Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Got Fleas? Billboard raises awareness of the dangers of fleas & parasites

Got fleas? Maybe not, but could there be other bugs in the system? A variety of internal and external parasites can invade your pet’s system, causing everything from acute discomfort to full system shutdown. Fortunately, most of these difficulties can be avoided through careful maintenance and prompt medical attention. Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a true story written by a staff member of the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic.

My grandparents are in their 80′s and last year, they went through a very difficult time in their lives. My grandmother was hospitalized for many months with a life-threatening condition and there were many days our family thought she was nearing the end of her life. During this time, my grandfather was spending most of his days going back and forth between being at her side in the hospital, and caring for their 15 year-old teacup poodle, Niki who was on medications that had to be given multiple times a day. One day, Niki began having horrible seizures and my grandfather knew in his heart that it was time to let her go. He took Niki to their veterinarian and said his good-byes. He then tried to focus all his energy on my grandmother, whose condition slowly improved. She went through extensive physical rehabilitation, and spent more than a month in a nursing facility before she was able to go home again. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the great month of May here in Indianapolis….the Indy 500, the Broad Ripple Art Fair…and wicked thunderstorms! Many dogs are afraid of thunderstorms. In most cases, this fear worsens as the dog gets older. In worst cases, thunder and lightening instill a “flight” response where the dog feels the need to outrun the storm. If your dog suffers from this phobia, it is very important to make sure he or she is indoors when the weather forecasts thunderstorms in your area.

So, what can you do to lessen the effects of thunderstorm phobia? If your dog only reacts to the sound of thunder, you can try behavior modification. Begin by playing a recording of a thunderstorm. Keep the volume low at first and gradually increase the intensity. Reward with treats, as you ask your dog to sit, come, or lie down while the recording is playing. Don’t offer a sympathetic voice while you do this, instead use your normal voice and lots of petting and praise.

Many dogs are reactive to the atmospheric changes that occur before the storm actually hits. In these situations, the dog may not respond to the technique described above. Many dogs need medication in order to get through thunderstorm terror, so please consult with your veterinarian.

There are herbal remedies that have been found to work well. Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic stress relief formula for pets. You can put a few drops in your dogs water when storms are on the way, or give them a few drops orally if you are caught by surprise. You can use Rescue Remedy alone, or pair it with an essential oil such as Peace & Calming. This oil is formulated specifically for anxiety, stress and emotional discomfort. Rub a drop onto your pet’s forehead, or under the chin prior to a storm as an aromatherapy treatment. In addition to these herbal products, a snug-fitting t-shirt or doggie sweater also helps calm many dogs who suffer from thunderstorm phobia.

You can purchase Rescue Remedy and Peace & Calming at Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center (the corner of Kessler & College Ave.). For more information, or a tailored behavior program to help your dog with this phobia, please contact our behavior team: Dr. Cara Gardner and Brad Phifer, CPDT at the Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center, 317.726.2711 or via email: c.gardner.dvm@bracpet.com and b.phifer@bracpet.com

Is your pet a BRACpet? Have you recently lost your job due to the economy or lay-offs? Broad Ripple Animal Clinic & Wellness Center wants to help you and your pets in your time of need with our Helping Hearts Program.

If you are a current client of the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic & Wellness Center and your pet has an established/current doctor-patient-client relationship, then your pet is eligible for two months worth of Revolution to prevent Heartworm disease and fleas if you lose your job for any reason. Simply bring us proof of your situation and we will give you two doses of Revolution for each of your pets. It’s our way of giving back during these times of economic uncertainty.

Question:
“What is an established/current doctor-patient-client relationship?”

Answer:
“A current doctor-patient-client relationship means your pet has been examined by one of our veterinarians within the past 12 months. If you aren’t a current client, consider becoming one with a visit to one of our 7 veterinarians. Once you have established a doctor-patient-client relationship with each pet, your pet will be covered if you lose your job within the next 12 months.”

Question:
“What would be accepted proof of my situation?”

Answer:
“A dated letter from your previous employer or your unemployment paperwork would be sufficient proof of your employment situation.”

For more information, contact us directly at 317.257.5334 or 317.726.2711

In ancient China, doctors relied upon their senses to diagnose and treat illness. Sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch were all used in careful observation to formulate associations between the physical and inner workings of the body. Through this observation, they noticed similarities between the natural elements and the body. A concept of health care that encompasses both systems was developed. The Five Element Theory is the concept that certain elements are linked to specific organ systems and individual personality traits.

Earth is linked to digestion and stomach. “Mother” Earth traits include nurturing, serene and relaxed. Metal is linked to respiration and elimination. “Organizer” Metal traits are exhibited as organized, self-contained, independence and aloofness. Water is linked to urination. “Observer” Water traits appear timid, fearful, submissive and careful. Wood is linked to toxic processing and liver. “General” Wood traits include assertiveness, dominance and decisiveness. Fire is linked to circulation and heart. “Emperor” Fire traits are energetic, playful, sensitive and affectionate. Practitioners understood that the elements themselves do not represent static objects, but instead a continuous cycle of change. It is the process of change that underlines the Five Element Theory. Similarities between the physical world and the physical body resemble a circular rhythm, known as the Creation Cycle. In poetic Chinese, the Creation Cycle says ‘that fire burned creating earth (soil). Earth gave rise to mountains, which contain metal ores. Metal separated making way for the water. Water flowed and nourished the woods of the trees. The trees vulnerable to burning kindled fire.’

To maintain the harmonious circular rhythm, Traditional Chinese Medicine employs checks and balances to keep the elements in their correct place within the five elements. When one element pair becomes excessive or deficient, it will impact the other organ systems by causing them to become too imbalanced. In order to help maintain balance in the body, each element can help control another: fire melts metal; metal chops wood; wooden tree falls blocking the earth; earth (soil) builds up to dam water; water floods and douses fire.

Effects of imbalance are exhibited as follows, as symptoms your pet might display:

• Earth (spleen/pancreas/stomach): GI upset, overeating, excessive worrier
• Metal (lung/large intestine): Respiratory problems, excessive sadness
• Water (kidneys/bladder): Deafness, hind-end weakness, kidney problems, arthritis
• Wood (liver/gall bladder): Irritability, liver problems
• Fire (heart/small intestine): Anxiety, insomnia

For more information regarding The Five Elements Theory and how it affects your pet, feel free to contact Dr. Cara Gardner via email at c.gardner.dvm@bracpet.com or call her at 317.726.2711.