Some examples of previous workshop photos by Lisa Scarsi.

So, who better to be your Valentine Sweetheart? That’s why this Valentine’s Day, we invite you to say “Cheese” instead of “Chocolate” and join us on Feb 6th & 13th for our Sit, Stay and Say Cheese Workshop (two sessions) and get professional portraits taken just in time for Valentine’s Day! And for those of you with 2-legged sweeties to please, these kissable portraits would make great and thoughtful gifts, too!

The training portion of the workshop will teach you how to pose your dog for the best photos ever on Saturday from 12-1pm on Feb 6th at Founders Veterinary Clinic, 330 N. Brea Blvd, Brea. Pet portrait sessions will be held the following Saturday, Feb 13^th starting at 1pm.

Each workshop attendee will first learn posing techniques by trainer extraordinaire, Cindy Scott – followed by their very own furry photo shoot by an amazing professional pet photographer, Lisa Scarsi, on the following Saturday.

All this for a modest cost of only $105.

To sign up, contact Pro Dog Trainer Cindy Scott, of Dogs Etc.

at dogsetc@yahoo.com or call (714) 393-0432.

More about Cindy here: www.my-zen-dog.com.

More about Lisa here: www.lisascarsi.com.

Don’t miss this keepsake opportunity to capture adorable photos with the furriest love of your life!

Vet perk #1: You get to stay and assist when your own pet gets sick – comforting my Braddy during his IV fluid therapy at ACCIM last Sunday.

So what happened? An undetermined cause (as is often the case), such as some a kind of toxin or pathogenic strain of bacteria hit his gut and caused a circulatory type of shock, resulting in a rapid drop of his blood pressure. Within seconds of rushing through the emergency doors at Advanced Critical Care and Internal Medicine (ACCIM) in Tustin, the ER doc and support staff huddled around us: An IV catheter was immediately inserted into Braddy’s forearm for blood collection/analysis and intravenous administration of fluids and drugs. At the same time, a blood pressure cuff was tightly wrapped around one of his hind legs while another tech took his vital signs (temperature, pulse and respiration) and yet another attached electrodes to monitor his heartbeat (EKG). As a panicked spectator, I watched an ultrasound probe search his abdomen looking for a life threatening internal hemorrhage. “Oh no, I can’t lose my sweet beloved dog,”  was all I could think but not dare say out loud.

Mercifully, within minutes, my worst fears were replaced with hope: lab results and the ultrasound revealed no blood loss or damage to internal organs. After an intense 30 minutes, Braddy began responding well to the rapid fluid infusion (to bring up his blood pressure) and a warming blanket to bring up his low body temp. Now I was the one that needed medical attention for the surge of adrenalin that was still spiking my B.P. and racing my pulse. Over the next three hours he (and I) stabilized – I thankfully took him home and praised the attentive staff for the excellent care he received.

On Monday, Brad Pit is reunited with his duck – they are inseparable!

A full 24 hours later while recuperating at home with his personal physician on call (and mom on duty), Braddy was back playing with his squeaky stuffed duck and it was music (no longer noise) to my ears…It was like my three hour nightmare never happened. But it did. Let that be your wake-up call.

Obviously you know why I am sharing the events of last Sunday with you. Last week, I became that one second statistic: Every second a pet owner is faced with a $1000 vet bill. Emergencies happen. Illness happens. You must protect your pet and yourself if and when medical costs exceed what you can afford. Insurance is no longer an option when your pet’s health and safety is at risk. I never thought I would be spending a Sunday afternoon in the ER with a healthy dog that was happy and playful that same morning!

Now – as promised – our insurance review is complete and confidently endorses Petplan. If you have not read the comments left by readers on our pet insurance review – please take a few minutes to do so as you may share some of the questions asked – see our answers.

Note: the first claim I submitted to Petplan 6 weeks ago (exam and lab work for another mysterious case when Brad Pit went off his food, feeling punk and then rebounding the next day without treatment) has been paid without question or hassle.    I received an apology for the reimbursement taking longer than the normal waiting period of 3-4 weeks because of the holidays. My advice is to keep one credit card with a limit of at least $5,000 in a safe place (not your wallet!) in case of pet emergencies. Submit your claim immediately and most likely your reimbursement check will arrive before the payment due date!

If Petplan is your pick too, please use this referral code when you enroll ANP5000263-00 and $25 dollars will be automatically donated to our Homeless Pet Sponsorship Program. And if you are looking to adopt a great dog, please come by and visit our fosters: Roni, Barney and Freeway. We want to see these sweeties celebrate Valentine’s Day in their new homes with someone special to love them…

We hope you will share this important information about pet insurance and our adoption program with your friends, co-workers and loved ones.

Someone will thank you (or lick you) for spreading the word and so will we!

Janet with her dog Cookie, enjoying a hike.

I jumped in first, enrolling my pit bull mix-up, Brad Pit, with Petplan; Janet – our indispensable hospital manager and long time licensed veterinary tech –  signed up her dog Cookie with Embrace; Inez, our sweetheart groomer, purchased Pets Best for her newly adopted dog, Tigre. Yep, the same dog we were fostering – they had a 3 month love affair going on right under our noses!

My hat and stethoscope is off to Janet, who painstakingly studied each contract and directed my attention toward problematic areas. What follows is everything we learned and what you need to know before you enter the mind boggling world of pet insurance. We have done a lot of necessary homework and now it is your turn to compare, ask questions, and take action!

It is our greatest hope to see all our patients protected by a good pet insurance policy in the New Year. As I stressed in an earlier post, pet insurance is no longer an option – it’s a necessity if you want to make sure your pet receives state of the art medical care without maxing out your credit cards!

We want 2010 to be the year of affordable veterinary care. As a responsible pet parent, I challenge you to work an additional $25 to $35 into the monthly budget. So, if you become the unlucky pet owner faced with a $1,000 vet bill (happens every six seconds in the U.S.) don’t worry – just get your pen ready (or go on-line) and fill out your claim form!

Let’s begin…

First off is my humble apology. For the past twenty years that I have been in practice, I have largely ignored pet insurance. Why? Unfortunately, my first experience with pet insurance was a bad one and I formed a rather negative view. It was the late 80s and pet insurance was the new kid on the block. Clients complained that company X (a start-up in California) was paying less on claims than expected and taking months to reimburse them. On my clients’ behalf, I started wrestling with the insurance company for higher payouts because no one could understand their complicated benefit schedule. Fast forward to 2009… the pet insurance neighborhood has wisely matured and veterinary medicine has made remarkable advancements in its technology and treatments, which many pet parents can ill afford to take advantage of.

Now for the $2,900 question: Why would a veterinarian buy pet insurance for her own pet? Answer: In the last four years, my dog Rosie (yes, it’s true – purebreds have more problems than mutts ) has needed an MRI to diagnose an infection in her spine, eye surgery by an ophthalmologist, and most recently, an urgent visit to Advanced Critical Care and Internal Medicine (ACCIM) in Tustin on a weekend to find out why she had stopped eating.

First the good news: bad tummy ache or in medical jargon, acute gastroenteritis, and Rosie is feeling much better. Now the bad news: a routine abdominal ultrasound revealed that Rosie has a tumor on one of her adrenal glands, presumed to be malignant. Making matters worse, I did not have insurance to defray costs incurred over the last four years – nearly $3,000, and that was with generous professional discounts! Don’t worry – Rosie will get the care she needs, but that vacation I wanted to take went off to dreamland. Lesson learned the hard way, which is apparently how I learn most things.

OK now…this is going to be a long read, so be prepared to take your time, a needed potty break, or go grab a cup of Joe. Just be sure to read it ALL and leave us your thoughts or any questions in the comment section here on the blog. We always appreciate reading your comments – thanks.

We found that the major difference between the top three pet insurance companies we reviewed was how they paid on chronic ongoing conditions.

• Dollar limits per condition: Pays out a specified maximum amount covered for each diagnosed condition. Once the maximum amount has been paid out the condition will no longer be covered. This type of policy can provide a good compromise for those unable to purchase comprehensive protection offered by lifelong polices.
• Time limits per condition: Ongoing illnesses are classified as pre-existing whenever the policy renews. The condition may still be covered but the reimbursement amount is reduced. Presumed to be a better option than dollar limits.
• Lifelong: Provides the most comprehensive protection for you and your pet – full coverage for both short term and long term illnesses. Pays out the maximum dollar amount on the policy purchased and that amount will be reset each year on renewal. With Lifelong coverage, any ailment your pet is diagnosed with will receive treatment indefinitely as long as you continue to renew your policy each year.

So what’s not automatically covered?

Some common exclusions to look out for:

Pre-existing conditions – It is standard for pet insurance companies to deny coverage for the treatment of pre-existing conditions. Having said that, it’s always best to disclose any problems your pet has upfront, as future claims may be invalidated if you’re found not to be completely honest. Founders warns: apply for pet insurance as soon as you adopt. Puppies and kittens are most likely not to have any pre-existing conditions – hence you never need to worry if a claim will be paid!

Note: There is a mandatory waiting period (usually 14 days) from the time you enroll until your coverage begins. Also, all previous medical records will be reviewed in an attempt to prevent fraudulent claims submitted for pre-existing conditions. No cheating allowed!

Hereditary or congenital conditions – There is a lot of wiggle room here. Some companies will cover these conditions as long as they were not discovered prior to the purchase of your policy and therefore treated as pre-existing. Founders warns: read the fine print!

Routine checkups – Some pet insurance policies will cover an allocated amount for routine pet care. Those companies that do offer coverage for routine health care costs (vaccinations, parasite control, spay/neuter, dental cleanings, annual check-ups) seemingly do not pay out well for unexpected medical costs. Founders warns: avoid the temptation to buy routine coverage. Instead, budget for the known costs of basic pet care and buy polices that will afford you comprehensive coverage for the unexpected illness or life threatening emergency. 

The ‘devil is in the details’ – read carefully and familiarize yourself with these terms:

Age restrictions: Eligibility for enrollment is based on age of your pet. Breed can also affect age limits. For example: a new policy may specify full coverage for mixed breed dogs up to age 8 years; purebred dogs up to age 6 years; cats up to age 10 years.

Pets Best states no age restrictions.

A representative at Petplan told us the age limit may be lifted in 2010.

Pets that are too old for full coverage may be eligible for accident type coverage.

Select breeds: The following breeds (some we’ve never heard of!) could face policy restrictions, age limits, or higher insurance rates:

Aidi, Akbash Dog, Appenzeller Sennenhund , Argentine Dogo / Dogo Argentino, Beauceron, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Bloodhound, Boerboel, Bulldog (all Bulldog breeds), Bull Terrier, Ca de Bou / Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Canary Dog /Presa Canario, Cane Corso , Cão de Fila de São Miguel, Chinese Chongqing Dog, Clumber Spaniel, Coonhound , Deerhound /Scottish Deerhound, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux /French Mastiff, Dutch Sheepdog / Schapendoes, Entlebucher Sennenhund, Fila Brasileiro /Brazilian Fila , Gran Mastin de Borinquen, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees / Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Griffon Brabancon, Irish Wolfhound, Kangal Dog, Landseer, Leonberger, Maremma Sheepdog, Mastiff (all Mastiff breeds), Mioritic Sheepdog, Newfoundland, Ovtcharka, Rottweiler, Scottish Terrier (Scottie), Saint Bernard, Shar-Pei, Staghound , Tibetan KyiApso, Thai Ridgeback, Tosa Inu.

These breeds display a higher degree of severity of disease and as such different terms and conditions may apply.

Pre-existing condition: Refers to a condition, injury or illness that was present – or which manifested itself – prior to the effective date of the policy. Coverage for any pre-existing condition was excluded under all the policies we reviewed.

It’s best to contact the insurance company prior to purchasing a policy if you’re not sure your pet has a pre-existing condition. For example, with Embrace, if your dog tore her right cruciate ligament (a common knee problem which requires surgical repair) before you bought your policy and later ruptures her left cruciate ligament – the new left cruciate tear is considered a pre-existing condition and will not be covered. Insurance business can be tricky stuff!

Per Incident limit: Refers to the maximum amount that will be paid for a single incident. Some companies will have a per-incident limit for the lifetime of the policy (as long as your pet lives) referred to as a lifetime limit. Companies may offer a range of lifetime limits to choose from. Pets Best offers lifetime limits ranging from $42,500 to $100,000 with corresponding per-incident limits from $2,500 to $14,000. For example, if you choose Pets Best Basic Plan with a lifetime limit of $42,500, there is a corresponding per-incident limit of $2,500. If your pet becomes ill with diabetes, then the maximum available reimbursement for any diabetes treatment would be $2,500 for the remaining life of your pet. RED FLAG: When treating chronic conditions, this could result in a total lack of coverage whether or not you renew your policy with Pets Best. Remember, pre-existing problems will not be covered if you later change insurance carriers.

Other companies, such as Petplan and Embrace, have no per-incident limits and will reimburse for a single incident up to the maximum annual policy benefit. For example, if you had Petplan’s Gold plan with a $20,000 maximum annual policy benefit, then you could be reimbursed up to $20,000 for a single incident. However, if you max out coverage for your policy year – no further coverage can be provided until your policy renews.

Benefit schedule: Insurers can use an itemized list of reimbursement amounts for specific medical diagnoses and treatments. This makes it very difficult to know what amount of any claim will be reimbursed and what amount you will pay out of pocket (remember company X!). Petplan, Embrace and Pets Best do not use a benefit schedule; instead, they reimburse you up to the limit of your policy. This has been a major improvement, leaving inferior insurance companies in the dust!

Chronic Conditions: Any condition that is likely to reappear and/or is not likely to be cured, such as allergies, some gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and so on.

Embrace offers restricted continuing care for chronic conditions that last more than one policy term. Its maximum reimbursement you can receive in any given year for chronic conditions is 25% of your policy maximum. For example, your cat is just diagnosed with kidney disease. If you choose a policy with a $2,000 annual limit (too low in my opinion – I would recommend at least $10,000 of coverage) a full $2,000 could be applied to treat the kidney disease. RED FLAG: However, when your policy renews in the second year, your cat now has a chronic condition and coverage for her kidney disease will only amount to 25% of your annual limit. So, with a $2,000 policy, only $500 will be reimbursed for care and treatment in all subsequent years. The remaining $1,500 is available for all new conditions, which again will be considered chronic in the following year.

Pets Best will cover up to the per-incident limit for the lifetime of the policy – so there is a cut off point on coverage. If your per-incident limit is $2,500, you can expect a total payout for the care and treatment of kidney disease not to exceed this limit over your pet’s lifetime. Also, with their lifetime $42,500 policy – you now have $40,000 worth of coverage when you renew your policy. Contrast lifetime limits with lifelong coverage – which do you want?

Only Petplan offers full lifelong coverage – any chronic condition the pet develops will be covered for the life of the pet so long as the policy is renewed annually and it will be renewed back to the full amount the of policy limit.

Congenital condition: Any condition or disorder that is present at birth or is recognized anytime after birth. Congenital disorders can be a result of genetic abnormalities or occur during fetal development. When discussing congenital, hereditary, and genetic conditions it becomes confusing when comparing different companies. For example, Pets Best lists patellar luxation (knee cap displacement) as a congenital condition which is therefore excluded from coverage. However; Embrace lists patellar luxation as a breed-specific condition (hereditary or genetic defect) which is covered as long as it’s not pre-existing. If you are paying attention you have just blurted out loud; “How can a problem be considered genetic (born with it) and not also be considered pre-existing at the same time?” Well, if the problem was never noted in your pet’s medical record prior to the effective date on your policy – it did not exist! Fortunately for your pocketbook, your vet failed to discover the problem on physical exam or the problem had not yet started to show any symptoms. Petplan also covers congenital conditions as long as they are not discovered as pre-existing conditions.

Hereditary condition: Refers to a condition, defect or disease, which was transmitted to the pet genetically from its parent(s). The condition, defect or disease may not be manifested until later in life. Some common examples are orthopedic problems such as Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Osteochondritis Dissecans, and Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease; an eye disease leading to blindness called Progressive Retinal Atrophy; a blood disease called Von Willebrand disease; and Cryptorchidism – failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum. Pets Best does offer coverage for what it considers to be hereditary conditions, but coverage is limited and the pet must have been enrolled before their 2^nd birthday. Both Petplan and Embrace cover hereditary conditions as long as they aren’t pre-existing. Note: it is unlikely that the hereditary condition, Crytorchidism, would qualify for coverage, as it can be detected by veterinary exam as early as eight weeks of age, making it a pre-existing condition.

Be aware that the incidence for hereditary problems occurs far more often in purebreds than the good old fashion mongrel. Purebreds demand higher premiums and earlier age enrollment, making mutts a more affordable option.   Save your money and save a life – Adopt!

Select your own veterinarian. Be aware that some companies require you to select a veterinarian from a network. Founders is not part of any such network and we feel strongly that everyone should be able to choose their own docs!

Annual check-up by veterinarian: Preventive health care measures such as annual exams and laboratory testing may be required to maintain your coverage. Petplan requires an annual health check, dental exam and any treatment normally recommended by the vet to prevent illness such as an annual heartworm test and preventative medication if indicated. For renewal of older pets*, an exam, blood test and urinalysis two months prior to the date of renewal is required. Embrace only requires an annual check-up performed by a veterinarian. Pets Best does not require annual check-ups. Personally, we don’t understand Pets Best position.

*Dogs 8 years or older OR 5 years and older if a select breed; cats 10 years or older.

Emergency and Specialist care: Emergency visits and care provided by specialists such as orthopedic surgeons, oncologists, ophthalmologists and internal medicine doctors should be included in any policy you purchase, or pass on it! Companies may vary their rates on co-pays for this type of coverage or have some restrictions. Please inquire before you purchase your policy.

Alternative care: considered as acupuncture, hydrotherapy and chiropractic. Will only cover alternative treatments when administered by a licensed veterinarian. Policies that cover alternative care may or may not cover equipment purchase or rental. We recommend you get a pre-certification before treatment so you know if it will be covered and how much will be reimbursed.

Dental care: (excludes routine dental cleaning) Basic policies with Pets Best and Embrace* will cover orthodontic care such as tooth extractions only if caused by accident or injury like a hit by car. Therefore, a company may or may not consider a broken tooth due to chewing on something hard as an accident or injury. Petplan will cover orthodontic care such as a tooth extraction for any reason deemed necessary by your veterinarian.

*Embrace does have the option to add a Drug & Dental plan at extra cost which would treat dental problems and extractions due to other reasons besides accident injuries.

Cancer treatment: includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Years in business: Petplan was founded over 30 years ago in the United Kingdom and was launched in the U.S.A. in 2006. Pets Best and Embrace are newer companies in operation since 2005.

Licensed in the State of California: An insurer may or may not be licensed within the state it operates. If it is not, the insurer cannot participate in the insurance guarantee funds created by California law. Therefore, if the insurer becomes insolvent and is unable to make payment to you as promised, these guaranteed funds will not pay your claims.

Embrace is issued by an insurer that is not licensed by the state of California. Both Petplan and Pets Best are licensed by the state of California.

For quick, easy comparisons, see the chart below:

* indicates advantage compared to other company(s)

Additional Considerations

Ask if prescribed medications are covered under the policy you are considering. For example, Embrace will only cover take home medications if you purchase their Drug & Dental plan.

You should check and see if a pre-authorization is needed for treatment that may lead to substantial veterinary fees or if pre-certification is needed for certain types of procedures such as MRI or CT scan.

If your pet is diagnosed with a condition that could lead to other medical problems – such as hyperthyroidism – your policy may not cover kidney, heart and high blood pressure problems if hyperthyroidism is considered to be a pre-existing condition. This gets complicated, but it’s a good question to amuse policy writers and expose less scrupulous insurance carriers!

Understand the policy you are purchasing. For example, Petplan offers benefits for boarding and kennel fees (for an additional cost) under their Silver and Gold plans. However, these fees are reimbursed at reasonable costs up to the maximum annual benefit only if  you are in the hospital as a result of sickness, disease, or bodily injury – not when you’re away singing: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

And lastly, here are some important points to consider. Classic pet health insurance is intended to protect you from expensive unexpected pet illness and injuries. Don’t purchase it hoping to get your money back – do you buy car insurance and hope to get into an accident so your insurance company can foot the bill? Of course not! If your pet did not become seriously ill or injured in any policy year – be happy and know that someone else was not so lucky. Also, realize that providing good health insurance coverage would not be possible without a sizeable number of loyal policy holders making a large pool of funds available.

So, the payment you make next month might just help pay for the $5,000 medical bill for the naughty pup that ate his owner’s underwear and requires emergency surgery with post-op care in ICU for a life threatening intestinal obstruction. Be glad it wasn’t your pup and rest assured that if the worse happens, you too won’t bear the financial burden – in addition to a sleepless night.

As a safety net, the pet insurance industry has evolved over time to meet the needs of worried pet owners afraid that they might not be able to afford costly medical care or surgery. More often than not, we witness the difficult financial struggle our devoted clients must undertake in order to follow our best care recommendations. We hate to watch you fret when you mention that you have kids in college, the car needs repair, or there has been a job loss in the family.

No pet lover should ever have to say no to treatment that could be life saving or prevent needless suffering. The cost of monthly pet insurance could be as little as two movie tickets and a heaping bag overflowing with popcorn! Skip the pricy movie theater to watch a home movie snuggled up with your favorite hunk of fur and pop your own corn for pennies. We know your pet is worth that small sacrifice and so much more!

PS: watch for our next post when we disclose our # 1 pick for pet health insurance and how you can automatically donate to our Pet Sponsorship Program just by entering a referral code when you enroll!

Stay tuned, stay healthy…and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Melissa with her two cats, Jefe (left) and Clarabell (right).

Hi there, my name is Melissa. I’ve been working the front desk for the past three years, happily greeting our wonderful clients and their pets. I’d like to share my experience with you on the importance of feeding an optimal diet for your pet.

I have two well fed cats (brother and sister) who are both 13½ years old. However, I believe the good health that they have enjoyed up until I started working at Founders has been due mostly to luck. I’ve always loved animals, but I was ignorant of the level of health care that pets need until I started working at Founders three years ago. As I’ve learned from Dr. Terifaj, a truly healthy diet is essential to pet health and there are many popular commercial junk pet foods you should absolutely avoid!

I shudder to think of what I used to feed my cats the first 10 years of their lives — thank heavens cats have nine lives!  I bought cheap Purina kibble from the grocery store — fooled by clever advertisements into believing that Purina was a better quality kibble than other commercial diets. Because cats are purely carnivores, feeding kibble (especially poor-grade kibbles that are primarily grain, such as Purina) is like feeding them a bowl of Wheaties every day. As you can imagine, it’s a recipe for illness and has been linked to the following problems: inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, urinary tract obstructions, and early onset of degenerative diseases such as cancer.

I now feed my felines Stella & Chewy’s raw/frozen chicken. Not all cats take a liking to this food, so I am lucky, because they love it! I mix a small amount of Fancy Feast in with their meals to add a little extra flavor. As I’ve learned — cats in general are fussy about switching to new diets — it’s recommended that you change the diet gradually over time. Do this by mixing a small amount of the new food in with the previous diet the first week and increasing it each week until they accept the new diet in full or some combination. Some cats will no doubt demand compromise!

Now that I feed Stella & Chewy’s, I’ve noticed that their hair coat is soft and vibrant, not coarse and grainy as before. The stools are easier to scoop because they are dry and compact (less fecal mass and not as smelly!) due to the high nutritional value of the food. And at their advanced ages, they are in perfect health!

I worry less knowing that I can feed them such a good diet. Once in a while, I think about the increased cost of feeding a truly premium diet, but I know that diet is the cornerstone of practicing good preventative medicine. So I’m spending a little more and making a good investment in their health and well being.

And did you know that feeding an optimum diet for health can mean the difference of enjoying up to 5 more quality years with your pet? And for me, that’s priceless!

MaryLou lends a reassuring hand to dental patient while Annie from Pet Dental Services performs a routine dental cleaning.

Just imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you did not brush daily — so much for a second date! Pets also suffer from bad breath and unsightly tartar build-up when routine dental care is neglected. Many pet owners aren’t aware that bad breath may be a symptom of serious gum disease and joke that Fluffy needs a breath mint.

Hi! I am Mary Lou. As a kid growing up, we had a cockapoo who lived to be 18 but only had a handful of teeth left. We thought this was perfectly normal — dogs got old, their teeth fell out. Working at Founders, I learned that’s not true!

For the past five years, I have supervised our Non-Anesthesia Dental Program. At Founders, we feel fortunate to be able to offer dental cleaning without anesthesia as part of your pet’s overall health program. After extensive interviews, we found a group of specially trained dental technicians we trust to provide your pet with proper routine dental cleaning.

Our dental technicians have the capability to perform a thorough teeth cleaning, including sub-gingival scaling as well as machine polishing. Their patience and gentle handling are what make them so successful at gaining the complete trust and confidence of both cats and dogs. If needed, we can administer a mild sedative for those pets that need a little help to make it through the dental cleaning.

A word of warning: be sure your pet is receiving proper dental care from qualified personnel by working together with your veterinarian. Unfortunately, anyone can claim to have teeth cleaning experience and offer such a service with NO qualifications! Comprehensive dental care requires strict veterinary supervision. Don’t risk your pet’s health or safety for low cost dental hygiene services offered at pet stores, grooming shops, and other non-veterinary places of business.

To see if your pet qualifies for teeth cleaning without anesthesia, please schedule a complementary dental exam with one of our doctors.  Pet’s with advanced dental disease that may require necessary extractions are not candidates for this program. The doctor will determine the best course of treatment after your pet’s dental check-up.

Remember this wise old saying: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  And maybe all your pet’s teeth, too!

Me sharing a moment of affection with my rescued pit bull mix, Brad Pit. I just purchased Petplan for him (one of the companies we are reviewing) with coverage up to $20,000 per year for a monthly payment of $36. Yes, even vets need pet insurance!

An unexpected illness or injury could cost you thousands of dollars to save your beloved pet. At Founders, we worry that you could be forced to make critical health care decisions based on cost alone. That’s why a good pet insurance policy is so important for your peace of mind and ours too! You can’t predict the future of your pet’s health, but you can prepare for it. We can help you make the best choice.

Advances in veterinary medicine and surgery have spawned a pool of local specialists — most within a 30 minute drive from Founders. Not a week goes by that either I or Dr. Zempo needs to consult with a specialist. Most likely, your pet will one day need the services of a veterinary board certified ophthalmologist, orthopedic surgeon, medical internist, neurologist, radiologist, dentist or dermatologist. Or need emergency hospitalization and treatment by the critical care team at Advanced Critical Care and Internal Medicine (ACCIM) in Tustin. Are you prepared to foot a $3,000-$5,000 vet bill if your pet requires the expertise of a specialist? And a good pet insurance company will also cover most of the cost for many of the aliments we treat here at the clinic!

There are more than ten different pet health insurance companies to choose from. Policies are similar to human insurance policies with a wide range of premiums, deductibles, and coverage. Most plans also have co-pays and caps on how much will be paid out annually. Some companies exclude genetic conditions as pre-existing — others do not. There are age limits and restrictions on certain dog breeds that also vary company by company. Most importantly, the term pre-existing can spell disaster if the company you choose denies a claim. Bottom line: there is a lot to know BEFORE you buy!

With so many pet health insurance companies in operation, choosing the right one for your pet and your budget can be an overwhelming task. That’s why we are going to read the fine print and ask all the right questions for you. Our goal is to uncover and recommend the three best pet insurers — making sure that you start out with full coverage in 2010!

If you already have pet insurance, we are interested in your feedback — the good, the bad and the ugly! Please leave your comments on our blog for us and others to review. If you would like to start doing some of your own research, we suggest you start by reading independent reviews here: http://www.petinsurancereview.com/.

We will post the results of our in-depth pet insurance review on this blog — watch for it!

Since I am especially distrustful of medical advice based on studies funded by drug companies pushing their newest wonder drug, backed by financial partners within the medical establishment — listen up! It’s time to read between the lines…

Warnings like this use unfounded fears as motivation:

Up to 8% of clinically ill dogs may die from complications of canine influenza, H3N8.

Notice “up to” and “may die” — that’s a lot of wiggle room for a hyped-up claim. And yes, this statement was the shocking headline on the hand-delivered eight page glossy brochure secretly left on my desk — spotted with impressive graphs, charts, and other interesting data. Strangely, no prediction of a fatal dog epidemic has been made by any ‘expert’ not on Schering-Plough’s payroll.

In bold italics is another twister to the statement:

“The AVMA believes there is urgent need for an effective canine influenza virus vaccine to improve the health and welfare of animals and reduce the financial impacts of canine influenza.”

First of all, improving the health and welfare of animals says nothing about reducing the risk of death or serious complications by the virus. You could also improve the health and welfare of your dog by feeding a better diet! The second implication in this statement, reduce the financial impacts, warns that flu outbreaks could result in loss of business revenues by pet related businesses forced to close their doors temporally to prevent further exposure. Ahhhh — too bad. But this Doc doesn’t follow the money.

Now read the fine print disclosure: Schering-Plough’s newest vaccine darling has been licensed as conditional by the USDA — meaning the data submitted supports a reasonable expectation of efficacy. Since the AVMA has decided to call this conditional vaccine effective, it would be wise to check their stock portfolio. The Canine Influenza Virus-H3N8 (CIV) vaccine will be up for regular licensing in one year unless evidence (provided by an emerging population of dogs soon to fall victim to vaccine junkie vets) shows that it is ineffective and/or results in a higher than acceptable number of adverse reactions. Will your dog be the guinea pig to test its effectiveness and risks?

What you need to know: CIV H3N8 belongs to a syndrome of canine respiratory illnesses and cannot be easily distinguished from garden variety kennel cough!  So, will your vet know if your dog gets the new doggy flu or good old fashioned Bordetella bronchiseptica? Well, since Bordetella (the vaccine given to prevent kennel cough) is just one of 20 different infectious pathogens responsible for kennel cough — probably not. So, out come the common prescription of cough suppressants, antibiotics (if indicated), and rest.

CIV and kennel cough pathogens cause similar symptoms:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Nasal discharge
• Eye discharge

Now for some fact finding:

Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) was first reported in March 2003 in Florida — when racing greyhounds became mysteriously ill. This virus appears to have mutated from an equine virus to infect canines. Here’s the likely scenario: racing greyhounds on race tracks in contact with horses (add in the stress of being raced for profits!) provided a ripe opportunity for the equine virus to jump species. Similar to the bird flu and swine flu — a phenomenon well documented. Reality check: Flu viruses are most likely to make you sick and deaths from complications are rare. Those most susceptible to viruses are the young (immature immune systems) or those that cannot mount an effective immune response — poor health due to illness and other stresses on the immune system.

Does that make you or your dog a sitting duck for flu viruses? NO! You can take active measures to improve immune function and fight off viral attacks. Start with the best diet you can afford — good health starts with good food! For all my diet recommendations, browse articles posted under Nutrition: Facts and Fiction.

Next, add proven immune boosters like medicinal mushrooms.* Powerful mushroom combo’s containing Maitake (Grifola frondosa), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and The Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) have earned a respectable place in my preventive medicine cabinet.

Here are two of my favorites:

Host Defense by New Chapter

RM-10 by Garden of Life (also contains antioxidants known to boost immune response)

*strongly recommended as part of a natural arsenal against cancer

And for my book club fans — here’s a fantastic book about how mushrooms can heal our world: Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World by Paul Stamets. Anyone interested in natural solutions for global pollution, deforestation and environmental health challenges will find this book an invaluable resource

You can also increase protective efforts by adding antioxidant combos with supplements that contain the “ACES”: beta carotene (provitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E and Selenium. Remember that plants are natural sources of immune boosting antioxidants. Colorful veggies (orange carrots, yellow squash and green broccoli) and fruits — most notably the berries (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry) offer many natural health benefits. Food as medicine is Nature’s best bargain for health!

Take home point: Closed environments are required to spread canine influenza virus and other contagious respiratory pathogens — making shelters, boarding kennels, breeding facilities, and pet shops the most likely targets. The dog that sleeps on your bed, plays in dog parks and romps around the neighborhood is not considered to be at risk.

Word to the wise: Become an informed health care consumer — not easy money from those who stand to profit the most, Big Pharma and the doctors they seduce. Digging for the truth about the new flu vaccine, pet health advocate Jan Rasmussen interviewed several vaccine experts and reported: respiratory vaccines have dubious effectiveness and known propensity to adverse reactions. More info on Jan’s blog: Truth 4 Dogs. You can always count on Jan to blow a lot of whistles!  

In conclusion, my dogs won’t be getting the new doggy flu shot, nor will I be standing in any swine flu shot line. We are popping mushroom capsules and eating wholesome foods with an extra helping of fruits and veggies. I am also washing my hands a lot more and avoiding people as much as possible .

Over 100 angry dog owners marched down Brea Blvd to City Hall in peaceful protest.

On October 24th at 10am, more than 100 outraged dog lovers (and maybe a few cat lovers) marched down Brea Blvd and Birch Street in protest of unfair breed discriminatory ordinances in a growing number of cities scattered all across the country.

With signs waving, tails wagging, and cars honking, activists walked more than two miles in a loop to Brea City Hall. More than 90 events were well attended in cities all across the United States and Canada, in a national campaign to create social awareness about the danger of allowing renegade cities and insurance companies to impose restrictions on dog ownership.

Dog owners — in policed cities with breed restrictions — have been forced to move from their homes or surrender the family dog. Others can stay in their homes but will lose their homeowners insurance if they admit to owning a targeted breed. Some say it’s an outrage! Some say it’s a violation of our Constitutional rights! I say something has gone terribly WRONG and I will remain at the forefront of this battle until our freedom to choose our canine companions is a protected right — not a crime. As a civilized society, we don’t accept racial discrimination — why on earth would we tolerate discrimination against dog breeds?

Winter issue 2009.

This year we spiced up our protest with a fundraising raffle and contest. All monies were donated to support the work of Mariah’s Promise in Divide, CO — giving shelter to hundreds of family dogs made homeless by Denver’s brutal breed ban. To further our fundraising efforts, the American Dog Magazine is making this special offer: Buy a subscription to The American Dog Magazine and proceeds will be donated to Mariah’s Promise. In the Winter 2009 issue, American Dog published an article I wrote: Vet Warns Dog Owners to Stay Out of Denver, CO. 

Each quarterly issue is loaded with information from respected dog experts from all over the world: veterinarians, professional dog trainers, lawyers, and animal welfare advocates. All for the bargain price of only $20. And the upcoming January issue will feature ROVERlution.org and photos from the October 24th Luv-a-Bully March hosted by Founders. You and your dog could be captured for the two-page feature! See all photos taken by Lisa Scarsi Photography here.

When you subscribe, please use animal charity code: BSL to ensure your donation goes to the homeless bullies (awaiting new homes in safe cities) at Mariah’s Promise. If you already get this outstanding magazine, please gift one to a friend this holiday season!

Nicholas Burr, winner of Best Kissed Kid contest. $100 gift certificate to Disneyland!

And the winner of Best Kissed Kid is … Nicholas Burr! Who could resist that smile? This happy kid is a natural dog lover and a budding animal activist! We are sure he will be smiling again soon as the winner of a $100 gift certificate to Disneyland.

My special thanks to all the wonderful souls (clients and concerned citizens) that joined hands and hearts again for our 5th annual Luv-a-Bully March. You did your civil duty to your dog and your community.

Excited raffle prize winner Nadine and her dog Junebug. Won signed copy of Cesar Millan’s book, Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems.

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

Trick, treat, or poison.

Hi! I’m Karen Delaney. I have been working at Founders part time for 2 years while attending college. I really enjoy helping your pets, while receiving free on the job training on pet health care. Today I want to share important information that could prevent a tragedy in your family…

Costumes and candies are the highlights of Halloween, but there is also real danger lurking in that bag of candy! Many pet owners are unaware that candy, gum, breath mints, and baked desserts sweetened with Xylitol, could turn a fun and spooky celebration into a pet funeral. Everyone knows to keep a box of chocolates out of dog nose reach — but it takes a much smaller amount of Xyltiol to poison your dog. It is harmless to people and is even finding its way into toothpaste.

Dr. Terifaj published an in depth article on the dangers of Xylitol several months ago on her blog, Dog-Breath. Here is what one grateful reader left as a comment:

Thank you for putting warnings like this out there. My mom sent me an article several months ago, which I somehow remembered last night after my dog ate 1/2 pack of Stride gym containing Xylitol. Her possible ratio was 2 grams xylitol/kilo, which is lethal. If it weren’t for that article, I would have had no idea of the potential damage/death, and would have done nothing until it would have been too late. As it is, we rushed her to the vet right away, and I just got the call from my vet that after an overnight stay and aggressive treatment that my dog, Roxy, is going to be ok, and that liver is undamaged.

Your article has saved at least one life. Thank you so much. I will be forwarding this article to everyone on my email list.

I hope you, too, will forward this timely warning to your friends and family.

All of us at Founders wish you a haunted weekend of fun and most importantly, safety!

Lolita

Hi! I’m Eric Christensen and this is my first time blogging with you. I sometimes man the front desk, taking calls and scheduling appointments — but my real job at Founders is that of Hospital Administrator. The staff likes to call me the ‘Computer Guy’ since I worked in the computer industry during my first three lives and now keep the computers up and running at Founders. I am also known as ‘Cat Guy’ here at work — being the only employee to have all feline housemates and no canines (see photos). I still love dogs, but cats just seem better suited to my laid back lifestyle.

Besides my feline passion, I also spend time keeping up in the political arena, so I have been designated to write about important pet legislation. But I never expected to uncover legislation that would be a great benefit to pet owners! Did you know that Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) has submitted a bill to the US House of Representatives that will allow pet owners to reduce their taxable income by up to $3500 per year? Perhaps it is a stimulus package for the veterinary profession — also feeling the cutbacks in these difficult economic times. Thank you Congressman McCotter for your leadership on an issue relating to animal welfare!

This bill would help offset the rising cost of pet care in America, and help people that are increasingly finding it more difficult to make ends meet. You may wonder, in these times of budget deficits and high profile government programs getting all the attention, why do we need this act? If you’re a dedicated pet owner and feel as I do, your pets are family! We allow tax deductions for children, why not our four-legged fur-kid dependents?

Isaac and Hook

Furthermore, there are the psychological benefits that for some of us are like having a doctor’s prescription, which has qualified many patients to have therapy pets. Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform” (Da Capo, 2008) chronicles human-animal interactions and reports:

“The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can. We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.”

We witness the incredible healing support and joy our pets — and your pets — unselfishly give to us each day. Karin Winegar’s research only supports what we know and the wisdom Congressman Thaddeus McCotter appreciates.

The Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY – HR 3501) act would amend the federal tax code to allow pet owners to reduce their taxable income (up to $3500) by allowing deductions for qualified pet care expenses, including veterinary care.

Our staff believes that passage of this amendment would ease the burden of pet care for many American families and also encourage better and more consistent medical care for beloved family pets that depend on us to provide for them.

Please write, email, or call your Congressman today and tell him/her why this bill is important to you and your pet companions.

The ASPCA supports this bill and offers you an easy way to voice your support, too. Use this link to send your message to Congress now:

https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2605

Thank you!