We turn our attention to shaping up for summer every May. Your pet's doctor wants your pet to stay in shape too! Pet nutritional and exercise trends may mimic human health trends. Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control estimate that 67% of American Adults are overweight and 44% of American pets are overweight as well? Excess weight results from too many calories and not enough activity. Your pet can enjoy a healthy lifestyle with the right approach to weight management. Improve your pet's skin, fur and body weight by knowing a few simple facts. Read on for 10 Quick Fat Fighting Tips for Pet Owners.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hills® Diets, have teamed together creating a formidable team to fight pet obesity. To learn more about the AVMA/Hills PetFit Program, visit http://www.petfit.com/. The best weight for any pet is achieved by combining a high quality food + adequate exercise + regular veterinary check ups. QUESTIONS? Call us at 508-653-5020 or email us at info@natickanimal.com.
Because maintaining a healthy weight is fundamentally important for your pet’s overall health, we want to reward you and your pet for it! For you, there are special savings on Hills® Diets and for your weight-conscious pet, we have a FREE tasty treat (a healthy treat stuffed toy!) waiting at Natick Animal Clinic! When your pet weighs in at a healthy weight any time in May, we’ll treat him/her to one of our special treats to take home. After all, playing is a form of exercise—for people and for pets—so, help your pets maintain a healthy weight by playing with them as much as you can. Have fun!
According to the American Academy of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), cats are taken to their veterinarian less than dog despite the fact that cats as pets outnumber dogs as pets. One of the major reasons that cat owners limit visits to their pet's veterinarian is the stress for cat owners in trying to catch their kitty or place their pet in the cat carrier. Too, the reception area shared with dogs, is another stress factor for cats and owners. 60% of cat owners surveyed reported that they would only take their cat to the vet if the cat was sick and 38% of cat owners reported that THEY get stressed just thinking about getting their cat to the vet!
Call us today at (508) 653-5020 to schedule your cat only visit! Let us help you and your cat look forward to an appointment with your pet's veterinarian!
SPRING FEVER PET PHOTO CONTEST WINNER!
Now that Spring has sprung (we think!), it’s time to THINK SPRING! Even though winter didn’t snow us under and we’ve yet to get our share of spring showers , our Facebook photo contest nudged us into the season with all the great photos we received. Thank you to all our fans whosubmitted photos and voted—we just know it was hard for our fans to make a final choice on the winner. Look for our winner’s photo on our Facebook page, along with all the others submitted. It’s obvious that our fans are very creative and love their pets very much!
Canine Life Study project for Golden Retrievers follows the Framingham Heart Study model!
Your pet may qualify to participate in the study
In 1948, a cardiovascular research study laid the ground work for our understanding of the risk factors for human cardiovascular disease. By following three generations of participants, we now know that smoking, high blood pressure and inactivity are the primary scientific reasons behind heart disease. This historic study was the catalyst for many other clinical studies that led to the development of most of the cardiac procedures used today to save lives. Using the Framingham study as a model of excellence to emulate, the Morris Foundation has begun a ground breaking study that they hope will lead to life saving treatments for dogs.
The first study,under the Canine Lifetime Health Project umbrella will focus on identifying the genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors for cancer and other diseases in Golden Retrievers. Enrollees will be age two and younger. Projected to last 10 to 14 years and enroll up to 3,000 dogs, the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study will be the largest and longest observational study ever undertaken to improve the health of dogs.
Golden Retrievers were chosen because more than half of them die of cancer. Although this study involves only Golden Retrievers, the information collected will improve the health of all dog breeds.
What Is Expected of You?
Agree to participate for the life of your dog
Select a veterinarian who agrees to participate with you
Complete online questionnaires regarding your dog's food type and feeding habits, environmental exposures, behavior/temperament, disease events, etc.
Visit your dog's veterinarian for annual exams and sample collection (blood, urine, feces, hair, and toenail clippings)
When applicable, allow collection of tumor samples for evaluation
Be willing to consider a necropsy (post mortem examination) when your dog's life ends
Note: You are responsible for all costs associated with the annual exam, sample collection and laboratory test results. Morris Animal Foundation will reimburse you for up to $75 of these costs per year after verification that the exam and sample collection has been completed. For more information, go to: https://www.caninelifetimehealth.org/#About/GoldenRetrieverLifetimeStudy
Earth Day 2012
Earth Day 2012 is April 22nd this year and celebrates its 52nd year! Begun in spring 1970, Earth Day was created after founder, Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, was disheartened by the effects of the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. With sit-ins and marches so prevalent in the sixties and seventies, he took inspiration from them but went in a different direction with a “national teach-in on the environment”. On that first Earth Day , April 22, 1970, reportedly 20 million Americans participated in Earth Day celebrations ranging from educational classes on the environment to protests against the environmental damage caused by raw sewage dumping, industrial air pollution and the like. During that same decade, the Environmental Protection Agency evolved and eventually the U.S. Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were enacted. (insert links to these acts and the EPA). Over the following 3 decades, environmental concerns have continued to be in the forefront of government officials, politicians and citizens; and the battle between environmental advocates and political interests continues today.
In 2012, Earth Day Network has set a goal of A Billion Acts of Green® which is a campaign to achieve 40 million environmental service actions. Celebrate Earth this Earth Day by taking good care of your little piece of it and all those that inhabit it, including your pets, of course! For more information on Earth Day, visit www.earthday.org.
Take Your Dog to Work Day
In dog circles, June 22, 2012 is known as” Take Your Dog to Work Day” or “TYDTWD” and the entire week is designated as Take Your Pet to Work Week™! Pet Sitter’s International gets the credit for this dog lover’s day which they created in 1999 to celebrate dogs and encourage adoptions of rescued dogs from shelters, rescues and humane societies across the country. The organization leads the effort to encourage employers to invite employees to bring their dogs to work on June 22nd. It also recommends other special events and celebrations to strengthen the human/animal bond. Perhaps the hope is that more employers will make this a regular part of the work environment for their employees and not just one special day each year. For more information on how you can pilot such a program at your workplace, visit www.takeyourdog.com . If you would like a member of our staff to speak at your workplace or if you would like to bring your co-workers for a tour of Natick Animal Clinic to celebrate “TYDYWD, please call us at 508-653-5020 or email us at info@natickanimal.com . We would love to help make your day a success!
TRUPANION PET INSURANCE ANNOUNCEMENT BY NATICK ANIMAL CLINIC
Although there are over 30 pet insurance companies at the present time, Natick Animal Clinic recommends one company to their clients: Trupanion pet insurance. It can be very difficult for "pet parents" to research pet insurance carriers and their coverage's; and even more difficult for them to sort through all the complex information about pricing, exclusions and coverage plans. Considering the hectic pace of most families these days, who can possibly have the time and patience?
Over the past 2-3 years, hospital owner, David McGrath DVM, has been watching the trends as new companies have emerged, in some cases overshadowing the "old timers" of the pet insurance industry. There are so many different features to each insurance company's plans, that it is almost impossible to compare "apples" to "apples" in order for clients to make an informed decision. Some won't cover certain breeds; some will only cover dogs or only cats; some will only cover puppies and kittens; and others will only cover a pet under age 7. It is a huge challenge for anyone trying to find a good plan for his/her pet(s) AND also be able to understand what is included!
In an attempt to rescue our clients from this maze of information, after extensive research and consideration Natick Animal Clinic is pleased to announce Trupanion as the insurance of choice. The decision is based on many things, including the expeditious manner in which Trupanion reimburses policyholders based on actual veterinary cost. The Trupanion Policy Overview states "Trupanion covers 90% of the actual costs of veterinary care should a pet become sick or injured. This includes diagnostic testing, surgeries, medications, supplements, therapeutic food, orthotic devices, prosthetic devices, and carts. Pet owners can choose any veterinarian, including emergency veterinary clinics and veterinary specialists." Trupanion provides free online and phone customer service support 24/7 and we feel this is very important for our clients. If you have an insurance question, you need help now-not tomorrow after 9am.
As a Natick Animal Clinic client, you are eligible for a 30 Day Trial of Trupanion at no obligation. The special 30 Day Trial Registration Forms are available only at the hospital. Clients are strongly encouraged to contact Trupanion directly as soon as the 30 Day Trial is initiated, in order to learn as much information as possible by speaking with a Trupanion Customer Service Representative. Click here for an overview of Trupanion coverage, or visit them online at Trupanion.com .
To obtain your no cost Trupanion 30 Day Trial Registration Form, contact Natick Animal Clinic (508-653-5020 or info@natickanimal.com ).
Do you Tweet?
~ Twitter lets you find out what's happening, right now, with the people and organizations you care about. ~ ~ The Updates are only 140 characters long.
~ Tweets show up right in your feed; once you follow us, there we are!
~ Access Twitter via computer, smart phone or tablet.
~ Best of all Natick Animal Clinic Tweets! Follow us @www.twitter.com/natickanimal.
NATICK ANIMAL CLINIC
NEW CLIENT REFERRAL PROGRAM
We sincerely appreciate when you trust us enough to recommend to your friends, family and neighbors that they too bring their pets to our clinic. We love your enthusiasm and feel lucky to have you! Your referral is the best form of compliment so we want to be sure to give back by saying thank you for recommending us. We also want to thank your referral for giving us an opportunity to get to know their pet.
We have updated our New Client Referral Program. It's simple: refer a friend and we will put a $20 credit on your Natick Animal Clinic account and a $20 credit on your friend's, family's or neighbor's account when they make their first appointment. We have personalized New Client Referral Cards that you may hand out to someone that you think should visit us. When they come in, they hand us your card and we update your account! It's that simple. Each time one of your referrals becomes a new client, we get the chance to say thank you for helping us grow!
Click here If you’d like a copy of the Client Referral Card.
*Natick Animal Bucks will be credited to your account. No cash value, non-transferrable. One New Client Referral Bonus per new client referral.
Hill's Announces Breakthrough Nutrition to Manage Hyperthyroidism in Cats
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., a leader in pet nutrition known for its dedication to scientific research and testing of pet foods, has announced a breakthrough in the management and treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. The new Hills Prescription Diet, y/d Feline Thyroid Health, is backed by scientific studies that indicate the new diet will eliminate the need for thyroid medication.This has been previously unheard of in the veterinary field and is a ground breaking development because the diet has been 100% successful in clinical studies. A limited number of free "y/d Starter Kits" are available to our clients with hyperthyroid cats. The response to y/d has been so tremendous that Hills has been overwhelmed with requests for the kits, therefore the limited quantity available to our clients will be distributed while supplies last. To obtain a y/d Starter Kit from your veterinarian, contact us today at 508-653-5020.
The overall benefits of y/d Prescription Diet are:
Limit the iodine intake of hyperthyroid cats in order to control thyroid hormone production
Improve thyroid health in 3 weeks
Restore thyroid health, with no pilling necessary!
Provide complete daily nutrition that tastes good to cats
For more information, go to HillsVet.com or call us today at 508-653-5020 to speak to your veterinarian.
ANNOUNCING
THE FRONTLINE® Plus SATISFACTION GUARANTEE!
The only flea/tick product guarantee of its kind. Only for FRONTLINE Plus purchased at a veterinary office! For more information go to frontline.us.merial.com/prd_g.asp.
FRONTLINE Plus SAVINGS CONTINUE!
Available at our office while they last....Special Savings when you purchase economy packs:
BUY 3......GET 1 FREE!
BUY 6.......GET 2 FREE!
BUY 12......GET 4 FREE!
ePetRecords
Worried that you run out of your pet’s medication? So busy that you only have time to think about appointment scheduling at night after we have closed? Do you ever want to check ahead to see when your pet’s vaccinations need to be boostered? Or do you sometimes misplace the postcard reminders we send you? If you are like most people, the answer to these questions is YES!
We have just the solution to help make your life easier, less stressful and more efficient. It’s free and we have already taken care of some of the set up for you! Below are some frequently asked questions we thought would help you understand this new online service. All you need are a computer and the internet! Go to the ePetRecords page for more information to get started today.
Leptospirosis Alert: Are you and your dog protected?
Adapted from Veterinary Practice News, October 2010
Leptospirosis is a waterborne zoonosis (infection shared between human beings and animal species) which occurs secondary to Leptospira spp. bacterial infection.Rural, urban, and suburban dogs may be at risk for Leptospira spp. infection, and clinical leptospirosis does occur in urban and suburban canine populations.
"There's good evidence to support an increase of diagnosed cases of leptospirosis in the U.S.," says George E. Moore, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl ACVIM, an associate professor of clinical epidemiology and director of the clinical trials group at Purdue University. "Wild animals have remained a reservoir for the disease, which then spreads to dogs and potentially to people. Lack of predators and increased food supply in suburban areas make wildlife concentrations eight to ten times higher per acre than rural areas."
In addition, "This isn't just a disease of large breeds or hunting dogs says Richard E. Goldstein, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ECVIM, an associate professor of small animal medicine at Cornell University. "Small-breed dogs are testing positive more and more. This is happening because of lack of vaccination and overlap of suburban living and wildlife."
Symptoms of clinical leptospirosis can vary and may include fever, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other non-specific signs. The best way to determine whether your dog has been infected is through direct examination and consultation at your veterinary hospital.
Pet owners may not readily vaccinate their pets because of a perception that urban and suburban dogs are not at risk for infection. The best protection against leptospirosis is avoidance of exposure to contaminated water and soil as well as annual vaccination.
Please contact us at 508-653-5020 to determine whether your dog is properly vaccinated against Leptospira spp.
Because maintaining a healthy weight is fundamentally important for your pet’s overall health, we want to reward you and your pet for it! For you, there are special savings on Hills® Diets and for your weight-conscious pet, we have a FREE tasty treat (a healthy treat stuffed toy!) waiting at Natick Animal Clinic! When your pet weighs in at a healthy weight any time in May, we’ll treat him/her to one of our special treats to take home. After all, playing is a form of exercise—for people and for pets—so, help your pets maintain a healthy weight by playing with them as much as you can. Have fun!
Earth Day 2012 is April 22
In dog circles, June 22, 2012 is known as” Take Your Dog to Work Day” or “TYDTWD” and the entire week is designated as Take Your Pet to Work Week™! Pet Sitter’s International gets the credit for this dog lover’s day which they created in 1999 to celebrate dogs and encourage adoptions of rescued dogs from shelters, rescues and humane societies across the country. The organization leads the effort to encourage employers to invite employees to bring their dogs to work on June 22nd. It also recommends other special events and celebrations to strengthen the human/animal bond. Perhaps the hope is that more employers will make this a regular part of the work environment for their employees and not just one special day each year. For more information on how you can pilot such a program at your workplace, visit 
~ ~ The Updates are only 140 characters long. 
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., a leader in pet nutrition known for its dedication to scientific research and testing of pet foods, has announced a breakthrough in the management and treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. The new Hills Prescription Diet, y/d Feline Thyroid Health, is backed by scientific studies that indicate the new diet will eliminate the need for thyroid medication. This has been previously unheard of in the veterinary field and is a ground breaking development because the diet has been 100% successful in clinical studies. A limited number of free "y/d Starter Kits" are available to our clients with hyperthyroid cats. The response to y/d has been so tremendous that Hills has been overwhelmed with requests for the kits, therefore the limited quantity available to our clients will be distributed while supplies last. To obtain a y/d Starter Kit from your veterinarian, contact us today at 508-653-5020.
