Here is a picture of one of our Beastie Band cats in Amsterdam, NY. Although you cannot see that she is sporting a a Purple Princess Cat collar, you can see that she is a real princess. Thank you for the picture.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
March 2011 newsletter
This is a continuation of last months blog.
Of course, not all animals are able to reap the benefits of human medicine. Regulations for medicating livestock or other animals raised for food, for example, have little flexibility because of the potential implications the treatments may have on the health of humans who consume the meat, dairy products, or eggs from those animals. And veterinarians who work with racehorses are limited by rules intended to keep the competition level for those who put their money down at the track.
When it comes to companion animals, on the other hand, the int rest is in a healthy pet and a happy owner. So if a doctor believes that a particular human medication can help an animal, she'll prescribe it. This has been the case for decades, Dr. Ferguson notes, but the practice has only really been legal since 1994, when Congress passed the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act regulating the conditions under which such use is acceptable.
Even before the legislation was in place, however, there was a working system for prescribing human drugs to pets. Veterinarians relied on peer-reviewed studies, clinical trails, and published formularies that included suggestions for safe uses and dosages of human medications given to companion animals.
"There are many drugs in the human pharmaceutical pipeline that had initial safety tests performed on laboratory beagles." Dr. Ferguson says. "The information from those trails could aid veterinarians with rough dosages and safety guidelines for clinical use, particularly if the drug did not make it to the human market because of problems unrelated to safety in dogs."
Today, with the legal issues cleared up, veterinarians and their patients have more options and better access to medications. Vets have always been glad to provide in-house pharmaceutical services, and general pharmacists, too, have usually been willing to fill prescriptions written by vets. But recently, online retailers and specialty pharmacists have also recognized that pets are an expansion market. These developments ope the door to even more progress, including discussions on generic meds and price-shopping.
Chances are you won't be walking out with a prescription for Viagra or Botox the next time you go to the veterinarian's office, but you should still talk with the doctor about your pet's treatment options. More variety means better care for your favorite animal, and that's good news for everyone.
Johnny & Connie
Of course, not all animals are able to reap the benefits of human medicine. Regulations for medicating livestock or other animals raised for food, for example, have little flexibility because of the potential implications the treatments may have on the health of humans who consume the meat, dairy products, or eggs from those animals. And veterinarians who work with racehorses are limited by rules intended to keep the competition level for those who put their money down at the track.
When it comes to companion animals, on the other hand, the int rest is in a healthy pet and a happy owner. So if a doctor believes that a particular human medication can help an animal, she'll prescribe it. This has been the case for decades, Dr. Ferguson notes, but the practice has only really been legal since 1994, when Congress passed the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act regulating the conditions under which such use is acceptable.
Even before the legislation was in place, however, there was a working system for prescribing human drugs to pets. Veterinarians relied on peer-reviewed studies, clinical trails, and published formularies that included suggestions for safe uses and dosages of human medications given to companion animals.
"There are many drugs in the human pharmaceutical pipeline that had initial safety tests performed on laboratory beagles." Dr. Ferguson says. "The information from those trails could aid veterinarians with rough dosages and safety guidelines for clinical use, particularly if the drug did not make it to the human market because of problems unrelated to safety in dogs."
Today, with the legal issues cleared up, veterinarians and their patients have more options and better access to medications. Vets have always been glad to provide in-house pharmaceutical services, and general pharmacists, too, have usually been willing to fill prescriptions written by vets. But recently, online retailers and specialty pharmacists have also recognized that pets are an expansion market. These developments ope the door to even more progress, including discussions on generic meds and price-shopping.
Chances are you won't be walking out with a prescription for Viagra or Botox the next time you go to the veterinarian's office, but you should still talk with the doctor about your pet's treatment options. More variety means better care for your favorite animal, and that's good news for everyone.
Johnny & Connie
Sunday, January 30, 2011
February 2011 Newsletter
This months newsletter was written by Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori.
You're worried your dog is sick, so you take him to see the vet. After a thorough checkup, the doctor tells you she want to put your neutered male dog on a drug you've heard a lot about: Viagra.
No, it's not your vet's idea of a joke. It's actually perfectly legitimate to prescribe Viagra for a dog, even if he's neutered--but not for the reasons you might think.
Viagra, or sildenafil citrate, is best known for fixing what's referred to as "erectile dysfunction" in human males, but because it works by improving blood flow, it can also help treat pulmonary hypertension, a disorder that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. If you dog has a pulmonary problem, Viagra may be the key to his health.
And it's not the only human medication vets prescribe. Another surprising remedy is Botox, used to treat some eye problems in dogs. Most pet owners don't realize this, but aside from flea- and tick-control products, almost all of the medications their pets receive are crossovers from human medicine,
"I'd say 80 to 90% of the drugs used in veterinary medicine come from human medicine," says Dr. Duncan Ferguson, director of the Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology residency program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. "When you get into more specialized treatments, such as those for cancer, that figure goes even higher."
This so-called off-label use of drugs is what allows veterinarians to treat species or medical conditions that may be considered small markets from a drug company's perspective.
Knowing how and why certain drugs are prescribed can help pet owners understand health-care options--including some that save money. A good veterinarian will discuss medications, tell you what side effects to look for, and encourage you to call with questions or concerns. Treatment can often be more complicated in animals than in humans.
"I tell our veterinary students that they need to know more about pharmacology than their physician counterparts," says Dr. Ferguson, whose areas of specialty include both small-animal internal medicine and veterinary clinical pharmacology. "In human medicine, all drugs are FDA-approved, meaning that they have undergone significant scrutiny for safe --but only in one species. Vets must often use fairly limited evidence to treat other species with differences in drug metabolism and action."
Part two of this article will be put into next months newsletter. Remember that we are not professional doctors and you should always consults your vet about what is best for your pet.
Johnny & Connie
You're worried your dog is sick, so you take him to see the vet. After a thorough checkup, the doctor tells you she want to put your neutered male dog on a drug you've heard a lot about: Viagra.
No, it's not your vet's idea of a joke. It's actually perfectly legitimate to prescribe Viagra for a dog, even if he's neutered--but not for the reasons you might think.
Viagra, or sildenafil citrate, is best known for fixing what's referred to as "erectile dysfunction" in human males, but because it works by improving blood flow, it can also help treat pulmonary hypertension, a disorder that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. If you dog has a pulmonary problem, Viagra may be the key to his health.
And it's not the only human medication vets prescribe. Another surprising remedy is Botox, used to treat some eye problems in dogs. Most pet owners don't realize this, but aside from flea- and tick-control products, almost all of the medications their pets receive are crossovers from human medicine,
"I'd say 80 to 90% of the drugs used in veterinary medicine come from human medicine," says Dr. Duncan Ferguson, director of the Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology residency program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. "When you get into more specialized treatments, such as those for cancer, that figure goes even higher."
This so-called off-label use of drugs is what allows veterinarians to treat species or medical conditions that may be considered small markets from a drug company's perspective.
Knowing how and why certain drugs are prescribed can help pet owners understand health-care options--including some that save money. A good veterinarian will discuss medications, tell you what side effects to look for, and encourage you to call with questions or concerns. Treatment can often be more complicated in animals than in humans.
"I tell our veterinary students that they need to know more about pharmacology than their physician counterparts," says Dr. Ferguson, whose areas of specialty include both small-animal internal medicine and veterinary clinical pharmacology. "In human medicine, all drugs are FDA-approved, meaning that they have undergone significant scrutiny for safe --but only in one species. Vets must often use fairly limited evidence to treat other species with differences in drug metabolism and action."
Part two of this article will be put into next months newsletter. Remember that we are not professional doctors and you should always consults your vet about what is best for your pet.
Johnny & Connie
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
December 2010 Newsletter
We are sure that everyone noticed that last month's blog did not happen. Last month the business got moved to a new location. Sorry we were not able to provide a blog in November but the business can now be run move efficiently with more office and storage space.
This month's pet hint will help your pet shed pounds. Most of this article was written by Sarah Wilson and Brian Kilcomms.
Almost half of American pets are overweight, which causes help problems and reduces their life expectancy by years. If you are like most pet owners you probably love your pet to much to feed them too much. But the reality is not that simple. People do not want to hear that their pet is heavy. A recent study by Purina revealed that fewer than 30% of pet owners rated their pet as overweight , while 79% of veterinarians disagreed. When you examine your dog or cat from both top and the side, you should see a noticeable waist above the rib cage. Regardless of breed or age, the ribs should be the widest part of the body. The ripple of the ribs should be easily felt when you stroke your pets sides. If you have to press down to find the bones, there is too much fat. Obesity can reduce your pet's life span by 15% - an average about 2 years. Overweight pets risk the same health complications as we do; breathing is harder, knees fall apart, heart is strained, moving hurts and diabetes becomes common.
The healthy solution is to burn move calories than your pet takes in. A few ways to accomplish this are to walk your dog daily, which will also help those of us who are fighting the battle of the bulge as well. Some dogs enjoy going to the park where they can chase other dogs, Frisbees and balls.
To help an overweight cat burn more calories encourage them to play with the numerous cat toys available on the market. One of our best sellers for cat owners is a laser light. This product can be found at www.toys4dogsncats.com
Do not feed your dog or cat from the table as this will add unwanted weight to your pet.
Make a New Year's Resolution to spend more time with your pet and both of your will benefit.
We hope that everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving and want to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.
Thank you for your continued support and and we look forward to helping you with all of your pet needs in the future.
Remember that we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.
If there is something you would like to read about in the future, drop us an email at www.azwholesales@gmail.com If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please email us at www.azwholesales@gmail.com
Johnny & Connie
This month's pet hint will help your pet shed pounds. Most of this article was written by Sarah Wilson and Brian Kilcomms.
Almost half of American pets are overweight, which causes help problems and reduces their life expectancy by years. If you are like most pet owners you probably love your pet to much to feed them too much. But the reality is not that simple. People do not want to hear that their pet is heavy. A recent study by Purina revealed that fewer than 30% of pet owners rated their pet as overweight , while 79% of veterinarians disagreed. When you examine your dog or cat from both top and the side, you should see a noticeable waist above the rib cage. Regardless of breed or age, the ribs should be the widest part of the body. The ripple of the ribs should be easily felt when you stroke your pets sides. If you have to press down to find the bones, there is too much fat. Obesity can reduce your pet's life span by 15% - an average about 2 years. Overweight pets risk the same health complications as we do; breathing is harder, knees fall apart, heart is strained, moving hurts and diabetes becomes common.
The healthy solution is to burn move calories than your pet takes in. A few ways to accomplish this are to walk your dog daily, which will also help those of us who are fighting the battle of the bulge as well. Some dogs enjoy going to the park where they can chase other dogs, Frisbees and balls.
To help an overweight cat burn more calories encourage them to play with the numerous cat toys available on the market. One of our best sellers for cat owners is a laser light. This product can be found at www.toys4dogsncats.com
Do not feed your dog or cat from the table as this will add unwanted weight to your pet.
Make a New Year's Resolution to spend more time with your pet and both of your will benefit.
We hope that everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving and want to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.
Thank you for your continued support and and we look forward to helping you with all of your pet needs in the future.
Remember that we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.
If there is something you would like to read about in the future, drop us an email at www.azwholesales@gmail.com If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please email us at www.azwholesales@gmail.com
Johnny & Connie
Sunday, October 3, 2010
October 2010 Newsletter
Are you ready for a hurricane? This months newsletter does not apply to everyone but can be used for many other emergencies. You and your pets can survive a hurricane if you are prepared to evacuate your home at a moments notice. Here are some tips from the American Kennel Club in the event that you may be part of a hurricane or a national disaster.
Don't leave your pet at home. Most of the time that you have to evacuate, it is only for a couple of days, but there are times when you are unable to return to your home as quickly as you would like. Be prepared to take your pets with you by having a quality crate or carrier to put them in. Just putting your pet on a leash probably will not work with hundreds of other pets at the evacuation center. Ask us for a quote on crates and carriers at azwholesales@gmail.com
If you plan on evacuating to a hotel, call ahead first to make sure that your pets are welcome. Most hotels will forget their pet policies during a time of crisis.
Coordinate with your shelter to make sure that there is room for you and your pets. If you belong to a pet club, contact members outside the effected area to coordinate shelter and transportation for those in need.
Be prepared by keeping copies of your pets licenses, vaccination documents and health records in a plastic zip lock bag or a water proof container, in case you need it in an area that is far from your vet. Ask your vet to supply you with a copy of all records of your pets so that you can maintain these records at your home.
Have a bag pre-packed just for this emergency. Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Pack a back up leash, collar and ID tags. It is a good idea to have your pet micro chipped along with registration in a pet recovery service. Include the following items in a pre-packed bag: Your pet's health records, food and water bowls, food and water for one week, a gallon of spring water, a portable crate/carrier, pet bedding and a leash. Be sure to rotate the food and water so you will always have the freshest food and water for your pet.
Remember that we are not professional doctors, and that you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.
If there is something that you would like to read about in the future, drop us an email at azwholesales@gmail.com If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please email us at azwholesales@gmail.com
Johnny & Connie
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
September 2010 Newsletter
Tips to prevent your pet from starting a fire in your home.
It is estimated that 500,000 pets are effected by home fires. It is also estimated that 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the home-owners' pet. This month's newsletter is to educate all pet owners on how to prevent their pets from starting fires, as well as keeping them safe. Some of these tips come from the ADT Security Services.
1. Extinguish open flames. Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in the fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flames before you leave your home.
2. Remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before you leave the house. A store or cook top is the number one item involved in your pet starting a fire.
3. Invest in flameless candles. These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle.
4. Keep pets near entrances when away from home. Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready encase firefighters need to rescue your pet. When you leave your pet at home, keep them in areas near entrances so firefighters can find them.
5. Secure young pets and puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home. You can put them in a crate or behind a baby gate in secure areas.
6. Affix a pet alert window cling. Write down the number of pet inside your home and attach it the front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets.
Remember we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.
If there is something that you would like to read about in the future, drop an email at www.azwholesales@gmail.com If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please email us at www.azwholesales@gmail.com
Johnny & Connie
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