What's Happening at PAAH!

2009 went out with a bang and 2010 has started out as a very busy year for the doctors and staff! We are so incredibly thankful to our awesome clients and their pets, and to our rescues for their continued support.

We hit the ground running in January and as we wind down the month, I thought I'd take a moment to update the blog and share what's going on around the office.

North American Veterinary Conference

Doctor John, Doctor Rick, and most of the staff attended many educational seminars at the North American Veterinary Conference in January. NAVC is the largest veterinary conference in the world and we all are so blessed that it takes place right in our back yard. Over sixteen thousand veterinary professionals - Vets, techs, administrative and support staff - from over 70 countries, converge on Orlando every January for a wide variety of beneficial continuing education experiences. Over the next few weeks, we will be compiling all of the information we gained, and will be implementing ways to apply this new knowledge to the entire clinic.

A Walk on the Wild Side

Park Avenue Animal Hospital was presented with another bald eagle from the Avian Reconditioning Center!  This HUGE (8.8lbs!) young female, nicknamed Gator Gal, suffered a wing fracture which has healed.  She is partially flight-capable but will need the assistance of ARC's Master Falconer, Scott McCorkle, to learn how to fly the way a bald eagle should.  In an effort to study the way rehabilitation affects birds, Gator Gal came to Park Avenue Animal Hospital for an initial evaluation, x-rays and bloodwork.  Thankfully, she's in excellent health! We'll be excited to track her progress as she starts her training.

Like Isaiah, who we've blogged about before, Gator is an immature bald eagle.  She is almost completely brown, with a black beak, and doesn't look much like a bald eagle at all at this point. It will take her 4-5 years and several moltings to lose all of her brown feathers and gain her trademark white head and tail.  With the care and knowledge of Avian Reconditioning Center and Park Avenue Animal Hospital backing up this special girl, she'll be soaring freelong before that process starts.

Social Networking

Along with this blog, Park Avenue Animal Hospital is involved in other avenues of social networking. Our Facebook Fan-page has over 100 fans already, and our Twitter followers are nearing the 60 mark. As we venture forward in this highly technical age we are always on the lookout for the most interesting, innovative, and informative ways to interact with our friends, family, and our clients. If you have a suggestion for a new portal for social networking, or a topic you’d like to see covered in our blog, contact us! We’re available by e-mail and by phone and we can always spare a few minutes for constructive ideas.

New Products

Animal Pharmaceuticals has introduced a new member to their family of pet cleaning products – Pearlybrite! This new shampoo is geared towards white dogs, whose coats are notoriously difficult to keep clean-looking. Pearlybrite is a soap-free shampoo, which makes it safe for use with most topical flea products. It uses Animal Pharmaceuticals’ patented “pharmasome” technology, which helps to enhance the effect of the nutrient-rich shampoo, leaving your pet’s coat whiter, brighter, and softer than ever! The sweet cherry-blossom scent leaves your pet smelling fresh and clean long after bath time is over. Park Avenue Animal Hospital carries a wide variety of pet shampoos and rinses for all different skin situations and all should be used with the guidance of a veterinarian. Talk to Dr. Rick or Dr. John for a personalized recommendation on washing your pet!

ComfyCone Elizabethan Collars!

Many pet owners ask the same question when their pet requires surgery:  "Will my pet need to wear a cone?"  The 'Cone' in question is called an Elizabethan Collar, or E-Collar, and it has been beneficial in protecting pets from self-destruction for years.  Not every pet needs it post-operatively, but those who need it usually need it for days or weeks on end to protect wounds or incisions from being damaged by chewing or scratching.   It has a lot of negativity surrounding it, though, and for good reason.  Anyone who's ever had a pet who's had to use an E-Collar knows what a nightmare it can be.  Pets don't like it - it obstructs their field of view and their depth perception.  They bang into walls, corners, furniture, and worst of all - humans!  Owners flinch and groan at the sight of seeing their pet stress over wearing the "Cone of Shame", the "Sattelite Dish", unable to explain why life has to be that way.  Park Avenue Animal Hospital hopes to remedy the "cone" issue - Here comes the Comfy Cone!

The Comfy Cone, by All Four Paws, is a soft-yet-sturdy E-Collar  made of nylon and foam - no more hard plastic with sharp edges!  The soft construction bends and yields to your pet's position and can be folded or bent back at mealtimes or when it's time to check a wound.  The velcro enclosure makes putting the Comfy Cone on easier than ever, and the strong elastic loops mean your pet can wear his or her own collar for security.  The Comfy Cone E-Collar is available at Park Avenue Animal Hospital now!

Coming Soon…

Pet Odor Eliminating Candles & Room Sprays!

Fresh scents combine with powerful odor eliminating enzymes in an affordable selection of candles, room sprays, and car fresheners and they’re coming to Park Avenue Animal Hospital in February! Seasonal ‘flavors’ such as Creamy Vanilla, Lavender with Chamomile, Fresh Linen, and Apple Pie will be available throughout the year. Watch the blog, subscribe to the newsletter, or come in and see (smell?) for yourself!

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