Web: www.SuburbanAnimalClinic.comE-mail: Info@SuburbanAnimalClinic.comOffice Hours: Mon.–Fri., 7am-6pm and Sat., 7am–1pmPhone: (614) 276–5479

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 1985Columbus, OH

What Laser Therapy Helps! Laser Therapy is an effective treatment for many cases of acute and chronic pain, inflammation and wound healing. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments and has the benefit of be-ing a drug free, safe means of providing lasting pain relief. We have had our Companion Therapy Laser for 3 years now and have had great success in treating a number of conditions including:

Back pain and arthritisPost surgical pain (speeds healing)Acute and chronic ear diseaseWounds, hot spots and lick granulomasAnal sacculitis, cystitis, and oral lesions

Ask us for more information. Your pet will be glad you did!

•••••

Fall 2012

Michael Seimer, D.V.M. Missy Shardy, D.V.M. Beth Stafford, D.V.M.

Your Pet’s Health• October is Senior Pet Health Month

• Senior Pet Special - Win a Gift Card

• What Laser Therapy Helps

• Top Ten Toxins in the Kitchen

News For You• What’s News at Suburban

• Staff Feature - Dawn Archey

• Electronic Communication Upgrade

The Feline Corner• A Cat Friendly Practice

• The Cat Watch

October is Senior Pet Health Month

We can’t stress enough the importance of the senior pet exam. Any small dog or cat over 8 years of age, or large breed over the age of 7, should have an examination and laboratory evaluation every 6 months - that’s like every 3-4 years for a human. As cats age, they commonly encounter three major diseases: hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. The symptoms of all three of these conditions look almost exactly the same; namely, weight loss, increased thirst and urinations, and appetite changes. Senior canines often encounter hypo-thyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and other endocrine (hormonal) diseases like cushings, pancreatitis, and diabetes. Of course any older pet can have arthritis, heart disease and most commonly dental disease. Laboratory blood and urine tests along with a good physical examination can help us detect early changes in your pet’s health status. Other tests often include: x-rays, ECG’s, ultrasound, blood pressure monitoring and glaucoma screening. When caught early, many conditions are controllable with simple medications, supplements and dietary modifications. Being proactive is the best possible medicine for your senior pet. Call us if you have any questions, or better yet, schedule your pet’s senior exam today!

Win a $50 Gift Card!Schedule your pet’s Senior Exam, including

blood tests and urinalysis from now through December 15th and you will be entered to win a $50 Visa Gift card - just in time for the holidays. All senior pets will receive a glaucoma screen for $5 in October and November (regularly $15)!

Electronic Communications Upgrade!

This summer Suburban started its monthly e-newsletter to complement our printed quarterly Pet Pause Newsletter. Weekly updates of our Facebook page and blog helps you get timely and valuable in-formation. So give us your email, friend us on Face-book and checkout our website blog!

What’s News at Suburban Animal Clinic

•Dr. Beth Stafford is due in early December to give birth to her 2nd child. Husband Matt and 3 year old Ella anxiously await the new addition. Dr. Stafford will work as long as she can and re-turn to Suburban in late February, 2013. •Our new digital x-ray system has been up and running since July. For more information on the additional enhancements and ipad client view-ing see our August e-news letter and Dr. Seimer’s YouTube discussion at Suburbananimalclinic.com. Click on the YouTube button at the bottom of the page. •DVM Pharmaceuticals has upgraded their SynoviG4 soft chews to help your dog’s joint health and mobility - at no extra cost! •New DVM Daily soft chews are the most complete vitamin, mineral supplement available for dogs. •Hill’s new dry and canned Canine Pre-scription Diet i/d Low Fat helps restore gastrointes-tinal health. It is ideal for pancreatic diseases and protein losing GI disease.

Reminder!Continue heartworm prevention/intestinal parasite control products given monthly

- all year long to maintain your pet’s best health!

Top 10 Toxins in the KitchenChocolateGrapes and RaisinsXylitol/sugarfree gum/candyFatty table scrapsOnions and garlicCompostHuman medicationsMacadamia nutsHousehold cleanersUnbaked bread dough/alcohol

For more information go to: www.petpoisonhelpline.com

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.

October is a Special Month - Here’s Why!

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Visit the Capital Area Humane Society web site at www.cahs-pets.org or the Franklin County Dog Shelter at www.FranklinCountyDogs.com to find your new best friend! October 14 - 20 is National Veterinary Techni-cian week. Suburban Animal Clinic is very fortunate to have on our staff 8 registered veterinary techni-cians (RVT’s). They are the nursing profession to our practice and your pets. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Vet Tech, contact Kelly Fannin at Columbus State Community College, 614-287-5135.

We Are a Cat Friendly Practice

This autumn Suburban Animal Clinic is finishing its certification, in conjunction with the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners), as a Cat Friendly Practice. We want our feline friends to be as comfortable and safe as possible when they visit with us. The certification covers basic relaxation needs, such as taking your cat directly into an exam room upon request if the lobby is busy; to more complicated and technical matters like appropriate feline restraint by our technicians and feline-specific anesthetic modifications. Dr. Stafford and one of our registered veterinary technicians, Dawn Archey, are our official “cat advocates.” They will be monitoring the certification and are happy to talk to you regarding any feline-specific questions. We would love to hear of any personal experience or recommendations that you have. For more information please visit the following web site: http://catfriendlypratice.catvets.com/

The Cat Watch -Check out our feline specific blogs at

Suburbananimalclinic.com over the next 2 months. Also our upcoming October e-newsletter will give information on

Feline Vaccine Protocol changes!

Staff Feature - Dawn Archey RVT Dawn started at Suburban Animal Clinic in March 2007. She received a B.S. in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in March 2004. At Co-lumbus State Community College she received her degree as a veterinary technician in March 2007. Her special interests include client education, feline health, pocket pet care and pet behavior issues. Dawn currently shares her home with 2 cats (Reina and Lilly), and 2 guinea pigs (Teke and Wicket). She also has experience caring for dogs ferrets and rabbits. Outside of work, Dawn enjoys time with her critters, friends and family, leisure walks in the woods, cross-stitching and reading. Animal and nature photography is a strong interest and she is currently working on a program through the New York Institute of Photography. Dawn enjoys Suburban because of the team environment and the focus of educating clients to help them better care for their pets. She enjoys the small private practice atmosphere and being able to get to know the clients and their pets.

Suburban Animal Clinic is always grateful for donations of gently used blankets and towels to keep

our hospitalized patients warm and comfortable!