Newsletter Archives
Winter 2001

Laser Surgery Now Offered

Here at Gunston Animal Hospital we feel it is important to stay up to date of all the newest advancements and are proud to announce that we now offer laser surgery.

Lasers have been used for over 20 years on humans, but just recently have become available for use on animals. Laser can be used for many different types of procedures, including spays, mass removals, and feline declaws.

Lasers offer many benefits to your pet. The laser actually seals off nerve endings and small blood vessels during surgery, allowing for less pain and less bleeding. The laser also does not tear, crush or bruise your pet, resulting in less swelling than is see with surgery performed using the traditional blade.

We believe that the laser is the safest and most humane option for feline declaws, and from now on we will perform all our declaws with the laser. The laser significantly reduces bleeding, minimizes the risk of infection by killing bacteria, and eliminates the need for sutures. Most cats are back to normal just a few days after a laser declaw.

Laser surgery is a great advancement in animal medicine. We feel it is an important option for you to have when deciding on surgery for your pet. Please ask us if you have any questions regarding the laser.

New Vaccine Protocol

Our hospital takes very seriously its responsibility to provide the best possible health care for your pets. This responsibility includes staying current on new developments in the field of veterinary medicine. An area of recent research and study has focused on determining the optimum frequency of vaccines required to protect against diseases. In response to new data in this field, our hospital has decided to change its vaccine protocol. In the next few years, we expect more veterinarians will follow our lead. The changes we have made, and the rationale for them, are summarized below.

Canines

Rabies No change. The first vaccine will still be given and 4 months as required by law. It will be boostered in a year, and thereafter, every three years.

Distemper The distemper vaccine, which is actually a combination of four diffeerent vaccines, is started at 6 weeks of age, and is given every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age. It is then boostered annually for the first two years and then every three years thereafter. In the past, the distemper vaccine was boostered annually, but research has shown that these vaccines provide protection for up to three years after the first two years of boosters are given. Research also indicates that annual vaccinations may be associated with some immune system disorders.

Bordatella Previously, this intranasal vaccine against kennel cough, a viral upper respiratory infection, was given annually starting at six to eight weeks. However, as an exception to other research, studies indicate that immunity in this case may not last a year. Under our new protocol it will be given every six months.

Physical Examinations These will continue to be done annually. They allow the veterianrian to monitor and evaluate your pet's health. In this way, problems can be identified early enough for successful treatments. The Annual physical examination also establishes a valid patient-veterinarian relationship, a requirement for dispensing medication to your pet. Fecals (stool sample tests) and heartworm tests will continue on an annual basis as well.

As an exception, we recommend twice yearly examinations for our geriatric patients (eight years and over).

Felines

Rabies In the past, cats followed the same vaccine protocol as dogs and used the same vaccine. However, growing concern that rabies vaccines may be related to fibrosarcomas (malignant tumors) in cats has changed this. A new vaccine, specially designed for cats, is less likely to cause these tumors. This vaccine is currently only licensed for a year. Until a three-year version of this vaccine is available, it will have to be boostered annually. The first rabies vaccine, which is required by law, is given at four months of age.

Distemper The feline distemper follows the same protocol as the canine. After the initial kitten series of shots, the vaccine will be boostered at one year and two years, then every three years.

Feline Leukemina Like the distemper vaccine, this one was boostered annually after the kitten series was given. Under our new protocol, kittens will receive two vaccines at 12 and 16 weeks (after a negative feline leukemia test). Then if your cat is an outdoor cat, the vaccine will be boostered annually for the next two years, and then every three years. If your cat does not go outdoors, no further vaccines will be necessary. (Just be sure any new cats to the household are tested for feline leukemina before bringing them into contact with your cats.)

Physical Examinations These are the same as canines, once yearly until 7 years of age, and then twice annually.

The new protocol outlined above will apply to the requirements for boarding, grooming, and surgery, and any other admissions to the hospital. During this initial transition period, reminders are based on the old protocol. During your next visit, the doctor will determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for your pet based on its age and vaccination history. The computer will be updated at that time and future reminders will incorporate the new protocol.

Thank you for choosing us to be your partners in the health of your pets. We encourage your input and questions about this new protocol.

New Addition

The staff here at Gunston is proud to announce our newest addition, Dr. Joni Noel. Dr. Noel joins us after living and practicing in Las Vegas. She moved to Northern Virginia in September, and is really enjoying it here.

Dr. Noel did her undergraduate studies at Texas A & M and received her DVM degree from Oklahoma State University. She is a shameless Oklahoma Sooners fan.

She is in search of new pets after losing both of her childhood pets this past year. In her spare time, Dr. Noel loves Karaoke.

Have a Heart

We would like to thank all the kind people who have made donations to our Have a Heart fund. The Have a Heart fund pays the medical bills for stray and homeless animals, which allows us to take in animals and prepare them to be adopted. Several animals have benefitted from this fund and we hope to be able to help many more. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness, and we look forward to a prosperous new year.

AAHA Accreditation

Gunston Animal Hospital is proud to announce that we have again received accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). To be accredited by the AAHA, we had to go through a comprehensive evaluation that included a quality assessment review of the hospital's facility, medical equipment, practice methods, and pet health care management. Only about 15 percent of small animal veterinary facilities in the US are accredited hospital members of the association. In order to maintain accredited status, we must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association's trained consultants.

The AAHA is an international organization of more than 16,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet health care. For pet care information or a referral to an AAHA hospital, pet owners can visit the AAHA web site at www.healthypet.com. Gunston Animal Hospital has been a member of AAHA since 1992.