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Martin Downs Animal Hospital
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 Martin Downs Animal Hospital
1625 Martin Highway
Palm City, Fl 34990
772-288-3456
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A NOTE FROM THE DOCTORS
Laura, our vet assistant with Dr. Poderski
 To better serve our community by providing the best possible care to our 4-legged patients, the management of MDAH is actively promoting continuing education for the doctors and staff. All of us participate in monthly in-house trainings provided by specialists from different aspects of the veterinary field. There are wet labs, webinars, conferences, etc. Last Friday we had a rep from Pfizer who gave a presentation on Convenia, a new injectable antibiotic that conveniently stays in the body for 2 weeks. It is great for dogs and cats who are difficult to give a pill. During the last week of May, Dr. P. and Laura, a vet assistant, will participate in a week long training in Orlando organized by the North American Veterinary Conference. Dr. P. will learn new procedures in emergency medicine and Laura will begin the process to become certified in canine rehabilitation therapy. Please make a note that our patients benefit greatly from rehabilitation therapy e.g.: recovering from surgery, alleviating arthritic pain and repairing orthopedic injuries. Our educational program allows us to stay up to date with advances in medicine, keeps us motivated and proud, but ultimately enables us to provide the best care to our patients.
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HOSPITAL UPDATES/SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
PET PORTALS COME TO MARTIN DOWNS ANIMAL HOSPITAL'S WEBSITEWhat is a pet portal? A secure private pet health website that gives you access to your pet's health information directly from your veterinarian. What can I do with my pet portal? You can view your pet's information, request appointments, receive important medical alerts and clinic news, access reliable information on a wide range of pet health topics, post photos of your pets and many other options. How can I get a pet portal? It's simple! Just give us your e-mail address and we'll e-mail you a password and link to our hospital website. Once on our website, click on the link to pet portals, select pet portal login and enter your e-mail address and assigned password. It's that easy! SO...ACTIVATE YOUR PET PORTAL TODAY!!MEMORIAL DAY BOARDINGPlease call or e-mail us to reserve a spot in our vacation retreat today for Memorial Day Weekend. We are filling up fast and your pet won't want to miss out on all the fun! So take the time and call us today! |
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Jeanine with 2 of her dogs "Peanut & "Princess"
 Jeanine has been a major part of the receptionist staff at Martin Downs Animal Hospital for 7 years. She saw a help wanted sign out front and stopped in. She hasn't left since. Greeting the pets first and then their owners, she looks forward to seeing them each time they come in. She really enjoys working here because it is very different from the music industry she had always worked in when she lived in New York. Jeanine has a full house. She lives with her husband, Gus; two sons, Nick and Chris; a daughter, Corina and six dogs. She has acquired most of her dogs through her sons. There is a blend of all different breeds in her household. Ranging from a 120 pound teddy bear to a 13 pound terror, all of the dogs get along with each other...most of the time. She has Simba, a Golden Retriever; Goliath, an American Bulldog; Princess and Peanut, two Miniature Pinchers; Dozer, an English Bulldog and last but not least, Melanie, a Labrador Retriever. |
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BOARDER OF THE MONTH
Madison in our Small Suites Resort
 Madison is our boarder of the month. She is a 4 1/2 year old Puggle who enjoys spending time in our boarding facility on a regular basis. She comes over to play with her friends and enjoy time in our luxurious spa. This week she not only visited with her dog buddies in the kennel but she also got a summer hair cut. She looks marvelous! Madison would love to have some new friends visit her in our doggie daycare center. |
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GROOMING CORNER
 Keyote, a 9 1/2 year old lab mix, is a frequent visitor to our luxurious Spa located in our grooming/boarding facility at Martin Downs Animal Hospital. He comes to see us every other week to get a HydroSurge bath which enhances the effectiveness of our shampoos and conditioners while giving him a thorough cleaning from head to toe. After leaving the bathing area, he is gently dried by hand with soft, warm air while having his coat brushed out. He is also given a pedicure before his treatment is finished. Keyote enjoys coming to see us in our relaxing accommodations for bathing and grooming. Come visit us and take a tour of our grooming/bathing facilities. You'll want to sign your pet up for their spa treatment today! Keyote with Elke, our bather in our Luxury Suites Resort |
FASCINATING FELINE FACTS ODD-EYE-SEE UP for Adoption at MDAH
COAT COLOR AND PERSONALITYCats come in two basic colors-black and red from which all other colors are derived. White is not a color; it hides true color. Many white kittens have a spot of color on their heads that indicates true color. "Tabby" describes a coat pattern, not a color or breed of cat. Tabbies have an "M" on their foreheads and usually have spots on their stomachs. They come in a variety of color blends including brown, silver and orange. Black and white tuxedo cats appear to be dressed for a formal affair. Cats with white markings tend to be extremely aggressive or extremely friendly. Torties and calicos are the only cats who can boast a coat with all colors. They also tend to be divas and prima donnas. They are always female. Animal behavior experts say that nurture-not-nature is the main factor in forming a cat's personality. Early socialization of kittens is the key to a friendly disposition. Perhaps the most important fact about the color of cats is that it is just one more reason to marvel over felines. |
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PROGRESSIVE THERAPEUTICS DASUQUIN-A NEW BREED OF JOINT HEALTH SUPPLEMENT
Dasuquin from Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., is a joint health supplement for dogs that goes beyond standard glucosamine supplements. It contains NMX1000* avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), decaffeinated tea, FCHG49* glucosamine and TRH112* chondroitin sulfate in a tasty chewable tablet. It is the most complete joint support supplement available.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supports cartilage production and helps block enzymes in joints that break down cartilage. A greater than additive effect, known as a "synergistic" effect, on cartilage cells was seen using this glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate together. ASU stands for avocado/soybean unsaponifiables, an ingredient concentrated directly from avocados and soybeans that is used for joint health. ASU has been shown to improve joint function and comfort levels. The highly absorbable tea is rich in antioxidants, which have a positive effect on cartilage as well as on overall body defenses.
Dasuquin is recommended if you notice you dog slowing down during walks, not getting up easily, or is reluctant to climb stairs. It can also be used as a protective measure in maintaining an active life for many dogs, especially large breeds and working dogs of all sizes. Dasuquin may also be used to help support cartilage following joint surgery.
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PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE Bufo Toad
BUFO TOAD POISONING
A common threat to South
Florida pets is poisoning from Bufo marinus, commonly known as the giant or cane toad. This species of toad produces a pasty
yellow-white toxin in the parotid glands, which extend from the head backward
over the shoulder region and is released through pinhole openings in the
skin. When an animal mouths or
bites a Bufo toad, the toxin is released and rapidly absorbed across the mucus
membranes of the mouth.
Symptoms of Bufo poisoning
occur suddenly and may include profuse salivation, vocalizing and pawing at the
mouth, brick-red gums, uncoordination or stiff gait, difficulty breathing and
the intoxication can rapidly
progress to seizures and death.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET IS
POISONED BY A BUFO TOAD
Step 1) DO NOT PANIC!!! You need to be able to think clearly
and act quickly to help save your pet.
Panicking
will only keep you from acting properly!
Step 2) IMMEDIATELY rinse the pet's mouth out
with a large amount of water using either a hose, kitchen sink
sprayer, shower sprayer or water bottle.
Step 3) CALMLY TRANSPORT your pet to your
veterinarian for further care.
PLAN AHEAD! Save time in an
emergency by preparing now.
Keep the phone number of your veterinarian by the telephone. Since most
poisonings occur at night, CALL FIRST to make sure the hospital is open,
don't waste time driving to a
closed facility. Keep the
phone number and address of a nearby emergency clinic near the phone, too, in
case your regular veterinarian is not available.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT
YOUR PET FROM BEING POISONED BY A BUFO TOAD
Learn to recognize what Bufo
toads look like. Adults can be as
large as 6 to 9 inches in length and have brown or gray-brown warty skin. Younger toads are much smaller but just
as dangerous. Bufo toads are
ground dwelling animals. Do not
confuse them with tree frogs, which have suction-cup feet and may be found
crawling up the side of your house.
You can avoid attracting the Bufo toad to your yard by not leaving any
bowls of pet food on the ground outside as they are especially fond of pet
food.
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CASE OF THE MONTH
Retrieval of a stone from the ureter
 This month I would like to share a most interesting case. Prissy is a 9 year old female Yorkshire Terrier from Alabama. She presented to us because the owner noticed blood in the urine. Prissy's physical exam was normal except for periodontal disease. Her workup included x-rays, bloodwork and urinalysis. X-rays revealed kidney stones and a ureteral stone. Dr. P. had some long discussions with the owner as to how to proceed. It was agreed to remove the ureteral stone as it was causing the bulk of her problems and to also clean her teeth. Every precaution was taken to secure the best possible outcome. The result was great! Prissy recovered very quickly. The next day she was a happy puppy; her mouth was clean and she was much more comfortable now that the ureteral stone was removed. Presently she is on preventative measures to manage her kidney stones. It is very satisfying to see her doing so well. What a great little girl!
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