Welcome to Arvada Flats Veterinary Hospital Media and News section. At Arvada Flats we do our utmost to reach out to the community and create a presence as a prominent business. Supporting Arvada Flats by using our services means you are supporting the city of Arvada because your dollar stays here. As a business, we regularly support community events such as silent auctions held by local schools, athletic groups, charities and churches. We have a close relationship with our clientele and work to support their interests within the community.
February 2012 National Pet Dental Awareness Month
Arvada Flats is honoring National Pet Dental Month to increase awareness of cat and dog dental disease and help pets live healthier and longer lives. If you've been smelling bad breath or your veterinarian has advised you that your four- legged family member needs some dental work, this is a great time to take advantage of honoring pet dental month with us!
Our 2012 Dental Month offer:
During the month of February 2012 you can pick from the following two dentistry discount options depending on what fits you and your pet's needs the most. Please feel free to ask questions or get an estimate from a technician or veterinarian if you'd like to know more thoroughly what will take place during your pet's dental spa day.
Option 1:You can choose to receive 10% off your pet's gas anesthesia and dentalscaling and polishing. (Called the prophy) For many younger pets, pets that have had frequent dental cleanings or maybe even pets that have had dental x- rays recently and a good preventive cleaning is all that is likely needed, then this may be the best choice for you. The discount on this can be variable because it depends on pet size, age, breed, and length of anesthesia time, however it generally equates to anywhere from $14.00- 25.00off of the total procedure cost. If your pet requires longer anesthesia time due to heavy dental issues, then you will save 10% on the entire additional gas anesthesia time as well. (Please note, a doctor will call you if your pet needs additional anesthesia time)
Option 2:You can choose to receive 5 dental x- rays taken of your pet's mostconcerning or susceptible problem teeth at no charge. For some pets with smaller mouths or not many teeth this may be close to full- mouth dental films; however for a standard pet mouth these 5 x- rays will likely allow us to visualize 8- 10 tooth roots. We will choose the most 'angry' looking areas or the most likely problem teeth given the breed of your pet to take the 5 films, to yield your pet the greatest benefit from the 5 x- rays. If your pet has very red gum lines, lots of tartar covered teeth, broken teeth or a painful or bad smell to its mouth, then this is definitely the best option for your pet. You may also choose this option if you'd simply like to know that your pet's tooth roots are healthy; much like we do in human dentistry. The cost savings with this option is $71.00. You can upgrade this option and have full- mouth dental films taken with the cost to you of the full set of films being $24.00, which is still a $71.00 savings as the total full mouth set of x- rays costs $95.00.
* Please note, when we take dental films, even in a healthy appearing mouth it is possible we'll find sick, dead or broken roots. Pets do not often tell us when their tooth roots are painful, they keep eating and playing. If concerns are found, our veterinarians will always call you to discuss the concern and give you treatment options. You can choose to address the concern that day or be aware it exists and stage the treatment if needed.
Please feel free to contact any of our doctors or our technicians to discuss these choices and which may be best for you and your pet!
Arvada Flats staff dressed in dog and cat costumes to support West Woods Elementary Run with the Wolves Race and fundraiser. September 2009- 2011.
Catch up on all of the latest announcements, special events and much more right here on our site!
Client Newsletter
“Professional Pet Care…with a Personal Touch”
We hope this newsletter finds all of our patients healthy & happy!
Pet Care thoughts for pet lovers:
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm season is upon us. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes.We are lucky that heartworm disease is rare in Colorado; however we do have a reservoir of heartworm disease in coyotes in the Arvada area as well as heartworm positive dogs that have been transferred to Denver for adoption from other parts of the country. Heartworm disease is eventually life threatening, and will cause coughing, exercise intolerance, and eventually heart failure. To avoid heartworm disease, it is important to give your pet heartworm prevention medications once monthly.
Importantly, the heartworm prevention medications we offer at Arvada Flats also prevent whipworms, roundworms and hookworms. All of these are common in Colorado. These are fecal parasites that are also transmissible to people. If your dog is active in the environment, it is important to protect them (and your human family!) against these fecal parasites.
It is easy and does not require a veterinarian appointment to test (if needed) and start treatment of heartworm disease for you dog.If we have seen your pet for its yearly wellness exam in the past year, we can test at our Saturday vaccination clinic from noon- 2 or at a technician appointment time.Please let us help you prevent heartworm disease & other fecal parasites in your family pet if you have concerns.
Lawn Edging
Beware of the type of lawn edging used in Colorado. It tends to be sharp and sometimes causes lacerations to the feet and lower legs in our pets. We see more of these injuries when pets spend more time outside in the warm weather. It is important to have your pet seen with in a few hours, or at least the same day if possible, as you notice a laceration. Otherwise, your pet will lick and infection can result.We also see barbed wire injuries especially in our hunting dogs.Apply pressure to stop bleeding when this occurs, clean with cool water flush and bring to Arvada Flats as soon as you are able for any further care that may be needed.We also do supply first aid kits for our very active patients that are likely to encounter more than the average dose of danger!
Easter is just around the corner!
Easter lilies are especially toxic to cats. One study showed that as little as two leaves or part of a single flower have resulted in deaths from kidney failure. Any part of the plant can be toxic. Signs of lily intoxication include salivation, vomiting, anorexia, and depression. If your cat is treated with intravenous fluids before kidney failure worsens, the prognosis is much better.
Chocolate is also abundant during Easter, and toxic to pets. Unsweetened baking chocolate is the most potent toxin, followed by semisweet and then milk chocolate. Please call as soon as you know your pet has ingested chocolate. Induction of vomiting works best if performed within three hours of chocolate ingestion. Clinical signs of chocolate intoxication include vomiting, hyperactivity, restlessness, and tremors.
Did You Know?
Xylitol in chewing gum (and foods) is extremely toxic to your pet
Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in sugar-free gum, oral care products, and baked goods.(Orbitz & Trident gum) It can cause hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs. Swift intervention is important if your pet ingests xylitol containing products.We typically induce vomiting as soon as possible in these toxicities!
Rabies
If your pet is not up to date on Rabies, this is more important than ever in the warmer weather. Rabies in Colorado is carried by raccoons, bats and skunks. Recently, the Jefferson County Public Health Department reported that skunks have tested positive for Rabies in Pueblo County. Therefore, we know that as our pets are out and about in Colorado, they are at risk.
Rattle Snake Bites
Rattle snake bites can often occur in Colorado, especially because dogs stick their noses everywhere! Swift treatment with pain control, fluids, anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics and sometimes anti-venom can be life-saving. Symptoms of a snake bite include severe local swelling, redness, and pain. If you suspect a snake bite has occurred, please contact your veterinarian immediately.Although it may not be as much fun, we always recommend on- leash hiking to prevent these bites!
Grass Awns or Fox Tails
These are pesky little seeds that come up in the spring especially with wet weather. They are dangerous especially to dogs with hairy feet because they will burrow under the skin, causing a migrating foreign body often between the toes. If you see your dog licking their feet or developing a red swollen area between the toes, it is best to get this area checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Infections that are difficult to control can result. If you know where these seeds are on walks with your dog, consider placing booties on your dog before allowing them in these areas.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is an emerging disease in Colorado that unfortunately we diagnose in the Arvada and Golden areas. It is a bacterium, spread by ingestion or inhalation of urine from other animals by your dog. Urine from livestock, deer, raccoons, opossums, skunks, rats and other rodents can spread the disease. When dogs have outdoor life styles in this area and access to contaminated water, then vaccination against Leptospirosis should be strongly considered. The disease causes liver and kidney failure in dogs. Importantly, Leptospirosis is also transmissible to people. If your pet has not yet been vaccinated for this potentially deadly disease, please inquire about how to protect your pet.
Later Hours at Arvada Flats
If any of these injuries, diseases or toxicities do occur or are noticed in the evening, remember that we are open Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. Monday from 7:30 am to 8 pm, and Saturday 8 am to 5 pm.
