Cover image by Ozzy Trevino Photography
At Baptist Health, we understand how busy you are. But taking a few minutes each day to care for yourself can pay off. Here are some tips that could help to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. If you do drink, limit yourself to one alcoholic drink per day.
If you are 40 or older, schedule your annual mammogram. You may need to get screened earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors.
If you notice a lump or other change in your breasts, talk to your doctor.
Baptist Health has seven screening locations, including one at Baptist Medical Center South. To schedule your mammogram, please call 904.202.2222 or visit baptistjax.com/3Dmammo
Publisher & Creative Director Debbie Gaylord debbie@stjohnsmag.com 904-687-8538
Ozzy Trevino
Ozzy Trevino Photography
Dr. Jason Lewis, DDS, FAGD Bartram Dental Center
Pets/Partner Dr. Deckard Pets R Family
Food Blogger/Partner Lori Allen @MywanderingFork
To Adverttise contact: Eric Wolf eric@stjohnsmag.com 904-567-7401
St. Johns Magazine is dedicated to covering the topics readers care about - from hometown stories and community spotlighs to food, health & business. St. Johns Magazine is designed to engage readers and inspire them to enjoy the good life in Northern St. Johns!
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©St. Johns Magazine LLC. St. Johns Magazine is published monthly and distributed by US postal Service to select homes in Northern St. Johns. It is free of charge to consumers receiving it in the mail. It is also availalble at many drop points in Northern St. Johns. All material is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and published without responsibility for errors and ommissions.
RIVER STONEWORK
Please enjoy our October issue featuring River Stonework, a locally owned company specializing in creating beautiful outdoor spaces where family and friends can relax and enjoy the good life in Northern St. Johns. Come see some of their work and meet the owners Phill & Rafaela Raposo.
Women's Health: Making Time for Connections 20 by Diana Brummer, Good Mental Health
Life Saving Procedures for Rip the Puppy 31 by Dr. Kathleen Deckard, Pets R Family
The Best Deductions for Freelancers 24 by Tammy Long, Elevated CPA
Artist Profiles: Nancy Hamlin-Vogler 14 & Martha Ferfuson 22
Calendar: Special Arts Calendar 16 October Fun Guide 17
Northern St. Johns including Durbin, Aberdeen, CR210 West, Julington, Nocatee & more!
NOVEMBER 2022
Deadline: October 20, 2022
Painting by Nancy Hamlin- Vogler
There is an artistry to well-designed stonework and this is clear when you lay your eyes on a project from River Stonework. Owners Phill and Rafaela Raposo specialize in creating beautiful outdoor spaces where family and friends can relax and enjoy the good life in Northern St. Johns. River Stonework will transform your backyard space with a gorgeous paver patio, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or stunning pergola with harmony, quality, and a unique aesthetic.
The couple brings warmth and passion to their work and is truly living the American dream. Phill and Rafaela are both originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil known for friendly people, beautiful beaches, and a culture of celebration. They met in college in California, fell in love, and started a successful stone business in San Diego in 2007. In 2015, they relocated to Miami Florida but their love of nature brought them north to St. Johns. Today, the family, including their 10-year-old son, lives in Rivertown in northern St. Johns, where they enjoy the sense of community, natural setting, and great schools.
Phill loves what he does as it incorporates his passion for beauty and his philosophy of enjoying life. He says his own family spends as much time as possible outside enjoying the fresh air, cooking, dining, and entertaining friends. He believes being outside offers a kind of positive cultural shift, and is a game changer for people, especially if they have come from northern climates.
The couple travels all over the world for inspiration for their work in places like Brazil, Italy, Spain, and France, integrating foreign design trends they find into what they bring to people’s homes here.
Rafaela has a masterful eye for design. Her father was an engineer and she later worked in the stone business for many years, having worked on thousands of diverse projects.
Transforming your backyard into a perfect space for family & friends to celebrate life!
“We begin with an empty space and a dream”, says Phill when describing their process. Then Rafaela comes in to show homeowners the possibilities of what they can do with that space. A 3-D digital model is created to help visualize how the design will look in a particular backyard.
Installation is completed by River Stonework’s own crew, many of whom are bi or tri-lingual immigrants who value what it means to have the opportunity for success here. Many have come from humble beginnings and challenging situations, and as a result, they have a strong passion and determination. This philosophy is the cornerstone of their business model.
“America was built on an immigrant mentality. It is not just a country but an idea. When you embrace the culture, learn the language, respect the values and principles, you become American.”
Each completed project is a unique work of art. Phill says that many factors come into play to please his customers, not only the work itself but the ability to communicate, to pay attention to small details, a sense of morals, high integrity, and hard work. “If you do that and go above and beyond every day, that is what it takes”.
River Stonework is also a full-service company, that will take you from design to installation, to the finishing touches all under one roof so that homeowners do not have to worry about what they may need after the installation such as a screen enclosure or a beautiful pergola.
The company has recently expanded its business model to include offices in Daytona, Palm Coast, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota where they are helping others to live the American dream.
At the end of a week of work, you can find Phill and Rafaela relaxing with friends in their own backyard oasis under the stars, visiting the beach, or having drinks and dinner in beautiful St. Augustine.
Don Haneline Ins Agency Inc Don Haneline, Agent 196 Everest Lane Suite 3 Saint Johns, FL 32259
Bus: 904-615-1415
Don Haneline Ins Agency Inc Don Haneline, Agent 196 Everest Lane Suite 3 Saint Johns, FL 32259 Bus: 904-615-1415
I can help you bundle your home and auto insurance, at a rate that may surprise you. Call me for a quote today.
I can help you bundle your home and auto insurance, at a rate that may surprise you. Call me for a quote today.
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Individual premiums and budgets will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements. Availability and amount of discounts and savings vary by state.
Individual premiums and budgets will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements. Availability and amount of discounts and savings vary by state.
34 of Nancy's paintings are on exhibit currently at Swimming in the Infinite: Art in Public Spaces exhibition at the St. Johns County Administration Building runs through Nov 15, open weekdays 8:30-5:00.
“I approach my work through observation and intuition, taking inspiration from fortuitous discoveries, my backyard studio, and worldwide backpacking travels.”
Adiverse two-dimensional artist, Nancy Hamlin-Vogler’s passion for contemporary art is evident in her mixed media works on paper, rendering still life, studio ephemera, landscape and figurative subjects in her signature painterly, gestural and abstracted style. Nancy’s favorite materials include drawing implements, acrylic and oil paints, charcoal, pastels, pasted rice paper and recycled silkscreened paper elements. Her works are featured in juried art shows as well as in regional invitational exhibitions. She has won numerous awards, most recently a 2020 Individual Art Ventures grant from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, to reinterpret the still life genre in a new series of work, called the Backyard Studio Kitchen.
“My greeting cards inspire thoughtful communication.”
After finishing graduate school with an M.A. in French Literature, Nancy developed an infatuation with the silkscreen printing process, designed a line of colorful greeting cards, and formed Eastern Sun Printworks. Thirty-five years and five “Louie Finalist” awards later, her iconic card images, featuring suns and moons on blended background mindscapes, are still carried in stores nationwide and sought after by card aficionados. Recently, her greeting cards have been converted to digital format and are professionally printed with archival pigmented inks. Her entire card line and artwork is available at Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, St. Augustine, FL.
904 829-1952 - Studio visits by appointment
espcards@bellsouth.net
www.easternsunprintworks.com
www.nancyhamlinvogler.com
Picnic at the Beach Mixed acrylic, pastel on board 32x24”
acrylic, pastel on canvas, framed 42x32”
Immerse yourself in the world of Vincent Van Gogh like you've never experienced before. Beyond Van Gogh is a rich and unique multimedia experience, taking the viewer on a journey through over 300 iconic artworks including instantly-recognizable classics "The Starry Night", "Sunflowers", and "Cafe Terrace at Night", now freed from their frames. Set to a symphonic score and using the artist's own dreams, thoughts, and words to drive the experience as a narrative, Van Gogh's art comes to life by appearing and disappearing, flowing across multiple surfaces and heightening the senses with their immense detail. The Immersive Experience is located at Immersive Art Space: 712 N Hogan St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. www.vangoghjacksonville. com/
Valarie lives in St. Augustine where she is an active painter and creator. Her work has been shown at a number of galleries both locally, in North Florida, and in Canada. Admission is free. 214
The First Wednesday of Each Month from 5-9 p.m.. Downtown Vision welcomes people to celebrate the community’s deep pool of creative talent. Explore three major hubs: James Weldon Johnson Park, The Jessie (duPont Center) and Vagabond Flea at The Breezeway at Vystar Tower, and all the businesses and public art between. Rain or shine.
Emerging and professional photographers are showcased in this annual exhibit by the St. Augustine Camera Club. The St. Augustine Camera Club Members Show is on display in-gallery. Admission is free and gallery hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 1-4 p.m. www. staaa.org
Touch the artwork, please! October is National Sensory Processing Awareness Month and the St. Augustine Art Association is once again hosting the Tactile exhibit with the Florida DeafBlind Association and Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. The annual Tactile Art Show turns the tables on museum etiquette and creates a fun and interactive opportunity for visitors to experience art in a unique way. Visually appealing but also engaging for the blind and visually impaired, the art in this exhibit includes sculptures, assemblages, ceramics, fiber, and other media. Feel the exhibit for yourself Tuesday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. 22 Marine St., St. Augustine www. staaa.org
A cool vibe Artisan’s Market featuring local art, trinkets, coffee, music, aromatherapy and more! Free Parking Available. Come and get your Sunday groove on! First Look, The Artisan's Market is located across from the Old Jail at 162 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. www.firstlookartisans.
com
From 5 to 9 pm. Every third Thursday of the month at Beaches Town Center-where Atlantic Blvd meets the Ocean. What was once a small pool of carefully selected artists has now become a bubbling ocean of art, a place where woodworkers comingle with mixed media designers and musicians play into the night. The event is free. Talent from all over Jacksonville with over 50+ participating artists. https://www. nbaw.org/
The St. Johns Cultural Council presents an Art in Public Spaces exhibition featuring the contemporary mixed-media paintings of St. Augustine artist Nancy Hamlin-Vogler. Free and appropriate for all ages. The Rotunda Gallery is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on public holidays. St. Johns County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine. 904-808-7330
www.historiccoastculture.com
Charlotte St., St. Augustine www. pastagalleryart.comJoin Art Galleries of St. Augustine the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m. for new exhibits, refreshments, and live music at many participating galleries.904-824-2310
Celebrate the cultural and historical importance of Greek influence in the nation’s oldest city with traditional Greek music, folk dance, and delicious cuisine.
Admission is free. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2940 C.R. 214, St. Augustine. www. staugustinegreekfestival.com
From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This FREE event will be held outside of the IMAX Theater with vendors, music, kid-friendly activities and more! World Golf Hall of Fame, 1 World Golf Pl., St. Augustine www. jacksonvillebusinessconnections. com/events/4th-annual-halloweenbash-1
Live music, award-winning BBQ, craft beer, vendors, kids’ rides, and moreAt the Francis Field. West Castillo Drive, between U.S. 1 and South Castillo Drive (A1A). For hours & details visit www. rhythmandribs.net
7 pm -Presented by Tale Tellers of St. Augustine. Spooky Story Open Mike Sign Up: 6:30 PM, 5-minute limit. Costumes encouraged. Bring Chairs or Blankets for Seating.Chris Kastle, Drew Sappington & Rose VanderBerg. Outside in the Ocean Breezes at St. Augustine Beach, Art Studio and Gallery; 370 A1A Beach Boulevard, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080/ FREE; Donations appreciated. 904-377-7063 or https://www.taletellers.org/
Join us as the skies and waterwaysThis FREE event will feature a dynamic over-the-ocean sky show highlighted by the worldfamous United States Navy Blue Angels along with other military and civilian flight teams and more.
A wide variety of selections including the freshest locally grown produce and herbs as well as homemade jams, jellies, homebaked goods, hand-stitched quilts, plants, art, and pottery items. Nocatee Station Field, 400 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra. www. facebook.com/NocateeLiving
Feel the small-town beach vibe at the first annual Vilano Beach
Music Festival. Mallory Jen, Amy Hendricksons, Mad Dog Mama, and Duffy Bishop Band. The finest food truck vendors from BBQ to Seafood and everything in between! North Shores Park from 1-7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$50. 120 Meadow Ave., St. Augustine. 904-540-0402 www. vilanobeachfl.com/events
St. Augustine welcomes all to celebrate with free music, costumed events, and spinechilling storytelling. 4-day citywide festival celebrating 5 centuries of St. Augustine's historic fashion and folklore. Pick a century of fashion to "get dressed and get
seen". Roam the historic streets while professional photographers take photos. Attend costumed events to join like-fashioned others in a festive affair. Our Music and Moonlight programming offers free outdoor concerts at the city's Gazebo throughout the weekend. Various costumed events will feature the fashions of past centuries - the Gilded Era, Rococo Style, 1920s, & Steampunk. And don't forget the pirates! Professional storytellers and pop-up poets, haunted tales of the past. Tableaux actors will roam the streets recreating famous faces of St. Augustine's past- Ponce De Leon, Thomas Edison, Ernest Hemingway and more. Take a haunted horse carriage ride. For details www.artandlifein3d.com/ ghostsofstaugustinespast
Didyou know there are more golf courses in Florida than any other state in the country? In St. Johns County, golfers have more than a dozen to choose from, including four near County Road 210 alone. Add in the PGA TOUR headquarters located in Ponte Vedra Beach and the iconic THE PLAYERS Championship hosted every spring at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, and golf continues to be an integral element of our community’s identity.
A part of golf’s attraction is the physical fitness benefit. As such, we’re launching a new class at the YMCA at Flagler Health+ Village called Tee It Up. The class begins
in early November and will consist of two, 45-minute sessions every week for six weeks. Instructor Mary Airheart will guide participants through an exercise plan consisting of conditioning, range of motion, and gravity yoga. The main body focus areas will be shoulders, back, and hips. If you’d like to sign-up for the class or want more information, contact the YMCA at Flagler Health+ Village at 904.500.9622.
YMCA group exercise classes and programs have helped numerous members get back into the swing of things on the golf course. Mark Ferry signed up for the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program, which is open to all cancer survivors.
After beating kidney cancer, Mark wanted to improve his mobility and regain some of the strength he had lost while recovering from surgery.
“It was at the point where, by the 14th or 15th hole, I'd be exhausted. I would limp in,” Mark recalled. “Now, I can fly through 18 holes. We play 22, 23 holes and I'm not even tired.”
In addition to providing fitness classes, the First Coast YMCA maintains a special relationship with golf through various tournaments. The Constellation FURYK
& FRIENDS presented by Circle K golf tournament at Timuquana Country Club brings together the best professional golfers on the Champions Tour. The annual event, which is hosted by former U.S. Open champion and local resident Jim Furyk and his wife Tabitha, raises critical support for several area charities, including the First Coast YMCA.
The Monday after that tournament, local YMCA supporters come together at the Ocean Course at The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club for the 6th annual Drivers of Change Golf Invitational. Proceeds from the corporate event support youth development through the First Coast YMCA’s Tiger Academy Charter School and the Johnson Family YMCA Teen Program.
If you’d like to learn more about how the First Coast YMCA can get you closer to your golfing goals or how you can get more connected to the game, reach out to your local branch or visit us at www.fcymca.org.
Photo Courtesy of the YMCA
Fallis such a busy season. It marks the beginning of a new school year, the start of fall sports, and the building excitement for the holidays.
Compared to our long, lazy summer days filled with hanging out around the pool, the fall season brings tighter schedules, more responsibility, and less time for meaningful connection as we’re rushing to get to our next appointment.
As parents and partners, the most important investment we can make in our families is through open, calm, supportive communication. Instead of the hurried “how was your day?” barked as we’re loading and unloading the car, we can choose to become more deliberate with our words, our interactions, and the environment we create to support communication within our families.
In the same way that spouses and partners need dedicated time to talk with each other and connect, our children need that time with us as well. Securely attached, healthfully connected parents aim to be the emotional support their children need.
WALK THE DOG TOGETHER, OR JUST GO FOR A WALK, ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE. Walking side by side lessens feelings of confrontation. Make walking and chatting enjoyable, friendly, and fun. Go often enough, and at regular intervals, so that your child knows that even if they choose not to discuss a certain topic today, they will get another chance soon. By creating space for communication, we invite communication.
CELEBRATE THE END OF THE WEEK TOGETHER. Friday afternoons are a great time for all of us to decompress following a demanding work week. I like to call it Milkshake Friday. Choose your favorite ice cream spot, order your favorite treat, and enjoy together while debriefing about the week that just passed. We can all go out into the world and give it our best effort if we know that afterward we can also relax and recharge
with the people who love us best—just for being us.
SHARE SOME OF YOUR OWN VULNERABILITIES. As adults, we may think we need to have all the answers, all the time, to present as good leaders. In a family setting, authenticity is much more meaningful than leadership. Our children will imitate the behavior we model for them. It’s important to show them that emotional connection is important. Needing advice and support from the people you love and respect is part of the gift of being a member of a family. By leaning on our kids in age-appropriate ways, we will also teach them how to lean on us.
Good Mental Health, LLC is a counseling and coaching practice located in St. Johns, Florida, offering individual, couples, and family counseling to adolescents and adults. With sessions available face-to-face and online, we hope to provide the tools and skills necessary to heal past wounds, grow healthy relationships, and build stronger families. For more information find us online at GoodMentalHealthLLC.com.
In-person and virtual visits
Don’t delay important care — especially care for your heart. From routine heart care to care for the unexpected or complex heart conditions, count on the specialists at Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent’s Cardiology in St. Johns. Our care teams listen to understand you and deliver the care that’s right for you. And we’re conveniently located at I-95 and CR210. Call us today to discuss a care plan that works for you and ask if a virtual visit is an option.
Ascension Medical Group
St. Vincent’s Cardiology - St. Johns 300 Saint Elizabeth Way, Suite 110 St. Johns, FL 32259
Georgie Dibu, MD CardiologistTo schedule an appointment, call 904-299-0861
Martha’s inspiration comes from the familiar scenes that surround her. St Augustine has provided abundant subject matter, from the charming architecture to the interesting people she’s met along the way. Martha is drawn to the early morning or late afternoon light and the way it glistens through the quaint streets. “I want my paintings to be more than a likeness but an experience or a nostalgic feel. I can walk by the same scene many times and then all of a sudden there is a moment that tells a story. That's what I seek to capture, that's when the painting is successful.”
Martha was greatly influenced by Emmet Fritz, a legendary local artist. She received a B.A. in art from attending Flagler College and continued studies at the Art Student League in NYC and various workshops from master painters.
King Street St
9048296880
149 Cordova St
22 Marine Street St Augustine, Florida 32084 9048242310
BUTTERFIELD
137 King St St Augustine, Florida 32084 9048254577
“Painting is a journey that provides me with a yearning to learn, create and master my technique, while keeping my own sense of style.“
As2022 is starting to wind down, now is a good time for freelancers to start reviewing their income and expenses to see where your current net self-employment income stands.
Many times, common business expenses are overlooked, which could result in paying more in tax.
In order to qualify, business expenses need to be a necessary and ordinary cost of running your business. Personal expenses should not be included. Below is a list of common business expenses that Freelancers should be sure to include on their 2022 tax return.
☑ Home Office Expenses. If you have a dedicated office space within your home, you can deduct a portion of your mortgage/rent, insurance & utilities, or the simplified method of $5 per square foot (up to 300 square feet capped at $1,500)
☑ Internet and Telephone expenses
☑ Vehicle expenses such as depreciation, lease payments, gasoline, repairs etc. Be sure to track your mileage regularly!
☑ Advertising and marketing expenses such as website costs, newspaper advertisements, virtual advertising, and vehicle signage
☑ Supplies such as laptops, printers, scanners, monitors, paper, ink, etc
☑ Office Furniture
☑ Dues and subscriptions paid for professional/trade organizations
☑ Professional education related to requirements for licensure
☑ Legal and professional fees paid to attorneys, bookkeepers, CPA’s – be sure to issue 1099’s if required
☑ Health insurance premiums
☑ Business liability insurance premiums
☑ Retirement contributions to a traditional IRA, SEP IRA or Simple IRA
ALWAYS use a separate bank and credit card accounts for your business! It’s never a good idea to utilize your personal bank account for business transactions.
Be sure to keep excellent records. Estimating your expenses on your tax return is not a good idea as Schedule C filers run a higher risk of examination by the IRS. Hiring a tax professional is the best course of action to minimize your risk.
October is National Sensory Processing Awareness Month, and the St. Augustine Art Association is turning the tables on museum and gallery etiquette with the Tactile (touchable) Art Show, which makes the art enjoyable to not only sighted viewers, but engaging and interactive for those who are blind or visually impaired. The artists–which include Art Association members, DeafBlind artists, and students from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind–push the limits of conventional visual art to create sculptures, reliefs, mixed media, ceramics, and fiber art that can be enjoyed and experienced by everyone. Braille signage makes the work even more accessible. Artwork is for sale and benefits the artists and programs of the St. Augustine Art Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization. The Tactile Art Show is a partnership with the Florida DeafBlind Association, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB), and sponsored by Nissan of St. Augustine.
October 7th to 30th.
Photographs by emerging and professional photographers will be on display in the Art Association’s north and south galleries.
October 22
Students, ages 8-12, will make Halloween-inspired puppets, including hand and shadow puppets. They will learn the basics of puppet manipulation and construction, and use a wide range of materials in their creations.
On November 15, adults can practice their brushwork in the Get to Work painting workshop with instructor Souby Boski. Intermediate to advanced painters will stretch their creativity and strengthen their painting skills through experimentation, trial and error. Personal consultations with the instructor will help students cultivate their vision and realize their artistic ambitions.
For adults interested in art history, an evening with Edvard (Munch) and Vincent (Van Gogh). Attendees will enjoy flavors of Scandinavia and learn from local Norwegian artist Telise Rodelv about the similarities and admiration the two artists had for each other. Tickets can be purchased online at staaa. org.
Complete details and registration for these exhibits, workshops, and more can be found on the St. Augustine Art Association’s website, www.staaa.org. The gallery is open free to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 12 to 4pm, and located at 22 Marine Street in Historic Downtown St. Augustine.
Pets R Family is a full-service 11,000 square foot Veterinary Hospital nestled in a private and serene wildlife preserve. Family-owned and operated right here in St. John’s, we are NOT a corporate veterinary facility — no pre-designed packages or sales tactics here!
We believe in treating all pets with love, care, and compassion. Our large team of doctors, technicians, and customer service members are at your service to provide you with the very best care and experience.
• State-of-the-art medical facility
• Same-day appointments available for sick pets
• Home visits available by appointment
• Curbside or exam room visits available for your comfort and convenience
• Full pharmacy
• Premium veterinary-grade pet food sales
• Hospital boarding for pets with special needs
• Teeth cleanings
• Experienced team of compassionate doctors and veterinary technicians
• Pet birthday parties
• Long-term and short-term boarding care
• Professional grooming and bathing services
BEFORE & AFTER GROOM:
Masks are not mandatory at Pets R Family. Our entire facility is sanitized and air purified by the ActivePure® System.
Take advantage of 2-way texting, rewards, appointment scheduling, reminders, and more! Download the app to start earning rewards today!
practice owner,
behind-the-scenesa
of property with a lake nearby. During his stay he was found eating many things both on land and near the water. This added the potential for toxin ingestion or infectious parasites/viruses as possibilities.
one of our doctor’s dogs named Beu, which made him immediately feel better.
It’sa quiet Wednesday morning at the veterinary hospital. We have had our morning meeting to discuss plans for the day and had a great couple of hours with routine appointments. Suddenly Rip, a 13 week old German Shorthair puppy, was rushed into the back, limp and with pale gums, but was responsive. All staff got involved getting vitals as the doctors teamed up to decide what tests needed to be run and help stabilize him. Meanwhile, a technician rushed up front to collect a good history that hopefully would give some clues as to what could be wrong with the puppy.
Rip was obtained from a breeder and had been to a local vet for initial examination, deworming and vaccines. The puppy had been completely normal up until that day. The weekend prior, he had been in North Carolina where he was able to have the best time of his life on a big piece
A full panel of bloodwork was run which showed that he was profoundly anemic at 6% (normal is 35-50%). This was a number incompatible with life. The rest of the bloodwork was normal. The next list of things to rule out were a bleeding disorder, metal toxicity (such as lead ingestion), autoimmune problem, tick disease and intestinal parasites. Regardless of the cause, the degree of anemia meant that we needed to perform a life saving blood transfusion as soon as possible. After blood typing and a cross match, Rip received a generous donation of blood from
Subsequent tests that were done revealed no answers as to what was causing his problem. Several tests were sent to the lab that would be available in a few days. Rip felt well enough to go home that night and needed to return the following morning for a recheck. On Thursday morning, he needed another transfusion because his anemia was still a major problem.
After several more transfusions, a trip to the ER followed by a trip to an internal medicine doctor, Rip finally started to make his own red blood cells without destroying them. His tests revealed that he had an autoimmune problem that caused him to destroy his own red blood cells. He was prescribed immunosuppressant drugs to help his body fight the disorder and after 2 weeks, he was back to being a puppy again.
We don’t know exactly what caused his body to attack itself, however, we are very fortunate that his initial emergency treatment along with his ongoing treatments saved his life.
Rip’s treatments and close monitoring will be continued for a few months before he will be weaned off the medications and see how he does. Rip was one lucky dog to have such a loving family that was able to provide the best care to save his life. It is so rewarding for our team to be a part of Rip’s miraculous recovery.
