We Are PROUD of One of Our OWN! Dave Dyal who recently served as our Hospital Coordinator now serves the United States as a Corporal in the Marine Corps. He is scheduled to be deployed with the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense  Battalion (LAAD) from Cherry Point, N.C. They will be leaving in early April to help secure the Al Taqqadum Air Base in the Al Anbar province of western Iraq. This is Dave's second combat deployment with the Marine Reserves, previously serving in Norway and Thailand.

We are very proud of his commitment to our nation's security and look forward to his return in early November. Many of you know Dave's wife, our veterinary nurse Imilsy (Milly) Sanchez Dyal, and their two year old daughter, Ruth. We at CHAH love and support their family in this difficult time.

Dr. Scott Cornwell's Bosnia Blog!
As many of you are well-aware, Dr. Scott Cornwell, our Medical Director, is in Sarajevo, Bosnia where he is teaching and helping at the University of Sarajevo School of Veterinary medicine. While he is away, he is keeping us all informed about his activities by blogging.  Dr. Cornwell will return to CHAH  April 7th!

AAHA is the only organization that accredits animal hospitals throughout the U.S. & Canada. AAHA-accredited hospitals adhere to the highest-quality standards available, which helps ensure the best care for your pet.
We at Cleveland Heights Animal Hospital are proud of our full accreditation by this prestigious regulatory group. In order to have this recognition, we are required to maintain the highest standards in practicing veterinary medicine, to maintain our facility in strict guidelines, and to continually educate our employees in the newest and most precise aspects of the industry.

Learn more about AAHA accreditation.

TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW...............

We want to be sure that you are aware of the incredible spa opportunities that are available at CHAH! Judi and Retta have developed not only a top-rated grooming facility, but have also developed a relaxing spa  which caters to all of your pets' needs.
 

Working in harmony with the doctors and staff of the animal hospital, Judi and Retta are able to use particular products which improve your pets' skin and hair coat and improve their overall demeanor because they are feeling so much better!

Stop by and visit the spa and see for yourself how their treatments can  improve your pets' outlook on life!!!!!!!!!! REMEMBER - ALL PETS NEED GROOMING!!

Does Your Best Friend's Mouth Look Like this?

We at Cleveland Heights feel that your pet's health is only as good as the health of his teeth! Please read some of these commonly asked questions about pets and their teeth and think about the last time your pets' teeth were cleaned . Actually, when was the last time that you really LOOKED at your pets' teeth??
Keeping  teeth and gums in good shape has many more benefits than simply fresh breath (although that is important, too!). Please make an appointment for a wellness check-up to keep help your four-legged family members healthy!

My pet has bad breath. Are bad teeth and gums the cause?
Most likely, YES. However, it is very important to schedule a wellness check-up to make sure. In rare cases, some diseases or situations can cause bad breath in the absence of, or in addition to, tooth/gum disease. Conditions such as kidney failure, diabetes, nasal or facial skin infections, cancers, or situations where the animal is ingesting feces or other materials, can cause bad breath with or without periodontal disease.

What actually causes the bad breath when tooth/gum disease is present?
Bad breath, medically known as "halitosis", results from the bacterial infection of the gums (gingiva) and supporting tissues seen with periodontal disease (periodontal = occurring around a tooth).

What is the difference between plaque and tartar?
Plaque is a colony of bacteria, mixed with saliva, blood cell, and other bacterial components. Plaque often leads to tooth and gum disease. Dental tartar, or calculus, occurs when plaque becomes mineralized (hard) and firmly adheres to the tooth enamel then erodes the gum tissue.

What can happen if my pet's teeth aren't cleaned?
Both plaque and tartar damage the teeth and gums. Disease starts with the gums (gingiva). They become inflamed - red, swollen, and sore. The gums finally separate from the teeth, creating pockets where more bacteria, plaque, and tartar build up. This in turn causes more damage, and finally tooth and bone loss.

This affects the whole body, too. Bacteria from these inflamed oral areas can enter the bloodstream and affect major body organs. The liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs are most commonly affected. Antibiotics are used prior to and after a dental cleaning to prevent bacterial spread through the blood stream.

But my pet is only 3 years old! Isn't this an "old dog/cat disease"?
No - dental disease is NOT just for the senior pets. In a recent survey, it has been determined that: "Without proper dental care, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three."

PLEASE keep your pets on a regular examination schedule that includes a dental check-up. They can't tell you when their mouth hurts, so we need to be there for them!

click here for more information on your pet and his dental health

Frequently Asked Questions about Pets in Pain

Knowledge is power when it comes to managing pets’ pain. Be sure you know the right answers to these common concerns.

The doctors and staff of Cleveland Heights Animal Hospital  support the American Animal Hospital statement on pain medication for pets in distress.
see attached article

Does it seem like all you ever say is "no!!!, get down, get back, come here!!! "?

We would like you to meet Judi Rought and see what she can do to help you and your dog to be better friends. We believe very strongly that if your dog has better manners, both you and the dog will be MUCH happier! We have a solution for your problems with our Personalized Pet Training, specifically designed for each individual pet.

Judi will talk with you about your dog's behavior problems and will set up a series of lessons to be done while the dog is here at Day Care or while the dog is Lodging with us.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to be able to have your dog trained while you are at work or on vacation. Judi can work with your pet multiple times during the day and achieve more in a shorter time than if you were in a class situation once a week.

Poor behavior is one of the primary reasons why pets are given up - we can help you!  Just give us a call at 646-2995 and ask about the Personalized Pet Training which we offer, or e-mail Judi at jjrought@aol.com to contact her directly concerning this great opportunity fro you and your dog!

Your dog will thank you with his new good manners!!!

It's Gardening Season again in Florida

Q: What are some plants that are dangerous to my pet?

A: In garden season, especially, it’s important to watch for plants such as lilies, tomato plants, marigolds, azaleas, geraniums and onions. Keep your pet away from these plants, either by keeping him indoors and away from the garden, or by keeping houseplants out of his reach. If you suspect he’s eaten a poisonous plant, call us immediately! If possible, bring a sample of the plant for identification!

You can always check out the ASPCA

Poison Control Center  24/7!

POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS!!!

Please be aware that there are many items which are commonly found this time of the year that can cause your pets to become very ill.

• CHOCOLATE - depending on the amount ingested, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, etc.

• CANDIES or GUM with XYLITOL- this artificial sweetener can cause a drop in blood sugar resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures - VERY DANGEROUS

• LEFTOVERS - bones can splinter and cause obstructions, very rich foods can cause Pancreatitis

• ALCOHOL - can cause a coma, sometimes resulting in death from respiratory failure

• WRAPPINGS such as foil, cellophane, and ribbons or tinsel- can cause vomiting and intestinal obstructions

• POINSETTIAS - can cause nausea and vomiting

• LILIES- some are toxic to cats resulting in kidney failure

• MISTLETOE AND HOLLY BERRIES - can cause digestive and cardiovascular problems
  
  Thanks to VetEconomics for this information.

Allergies Bugging Your Pets?

DON'T MISS OUT ON A FREE SERVICE AT CHAH!

If we have your e-mail address in our computer system, you are eligible to have a Pet Portal® account. Having this unique service allows you to immediately access your pet's information at CHAH -  vaccination history, prescription history, or you can contact us easily for information changes, or make appointments or  lodging requests.

It is completely private, you use your own password, and it is SO convenient!

ANY TIME, ANY DAY!!! YES! 24/7!!!

Join the cyber generation at CHAH by requesting a PET PORTAL® - all we need is your correct e-mail address!!

Just think how convenient this would be if you are out of town with your pet and have a veterinary emergency. All you have to do is go to our website and log on to your Pet Portal - you have your pet's health records right at your fingertips!

Please understand that when you buy Revolution® from us, it is completely covered by Pfizer's full guarantee. If you choose to buy products from on-line services, you may not be getting what you think you are buying and you will not get the full guarantee from Pfizer!

KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW....Smoke Alarms have recently been added to our security system at CHAH. We constantly  update our facility, keeping you and your pets' safety in our thoughts at all times.
 

HAS YOUR  DOG BEEN VACCINATED FOR LEPTOSPIROSIS? We at Cleveland Heights feel this is important:
Following the recommendations of the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the doctors at CHAH have added Leptospirosis vaccine to our individualized health plans for the dogs that we care for.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can affect both animals AND people. It is caused by a bacteria found in the urine of infected animals.  The bacteria can cause  symptoms similar to the flu, but it can also develop into a more severe, life-threatening illness with infections in the kidney, liver, brain, lung, and heart. The illness can be spread by infected domesticated animals, and and also by animals found in the wild.  Because of increased building and development into areas that were previously rural, pets may be exposed to more wildlife including rodents, opossums, or squirrels, that might be infected.
We feel that it is important  to proceed with vaccinating dogs (it is rare in cats) for this disease. The clinical signs of Leptospirosis vary. Commonly, infected dogs might show signs of fever, abdominal pain, refusal to eat, severe weakness and muscle pain, or stiffness.
 When you have your dog vaccinated for Leptospirosis, we will administer the first vaccination, and then follow that up with another vaccination in three weeks. Protection lasts from 8-12 months  unless your pet is at high risk because he lives outdoors, goes hunting, etc. In that case, the doctors might opt for more frequent vaccinations to protect him adequately.
Call us at 863-646-2995 or e-mail us at myvet@pethospital.com to set up an appointment to have your pets' vaccines up-dated to include Leptospirosis protection.