Some Advantages Offered By Our Online Store

Here are some advantages for using our online store for all your pet's medications needs.

• Our online store is a a much better alternative to 1-800petmeds. - All products through our fully-accredited pharmacy are direct from the manufacturers and include the original manufacturer guarantees. 
• Great pricing ! - Our online store offers exclusive instant savings that put prices below 1-800petmeds.
• You get free shipping on food with our new AUTOSHIP service. - We offer a great selection on regular and medicated food. 
• We have a super easy way to manage refills. - You simply refill online. No need to call or come to our hospital to pick up a prescription for your pet's refills.
• Every month we email you special discount coupons and codes. - These special offers are specially designated so you can obtain products and medications at the lowest price possible. We recommend to visit our special rebate page for discounts on a great variety of products.

Some medications are sold by prescription only and we need to have a current doctor-client-patient relationship documented in our records. Non prescription products are available to anyone within the state of Georgia. For more information about our services please visit our hospital's webpage or call us at (404) 366-4370.

Bravecto: New Product Against Fleas and Ticks ( Regular Price $45.99)

Bravecto is a new flea and tick preventive product available at our online store. One oral dose prevents fleas and ticks for up to 3 months. This product is sold by prescription only.  Regular price is $45.99 per dose. Buy two doses and get a rebate mail check of $15.00 Buy four doses and get a rebate mail check of $45.00. Call our online store 1-888-606-3336 for details or contact our hospital 1-404-366-4370 for information on how to access our store.

Puppy Wellness Plan With Microchip $28.92

Our Puppy Wellness Plan with Microchip is our most popular wellness plan. The plan includes the following services for only $28.92 per month:

• Unlimited office visits
• Core vaccines
• Two fecal exams
• Four dewormings for hooks and rounds
• One year supply of heartworm prevention (Triheart brand)
• Microchip with registration

​The initial payment fee is $70.42 (enrollment fee plus 1st month of payments). For more information please call us at (404) 366-4370.

Basic Wellness Plan For Puppies $26.42

Our Basic Wellness Plan for Puppies includes the following services:

• Unlimited Office Visits
• Vaccines recommended by our veterinarians.
• Two Fecal exams
• Four dewormings against hookworms and roundworms.
• One year supply of Heartworm Prevention (Triheart Brand)

The initial payment fee is $67.92 (includes enrollment fee + 1st month), then eleven monthly payments of $26.42.  This plan saves you $200. Please call our office for more details (404) 366-4370.

Planning Ahead To Keep Our Pets Safe

Winter storms, wildfires, hurricanes and others natural disasters can occur at any time in the state of Georgia. For that reason, it is essential to prepare yourself and your pets in case of an emergency situation.

• Create a Pet Emergency Kit : This kit should be essential part of your emergency plans. To learn how to create one yourself, please watch the following video.

• Keep your Pet Emergency Kit and pet's carriers together: Make sure your pet carriers are label with your contact information.
• Place a sticker near your home's front door: The sticker should indicate the number and type of pets residing in your household.

• Plan a safety location for you and your pet ahead of time: Keep in mind that not all disaster shelters accept pets. Take some time to find some pet-friendly evacuation locations in your area. Check with your local veterinary hospitals, pet boarding facilities, pet-friendly hotels and  motels. Unfortunately, our hospital has a very limited boarding space, but we recommend the following facilities to board your pets in case of emergency

                    Fair Oaks Veterinary Hospital: Phone (770) 432-7155

                    All Breed Pet Grooming and Boarding : Phone (770) 435-2854

                    Lakeview Animal Hospital: Phone (770) 435-2552

    

• Never leave your pets behind: Even if your home is not affected during a natural disaster,               you can   not forecast when you will be able to come back home.
•  Microchip your pets and keep a collar with up to date rabies tag  on them all the time:            Proper  identification enhances the chances of your pet be reunited with you after a major disaster        event.  Please take advantage of our low cost microchipping service for only $30.  
• Talk with neighbors in case you are not at home when an emergency strikes: Show your           neighbors, friends, family and pet sitters, where your pet emergency kit and carriers are located           should an emergency occur while you are not at home. 
• Train you pets to come when called: Training your pet to come to a particular call can prove to       be  a life-saving preventive.
•  Stay calm: The calmer you can keep yourself, the more relaxed your pet will feel. A pheromone spray or the use of a Thundershirt can be very helpful when stress levels are running high.
•  Keep things familiar: Maintain the feeding schedule as routine as possible. Also keep their                favorite toys, blankets and bedding in the pet carrier.

For more information please contact us a (404) 366-4370 or visit our website .

Important Tips To Consider Before Buying Pet Insurance

If you decide to purchase pet insurance, there are several companies to choose from. Most provide coverage throughout the United States and offer flexible plans you can use with any veterinarian. Some even include discounts for multiple pets. Here are some tips that can help you the insurance that is best for your family pet and your pocket.

1. Research pet health insurance policies before or soon after you obtain a pet.
2. Enroll your pet when he / she is healthy.
3. Ask your veterinarian which illness are most likely to affect pets like yours, and investigate coverage for those ailments.
4. Ask your veterinarian , hospital staff and friends for pet health insurance company recommendations. At our hospital we recommend Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) , Pet Assure and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance .
5. Compare policies offered by at least three different companies.
6. Make sure you understand how the policies will calculate reimbursement of benefits.
7. Ask how often your premium will change and why.
8. Ask how much your premium will be in the future.
9. Ask how long the company has been in business.
10. Ask if the numbers of claims submitted affects your premium.
11. Choose the deductible and required co-payment you can afford.
12. Visit independent websites with customer reviews of providers and policies.

Visit each company social media pages to see what comments their policy holders are posting.

Please watch the following short video with 3 additional useful tips to use before buying pet insurance.

As always, if you have any questions about pet insurance or wellness plans for you pets please call us at (404) 366-4370.

Four Recommendations That Can Help A Cat With Arthritis

Arthritis is a very common condition diagnosed in geriatric cats. Most of the time this painful condition is treated with pain medications and nutritional supplements. Recent studies provide indications  that certain environmental changes and the use of diets can reduce the amount of pain this cats tend to suffer. Here are four easy recommendations that can improve the quality of life of a cat diagnosed with arthritis.

(1) Probably the most important recommendation is to keep your cat in a healthy weight range. It can help him to maintain mobility and feel better.

(2) Provide your cat with softer bedding for a more comfortable sleep.

(3) Use ramps to help your cat reach his favorite perch.

(4) Place the food and water bowls on the floor or placed at the cat's elbow levels.

If you have any questions on how to deal with a cat with arthritis, please give us a call. Our phone number is (404) 366-4370.

The Top Ten Poisons For Dogs

Pet owners need to be aware that there are certain household items and medication that can put their dogs in danger. For that reason we had created the following list of the most common products involved in cases of dog poisoning across the United States.

1. Chocolate: Bakers and dark chocolate are the most toxic to dogs. Milk chocolate can be dangerous only if ingested in large amounts.  Remember that the darker the chocolate the most dangerous is to your dog.
2. Xylitol: This  sweetener found in sugar-less chewing gum and candy, medications and nasal sprays causes rapid drop in blood sugar. 
3. NSAIDS: Ibuprofen, naproxen and so on, found in products like Advil, Motrin and Aleve, are not easily metabolized by dogs. These products produce stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
4. Over the counter cough, cold and allergy medications: Those products that contain acetaminophen or decongestants, such pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are particularly toxic.
5. Rodenticides (mouse poison): Products that contain brodifacoum and bromadiolone can cause internal bleeding. Products with the ingredient bromethalin can cause brain swelling even if  a small amount is ingested.
6. Grapes and raisins: These harmless human foods cause kidney damage in dogs.
7. Insect bait stations: These rarely cause poisoning in dogs- the bigger risk is bowel obstruction when dogs swallow the plastic casing.
8. Prescription medications for ADD/ADHD: Amphetamines such as Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine and Vyvanse can cause tremors, seizures, cardiac problems and death in dogs.
9. Glucosamine joint supplements: Overdoses of products such as Cosequin and More Free typically only cause diarrhea; however, in rare cases liver failure can develop.
10. Oxygen absorbers and silica gel packets: Iron-containing oxygen absorbers found in food packages like beef jerky or pet treats can cause iron poisoning. Silica  gel packs, found in new shoes, purses or backpacks is rarely a concern.

If you think that your dog has been exposed or ingested one of the above products or if you have any questions about other toxins that can affect dogs, please call one of the following numbers:

Pet Poison Help Line : 1-800-213-6680 ( $39 per incident fee applies)

Union City Veterinary Medical Center & Emergency Clinic : 770-964-0700

Southern Crescent Animal Emergency : 770-460-8166

Check our video Ten Toxins That Can Kill Your Dog.

Seven Useful Health Care Tips For Puppies

Got a new furry member in your family? Congratulations and welcome to the joys of owning a new puppy. Get ready for an exciting journey as this new member enriches your family. Please remember that raising your new friend takes more than love; your pet needs a preventive health care program too. Here are our seven useful tips that you implement as a regular routine at home to keep your new friend healthy and happy:

1. Have your puppy vaccinated against dangerous diseases based on the advice of your veterinarian. Check our posts about first set of vaccines, second set of vaccines and third set of vaccines for more information.
2. Make sure to give your pet monthly preventive care for heartworms and control of fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites. 
3. Puppies benefit from having a crate, which not only serves as a source of security but can also help with house-training. Adding a pet bed, blanket or even a towel will make it a comfortable place to sleep.
4. Follow your veterinarian's advice concerning the type and amount of food to give your puppy and be sure to designate a clean, quiet area where your dog's food  and water bowls are consistently placed.
5. Brush your puppy's hair coat regularly to remove shed hair and hair mats; bathe him or her no more than once every two weeks with puppy shampoo.
6. Make sure your puppy gets adequate exercise.
7. Protect your puppy from household hazards including electric cords, poisonous plants and household chemicals.     

Remember that puppies require a lot of attention, veterinary care, feeding, socialization and training. Do not hesitate in calling us if you have any questions about how to take care of than important member of your family.

Second Set Of Vaccines For Puppies Only $59.00

At our hospital the second set of vaccine for puppies is only $59.00 . This vaccines package includes: physical exam, vaccines against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza and bordetella. Also includes prophylactic deworming and nail trim. Please call (404) 366-4370 to make an appointment.
Check our post Puppies First Set Of Vaccines for more information about our low cost program.

Puppies First Set Of Vaccines Only $49.00

 

Veterinary Medical Center of Clayton offers a reduced cost vaccine program to our local community. Our first set of puppy vaccines is only $49.00 and includes a physical exam, vaccines against Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis and Parainfluenza plus  deworming against hookworms and roundworms. This package also includes a courtesy nail trim and ear cleaning. Please call (404) 366-4370 to make an appointment. 

 

 

 

 

 Check our post second set of puppy vaccines for additional information about of low cost program.

 

 

 

Do You Need Help With Your Veterinary Bills?

Below is a comprehensive list of pet financial aid-related organizations for the regions of Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico. We always recommend to  contact your local registered / certified rescue groups and veterinary schools to learn about resources that may help.

If your organization is offering assistance (such as pet food, discounted veterinary services including spay/neuter, temporary foster care, etc.) to individuals facing financial difficulties due to the current economic situation, please let us know about your programs by emailing us at admin@bestvetsforpets.com

Florida

Central Brevard Humane Society: Cocoa (assistance for veterinary care including spay/neuter)

www.crittersavers.com

Humane Society of Broward County: Ft. Lauderdale (low-cost spay/neuter)

http://humanebroward.com/

Alachua County Humane Society: Gainesville (pet food)

www.alachuahumane.org

St. Francis Animal Hospital: Jacksonville (assistance for veterinary care including spay/neuter)

www.saintfrancisanimalhospital.org

Bright Paw Pet food Bank: Melbourne (pet food assistance)

321-733-7672

SPCA Suncoast: New Port Richey (pet food)

http://www.spcasuncoast.org

Pet Project for Pets: Oakland Park (provides pet food and supplies for terminally ill, disabled and senior pet owners)

www.petprojectforpets.org

Central Florida Animal Pantry: Orlando (pet food and supplies, spay/neuter assistance, and grooming assistance)

http://www.animalpantry.org

SPCA of Central Florida: Orlando (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program, discounted veterinary care)

http://www.orlandopets.org

Spay Shuttle: Palm Beach County (spay/neuter assistance)

www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/animalcare/spay_shuttle.htm

SPOT Low Cost Spay/neuter Clinic: Pinellas Park (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

www.spotusa.org

Humanitarian Animal Relief Program (HARP): Port Orange (pet food and supplies, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care) 386-795-7323 http://www.harpforpets.com/

Pasco Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):Port Richey (spay/neuter assistance)

www.pawsfl.com

Collier Spay Neuter Clinic: Southwest Florida (spay/neuter assistance)

www.collierspayneuter.org

Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT): Tampa (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

www.actampa.org

Humane Society of Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay (pet food, discounted/free vaccinations)

http://www.humanesocietytampa.org/

SPCA Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay (spay/neuter assistance)

http://www.spcafl.org/site/PageServer

The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River Co.:Vero Beach (pet food, spay/neuter assistance, limited medical assistance)

772-388-3331

Georgia

PALS: Pets Are Loving Support (veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners)

palsatlanta.org

Cherokee County Humane Society: Acworth (spay/neuter assistance)

www.cchumanesociety.org

LifeLine Animal Project: Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

http://www.atlantapets.org/

PAWS Atlanta: Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

http://pawsatlanta.org

Project CatSnip: Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

http://www.atlantaanimalalliance.com/catsnip.htm

Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT): Atlanta (spay/neuter assistance)

http://spotsociety.org

Humane Society of Hall County: Gainesville (spay/neuter assistance)

http://www.humanesocietyofhallco.com/

Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen: Lilburn (pet food and supplies, spay/neuter assistance, temporary foster program, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care)

http://www.daffyspetsoupkitchen.com/

Spay And Neuter Team of Atlanta Marietta (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

www.spay-neuterteam.com

Floyd County Animal Control: Rome (pet food assistance for Floyd County residents)

http://www.floydcountyga.org/Animal%20Control/About.htm

Pet Assistance League of Savannah: Savannah (spay/neuter assistance)

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/3592/

Spay Georgia: Statewide (spay/neuter assistance)

http://spaygeorgia.org

Carroll County Humane Society’s West Georgia Spay/neuter Clinic: Villa Rica (spay/neuter assistance)

http://www.westgeorgiaspayneuter.com/

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Animal Welfare Society: Isabela (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PR07.html

als.org

Please keep in mind that each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. Therefore you will have to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance.

Information source:  The Humane Society of the United States www.humanesociety.org

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? (Coprophagia)

Coprophagia (poop eating) is usually a nasty learned habit and not a medical problem. Here are the top reasons why dogs eat poop and what you can do to curb their appetite!

1. Oral fixation habit—puppies (like human children) go through a phase where they put anything and everything in their mouths in order to investigate. Unfortunately, this often includes feces. As dogs mature, usually this habit goes away…but not always.
Vet Tip: encourage oral investigation of toys and other objects. Do not punish or give excessive attention if your puppy does eat feces—this will just reinforce the behavior.

2. Allelomimetic behavior—this is the fancy name for learned behavior. If your dog watches you pick up poop, he can learn to do the same. If his beloved master is doing it, why shouldn't he…?
Vet Tip: Clean the poop out of the yard when your dog is not around!

3. Attention getting behavior—many dog owners get very upset when their dog eats poop…which means he is getting the attention he desires. Although it is negative attention, it is attention nonetheless.
Vet Tip: Try not to react so negatively when you know your dog has been snacking on his poo. Pretty soon it will lose its novelty and without your attention, many times they drop the behavior.

4. Housekeeping—dogs that are crated, kenneled, or even kept in one room within the house will learn to function as their own housekeeper. In other words, if they poop in their space, they will "clean up" the only way they know how!
Vet Tip: Clean any feces up immediately. If your dog is crated throughout the day, consider hiring a dog walker or someone to come in during the day to clean up.

5. Hiding the evidence—if your dog is reprimanded for pooping (for example, in his crate or other space), he may eat the poop to stop you from finding it and getting angry.
Vet Tip: Tone it down if your dog poops in the cage. Don't punish the dog or you may have a nasty habit to deal with.

6. Genetics/Instinct—there are some breeds that are "carriers"…they carry poop around and may or may not eat it. Also, if your dog has puppies, she is likely to eat their poop. This is an instinct to hide the poop from predators.
Vet Tip: This instinct usually goes away in a mother dog. Otherwise, the best you can do is to teach the "leave it" command and be a meticulous cleaner!

7. Food problems—If a dog is not getting a nutritionally balanced diet (rare, these days), or eating a poor quality food, they may be eating their poop because of a deficiency. If your dog is eating too little or eating too much, they can also engage in poop-eating.
Vet Tip: always feed a high quality, nutritionally balanced diet in the correct quantities (work with your vet) to maintain your dog's ideal weight.

8. Medical problems—this is the least likely reason for your dog to eat poop. If a dog is plagued with parasites or problems that cause maldigestion or malabsorption, they may eat poop.
Vet Tip: Have your vet check your dog for parasites and perform a general health check. Remember, if your dog eats poop routinely, they are more likely to acquire parasites and you should have them checked 2-3 times a year.

If all else fails, some dogs respond positively to the addition of fresh pineapple to their food. The natural enzyme in pineapple causes their poop to taste distasteful to them...as if it wasn't distasteful enough!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM,, is a renowned, board-certified Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist who has practiced at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and other leading institutions. She is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

A Kiss From A Dirty Mouth!

It’s good to give hugs, but avoid giving kisses. Kisses seem nice, but dogs have very dirty mouths. Dogs go through garbage cans, toilet bowls, and love smelling and licking specific body parts of some other dogs. There is an old... wives’ tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Please Help Your Local Rescue Group!

Rescue groups are always in need of foster homes to continue their important work. Rescues often provide food, supplies, and cover veterinary expenses for dogs in foster homes. If you are interested in fostering or adopting a dog, please contact one of our recommended rescue groups in Georgia: Hickory Level Hound Rescue and Laskey's Lucky Ones & Volunteers.

How To Teach Any Dog PERFECT Obedience!

Very interesting video about dog training! Please watch How To Teach Any Dog PERFECT Obedience (Sit, Down & Stand)

Jerky Treats & Fanconi Syndrome in Pets

In this video we briefly discuss the causes, clinical signs and diagnostic tests needed in Fanconi Syndrome cases. This condition has been recently associated with the feeding of contaminated jerky treats to pets in the USA.

Doing Volunteer Work At Our Veterinary Hospital

Want to learn about what Veterinary Medicine ? Are you interested in the field of animal care ? If the answer to any of these two questions is yes, then we want you to be part of our volunteer program. Watch the following video and find out if you have the qualities to be one of our volunteers.

 

If you are interested in doing volunteer work with us, please call us at (404) 366-4370 for more information. You must be at least 16 years old to participate in our volunteer program.

Rat-Bite Fever

Rat-bite fever is a bacterial condition that can affect people handling pet rodents.. According to the CDC, people can contract rat-bite fever from bites or scratches from infected rodents, such as rats, mice and gerbils, or even just by handling an animal with the disease without a bite or scratch. It can also be contracted by consuming food or drink contaminated with the bacteria. It is not spread from person to person.  In humans, symptoms of this bacterial condition do not manifest for two to four weeks after exposure to the infected pet.  Rat bite symptoms are visually seen in most cases and include inflammation around the open sore. A rash can also spread around the area and appear red or purple. Other symptoms associated with  rat bite fever include chills, fever, vomiting, headaches, and muscle aches. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are highly effective at treating rat-bite fever, and it is rarely fatal, according to the CDC. The agency recommends that people who handle rats or clean their cages wear protective gloves, wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their mouths with their hands after being in contact with rodents.

$7.00 Rabies Vaccine Clinic

Our hospital is going to be offering a $7.00 Rabies Vaccine Clinic from March 3 to March 14, 2014. By appointment only. Please call (404) 366-4370 to make reservations.

Nutrition and Allergies

 Pets can have allergies to foods or environmental allergens. Food allergens include ingredients commonly found in pet foods such as animal proteins and grains. If your pet has a food allergy, it may cause intense itching, loose stools, flatulence and vomiting. Sometimes a simple change in diet can correct the symptoms of the allergy. However, we recommend you consult a veterinarian to decide which diet is the most appropriate for your pet.

The Pitbull Problem In Georgia

The animal control facilities across the state of Georgia are killing hundreds of pit bulls each week. Each homeless pit bull that dies in the street or sits helpless in a shelter is the product of a breeder, either intentionally or acciden...tally. Responsible pit bull owners have their dogs spayed or neutered. This is crucial to fixing the pit bull overpopulation crisis throughout our state. Pit bull owners have many resources available to help them afford to spay or neuter their dogs. One of those resources is our Low Cost Spay and Neuter Program that our hospital offers to the local residents of Clayton, Fulton and Henry counties. We also accept applications for the Georgia Department of Agriculture Spay and Neuter Program and vouchers from the Clayton Humane Society. For more information about our Low Cost Spay & Neuter Program please call (404) 366-4370.

Apoquel: New Medication To Treat Allergies In Dogs

New Product! We are very excited about this new medication for the treatment of allergies in dogs. APOQUEL® (oclacitinib tablet) is a novel, first-in-class, targeted therapy that provides dogs fast itch control without many of the side effects associated with steroids. This medication is now available at our hospital and via our online store. By prescription only.

 

The Cat - Human Bond

Research suggests that cats treat humans in much the same way that they treat other cats, suggesting that they may be unable to conceptualize the difference between the species. Dogs, on the other hand, behave markedly differently when confronted with a human, suggesting a more sophisticated awareness of species status.