More Info
AFTER HOURS ASSURANCE
IN HOUSE EMERGENCY CLINIC
We are available 24 hours a day
Our After Hours Emergency Clinic is equipped to handle most walk-in emergencies. Complete lab facility and diagnostics, x-ray, boarding capabilities, caring and compassionate staff.
If you feel you have an emergency after normal operating hours, we employ a program called AFTER HOURS ASSURANCE. They will guide you through the process to talk directly with the doctor.
You just call the regular office number (239) 985 8500 and your call will be immediately forwarded to our AFTER HOURS ASSURANCE service.
Follow the instructions given to you and you will be offered an opportunity to leave a message or speak to our answering service. They will forward your message to us, and we will return your call promptly.
There will be a small fee for this service. However, for current clients of the Animal Clinic at Kelly Crossing, the fee will be deducted from the normal emergency after hours office fee if it is determined that you need to be seen that night.
Please remember, more than 90% of the situations you will encounter during those hours will not require that you come to the office. First aid advice or treatments that you can manage at home will often get your situation under control, and then you can be seen during regular business hours the next morning.
In the long term, you will benefit greatly by not incurring the emergency fees for a problem that can be managed at home and wait until the next day.
This can be a great benefit and service that you and your pet. We thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health needs.
If you would like to know more about the AFTER HOURS ASSURANCE program, please call or stop in, and one of our staff will be glad to explain how it works and the options for pay by the call or one small annual fee to cover any emergencies you have more than one pet in your household.
Thank you!
Dr. CarpenterTOXIC TOADS Be Alert!
HUGE DEVELOPING PROBLEM IN OUR AREA
Hopefully most of you have heard of the growing problem with a huge non-native toad called the Bufo or Cane toad. This toad was imported to Florida and released in the sugar cane fields to eat grubs and insects that attach the sugar cane.
The problem is that the toad has no natural enemies or natural control for reproduction and has multiplied rapidly and is now expanding into non-agricultural areas creating problems with our pets.
This toad is very toxic! Here is a description from a neurologist consultant with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN):
Contributors:
Linda Shell, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Synonyms: Toad poisoning
Disease description:
When dogs mouth or bite Bufo marinus or Bufo alvarius (cane toads) toads, a potent venom is released from the toad’s parotid gland. The bitter taste and irritating effect causes prompt salivation, frothing and vomiting. As the toxins are absorbed, CNS and cardiac signs occur resulting in vasodilation, tachycardia, tachyarrhythmias, hypertension, seizures, and potentially death in as little as 15 minutes. While morbidity rates are high, mortality is low.
We have now treated 3 separate exposures to this toad, and it is not pleasant. Fortunately, all three animals recovered successfully, but the rapid action by the owners in the initial flushing of the dogs mouth and transporting to an emergency facility are most likely the only reason all three were saved.
Check out Bufo toad online and get the facts, before you have an incident. Get to know what they look like and what to do immediately – even before you call your veterinarian and head for the hospital.The Laboratory
We have equipped our lab to perform the basic and necessary test for your visit. These include a complete blood count, blood chemistries, heartworm tests, feline leukemia and aids test, parvovirus tests, as well as many others. Occasionally, there will be other needs, and we will send them to the laboratory services available for expert evaluation.
We also have a new high quality x-ray machine and x-ray processor to assist our diagnostic challenges. So, we will be able to perform any diagnostics necessary to get to the root of your pet’s problem.The Office
In the office we are prepared for most any event that can happen with your pet. No one can control when they get excited and urinate or “something else” on the floor. Don’t worry about it – that’s why we have tile floors. On the other hand, walking your dog before you leave home and limiting breakfast on the morning of your visit will help their need to eliminate along the way.
One word of caution, however, never-ever take their water away from them We don’t want to see an animal that is even a little dehydrated because it can truly confuse the examination process, and water is very important to control their ability to deal with heat! So, never limit the water – if they urinate, we have the technology to cope with it.
