Exams, Internet Pharmacies, Nutrition, and Internet Information...

This is a FAQ area to help our clients understand the importance of the physical exam, and the pros and cons of the Internet as a source of information and shopping for your pet.

1) My friend gets her pet's shots at a local vaccine clinic and pays much less for them than I do.  Is there a reason?

Yes.  Many vaccine clinics held in retail stores or even at regular veterinary offices attract people with low "overall" prices.  What is often "included" with the vaccines is a cursory examination, if there is any exam at all.  At Ridgefield, we believe that the yearly examination is of utmost importance.  Because a pet ages more rapidly than we do, an annual for a dog or cat is equivalent to seeing your doctor every 5-7 years!  There are very few pets who come in "just for shots" where we find no abnormalities on exam.  It may be as simple as an ear or skin infection, but often it is dental disease or we may palpate a mass or hear a heart murmur.  Your veterinarian is trained to do a through exam and will see things that you may not know to look for, and catching any problem early on is the key to sucessful treatment (and avoiding emergency visits).  Your veterinarian is also trained to help you with suggestions appropriate to your pet in areas of husbandry, training, diet and more - all important to the overall health of your pet.

What's included in your pet's Annual Visit at Ridgefiled is a thorough exam, as well as the vaccines deemed appropriate for your pet's health.  These will vary depending on your pet's age and lifestyle.   We also perform a stool parasite check (a fecal exam) on all pets and a heartworm check on all dogs.  Even pets who are on prevention can become infected with heartworms if a dose is late, and in rare cases even if they have never missed a dose.  It is important that we catch these cases early to begin treatment, as opposed to catching them only when the pet shows symptoms. 

While the vaccines given vary depending on the type of pet and their needs, rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs and cats, and highly recommended for horses. 

What is the most important part of the Annual Visit ?  It is the exam.

2) The Internet is the best source for all information related to my pet, right?

The internet is a great overall source of information, but remember that it is not specific to your pet and your situation, and it is not "peer reviewed" and monitored for site accuracy.  Breeders may be a great source of breed specific information, but their presence on the internet is mainly to sell pets.  Common health and behavior problems of a breed may not be their focus.  Medical information on the internet may also be in error, as much information on lay-person run web sites is not referenced, and may have had errors passed down as the information has floated in cyberspace.  Also, medical proticols and treatments change frequently as we learn more about various diseases.  Chose your sites wisely, and ask your veterinarian for their opinion as they know you and  your pet's particular situation.

Check our Pet Library page for correct, up-to-date information.  Also check our website's page of internet listings, but another trustworthy source for companion animal information is HealthyPet.com provided by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

3) The Internet is a great source for purchasing inexpensive medications for my pet.

Internet pharmacies have become huge marketing giants over the last few years.  These businesses advertise low prices and free shipping, and are especially fast to say they have a "Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee".  Unfortunately, all of the major manufacturers of Heartworm preventatives will not cover the treatment costs of pets who have become heartworm positive on product purchased from online pharmacies.  There have been several lawsuits over where the product is obtained and inappropriate prescribing on the part of these pharmacies.  

A money-back guarantee will not come close to treating  a pet who has become heartworm positive due to a possible product failure.  We suggest that you get all of your pet's medications from a trusted provider like your pet's own veterinarian or a licensed human pharmacy acting on your veterinarian's orders.  When using an online pet pharmacy, be sure they will back the products they sell, and don't accept medications prescribed by a veterinarian who has never seen your pet.

Even non-perscription medications can be dangerous when purchased from a source that does not know your pet and cannot explain risks, hazzards, and proper usage to you ( like pet stores and feed stores).  Recently we had a client order Advantage for her cats from a source on eBay.  One of the packs was actually K9 Advantix - a dog product that is highly toxic and normally fatal if applied to cats.  Knowing your medications come from your pet's health care team adds a layer of safety and confidence to your purchases for your pet. 

4)  Holistic and Natural foods are the best for my pet.

While we all agree that foods should be safe and nutritious, not everyone agrees on what makes up "holistic" or "natural" when it comes to labeling in pet foods.  National standards must be met by every pet food manufacturer, and words like "holistic" and "natural" are there to market one product over another.  Vegitable shaped and colored dog food kibble is still kibble, and foods with meat as their first ingredient meet the same national standards as other diets - and visa versa.  So let more than marketing sway you on choosing the right food for your pet.  Get input from your pet's advocate - their veterinarian - who will make suggestions with your pet's medical history in mind !

As more and more of our clients deal with pets who have food allergies, some interesting facts have come to light.  68% of reported food allergies come from beef, dairy, or wheat.   Corn, which is often cited in advertising as being "bad" for dogs is not listed even in the second 25% which includes lamb, chicken eggs, chicken and soy.