We turn our attention to shaping up for summer every May. Your pet's doctor wants your pet to stay in shape too! Pet nutritional and exercise trends may mimic human health trends. Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control estimate that 67% of American Adults are overweight and 44% of American pets are overweight as well? Excess weight results from too many calories and not enough activity. Your pet can enjoy a healthy lifestyle with the right approach to weight management. Improve your pet's skin, fur and body weight by knowing a few simple facts. Read on for 10 Quick Fat Fighting Tips for Pet Owners.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hills®Diets, have teamed together creating a formidable team to fight pet obesity. To learn more about the AVMA/Hills PetFit Program, visit http://www.petfit.com/. The best weight for any pet is achieved by combining a high quality food + adequate exercise + regular veterinary check ups. QUESTIONS? Call us at 781-899-5377 or email us at info@westonvetclinic.com.
In 2006, we adopted two orange tabbies (siblings) from the MSPCA. Since both of these cats came to us declawed, they are both “house” cats.
At that time, Milo weighted in at 16.1 pounds. From that point, he grew to 20 pounds in exactly one year. Due to the fact that they are always inside and get less exercise than a cat that runs around outside, he continued to gain weight even though I was feeding him “diet” cat food from the pet store. In an attempt to get his weight down, I stopped the “cafeteria” style feeding and started to measure his food according to the information on the bag of cat food. In spite of this, he continued to gain weight every year. At this point, he was living under the buffet chest in the dining room (he was being fed on the dining room table since we have a coonhound who LOVES cat food). We had to build him a sort of stairway using a small chest and dining room chair as he could not jump to the table from the floor anymore.
I attempted to entice him to play using various cat toys and games, but that never lasted very long, actually not long enough for him to get any benefit from it. In addition to getting virtually no exercise, he also could not clean himself. From the day we picked him up at the MSPCA, his fur felt course in spite of getting brushed almost every day, while his brother’s fur felt soft. I assumed they just had different texture since they had different length of fur also. His entire hygiene was just not adequate. We had to help cleanse him on a regular basis.
By January 2011, he weighed in at 23.6 pounds and his weight had now become dangerous. His quality of life had totally deteriorated. All he did was eat, sleep (lots) and use the litter box.
At the recommendation of Dr. Bentley at the Weston Veterinary Clinic, we put Milo on a diet of a total of ONE can of Hill’s M/D Feline food split between morning and night meals (1/2 can twice per day). At the beginning, he did a lot of complaining but we stuck to it.
We saw major improvement as early as about 2 months. We first noticed that his fur was very soft and much less of it came off while being brushed. Also, he was cleaning himself regularly. He also started venturing out from the dining room. It was much easier and more fun to get him to play with his cat toys. I purchased a “laser light” toy which randomly sends a red laser dot around the floor for the cats to chase, and he does!
During one year, he lost almost 8 pounds and weighed in at 15.9 in January 2012. My friends were amazed with the transformation during only 12 months, in his size, his looks, and his energy level.
He is still on the same diet and hopefully will make it to his optimum weight which would be around 12 pounds.
Thank you Hill’s Foods and Dr. Bentley,
Sincerely,
“Milo” and Eva Collette
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After
Free Healthy Treat Toy
Because maintaining a healthy weight is fundamentally important for your pet’s overall health, we want to reward you and your pet for it! For you, there are special savings on Hills® Diets and for your weight-conscious pet, we have a FREE tasty treat (a healthy treat stuffed toy!) waiting at Weston Vet Clinic! When your pet weighs in at a healthy weight any time in May, we’ll treat him/her to one of our special treats to take home. After all, playing is a form of exercise—for people and for pets—so, help your pets maintain a healthy weight by playing with them as much as you can. Have fun!
To access the Hills Diet savings, go to www.hillspet.com, then come in for a weigh-in today and see how your pet is doing on the scale. Questions? Call us at 781-899-5377 or email us at info@westonvetclinic.com
SPRING FEVER PET PHOTO CONTEST WINNER!
Now that Spring has sprung (we think!), it’s time to THINK SPRING! Even though winter didn’t snow us under and we’ve yet to get our share of spring showers , our Facebook photo contest nudged us into the season with all the great photos we received. Thank you to all our fans whosubmitted photos and voted—we just know it was hard for our fans to make a final choice on the winner. Look for our winner’s photo on our Facebook page, along with all the others submitted. It’s obvious that our fans are very creative and love their pets very much!
Canine Life Study project for Golden Retrievers follows the Framingham Heart Study model!
Your pet may qualify to participate in the study
In 1948, a cardiovascular research study laid the ground work for our understanding of the risk factors for human cardiovascular disease. By following three generations of participants, we now know that smoking, high blood pressure and inactivity are the primary scientific reasons behind heart disease. This historic study was the catalyst for many other clinical studies that led to the development of most of the cardiac procedures used today to save lives. Using the Framingham study as a model of excellence to emulate, the Morris Foundation has begun a ground breaking study that they hope will lead to life saving treatments for dogs.
The first study,under the Canine Lifetime Health Project umbrella will focus on identifying the genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors for cancer and other diseases in Golden Retrievers. Enrollees will be age two and younger. Projected to last 10 to 14 years and enroll up to 3,000 dogs, the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study will be the largest and longest observational study ever undertaken to improve the health of dogs.
Golden Retrievers were chosen because more than half of them die of cancer. Although this study involves only Golden Retrievers, the information collected will improve the health of all dog breeds.
What Is Expected of You?
Agree to participate for the life of your dog
Select a veterinarian who agrees to participate with you
Complete online questionnaires regarding your dog's food type and feeding habits, environmental exposures, behavior/temperament, disease events, etc.
Visit your dog's veterinarian for annual exams and sample collection (blood, urine, feces, hair, and toenail clippings)
When applicable, allow collection of tumor samples for evaluation
Be willing to consider a necropsy (post mortem examination) when your dog's life ends
Note: You are responsible for all costs associated with the annual exam, sample collection and laboratory test results. Morris Animal Foundation will reimburse you for up to $75 of these costs per year after verification that the exam and sample collection has been completed. For more information, go to: https://www.caninelifetimehealth.org/#About/GoldenRetrieverLifetimeStudy
Earth Day 2012
Earth Day 2012 is April 22nd this year and celebrates its 52nd year! Begun in spring 1970, Earth Day was created after founder, Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, was disheartened by the effects of the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. With sit-ins and marches so prevalent in the sixties and seventies, he took inspiration from them but went in a different direction with a “national teach-in on the environment”. On that first Earth Day , April 22, 1970, reportedly 20 million Americans participated in Earth Day celebrations ranging from educational classes on the environment to protests against the environmental damage caused by raw sewage dumping, industrial air pollution and the like. During that same decade, the Environmental Protection Agency evolved and eventually the U.S. Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were enacted. (insert links to these acts and the EPA). Over the following 3 decades, environmental concerns have continued to be in the forefront of government officials, politicians and citizens; and the battle between environmental advocates and political interests continues today.
In 2012, Earth Day Network has set a goal of A Billion Acts of Green® which is a campaign to achieve 40 million environmental service actions. Celebrate Earth this Earth Day by taking good care of your little piece of it and all those that inhabit it, including your pets, of course! For more information on Earth Day, visitwww.earthday.org.
Take Your Dog to Work Day
In dog circles, June 22, 2012 is known as” Take Your Dog to Work Day” or “TYDTWD” and the entire week is designated as Take Your Pet to Work Week™! Pet Sitter’s International gets the credit for this dog lover’s day which they created in 1999 to celebrate dogs and encourage adoptions of rescued dogs from shelters, rescues and humane societies across the country. The organization leads the effort to encourage employers to invite employees to bring their dogs to work on June 22nd. It also recommends other special events and celebrations to strengthen the human/animal bond. Perhaps the hope is that more employers will make this a regular part of the work environment for their employees and not just one special day each year. For more information on how you can pilot such a program at your workplace, visit www.takeyourdog.com . If you would like a member of our staff to speak at your workplace or if you would like to bring your co-workers for a tour of Weston Veterinary Clinic to celebrate “TYDYWD, please call us at 781-899-5377 or email us at info@westonvetclinic.com . We would love to help make your day a success!
WESTON VETERINARY CLINIC
NEW CLIENT REFERRAL PROGRAM
We sincerely appreciate when you trust us enough to recommend to your friends, family and neighbors that they too bring their pets to our clinic. We love your enthusiasm and feel lucky to have you! Your referral is the best form of compliment so we want to be sure to give back by saying thank you for recommending us. We also want to thank your referral for giving us an opportunity to get to know their pet.
We have updated our New Client Referral Program. It's simple: refer a friend and we will put a $20 credit on your Weston Veterinary Clinic account and a $20 credit on your friend's, family's or neighbor's account when they make their first appointment. We have personalized New Client Referral Cards that you may hand out to someone that you think should visit us. When they come in, they hand us your card and we update your account! It's that simple. Each time one of your referrals becomes a new client, we get the chance to say thank you for helping us grow!
Click here If you'd like a copy of the Client Referral Card.
TRUPANION PET INSURANCE ANNOUNCEMENT BY WESTON VETERINARY CLINIC
Although there are over 30 pet insurance companies at the present time, Weston Veterinary Clinic recommends one company to their clients: Trupanion pet insurance. It can be very difficult for "pet parents" to research pet insurance carriers and their coverage's; and even more difficult for them to sort through all the complex information about pricing, exclusions and coverage plans. Considering the hectic pace of most families these days, who can possibly have the time and patience?
Over the past 2-3 years, hospital owner, David McGrath DVM, has been watching the trends as new companies have emerged, in some cases overshadowing the "old timers" of the pet insurance industry. There are so many different features to each insurance company's plans, that it is almost impossible to compare "apples" to "apples" in order for clients to make an informed decision. Some won't cover certain breeds; some will only cover dogs or only cats; some will only cover puppies and kittens; and others will only cover a pet under age 7. It is a huge challenge for anyone trying to find a good plan for his/her pet(s) AND also be able to understand what is included!
In an attempt to rescue our clients from this maze of information, after extensive research and consideration Weston Veterinary Clinic is pleased to announce Trupanion as the insurance of choice. The decision is based on many things, including the expeditious manner in which Trupanion reimburses policyholders based on actual veterinary cost. The Trupanion Policy Overview states "Trupanion covers 90% of the actual costs of veterinary care should a pet become sick or injured. This includes diagnostic testing, surgeries, medications, supplements, therapeutic food, orthotic devices, prosthetic devices, and carts. Pet owners can choose any veterinarian, including emergency veterinary clinics and veterinary specialists." Trupanion provides free online and phone customer service support 24/7 and we feel this is very important for our clients. If you have an insurance question, you need help now-not tomorrow after 9am!
As a Weston Veterinary Clinic client, you are eligible for a 30 Day Trial of Trupanion at no obligation. The special 30 Day Trial Registration Forms are available only at the hospital. Clients are strongly encouraged to contact Trupanion directly as soon as the 30 Day Trial is initiated, in order to learn as much information as possible by speaking with a Trupanion Customer Service Representative. Click here for an overview of Trupanion coverage, or visit them online at Trupanion.com.
To obtain your no cost Trupanion 30 Day Trial Registration Form, contact Weston Veterinary Clinic (781-899-5377 or info@westonvetclinic.com )
Do you Tweet?
~ Twitter lets you find out what's happening, right now, with the people and organizations you care about. ~ ~ The Updates are only 140 characters long.
~ Tweets show up right in your feed; once you follow us, there we are!
~ Access Twitter via computer, smart phone or tablet.
~ Best of all Weston Veterinary Clinic Tweets! Follow us @www.twitter.com/westonvetclinic.
Home Vet Visits!
Weston Veterinary Clinic is offering housecall visits for wellness exams. Kim Heald, DVM will be providing an array of at-home services for patients by appointment on Tuesdays. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Weston Veterinary Clinic at (781) 899-5377. See our news article for more information on the benefits of home vet visits.
ePetHealth
Worried that you run out of your pet’s medication? So busy that you only have time to think about appointment scheduling at night after we have closed? Do you ever want to check ahead to see when your pet’s vaccinations need to be boostered? Or do you sometimes misplace the postcard reminders we send you? If you are like most people, the answer to these questions is YES!
We have just the solution to help make your life easier, less stressful and more efficient. It’s free and we have already taken care of some of the set up for you! Below are some frequently asked questions we thought would help you understand this new online service. All you need are a computer and the internet! Go to the ePetHealth page for more information to get started today.
Daily Facebook Photos
We are now posting a "Photo of the Day" on our Facebook page. E-mail your favorite photo to info@westonvetclinic.com and check our Facebook page every day to see if your photo was chosen.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hills®Diets, have teamed together creating a formidable team to fight pet obesity. To learn more about the AVMA/Hills PetFit Program, visit 
Because maintaining a healthy weight is fundamentally important for your pet’s overall health, we want to reward you and your pet for it! For you, there are special savings on Hills® Diets and for your weight-conscious pet, we have a FREE tasty treat (a healthy treat stuffed toy!) waiting at Weston Vet Clinic! When your pet weighs in at a healthy weight any time in May, we’ll treat him/her to one of our special treats to take home. After all, playing is a form of exercise—for people and for pets—so, help your pets maintain a healthy weight by playing with them as much as you can. Have fun!
Earth Day 2012 is April 22
In dog circles, June 22, 2012 is known as” Take Your Dog to Work Day” or “TYDTWD” and the entire week is designated as Take Your Pet to Work Week™! Pet Sitter’s International gets the credit for this dog lover’s day which they created in 1999 to celebrate dogs and encourage adoptions of rescued dogs from shelters, rescues and humane societies across the country. The organization leads the effort to encourage employers to invite employees to bring their dogs to work on June 22nd. It also recommends other special events and celebrations to strengthen the human/animal bond. Perhaps the hope is that more employers will make this a regular part of the work environment for their employees and not just one special day each year. For more information on how you can pilot such a program at your workplace, visit 
Weston Veterinary Clinic is offering housecall visits for wellness exams. 
