Monthly Newsletter February 2015
(970) 206 206--1868
info@friendshipfoco.com
We’re All Ears! Our pets’ ears come in many shapes and sizes. Their commonality is that they all can get itchy, red, and infected. It is important for you to know some ear basics and to monitor your pets’ ears once a week to ensure they are healthy and comfortable! Checking them out: In a comfortable location for your pet, fold back each ear and look into the canal. They should be pale pink in color, have no debris, minimal to no earwax and no odor. Signs of ear problems that should be attended to by your Friendship Hospital Veterinarian include: persistent scratching/pawing of the ear area, sensitivity to touch, head tilting or shaking, loss of balance and disorientation, redness or swelling, discharge or dark debris accumulation, bleeding or hearing loss. Depending on the condition, ear problems can be caused by a myriad of factors. Known as otitis (externa, media and interna depending on the location affected), topical and inhaled allergens can cause inflammation and infection. Other causes of otitis can be parasites like ear mites, foreign material (ie. plants), and bacteria and yeast infections.
In this issue: We’re All Ears! Learn all about your pets ears AAHA Moment: American Animal Hospital Association accreditation Staff Spotlight Client Care Provider Team Lead Community News Whiskers ‘n Wags Jubilee Coming up
During an examination by your veterinarian an otoscope will be used to view the canals and possibly extract any foreign debris. A sample may be collected and looked at microscopically for bacteria and yeast—the most common ear irritants. Occasionally samples will need to be sent to a lab for further analysis. Having your veterinarian examine your animal is crucial. At home attempts to look deeply into an ear and/or get a sample can risk puncturing the ear drum and cause more lasting damage. This is especially true for dogs as their ear canals have an “L” shape and can be very sensitive. The structures of a dog’s middle and inner ear (behind the ear drum) contain nerves for hearing, balance and facial movement. Depending on the condition, your doctor may prescribe a topical and/or oral medication to resolve the issues. When applying topical medication or using a cleaning solution provided by the doctor, it is important not to place Q-tips or other instruments in the ears. Rather, you should squeeze the instructed amount of solution/medication into the recommended ear(s) then lift the ear flap and massage at the base of the ear—where the ear meets the head. Try to stop your pet from shaking his/her head for a few moments to allow the liquid to seep down into the canal. If cleaning the ears use cotton balls to gently wipe the material out of the visible portion of the ear only. Your pet may then shake the head to dislodge excess debris. If medicating, apply the medication after cleaning. The Friendship Hospital team will happily demonstrate how to properly clean and administer topical ear medications.
March makes us focus on Pet Nutrition and Urinary trouble
Information from “Ear ye, ear ye, otitis is common in dogs.” Colorado State University. Pendergraft, J.S., Web. 16 Jan. 2015.
AAHA Moment: American Animal Hospital A s s o c i a t i o n a c c re d i t a t i o n
Employee Spotlight Meet Client Care Provider Team Lead, Amy Holcomb! Hello, my name is Amy! I graduated from Colorado State University in 2005 with a B.S. in Equine Sciences. I have grown up with a passion for veterinary medicine and am grateful for the opportunity to follow my dreams of working in the field. I love getting to know clients and their pets! I have 2 dogs, Lucy a heeler mix and Mason a mini dachshund, as well as a herd of mules & donkeys. In my spare time you can find me at AKC dog shows with Mason or on the archery range with my husband and our compound bows.
We have all had AHA! moments which make us feel great. You should feel great knowing that Friendship Hospital for Animals is an accredited AAHA Hospital! The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is “the leader in developing benchmarks of excellence, business practice standards, informative publications and education programs” in the veterinary field. While AAHA accreditation is voluntary, hospitals who receive its rigorous acknowledgement must enact, promote and uphold approximately 900 best-practice veterinary standards. These stringent
standards are re-evaluated every three years to ensure compliance and that practices are keeping up-to-date on changes in the industry. AAHA practices have raised the bar for the veterinary industry and only 12% of veterinary practices in North America hold the prestigious designation.
Providing excellence in pet care while strengthening the human-animal bond.
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What does AAHA accreditation mean for you? While AAHA is recognized around the world, its headquarters are just down the road from Friendship in Denver, Colorado. This means that staff can receive a wealth of knowledge and training at the drop of a hat. You and your pet(s) are then the recipient of this knowledgeable care. Because AAHA standards set our practice apart from others, it means that we work hard to create, implement and ensure the best protocols are being used on your pets. More stringent requirements of us makes for better health care for your pets.
Community News & Events:
AAHA requires accredited hospitals to follow standards on a range of services from patient care in anesthesia, contagious disease, dentistry, safety and drug regulations and even client education. Being AAHA accredited means that the Friendship team enjoys comprehensive on-going training and education. As AAHA is committed to excellence, our team from the Doctors and technicians to the client care providers you speak with on the phone, remain up-to-date on the latest and greatest techniques and information to help you and your pet!
March 28, 2015: Whiskers ‘N Wags Jubilee the “Meowsquerade Ball”. Event by Fort Collins Cat Rescue. Sponsored by Friendship Hospital for Animals
Information from AAHA: T.he Standard for Veterinary Excellence. Website: n.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2015.
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