Veterinary « Merrill Animal Clinic

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.

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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.

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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 *

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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

Mar 27

Merrill Animal Clinic’s Real Housepets of Duval County by: Hiatt Woods

Real Housepets of Duval County by: Hiatt Woods

Is the thrilling, scandalous world inside the lives of some of the East Coast’s most adorable pets. Episode 1: Merrill Animal Clinic’s Head Veterinary Technician, Jessica H. introduces us to her permanent foster “Stevie Rae.” You will never forget this special little pup’s amazing tale!

Our 1st episode on MAC’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QOsBbf_e8&feature=colike

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Posted in House pets of Duval County, Veterinary Animal Care Dogs Duval County FL. Heart Warming House Pets Housepets Inspirational Jacksonville Merrill Animal Clinic pet care pets Special Needs Veterianarians Veterinary Vets

Mar 27

March’s Newsletter: 25% OFF on High Quality Spays & Neuters

March 2012

MAC Newsletter

March Special:

Take advantage of our 25% OFF on High Quality Spay & Neuter Promotion.

Our Web Page

Join Our e-mail List

Have you gotten a Friend Request on Facebook from “Bella MAC?” If so, that is me!

“Bella Mac” Woods

Accept or Friend Request me & you will have access to adorable photos, fun facts, up coming MAC videos & amazing special offers!!!

&/or Click “Like” on Merrill Animal Clinic’s

Fan Page

Jeff Woods

Beth Van Cleve

Cathy Rogaski

Scarlet Motycka

We strongly urge pet owners to spay intact females.

The longer a female remains intact, the higher her risk for developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer & uterine cancer.

Testicals

We strongly urge pet owners to neuter intact males.

The longer a male remains intact, the higher his risk for developing testicular cancer & prostate cancer.

Welcome back to another edition of Merrill Animal Clinic’s Newsletter! Spring is here and you know what that means: Our intact four-legged friends are looking for love in all the wrong places! Did you know that a male dog can smell a female in heat from miles away? This is the time of year when animal control centers, veterinary practices & even rescue homes overflow with multitudes of offspring that are produced this time a year. There simply just aren’t enough homes for all the animals that need homes. And we all know the consequences of the pet over population problem.

With this in mind our doctors are offering 25% OFF on High Quality Spays & Neuters for the month of MARCH! We are doing our small part to help Duval County pets live longer, healthier & safer lives.

Why Spay?

Dogs, Cats, Puppies & Kittens Too!

There are many behavioral and medical benefits to having your female dog or cat spayed.

Healthier Pets
- Eliminates potential risks involved with pregnancy & birth
- Eliminates breast, ovarian & uterine cancer risks if performed early enough
- Eliminates pyometra, an infection of the uterus which is fatal if not treated
Owner Convenience
- Eliminates estrous/heat cycles = no bloody discharge
- Eliminates the allure that attracts males
- No need for female to be confined
- Eliminates the desire of the female to escape
- Eliminates frantic pacing & crying while in heat, especially cats
Eliminates Pet’s Frustration
- Decreases pet’s desire to roam and get lost, hit by a car, abducted, etc.
- Gives your pet peace of mind, enabling them to relax and be a member of your family
Decreases Pet Overpopulation Problem
- Less unwanted puppies and kittens in the world
- Rids you of the worry about homes for unplanned litters

“George A Bulldog” Photo Courtesy of Jeff Woods

Spay Myths

Spaying = Fat Pet
- Spaying does not make your pet fat or lazy
- Too much food and not enough exercise cause obesity
1 Litter 1st
- Actually it is better for your pet’s health not to have a litter or a heat cycle prior to being spayed.
- Pets can be spayed at 6 months or sooner if needed & approved by the surgeon
Spaying is Too Painful
- The spaying procedure is safe and with medication is relatively pain free
- The recuperation time of pets having an ovariohysterectomy is just a few days, they usually are able to eat that night. Whereas, humans having the same procedure require weeks to recuperate
- Although your pet may never know nor express it, the temporary pain from surgery is far less than the pain of pregnancy and parenthood
Finding homes for puppies & kittens is easy
- Not all homes are created equal
- Everyone does not treat their pets as you do
- Some animals end up in research laboratories, fighting rings or overcrowded & underfunded animal shelters
- 15 million animals are euthanized a year in the United States
- All pets are adorable but not all pets need to procreate: don’t add to the pet overpopulation problem

Why Neuter?

Dogs, Cats, Puppies & Kittens Too!

There are many behavioral and medical benefits to having your male dog or cat neutered.

Healthier Pets
- Reduces the risk of testicular tumors and prostate problems which can eventually both result into cancer
- Eliminates his desire to seek a female, reducing his risk of injury car collision or other unforeseen factors
Owner Convenience
- Reduces aggression against other animals
- Reduces embarrassing behavior such as mounting children as well as adult’s limbs
- Usually stops Tom Cat urine spraying behavior indoors
Eliminates Pet’s Frustration
- Reduces his desire to dig out, jump fences, or break doors to escape or run away when he senses an in heat female within a few mile radius
- Gives your pet peace of mind, enabling him the ability relax and be a productive & loving member of your family
Decreases Pet Overpopulation Problem
- Just one intact male roaming the streets for a few hours can impregnate many females, adding many new additions to an already overwhelming pet overpopulation epidemic
- Less unwanted puppies and kittens lost in an often times harsh world
- Rids you of the worry about homes for unplanned litters

“The Pryce is Whyte” Photo Courtesy of Jessica Crider Garcia

Neuter Myths

Neutering = Fat Pet
- Neutering does not make your pet fat or lazy
- Too much food and not enough exercise cause obesity
Neutering makes him a wimp
- Actually neutered dogs can be just as good guard / watch dogs as intact males, his ability is not enhanced by testosterone
- He will still be as protective of his territory & pack (your family) as he was before his surgery
- Pets can be neutered at 6 months or sooner if needed & approved by the surgeon
Neutering will hurt him
- The neutering procedure is safe and relatively painless, especially with medication
- The recuperation time of pets having this procedure is only a few days,
- Male dogs are usually very eager to to eat the same night of the surgery.
- Males usually have to be leash walked for a few days because they have tendency to overdue with the exercise. Often this will cause scrotal swelling post surgery, which is a minor complication that is more inconvenient to the owner than the pet.
Finding homes for puppies & kittens is easy
- Not all homes are created equal
- Everyone does not treat their pets as you do
- Some animals end up in research laboratories, fighting rings or overcrowded & underfunded animal shelters
- 15 million animals are euthanized a year in the United States
- All pets are adorable but not all pets need to procreate: don’t add to the pet overpopulation problem

Photo Courtesy of the “St. Amand Family”

Do you have a sweet or interesting photo of your furry baby that you would like to share with our other MAC clients? If so, post it on our Facebook page, 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, possibly make an appearance on Our Website and/or Facebook page

A personal note to our readers, subscribers, clients & patients,

I would like to thank you for taking the time to open & read our newsletter. I know how busy people are now a days, so it means so much to me to hear all the positive feedback from our monthly newsletter! Also, I can’t thank our clients enough that have posted glowing recommendations for Merrill Animal Clinic on our Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Merrill-Animal-Clinic/415052430626 If there are any subjects that you would like more information on, just send me an e-mail at Merrill7530@aol.com or “Friend Request” me & write on my personal Facebook wall http://www.facebook.com/#!/MerrillAnimalClinic and I will talk with my doctors, do some research and get back to you.

Sincerely,

Bella & the Medical & Surgical Team of Merrill Animal Clinic

~Bella Woods

Save

25%

on High Quality

Feline & Canine

Spays & Neuters

SAVE 25% OFF on High Quality SPAYS & NEUTERS with a FREE NAIL TRIM and a FREE routine EAR FLUSH

This special offer is for our canine & feline friends for the month of March only. They must be current on vaccinations.

This offer does not include any presurgical bloodwork, which is recommended for all patients undergoing anesthesia. Senior patients over the age of 8 years old are required to have a presurgical blood screen to assess candidacy for surgery. Those under the age of 8 years old are always offered the option to have the screening done, however it is not a requirement for surgery.

Pain injections, medications to go home post surgery and additional surgeries & services are not included in the promotion. Proof of current vaccines and a negative heartworm test within the past year are required. Heartworm Test, Vaccines, and/or other surgeries & services are available for additional fees. Ask for an estimate prior to surgery if need

Females who are found to be in heat or pregnant at the time of surgery may incur additional charges. Males who are found to be cryptorchid (only one testicle descended) may also incur additional charges. Patients will be evaluated by the veterinarian prior to surgery and appropriate recommendations made prior to any surgical procedures. Other surgical procedures and services (such as heartworm testing, vaccinations, etc) are available for an additional charge. Estimates tailored for your individual pet are available upon request.

This coupon must be mentioned when scheduling the appointment, (904) 744-7206. 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.

This offer is not available for client’s paying with Care Credit or with any other coupons or MAC promotions.

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Posted in Veterinary Animal Care Animals Cats Dogs pet care pets Veterinary

Tagged: Veterinary

January 2013 Microchip Special

Merrill Animal Clinic’s October 2012 Newsletter

Merrill Animal Clinic’s Online Pharmacy

10% OFF on 6 month packs of Flea Control & Heartworm Prevention June 2012

Merrill Animal Clinic’s Real Housepets of Duval County by: Hiatt Woods

Real Housepets of Duval County by: Hiatt Woods

Is the thrilling, scandalous world inside the lives of some of the East Coast’s most adorable pets. Episode 1: Merrill Animal Clinic’s Head Veterinary Technician, Jessica H. introduces us to her permanent foster “Stevie Rae.” You will never forget this special little pup’s amazing tale!

Our 1st episode on MAC’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QOsBbf_e8&feature=colike

March’s Newsletter: 25% OFF on High Quality Spays & Neuters

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