to lower phosphorous as well. This product is called EPAKITIN, and it comes in the form of a scoopable powder that is mixed with the pet food. It is also a safe product, as it is a natural polysaccharide, extracted from crab and shrimp shells. Since it is from shellfish, it is very palatable and is obviously easier to administer since it goes on the food. Studies have shown that Epakitin can reduce uremia as well as phosphorous levels in animals with CKD. Studies have also shown that starting Epakitin in early stages of kidney disease will slow its progression and allow the patient to live longer.

Obviously, some patients with CKD may require Azodyl alone, others may require Epakitin alone, while many may benefit from both products. The good news is that we have both products, they both work, and they are safe! We recommend that you call you vet and discuss the use of Azodyl and/or Epakitin if your pet has CKD. Your pet will thank you for it!!

The Doctors and staff at Coral Veterinary Clinic are excited and happy to welcome Dr. Brenda Corbin to our staff as a full-time veterinarian. Dr. Corbin comes to us with years of varied experience in veterinary medicine. She has worked for several practices in the Fort Myers area, and worked for five years for the Humane Society and Animal Services in Lee County.

Dr. Brenda grew up as a "navy brat", as her father moved the family up and down the east coast several times, but she spent the majority of her youth in Mount Olive, North Carolina. She attended Southern Wayne High School in North Carolina, and went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. Dr. Brenda received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1974 from Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Corbin is married to Phillip Perry and they share their home with two cats; T.C. and Billy Ray. Dr. Brenda has had many pets throughout her life (no surprise there) including many dogs, ferrets, a rabbit, and a guinea pig. She also has two grown children. Her daughter Julie lives in New Smyrna Beach and works for Outward Bound and her son Mason is an electrician in Fort Myers.

Dr. Brenda's hobbies include reading, especially biographies and fiction. She enjoys dancing of various sorts including ballroom, modern, ballet, and tap, and she also likes working out. She was a cheerleader for the Florida Flame Basketball Team as a member of "The Hot Flashes".

Dr. Corbin says that one of the strangest things she has had to do was necropsy a bloated dead alligator found next to a human shoe! She was relieved to find no human remains inside the gator.

We know you will find Dr. Brenda to be a very kind and caring person and an outstanding veterinarian. Please join us in giving Dr. Brenda Corbin a warm Coral Vet Clinic welcome!

While this statement sounds like praise for superficiality, it is absolutely true in the world of x-ray. In our radiology department, the better the x-ray image we get of your pet, the more accurate our diagnosis will be. It is that simple. In light of that fact, Coral Veterinary Clinic is proud to announce that we are going to switch to digital x-ray in June.

This requires the installation of a brand new x-ray machine that utilizes digital radiography. The images are captured on a computer, which can be brought up on a laptop computer screen to show the owner, it can be transmitted via the Internet to a specialist, or burned onto a CD to refer to later. The biggest advantage is the image QUALITY! The digital images are amazingly detailed. The doctors will be able to scan the image and enhance brightness and contrast as well as zooming in on areas if interest. With no more developing of x-ray film, the process will be faster. It also eliminates the storage problem of thousands of x-ray films. The digital radiography system will be integrated into the same computer system as our ultrasound unit, and is compatibles with vidoescopy as well as computerized tomography, if those diagnostic modalities are added in the future.

We are extremely excited about the addition of Digital Radiography to our diagnostic capabilities. It will improve our abilities to diagnose problems, which will, in turn, improve the medical and surgical treatment of our patients!

As veterinarians, we are confronted with all varieties of health issues in our patients. As general practitioners we must treat problems of all kinds; from dermatological to cardiac, respiratory to urinary, gastrointestinal to orthopedic. One of the most frequent areas we treat, but also one of the most frustrating, is the category of behavioral problems. Most behavioral problems in dogs and cats, other than aggression or lack of training, are stress-related problems.

Stress or anxiety in dogs and cats can be a result of many things. These include new environments, travel, loud noises, new household members (including new pets), boarding, and separation from the owner. You will note that many of these stress producers, such as loud noises or separation from the owner can occur on a daily basis.

In dogs, this stress can cause anxious behavior, including panting, pacing, barking, destruction of property and house soiling. In cats, we mostly see urine-marking behavior, house soiling, and scratching of household items. With house-soiling or urinary marking it is important to rule out medical problems. Both species can become more aggressive toward other pets or owners. Traditionally, veterinary treatment for these problems have relied on behavioral modification at home and psychotropic drugs such as tranquilizers. Behavioral modification can be difficult, because it sometimes requires changes in the owners' behavior that they are unwilling or unable to do. Drugs, while they can be effective for behavioral problems, are not always predictable, can be difficult to administer, can be expensive, and can have side effects.

This brings up the subject of a new mode of therapy called pheromones. Pheromones are natural scents produced by animals that transmit messages to themselves and other members of their species. Since dogs' and cats' senses of smell are hundreds of times more sensitive than ours, these pheromones convey a lot of information, and some have the ability to alter an animal's mood.

Scientists have made a synthetic analog of the facial pheromone of cats, which is what cats rub on objects when they rub their heads against things. Facial pheromones have familiarization properties for cats, which lowers their stress and anxiety, especially in unfamiliar environments or situations.

Feliway is an analog of feline facial pheromone that can be used to improve cat behavior in stressful situations. Uses for Feliway include helping eliminate urine marking, calming cats during travel, boarding and moving to a new home, and decreasing stress when introducing new cats to a multi-cat household. Feliway comes in both a spray and a plug-in diffuser. The spray is preferred to use on specific items of furniture or carpet the cat is scratching. It can also be used in travel carriers and on common out-of-box urination sites. The plug-in diffuser is more useful for multi-cat households, urine spraying, and as a first treatment for stress related behavior.

The canine equivalent of Feliway is called Dog Appeasement Pheromone or D.A.P. Lactating female dogs release a substance called "appeasing" pheromone, which provides a feeling of comfort, safety, and security to the young puppies. This pheromone also has been produced synthetically by scientists and is available commercially in both a spray and a plug-in diffuser. The D.A.P. spray and plug-in diffusers have been used to reduce stress in dogs caused by separation from the owner, fireworks and thunder, travel, as well as introduction of new pets. This, in turn, reduces problem behaviors such as pacing, panting, barking, house-soiling, and destructive behavior.

The best thing about these pheromone products is that they are safe and they are analogs of natural products. They are not ingested, but rather detected by the pets' sense of smell. They can be very effective by themselves, but are more effective when used with a behavioral modification program as recommended by your veterinarian. Sometimes medications are still necessary, but the pheromone therapy may reduce the dose and frequency of medication needed. Ask your vet about pheromone therapy with Feliway or D.A.P., the natural way to improve your pet's behavior!

The Sanibel Causeway is not the only Sanibel landmark that has been undergoing major construction recently. The Sanibel outpatient Office of Coral Veterinary Clinic is just finishing a major remodeling of both the building and the parking lot.

For years the parking situation at the Sanibel Clinic and it's neighbor, Schnapper's Hots, has been congested at best, especially during peak lunch hours. The city-approved plan for a one-way, continuous flow parking lot around the clinic and Schnapper's should help alleviate the congestion. Along with the parking lot, the remodeling includes the addition of dozens of native trees and bushes beautifying the property along Periwinkle Way and around both buildings, a new entrance to the Clinic and a common front porch with Schnapper's, a remodeling of the clinic lobby and bright new tropical colors for both buildings.

When you drive into the parking lot at Coral Vet, you must pull in front of the clinic from Fitzhugh Street, and park in one of the three spaces directly in front of the clinic. There is a handicapped space on a concrete pad in front of Schnapper's. If the spaces in front of the clinic are filled, you can continue past the front of Schnapper's and park in one of several parking spots along the east side of Schnapper's. When leaving the parking lot from either business, you must drive around Schnapper's to the back, and exit out onto Fitzhugh Street BEHIND the clinic. There is no exit onto Periwinkle Way, only a one-way entrance in front of Schnapper's. If you enter that way, you have to go right into the parking area on the east side of Schnapper's.

There will be directional signs making the traffic flow go smoothly. There will always be some confusion in the beginning, but the final result will be more parking with less congestion for both businesses. The Sanibel Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm (or until we close) with doctor's hours by appointment only. Come down and see the improvements!

A nonprofit veterinary hospital, serving all of Lee County since 1968, CROW provides medical care for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife patients seven days a week, 365 days a year.

In CROW's 38-year history, they have never had a capital campaign, until now. We encourage our friends to learn more about the campaign and support their efforts at saving our native and migratory wildlife.

This $2.8 million campaign has three components:

1. HOSPITAL RENOVATION & ADDITION
CROW operates a comprehensive medical and rehabilitation hospital for the care of Lee County's wildlife encompassing more than 160 different species, 70% of whom are birds. When the current hospital was built in 1980, CROW was receiving 500 patients. In the same "hospital" today, CROW received 3,700 patients in 2005. CROW is hampered by limitations of space and facilities.

2. STUDENT HOUSING
CROW is a "teaching" hospital and accepts more than 40 students from around the world to learn about wildlife education. Without our students, CROW could not care for the 3,700 patients and without housing, the students could not afford to come to CROW

3. WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTER
CROW has a dual mission of care and rehabilitation of our wildlife and overall education of the public about CROW's work and living in harmony with wildlife. The new wildlife education center will be an interactive, educational facility that will create a sense of concern, compassion, and action helping to create self-motivated stewards.

CROW does not receive government funding and relies exclusively on private donations to operate. CROW is a non-profit, 501C3 organization and all contributions are tax-deductible in accord with IRS regulations

The doctors and staff at Coral Veterinary Clinic are very pleased to announce the return of Dr. Dennis Oyer to our professional staff. Many of our clients will be happy with the news, since Dr. Dennis worked at Coral Vet from 1996 until March of 2002 and was a very popular veterinarian here.

Dr. Oyer received his D.V.M. from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995, and then did a post-graduate Internship in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at a 24-hour Emergency Clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During his years at Coral Vet Clinic, Dr. Dennis excelled at all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery, with special interests in critical care and ultrasound diagnostics.

Dr. Oyer, his wife Kari, and daughters Lauren and Grace moved back to the Kansas City, Missouri area in 2002 to be closer to family. Two northern winters were enough for them, and in 2004 the Oyers moved back to sunny Florida, where Dr. Dennis worked in a small animal clinic practice up the coast in Venice.

The expanding workload at Coral Vet Clinic and the doctors' desire to lower their weekly hours allowed an opening for another veterinarian, Dr. Oyer was happy to come back! It is a win-win situation for everyone. Coral Veterinary Clinic and our patients have the benefit of an excellent, experienced veterinarian, and Dennis, Kari, and the girls are happy to be back in Fort Myers.

Beside Lauren, 9 and Grace, 7, the Oyer family includes their female Australian Shepard, Jewel, and their female Maine Coon cat, Java. In his time off, Dr. Dennis enjoys the beach, windsurfing, fishing, Bonsai gardening, and attending the girls' various activities. I am sure you will all join in offering a hearty welcome back to Dr. Dennis Oyer!

In the event of a hurricane hitting Lee County, do you have a plan for your pet or pets? In Dade County, thousands of pets died or were lost or injured due to their owners being unprepared for Hurricane Andrew.

Preparedness means planning ahead. We will assume you know what to do for yourself and your family; these points are listed in the newspapers and on TV.

For your pets, identification is paramount. Rabies tags, county licenses, and nametags on collars are helpful, but can come off. More permanent forms of ID such as tattoos or microchips are recommended. Our clinic has both of these modes of identification available for your pet.

You should have at least a two-week supply of pet food and drinking water for each pet, and heartworm preventative and other medications if needed. It is important that your pet be current on all vaccinations, because of the increased likelihood of exposure to stray or wild animals.

If you evacuate, you must have a plan for your pets. You should have travel cages for all animals, with the possible exception of dogs. Kitty litter for cats and newspapers and other bedding for birds, reptiles, and pocket pets should be stockpiled.

If you plan to board your pets, realize that boarding facilities may be filled and plan accordingly. Some facilities may be inappropriate for boarding. For example, Coral Veterinary Clinic is in a flood zone and is an area under evacuation orders for Category 1 storms and up, so we do not recommend boarding your pet at the clinic in the event of a hurricane. Most motels and all hurricane shelters do not allow pets, so you should try to locate an inland haven where you can take pets ahead of time. Boarding kennels, sympathetic motels, friends, or relatives are possibilities.

If you elect to stay in your home during the storm, have your house prepared, of course. Have all pets, except possibly dogs, in cages in the interior of the house. Remove toys and cover cages with towels or sheets to protect from flying glass. If you are an aviculturist, herpetologist, or have a mini-zoo that you cannot evacuate, register with your local clubs or organizations and formulate a disaster plan that works for you.

For more detailed advice about hurricane guidelines for pet owner, ask for a free hurricane brochure at the clinic. The Caloosa Veterinary Society, Inc. has prepared an excellent, in-depth, 8-page brochure on animal hurricane preparedness, which should be necessary for all pet owners living in Florida.

Remember--your pets are your responsibility. Your stewardship must include getting them through disasters like hurricanes. BE PREPARED!!!

It has always seemed interesting to us that our dog and cat owning clients generally don't hesitate to bring their pets in for yearly exams, while the owners of pet birds generally only bring their birds to us for one of 3 reasons. One is for a new patient exam, which is usually recommended by most pet stores or responsible breeders after a sale. We also see birds for routine grooming, such as wing or nail trims. The predominant reason for a bird appointment is illness or injury, often when the bird is at or near critical condition.

The reasons for this are many. There are no universally recommended or required vaccinations for birds, as there are for dogs and cats. Owners are much more informed about diseases and problems of dogs and cats, and are much more attuned when their pets are not acting right. In many, but not all cases, owners have their hands on their mammalian pets more often than do bird owners, so they can more readily detect weight changes, odors, skin problems, abnormal breathing, changes in appetite or thirst, or unusual lumps or bumps.

Most importantly, birds are much better at hiding illness than are dogs and cats. As prey animals, their survival strategy consists of looking healthy even when not, since predators select sick-looking members of the flock to attack. Therefore, birds look healthy even when they are sick, until they are so sick that they cannot perch, at which point the owner notices them at the bottom of the cage.

Before a bird gets this sick, there are changes in lab work that give clues to a disease process before it gets too advanced. Dr. Dave Nichols, Dr. Kirk Andazola, and Shelly Barnhart attended the annual conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians to get continuing education on the latest treatments for medical and surgical problems of birds. One of the frequent topics of discussion was the need for annual exams, including baseline blood work and fecals, for our bird patients. Most birds should live longer than dogs or cats, and the larger parrots can live for several decades. This only happens with proper diet, husbandry, and regular vet care.

We urge pet owners to bring their pets in for yearly exams, including fecals and blood work. In this way, we can pinpoint problem areas early on, when intervention has a better chance of returning your bird to health.

In addition, bird owners will be interested to know that Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the largest pet health insurer in the U.S., now sells policies for birds. The policies are similar to dog and cat coverage, with major medical coverage available for as little as $84/year, depending on bird size. Well bird coverage is available for an additional $99, and covers up to $181 worth of preventative care yearly, including exams, fecals, blood work, and wing and nail trims! Ask for a brochure and check this insurance out!

Coral Veterinary Clinic is proud to offer state-of-the-art technology and medicine to help treat our patients. In keeping with our progressive tradition of staying in the forefront of veterinary medical and surgical advancements, we are pleased to offer laser surgery as an exciting new option for safe, comfortable, treatment.

We have recently acquired a Luxar CO2 laser surgical instrument, and all of our surgeons have received advanced training in laser surgical techniques. We have found that in many procedures, the laser can replace the scalpel and provide a better alternative to traditional surgery.

To more adequately explain the advantages of laser surgery, we should first explain what a laser is and how it works. A laser is a device that generates an intense beam of light at a specific wavelength. The way a particular laser works is determined by the specific wavelength of light that it produces. For example, the most commonly used surgical laser is a CO2 laser, which produces an invisible beam of light that vaporizes the water normally found in the skin and other soft tissue. Because the surgeon can precisely control the laser, only a thin layer of tissue is removed, leaving the surrounding areas unaffected.

This technology translates to the three main advantages laser surgery offers to your pet: less pain, less bleeding, and less swelling. Less pain is felt because laser energy seals nerve endings as it moves through tissue. Thus, your pet feels less pain post-operatively. There is less bleeding because the laser seals small blood vessels during surgery, which allows the veterinarian to perform surgeries with extraordinary precision. This also speeds some procedures, reducing the need for prolong anesthesia. There is less swelling because laser energy does not crush, tear, or bruise because only a beam of intense light contacts the tissue.

These advantages produce several benefits for our animal patients. First, there is a reduced risk of infection as it removes diseased tissue, killing bacteria that cause infection. In addition, the precision of the laser allows the surgeon to remove unhealthy tissue while minimizing adverse effects to healthy surrounding tissue. Less pain and less swelling allow a more rapid recovery with less post-operative discomfort. In summary, laser technology reduces trauma to your pet, improves recovery, and often shortens hospital stays.

Laser surgery is ideal for a wide variety of surgical procedures on a wide variety of pets. For cat declaws, it greatly reduces post-op pain and bleeding. The paws do not even have to be bandaged! Laser surgery can correct many common conditions such as cysts, tumors, warts, and infections that may occur around the eyes, ears, in the mouth, and anywhere on the skin. Specialized internal procedures are also possible, such as throat surgery for dogs with airway problems. Cosmetic surgeries such as ear trims, dewclaw removal, and tail docking are much less painful and bloody. Do not hesitate to ask if your pet's procedure can be done with a laser. Your pet will appreciate the laser difference!

As advances in veterinary medicine and medical knowledge take place, we as veterinarians sometimes have to modify our treatments and medical practices. This has happened at Coral Veterinary Clinic with the use of ultrasound and laser technology, and it has also happened recently in our approach to heartworms in cats.

Dr. Judy Levy, a veterinary researcher at the University of Florida, recently presented us with a lecture. She cited several recent studies, which opened our eyes to the prevalence of heartworms in cats in the U.S.

Nationwide, the prevalence of heartworms in cats is equal to that of Leukemia Virus and Feline immunodeficiency Virus at around 6 percent of the cat population. In Florida, the percentage of cats that are heartworm positive is around 11 percent.

Another interesting statistic was that indoor cats represented 8-27% of the cases of feline heartworms depending on the study. This means that indoor cats can have exposure to heartworms via mosquitoes as do outdoor cats, although obviously not as frequently.

Heartworms in cats are unfortunately very hard to diagnose, and most cases are only confirmed after the death of the cat. None of the blood tests are completely accurate, as they are in the dog, and the clinical signs of the disease in cats can be variable. The most common initial signs in the cat include difficult breathing, coughing, vomiting, and sudden death. Obviously, these signs can be associated with a wide range of other diseases in the cat.

In addition, it is much more risky and dangerous to treat cats for heartworms when compared to dogs. They are very susceptible to toxic reactions from the present heartworm treatments, so the U. of Florida just recommends treating the cats for the asthma-like secondary symptoms.

Because it is a far easier disease to prevent rather than treat, and because all cats are at risk for exposure, the U.F. is recommending that all cats be put on heartworm preventative. We join the veterinarians at U.F, in recommending heartworm preventative for ALL cats, indoors or outdoors. Since the present accuracy of feline heartworm tests are questionable as opposed to the canine tests, the U.F. is not recommending annual feline heartworm tests. The preventative is safe for even those cats who already may have heartworms, and it will prevent them from getting any more, which could make the levels of their disease worse.

It is a complicated issue, and we understand if some cat owners are confused. We welcome you to question our vets about feline heartworms. Obviously, the risk for indoor cats is less, but there is still a risk. The only two approved heartworm preventatives are Heartgard, an oral heartworm exclusive preventative, and Revolution, the new topical product that also prevents fleas, ticks, ear mites and other parasites. Please ask us if you have any questions about these products or about heartworms in cats.

We know you agree with us in wanting the best of health for your cat friends!

What would you do if your purebred dog was stolen? Or if your macaw flew out a window, caught a breeze, and disappeared? Or if your beloved cat didn't return from his nightly outing?

To increase the changes of reuniting your pet with you, Coral Veterinary Clinic is happy to offer Microchip--a space age method of permanently and invisibly identifying your pet.

The Microchip is actually a pill-size microchip that is inserted under the animal's skin by a veterinarian using a special syringe. The microchip has a nine-digit identification number that can be read by a special scanner. Veterinary clinics, Humane Societies, animal shelters, research institutions, and animal breeders own these scanners.

If a lost animal is turned in to a facility with a scanner, the animal is checked and can be immediately identified with an owner if a microchip is in place. Owners must register their pet's number with a national registry that catalogs all microchip numbers. Thus, when a microchip number is found in a homeless pet, the pet's owner can be immediately contacted. Microchip is presently being used in the United States, Canada, England, and Europe, making it the only international identification system.

1) Where is the chip inserted, and does it hurt?

In dogs and cats, the chips are inserted on the back between the shoulder blades, and in birds they are inserted in the muscles of the chest. It seems to hurt no more than an injection.

However, many owners elect to have the chip inserted when the pet is anesthetized for surgery, such as for a spay, neuter, or dental, so the pet will not feel it at all.

2) How much does it cost to register my pet nationally?

You can register your pet singularly for $15.00 or register for multiple pets for a one time fee of $40.00. National registration is done by AVID, please check in case of updated pricing.

The area of medicine dealing with the problems of the elderly is called gerontology or geriatric medicine. There are many similarities between human and veterinary geriatric medicine. The big difference is when the onset of geriatric problems occur. In humans, most geriatric problems start to occur after the age of fifty, while in dogs and cats geriatric problems can begin at age seven or eight, and in ferrets at age three to four. There are even breed differences in the age at which a pet is considered old. Many of the toy breed dogs routinely live past the age of fifteen, while many giant breeds, such as Great Danes, are considered old at five years of age.

Changes that are attributed to old age can be very subtle or very acute. Many of you report to us one or more of the following symptoms: increased lethargy, decreased or increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, greater difficulty in defecation, increased stiffness or reluctance to get up and walk, reluctance to jump up or down or go up or down stairs, difficulty chewing or eating food, unusual lumps or bumps on or under the skin, dramatic weight loss or weight gain, changes in the skin or hair coat, coughing, difficulty breathing or panting, exercise intolerance, limping, bad breath, foul odors from skin or ears, head tilt or imbalance, and vomiting or diarrhea. These are a sampling of the most common symptoms reported to us that can indicate a geriatric problem.

The most common problems we see in our geriatric patients include obesity, dental disease, digestive problems, kidney disease, arthritis, and cancer. These conditions often occur in combination with each other and numerous other medical conditions.

At Coral Vet Clinic, we diagnose and treat these and other conditions of your pet's everyday. However, it should be stated that the earlier we recognize and start treatment for a geriatric problem, the more successful the outcome would be. In light of this fact, we urge you owners of geriatric pets to have us perform a work-up on your aging pet to identify problem areas early.

Our basic geriatric work-up consists of an exam, nutritional counseling, a urinalysis to look at urinary tract function, a complete blood cell count to look at numbers and condition of the blood cells, and a geriatric profile, which evaluates blood enzymes that reflect the functions of the internal organs. If the basic work-up indicates other problems, we often recommend performing additional tests such as a thyroid test, X-rays, ECG, blood pressure determination, or other specific tests for certain diseases.

If your pet is in its autumn years, or certainly, if it is showing any of the previously described symptoms, we urge you to schedule a geriatric work-up.

Call 239-481-4746 to make an appointment. Your pet will thank you!

Dog and cat owners who have been looking for a single product that will kill fleas and protect against heartworms--look no longer! Coral Veterinary Clinic is happy to introduce Revolution, made by Pfizer. Revolution is a topical, monthly product that protects dogs and cats from heartworms, fleas, and ear mites, plus scabies mites in dogs and roundworms and hookworms in cats. It also controls tick infestations in dogs.

Revolution comes in a 3-pack for puppies and kittens, and 6-packs of various sizes for adult animals. Revolution (Selamectin) is applied to the skin in a single spot at the base of the neck. Once applied, Selamectin enters the bloodstream following absorption through the skin. Concentrations of Selamectin in the blood and intestinal tract prevent heartworm disease and kill gastrointestinal parasites, respectively. Selamectin selectively redistributes from blood to sebaceous glands. Its presence in the sebaceous glands, hair follicles, and skin is the reservoir of drug that proves persistent efficacy against ectoparasites such as fleas, mites, and ticks.

Owners who have their dogs on a heartworm preventative and one of the topical flea control products (Advantage or Frontline) can now use one product monthly to do the same thing. Owners switching their dog from Sentinel to Revolution have the added benefit of controlling adult fleas as well as mites and ticks. Cat owners whose cats have potential exposure to mosquitoes now have an easy-to-use product that kills fleas and protects against heartworms, which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Up to now, the only approved feline heartworm product is a chewable tablet that most cats do not like.

Revolution has been shown to be quite safe in tests, is easy to apply, and is non-greasy. It dries quickly, so owners do not need to wait long before interacting with their pets. Pets can be bathed two hours after application without affecting the efficacy of the product.

If you have any questions, or would like to switch your dog or cat to Revolution, do not hesitate to ask us. We are hoping this new product will be a Revolution in parasite control for dogs and cats!

One of the saddest things that veterinarians confront is the case of the sick or injured pet with a treatable condition that has to be euthanized or allowed to suffer because the owner cannot afford the treatment. In many other cases, owners are forced to choose less than ideal treatments for their pets because of cost constraints. Owners often comment that they might be able to afford treatment, "if only my pet had health insurance."

In reality, pet health insurance does exist, and has been available for several years. We have been dispensing brochures for a company called Veterinary Pet Insurance, or VPI, for over ten years, and many of our clients have taken advantage of it. Other pet insurance companies have come and gone, but VPI, with over 750,000 policies sold, is the nation's number one pet insurance provider.

Until recently, VPI only offered two basic medical plans that covered accidents and diseases at different levels. These coverage plans are often a godsend when a covered pet is hit by a car or has a serious illness. Routine care, such as spays, neuters, parasite treatments, and annual vaccinations, were not covered. Now, VPI has added Vaccination and Routine Care coverage to help pay for regular preventative veterinary care, and this can be added to either of the other two medical plans. Under this plan, the purchaser pays $99 a year for over $200 worth of goods and services for their pet. These goods and services include vaccines, fecal checks, worming, and heartworm testing, but can also include spay/neuter surgeries, dental cleaning, and comprehensive health screening, as well as certain heartworm preventative and flea control products. The purchaser must have one of the two base plans before enrolling in the Vaccination and Routine Care plan.

We at Coral Veterinary Clinic endorse Veterinary Pet Insurance for several reasons. The first is obvious: owners will be able to afford expensive veterinary care in times of need. This will allow us to treat more pets with treatable problems. Secondly, owners with Vaccination and Routine Care coverage are much more likely to get wellness preventative care for their pets, since they have already paid for it. This will result in more pets being protected from preventable diseases. Finally, VPI handles all the paperwork. Policies are purchased directly from the company. After the pet is taken care of and the bill paid to the veterinarian, the owner sends copies of the receipts along with a brief insurance claim form to the insurance company, and the owner is directly reimbursed by VPI. The veterinarian does not have to handle the insurance paperwork. Another good feature is that VPI does not restrict what vet you go to; even specialists are covered.

If you wish to get more information about VPI and their pet medical plans, drop by our office for a free brochure. You can also call the company directly at 1-800-USA-PETS or reach their web site at www.petinsurance.com.

This could be the nicest thing you have ever done for your pet!

An often-asked question that we hear at Coral Veterinary Clinic is, "why is veterinary care for my pet so expensive nowadays? Sometimes I believe I'm spending more on my pet's health care than on my own!" The answer to this question is two-fold. First, relatively speaking, veterinary care is a great deal. The cost of veterinary care has risen very little over the last 20 to 30 years, especially when compared to the cost of human health care.

Realize that your veterinarian is not only your pets' G.P., but also their surgeon, radiologist, dermatologist, neurologist, cardiologist, psychiatrist, oncologist, ENT, and pharmacist. More treatments and surgical options are available for your pet than ever before. While a dog or cat with heart disease, kidney disease, or cancer 30 years ago might have faced an early death, today these conditions can be treated with new drugs, cardiac pacemakers, kidney transplants, and chemotherapy regimes that can prolong your pets' life. However, these new treatments are not inexpensive, so with increased treatment options come increased expenses. Furthermore, your veterinary bill is a reflection of the costs of maintaining suitable facilities, equipment, and support personnel to provide the level of care that is expected in animal medicine today. Remember, too, the original cost of the animal has no bearing on the cost of services delivered.

Veterinarians continue going to school a lifetime to keep abreast of the continual changes and improvements in animal medical treatment. We are required by the State of Florida to attend at least 16 hours a year of continuing education seminars to maintain our license, but all of us at Coral Vet Clinic attend much more than that whenever possible.

Our technicians also are required to attend C.E. seminars to maintain their licenses, and three of our techs recently attended the N.A. Veterinary meetings in Orlando. We frequently have seminars about new products and diets at the clinic, which all of our staff is encouraged to attend, and in the near future, we are sending all our receptionists to a seminar on how to better serve our clients and patients. Good medicine and good service require knowledge, and knowledge is expensive.

The second reason you sometimes feel you are paying more for your pets' health care than for your own is that you probably have adequate health insurance for your own health care needs; thus, you are never hit with a true bottom-line figure. If you sat down and added up your insurance costs, deductibles, and pharmaceutical costs (veterinary drugs are usually included in your veterinary bill), you will find that the figures are actually nowhere close.

If you have more questions about the cost of veterinary care, please ask for a copy of the excellent brochure "The Cost of Compassion" from one of our receptionists. We hope you now have a better understanding of what your vet bill is paying for, and realize that it is a bargain to have your pet live a long, healthy, life.