Smith Veterinary Hospital

Well folks, after many, many, MANY hours of work I have finally completed the svh.ca makeover!  My hope is that the new site will be easier to navigate, have more topics available to you and be more convenient to all who visit.  I am super excited about the changes we made and I would love to get some feedback from you so please let me know what you think!

WELCOME NEWBIES
After the frenzy of the holiday season it's nice to just sit back and take a break before the season winds up again.  January is typically a quieter time in the veterinary field as people try to replenish their wallets after the holiday spending spree.  This year, however, quiet was not an option as we had a record number of new clients cross our threshold.  To all you 'newbies' let me extend an official "welcome" to the SVH Family! And to all you loyal clients who have recommended us to your friends and family let me extend a heartfelt 'thank you' - your trust in us means the world to everyone on our team and there are no words to properly express our appreciation.

FEBRUARY IS DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
While January tends to be a little quieter it's only a small break before we kick off February Dental Health Month.  Good oral health is crucial to the health and well-being of your pet and yet it is estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three have some form of periodontal disease.  Sure, we all know we SHOULD brush our pet's teeth, but how many of us actually do?  The fact is that brushing your pet's teeth can be a time consuming and overwhelming experience; but, it still remains the best way to keep your pet's mouth clean and healthy.  Fortunately, there are many dental diets and products on the market that can help those of us who cannot seem to get that brush inside our pets' mouths.  From water additives to special anti-bacterial chews to oral rinses, there is a product available to suit your lifestyle and your needs.  (see the attached flyer for more information)

Unfortunately, as great as these products are they are not magic wands and therefore cannot remove plaque and tartar that have already accumulated on your pet's teeth.  Only a professional dental cleaning by your veterinary team can properly assess the level of damage that exists and return your pet's mouth to a state of good health. That's why we are excited to offer 10% off ALL Professional Dental Cleanings all February long! So if you've been putting off getting your pet's teeth cleaned now is the perfect time to come in!  Remember: good oral health is not just about sweet smelling breath and cosmetics.  An unhealthy or diseased mouth is riddled with bacteria that can enter the bloodstream through the oral mucosa and wreak havoc on your pet's internal organs such as the liver, kidneys and even the heart!


PICKING A PUPPY
Over the holidays many families increased in size as they added a new puppy to their home and over the past few weeks we have had a little 'parade of puppies' come through our door.  Unfortunately, not all of these puppies were healthy and often it could be traced back to where they came from and how they were raised.  While many of us know that breeders and rescue agencies are the best choices when looking for a new puppy, it often happens that the sad little eyes peeping out the window of the local pet shop catch our eye and we make the decision to 'rescue' the puppy and take it home.  Sadly, many of these puppies come from puppy mills and their health status is often poor.  From the deadly Parvovirus to the more common parasite infestation, most of the puppies from pet stores are not in the of best shape and it is always heartbreaking when we are unable to save these little guys from the diseases that plague them.  That's why this month I chose to focus on where and how to obtain a healthy puppy without supporting the puppy mill industry.  To learn about how to select a breeder or what to watch out for when looking for a puppy please check out this month's SVHNews by going to www.svh.ca and clicking on SVHNEWS NEWSLETTER from the top menu.


PRELIMINARY HEARTWORM SEASON PLANNING HAS BEGUN!
Though the weather outside is still bitter and cold it won't be long before Spring begins to creep in.  It might seem early to start planning, but heartworm season is just a few months away.  Now is the time to begin preparing by booking your pup's appointment for his or her yearly Heartworm and Wellness Blood Tests.  Heartworm Season is the busiest time of year for us and we book up fast so get a leg up on the season and call us today to secure a date and time to bring your furry friend in!

That's it for this month everyone!  Please enjoy the New & Improved svh.ca and feel free to email me back to let me know what you think!



~Jennifer Febel