vetcare, Author at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: ANNUAL WELLNESS SCREENING

Annual Wellness Screening – Why It’s Important

We all want what’s best for our pets. However, when it comes to long term health, outward appearances are not always the whole story. Up to 10-14 percent of pets brought to veterinary clinics have some type of underlying disease or illness. Furthermore, many of these pets who seem healthy upon a physical exam may actually have health issues that can go undetected without an annual wellness screening.

The development of disease can be subtle. This is due in part to the fact that when an organ system starts to fail, the organ will try to compensate, bringing its function back as close as possible to normal. However over time, this compensation mechanism will fail and the pet will become ill. Consequently, once the pet is in organ failure, treatment options become limited, expensive, and the prognosis may be poor.

What to Expect

An annual wellness screening is a simple blood test designed to detect problems before your pet shows any outward symptoms. At Fisher Glen, our lab performs these annual wellness checkups, which test for such factors as:

Liver function
Kidney function
Pancreas function
Electrolyte levels
Mineral balance

Blood sugar
Infection
Inflammatory disease
Anemia

We usually have results within 24 hours, and as a result we can then make any necessary treatment recommendations at a point when treatment will truly make a difference to your pet’s life.

In conclusion, at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital we believe in preventative medicine. If you can prevent an illness early on it’s easier on your pet, on you, and on your pocket book. Wellness programs not only help your pet live longer, but also help them to live better. Consider booking an appointment with Fisher Glen Animal Hospital today for an annual wellness screening checkup!

For more information or to book an appointment, please Contact Us Today to speak to one of our technicians, or visit our Veterinary Services page to learn more about everything we offer at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital!

UPDATE: Due to popular demand, we are excited to announce that here at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital we now offer Complete Animal Wellness Plans, designed to give your pet the best quality of care at the most affordable price!

OTTAWA CAT RESCUE: CHIRPA AND HER KITTENS ARE UP FOR ADOPTION!

cat named Chirpa and her kitten from Ottawa Stray Cat rescue

Fisher Glen and Ottawa Stray Cat and Kitten Rescue

Here at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital we are proud to support our friends at the Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue! This non-profit cat and kitten rescue group is dedicated to finding homes for stray kittens and cats! Additionally we will be helping with veterinary care/spays and neuters, as well as participating in their Trap Neuter Release program for feral kitties.

For more information, please visit the Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue website, or Follow Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue on Facebook!

Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue Sweetie Of The Week: Chirpa

Female, DSH Black, est DOB October 11, 2016. Adoption Fee: $165

Status: Adopted since time of this post

Meet Chirpa! Chirpa had a bit of a rough start in life. She was found abandoned in an apartment unit – pregnant and very hungry. Thankfully someone found her and brought her home, where on April 4th 2018 she gave birth to 4 beautiful baby kittens – Teebo, Paploo, Lumat, and Nippet! Any Star Wars fans out there may be interested to note that their foster parents named these four kittens and their mother after Ewoks, because when they were born the kittens looked so much like the little creatures from Endor! Of the four, some have already been adopted, but both Paploo and Nippet are still searching for their forever homes!

Chirpa just loves to be picked up, scratched and loved. And she adores watching her babies play, monitoring them to ensure that everyone is safe. Nippet and Paploo are both happy and friendly little kittens who love to play and to chase each other around, followed by a good nap together curled up into a little ball. They also love cuddle time on the bed with their foster parents and their Mom!

Adoption Information

The adoption fee for Chirpa is $165, and for her kittens the fee is $200. OSCR have included in this fee a veterinary exam, first set of shots, deworming, spay/neuter, and microchipping.

As the adopter you will be responsible for second and third sets of shots if they haven’t been administered yet. Furthermore, some adoptions occur prior to sterilization surgery. Consequently, the adopter will be responsible to schedule and bring in their adopted cat for surgery. We have included this service in the adoption fee.

If you are interested in meeting Chirpa, Paploo or Nippet, please feel free to Complete an Adoption Interest Application, or Contact Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue on Facebook!

Editor’s Note: Since this post was written, Chirpa and her kittens have all been adopted – but don’t let that stop you! Visit the Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue on Facebook, where you can learn about all of the other rescued cats & kittens who still need a loving home! Who knows, you just might find a furry new friend who’s a perfect fit!

AS THEY START GETTING OLDER: WHAT TO DO ABOUT ARTHRITIS IN PETS

Arthritis In Pets

If there’s one thing we at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital like to remember when it comes to aging pets, it’s that old age is not a disease. In other words, just because your pet is becoming geriatric does not mean they have to suffer unnecessary pain. When it comes to arthritis in pets we all tend to think, “Oh, he’s just slowing down because he is getting old,” and while there may be some truth to this, it doesn’t have to turn a pet who would still like to behave like a puppy into a cripple.

What To Do As They Start Getting Older

Some common signs that your pet is beginning to experience mobility issues include:

Back feet out to the side when sitting
No longer able to jump on the bed
Can’t get in the car without help
Increasingly frequent accidents

Lack of Interest in walks or play
Reluctant stair-climbing
Groaning when standing up

By being aware of your pet’s stiffness or mobility problems and acting early, you can help to keep them mobile for months or even years. It is vitally important that we keep pets pain-free enough to stay active, so that joints don’t seize up and muscles don’t waste away. Weakness just complicates matters.

This may involve using supplements such as glucosamine, green-lipped mussel and chondroitin; special diets; anti-inflammatories or pain killers. There are also lots of alternative therapies available in Ottawa, such as underwater treadmill and swimming pool therapy, acupuncture, massage, and physiotherapy. We will assess your pet’s mobility each time that they are in for an examination, but if you have any concerns, please bring them to our attention. Most of all, let’s keep a spring in your pet’s step!