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We are excited to share with you another edition of our monthly newsletter. In this edition you will find information on Heartworms, Fleas, Intestinal Parasites, and one of our most successful & highly anticipated money saving offers!

One of the Perils of Living in a Swamp

Did you know that even if your pets are inside most of the day, they are still vulnerable to mosquito bites when they go out for potty breaks and walks? Mosquitos are most active at dusk and dawn and are stealthy at getting into homes without humans detecting their whereabouts. With each bite from a mosquito, your pet runs the risk of becoming infected with heartworms.

Heartworm disease is all too common, very serious and potentially fatal. The parasitic worms actually live in the animal’s heart and lungs. It is not unusual to have 30 or more worms living in the pet’s heart and lung area. Sadly, the symptoms often do not present themselves until the heartworm disease is advanced.

Dog’s symptoms include a mild but persistent cough, reduced appetite, weight loss, and fatigue after moderate exercise. Cats can also get heartworms. The symptoms for cats may be very nonspecific, including gagging,vomiting, rapid or difficulty breathing, weight loss and lethargy. We can run a simple in house blood test to diagnose whether your pets are positive for heart worms or not.

Florida and the entire southeast area is an extremely high-risk area for the spread of heartworms throughout the entire year. That is why it is imperative to keep pets current on their heartworm prevention every month. Animals are infected with heartworms from the bites of mosquitos. And unfortunately, Florida has mosquitos year round as it never gets cold enough to kill the pesky parasites.

Luckily, heartworms are easily prevented in both dogs and cats. We carry many forms of heartworm prevention to suit every pet’s needs. We have once-a-month pills, chews and topicals. We sell preventatives that are strictly for heartworms as well as products that are a combination of flea and heartworm prevention. There is not a product that prevents fleas, ticks and heartworms all at the same time – yet!

Just like human medicine, prevention is far less expensive than treatment. The pill can cost as little as $5.00 a month, per pet, depending on the pet’s weight and which product you choose. Without prevention, your pet’s susceptibility to heartworms is very high. This is why year-round prevention is an absolute must.

The other reason that it is important to be diligent with your pet’s heartworm prevention is that currently the medicine used to treat heartworms in dogs is not available from the manufacturer. We have no idea when the product will be available again. Therefore, we don’t have a a way to treat the disease in dogs. There still isn’t an approved method of heartworm treatment for cats.

Keeping your pets indoors is not an effective method of preventing heartworm disease. As mentioned before mosquitos find their way into many clean/maintained homes, resulting in many “indoor only” animals testing positive for heartworm disease. You can try to reduce the mosquitos in your immediate area by getting rid of any standing water to prevent mosquito larvae from maturing. Look around your property for flower pots, bowls, even tires with stagnant water sitting in them. However, this may be futile as we obviously live in a swamp. Being Floridians we are surrounded by multitudes of water sources.

We urge you to not use human insect repellents containing DEET on your pets. If you ever have a question about what you can or can not use on your pet give us a call, (904) 744-7206. We are happy to help keep your pets safe.

The Breakdown of Flea Control,Heartworm Preventions andCombinations that MAC carries

It can get very confusing trying to figure out which products are best for your pets. That is why we have made this handy reference guide for you to see the breakdown of what we have available and what exactly it treats and prevents. If you still have questions about a product or what is best for your furry babies, just give our office a call.

Flea Control Types

Comfortis: Oral Flea Prevention Chewable Tablet (Dogs only)

Pet must have current rabies vaccine & have had an exam within one year with one of our veterinarians for this product as it is a perscription flea prevention.

—————————————————————

Advantage II: Topical Flea Prevention(Dogs & Cats)

Heartworm Prevention Types

Heartgard: Oral Heartworm Prevention, Hookworm & Roundworm Treatment Chewable Treat (Dogs & Cats)

Pet needs to have proof of a current negative heartworm test within the past year. We no longer offer Heartgard for Cats.

—————————————————————

Tri-Heart Plus: Heartworm Prevention, Hookworm & Roundworm Treatment Chewable Tablet (Dogs only)

Flea & Heartworm Prevention

Trifexis: Oral Flea & Heartworm Prevention plus Hookworm, Roundworm & Whipworm Treatment Chewable Tablet (Dogs only)

Pet must have a current Rabies Vaccine within one year. They must have a negative heartworm test within one year. And they have to of had an exam with a veterinarian at our office within the past year as well.

*Pets with a history of seizures should not take Trifexis *

—————————————————————

Advantage-Multi: Topical Flea & Heartworm Prevention Prevention plus Hookworm, Roundworm & Whipworm Treatment (Dogs & Cats)

We no longer sell tick control. The reason for this is because those products have gone over the counter. You can buy them at super discount stores for less than we can get them. The tick products available over the counter that our doctors recommend are Advantix and Frontline. We do not advise using any other over the counter products to treat ticks. Also avoid putting any pyrethrin based products on cats as they can be fatal.

Did you know that there is not a cure for allergies? Veterinarians can only treat the symptoms. Also, once an animal develops an allergy to a certain type of allergen, they often develop sensitivities to other allergens as well. For example, many animals are allergic to pollen, grasses and molds. They may also develop allergies to foods, fleas or develop contact allergies. Dogs and cats don’t show the same symptoms as humans do when they are allergic to things. We get upper respiratory symptoms like congestion. Animals metabolize the allergens and then excrete them through their skin causing them to itch. It can be very frustrating for pet owners to live with itchy pets but it is far worse for the suffering animal.

Aside from environmental allergens, parasites can cause pets to be itchy. Many people do not think that their pet has fleas but they come in with a scratching dog that is chewing its rear end and is bald around hind legs and tail base. This is a “tell tail” sign of Flea Allergy. It’s difficult for some to understand how a dog can chew itself raw and they never saw a flea. What happens is the flea jumps onto your pet, takes a blood meal, jumps off, lays eggs in your carpet or grass, and waits to get on again. That one bite emitted saliva into your pet’s skin. And some animals are allergic to the saliva. This is called Flea Allergic Dermatitis. Just one flea bite sets off a wildfire effect in the skin, that drives the animal crazy and forces them to scratch and chew themselves into a frenzy. The best way to prevent this from happening is to keep your pet current on flea control. We have fleas year round in Florida and there is no way to prevent a rogue flea from getting through to your pet. By being diligent with the prevention you can drastically reduce the number of outbreaks you and your pet must endure. If your product isn’t working let us know and we will find an alternative. No animal should suffer from fleas. Also, please note that animals with tape worms were infected by eating a flea.

In This Issue

Swamp Life Revisited

The Breakdown

Meet Our Doctors

Meet Elise! Updates on Alaida & Lila!

ePetHealth

Thank You

Coupon

Meet Our Doctors

Jeff Woods

Cathy Rogaski

Scarlet Motycka

Beth Van Cleve

MAC’s NEW Online Pharmacy

Introducing MAC’s Newest Edition

Dr. Scarlet Motycka & her husband Brian are proud to introduce their new gorgeous daughter, Elise!

Elise

______________________________________________________________

Something is definitely in the water at Merrill Animal Clinic

& whatever it is, it only comes in PINK!

______________________________________________________________

Updates on our no longer new but still super adorable MAC family editions

Britton & Alaida

Alaida

______________________________________________________________

Jessica & Lila

Lila

Have you checked out ePetHealth yet?

If you are new to ePetHealth just follow the easy instructions on their website. Simply click “first-time login.”

However, if you have had difficulties signing into ePetHealth in the past, they should be resolved now. It was a rough transition from ePetRecords to ePetHealth for many of us. But we think the site is very beneficial to our clients so we hung in there through all the glitches & hopefully you will like the changes that they have made. And the best part is, this service is FREE to our clients! You can go to the ePetHealth website by clicking on their logo above & log into your account using the e-mail address that we have on file for you. You no longer use your pet’s serial number to log in – but keep it for their lost & found tag program. Then you try your old password. If it doesn’t work, try typing “password” as your password. Once into the system, change it to your own unique password. If you still can’t log into ePetHealth call us at (904) 744-7206 and we will look into for you.

Pet Owner Benefits:

Ability to manage pets’ health schedules, view upcoming appointments, edit both your & your pet’s information, or follow up on healthcare recommendations.

ePetDemo

24/7 access to the required medical records, including radiographs as needed for boarding, traveling, enrolling in classes, or in an emergency.

Email alert reminders can be setup for product or medication doses. eAlerts helps you manage the number of doses remaining and the days between doses.

eAlerts

Request appointments, make boarding reservations, refill medications, or ask general questions. eClinic is available 24/7, which makes communication with your clinic convenient and easy.

ePetClinic

And many more features

Surf the ePetHealth Website & let us know what you think, we always appreciate feedback

~ Bella Woods

We would like to thank you…

for taking the time to look at our newsletter. Please give us a call at (904) 744-7206 or send an e-mail

Merrill7530@aol.com

if you have any suggestions for upcoming articles you’d be interested in. We love your feedback.

Also, feel free to e-mail us pictures of your babies for their medical record. Be sure to mention if you want to share them in the newsletter or on our Facebook page. Or feel free to post them yourself

Sincerely, The Staff at Merrill Animal Clinic

Save 10%

Save 10% off any 6 month supply (box) of Heartworm Prevention and/or Flea Control. Pet must have proof of a current Rabies Vaccine and negative heartworm test within the past year. Also, pet needs to have had an exam with one of Merrill Animal Clinic’s Veterinarians within the past year as well. Call us at (904) 744-7206 for details. This offer is not available for online purchases. This coupon is transferable. We encourage recipients to share this offer with friends and family. You need only mention this offer to our receptionist to receive the savings.

Offer Expires: June 30,2012

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Posted in Uncategorized, Veterinary animal Animal Care Animals Cats Dogs Duval County ePetHealth FL. Flea Control Heartworm Prevention House Pets Housepets Jacksonville Merrill Animal Clinic pet pet care pets Vaccines vet Vet Care Veterianarians Veterinary Vets

Dec 15

Holiday Special 2011 Newsletter

December 2011

Holiday Savings

from Merrill Animal Clinic

You have options! Right-click to change this image - choose from a variety of alternatives.

In This Issue

Welcome Greeting

Holiday Special Offer

Article: Cat Vaccination Myths Article II: Pet’s Blood Work

Our Place

Our Web Site

Our Doctors

Jeff Woods

Cathy Rogaski

Beth VanCleve

Scarlet Motycka

Greetings!

Welcome to another edition of MAC’s Newsletter

As the close of another year approaches we thought we’d tell you about another Merrill Animal Clinic Exclusive Money Saving Opportunity. With the hustle and bustle of the seasons many pets get overlooked on their yearly vaccinations. We offer yearly packages to fit all ages, needs and budgets throughout the year. However for December only you can save even more! So if your pets are due or even overdue for vaccinations we hope you’ll take advantage of our Holiday Express Offers.

Holiday Express Packages

You can Save 15% off of your Pet’s Yearly VIsit in the month of December

OR they can have a FREE (canine) bath instead of the 15% off. (Must be the pet that is receiving the yearly.)

Feline Yearly/Annual includes: Exam, Rabies, FVRCP, FELV, Fecal or Deworming, with or without Bloodwork (depending on the age of pet.)

Cat Baths are not available due to safety issues.

Canine Yearly/Annual includes: Exam, Rabies, DHPPV, Bordetella, Fecal, Heartworm Test, with or without Bloodwork (depending on age of pet.) The Influenza vaccine can be included in this special offer. Baths must be done at the same time of yearly & on the same pet. This promotion can not be used with any other discounts, deals. or special offers.

Call (904) 744-7206 for prices and appointment.

Please say: HOLIDAY EXPRESS when booking the appointment

Offer Expires: December 31st, 2011

Cat Vaccination Myths

Bites are worrisome, regardless if the culprit is a dog or a cat, for many reasons. Why did it bite? Is the wound severe enough to warrant medical attention? What is the infection risk? And most importantly, what are the chances of contracting disease?

Society tends to be misinformed when it comes to cats. It is commonly thought that cats are antisocial, they fend for themselves, and that they do not need attention like dogs do. And one of the scariest myths is that cats do not need vaccinations.

One reason for this myth is that inoculations against preventable diseases in cats is controversial. And that is why it is so important to understand the ramifications of these diseases that cats can indeed contract, in order to make the right choice in whether to vaccinate or not.

Experts agree, it is truly a matter of Public Health. Therefore it is vital to know that by not getting core vaccines for cats, such as Rabies and FVRCP (Feline Rhinotracheitis-Calici-Panleukopenia Vaccine) can have severe consequences to both pets as well as people. Pet owners that haven’t followed through on vaccinations often wish that there was something that could have been done to save their pets, but unfortunately it’s much easier to prevent illness with a simple vaccine than it is to treat afterwards.

Panleukopenia is the “P” in the FVRCP vaccine: is a highly contagious, tough and opportunistic virus. It is similar to the canine parvo virus. It can survive on surfaces for over a year as well as in freezing temperatures. It is secreted by body fluids, including saliva and mucus. Therefore, it is very easy for a cat to get infected from a sneeze, to eat or drink from a bowl where an infected cat ate or drank, or even to rub where an infected cat was, groom themselves & then become infected as well. Symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. The virus actually shuts down the cat’s immune system by suppressing the production of white blood cells, thus inhibiting the ability to fight off infection. Calicivirus is the “C” in FVRCP, and causes upper respiratory infections as well as oral disease. Rhinotrachetitis is the “R” in FVRCP and also causes upper respiratory infections. All of these are reasons to get your cat vaccinated.

Another virus we recommend preventing (for most cats) is FELV or Feline leukemia as it suppresses the immune system. It is usually spread through saliva from other cats. It is highly recommended to vaccinate against the virus as there is no cure for it.

Rabies is 100% fatal. All unvaccinated mammals are subject to infection, including humans. By law, all pets over 16 weeks must be vaccinated and receive annual or tri-annual boosters. People often argue that their pets are indoors only. However, there have been reports of wildlife coming into homes unknowingly to the owners – through chimneys or other overlooked means, biting pets & ultimately infecting the owners. It’s a long shot but has happened. It’s safer to just keep your pets vaccinated. We offer 1 year as well as 3 year rabies vaccines. Duval County requires annual rabies tags, which are available in our office.

Often we hear people claim that vaccinations are not needed, and veterinarians just push vaccines to attain revenue. However, hopefully this article sheds some light on the facts and dispels any myths about the importance of vaccinations.

Yearly Vaccination Time … to get the Bloodwork or not to get the Bloodwork? Many pet owners question why we recommend bloodwork on perfectly healthy looking dogs and cats. Blood and urine testing are extremely beneficial diagnostic tools that veterinarians use to look at the overall health of your pet. They look for diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, thyroid disease, and other sources of illness and infections. Many of these underlying problems are not obvious on an exam, and if caught early can be successfully treated or controlled. Further diagnostic testing such as radiographs or ultrasound may be recommended. If your pet’s bloodwork turns out to be within normal limits, then it is used as a baseline for future bloodwork results. Comparison of results are especially useful when a pet becomes ill. Routine bloodwork is recommended for pets over 5 years old, especially over 8 years old, or any aged patient undergoing surgical procedures. While bloodwork can be an added expense at the time, it is really an investment in your pet’s long term health.Food for thought: The costs for pet care are a fraction of what the same procedures cost in human medicine.

Have a Happy, Healthy & Safe Holiday Season,

~ Bella Woods

& The Staff at Merrill Animal Clinic

Save15%

You can save 15% off your pet’s yearly visits in the month of December.

OR they can have a FREE (canine) bath instead of the 15% off.

Canine Yearly/Annual includes: Exam, Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella, Fecal, Heartworm Test, with or without additional bloodwork (depending on age of pet). The Influenza vaccine can be included in this special offer. Baths must be done at the time of yearly. Call for prices & appointment.

Feline Yearly/Annual includes: Exam, Rabies, FVRCP, FELV, Fecal or Deworming, with or without additional bloodwork (depending on the age of the pet.) Cat baths are not available due to safety issues. Call for prices & appointment.

This coupon does not need to be printed nor presented in person. But you must say Promo code: HOLIDAY EXPRESS when booking the appointment. This special offer is transferable, we encourage recipients of this message to share it with friends and family. This promotion can not be used with any other discounts, deals or special offers.

Offer Expires: December 31st, 2011

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Posted in Uncategorized, Veterinary Animal Care Animals Bloodwork Cats Dogs Vaccines Veterinarians Vets

Nov 05

November Newsletter: Low Cost Spays & Neuters, What Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

Greetings! Fall is officially here, the leaves are finally changing! We at Merrill Animal Clinic are excited to share the newest edition of our monthly newsletter with another money saving opportunity for you. As well as, more helpful tips to keep your pets safe, happy, & healthy this holiday season and beyond!

Photo Courtesy of Stan & Cathy Rogaski

MAC’s November LOW COST Special Offer

We are offering Low Cost Spays & Low Cost Neuters for the month of November only. Call for prices as they are based on the weight of your pet. See our coupon at the end of this Newsletter

for more details.

Avoid Feeding People Food, Especially During the Holidays

All pet owners know our furry family members will beg and plead while you try to eat, especially

at the holidays. We discourage you from giving into those sad eyes and drooling tongues, even for just a tiny tidbit of ham, chicken, or turkey from your plate, for a few reasons. Pet need specifically formulated nutrients that are provided for them in premium pet foods. And all the ”extras” that they consume off of your plate will sway their appetites from their regular diet. A sliver of ham or turkey from your dinner plate can make them very sick. Even small amounts of “people food” especially pork or other fatty food can cause colitis, gastroenteritis, and even pancreatitis. There are a number of foods that you wouldn’t think are bad for pets that can actually be toxic.

Onions, garlic and other root vegetables can be toxic to pets and should never be offered in any form. Avoid offering cats & dogs Thanksgiving stuffing and gravy, as they are often onion flavored. Even dehydrated onions can be harmful. Onions and Garlic contain (N-propyl disulphide)

that destroys red blood cells in pets, causing a form of anemia called Heinz body anemia. Raw tomatoes & raw potatoes are members of the Solanaceae family of plants and are in the same family as Deadly Nightshade. They are dangerous because they contain a poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine, which can cause symptoms such as violent lower gastrointestinal upset. The stems and leaves are especially toxic.

Some people believe just a tiny bit of alcohol never hurt anyone. Unfortunately, that is not truefor pets. They not only get sick and disoriented, but it can cause urination problems, coma and even death from alcohol poisoning. It really doesn’t take much. So try not to feel compelled to share your libations with your furry family members. And if you would never do such a thing, then be sure to keep your drinks out of their reach at least.

Bones from the table and even the butcher can splinter and become hazardous to your pet’s health regardless if they’ve been cooked or not. The sharp splinters can get stuck in your pet’s teeth and throat. They can rip, puncture and migrate through the body and not necessarily through the normal path of least resistance either. All table bones are dangerous but chicken, turkey, pork and veal bones are the most harmful.

Most people know chocolate is toxic to pets. But did you know bakers chocolate, cocoa powder & cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms? Even just letting your pet lick the bowl or a spoon can make them very sick. Semi-sweet and dark chocolate is the next most hazardous form.

And milk chocolate is the least dangerous, but should still be avoided as it can lead to a nasty attack of pancreatitis which is still potentially life threatening. Caffeine is another ingredient in chocolate that can be harmful to pets, potential side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac

& respiratory arrest.

Milk and milk based products can cause intestinal upset. Grapes and raisins should be avoided as they can cause severe health issues. All parts of avocado fruit including the seeds, leaves, and bark can be harmful causing diarrhea and vomiting.

During the holidays we bakers are often tempted to give our pets a taste of uncooked batter and the like. But beware, raw eggs should never be given to your pets. The yeast in bread dough is dangerous and should be avoided as it can expand in your pet’s stomach. Salt is another culprit in both baking and cooking. It can lead to not only pancreatitis, but also bloat from too much water intake as well as sodium poisoning in large doses. Macadamia nuts can be life threatening, and some of the symptoms seen can include vomiting, tremors, loss of coordination, hypothermia, or hyperthermia. Artificial sweetners found in gum, candy, and baked goods can be toxic as well. Xylitol is an everyday product that should be avoided as it can lead to loss of coordination, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and eventually liver failure.

All Tobacco products can be fatal to pets if ingested. That includes cigarette butts, cigars, pipes, nicotine gum & patches, as well as chewing tobacco. Signs of Tobacco Poisoning are increased salivation & panting, hyperactivity, vomiting, and diarrhea. Advanced signs are twitching,

muscle weakness, collapsing, increased heart rate, coma and, cardiac arrest.

If you must give your pets treats at the holidays or throughout the year introduce pet safe treats in small amounts slowly. Try to avoid high calorie goodies as they lead to obesity. Ideal treats are great-tasting, low calorie, nutritious and low fat. We often recommend raw carrot slices, green beans & plain rice cakes as substitutes to commercial dog treats. When in doubt just offer a piece or two of your pet’s kibble. They are usually just as content.

Always consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions about proper nutrition, treats, diet, weight issues or any other health concerns.

Kathy’s Costume Corner

Recently, I spent several delightful weekends with my Frenchie Truman. We competed in the Dogtoberfest Costume Contest, and we came away with ”Best in Show,” as well as “Best Boy Dog.” Truman dressed as Ceasar, and his stroller was decorated as his royal palace, which generated a lot of excitement. Truman adores all of the adulation, not to mention all the treats and toys. Our next event was Yappy Hour at the Landing, with the only requirement being “BYOD.” We came away with a win for “Most Original.” Our next contest was at Petsmart, where we came in 2nd place. The 1st place winner was an adorable 17 year old Pomeranian dressed as a pilot with his own plane. The competitions were all a lot of fun, but now it’s time to start thinking of something for next October that will top “Little Ceasar.”

Announcing October’s Fall Festival Photo Contest Winners

Our Canine Winner is:

Molly “Cowgirl” Byrd

The winners of our Fall Festival Pet Basket’s are Molly Byrd & Annie Harms!

We would like to thank all of the participants of MAC’s Fall Festival Photo Contest. Our staff truly enjoy all of your furry babies photos. And we encourage you to post them on

Our Facebook Page, e-mail them or bring them into our office & we will be happy to scan them into your pet’s health record and return them right back to you.

Our Feline Winner is:

Annie “Witch” Harms

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” ~Tagore

Photo Courtesy of Stan & Cathy Rogaski

Have a Safe Holiday Weekend.

Sincerely,

~Bella

and The Staff at Merrill Animal Clinic

Save $$$

Low Cost Spays & Low Cost Neuters for both cats & dogs are offered at Merrill Animal Clinic

for the month of November Only. Prices vary according to your pet’s weight. This coupon does

not have to be presented in person. Just let the receptionist know that you want the low Cost

Surgery Option when you call for an appointment. Bloodwork, pain medications, and antibiotics to

go home are recommended but not included in the discounted surgery price. This coupon is

transferable, so we encourage you to share it with your friends and family.

Offer Expires: November 30th, 2011

Our Web Page

Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Jeff Woods

Dr. Cathy Rogaski

Dr. Beth VanCleve

Dr. Scarlet Motycka

Cascade

Cascade 2

Photos Courtesy of Stan & Cathy Rogaski

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Posted in Uncategorized, Veterinary Cats Costume Contest Dogs Foods to Avoid Feeding Pets Low Cost Neuters Low Cost Spays Vet Care

Nov 05

Merrill Animal Clinic October Newsletter

Greetings!

Welcome to another edition of Merrill Animal Clinic’s monthly Newsletter! We are offering another Special Promotion for the month of October: Microchips. We also are letting you know about a Special Rebate Offer on Comfortis Oral Flea Control and Trifexis Oral Flea Control & Heartworm Prevention. We have a Fall Photo Contest, tips on creating pet costumes as well as information on our new ePetHealth service!

Many who have spent a lifetime in it can tell us less

of love than the child that lost a dog yesterday.“

~Thornton Wilder

Don’t lose any of your family members

take advantage of our

Microchip Fall Special

in the month of October

Phobee running away

~Phoebe Woods Photo Courtesy of Jeff Woods, DVM

With modern microchip technology, lost pets are being returned to their owners within hours of their arrival at animal shelters and veterinary clinics. Each unique microchip that is implanted under a pet’s skin holds the information necessary to locate and contact that pet’s owner. While pets can easily lose collars and tags, microchips provide life-long identification.

In an effort to reunite more lost pets with their families, Merrill Animal Clinic is offering low-cost microchips for both cats and dogs. By making a$26.53 investment, you can ensure that should your pet has a better chance of being reunited with your your family versus the many other worrisome alternatives for lost pets. The staff at Merrill Animal Clinic as well as other animal welfare organizations are trained to automatically scan all found animals as soon as they are brought in to hopefully get them home safe and sound by notifying owners immediately.

About Microchipping

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted under the skin by injecting it just like a vaccine
Microchips are placed between a pet’s shoulder blades (but can migrate to other areas so we scan the whole pet to locate the chips)
Animal shelters & hospitals scan lost pets with handheld microchip readers to determine the microchip’s unique ID number. Then we enter the number into a database to retrieve the owner’s name and phone number.

Statistics on Lost Pets

According to the American Humane Association, only about 17 percent of lost dogs and two percent of lost cats are actually reunited with their original owners.

Approximately 4 million pets are euthanized each year because of the lack of identification
Shelters often only wait seven days before euthanizing unidentified animals due to the pet over population problem & overcrowding.
Microchips absolutely give your pet the best chance of being identified & returned to you should it ever become lost

Uhley Swim

~Uhlepaw Woods Photo Courtesy of Jeff Woods, DVM

For only $26.53 investment you have a much greater chance of being reunited with your four legged family members if they accidentally run or swim away… Call (904) 744-7206 for an appointment to get them microchipped (Exam required with proof of current Rabies vaccines

Or if you are an established client and your pet has been examined with MAC in the past 12 months, you don’t need an appointment. Just swing your pet by our office & we will happily insert their microchip for you still for only $26.53! Remember: registration of our microchips are FREE & we register them on-line for you!

Disclaimer: This special offer is for the month of October only. Microchip pricing will return to $36.25 after the promotion has expired. This offer is not available to clients paying with Care Credit nor can it be used with any other MAC coupons or special promotions. All pets must have had an exam with MAC in the past 12 months and have proof of a current Rabies vaccine, which is required by law.

Comfortis

& Trifexis Special Offer

$10.00

Rebate

on the purchase of a six-month supply of Trifexis or Comfortis.

Forms can be downloaded at Trifexis.com and

Comfortis4dogs.com Then submitted to Elanco with proof of purchase. Offer expires December 31,2011

Fall Festival Pet Costume Advice from our very own Martha Stewart & Office Manager Kathy Pike

It’s never too early to start working on your next pet Halloween costume. Each year I create a handmade costume for my French Bulldog Truman. For a pet costume to truly be fun your pet has to not mind wearing it. If your dog or cat freaks out, rolls constantly, pants or breathes excessively or tries with every fiber of it’s being to rid itself of a costume, I would discourage you from pursuing pet costuming as a shared activity.

How does one get a pet to enjoy wearing a costume?

With Truman it took nothing more than a, “good boy” each time I fitted his costume to him. Every time your pet wears his or her costume they should have fun. Truman knows when his costume comes out he’s going somewhere where there will be lots of people, dogs and treats. I hope you pets enjoy dressing up as my Truman does. ~Kathy

Truman Gnome 2 Truman Grapes

Garden Gnome One of the Grapes of Wrath

Tuman Kermit Truman Hulk

Kermit the Frog The Hulk

Truman Patriot 2 Truman Sherlock

Patriot Sherlock Holmes

Fall Festival Pet Costume Contest!

Do you have a sweet or interesting fall festive photo of your furry baby that you would like to share with our other MAC clients? If so, you can post it on our Facebook page (link posted above in the left hand column), or bring it into our clinic (we will scan it in & give it back to you) or e-mail it to us at Merrill7530@aol.com & give us permission to publish the photo(s) & your babies may end up in a future edition of our Newsletter and/or they may possibly make an appearance on our Website page!

You will also be entered to win one of our

Fall Festival Pet Goody Baskets!

Prizes

One dog & One cat will be chosen by the MAC Staff, no employees may participate in this contest.

Tis’ the season for Tricks & Treats: With that said, here is a

Poison Warning to Pet Lovers about some of the Dangers of Fall

Many dogs and some cats are attracted to both the smell and taste

of chocolate. Unfortunately, Methylxanthines (similar to caffeine) chemicals in chocolate can not only make your petsick, they can be deadly. And the darker the chocolate the worse your pet will feel. Only two to three ounces of Baker’s chocolate can make a 50lb dog extremely ill. White chocolate contains lower levels of methylxanthines, but the high fat content could result in pancreatitis.

Other things to watch out for are candy wrappers. Both dogs and cats will eat these because they smell yummy. But foil and cellophane wrappers can lead to bowel obstruction. Warning signs of an obstruction are vomiting, decreased appetite and lack of bowel movement. X-rays will determine if your pet needs surgery to remove the obstruction.

High quantities of sugar (not just chocolate) can lead to pancreatitis.

Other “people foods” to avoid are raisins & grapes. They can cause kidney failure as well as gastrointestinal upset.

Non-edible items such as glow sticks, glow jewelry and costumes can also be dangerous. Pet Poison Helplines receive numerous calls concerning animals that have punctured and chewed on glow sticks and glow jewelry every year. They are not usually life threatening but they can cause profuse drooling & foaming of the mouth due to pain & irritation.

If you choose to dress your pet in a costume make sure it doesn’t impair their vision, air way or movement. Be aware that some metals can cause serious poisonings if ingested, so be mindful of small pieces of metal, metallic snaps or beads on their costumes as well as your own.

If you think your pet has gotten into anything toxic you can call us at (904) 744-7206 or after hours the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. (A $65 fee may be billed to your credit card for their services.)

Merrill Animal Clinic has offered ePetRecords to our clients for years. But now the technology has been improved and has been changed intoePetHealth. We are really excited to offer this cutting edge client interactive client/practice portal to our clients for FREE. You can still access your pet’s medical history, appointment requests, update both yours as well as your pet’s information & pictures like you did with ePetRecords but now you have extra features available to make the site more informative and user friendly. You can access Veterinary written articles and state of the art DIA videos for a more explanatory view of your pet’s medical conditions. You will also be able to submit prescription refill requests, complete feedback surveys about MAC’s service (anonymous if you like) and receive birthday grams for your pets.

Do you already an ePetRecords account? Then you are already signed up for ePetHealth! Just use your normal log in information to access the new site.

New to both sites? Just click the logo or the link above and check out the website for yourself.

We hope you enjoyed this edition of our Newsletter. Feel free to forward it to all your pet loving friends so they too can take advantage of our special offers. We hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

~Bella Woods

The Medical & Surgical Team of Merrill Animal Clinic

If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our Merrill Animal CLinic FACEBOOK page occasionally for upcoming offers and receive handy tips via informative Veterinary approved articles to keep your pets safe and healthy!

Save

$$$$

Microchips!

Microchip Insertion Prices

Regular Price: $ 36.25

Special Offer: $ 26.53 (for the month of October only) This offer is for insertion only, exam or other services are not included

Registration of your pet’s microchip online is FREE and we save you the hassle and register them for you!

This coupon must be mentioned when scheduling the appointment or request the service. It is not required to print it out or bring in it in. This coupon is transferrable, so you are encouraged to share this money saving offer with family & friends

Offer Expires: October 31st, 2011

Our Web Page

ePetHealth

Dr. W

Dr. Jeff Woods

Dr. VC

Dr. Beth Van Cleve

Rogaski

Dr. Cathy Rogaski

Dr. Scarlet Motycka

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Posted in Uncategorized Cats Dogs ePetHealth Flea Control Heartworm Prevention Microchips Pet Photo Contest Vet Care

Jun 23

Should You Be Concerned About Your Pet’s Exposure to Smoke Inhalation?

Unless you have been living under a rock you may have noticed the surrounding areas of Jacksonville has been inundated with smoke in the air. With wildfires burning both in Florida & nearby Georgia, it makes people ponder whether the smoke is harmful to their pets. There are various factors that determine the answer to this question.

Healthy Pets should not be harmfully affected by smoke inhalation, although they may be uncomfortable. However, dogs and cats with heart issues, bronchial problems, sinus issues and/or nasal allergies may suffer more than healthy pets. Geriatric pets and/or sick pets may suffer greatly to smoke inhalation as well.

The staff at Merrill Animal Clinic is deeply committed to your pets health & safety. We recommend keeping your furry babies indoors as much as possible. If they are experiencing excessive coughing, sneezing or allergy symptoms give us a call (904) 744-7206 and we will get them the relief they need as soon as possible.

P.S. As a reminder, we will be closed for the 4th of July Holiday.

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Jun 04

June is MAC’s Acupuncture Awareness Month

Welcome to another edition of our Merrill Animal Clinic Newsletter! June is Merrill Animal Clinic’s Acupuncture Awareness Month! We are proud to announce that we are offering an introductory Acupuncture special for the month of June!

What is acupuncture and what does it do?

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body with specific methods, resulting in therapeutic homeostatic effects. Modern research indicates that acupoints are located in areas where there is a high density of nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles and lymphatic vessels. Most points are motor points. Stimulation of these points induce release of beta-endorphin, serotonin and other neurotransmitters. This has been well documented through scientific studies and trials. Acupuncture stimulation induces pain relief, regulation of GI motility, anti-inflammatory effects, immune-regulation, hormone and reproductive regulation, and anti-febrile effects.

Can my pet benefit from acupuncture?

Clinical trials indicate that acupuncture therapy can be effective in treatment of the following conditions:

Musculoskeletal: muscle soreness, back pain, arthritis, degenerative joint disease, disc problems

Neurological: seizures, laryngeal hemiplegia, facial and radial nerve paralysis

Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, gastric ulcers, vomiting, constipation, impaction

Miscellaneous: asthma, cough, behavioral disorders, geriatric weakness, thyroid disease (hypo and hyper), skin problems

What should I expect?

Points may be stimulated in a variety of ways, including dry needling, moxibustion, aquapuncture, electro-stimulation, and acupressure. The goal is always to restore the flow of Qi (energy) and put the body back into balance. The initial consultation sessions will take between 45 and 90 minutes. This will include your pet’s first treatment. Each subsequent session may take between 20 and 60 minutes depeding on the treatments used.

Treatments can range from weekly to monthly. Many chronic painful conditions require monthly or bi-monthly “tune-ups” to maintain balance after the initial treatment period.

Acupuncture is well tolerated in approximately 95% of patients. Contrary to what you may think, the procedure is not painful at all. Rather a tingling, warm sensation is felt, with local muscle contracture. In pets who do not tolerate this sensation, other TCVM modalities are available to produce similar healing effects.

Is it all about needles?

Acupuncture is only one tool in the TCVM practitioner’s toolbox. The most significant improvement in many disease conditions is attained through the use of acupuncture in conjunction with herbal medications, massage therapy, and diet adjustments. These additional modalities may be offered to you and your pet based on initial evaluation and response to acupuncture treatments.

Who is qualified to perform veterinary acupuncture?

Only licensed veterinarians are eligible to practice acupuncture in the US. Certification is highly recommended of all veterinary acupuncture practioners. Dr. Cathy Rogaski has attained certification in veterinary acupuncture through the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. As part of the certification process she has worked alongside master acupuncturist Dr. Huisheng Xie.

We Are Celebrating Acupuncture Awareness and Offering this Promotion only in the Month of June!

Call us at (904) 744-7206 to book your pet’s acupuncture appointment today!

We have a lovely suite dedicated only for our acupuncture patients for a more relaxing and serene experience.

acupuncture suite

Acupuncture suite 2

Sincerely,

The Staff at Merrill Animal Clinic

~Bella Woods

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Save 30% OFF of your pet’s First Acupuncture Treatment, including a FREE Consultation & a FREE bottle of Herbs. This special DOES NOT include any additional services such as a vaccines, medications, or other procedures. Pets must be current on all applicable vaccinations within the last year.

This coupon must be mentioned when scheduling the appointment, it is not required to print it and bring it in. This coupon is transferable, so you are encouraged to share this offer with friends and family.

Offer Expires: June 30, 2011

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May 26

Meet Our Staff

Welcome to Merrill Animal Clinic

We thought it was time to formerly introduce our staff. Most of you probably already know all of us but we thought it would be fun to share a more of ourselves with you. So you know exactly who your entrusting your furry babies health with.

The Doctors:

Dr Jeff Woods – Merrill Animal Clinic has been Dr. Woods’ home away from home since he opened the doors in January 1988. He has thoroughly enjoyed watching the staff become a family as the practice grows. When not in his office, Dr. Woods enjoys fishing, going to football games at his Alma Mater – University of Florida, spending time with his wife and children as well as his pets!

Dr. Woods bella

(Dr. Jeff Woods, Uhlepaw & Bella

Dr. Cathy Rogaski is a 2008 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, and has been a member of the Merrill Animal Clinic family since June of 2008. She has special interests in preventative care, behavior, and alternative medicine. Dr. Rogaski believes strongly that there are many different ways to treat disease, she received her certification veterinary acupuncture in December of 2008, and is working toward advanced studies in herbal therapies. If it’s football season, you’ll often find her in Tallahassee cheering on her undergrad alma mater, FSU, or at the stadium downtown, supporting the Jaguars. Her professional memberships include: American Veterinary Medical Association, Florida Veterinary Medical Association, Jacksonville Veterinary Medical Society.

Rogaski Ciera Sophie

(Dr. Cathy Rogaski, Ciera & Sophie

Dr. Sarah Elizabeth VanCleve started at Merrill Animal Clinic September 2008. She has worked at Southside Animal Clinic, Northside Animal Hospital, Briar Patch Animal Clinic in Ithaca NY and Parkway Animal Hospital. She graduated from Episcopal High School of Jacksonville in 1976. She graduated from Princeton University in 1980 with her AB. Dr. VanCleve graduated from the University of Florida in 1996 as a DVM. She graduated from the University of North Florida with her Masters degree in Education in 1999.

Dr. VanCleve lives with her husband, Alan. Their daughters: “Sarah,” “Dani,” & “Polly,” Their sons: “Murphy” & “Mac.” They share their home with a plethora of animals; the Italian greyhounds are: “Munchie,” “Kiwi,” “Momo,” “Netty.” Their Labrador Retriever is “Nessie.” The cats are “Dribbles” & “Pauly.” Also a Leopard Gecko named Fiesty, a Canary, a Finch, turtles, fish, hamsters and gerbils. In her spare time, Dr. VanCleve is an avid reader, practices yoga, plays tennis and breeds champion Italian Greyhounds occasionally.

Beth VC

Dani, Alan, Polly, Sarah, Mac, Murphy, Beth

Dr. Scarlet Motycka started at Merrill Animal Clinic September of 2006. She was a Veterinary Technician in Orlando From May 1997 until May 2000. Then she was an Associate Veterinarian at St. John’s Vet Clinic from June 2005 through May 2006. Then she began working at Clay Duval Pet Emergency from May 2006 until April 2009. Dr. Motycka has been a relief vet from for various practices since September 2006. She graduated from the University of Florida in 1997 with her BS in Microbiology. Then she graduated from the University of Florida in 2001 with her BS in Animal Science. And yet again, she graduated from the University of Florida in 2005 with her DVM. “Go Gators!”

Dr.M Scarlet & Brian Motycka

Our Book Keeper:

Angel Scarborough has been the bookkeeper at Merrill Animal Clinic since 1999. She is married to Mike and they have a son Chase 23 and a daughter, Cori 21. Angel enjoys spending time with her family which includes Chloe, her golden retreiver who is 9 years old and her grand-doggy Weezy who is 3 years old.

The Scarboroughs: Chase, Angel, Mike, Corrine, Wheezy (dog)

The Receptionists:

Kathy Pike (Office Manager) has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since December 1991. She volunteered previously at St. Johns Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and she volunteered at the Jacksonville Humane Society. Kathy was a pre-school director, and teacher for 15 years, she has never regretted leaving the two legged babies for the four legged babies. kathy also was involved in dog rescue for numerous years,and is an active member in several dog groups, including chihuahua meet-up,beaches dog park, and active dog meetup. kathy loves nothing better than long walks with her dogs.

(Cory, Kathy & Jermey, Sawyer, Truman

Isabel, Zoe & Truman (again) Pike

Jessica “Crider” Garcia (Client Liaison) attended Jacksonville University where she met her husband. They graduated together in 2005 and were married in 2007. They now live in the Arlington area with 6 cats “Mookie,” “Gonzo,” “Churro,” “Cinderella,” “Pryce,” & “Hookah” and their lovable little dog, Shark Bite. Jessica started at Merrill Animal Clinic in October 2004. She enjoys laughing and having a good time with friends and family.

Jess Crider Sharkie Pryce CInders

Jessica, Shark Bite, Pryce is White. Cinderella

Hookah

& Hookah Garcia

Britton Humphries just recently married in January 2011. She started working at Merrill Animal Clinic in December 2010. Currently, she is attending FSCJ and hoping to transfer to Florida Coastal Law School to pursue a degree in Political Science. She has two cats and hopes to aquire a lot more animals! When she’s not working, Britton loves to watch movies and reruns of Criminal Minds. In her future she plans to have a house full of animals and 3 to 4 kids!

Britton 2 humphries

Britton Humphries, Warner & Strider

Melissa Grant is both a receptionist and a kennel technician at Merrill Animal Clinic. She has worked here since December 18, 2008. She has a twin sister Melanie who also works at Merrill Animal Clinic, as well as a younger sister. Melissa is a full time student at Jacksonville University, studying to get her Bachelors Degree, majoring in Marine Biology. Her cat ”Ferra” thinks she is royalty. She loves reading, going to the beach, and being creative/crafty.

Melissa Grant Ferra Grant

Melissa Grant, Ferra

The Technicians:

Jessica “Hokey” Hoekstra, (Head VeterinaryTechnician) has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since 2002. She started out in the kennel and rapidly moved up to Technician. She graduated from Terry Parker in 2001. Attended UNF until 2004. She lives with her 2 dogs, “Woody” & “Stevie Rae.” As well as, 2 cats, “Jose,” & “Dash.” In her spare time she is an avid reader & enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, family & friends.

Jessica Hoekstra, Woody & Stevie Rae, Jose

Angela Burrows (Senior Veterinary Technician) has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since May 2000. Previous to that she worked at Sumter County Animal Hospital since June of 1995. She volunteered in the rehabilitation of wildlife for Ms. Judy Carter for the La Gaudar Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and with Mrs. Lee Split for pediatrics for the exotic cats at Savage Kingdom Sanctuary both in Sumter County. She graduated from Lake Weir High School in 1992. And then she graduated with her AA from Jacksonville Community College in 2008. She lives with her daughter Danielle, their 2 dogs and 3 cats. In her spare time, Angela enjoys inner tubing down Itchnatukni River, hiking with her dogs, painting, photography, reading, writing or anything creative.

Ang Sherbert

(Angela Burrows & Sherbert

Melanie Grant has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since June 2007 where she started out in the kennel. Then in January 2010 she moved up to receptionist; followed by yet another move to technician in April 2010. Melanie graduated from Terry Parker High, Florida State College of Jacksonville with her AA, and is currently pursuing her nursing degree in their RN program. Melanie’s twin sister Melissa works at MAC as well. She has two cats “Panda” & “Captain” (retired blood donor at MAC).

Melanie Grant, Captain & Panda

Sarah Simpkins has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since July 2008 where she to started out as a kennel technician and moved up to receptionist followed quickly by technician. She graduated from Terry Parker High School in 2007. Sarah married Derek Simpkins in December 2010. They share their home with “Buster” a chihuahua and “Grey Goose,” the tiny terror kitty! They enjoy the beach & parks.

Derek grey Buster

Sarah & Derek Simpkins, Grey Goose & Buster

Kennel Attendants:

Helen Sanchez has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since Feb 2009. She has a 3 year old son & is engaged to be married Aug 2012. Helen graduated from State Academy in 2008. She loves working with animals. She has two dogs “Cici” & “Diego” and two cats “Elmo” & “Ion.”

Helen Cici diego elmo

Helen Sanchez, Cici, Diego, Eon & Elmo

Kathy Shakelford has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since October 2010. Previous veterinary experience was acquired at Parkway Animal Hospital. She Went Terry Parker High School. She is married to Reuben and they have 2 children Misty & James. And her grandkids are “Autumn,” “Logan,” “Desirae,” & “Blake.” They have 6 Boston Terriers named: “Dexter,” “Dakota,” “Mac,” “Lakota,” & “Cheyenne.” They also have a cat named “Sony.” In her spare time she is a dancer at Native American Pow-wows.

kathy s kathy s dogs

Kathy Shakelford, Dexter, Dakota, Mac, Lakota, Rocky & Cheyenne

Danielle Burrows has been working at Merrill Animal Clinic since March 2011. But has been volunteering here for quite some time. She currently attends Terry Parker High School. She lives with her mom, their 2 dogs and 3 cats. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, texting, facebooking, reading, music, movies, especially musicals, Glee, and dying her hair.

Dannie Petey

Dannie Burrows, Smudge & Petey

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We hope you enjoyed our newest edition of our newsletter.

Join Our Mailing List at: Merrill7530@aol.com

Sincerely,

The Staff at Merrill Animal Clinic (904) 744-7206

~Bella Woods

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Feb 09

February is Dental Awareness Month!

Stinky, Embarrassing Breath?

Our MAC staff can take care of that!

Did you know that stinky smelly breath can mean that there is bacteria present in your pet’s mouth that leads to plaque and dental disease?

Yellow, brown or green deposits are tartar or calculus and can lead to heart, joint, kidney, and liver infections!

Healthy gums are pink. But an early sign of gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is a red line at the base of the gums just above the teeth. Without proper treatment, the teeth can eventually be lost.

Loose teeth and severe sensitivity of the mouth indicate the later stages of periodontitis. This means bacteria have found their way into the gums, eating away the bones that hold the teeth in place.

Regular dental cleanings by the Dental Team at Merrill Animal Clinic is the most effective way to ensure your pet’s good dental health. Call us at (904) 744-7206 to book your pet’s dental appointment today!

We’re Celebrating Dental Awareness and Offering this Promotion only in the Month of February!

Routine Dentals are as low as $165.00

Call us at (904) 744-7206 to book your pet’s dental appointment today!

The Staff at Merrill Animal Clinic

~Bella Woods

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Save 20%

That’s 20% OFF Dental procedures including: blood work, sedation, ultrasonic scaling & polishing and extractions. Does NOT include any additional services such as vaccines, medications, or other surgical procedures ex: mass removals. Pets must be current on vaccinations and have proof of a negative heart worm test within the last year. Pets over 8 years of age are required to have pre-anesthetic blood work prior to the dental procedure.

This coupon must be mentioned when scheduling the appointment, it is not required to print or bring in person. This coupon is transferable, so you are encouraged to share this offer with friends and family.

Offer Expires: February 28, 2011

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Category: Uncategorized

Cat Vaccination Myths

Stinky, Embarrassing Breath?

Our MAC staff can take care of that!

Routine Dentals are as low as $165.00

Call us at (904) 744-7206 to book your pet’s dental appointment today!

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