TenderCare Veterinary Medical Center
| Address | 5930 South Holly Street Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (1) |
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TenderTails Newsletter |
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TenderCare Veterinary Medical Center
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Taking your dog or cat to the veterinarian once a year is the same as seeing your own doctor just once every seven years. You wouldn’t wait seven years to see your doctor or dentist for a checkup, so why wait an entire year to bring your best friend to the veterinarian?
Several years ago, TenderCare Veterinary Medical Center implemented its TenderCare SeniorCare Program, seeing all pets over the age of 7 every six months for wellness exams and healthcare screenings. We’ve helped enhance the quality of life and longevity for many pets by taking a proactive approach and discovering early signs of diseases that can be successfully treated and managed.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is now promoting twice-a-year exams for all adult pets. This October, the AVMA launched National Pet Wellness Month, a program designed to raise awareness about the pet aging process and educate pet owners about the importance of twice-a-year wellness exams for all pets.
By age 2, most pets have reached adulthood. By the time a pet reaches age 5, it’s considered middle age. At age 7, a pet has become a senior.
“Advances in veterinary medicine have led to an increased percentage of aging cats and dogs in this country,” says Dr. Jack O. Walther, immediate past president of the AVMA with 70,000 veterinarians as members. “Unlike people, cats and dogs can’t tell you where it hurts. An exam every six months enables early detection and treatment of potential medical conditions.”
Starting in January 2005, TenderCare will encourage our clients to have their pets examined twice a year. What will happen during wellness exams?
Dogs and Cats Age 1 to 6, First wellness exam
Senior Dogs and Cats Age 7 and Older, First wellness exam
Senior Dogs and Cats Age 7 and Older, Second wellness exam, 6 months later
Because pets age so rapidly, major health changes can occur quickly. The risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart disease, and other conditions can increase with age. Because today’s pets are living longer than ever, chances are many can experience a potentially serious illness during their lifetime.
Twice-a-year wellness exams can help your TenderCare veterinarian diagnose, treat, and even prevent problems before they become serious or life threatening. This also is a great opportunity to ask your veterinarian about nutrition, behavior, and other wellness issues.Give your best friend every opportunity to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Ask us to schedule your pet’s six-month wellness visit today. Call TenderCare at (303) 689-9500.By Ed Eisner, DVM, Diplomate American Veterinary Dental College
Because February is National Pet Dental Health Month, TenderCare will be focusing extra attention on your pet’s teeth. For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember.
Just like you, your pet needs dental care, including regular professional care by a veterinarian and home care from you to keep plaque removed. Regular dental care keeps your pet’s teeth clean and breath fresh and also can prevent infections that can lead to heart, liver, and kidney disease.Research shows that more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3 have periodontal or gum disease. Proper treatment begins with proper diagnosis. When you bring your pet in for a checkup, your TenderCare doctor will examine your pet’s mouth and teeth. If your pet has a dental problem, we will schedule your pet for a day with the pet dentist for a professional cleaning.Gum disease is treatable with a program of regular home brushing and annual professional dental cleanings. Our veterinarians can give your pet a better smile. We also have Dr. Ed Eisner, a board-certified veterinary dental specialist, who can help with more difficult dental problems, such as chipped or broken, infected, or displaced teeth, or pets with particularly bad breath, a hallmark of chronic periodontal infection. During your pet’s exam, our doctors will discuss your pet’s dental needs, any possible health risks, and will provide you with a written estimate for a professional cleaning or specialty dentistry services.Please take a moment, right now, to check your pet’s mouth. Look for yellow or brown teeth, a broken tooth, bad breath, or swellings on the face, jaw, or gums. Even though your pet is active, eating, and not complaining, any of these signs could mean your four-legged family member is uncomfortable and needs dental care.Call TenderCare for an appointment at (303) 689-9500, or our dental specialist, Dr. Eisner, who operates Denver Veterinary Dental Service within our practice, at (303) 759-4728. We will be glad to give your pet the very best dental care available.Imagine that you’re a homeless dog or cat, dodging cars on busy streets, digging through trash for scraps to feed your hunger, and searching for shelter at night. You limp from the injury on your front paw. One lucky day, a kind person finds you and brings you to TenderCare, where caring doctors and technicians clean and bandage your injured paw, give you healthy food (no more garbage!), a snuggly fleece blanket, and your very own bed. Who made this second chance possible?
Caring people just like you. Now celebrating its 13th year, the TenderCare Emergency Fund was established to provide lifesaving medical care to sick and injured homeless animals and wildlife. We’d like you to meet some of the homeless animals that our fund recently helped.A Good Samaritan heard a dog howling in pain inside a grain silo filled with water and raw sewage. The young Australian shepherd was trapped and clinging to a board floating in the filth. When she was brought to TenderCare, the dog was severely dehydrated, starving, and suffering from hypothermia. After spending several days hanging on for her life, all four of Rhiannon’s paws had become red, swollen, and nearly three times their normal size. The pads of her feet were inflamed with decomposing tissue, causing her toenails to peel away and fall out. Our technicians and a doctor immediately gave Rhiannon pain medication and began caring for her injured paws.
She spent two months in intensive care, unable to stand or walk, due to her extreme pain and muscle atrophy. Our staff noticed signs of emotional abuse based on Rhiannon’s submissive and fearful behavior. Fortunately, she responded well to our intense medical treatment and attentive loving care, allowing her to regain her trust in people.At only 2 weeks old, a homeless kitten was hiding in tall grass when she was unintentionally struck with a weed whacker. The whirling nylon cord partially amputated the kitten’s ear and tail, causing a bloodied nose and lacerated left eye. While our doctors and certified veterinary technicians began lifesaving care, they saw signs of starvation and dehydration. The kitten shivered from the cold, and her temperature registered below 93 degrees—7 degrees lower than normal.
After emergency surgery to amputate her severed tail and mangled ear, the doctor was able to save her damaged eye. Sadly, Peanut’s mother could not be found. Fortunately, TenderCare was able to locate a nursing cat with four kittens, with the hopes that she would welcome Peanut as one of her own. The surrogate mom readily accepted Peanut, who nursed hungrily in the comfort of a mother’s embrace.For three months, Mattie lived underneath a staircase in an apartment complex after her family moved out and abandoned her. She huddled under the dark staircase, trying to stay warm. Starvation caused severe weight loss, dropping Mattie’s weight to 3 pounds. Her once shiny gray coat was filthy and matted. When a Good Samaritan brought Mattie to TenderCare, our caring team of professionals shaved away matted hair and gave her IV fluids, medication, warming blankets, and plenty of food and love.
This 12-year-old, longhaired cat has made tremendous progress during her recovery. Mattie now weighs 5 ½ pounds and is beginning to become less shy. Anne Cast, our veterinary technician, occasionally brings Mattie home for foster care as part of the healing process. Mattie gets along with other cats, loves to purr in a warm lap, and even talks to Anne while she cooks dinner. Older homeless pets like Mattie desperately need homes where they can enjoy many more years surrounded by people who love them. Mattie is now available for adoption.For adoption or donation information, please call TenderCare at 303-689-9500 or visit www.tendercarevet.com.
1. Keep pets indoors. Frigid temperatures can cause frostbite and discomfort to your pets. If your pets normally stay outside, consider adding a pet door to a heated garage with a soft cushion bed in the warmest corner. Check the bed daily to make sure it’s clean and dry. Outdoor dogs need a dry, elevated doghouse with clean, dry bedding and a flap or door to keep drafts out. Also check outdoor water bowls often to make sure they don’t freeze.
2. Avoid antifreeze spills. Cats and dogs are easily attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze, but just a few licks of this bright green liquid can prove deadly. If your pet swallows antifreeze, call TenderCare immediately! Time is critical in treating these animals. Antifreeze, called ethylene glycol, can cause permanent kidney damage or failure, or death. Keep containers tightly closed and out of jumping range of pets.3. Check and dry feet after a walk. Snow and ice can easily get stuck between toes and feel cold, uncomfortable, and even cause small cuts. Keep a towel by the front door so when you return from your walk you can dry wet feet and between toes. A little petroleum jelly may soften pads and prevent further cracking. Booties come in all sizes and can protect tender feet.4. Watch for signs of frostbite. Legs, toes, tails, and ears can easily get frostbite. Symptoms include pale or gray skin that is cold to the touch. If you suspect frostbite, get your pet to a warm place immediately. Thaw the frostbitten area very slowly by applying warm, not hot, moist towels or immersing paws into a bowl of tepid water. Continue until the affected area appears flushed or pink in color. Then dry gently. Keep your pet wrapped in a blanket or towel and contact TenderCare for immediate medical care.5. Don’t leave your pet alone in the car. Cold temperatures quickly creep into a car, and an engine left running can generate carbon monoxide, which is dangerous and potentially fatal.6. Be cautious playing outdoors. Frozen lakes, rivers, or ponds can cause your pet to slip, get injured, or even jump in. Also be aware of sharp lawn edging beneath the snow that can cut paws. It’s always best to have pets on a leash when outdoors.7. Check parked cars before starting. A cat may crawl under your car to seek shelter and warmth near the engine. Spinning belts and fans when the engine starts can easily and seriously injure a cat. Open the hood of your car or slap it noisily with your hand before starting the engine to startle any animal sleeping there.8. Stick to regular feeding schedules. Increased family activities and visitors during the holidays and winter months can upset your pet’s routine. Stay on schedule for feeding and walking, so your pet knows he or she takes priority!You know your pet better than anyone else. Subtle signs may indicate a real problem. If you’re not sure if the situation is an emergency, please call TenderCare Veterinary Medical Center at 303-689-9500. If your pet has an emergency when TenderCare is closed, please contact the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado at 303-874-PETS (7387).
TenderTails Newsletter
Summer 2003
IN OUR SUMMER 2003 ISSUE:
In June, TenderCare Veterinary Medical Center welcomed Dr. Edward R. Eisner to our hospital as a full-time consulting specialist in veterinary dentistry. Dr. Eisner is one of 70 specialists in dentistry in the world, and he has been practicing in the Denver area since 1964. He has been actively involved with three veterinary dental associations since their inceptions and was in the first group of veterinarians certified as veterinary dentists in 1989.
Dr. Eisner’s interest in veterinary dentistry started in 1976 with a Dachschund named Liebchen owned by an elderly couple. Liebchen had two fractured molars and the pulp chambers were exposed, causing her a great deal of pain. Dr. Eisner told the couple their dog needed root canal therapy to save her teeth, but he couldn’t provide the service. The owner said her dentist would call Dr. Eisner to schedule the procedure. Liebchen had her root canal therapy performed by the dentist with Dr. Eisner administering anesthesia. Thus began his lifelong interest in helping improve the lives of companion animals by treating their dental problems.
Dentistry is an important part of keeping a pet healthy, and we are proud to offer complete dental services for companion animals. Dr. Eisner is supervising dental care and offering advanced dental services at our hospital. He also operates the Denver Veterinary Dental Service and accepts dental referrals from the Rocky Mountain region. Here is a summary of the broad range of dental services now available at TenderCare:
Dental Examinations and Cleaning: Our doctors perform a dental examination as part of every physical examination to identify any possible problems. We perform dental cleanings with an ultrasonic scaler for cleaning above the gum line, hand curette for cleaning under the gum line, and flush and polish teeth. We use the safest gas anesthesia available. As always, our certified veterinary technicians monitor your pet’s vital signs and blood pressure for improved safety.
Root Canal Therapy and Restorations: Pets can break their teeth chewing on hard objects or during play. We can often save teeth and eliminate pain with root canal therapy. This allows the pet to use its tooth and maintains the anatomy and structural strength of the mouth. Pets can go home the same day of the procedure.
Periodontal Treatment: Nearly all pets experience infection in their mouths sometime during their lives. We can treat this condition and help maintain your pet's teeth. We will teach you how to care for your pet’s teeth at home, including brushing your pet’s teeth and feeding a dental diet.
Orthodontics: Yes, Dr. Eisner can give your pet braces! Occasionally, pets have developmental problems displacing their teeth, causing pain and infection. Pets can benefit from having them straightened with braces. Pets tolerate braces well, and the result is usually favorable.
Restorations and Crowns: Dr. Eisner also provides fillings, cast metal and tooth-colored crowns, esthetic bonding, bridges, and implants to repair teeth with defects.
Dental x-rays: Dental x-rays can be taken to assess missing teeth in puppies and evaluate dental disease, oral tumors, fractures, as with this abscessed root shown at left, and TMJ problems. The use of x-rays can tell us whether a tooth can be saved and give an indication of the progress of treatment.
Oral Surgery: A veterinary dentist is capable of performing difficult extractions and repairing jaw fractures, defects of the palate (top of the mouth), oronasal disease, oral tumors, and traumatic injuries to teeth.
Oral Diseases: A veterinary dentist is frequently called upon to evaluate oral symptoms of systemic disease, gum disease, feline gum line lesions, and oral autoimmune disorders. These problems can be difficult to treat, and a dental specialist may be the best choice to help a pet in trouble.
As part of your pet’s wellness care, TenderCare doctors always examine your pet’s teeth and mouth and will recommend professional dental cleanings when appropriate for your pet. TenderCare is pleased to expand our dental services, and Dr. Eisner looks forward to helping your pets. Please call us at (303) 689-9500 for an appointment for your pets’ dental needs.
This spring, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) issued new guidelines on canine vaccines and their frequency of administration. The guidelines recommend that each patient’s vaccination needs be assessed at least annually and, if appropriate, vaccination schedules should be modified based on changes in the dog’s age, health status, home and travel environment, and lifestyle. Doctors also need to tailor vaccinations based on regional incidence and risk factors for various infectious diseases.
Vaccinations are just one component of an individualized, comprehensive preventive healthcare plan. When you and your pet visit TenderCare for its next exam, our doctor will perform a comprehensive physical exam and ask specific questions to create a tailored vaccination plan for your pet. Because one size simply does not fit all, our TenderCare doctor will explain which vaccines your pet needs and their frequency of administration.
As an accredited AAHA member, TenderCare Veterinary Medical Center is one of 3,000 hospitals nationwide that voluntarily participates in the AAHA hospital evaluation program. A team of trained consultants regularly inspects our hospital to ensure we meet its standards for high-quality medical services and facilities. In fact, TenderCare achieved AAHA accreditation status in 1992 during its first nine months in business, which is highly unusual because most hospitals spend several years developing and improving their facilities to meet the demanding standards. TenderCare doctors also read veterinary journals with scientific articles on the latest treatment and surgical methods and attend medical conferences for ongoing continuing education. By keeping pace with the latest medical advances, our TenderCare doctors can provide the best care possible for your pets.
Have you ever wondered what happens when your dog or cat is admitted to TenderCare for a dental cleaning? Did you have questions, but were afraid to ask at the risk of seeming uninformed? Our doctors and technicians are always happy to provide information to ease your concerns. For most pets, a day at the dentist’s office is calm, comfortable and peaceful. Here is what happens when your dog or cat spends a day with us for dental care:
Step 1: The Admission Appointment
We always ask our clients not to feed their pets the night before an anesthesia or sedative. This prevents your pet from having an upset stomach and reduces the risk of vomiting. When you and your pet arrive for the admission appointment, a veterinarian will examine your pet thoroughly and explain the procedure. You will receive a written estimate of the cost of the procedure. Once you give us permission to treat your pet, we admit your pet to the hospital and let you know when we’ll call with information about your pet and the procedure.
Step 2: Preoperative Preparation
Before any pet undergoes anesthesia, our doctors require a preanesthetic blood test. A certified veterinary technician will get a small sample of blood from your pet. This blood test confirms that kidney and liver function are normal and that your pet is not anemic or suffering from an infection. Once testing is completed, your doctor will review the results. If test results are acceptable, we give your dog or cat a sedative to help it relax and relieve stress. This also allows us to reduce the amount of anesthesia necessary and improves safety.
Step 3: Anesthetic Induction
We gently place your pet on the dental treatment table and give either an intravenous injection or gas anesthesia to make your pet sleepy. This allows us to place a tube in the trachea so we can give your pet gas (inhalant) anesthesia. We use the safest anesthesia available, including Isoflurane and Sevoflurane, which is the same anesthesia that pediatricians use for children. Next, a certified veterinary technician will place a catheter in a vein of a leg and give fluids intravenously. Respiratory, blood-pressure, and EKG (heart) monitors are attached. One certified veterinary technician continuously monitors anesthesia while another performs the dental cleaning.
Step 4: The Dental Procedure
Our dental cleaning process is the same as having your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist. A veterinarian oversees the entire procedure. Charting is the first step of the dental cleaning. Our technicians measure any pockets around the gum line and mark them on the dental chart. They also will take any dental x-rays that are indicated and process them for the veterinarian to interpret. If the technicians discover teeth that need additional care, the doctor will examine the teeth and call you to discuss recommendations and explain any additional cost. The technician then cleans the teeth above and below the gum line with our ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments. The final step is polishing and flushing with an antibacterial rinse. The veterinarian then examines each tooth one last time. Dogs have 42 teeth, while cats have 30 teeth. If the veterinarian is concerned that your pet may have some pain, your pet will be given pain medication before waking from anesthesia. Information about the procedure, blood test results, and the doctor’s findings will be recorded in your pet’s medical record. Finally, a technician will prepare any medication and home-care products.
Step 5: Recovery and Release
After the dental procedure is completed, we place your pet on 100% oxygen while he or she is waking up. When the patient begins to swallow on its own, the endotracheal tube is removed and your pet will rest in our treatment room where we can monitor the recovery carefully. Your pet spends the rest of the day resting and sleeping until you arrive to take him or her home. We will schedule a release appointment so the technician or doctor can visit with you, explain your pet’s procedure, home care treatment, and answer any questions. Then you get to greet your happy pet with a bright smile! Once your pet goes home, we recommend giving small amounts of food and water. Your pet should enjoy a quiet evening of rest and then will feel normal the following day. If you have any questions, please call us at (303) 689-9500.
Did you know that more pets are lost on the Fourth of July than any other holiday? As your family celebrates Independence Day, take special precautions to protect your pets. Shelters and veterinary hospitals are often overwhelmed with lost pets that run away from the noise of fireworks and family activities. Common injuries to pets on this holiday include:
Traumatic or fatal injuries from being hit by a car while running away
Burns from chewing or ingesting firecrackers
Lacerations from climbing over fences or jumping through windows or doors to escape fireworks
Cuts on pads from sharp metal lawn edging
Overheating from outdoor play and activities in hot weather
Vomiting or diarrhea from eating garbage or table scraps
Ear infections or Giardia, which causes diarrhea, from swimming in lakes or ponds
To ensure a safe summer holiday for your pet, follow this advice:
1. Make sure your pet has identification. More than 50 percent of dogs and 75 percent of cats are without collars by the time they arrive at animal shelters. Give your pet an ID tag as well as a microchip, a permanent identification that can help reunite you and your pet. A microchip is a rice-sized implant that a veterinarian injects under the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades. Most veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have scanners that read the microchip’s unique ID code so your family can be contacted when your pet is found.
If your pet is missing, create signs with a picture and detailed description of your pet. List the area where it was last seen and your phone number. Post signs in your neighborhood and nearby animal shelters and veterinary hospitals. Also visit animal shelters daily because someone’s interpretation of the animal’s description may be different than yours. Consider visiting shelters and hanging posters farther away from your home because a frightened animal may run a greater distance than you expect.
2. Keep pets away from fireworks. Place pets in a crate in a quiet area, such as an interior room or basement, where they won’t hear fireworks. Once the fireworks show ends, dispose of fragments in a bucket of cold water until it’s safe to throw them away. Store garbage and extinguished fireworks in a waste container with a lid that a dog or cat can’t remove.
3. Watch for signs of stress. Dogs may exhibit excessive panting, drooling, nervousness, hyperactivity, and won’t lie down or respond to commands. Cats may pant and salivate but are more likely to hide. Ask our TenderCare veterinarians whether sedatives are appropriate for your pet. Older animals may not tolerate sedatives due to slower metabolism, or sedatives might counteract with other medications. Never give over-the-counter human drugs, which may be toxic to pets. Soothing music, such as classical or new age, also can help calm pets.
If you have questions, please call TenderCare at (303) 689-9500.
Helpful Phone Numbers
Dumb Friends League, (303) 751-9688
Denver Municipal Animal Shelter, (303) 698-0076
Colorado Humane Society, (303) 781-9344
Colorado Springs Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, (719) 473-1741
Highlands Ranch Animal Control, (303) 660-7500, ext. 7529
Animal Rescue and Adoption Society, (303) 744-6076
MaxFund Animal Adoption Center, (303) 595-4917
Cat Care Society, (303) 239-9690
Table Mountain Animal Center, (303) 278-7575
TenderCare recently surveyed our clients and participated in a national study of 285 veterinary hospitals. You told us your preferences for appointment times, and we've responded with new hours that best fit your schedule.
As a result of your feedback, we changed our hours effective December 1, 2002. Please note these new hours if you plan to pick up your companion from boarding or grooming.
Although our hospital is closed at night, TenderCare staff members are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide nursing care for hospitalized patients and boarding pets. We also provide emergency care through a referral to a nearby emergency clinic.
We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your family members! Schedule your next veterinary, boarding, grooming appointment or prescription refills online at www.tendercarevet.com/forms.htm
A. Pets age much more rapidly than people. With the aging process, changes occur in your pet's body function and vital organs. Dogs age 7 and older and cats age 8 and older are considered senior pets. Your TenderCare doctor may see some of these external changes during a physical exam, such as weight loss or gain, dull hair coat, stiffness, and diminished or loss of sight or hearing.
Other changes may occur inside your pet's body that can't be detected without lab tests. By the time the symptoms of illness or disease become visible, such as with kidney or liver disease, the organ damage may be beginning or progressing to advanced stages.
To detect potential problems early and provide your senior pet with the best preventive care, we recommend a physical exam twice a year and blood and urine tests at least once a year based on your pet's current health. These tests let your TenderCare doctor assess your pet's health as well as identify changes or trends for a more thorough diagnosis. Lab tests also serve as a baseline for comparison in the event of future illness or disease.
Early detection can mean a longer, healthier life for your senior pet. Your TenderCare doctor will monitor your senior pet's health for these common conditions in older pets:
A. The cost of our TenderCare SeniorCare health screen is very affordable--$158 for canine or feline patients. Each feline and canine SeniorCare package includes:
We've included a 25% discount to help you provide the best care possible for your older pet. Your TenderCare doctor may recommend additional services such as x-rays, EKG, ultrasound, glaucoma test, or other diagnostics based on your pet's age and health status.
Give your senior pet the gift of good health! Call TenderCare at (303) 689-9500 to schedule your
TenderCare SeniorCare checkup or click on the link to our online appointment form www.tendercarevet.com/officeappointment.htm
Arthritis is a painful, degenerative disease that affects one in five dogs. As the disease progresses from early to advanced stages, pain increases and mobility decreases.
Both dogs and cats can get arthritis. In cats, common signs include not jumping up on furniture when your cat used to lounge in these favorite spots, difficulty climbing stairs, and reduced play activities. In dogs, arthritis signs include stiffness, slowness to rise from a resting position, reluctance to climb stairs, and limping.
Take the quiz below to see if your pet needs to see a TenderCare doctor for an arthritis exam. The sooner your pet is diagnosed and treated, the sooner your pet can return to an active lifestyle.
TenderCare doctors recommend a physical exam twice a year and blood and urine tests at least annually to monitor organ functions and identify potential diseases in their early stages. Subtle signs that seem like normal aging could be manageable health conditions.
Arthritis Screening Checklist for Dogs
(Courtesy of Pfizer Animal Health, which makes Rimadyl for dogs to relieve pain and inflammation of joints)
Do you travel with your pets? Winter trips to warmer climates could expose your dog or cat to dangerous parasites. Your pet can get heartworm disease from a mosquito bite, fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mites, and ticks.
You can protect your furry family member with a quick visit to TenderCare. Your TenderCare veterinarian can choose from several parasite preventives and recommend the one that's best for your pet, including Revolution from Pfizer Animal Health. Revolution is a topical medicine for dogs and cats that protects against fleas, heartworm, ear mites, sarcoptic mites, and ticks.