We installed UVC lighting in our air-conditioning and heating systems this past spring to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and to minimize other virus and bacteria spread. Nice to see this technology is developing where the light can be used out in the open and doesn't have to be hidden in ductwork. This also is a reminder that we will continue to pursue the best care for our staff as well as our clients and we'll follow where the science leads us: test - diagnose - treat - confirm. And we highly recommend following "This Week in Virology" podcast.
MICROBE.TV
TWiV 666: A far-UVC light bulb went off for David Brenner | This Week in Virology
MESSENGER
Family Veterinary Hospital updated their info in the about section.
Dr. Chau demonstrating the use and explaining the benefit of our mechanical ventilator machine we use for most surgeries: https://youtu.be/K0as3VqD26Q
YOUTUBE.COM
M2U00481.MPG
To get an idea of the day in the life of a veterinarian, check out our many Youtube videos (treating paralysis, underwater treadmill, dental cleanings and much more) https://www.youtube.com/user/Familyvet/videos
YOUTUBE.COM
Familyvet
Since we are so focused on testing to come up with proper diagnostics, this COVID 19 oriented podcast really spoke to us and gave us reason to be optimistic: https://youtu.be/kDj4Zyq3yOA
YOUTUBE.COM
TWiV 640: Test often, fast turnaround, with Michael Mina
When you're done using medications for your pets, please help make sure they are disposed of safely. It's free, anonymous, good for your family and for the community. DEA medicine take-back is Saturday October 24
At a time when we are hiring new staff and investing in new equipment, we are reminded of this article from Harvard Business Review which touches on a sensitive but inciteful comparison to human medicine: why costs are different among medical providers, and how uninsured pet owners make difficult economic choices as pets get older rather than having the freedom to make medical choices for their pets. Family Vet is a strong proponent of pet insurance (we have our favorites, but in many instances something is better than nothing.) We're certain this is why our clientele have some of the healthiest and yes OLDEST pets around. We're not geriatric specialists, just strong enough advocates that an unheard of plurality of our pet parents have pet insurance. We thank them profusely. This is why we can invest in new ultrasound equipment, new dental xrays, and COVID killing air handlers, and why we have 3 mechanical ventilators and have no accidental deaths under anesthesia. We'll keep looking to HBR and others for more informed answers to the question between health care haves-and-have-nots, but in the meantime, we'll continue to invest in our staff and equipment that lead to better health outcomes one pet at a time. https://hbr.org/2017/01/what-the-cost-of-a-trip-to-the-vet-tells-us-about-why-human-health-care-is-so-expensive
HBR.ORG
What the Cost of a Trip to the Vet Tells Us About Why Human Health Care Is So Expensive
It is true, we are the busiest we have ever been: https://youtu.be/pCSZ4E_SSfU
YOUTUBE.COM
Why has my veterinarian been SO busy?
Today's challenge, name that breed (and yes, that is Dr. Chau's hand against compared against the paw)
Prepping a guinea pig for an ovariohysterectomy that also had 2 ovarian cysts and uterine tumor. Surgery went well. Hopefully Gypsy will be able to go back to her home at Discovery Station in South Riding in a day or 2.
We thought this was a good article comparing pet insurance: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pet-insurance/
NYTIMES.COM
The Best Pet Insurance
We purposefully do not carry many medications in-house. We cannot beat online retailers' prices, so we encourage our clients to order online or at a big-box store whenever possible. As such, our recent fax number change is impacting some clients getting refills on medication. We have notified many pharmacies of the change, but we are hearing from several clients that some orders are being delayed. Before calling us back to find out if there was a problem, you can ask the pharmacy if they have updated our fax number (in case we forgot to call them or they haven't made the update.) Our new fax number is: 855-483-9353. Thanks for everyone's patience!
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, clients need to wait outside while we treat their pets. Most however prefer to wait in their warm cars, others... (bring their own chair)
Anesthesia in people is very safe, and with only 34 human deaths related to anesthesia nationwide , why are animal mortalities at vet offices so accepted as normal?? We have 0 (!!) in 12 years through proper pre-anesthetic testing, dedicated and robust monitoring, mechanical ventilation, and patient warming (externally as well as internally - including heated IV lines.)
We have job applicants tell us regularly that anesthetic deaths are routine at their former employers. We have new clients come in and tell us horror stories of vets "losing" their pets during common anesthetic procedures.
Cheap medical procedures are not such good deals if they occasionally cost you a family member. The next time someone asks in a group FB page for a recommendation for a vet, please help spread awareness or at least spread curiosity... how many pets have they "lost"? Human medicine doctors have cut patient mortality to close to zero, and we have shown it can be done with pets as well.
https://www.mynavas.org/post/mortality-in-small-animal-anesthesia-where-are-we
MYNAVAS.ORG
Mortality in Small Animal Anesthesia: Where Are We?
From the American Veterinary Medical Association details on the recent SportMix pet food-related illnesses and deaths: https://www.avma.org/blog/dog-deaths-illnesses-linked-pet-food-containing-aflatoxins
AVMA.ORG
Dog deaths, illnesses linked to pet food containing aflatoxins
Humane Society of Loudoun County
December 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM ·
Loudoun County Animal Services
December 2, 2020 at 5:46 PM ·
Who is shooting cats? Loudoun, we need your help. Since April, we have had TEN cases of cats being shot, likely by several different individuals, many with pellet guns. Five of these cats were not able to survive their catastrophic injuries, including Sweetie, whose x-ray seen here, shows devastating injuries caused by a pellet gun prior to being humanely euthanized due to the severity of his condition. We have consulted with and utilized the services of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office as well as a K9 officer with the Department of Wildlife Resources to find the perpetrators of these felonies and a $3000 reward is being offered to help solve these cases.
If your children have pellet guns, please talk to them about responsible gun usage. It is an act of animal cruelty to shoot a cat and a felony for anyone (even a minor) to inflict serious bodily injury to a cat, which was the case in all ten of these shootings. We know most kids love their pets, and may not realize that “target practice” on outdoor cats is legally and ethically different than organized hunting. All cats in the state of Virginia are considered companion animals, and the majority of these cats have been beloved family pets who have suffered from debilitating or life-ending injuries.
If you have seen or heard of anyone shooting cats, please call us (703-777-0406) - you may remain anonymous. Animal cruelty is frequently an escalating act, with strong statistical links to violent crimes against both children and adults. We need to find this person or people and keep our community safe. With most of these acts occurring in eastern Loudoun, where the population and residences are dense, every discharge of a firearm or pellet gun carries risk.
Our Humane Law Enforcement team is taking this investigation very seriously, but we need your help. We cannot continue to have cats dying slow, painful, preventable deaths. We are here to provide resources to those who struggle with concerns over free-roaming cats, but to needlessly inflict devastating injuries is not only heartbreaking and worrisome for our local families, it is also a felony, carrying potential jail time. Friends of Loudoun County Animal Services is now offering a $3,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest of the person responsible for one or more of these cat shootings. We can be reached at 703-777-0406 and messages can be left after hours.
This case is keeping us all up at night, and we will not rest until justice has been served for all these cats and their heartbroken families. Today, we ask for your help, in honor of Binx, Hope, Prissy, Chiron and Lillabet and in memory of: The Lovettsville three, Lacey and Sweetie. Please share on social media, talk to your families, talk to your friends and HOAs, and help us solve this case.
