October MVS Pet Gazette

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October 2020

Dear Pet Parents,

Welcome to the October issue of the MVS Pet Gazette! October is National Pet Wellness Month, so we're sharing 10 tips to keep your pet as healthy as can be. We'd also like to share safety guidelines for pet costumes as Halloween approaches. To close out this month’s newsletter, we have a very special feature about one of our beloved friends.

Now Servicing New York!

Meet Dr. Brendan MacFadgen

HELLO NYC!

MVS Pet Care is excited to announce that we are now serving The Big Apple! Refer a friend or family in New York and receive 50% Off your next house call fee!

Dr. MacFadgen is a Boston native. With a love for animals and science, Dr. MacFadgen combined his passions for these fields by studying Biological Basis of Behavior at the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his Bachelors degree there, he returned to Boston and worked as a veterinary technician for two years. He quickly realized that he belonged in the veterinary field and returned to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine to obtain his VMD.

Safety Guidelines for Pet Costumes

Safety is an important consideration if your pet will be dressing up for Halloween. Keeping these recommendations in mind when you shop will help you ensure that the costume you choose is safe and comfortable for your companion.

Costumes Should Allow Your Pet to Move Freely

Stay Away from Flammable Materials

Make Sure Masks and Hats Fit Well

Look for Choking Hazards

Choose Costumes That Can Accommodate Leashes and Harnesses

Make Sure Your Pet's Costume Can Be Seen in the Dark

If your pet doesn't like dressing up, consider a more creative approach. Pulling your pet in a small decorated wagon may be a better option than forcing your cat, dog, or small animal to wear a costume.

Safety Guidelines for Pet Costumes

10 Tips for National Pet Wellness Month

October is National Pet Wellness Month, a good time to remember the importance of regular wellness checkups and making healthy lifestyle choices. We all want our pet companions to live long, happy, healthy lives. There’s no better way to celebrate than by making sure you make positive choices that can help your dog or cat live longer, have increased vitality, and thrive.

These ten tips will help you keep your pet healthy during National Pet Wellness Month and all year long:

1. Focus On Nutrition

Adequate nutrition keeps pets fit and healthy and helps prevent many diseases.

2. Control Their Weight

An overweight pet has a decreased quality of life. Many pet owners overfeed their animals, and this can often mean that their pets will die at an earlier age.

3. Get Enough Exercise

Regular exercise keeps the animal’s muscles, tendons, and bones strong. It also provides a measure of mental stimulation.

4. Don’t Skip Dental Care

If you see signs of oral disease, like inflamed gums, or notice loose teeth, it’s time for professional help from your veterinarian.

5. Brush Their Fur

Regular brushing is great because it removes dead hair, and it’s also an opportunity for you to become familiar with your pet’s body, making it more likely that you’ll notice any changes, like unusual growths or abnormalities, that need the attention of a veterinary doctor.

6. Don’t Overdo The Bathing

Make sure to use a shampoo made specifically for the species of your pet as human shampoo is too harsh for an animal’s skin. Avoid getting shampoo or water directly in the eyes, mouth, or ears.

7. Learn How To Take Care Of Nails

Choose a pet nail clipper that feels comfortable in your hands and gives a clean line of sight to exactly where the blade is cutting.

8. Check And Clean Those Ears

Clean ears is important for preventing ear infections. Examining the outside of the ears also alerts you to the presence of wood ticks, fleas, or anything unusual.

9. Don’t Go Overboard With Supplements

Reputable pet food manufacturers go to great lengths to make sure that their products contain the right proportion of vitamins and minerals, so adding more without first consulting your veterinarian might throw this delicate balance out of whack.

10. Spend Quality Time With Your Pet

Your pet is a family member. Interact with them–talking, walking, playing together, stroking, and giving the affection and attention they so deserve.

Pet of the Month

You know your pet is the best pet on earth, isn’t it time the rest of the world knew it too?

MVS - House Calls Pet of the Month contest gives you and your pet the chance to win a fun gift basket and a post on our social media pages featuring your pet!

Send your pet photos and a description of why they deserve pet of the month to contact@flagshipvetpartners.com

Pet Feature - Bella's Story

Bella, one of our beloved client’s story, as told by her fur-parents:

Dear friends at MVS,

We want to thank everyone at MVS that contributed to Bella’s health and well-being, and showed our family love for the short time we were with you. We received your card yesterday and it was such a testament to how genuine and caring you all are. Knowing how much you all cared, we thought you might like to hear the story of how Bella rescued us.

On Saturday, November 22^nd, 2014 we entered a PetSmart in Poughkeepsie, NY. We were there to pick up gift cards for our friends who had dogs for the holidays. We entered to a bit of chaos with barking and lots of people and dogs. Unbeknownst to us, it was adoption day.

We decided to go look at all the little noise makers, never expecting anything but a few snuggles and nose kisses. Amongst all the noise was this quiet little girl, just looking up from her crate with the cutest look in her eyes. Not being there to adopt anyone, we continued on our way. A few moments later one of the volunteers was walking around with this cutie pie in her hands and Debbie said “is that the quiet little girl from the crate”? As the volunteer responded yes she placed this little girl in Debbie’s arms and I immediately asked for an application – it was love at first sight.

We were told she was about 3 or 4 and that was perfect for us. After the Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary completed their due diligence and called our references, we received a call that we were approved for adoption. There was one catch, Bella was believed to be closer to 6 years old. We were told that they understood if we changed our mind due to her age but our hearts melted and we wanted her more. At that age she deserved the best home ever.

It was Thanksgiving week and we were supposed to bring our little girl home on Wednesday, but, living in the northeast, there was a storm coming. If we didn’t pick her up on Tuesday she would remain with HVARS until Friday because of the storm and the holiday. So on Tuesday, completely unprepared because we wanted to buy her 5 beds and toys and treats and a new collar before we picked her up, we trudged out in the snow to bring Bella home. First stop with Bella was bringing her back to PetSmart to pick up the immediate necessities. Boy was that an experience, one that set the precedence to what was to come in the next 5 years and 10 months.

First step was to register her with our home – she was chipped so we needed to be sure the correct information was on file. To our surprise, and horror, we were told that we were the 5^th permanent home to register Bella. 4 other homes either didn’t want her or lost her and didn’t, or didn’t want to, find her. She had been found roaming the streets of Brooklyn when she was picked up by a high kill shelter. She was saved by the beautiful souls at Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. And now she was with us. What a journey she had…

Future vet visits showed that Bella was even older than 6. Still, we loved her more for what she had been through to get to us. Her ailments and her needs began to increase, but boy was she a trooper through it all. Her meds began to increase but she took anything we gave her as long as there was chicken involved. Ironically, when we adopted her we were told that she was allergic to poultry. After her first vet visit we asked how we can confirm that and were advised to give her a little and watch her. Well we watched her – we watched her devour the chicken and chase us for more. As it turned out she wasn’t allergic to it, she was addicted to it.

We moved to Florida in October of 2019 and, like everything else, she handled it like a champ. We were so happy to find the folks a vet clinic in Florida, but her time with them was short. Her anxieties increased and we needed a better option. And that’s where the angels at MVS Pet Care came in. The love everyone at MVS showed us and Bella, the level of care she received in the comfort of her own home, free of anxiety, well, it was the perfect way for her to live out her last days.

In NY our vet was a holistic practice and they helped us to learn how to better care for Bella using alternative methods, of which we believe helped to retain her quality of life for so long while we were treating her. We truly believe that attributed to her longevity. We were thankful to find her care at MVS Florida with like minded vets; looking to give her the best quality of life.

She truly remains in our heart, in our home, and, still, in our arms.

With our deepest gratitude,

Debbie, Lillian, and Bella

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Call Us:

833-352-VETS

Our team is available by phone or email: Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Thank you,

🐾 The MVS Pet Care House Calls Team