Dr. Karol and Dr. Robin are back at work here at Martin Downs Animal Hospital. They enjoyed their time away but are excited about the upcoming events. Make sure to stop by and visit us-Saturday September 11 Open House from 9am-2pm. We look forward to seeing all our clients and visitors from the community.
SEE YOU AT THE CELEBRATION!
Drs. Karol and Robin Poderski and family
at the summit of Alta Peak in Sequoia
National Park at 11,240 feet!
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HOSPITAL UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OPEN HOUSE
Be sure to mark your calendars! Saturday September 11 from 9am to 2pm. Come help us celebrate!
We will have self-guided tours of the hospital with education stations, representatives from all areas of veterinary care and several rescue organizations from our community. Domino's House, Dogs and Cats Forever and The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast will have tables set up for everyone to visit and also some pets for adoption. There will be raffles, food and fun for all! So stop by and join the fun. All proceeds from this special event will go to fostermilitarypets.com. Help support our troops!
Martin Downs Animal Hospital will be offering anesthesia-free dentals from Pet Dental Services (PDS) on September 16. PDS provides anesthesia-free dental care to dogs and cats in conjunction with licensed veterinary facilities throughout the country. Their 7-step professional teeth cleaning is performed without the use of anesthesia, which offers pet owners an alternative method for cleaning and maintaining their pet's teeth. PDS works with veterinarians to establish a regular cleaning maintenance program. Give us a call to set up an appointment to see if your pet is a good candidate for an anesthesia-free dental. www.petdentalservices.com
On Sunday August 22, Martin Downs Animal Hospital participated in the Doggie Days of Summer at the Stuart Green Market in historical downtown Stuart. There were several vendors from pet related businesses along with the regular vendors. There was live music, a hospitality tent, a cooling station and a "fun" dog show. We had several guests visit our tent and receive one of our handmade bandannas or neckties for their canine buddy. Everyone had a great time!
Three guests modeling their bandannas and neckties Stuart Green Market Doggie Days of Summer
PALM CITY FALL FEST
Celebrate the Fall and our beautiful community at the Palm City Fall Fest on Saturday October 16 from 11am to 9pm being held at Palm City Park on Mapp Road. We will have a booth for all of our clients to stop by and visit. There will be arts and crafts, local restaurants, a classic car show, musical entertainment and a Children's area with the annual pumpkin decorating contest and much more. This event is sponsored by the Palm City Chamber of Commerce. So come out and enjoy the day!
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Elizabeth Jolin is our new associate veterinarian. She came to us from Gainesville, Florida but was originally from Oklahoma. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University and her Doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. She has been a practicing veterinarian in the small animal field since 2006 in Gainesville.
Dr. Jolin recently moved to Palm City in July of this year and joined the Martin Downs Animal Hospital team. Her special interests include behavioral medicine and dermatology. She is a member of the AVMA, FVMA, TCVMA and AAHA. We are proud to have Dr. Jolin as a new member to our medical team. |
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BOARDER OF THE MONTH/GROOMING CORNER
Our choice for Boarders of the Month and also our Grooming Corner are three great dogs, Gracie-a Brittany Spaniel, Skipper-a Cocker Spaniel and Sydney-a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They all reside with the same family and are frequent guests at our Resort and Spa. This summer they stayed with us for a few weeks enjoying our large suite sleeping quarters and outside play area. They ran and romped with other guests taking time to cool off in our wading pools. In the afternoon, they relaxed in their suites, enjoying a light snack. When it was time to go home, all three received the Royal treatment in our Spa with Hydrosurge baths and professional grooms to top off their stay. We look forward to taking care of Gracie, Skipper and Sydney on their next visit to our Resort and Spa here at Martin Downs Animal Hospital.
 Skipper, Sydney and Gracie with Linda K-Kennel Manager and Cathy F-Head Groomer |
FASCINATING FELINE FACTS
SHEDDING CATSShedding is a natural process that cats go through. It often leaves us cat owners frustrated from constant vacuuming. But why do cats shed in the first place? Although shedding is influenced by a multitude of factors (such as diet, genetics and lifestyle), sunlight has been shown to be the main factor influencing the shedding in cats.
Sunlight will actually cause the brain to signal its hair follicles to respond with an increase in shedding. The more sunlight a cat receives, the more he or she may shed. Even though our resident Floridian cats may shed more than cats living in other areas, do not always assume that excessive shedding is due to our climate. Some diseases can cause cats to start losing their fur. Therefore, if you feel your cat is shedding more than is typical, consult your veterinarian to be sure that something more serious is not affecting your pet.
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PROGRESSIVE THERAPEUTICS
Dissatisfied with the unhealthy ingredients in the pet food on the market, Natura Pet Products was founded in 1992 by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins in Santa Clara, California. They consulted with veterinary nutrition experts to determine the best sources for pet food ingredients. Natura asked one key question: How do you make the healthiest pet food in the world? What they learned wouldn't surprise you! Dogs and cats are healthiest when they eat whole, natural foods: USDA-inspected chicken, turkey and lamb, whole grain rice and barley, fresh fruits and vegetables and Grade A dairy products. You have to use more meat, higher quality sources of fats and oils and high levels of vitamins and other nutrients. Natura has made a large investment in quality food production. They determined to use only high-quality dog and cat food ingredients. This creates food that is denser and richer in essential nutrients. Pets get more nutrition from less food, with calories and fats in each formula balanced to fit their specific needs. All Natura foods are free from chemical additives of any kind including preservatives such as ethoxyquin and BHA/BHT which are banned from human use in many countries.
Martin Downs Animal Hospital is now carrying Evo and California Natural, two of Natura Pet Foods. Evo-The Ancestrial Diet combines the advantages of grain free food with the benefits of protein rich nutrition in a domestic diet. Similar to a diet of prey, Evo provides animals with energy and nutrients derived from meat-based proteins and highly digestible fats. California Natural is nutrition pure and simple. You'll never find fillers, by-products or artificial preservatives that can cause allergic reactions or stomach issues in your pets. Just wholesome, unrefined pet food ingredients that are pure and natural. We combine just one protein, one fat and one carbohydrate source to create a hypoallergenic pet food.
Natura makes several other diets available by special order through our hospital.
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PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE
EARLY DETECTION-NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO START
The health of your pet can change rapidly as he or she ages, and changes can go unnoticed. Your pet can't talk and often shows no signs when something is wrong. So how do you know? Early detection is a good way to start! Early detection is not one test, a series of tests or just one visit. It's a way of caring for your pet, just like human medicine allows us to care for ourselves. Medical advancements enable your veterinarian to diagnose potential diseases before they become a serious issue including heartworm, thyroid disease, heart disease, urinary tract issues and much more.
By working closely with your veterinarian to evaluate your pet's general health and to monitor the physical effects aging has had on his or her mind and body help to keep your pet healthy and happy as they age. Scheduling routine wellness exams along with routine blood testing, urinalysis, hormone testing, electrocardiograph and radiographs can help identify health risks before they become evident. Speak up for your pet and tell your veterinarian about any changes in your pet's weight, appetite, behavior, skin or coat, mobility and elimination issues. Establishing baseline bloodwork and identifying existing health problems can help in disease prevention and give your pet a healthy and happy life.
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CASE OF THE MONTH
Sea Bass is an eight year old, male neutered basset hound mix. He presented to our hospital for his annual wellness examination and senior labwork (bloodwork and urinalysis). During his visit, his owner noted that Sea Bass had been less active than usual, which was attributed to his aging, and he had lost some hair on his abdomen and tail. He had gained almost seven pounds since his visit last year. His senior labwork from last year was all normal. This year, when his labwork returned, we found his thyroid levels were low. Based on his history of decreased energy, weight gain and hair loss, as well as his low thyroid levels, he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. To treat Sea Bass for his condition, he was started on an oral medication called Levothyroxine which helps to increase his thyroid levels; he is given this medication twice a day. Since starting Levothyroxine about six weeks ago, Sea Bass has lost three pounds and his owner reports his energy levels have returned to normal. We expect his hair to regrow within the next two to three months, as he continues his medication.
Hypothyroidism is a disease most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged dogs (four to ten years) and is the result of decreased activity of the thyroid glands. While the most common signs of hypothyroidism include inactivity, weight gain and dermatological abnormalities (hair loss, skin infections, only and/or dry hair coat), dogs can develop more serious symptoms, such as seizures. This disease is most common in medium to large-sized dogs.
Treatment for hypothyroidism involves giving Levothyroxine once to twice daily, depending on the patient. By routinely monitoring bloodwork, we can determine if the thyroid levels are remaining at the appropriate levels or if changes need to be made to the dosage. Sea Bass has responded very well to his treatment and he will remain on Levothyroxine for the rest of his life. He is a good example of why routine senior labwork can be helpful!
Sea Bass
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