Frequently Asked Questions
STRESS FREE HANDLING FOR OUR BIRD PATIENTS, TOO
Doc is actively implementing low stress protocols at her hospital. There are no loud noises, soft music on the radio, and no strong smells. A strong disinfectant can obliterate your pet's sense of smell for up to 10 days! None of us wear perfumes, and ALL staff members wear appeasing pheromones on their clothing as well as in the exam rooms. Treat rewards are given frequently to dogs and cats to make the examination and vaccination procedures a positive experience. Dr Hall lets the patient take their own time to get acclimated, and no aggressive handling is used. Cats and dogs are kept in separate areas of the hospital to keep noise at a minimum.
A bird's blood pressure can be elevated up to 300% with the stress of handling. This is not only upsetting, but also risky for the patient. A mild, reversible sedative can be administered to your bird, and then reversed after all procedures are completed. This process is safe, better for the patient, and widely used by medical experts. As an added bonus (for the pet), the sedative is amnesic, so they won't have a bad memory of the visit! Think pediatric dentists and how they handle a child's first visit to the dentist for comparison.
THE PET FOOD DILEMMA
The pet food market is a BILLION DOLLAR industry in the US, alone. Many companies are looking to cash in without necessarily having the training or background to make safe, balanced diets. A perfect example is the grain-free diet fad. This started a few years ago when humans were jumping on the grain-free, gluten-free craze. Dogs and cats NEED some grains and complex carbohydrates to have a complete diet. There is no scientific data to back up the grain free claim in pets foods. Upon close questioning, a food company representative personally told Dr. Hall the grain-free lines are marketed only because they are market driven.
LET'S THINK ABOUT THAT. GRAIN-FREE DIETS ARE ONLY BEING MARKETED AND SOLD BECAUSE PET OWNERS WERE ASKING FOR THEM; NOT BECAUSE THERE WAS ANY PROOF THEY WERE NEEDED OR REQUIRED FOR PET HEALTH. ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE TREND IS VEGETARIAN DIETS FOR DOGS AND CATS. TO DATE, THERE ARE NO VEGETARIAN PET FOODS THAT ARE NUTRITIONLLY BALANCED OR COMPLETE TO MEET THE HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PETS.
IN GENERAL TERMS, GOOD FOOD PRODUCTS ARE PRODUCED BY COMPANIES THAT
1. conduct AAFCO feeding trials and are regularly inspected by the FDA
2. have board certified veterinary nutritionists on staff
3. conduct on-site quality control
4. are larger, name brand companies that can afford the testing and research needed to maintain quality products (ie: not 'boutique stores')
EXAMPLES OF APPROVED DIETS: ROYAL CANIN, HILLS, PROPLAN, IAMS, NUTRO, EUKANUBA, FRISKIES, FANCY FEAST, SHEBA, WHISKAS
EXAMPLES OF FOODS TO AVOID: ORIJEN, ACANA, ZIGNATURE, FUSSIE CAT, ESSENCE, DIAMOND, KIRKLAND, NATURAL BALANCE, FROMM, BLUE BUFFALO
WHY ARE WE SO CONCERNED WITH ONLINE PURCHASE OF MEDICATIONS?
Online pharmacies get product/medicines from many different sources. Some are counterfeit medications; some from other countries such as China may be contaminated or not even what the label indicates, and many are not FDA approved. In most cases the manufacturer will not guarantee or warranty any medication NOT purchased through your veterinarian. If you have an adverse reaction to a medication purchased online - get the wrong medication - are told it is in stock when it actually is not - or isn't what was prescribed by a DOCTOR will the online pharmacy help you OR your pet? WE will....
A FEW WORDS ON GRIEF AND GRIEVING
This is the hardest aspect of being both a pet owner, and a veterinarian. It is always heartbreaking to have to make the decision to say good bye to a beloved family member, whatever he or she may be. Death is inevitable for us all, and is something we all have to deal with. I believe it is my duty as a doctor and a human being to make every death as peaceful as possible. My patients are treated exactly as I have treated my own pets over the years. Your loved one will be given a sedative so they can be relaxed, unafraid, and pain free for their final procedure. Myself and my staff try very hard to treat everyone with compassion and understanding during this difficult time. We also know there is no right way and no wrong way to grieve. Eventually we all have to accept that life has changed and we will have to move forward. And moving forward is OK. Simply know we will support you and be there for you.