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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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 November 2010 |
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A NOTE FROM THE DOCTOR
Drs. Karol and Robin Poderski and Martin Downs Animal Hospital's staff members recently completed a three part Interactive Workshop entitled "FRANK: Veterinarian-Client Communication Initiative", sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. This course is also offered as continuing education through Colorado State University to encourage veterinarians to be frank with their clients and develop a mutual
plan for their pet's health care.
Three separate evenings were set aside for Drs and staff to attend these informative meetings presented by Dr. John Phillips, one of Pfizer's veterinarians who is a trained communication coach. This course was presented to help enhance the communication skills between our clients and employees of Martin Downs Animal Hospital which in turn will enable us to have a strong veterinarian-client-patient relationship with all of our clients and their pets. Martin Downs Animal Hospital is committed to providing the best possible veterinary care available for their patients.
 Staff members at FRANK presentation with Dr. John Phillips
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HOSPITAL UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTSFALL FEST
The Fall Fest held on Saturday, October 16 was a great success. The festival ran most of the day and into the evening with live entertainment, food, a classic car show and a children's area with many fun activities! We had an extraordinary number of visitors stop by our booth to receive goodie bags and our unique handmade neckties and bandanas for all our furry friends. If you weren't able to stop by, please come in and visit us at Martin Downs Animal Hospital.
Martin Downs Animal Hospital's Booth-Fall Fest
 PET PORTRAITS by Wurzell
Mark your calendars! A professional photographer from Wurzell Photography will be at Martin Downs Animal Hospital on Friday, November 19th starting at 10AM. Call today and set up an appointment for your pet's Holiday pictures as there are a limited amount of appointments available. You will be able to view the photographs during your pet's sitting. Several different packages are available from which to choose and pick out the package you would like. There are no extra fees involved.
Visit their website to see the beautiful photographs and portraits available. www.wurzellphotography.com
We are now taking reservations for the upcoming holiday season. Be sure to schedule your pet's boarding and grooming with our Resort & Spa. We will be closed Thursday, November 25th for Thanksgiving and Friday and Saturday, December 24th & 25th for Christmas. Call today! 772-288-3456.
DOGS AND CATS FOREVER OPEN HOUSE
WHISKERS WINTER WONDERLAND
You're Invited! Domino's Cat Rescue League's Fundraiser & Silent Auction-Sunday, December 5th from 5pm to 8pm at the home of John & Sandie Criddle in Hobe Sound. Come out and enjoy the evening. There will be music, a 50/50 raffle, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and a silent auction. For more
HOSPITAL NEWS
Martin Downs Animal Hospital is no longer accepting American Express Credit Cards. We do accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Care Credit. We are sorry for any inconvenience to our customers. |
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Robin Waters-Poderski was originally from Mount Airy, North Carolina. She knew at age 9 she wanted to be a veterinarian. To reach her goal, she attended the University of Georgia for undergraduate studies. Dr. Waters received bachelor degrees in agriculture and biology. She then returned to North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for her doctorate degree. Within 10 months of graduating, she was the sole owner of Martin Downs Pet Clinic. Many of you know the rest of the story. Dr. Waters and Dr. Poderski married in 1992 and now have two children, Karolina and Aleksander, ages 16 and 14. Martin Downs Pet Clinic evolved and is now what you see as Martin Downs Animal Hospital.
Dr. Waters is passionate about veterinary medicine and the animals in her care. She is best known for her dermatology and internal medicine skills. She will go to great lengths to resolve your pet's issues.
On a more personal note, Dr. Waters loves the outdoors. She enjoys hiking, running (when she has time) and her garden. Family time is very important and she will brag about her children if you give her the opportunity.
Dr. Waters with her son at a Boy Scout Awards Ceremony
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BOARDERS OF THE MONTHOur Resort and Spa guests of the month are Suki, a 10 year old female brindle Boxer and her sister, Chewbacha, an almost 12 year old black Lab Mix. These two senior citizens love to spend their leisure time at Martin Downs Animal Hospital's Resort and Spa. Walking around outside in the exercise area and enjoying the sunshine keeps Suki and Chewbacha very happy during their stay. Also, relaxing in the large suites on comfy mats with colorful quilts keeps them quite comfortable. With the large suite glass doors, they are able to see each other once evening comes around and everyone retires for the night. Suki and Chewbacha's parents wouldn't have it any other way when it comes to their pets care and comfort than to stay at Martin Downs Animal Hospital's Resort and Spa.
Suki and Chewbacha enjoying the outdoor exercise area.
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GROOMING CORNER
Our Resort & Spa has chosen Cicero as our groom of the month. Cicero is a 14 1/2 year old male Maine Coon who is a frequent guest. He enjoys coming to our Spa for pampering by our staff. He begins his day at the Spa with a professional hairstyle called a Lion Cut. Next he heads to the bath area where he receives a luxurious Hydrosurge bath to help moisturize his skin and coat. After his bath, the bather blows out his coat with warm flowing air until he is dry. The final once over by his personal groomer and he is good to go.
Hydrosurge Bath "Lion Cut"
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FASCINATING FELINE FACTS
HOW DO CATS SEE AT NIGHT?
Cat's nocturnal vision is far superior to that of humans and many other animals. They can see with only one-sixth of the light that the human eye requires. What makes this possible? This ability is due to the unique structure of the cat's eye.
In the feline, the muscles of the iris surrounding the characteristic vertical pupils are constructed in a fashion that allows the eye to narrow in bright light and open fully in very dim light, to allow a maximum of illumination.
The eye is composed of two major light sensitive cells called rods and cones. The rods react to light and dark and the cones provide color vision. Cats have a rod to cone ratio of about 25:1; the human eye has a ratio of about 4:1. Therefore, in dim light, they can see 5 to 7 times better than humans.
Cats also have a reflective layer of cells behind the retina called the Tapetum Lucidum. This layer recycles any light not absorbed by the retina by reflecting it back for a second pass, making more use of the existing light. The Tapetum is responsible for the greenish glow that may be seen at night when a small amount of light hits their eyes. (A number of animals such as deer and raccoon also have Tapetum Lucidum).
Cats have very large eyes. In fact, they have the largest eyes of any mammal, relative to the size of their bodies. Cats also have a better field of vision than humans. The shape of the cornea and the size and placement of the eyes gives them a 280 degree field of vision. That 280 degree field of vision allows them to readily perceive even the slightest movement--a necessity for a hungry hunter in the wild.
As for color, it was long believed that cats saw the world only in black and white and shades of grey. Now we know that cats are able to see colors. Their range of color perception is more limited than ours, but they can see the colors they do perceive far more brilliantly than we do.
Sport showing us his "big eyes"
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PREVENTATIVE MEDICINETHE IMPORTANCE OF PRESCRIPTION DIETS
In 1940, a veterinarian named Mark Morris, Sr. evaluated a dog that was suffering from kidney disease. Morris felt that nutritional therapy might work just as well as medication to help his patient gain some relief from the effects of kidney disease and hopefully would restore the dog to a higher quality of life. He devised a pet food that would lessen the work the patient's kidneys needed to do and his patient improved greatly and lived longer than anyone expected. That diet was called Prescription Diet KD for kidney diet. Mark Morris, Sr. put in motion a revolution in veterinary medicine that continues and evolves today.
What is the difference between a prescriptive diet and a therapeutic diet? A prescription diet is one only available through a veterinarian. The term therapeutic better represents the diet's use-whether it be the sole therapy or an adjunct in the course of support for a medical condition that is diagnosed and monitored by a veterinarian. No matter who the manufacturer is, therapeutic diets are only available at animal hospitals or selected outlets staffed by veterinarians.
Therapeutic diets have been formulated to target specific metabolic processes of animals; and these processes are actually modified to effect certain changes in the animal's digestion, immune responses, blood pressure, renal function, liver metabolism or blood glucose levels. To achieve an impact on the animal's body chemistry, therapeutic diets have scientifically formulated amounts and ratios of various nutrients. Nearly all therapeutic diets, designed by the manufacturer to be available ONLY on the order of a licensed veterinarian, have certain nutrients either reduced in amounts or have nutrients that are elevated above typical levels for normal dogs and cats.
The therapeutic diet should be looked upon as a form of medication because of its specific effect on the individual animal consuming the diet. That is why it is so important these diets be restricted for use only in special and specific circumstances. Today, pet food companies spend tens of thousands of dollars on research and development of better diets for pets. What this means is that pet owners are demanding and purchasing higher quality diets that enhance the life experience of their dogs and cats. Therapeutic diets, acquired through a veterinarian's prescription, are a vital aspect of modern pet health care services.
The pet food industry is a dynamic enterprise that is constantly changing recipes, types of therapeutic diets and methods of delivery to the veterinarian and pet owners. Always consult with your veterinarian regarding the best therapeutic or prescription diets for your dog or cat.
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CASE OF THE MONTH
Cassey was a 14 1/2 year old female Pomeranian. She had endeared herself to us over the years. Cassey had some chronic medical problems-cardiac disease and bilateral kidney stones and she had a severe bout of pancreatitis last spring. No matter what, "Cassey" as her owner said, "was always a fighter". She would continually bounce back and be her perky self.
This summer Cassey ruptured her cranial cruciate ligament. Due to Cassey's chronic issues, she was not the ideal candidate for a surgical stabilization. The knee was extremely unstable and the situation was worsened because the opposite hip also had instability from aging and wear and tear.
When Cassey returned to Florida in September, we referred her to Bryan Graham, our canine rehabilitation specialist, for an evaluation. Bryan determined the best solution would be an external knee brace made especially for Cassey. We had never seen this done before; this was exciting! Before the brace could be made, Cassey required muscle strengthening. Laura, our rehab tech, started Cassey on e-stim, cold laser therapy and range of motion exercises. By October, Cassey was ready for the cast molding of her leg. The mold of her leg was sent to Orthopets so they could make a custom brace for her. Cassey had her brace fitted on her leg two weeks later. Her picture shows her on the first day she wore her brace.
The plan was to gradually increase Cassey's time in the brace over the next three weeks. Progress was going well until just a few days ago. Cassey faced a medical emergency and this time it was just too difficult for her to overcome. Everyone here at Martin Downs Animal Hospital was deeply saddened by her passing. It has been nothing but a pleasure to care for Cassey. We thank her for giving us the opportunity to create this brace and showing us this could work for her and other patients who have orthopedic conditions that cannot be surgically repaired.
Cassey with her leg brace
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