Welcome to Riverbend Animal Clinic

Why do Wellness Exams?

Why should you come in to our clinic once a year, even if your pet doesn't need a rabies shot? Good question, and we have the answer. Dogs and cats have shorter life spans than we do. That means that they age more quickly. Once mature, one year of our life equals about 4 years to them. So it is crucial that your pet receives a yearly exam, even if they seem to be feeling good. It is essential to pick up even small changes before they become a crisis for your pet, not only for the economic savings in treating a disease early, but in giving your pet the best quality life possible.

It is important that we be sure that your pet is on proper medications, like heart worm preventive. Heartworm disease needs to be checked for because it is so prevalent around here, and we want to catch that early if infection happens. We need to check your pet for parasites that live in the intestinal tract as well, because if present, these can be infective to your children and cause nasty problems.

Frequently we will find early dental disease that can be managed easily if found early, but if it isn't found until there is advanced periodontal disease, the treatment can be extremely expensive, as well as allowing your pet be in severe pain.

We like to do blood profiles on our aging pets, to assure that no changes are occurring unnoticed internally. Again, if we find abnormalities on outwardly healthy pets, it allows us to manage these changes more quickly and with less expense.

If you want to do the very best for your pet, please be sure to return every year, to receive this very important physical exam. It is also recommended to test yearly for heart worm and tick born illnesses

Surgery

River Bend Animal Clinic offers state of the art surgery facilities with the best trained staff to ensure the best results and well being of your pet.

Why should I have my pet's surgery done at River Bend Animal Clinic instead of at one of the cheap spay/neuter clinics?

Good question. On the surface, it seems that the same procedure is somewhat cheaper done at some of those clinics. But let's look deeper to understand the difference in what you are getting. It is definitely a situation of getting what you pay for in comparing our clinic's surgical care versus one of the "cheap" clinic's..

When we do surgery here, there are always 2 people with your pet. A surgical technician who has been trained in anesthesia as well as your doctor. The main risk with any surgery is the anesthesia, which is why we offer preanesthetic bloodwork on ALL of our cases to detect abnormalities prior to anesthesia. ALL of our cases have anesthetic monitoring during the entire procedure, including temperature, blood oxygenation levels, pulse rates. Warming blankets are used to properly maintain your pet's temperature the whole time, so no hypothermia develops. Your pet is kept in the recovery area under constant supervision, and best of all, we give all of our pets loving and compassionate care.

We also offer post-operative pain management.

Boarding

When you have to leave home without your pets there is no better place to leave them than in the care of your veterinarian. Unlike a kennel, our boarding facility is under the care of two veterinarians and six staff members.

• We can accommodate around 12-14 dogs and 6-8 cats. For dogs we have two different cage sizes plus 12 indoor runs. We have a large exercise yard that your dog will enjoy at least three times a day. They are not permitted in direct contact with other boarding animals.

• Reservations are suggested for almost all times. Holiday periods are often fully booked two to three months in advance. All boarders must be current on vaccinations. If your pet was vaccinated at another facility, please provide a copy of their records or have your previous clinic email them to us before your appointment. The check-in procedure can take a little time to be sure we have all the information necessary to properly care for your pet. Some of the information we ask for may seem redundant, but for the sake of your pets' health we want all information to be current and accurate. Be sure to bring any medications your pet is taking and confirm the frequency and dosage with your receptionist.

• We supply bedding for every pet. Soiled bedding and toys are laundered and washed.

• In order to avoid dietary changes that would cause illness, it is recommended to bring an ample supply of your dog's regular diet or any veterinarian prescribed a special diet. Your pet will be fed Hills Science Diet foods while if provided food runs out or if none is provided.

Our boarding staff and technicians have developed a special bond with our regulars and work very hard to make new pets feel comfortable. If you just need to drop your darling off for the day while your carpets are cleaned, or for an extended stay of a month or more, we are here to help. Call for reservations.

Periodontal Disease and Preventive Dentistry

Periodontal disease is a preventable disease. We have the knowledge and the tools to prevent it, yet many of the dogs and cats presented to veterinarians do not receive adequate treatment. No longer do we recommend a wait-and-see attitude when our examination shows mild gingivitis and plaque accumulation. An active approach to preventive dentistry is vital for optimal pet health, and also goes a long way to saving your money in the future. Periodontal disease is divided into four stages.

Stage 1 is gingivitis. At this point, treatment can totally reverse the condition. However, moving into

Stage 2, reversibility becomes more difficult. This is where tooth support loss begins, and up to 25% of gum tissue support may be missing.

Stage 3 has 25 to 50% gum tissue loss and advanced disease, or

Stage 4, has teeth with over 50% gum tissue loss. Once periodontal disease has occurred, tooth support has been permanently affected and all we can do together is control the progression, not cure it.

The major culprit in periodontal disease is plaque. If it is not removed before disease progression occurs, harmful bacteria migrate underneath the gums or gingival. Anaerobic bacteria soon take hold, and further damage the gums surrounding the teeth. These bacteria migrate through the oral cavity and invade the bony structures of the mouth. There is a correlation between the severity of periodontal disease and changes in the heart muscle, kidneys and liver, showing that these pathogens can spread through the rest of the body, and affect your pet's life span. Failure to take swift early action will allow dental disease to progress unchecked and potentially lead to systemic illness.

Over 70% of pets over 2 years of age have some degree of periodontal disease. Pets are similar to people in that some pets never seem to get much disease, and yet others whose owners are diligent with preventive care still need to get regular teeth cleanings. Genetics plays a huge role in what kind of problem your pet might have.

In order to do a proper teeth cleaning procedure on your pet, we have to use general anesthesia. Unlike humans, who understand why they must sit still for all of the probing and scaling and polishing, we are dealing with pets who cannot ever understand this, and therefore we must use sedative and gas anesthesia to do a good job. Anyone who says they can scale your pet's teeth without anesthesia is not doing a proper job, and could be causing much more damage than help. To be sure your pet can handle the anesthesia well, We offer pre surgical bloodwork to rule out any liver or kidney problems that may interfere. Breathing, heart rate and oxygenation are monitored constantly, and recovery is followed for several hours before we release your pet to go home. We want to make ure your pet has no problems before, during or after the dental procedure.

The procedure itself involves scaling of the teeth with an ultrasonic scaler. Hand scaling is done under the gum line. If indicated, affected teeth may be extracted, in order to remove a source of pain and infection from the mouth. Polishing paste is applied ultrasonically to seal any scratched in the enamel of the tooth. Extensive use of pain medicine is indicated whenever any tooth is extracted, for the comfort of your pet. Oravet sealent is applied to the teeth after they are dried. This increases the amount of time it takes for the tartar to return. This will help save on the number of dentals a pet will have in it's lifetime and save you money. But the cleaning alone is not the end of the procedure. The gold standard to keep these teeth in excellent shape is daily brushing with special dog toothpaste or weekly applications of Oravet at home. If you cannot do this regularly, or if your pet won't allow you to do this, there are other good alternatives to prevent plaque build-up, special treats like CET Rawhide Chews or Greenies, which also help to prevent plaque, and special diets like T/D which constantly help to keep plaque off the teeth. Without following up with one of these methods, plaque begins to build up again almost immediately.

All of us here want to keep your pet's teeth in great shape. We want them to live a long healthy life, and together, we can help prevent serious problems from starting

Pet Foods - The Right Diet for Your Pet

In 1825 A famous man once said, "Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are". The same holds true today, especially for our pets. Many popular store bought foods are the nutritional equivalent to fast food. There are many, many different brands on the shelf and choosing the right food is essential.

Not all pet foods are created equal. Although the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) regulates pet food labels and feeding trials, there is no regulation regarding the digestibility of pet foods or the availability of nutrients once the food is digested. What does all that mean? It means quality of ingredients is most important. And that means, "You get what you pay for." A higher quality ingredient leads to fewer stools to clean-up, less food to be fed for proper nutrition and weight, and often better skin and coat conditions. Remember, that cheaper foods equal poor nutrition.

Special or prescription diets are a separate area. These are diets made specifically for a certain disease process, and should be used only under a veterinarian's supervision. Diseases often require a dietary change as part of the treatment or prevention process. The responses the body has to these changes needs to be monitored, often by repeating bloodwork or exams. Healthy pets put on an inappropriate diet may not thrive or even become sick. Just changing a diet can often cause a pet to not eat well, which may lead to problems. Please check with your veterinarian before using any diet made for a target group.

Remember, "you are what you eat" really rings true. High quality diets, although seemingly pricey, usually turn out to be quite affordable if fed properly, and often lead to fewer health problems in the future.

River Bend Animal Clinic Recommends:

1. Consult with your veterinarian.

2. If using pet food sold at your local grocery, buy quality products and avoid generic/bargain brands.

3. Remember; puppies need puppy food, adults need adult food, and senior pets need geriatric diets.

4. Do not overfeed. Check the product label for the appropriate daily quantities to be used.

5. Avoid feeding table scraps, and if you want to give treats, please use a high quality snack that has nutritional value.

Pediatrics

Puppies and Kittens require extra attention. Nutrition is vitally important. Proper training is essential, and wellness examinations and vaccinations are critical for your pet's well being at this young age. River Bend Animal Clinic's vaccination protocol is listed below. We will be happy to review your existing records and determine what vaccinations your pet may require.

SPAY/NEUTER

We recommend neutering or spaying your pet at approximately 6 months of age. This is the age when cats and dogs will begin to reproduce..

Puppies to Young Adults

6-8 weeks:

Exam

1st CV (Corona Virus)

1st DHLP-P (Distemper-Hepatitis-Lepto-Parainfluenza-Parvo

Fecal/Worming

Start Heartworm Preventive

10-12 weeks:

Exam

2nd CV

2nd DHLP-P

Fecal/Worming

1st Lyme

1st Bordetella vaccines

14-16 weeks:

Exam

Rabies Vaccination

2nd Lyme

2nd Bordetella

3rd DHLP-P

1 Year:

Exam

Rabies 3 Year Vaccination

DHLP-P

Fecal/Worming

Heartworm Test

2 Year:

Exam

Fecal

DHLP-P Vaccine(annual vaccination)

Leptospirosis Vaccine (annual vaccination)

Heartworm Test

(We use a 3-year rabies on Ohio pets and two year rabies vaccine on West Virginia pets) Leptospirosis is always administered annually).

Kittens to Young Adults

6-9 weeks:

Exam

1st FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis-Calici-Panleukopenia)

We recommend feline leukemia and FIV testing prior to vaccination for leukemia. Kittens must be nine weeks old to receive a leukemia vaccine. Our Idexx test tests for feline leukemia as well as feline aids(FIV).

Fecal/Worming

1st leukemia vaccine if negative on test

Start flea control and heartworm prevention(Revolution) and (Nexgard Combo)

9-12 weeks:

Exam

2nd FVRCP

2nd Feline Leukemia*

Fecal/Worming

12-16 weeks:

Exam

Rabies Vaccination

Annual vaccination required

1 Year:

Exam

Rabies Vaccination

FVRCP

Feline Leukemia

2 Year:

Exam

Rabies Vaccination

Your adult pet will need an annual exam (each year). All dogs need annual leptospirosis vaccines, fecal, and heartworm testing.(If animal has missed any months of prevention and suggested every two years.) Discuss other vaccine schedules with your doctor. Boarding/Show/Groomed dogs require Bordetella vaccination every 6 months to one year.

Pharmacy

River Bend Animal Clinic is dedicated to providing top-quality medicines at competitive prices. Our on-site veterinary pharmacy is fully stocked, and we can even compound many medications for your pet. We recommend calling ahead for prescriptions just as you would with Walgreens or CVS. Typically, we can fulfill your prescription needs the same day.

We offer an online store. Any order for prescription medication will be sent to us for approval. There is a link here an in our menu under services. Must have a valid vet/client relationship. Your pet must be seen at least yearly to be able to get prescription medication from online store or here at the clinic. This includes flea and heartworm medication.