May/June 2024 Dear Colleagues,
President's Message
Dear colleagues, I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. As we continue to navigate this year, knowing that we have already passed the halfway point, I want to take this opportunity to share some updates with you. Over the past few months, we have made significant strides in attendance at our CE meetings and collaborations between the attendees. Our board members have been working hard to continue to improve our association. Some of the highlights of what we are working on include: We are coordinating our Holiday party. For that, we have secured our date and location for the event, which will take place on December 13, 2024, at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club. We are still working on all the details and trying to come up with a theme for the event. We are adding a section to our newsletter to honor some of the industry's trailblazers and thank them for their contributions. We want to highlight what they have done to help us be where we are today and show them our appreciation as an association for all their efforts and the barriers they have opened for us. We will also highlight our specialty clinics by having open houses and tours at some of them to open communication between our general practitioners and specialist members. This will benefit both groups, making it easier to communicate and share cases and ideas on a routine basis. We are also working on revamping our social media presence to reach more people not only within our industry but also in our community. We are updating our website and other pages to be more accessible and useful to the public. We are trying to build partnerships with different companies that will bring benefits, such as discounts and buying power with some of our vendors. With these new collaborations, we can increase the value of our association and make your membership even more worthwhile. We will also highlight our specialty clinics by having open houses and tours at some of them to open communication between our general practitioners and specialist members. This will benefit both groups, making it easier to communicate and share cases and ideas on a routine basis. We are also working on revamping our social media presence to reach more people not only within our industry but also in our community. We are updating our website and other pages to be more accessible and useful to the public. We are trying to build partnerships with different companies that will bring benefits, such as discounts and buying power with some of our vendors. With these new collaborations, we can increase the value of our association and make your membership even more worthwhile. Warm regards, Armando Villamil, DVM, MS, PhD, ACVIM (oncology) President Broward County Veterinary Medical Association.
Newsletter
JOIN OR RENEW TODAY! Enjoy the camaraderie and top-notch continuing education offered by the BCVMA! We offer 10 great CE meetings per year, including Florida Pharmacy and Rules, a newsletter, and the best Holiday Party in South Florida! Membership is Only $130 yearly. You can join or renew online by visiting https://poynt.godaddy.com/ checkout/afa689cc-149b-4060-8441- 56e98875a44c/2024-membership
Executive Board 2024
President Armando Villamil, DVM drv@petcancergroup.com Immediate Past President Stephanie Jones, DVM drstefni@gmail.com Secretary Stefeny Pollack, DVM szpollack@gmail.com Treasurer Claudia Valderrama, DVM claudia67v@aol.com Education Chair Simon Kornberg, DVM drkornberg@sevneurology.com Social Chair Jason Horgan, DVM jason081977@aol.com Newsletter Chair Yolanda Ochoa, DVM dr.yolanda@vet2yourpet.com
Dr. James Anderson II` 954-347-3557 doctor_anderson98@gmail.com Dr. Peggy Carlow 954-341-9552 pmcarlow@att.net Dr. Doris Caraballo 786-410-9462 doriska32@yahoo.com Dr. Ursula Dell 965-696-0642 drdell03@gmail.com Dr. Fumiko Miyamoto 352-339-2207 www.theasiandoctorllc.com Dr. Cindy Rigg 305-968-8345 csrigg@yahoo.com Dr. Dan Selvin 954-604-0084 dcselv4@gmail.com Dr. Mark Steele 954-942-7193 mdsteele@bellsouth.net Dr. Ana M. Tassino 305-335-3111 tassino@bellsouth.net Dr. Claudia Valderrama 305-297-8893 claudia67v@aol.com
Need a Break? Call One of Us! Relief Veterinarian List
By Dr Mary Gardner DrMaryGardner.com Co-Founder Lap of Love Veterinary HospiceLapofLove.com Founder Monarch Pet Memorial Services (Pet Crematory)Monarchpetservices.com
Individualized Care For Senior Pets I was taken aback! After my follow-up appointment with the vein doctor, just two weeks post my calf blood clot incident, I was eager to discuss my concerns and queries with the doctor. However, the nurse brushed off my worries with a casual remark, "Don't worry – these are so common – you're basically on the conveyor belt of care unless something different happens." WHAT – Conveyor Belt of Care!” I never felt more like a number at a doctor’s office. Instantly, I sought out a new vein specialist. It's crucial to understand that just because certain conditions are prevalent or expected at a certain age doesn't negate the need for personalized care. The notion of a 'conveyor belt of care' could easily infiltrate veterinary practices, but it is imperative to resist this, especially when dealing with our senior companions. As a veterinary team, we can all play the breed and age game. Golden retrievers = cancer, Dobermans = DCM, Labrador = arthritis, crunchy cat = kidney disease, etc. But to the patients and the families that love them, it is a new problem to manage, a new fear to face and possibly a reason to say goodbye – and they deserve individual care. In my role as a hospice veterinarian, I've encountered numerous senior pets, each with its own narrative, circumstances, and care objectives. I approach each case with a blank slate and a receptive mindset. When assisting senior pets, the first aspect I consider is their ailments. Often, these pets grapple with a multitude of issues, from mobility issues, decreased vision, incontinence, not grooming, vomiting, cognitive issues, anxiety, etc. I must look at the entire pet as a whole and see how to manage all of them considering the capacity of the owner. I also want to learn from the owner, what are the top 2 most pressing problems they are facing. I could look at a dog and see the most horrific set of teeth ever and want to perform a dental cleaning immediately, but if the dog is panting and pacing all night long, keeping the entire family awake – I need to address that first. There is little benefit to a dog with a clean mouth if the family is considering euthanasia because he can’t settle down. (And yes - the mouth may be the cause of the restlessness.) The pet's personality is another crucial factor to weigh. Some pets stoically endure treatments and adaptations, while others may resist or become anxious. Tailoring treatments to align with the pet's temperament fosters cooperation and preserves the human-animal bond.
Medical Article
Individualized Care For Senior Dogs (continued) Financial constraints constitute one of the "budgets" to consider. Treatment options must align with the owner's financial capacity, ranging from modest monthly expenses to substantial investments in care. Understanding and respecting these limits is paramount. Another budget is the physical one. Can the caregiver physically manage their pet? I once helped a woman with a 20-pound sheltie with arthritis. She was struggling getting this wee dog down the two front steps of her home. I didn’t understand why this woman, about 50 yrs old, was having so much trouble. This wasn’t a Great Dane or even a large Labrador. And then she shared that she herself had Rheumatoid Arthritis and she could not pick up or dog or some days bend down to pet him. I found her a great harness that had a long strap connected to it so that her walks were much easier – for them both. What about the older dog or cat that cannot make it to the veterinary clinic as easy as they used to? Offering telemedicine can be a huge benefit to all involved. Time is another precious resource, especially with senior pets requiring frequent care, medications, and veterinary visits. Educating families about time-saving strategies and providing support services can ease their burden. The last budget is the emotional budget of the caregiver. We often overlook this one. The caregiver can be going through a sea of emotions. From stress, anxiety, anticipatory grief, frustration to depression. Recognizing this and providing help can ease the burden. Providing good education, product recommendations, goals of care information, and local resources can lighten the burden. Veterinarians are great with recommending the best diagnostic tools, medications and therapies, but often struggle with how to help the family with the home environment. Asking owners to take pictures and videos of the pet’s environment can be enlightening and helpful. Look at the areas the pet sleeps, eats and plays. Ask about other pets and children in the home and also what the family struggles with the most. Maybe the cat can’t get into their bed anymore and that snuggle time is greatly missed but a simply ramp or stair system can come to the rescue. Maybe a family needs to set up a safe zone for the dog when they leave for the day to protect him from slippery floors or other danger spots. Have a wealth of product recommendations and home hacks available for all the ailments a dog or a cat may have. Over the years I have been amazed at what families have done for their pets and learned so much from the families I have helped.
Individualized Care For Senior Dogs (continued)
It's disheartening to note that 50% of pets euthanized in the United States hadn't visited their veterinarian in over 12 months before the procedure, as revealed by a study I conducted with the assistance of VetSource. This underscores the missed opportunities to provide valuable assistance to both pets and their families. Many may not realize the extent of support available to them, assuming that age-related issues are insurmountable. However, veterinary professionals can offer significant help. We must prioritize marketing efforts directed at senior pets, offering comprehensive guidance beyond routine check-ups. Providing educational resources and practical tips on our websites can attract more traffic and ultimately lead to better care for our cherished senior pets, ensuring they receive the attention and support they deserve in their golden years. Books I have written to help families and those supporting them – available on Amazon: ·It’s Never Long Enough - A Practical Guide to Caring for Your Geriatric Dog ··Nine Lives are Not Enough - A Practical Guide to Caring for Your Geriatric Cat Remember, when it comes to senior pets and their families, there's no one-size-fits-all approach.
Contact: info@petshelptheheartheal.org
Welcome Spring!
Upcoming Continuing Education Meetings May: Dermatology Morton's Steakhouse--Limited seating Thank you to our sponsor:
Congratulations to Dr. Jason Horgan on being honored as the ‘Veterinarian of the Year’ at the MediLaw Awards! It was a heartwarming moment to see him accompanied by his son while receiving this prestigious accolade. Dr. Horgan’s passion, expertise, and commitment to animal care set a remarkable standard in the veterinary field
This month's Project Unleashed event is coming up on Sunday, May 19th . Last month over 94 pets were served! Project Unleashed is held every 3rd Sunday of the month at Camillus House and MVF is looking for volunteer veterinarians and vet techs to help at future events. Please contact Nanea Orellana, Director of Operations, at (305) 697-3301 or atmanager@miamivetfoudation.org, if you are interested in volunteering your time for our furry friends in need.
It's a pleasure to invite The Broward County Veterinary Medical Association to the launch of the Congreso Veterinario de Leon en Florida! For the first time, an entirely Spanish-language Veterinary Congress will be held on May 23rd and 24th at the Broward Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale. It will be for Spanish speaker doctors !!
This newsletter is published bi-monthly by the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association, Inc., 200 NE 12th Avenue Apt 8 B Hallandale, Fl 33009. Editorial Guidelines: Letters and articles are welcome. All submissions must be signed and the author's name will be published. Entries must be received 14 days prior to the publication date. Display Ads: Please e-mail all submissions to mreyesnye5115@gmail.com. The Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the officers of the BCVMA or it's representatives. Products and services advertised herein are not necessarily endorsed. Membership Cost: $130.00 per year. Includes all CE meetings and invitation to all social events. Pay online : https://poynt.godaddy.com/checkout/afa689cc-149b-4060-8441-56e98875a44c/2023-membership
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