We are happy to report that our power has been restored and phone are back in service!!! Please feel free to call us to reschedule any appointment you may have missed today.
We are happy to report that our power has been restored and phone are back in service!!! Please feel free to call us to reschedule any appointment you may have missed today.
We want to issue an apology to any clients that have been trying to contact us today. Our phone service has been down since approximately lunchtime unbenounced to us. This was caused by an improper upgrade to our phone service. As of 5:15PM tonight, the phones are back up and ringing, but there could be a glitch or two over the next 24 hours (e.g. our fax line is still not behaving as it should). If you have been trying to reach us, please feel free to call, or if the matter is non-urgent you can always email as well ( info@palmeranimalhospital.net )
‘RAW DIETS’
Recently we have been getting more and more questions about “Raw Diets” (Raw Meat-Based Diets–RMBDs) in our patients. RMBDs are controversial, but the popularity of the diet such as raw meat, bones, fruit and vegetables, are rising. We do not recommend raw diets; in fact most veterinarians do not recommend them. The AVMA, AAHA and Canadian VMA also discourage the use of undercooked or raw diets. The Delta Society Pet Partners Program precludes animals that eat RMBDs from participating in their therapy animal programs. The key motivation for pet owners wanting to feed these diets is that they are thought to be nutritionally superior compared to more conventional diets. Most of the information is from anecdotal or non-scientific studies. It is important to understand that there are many risks associated with feeding these diets:
— Bacterial contamination especially Salmonella. The occurrence rates of Salmonella in commercial RMBDs range from 20-48%. This not only puts your pet at risk for becoming ill, but any other animal or person in the household as well. This by far is our major concern in regards to safety of these diets.
—Nutritional concerns—many of these diets are unbalanced. A 2001 study found that all of commercial RMBDs and 95% of home-prepared RMBDs had at least one major nutritional deficiency, so long-term feeding may lead to health problems with your pet. Keep in mind that many of these diets are labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding and are not intended as a long-term diet.
—Other safety issues such as bones and high-fat levels in many of these diets can put pets at risk for stomach and intestinal injuries, and pancreatitis.
—Cases of Hyperthyroidism have been reported in dogs fed a RMBD (which resolved upon discontinuation of that diet).
For more information, there is an article in the Dec 1st issue of the AVMA Journal that discusses the current knowledge of the risks and benefits RMBDs.
‘HOLIDAY DANGERS TO YOUR PETS’
Christmas time, as we all know, is rapidly approaching. Which means the decorating and other festivities are begining to take place as well. The holiday times are a special time for us and our pets. With that said, all the ongoing activities and constant distractions, we seem to over look some possible dangers to your pets. Knowing what could be dangerous to your pet’s and taking preventive measures to insure your pet is protected and safe from any harm, will help save you a trip to the vets office over the holidays!
Taking precautions with pets during the holidays can help ensure that you, your friends and family will have a happy and healthy holiday season.
Wow, Thanksgiving is nearly here and they are calling for some cold, nasty weather in our area. Now is a good time to review our Inclement Weather Policy. While it is rare for us (or at least most of us) to make it into the office, I tell my staff that if there is any question as to whether they can SAFELY make it into work, to stay home and call the office to see what the situation is weather-wise. So on those days when you wake up with the ground covered in white, the best advice I can give our clients is to CALL THE OFFICE BEFORE YOU COME IN. Staff is usually in at 7:30, so if you don’t get a live person please leave a message and we will call you back. There are also rare occassions when the daytime weather becomes so nasty that we will close early. In those cases we contact all of our appointments and in-house cases to let them know the status. If you can’t make it in to pickup your pet, don’t worry—we can hold onto them until it is safe to pick them up.
Our schedule for the upcoming holidays are:
THANKSGIVING:
Wed, Nov 27th 8AM-5PM (Regular hours)
Thursday, Nov 28th: THANKSGIVING DAY—- CLOSED
Friday, Nov 29th 8AM-5PM (Regular hour)
CHRISTMAS:
Tuesday, Dec 24th 8AM- 12 Noon (1/2 day)
Wednesday, Dec 25th CHRISTMAS DAY — CLOSED
Thursday, Dec 26th 8AM-8PM (Regular hours)
NEW YEARS:
Tuesday, Dec 31st 8AM-5PM (Short day)
Wednesday, Jan 1st NEW YEARS DAY — CLOSED
Thursday, Jan 2nd 8AM-8PM (Regular hours)
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
“They have always taken wonderful care of our pets. Especially when there is an emergency. I moved out of the area and never found a vet to compare so I make a longer drive back to Palmers as it is well worth it.”
Darlene Donaldson“I’ve taken my pets here for the past 14 years and always find the staff friendly and caring. Dr. Palmer and his team always take great care of the animals and help people make good choices taking each situation into consideration.”
Larry Hector“Dr Palmer did an amazing job with our dog Bailey’s surgery. Have been a customer for more than 20 years and have been completely satisfied with the service here.”
Scott Sheppard“Great staff and always very accommodating and sweet. They really care for the animals that come in and the vets have all been very friendly.”
Anna Lebo“I’ve been going to Dr. Palmer since he first opened years ago. He has saved and worked on many of pets for me. I don’t know what I would have done without him!!! Great place. Great Drs. Great staff!!!”
Sherry Fisher“I have been taking my dogs to Dr Palmer for over 15 years. The Animal Hospital staff is always very kind and proffesional. His charges are very reasonable also. Top Knotch !!”
Malea Sanbowers9405 Baltimore National PikeMyersville, MD 21773
Phone: (301) 371-3333Fax: (301) 371-0019Email Us!