Parasite Prevention Given we are booking out for appointments, we recommend being proactive in booking your pets in for their parasite prevention, testing, vaccinations, lab work etc. Remember that ticks are out when the weather is 4oC and higher and fleas are out year around. Intestinal parasites can be picked up via feces, contaminated soil, sitting water, rodents, rabbits and other secondary hosts such as fleas, ticks, snails, and earthworms. Tick prevention typically starts as early as March 1st for many who are outdoors with their pets. Remember that cats can get heartworm disease and tick bites too! Heartworm is spread by mosquitos and thus we typically start prevention in May or June as long as your pet tests negative!
Discounted Blood Profiles Once again, as of March 1st 2024 - our outside laboratory Idexx provides us with several discounted blood profiles that include the 4DX test (Heartworm, Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma test). Wellness panels can test your pets kidneys, liver, blood sugar, blood counts, proteins, electrolytes, thyroid hormone, and pancreas. You can also add on a fecal test or urine test in addition to the blood testing. These discounted tests will be available until July!
In House Cytology/Fecal Analyzer For the past year, we've been using the Imagyst, our new in-house cytology and fecal analyzer as an addition to our in house lab machines! Having this available allows us to get results to you much faster, same day! This includes cytology samples for lumps, skin conditions, ear management and sending slides to pathologists to allow for prompt diagnosis and treatment. We recommend that all pets, especially those that are free roaming in yards/farms/open spaces, have a fecal sample checked on an annual basis.
Tiki Cat Food - new to our collection of cat food is Tiki Cat! The veterinary food is a canned formulation with simple and wholesome ingredients many cats are going crazy for! It currently comes in 4 formulations (Gastrointestinal, Urinary pH balance, Gluco balance and Low calorie) all of which come in 3 textures (moose, shreds, and chucks/gravy)
Pets With Allergies? - this time of year many pets that suffer from allergies will start to show symptoms (if they haven't already). This may look like itchy feet, ears, back ends and bodies. They may show hair loss, excessive scratching, head shaking, licking and skin lesions. Many pets with seasonal allergies also have ongoing food allergies as well. We have a comprehensive line up of products, diets, supplements and testing to help your pet be comfortable this allergy season!
New Diabetic Management Medication - Senvelgo! While we strongly advocate that your pets have an ideal weight for optimal health, sometimes our overweight felines develop diabetes mellitus. Should your pet be diagnosed they now have the option to try this new oral once daily formulation to manage their condition. This medication is for cats only and for cats that are newly diabetic and have not had insulin prior.
4dx testing is in full swing - Heartworm and Tick Screening Last year we had the highest positives for Lyme disease we have ever seen here in Southern Ontario. Wondering if you should skip the test this year? We do recommend that Every dog (and cat!). Every year. be tested and here is why:
1. The likelihood of tick exposure is growing. Dogs are becoming increasingly popular travel companions, and ticks are expanding into new areas, too. Making matters worse, warming trends are giving ticks more time to be active, typically anytime the weather is above 4oC.
2. Bites can easily go unnoticed. Even the tiniest of nymphs (baby ticks) is able to transmit disease, and ticks are masters at hiding in overlooked spots especially on pets with long fur! Keeping pets indoors can provide a false sense of security, but mosquitos can easily enter homes and ticks can attach during trips to the yard.
3. Undiagnosed infections can lead to later problems. Many infected dogs are asymptomatic, and an infection that’s allowed to progress to a chronic state is often more difficult and costly to treat. This could mean that heartworm larva progress to adult stages and take up residence in the heart or that diseases such as Lyme disease can affect the function of the kidneys and joints.
4. Dogs can alert owners to zoonotic risks. Ticks carry zoonotic disease (ie transmissible to people), and annual screenings can serve as a warning that disease-carrying ticks are in their immediate environment.
5. Test Results If the results are negative, we can be confident that your current prevention plan is working, and your pet has either been protected or not exposed. But if the results are positive, we have the ability to intervene with a treatment plan early on and also come up with ideas for increased compliance and giving treatment on time on the specified interval of the product.
Texting In the past month or so we've been experiencing some issues with our text messaging where some individuals can text us without issue and some have not been able to. We believe the issue has been solved but we would appreciate your feedback and input should you still be having difficulty sending us a message in this manner. As always, we will still respond to telephone calls, texts, vitus vet messages and emails as best and as quickly as we can!
New Clients Yes, the rumors are true, we are taking in new clients slowly (please be patient with us!). It is important that you fill out the new client form on our website in order for us to book you in. Have questions? one of our customer care team members would be happy to assist you!
A quick reminder that we are closed for our lunch break between 12pm and 1 pm every day. We will also be closed the Saturday or all long weekends this summer in addition to the stat holiday. We look forward to helping you and your pets this year and are excited for summer to arrive (yes, that means muddy paws!)!
Previous Updates! (in case you missed them!) Rehabilitation Services and Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy Some of you have mentioned that you are unaware that we have rehabilitation therapy services and veterinary spinal manipulation therapy (better known as chiropractic care). Rehabilitation therapies include therapeutic laser, Tens, muscle building and balance, under water treadmill, massage, and fascial/massage therapy. If your pet might benefit from these services, please inquire for more information to book your visit with Jeanette, our certified rehabilitation technician!
Phovia Light Therapy PHOVIA® fluorescent light therapy is now available at our hospital! This special lamp uses Fluorescent Light Energy at multiple wavelengths to penetrate different layers of the skin to support the skin’s own regeneration mechanisms. This novel therapy is used to help with wound healing and various skin conditions with and without the use of antibiotics. Treatments help to speed skin healing and help reduce antibiotic resistance. Treatments are often used on deep skin conditions, hot spots, interdigital cysts, wounds, post surgical incisions and so much more! Each treatment takes 2 minutes and is painless and comfortable to the pet. Treatments are recommended twice weekly (which can take place at the same time in one visit!) and are repeated as necessary based on the condition being treated. For more information go to: https://phoviausa.com/owners/
Ultrasound Services
We now have ultrasound services available without having to travel to a specialist. One of our own veterinary technicians is trained and certified in ultrasound scanning and our scans are sent to a boarded veterinary specialist to be read. Often results return in 24-48 hours and pets can stay local to Woodstock. For those pets that require cardiac ultrasounds, we will bring in a board-certified cardiologist or ultrasound technician to complete the scans.
My Vet Store If you haven't yet visited our online store, we encourage you to do so! Not only can you order many of the products your pets already use (foods, supplements, litter, treats, parasite prevention and so much more!), but often times there are manufacturer discounts and promotions present that are only available through the vet store. We always offer free in clinic pick up of your vet store orders, free shipping of orders over $100 directly to your home and a 5% discount on all auto orders! Its free to sign up! Go to myvetstore.ca/oxfordcountyvet to create your profile!
We look forward to helping you and your pets this year and are excited for spring and summer to arrive (yes, that means muddy paws!)! Sincerely, The Doctors and Amazing team at Oxford County Veterinary Clinic