ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTRE SOUTH
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Blog

Webstore is here

9/4/2020

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Our online webstore offers everything from pet food for exotics to cats and dogs right down to litter and treats for our feline friends.  We will be using this for our special orders in order to allow minimal contact pick ups of products.  
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Ongoing Covid-19 Protocol Update

8/6/2020

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Staying Safe To Continue To Serve

As of August 1st, we will continue to offer curbside service. We have made this choice for the safety of our clients and staff alike. We understand that despite a pandemic pets require care and many new pets have entered our lives and they too require care. In order to continue to serve you, we will continue curbside until further notice.  
If you are not familiar with curbside this is how it works.
  1.  You arrive with your pet to our clinic, park in the front lot.
  2. Call 403-527-4888
  3. A technician or Doctor will come to collect your pet. Please have them in a carrier or on a leash ideally in the back seat for us to collect with minimal contact.  
  4. The Doctor will call you for history either before or after their physical depending on the nature of the appointment.  
  5. A plan will be made with you during that call and carried out by our team.
  6. Your pet will be returned to you by a technician or Doctor. Any discharge information will be relayed in writing or in person.
  7. Payments can be processed in your car or over the phone that day before you leave.  
We have seen an increase in volume at this time and are continuing our service in this manner in an effort to allow us to fulfil the need of the community for pet care. Please comment below if you have any questions about how curbside works and we will be happy to answer.   ​
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Prepping for pets in case you fall Ill

4/7/2020

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Covid 19 and our clinic

3/15/2020

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In light of recent events in the world we wanted to address the pandemic we are facing.  The COVID-19 is unfortunately impacting many people both with the rate of infection as well as the number of people facing quarantine.  

We want to be here for you and your pets if needed and will remain available for our clients day and night.  We may look at working at a reduced capacity in order to limit risk to staff and their families but we will have someone available if your pet is in need.  In order to stay up to date we encourage everyone to install our app PETDESK where we will send out up to date information if we are facing closure or reduced appointment availability.  

At present we are working at full capacity and ask anyone that is experiencing fever, respiratory illness or feeling unwell they cancel their appointment with us.  If your pet is suffering an illness or injury that requires immediate care, and you are unwell please call us and speak to one of our team members.  

Main points in relation to our current clinic policies
  1. We may be looking at being short staffed in the coming weeks due to quarantine protocols, school closures and daycare closures so please be patient.  
  2. Do not attend your appointment if you should be in quarantine (this includes if you are sick, exposed to a positive case or have returned to the country after March 12, 2020)
  3. If your appointment is not essential consider rebooking to avoid contact
  4. We will try to maintain a 2 meter distance from clients and ask them to do the same with other clients.  We will call you from inside, collect your pet from the car then call you with a plan and results of your pets physical examination.  
  5. Delivery service will be offered in the coming days.  Please give us at least one days notice and we will make arrangements to have food or drugs dropped at your step if needed.  All delivered products will need to be paid for in advance.
  6. Payments can be processed over the phone at time of booking in order to limit your contact with the commonly touched surfaces such as debit machines as reception counters. 

​We have instituted a large number of protocols involving sharing of equipment and spaces in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our spaces in order to protect staff, clients and patients.​  
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Vaccines vs. Parvo treatment.. is it worth the risk?

7/30/2019

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We have fielded a number of parvo cases and wanted to just wanted to help pet owners compare the risk and cost.  This is why we recommend a full puppy series of vaccinations to try and save puppies and money too. 

Vaccination Series

Vaccinations are completed every 4 weeks until your puppy is 16 weeks old.  This means every puppy receives between 3-4 vaccinations.  The series costs an average of $350-$475.  This includes a number of wellness visits as well to ensure your pup is in prime health while it grows with your family.  

Parvo Treatment

Parvo treatment is intense.  Parvo treatment entails the following.  Initial Fecal testing, Bloodwork (sometimes daily), Inter venous Fluids, IV anti emetics(anti nausea), IV antibiotics (usually multiple types).  All staff that enter the room must follow strict isolation protocol and even holding the puppy is risky so they get pets and love through gloves and gowns.  All equipment needed for the isolation room must stay in there and be disinfected with bleach every day.  On average the puppy is tended to 6-10 times during working hours meaning full gown up and disinfection protocol every time in order to prevent the spread through the clinic.  The average time for treatment is 3-5 days.  This means that 50 times someone has to gown up and disinfect themselves, this is the reason isolation care costs more.  The medications are given at least 3 times a day and the other visits are to try and force feed, clean and complete additional testing on the puppy.  It is difficult for staff and the puppy being treated.  The average cost for parvo treatment at our facility averages $1200-$1500  This price could increase if the puppy is in dire straights and requires things like multiple plasma transfusions or more intensive treatments.  

The Bottom Line

When you look at the facts keeping your puppy isolated and well vaccinated is a small price to pay when looking at the extensive treatment needed for a pup with parvo.  Have more questions?  Ask below and we will be sure to answer them.  
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Parvo Positive... what now?

7/29/2019

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With the recent outbreak in parvo we wanted to address some common questions we have heard and what the answers are.  Have more questions, comment on the blog and we will address them. 
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How can my dog catch Parvo?

Quite simply exposure to the fecal material of a positive dog or a carrier can result in transmission of the disease.  Dogs carry fecal material on their feet and fur often when they are young and in large groups making transfer very easy.  Fecal oral transmission can occur with any dog. 

What are the symptoms of Parvo?

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea (may be bloody)
  • Lethargy
  • Fever
  • Anorexia
  • Weakness
  • Weight loss
  • Dehydration

How can I prevent my puppy from catching Parvo? 

Isolation and vaccination are the only two ways to prevent your puppy from being at risk for catching the parvo virus.  When dogs are young and unvaccinated they are at high risk and this is why we recommend keeping young pets isolated and off city streets and out of parks ect.  Until your puppy receives their final booster or has a strong titre they are considered at risk.  

Someone I know has been in contact with me and they have the virus, what should I do next?

Bleach effectively kills the parvo virus and is used in clinics world wide during outbreaks.  Clean every surface that person touched, walked on and had their pets.  You can use a weak bleach solution safely on dog runs and yards even.  

How long is my puppy contagious for?

The standard time frame is approximately 10 days after symptoms subside dogs are considered to be no longer shedding the virus.  They shed the virus for 4-5 days prior to any symptoms are present so this puts many dogs at risk if you are taking unvaccinated pets out of the home.  If you think your puppy has been exposed and may be a carrier or is developing symptoms they need to be quarantined completely and kept off the ground anywhere any other dogs may be, especially unvaccinated  dogs
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Cannabis Concerns

6/4/2019

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Legalization and Cannabis Concerns

With the legalization of cannabis, we have personally seen an increase in the cases of cannabis ingestion by pets in the home.  

What happens if my pet ingests cannabis?

Cannabis ingestion has many symptoms based on the amount of product ingested, the type of product ingested (CBD vs. THC and oils vs. dry product). The cases we have seen have been mostly ingestion of dried products either before or after smoking, yes the remnants of a that joint is toxic! Symptoms include ataxia, disorientation, vocalization, enuresis (inability to control your bladder), altered heart rate, difficulty managing body temperature, tremors, seizures and even coma.  

Treatment

When treating cannabis ingestion we treat them symptomatically so we treat nausea with anti nausea medication, dehydration with intravenous fluids and so on.  Unfortunately some symptoms simply need time to be dealt with and symptoms like disorientation, coma etc can take days to clear up even with treatment,

Rule number one of toxicity

If you are concerned your pet has ingested anything; legal or not you MUST tell your veterinary team so they can initiate the appropriate treatment to help your pet recover faster and more effectively. 
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Weight loss in the real world.  One families journey to 35lb weight loss.

5/21/2019

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Kohv and Teague's Journey

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This is all to unfamiliar for us in the industry.  It is estimated that 60% of cats and 56% of dogs are overweight or obese.  Kohv and Teague were just one of our many success cases when it comes to weight loss.  Their amazing progress was a team effort and Mom and Dad ramped up exercise once they were feeling up to it kicking their weight loss into full gear.

They went from having two dogs showing joint pain and other symptoms of obesity to having two active great looking labs again.  This did not happen overnight they have been working at this amazing transformation for about a year.  
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Where do I start?

To start we need to evaluate your pet and what their current weight, body score and muscle score is.  Once all of these are done we turn to food.  We recommend a number of diets after seeing success from these specific options.  Sometimes we may choose something out of clinic based on other factors such as allergies etc but will have very specific feeding requirements for all choices.  Food needs to be measured precisely and if possible weighed to ensure your pet is getting its exact nutrient requirements and not a kcal more.  This bodes especially true in small breed dogs and cats but can really make a big difference in any weight management situation.  

Is that all ?

Exercise can play a valuable role in every weight loss plan and we like to gradually increase exercise in our patients in order to limit stress on already stressed joints.  We even encourage scheduled play times for your cats on diets as getting them active for even an extra 10 minutes a few times a day can be a real game changer for both your bond with them but also their overall mental and physical health.  With having stress on joints we may prescribe specialty food for joint health or other joint supplements in order to lessen the stress on joints to allow for increased exercise tolerance.  If you think your pet is sore as well as overweight this is an important thing to mention during your nutrition consultation. 

But what about treats?

When we here at Animal Medical Centre South make a weight loss plan we like to keep your routine as familiar to your pet as possible.  We will talk about what a normal day is to you and do our best to keep everything the same if at all possible.  Weight loss does not have to be painful or negative for your pet, we strive to make the experience as positive as possible to ensure you have the best chance of success. 
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What are the benefits of weight loss?

For many pets they will become more comfortable overall.  In the instance of these two they were showing signs of lameness and this became significantly less obvious once they were on a diet that not only promoted weight loss but also cared for their joints.  Excess weight has been linked to everything from respiratory depression, cancer, kidney disease, chronic inflammation, orthopedic disease and reduced life expectancy.  Purina has completed a study called the lifespan study that showed a trim in shape dog lived an average of 15% longer or 1.8 years longer in a dog the size of a Labrador. 


Call us today for your no charge nutritional consultation
403-527-4888

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Laser therapy.  Is it for my pet?

5/6/2019

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Laser therapy, theraputic laser, dog laser, pain relief for dog
Brolly receiving laser treatment for damaged nerves.

So what is laser therapy

Laser therapy makes use of intense beams of light of specific wavelengths to help reduce pain and inflammation in relation to injury or surgical sites. The settings of the laser are very specific and change for every animal.  Laser therapy is measured in joules delivered.  

Pain relief

This is probably the most common use for the laser.  It increases blood flow to the affected area, decreases inflammation and is soothing.  Many pets actually lay down or relax during their session as it gives almost immediate feeling of warmth on a sore joint or incision.  At AMCS we laser every incision in order to promote decreased pain upon recovery.  If your old pet suffers from anything from a torn ligament to arthritis laser therapy might be a great non invasive therapy to manage pain without as many medications.  It has been shown to decrease the need for pain medications in many patients that receive regular therapies for treatment and maintenance 

Decreased Healing Time

Laser therapy causes an increase in blood flow to the site of an incision or wound.  This can drastically improve healing time and we have seen it work great for everything from spay incisions to large wounds.  This increased blood flow does not mean that the wound bleeds simply put the healing properties of fresh blood are brought back to the surface of old wounds.   We recommend it for all wound repairs and for dogs that are so active we have issues keeping them calm for the recommended 10 days post surgery.  

Nerve Stimulation

When the nerves in the body misfire or have decreased action sometimes laser therapy can help those pathways regenerate.  This bodes to be true in dogs that have troubles walking or ambulating.  It is not a guarantee but is one of the few therapies shown to offer occasional improvement.  Regenerative nerve therapy is new but showing great progress.  We have personally seen a dog with nerve damage have great improvement with regular therapies.  He received laser treatments twice a week for a number of weeks in order to allow him better use of his back legs and he is now up and walking.    

So why should I do it for my pet?

Laser is referred to as a non invasive therapy.  It requires no sedation and minimal handling to complete the therapy.  It can reduce the need for medications such as non steroidal anti inflammatory like Metacam or pain medications like Gabapentin.  We recommend it for pets that are young and old alike.  We offer it for everything from that active spay patient to the old cat that is having a hard time getting in and out of the litterbox without pain medications.  Would your pet benefit?  Call us today at 403-527-4888  

How many treatments will my pet need?

Every pet is different and most therapies start at a few treatments a week, then the frequency decreases to anywhere to a treatment a week to every 3+ weeks.  The frequency depends solely on your pets recovery and response to therapy. 
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Why is my pet peeing more?

4/3/2019

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Is your pet using the litterbox or asking to go out more than usual?  There are a few key illness's we look to in the instance of Polydipsia or increased urination as it is most commonly called.
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Diabetes

This is always our clients first thought when it comes to increased urination and it definitely deserves a spot on the list but often Diabetes is associated with a number of other changes so a whole health examination and blood panel need to be performed.  Diabetes causes a spike in drinking, often eating and urinating.  This is all in response to a high blood sugar levels.

Kidney Disease

When kidneys become damaged from either age related changes or a toxic event the kidneys have a hard time concentrating the urine and pets urinate large amounts frequently.  Advanced kidney disease is often associated with other symptoms such as weight loss and even anorexia or loss of appetite. This disease process also requires a blood and urine panel to be completed for appropriate staging and diagnosis. 

Metabolic Changes

There are a few metabolic diseases such as cushings disease and even hyperthyroid that can cause a change in both drinking and peeing habits.  These diseases can be associated with other symptoms such as hair loss and ravenous appetites respectively. 

Urinary Tract Infections

By far this is the most commonly seen reason for increased urination.  Most pets show an increased frequency but not an increased volume of urine production when afflicted with a urinary tract infection.  To properly diagnose a urinary tract infection your vet will either collect or ask you to collect a fresh urine sample for diagnostics. 

Psycogenic Polydipsia

Most commonly seen in young puppies the brain does not send an appropriate signal to the body to stop drinking simply put.  This leads to puppies (most often) that drink and drink and then pee and pee.  As you can imagine this makes house training difficult.  To diagnose this your vet needs a good history as well as a urine and possibly blood panel completed.  This problem often will correct itself with some behavioural therapy.  If noted in a young animal it is always important to rule out all other causes before this is considered a diagnostic option.  

So what do I do about all this pee?

Simply visit your local veterinarian and provide them a detailed history and follow their lead.  The history you present is like a trail of crumbs leading to an appropriate diagnosis and the lab work is like a sign on the road.  
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Animal Medical Centre South

59 East 3rd Ave 
Dunmore, AB 
T1B 0L2
Available 24/7 for emergencies.
Call:  403-527-4888
Email: amcsouth@gmail.com

Hours of Operation

Mon:  8:00am - 5:30pm
Tue:  8:00 am - 5:30pm
Wed:  8:00am - 5:30pm
Thu:  8:00am - 5:30pm
Fri:  8:00am - 5:30pm
Sat:  9:00am - 2:00pm
Sun:  Closed
Closed on Holidays
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  • Home
  • Services
    • Webstore
    • Small Animal Services >
      • Digital Radiology
      • Wellness Visits
      • Vaccinations
      • Ultrasound
      • Small Animal Surgery
      • Opthamology
      • Dental Care
      • Cancer Care
      • Dermatology
      • Nutritional Consults
      • Pain Management
      • Physical Rehabilitation
      • Laser Therapy
      • Accupuncture
    • Exotics >
      • Surgery
      • Medical Exams
    • Large Animal - Animal Medical Centre South >
      • C-sections
      • Bovine Preg Checking
      • Bovine Semen Testing
      • Herd Health
      • Basic Equine Care
      • Teeth Floats
  • Blog
  • About
    • Our Doctors
    • Our Staff
    • Clinic App
  • Contact
  • Careers