Congratulations, Dr. Molly Angel!

Please join us in offering a heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Molly Angel who is now participating in a residency program to obtain board certification as a veterinary dental specialist. 

Since establishing the Goodison Veterinary Center in 1996 as a labor of love undertaken with her husband, veterinarian Dr. Doug Angel, Dr. Molly has found a niche within the field of veterinary dentistry.  Her passion for canine and feline dental health and phenomenal skill within this field have earned her the affectionate nickname of "Tooth Fairy" amongst both staff and clients alike.  As a resident, Dr. Molly is on the cutting-edge of the most current veterinary dental care options, both medical and surgical.  Her knowledge and skill are supported by invaluable technology including digital dental radiography and specialized instrumentation allowing for a variety of procedures.  These range from routine prophylaxis (comprehensive oral examination, scaling, polishing, and fluoride application) and extractions to advanced dental procedures such as root canals, crowns, oronasal fistula treatment, jaw fracture management, and complicated oral surgeries.  She welcomes difficult cases and is pleased to provide second opinions, so don't hesitate to seek out her expert advice.  Please call to schedule an appointment at 248.650.5900 or visit our dental health page to learn more!

Immiticide for Treatment of Heartworms in Dogs Not Available So PLEASE Remember to Give Heartworm Preventative Monthly All Year Round!

The doctors here at the Goodison Veterinary Center want to remind you to continue your pet's monthly heartworm preventative once monthly all year round.  This recommendation is backed by the American Heartworm Society, an independent organization dedicated to leading the veterinary profession and the public in the understanding of heartworm disease.  Their latest research continues to confirm that warm weather seasonal use of heartworm preventative is no longer enough!

In Michigan, our variable weather means that we occasionally have warm fall and winter days when mosquitoes are active.  It can also take a while for any mosquitoes trapped in the house to die off, so threats can remain both indoors and out.  Remember, it only takes one single bite from one single mosquito to transmit potentially fatal heartworms to your pet. 

Furthermore, the treatment for heartworm disease in dogs is to use an arsenic type drug called Immiticide to kill the adult heartworms.  Immiticide is the only drug approved by the FDA for this purpose but it is currently NOT available.  This means that treating your dog will be much more difficult, should he or she become heartworm positive.  Prevention is a MUCH better option.

An added benefit of using these products year round is that many heartworm preventatives also protect against a range of intestinal parasites.  These can be acquired from exposure to droppings from other pets or wild animals, hunting/eating wild animals, by licking grass, dirt, or snow, or even by brief contact with contaminated areas.  They are present throughout the year and have the potential to be transmitted to humans.  Please protect yourselves and your pets with year round use of preventive medication.

These products are greater than 99% effective at preventing heartworm disease when used as directed.  They are also safe and easy to use.  We routinely stock Heartgard Plus, Interceptor, and Revolution and would be happy to discuss them with you.  Remember, this fatal disease is preventable!

For more information, check out our pet education articles on heartworm disease and intestinal parasites or call our office today.

Home Again Microchips Now Available

We always strive to provide the best for our patients and after due consideration, we've decided to make the switch to Home Again microchips.  With many of our clients pursuing international travel and/or relocation, we wanted to be able to offer a microchip that is readable here in the United States and abroad as well. In addition, Home Again is not simply a microchip and microchip database.  While it does provide a Pet Recovery Database and access to Lost Pet Specialists, membership in the Home Again service also gives owners access to Rapid Lost Pet Alerts, a 24/7 Pet Emergency Hotline, and Pet Travel Assistance for recovered pets.  Their service is unbeatable!

We do recommend microchipping for those who desire permanent identification for their pet.  This can be beneficial in reuniting you with your pet in the unfortunate event that he or she is lost or stolen and can also be used to prove positive ownership if it should ever come into question.  Some states even require microchipping of aggressive or dangerous animals.  Officials can then keep track of repeated negative incidents associated with a particular pet to better protect the public. 

Microchipping is a safe and effective way of achieving all of these goals.  The microchip is a tiny metal object about the size of a grain of rice that can be easily implanted under the skin with a needle.  Most of the time this can be performed without the need for sedation and with minimal discomfort.  The metal in the chip is inert (inactive) and there are no anticipated side effects from chip placement.  After the chip is implanted, we'll give you a demonstration on how it works and are happy to answer questions at any time. 

Overall, microchipping can be extraordinarily beneficial – it not only provides good peace of mind, but may someday reunite you with your pet or even save his or her life. For details on the Home Again microchip and Home Again membership, please call the Goodison Veterinary Center at 248.650.5900 or visit homeagain.com.

Rescue Partnerships

Here at the Goodison Veterinary Center, we believe that all pets should find their "forever home", a place where they can be safe and healthy in a loving environment.  In an effort to support this initiative, we've partnered with several local rescue organizations, including groups such as K-9 Stray Rescue League and Heavenly Paws.  We wish them the best on our mutual quest to help our furry friends and hope that you'll consider adopting your next pet, as homes are always needed!

Holiday and Winter Weather Safety Tips

The holiday season has arrived!  Though often a joyful time of year, it can be easy to get busy and overlook some important family members – our pets!  In an effort to keep them healthy and safe this holiday season and all winter long, here are a few tips:

Cold Weather Concerns – Brrr!

Keep your pet warm and out of the cold.  This means keeping him or her indoors when possible.  If it is not feasible to do so, provide adequate shelter and bedding.  Remember that keeping warm takes extra energy so consider providing supplemental food or switching to a “high-pro” diet as necessary.  In addition, be sure that a water source is always available and that it remains unfrozen (heated bowls, heaters, or water fountains are all good options, if needed).

Use a jacket, sweater, and/or booties for your pet if he or she has short/fine hair or is cold sensitive.

When snow is abundant, clear a path for your pet so that he/she can safely get outside to go to the bathroom.

Use pet-safe ice melting products.  If you walk your dog in an area where salt has been spread, wash his or her feet when you get home as the salt can be irritating to the paw pads or cause stomach upset if licked off.

Use caution while walking in areas where ice is present.  The edges of broken ice can be very sharp and lead to cut paw pads and other foot injuries.  Rough/active play on slippery surfaces should be discouraged due to risk of injury.

Make sure the snow is not drifting along fences such that your pet can climb up it and over the fence.

Confirm that your pet has up-to-date identification tags and/or is microchipped so he or she can be rapidly returned to you if lost (especially important in cold weather).

When walking your dog in the snow, check his or her feet for snow clumps between the toes.  They can be painful and lead to frostbite so remove them promptly if noted.  It may also help to keep hair on the toes trimmed short.  Paw butter treatments at our Pet Spa may help repel moisture, and if your pet is especially sensitive, he or she may appreciate wearing protective booties on winter walks.

Keep plenty of blankets and fresh bottled water on hand to be used in the event of power outage.

Don’t run low on essentials—stock up on pet food and medication as winter travel can prove hazardous or impossible.

Make arrangements for alternate care of your pet (e.g. friend, family member, or neighbor) in case you get stranded away from home.

If you travel with your pet, consider carrying a winter survival kit consisting of pet food, pet medication, bottled water, pet bowls, extra blankets and towels, a leash or pet carrier, first aid kit, etc.

Seek prompt veterinary attention when necessary because bad weather may limit your ability to travel, allowing a problem to become more serious as time passes.

Use only pet-safe anti-freeze.  Most other typical anti-freeze products consist of ethylene glycol and even a couple of licks of anti-freeze from a tiny spill in the garage or driveway can lead to kidney failure and death in both cats and dogs.

Lastly, if you leave your car in an area potentially accessible to animals, keep in mind that roaming cats and other animals (e.g. wildlife) may climb into vehicle engine areas for warmth during cold weather.  Consider knocking on the hood of your car or honking your horn before starting the car to startle any unsuspecting creatures (engine injuries can be fatal). 

Harmful Holiday Decorations

Pet-proof your house for the holidays.  Make sure all tempting ornaments and other decorative objects are kept out of reach of pets.  For cats, this particularly includes tinsel, ribbon, and other string-like material.  If ingested, these commonly cause life-threatening intestinal damage requiring emergency surgery.  Ingestion of other ornaments and related decorations can cause choking, mouth and throat damage, intestinal obstruction, and more, so please prevent problems before they can start.

Prevent access to electrical cords and do not hang lights that dangle like toys.  Potentially fatal electrical shocks and burns are a risk for pets that like to chew or vigorously play with them.

Lighted candles should never be left unattended.

Be sure the Christmas tree is stable and secure in its tree stand.  Cats that climb and dogs with happily wagging tails have been known to knock trees over resulting in human and/or animal injury, as well as damage to personal property.

Do not add chemicals/preservatives to water for your Christmas tree because many pets will drink the water in the tree stand.

Limit pine needle ingestion which may lead to stomach upset and trauma to the gastrointestinal system if the needles are extremely sharp.

Other miscellaneous items are also potentially hazardous:  poinsettia plants, angel hair (spun glass), snow sprays/artificial snow, holly berries and leaves, liquid potpourri, mistletoe, and more!  If your pet should ingest anything, please contact a veterinarian immediately.  Prompt medical treatment can mean the difference between life and death with some of these poisonous substances.

Hazardous Holiday Treats

In addition to the above-mentioned toxic substances, some common food items can be dangerous also:  chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins and grapes, onion, garlic, rhubarb, and yeast dough.  Please do not allow your pet to have access to them and seek veterinary assistance immediately if ingestion occurs.

Fatty foods (e.g. turkey carcasses, dark meat, pan drippings, etc.) are another serious concern because fat ingestion can lead to pancreatitis.  This is a condition in which the pancreas, or digestive organ, becomes inflamed, irritated, and potentially infected.  It then secretes too many digestive enzymes and essentially starts to digest itself and the surrounding stomach, intestines, and liver.  This leads to signs of illness like depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Serious complications can then follow and pancreatitis can even be fatal. 

Ingesting bones and other sharp or awkwardly shaped food items can be problematic and may lead to choking, damage to the throat/stomach/intestines, intestinal obstruction, and so on.

Please be sure that your pet does not have access to discarded food items.  Not only could he or she get sick from eating the food, but often other trash items are ingested in the process and this can cause even more problems.  Furthermore, if food has become rotten, food poisoning is also a threat.

Consider confining your pet during holiday gatherings when he or she may have greater access to these things (dropped food, food left out unattended, feeding by uninformed guests, etc.).

In addition, although it may be tempting to allow your pet to sample some of your best home-cooked creations, do keep in mind that even foods generally regarded as non-toxic can cause problems.  Some pets are simply unable to tolerate “people food” and even small nibbles of very basic foods can lead to profound stomach upset and illness.

Seasonal Visitors and Soothing Stress

The holiday season is a busy time of year for many shelters due to pets that have gotten lost away from home.  Therefore, use caution if there is plentiful traffic coming in and out of the house (your pet could wander outside).  It may be best to confine him or her to a separate area of the house until things quiet down.  Also be sure all pets have some form of identification (collar with tag or microchip) so that he or she can be traced back to you, if needed.

If your pet is easily excited/stressed by having visitors, provide him or her with a quiet, secure place as a retreat.  You may even wish to confine your pet to that area before things get into full swing.  Or, if you have a friend, family member, or kennel where your pet would feel more comfortable, perhaps it would be beneficial to make alternate arrangements so that he or she has another place to stay for the duration of the party.

This is also recommended for pets that have aggressive tendencies or react fearfully to strangers as this could be dangerous for your guests.

Some pets are social butterflies – this is wonderful, but do make sure that he or she doesn’t “over-do-it”.  This is mainly an issue for older, arthritic pets.

As a gracious host or hostess, also consider the comfort of your guests – everyone can appreciate a clean, well-behaved pet.  Is it time for a trip to the Pet Spa or would you like a recommendation for a good trainer?  If so, please contact us and we would be happy to assist you with those matters.

We would also be pleased to address any other concerns you may have so that we can help to make your holiday season and the winter weather as enjoyable as possible!  Please don’t hesitate to contacts us.

We wish you and your pet much health and happiness!