DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
Some
changes:
With the growth and
changes in downtown we have left our home on Main Street. Due to state
regulations and the fact that I have been able to fulfill a lifelong dream
of bicycling across America we have sold our practice to the County Line
Animal Hospital where, before I leave for this bike trip, and upon my
return, I will be joining their staff to continue to care for clients whom
I have brought there with me. If I have been seeing your pet and you have
a problem while I am not available please feel confident in calling Dr.
Kilburn and his associates. I will have my laptop computer and cell phone
with me if you need to talk to me. To do so, call County Line Animal
Hospital and if I am currently seeing your pet they will give you my email
address. Be aware that I will be traveling through some areas without cell
or internet coverage so I may not get right back to you. That is my
continued committment to folks and pets we have been privileged to serve.
Unfortunately in this situation I will not be accepting new clients. If
you want to follow along with my travels, I am posting a blog with
pictures of the trip.
http://fredsbikerideacrossamerica.blogspot.com/
Office Address: County
Line Animal Hospital
2200 South Washington,
Street Naperville, IL 60565
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Your pet information source... The more you know
about pets, the better you will like our service...
Table of
Contents.
Feel free to stop by at any time for a copy
of our practice brochure that discusses our practice philosophy which
emphasizes the highest quality of patient care and caring delivered in an
unhurried manner, one-on-one. Also available at no charge to save you untold
grief is our booklet telling you how to go about finding the right healthy
pet suited to your needs and life style.
WELCOME!!!....Because you
love your pet, we are here to serve you...
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Old Fashioned
Caring
One
Doctor....You see the practice owner every time so he can know you and your
pet
Time
For You....All your questions answered. All your concerns addressed. All the
time.
Caring
Staff....A team hand picked for compassion and empathy.
Small
is Good....No rushing you in and out...You will never just be a number.
High Tech Care
Continuing
Education....Far exceeds state requirements.
Staff
Veterinarian on Veterinary Information Network....Instant access to the
world library of veterinary literature and consultation with experts
worldwide.
EKG,
Laboratory, X-Rays....Utilizing both in house tests and the expertise of
selected laboratories. Accuracy of information determines the choice.
In
Hospital Consultants....Internist, ultrasonographer and orthopedists brought
here as the need arises...but always with YOUR doctor to guide you and
provide for continuity of care.
Practice
Philosophy
WELCOME!!!....Because
you love your pet, we are here to serve you...
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Our
Practice Philosophy:
This is ours. Since we are not taking new
clients at this time, you might want to use these comments in helping you
find a veterinarian you will like. Our goal is not to be the biggest; just
the best at what we do. One doctor compassionately and competently serving
one family and one pet at a time. One doctor available to answer all of your
questions in a manner that you can understand. One doctor willing to spend
the time necessary with you to accomplish these goals.
We want to serve those people for whom a
pet is an important part of their lives. We want to help to maximize the joy
you get from sharing your life with your pet by promoting the best health
and longest life possible consistent with a superior quality of life.
We view our span of service as including
everything from the choice of a pet that will be healthy and best suited for
you, through the prevention of disease, the treatment of disease, to finally
the end of the journey where we can serve as both grief counselor and
friend. During that journey we feel it most important that we provide not
only the most advanced technologies available in veterinary medicine, but
that we do so in a manner that is compassionate, both to you and your pet.
Because you love
your pet....we are here to help
DUPAGE RIVER
ANIMAL HOSPITAL, P.C.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
HOW DO I TELL IF MY PET IS
SICK AND WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT IT?
The following information is pretty much
true, regardless of species.
The more you know about what is normal for
your pet, the more easily you will be able to tell if something is wrong. As
a pet owner, this is essential since, because while we can call our
physician if we feel ill, our pets can't, and thus rely on us to call the
veterinarian for a checkup if something is wrong.
In the wild, in order to survive, animals
had to appear ferocious and healthy. If they did not, and they showed signs
of weakness, then they became easy prey for their adversaries. In short,
they became somebody else's dinner! Even through the centuries of
domestication, this basic survival instinct has continued so that if an
animal is sick or injured, it will not show signs of a problem for as long
as possible. For exotic pets which are either newly domesticated or not
domesticated at all, this is even more true. These instincts make our jobs
as pet owners and veterinarians even more difficult since diseases have
often been going on for considerable periods of time before we even become
aware that they exist.
What can we do, then, to know if our pets
are ill or injured?
The first thing is to be very "in tune"
with what is normal for your pet.
Things like appetite, both in terms of
amount eaten and what is eaten are important.
Likewise, water consumption is important.
You should, for example, make a diary and keep track of how much water is
consumed from time to time, preferably for 3 or 4 days in each of the
seasons, i.e. summer, fall, winter and spring when temperature and activity
patterns will be different. Make sure that everyone in the house is aware of
the project and use a measuring cup to fill the water bowl. Give all the
water your pet wants, and write down the number of ounces consumed. Do this
for several days and then divide by the number of days in order to learn the
number of ounces of water consumed in a 24-hour period.
You should also have a pretty good idea of
your pet's bathroom habits. You should know how many times a day is normal
for your pet to defecate and urinate.
If you have more than one pet, you will
need to separate them in order to find out this information for each one.
Sleep and exercise patterns are also
important.
In addition to this, knowing what types of
toys your pet has and their whereabouts will be very helpful if it is
suspected that the pet might have swallowed something. And poison proofing
your home is important, too, since many pets will eat or lick at things that
can be harmful to them.
Things to look for...
--Vomiting.
What, when, how often, how much, how long, toys missing, exposure to
poisons, outdoors unattended or running free.
--Diarrhea.
What, when, how often, how much, how long. Worms seen? Blood? Mucous?
Straining?
--Water
consumption. Increased, decreased, sporadic.
--Urine
output. More, less, straining, blood, marking behavior.
--Sleep
patterns. More, less.
--Convulsions.
How long (look at clock), how often (keep a diary), time of day or night,
description.
--Limping.
When did it start? Sudden vs. gradual onset? Time of day? Does it get better
or worse with exercise?
--Bleeding.
From where? Sudden onset? Male? Female? Neutered?
--Skin/hair
coat. When did it start? Bathing frequency? Season of year? Diet? Change of
diet? Association with other conditions or changes? Hair loss, balding,
scabs, scales, dandruff, Other pets? Scooting? Does it itch? Boarded,
groomed? Other pets or family members with lesions?
--Behavioral
changes. When did it start? Other pets? Strays? Job, marital, school, other
family members with problems?
--Cough
or difficult breathing. When did it start? Kenneled? Exposure to sick
animals at groomer, kennel, running free? Time of day? Stamina or endurance
changes? Season of year? Exposure to fumes or chemicals? An heartworm
preventive?
--Weight loss or gain. Eating more or less? Acting hungry but painful
to eat? Associated with changes of water or stool output? Acting otherwise
sick or well? Worms seen?
--Bad
breath. Teeth tartar encrusted? Loose? Visible tumors?
--Lumps
and bumps. When first noted? Color change? Size change? Bleeding?
--Weakness.
When did it start? Suddenly? Slowly?
--Itching.
When did it start? Mild or severe? Hair loss? Dandruff? Bleeding? Around
other animals at groomer, kennel, running free? Other pets or family members
affected?
When is home treatment appropriate?...
In general, any of the symptoms
described above are significant and, in many cases, potentially serious.
Because of the opening remarks about how well animals hide symptoms, the
problem has usually been going on for longer than you are aware. Home
treatments are usually over rated and ineffective, thus an examination by
a veterinarian, and the earlier, the better, is advisable to diagnose and
properly treat problems before they get worse.
What constitutes
an emergency?.............
Emergency situations are difficult to
assess. The rule "When in doubt, check it out" would seem prudent
as mentioned above. Whether or not to seek emergency care or wait until your
family veterinarian is open during normal hours is not always clear cut.
Symptoms that appear suddenly and which are profound, like an automobile
accident or gunshot wound, sudden weakness or fainting, labored breathing,
or bleeding in large amounts (a little blood can look like a lot when
smeared around or if mixed with saliva or urine, but whole blood in pools
larger than 8-10 inches in diameter or pumping bleeding) always mean "Call
the Emergency Clinic or family veterinarian right away", depending on
the hour. Things of a less severe nature, like itching, even if fairly
severe, can probably safely wait. Seizures that last for more than ten
minutes or reoccur in rapid succession should be seen and treated promptly,
whereas a seizure that lasts for a few seconds or even a few minutes, can be
checked out during regular office hours. Minor redness of incisions post
surgically or small amounts of bleeding can probably wait until tomorrow to
be seen by your family veterinarian whereas large bumps, large amounts of
bleeding, or any organ protrusion means "Get in the car and get it
checked out now".
Safe transport to the Emergency Clinic or
family veterinarian is most important. Dogs should be in a crate or at least
safety belted to prevent their own injury as well as distraction of the
driver, which could result in an accident on the way over. Cats should
always be in a carrier for the same reasons. Seizuring animals or those hit
by a car should be muzzled to prevent injury to handlers and then placed on
a stretcher made of a board or, less favorably, carried in a blanket or
large towel to prevent further movement or injury to the animal. Bleeding
can be controlled by either a towel or other cloth or, if nothing else is
available, by placing a hand directly on the bleeding area. Additional
attempts at bandaging or other treatment by well meaning but untrained
individuals are usually futile and use up valuable time if the animal is
truly in need of immediate life saving help.
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
We'd like you to choose us, but we think
you should have some very good reasons when you do. Check out the
competition; we're sure you'll choose us...
Start out by knowing what it is you seek.
Talk to your new neighbors about who they use for veterinary medical care.
When you do, however, be aware that not everyone wants the same quality of
care. To some people, a pet is a trusted family member deserving of only the
very best. To others, the pet occupies a low order of priority in the
family, and minimal care is acceptable. To some, cheap prices are all that
is important, while others look to the quality of the care delivered knowing
that low prices and high quality cannot be had together. Some people prefer
to know their doctor while others don't mind the rushed atmosphere of a
large clinic with different doctors every visit. So, when you seek
recommendations, make sure you get one from someone with the same
expectations as yours.
Ask your previous veterinarian or us or
look in the library for the American Veterinary Medical Association
Directories. Thisie directory can provide you with a list of veterinarians,
which will include their school of training and the year of graduation.
Know what questions to ask:
Does the practice groom and board? While
this might seem trivial, realize that practices that groom and board mix
well animals with those that are sick, either directly, or by staff being
exposed to both. The potential then exists to transfer disease from ill to
well animals. And noisy well animals nearby may retard the healing of those
who need a quiet area and the individual attention of doctor and staff in
the hospital. After all, you wouldn't vacation in a hospital and you
wouldn't want your neighbor to throw a party all night if you were sick in
the hospital and trying to recuperate.
Is sterile surgery performed? Sadly, not
all veterinary practices utilize caps, masks, gowns and gloves in surgery.
Some practices even use the same "sterile" surgical pack on
several animals. This, to us is totally unacceptable.
Are pre-anesthetic physical examination and
laboratory tests performed? Are pets treated as individuals taking whatever
time it takes to perform procedures rather than mass-produced to do the
maximum number of procedures? Is there someone whose sole job it is to
monitor anesthesia; and what kinds of monitoring devices are utilized?
No one practice or doctor can know
everything. Does the doctor have a network of specialists to consult with or
refer to? Are these specialists chosen as the best person for the particular
needed referral? And are they specialty board certified? There are, for
instance, board certified veterinary cardiologists or oncologists. There are
NO specialty boards based on breed (i.e., only Siamese cats or Cocker
Spaniels).
Once you have narrowed the field, schedule
a well-pet visit to get to know the doctor, staff and practice philosophy.
Feel the chemistry between yourself, your pet, the doctor and staff. Do this
when your pet is well and you can evaluate things objectively, rather than
during an emergency or when your emotions are charged because your pet is
ill.
Check around and we know you'll choose us.
But whomever you choose, we want it to be the right decision for you.
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Welcome to the world
of sharing your life with a pet. The rewards are many. Pets can teach
responsibility to children, lower blood pressure in adults, and provide a
lifetime of unquestioning love and loyalty. They can be a source of
accomplishment and pride in the show ring or at obedience trials and they
can be just plain fun.
The decision to get a pet, however, is the
assumption of responsibilities as well. Your pet will be with you for over a
decade in the case of a dog and nearly two decades if you are seeking a cat.
It is a little like having kids for awhile. It may start out for free, it
involves expenses for food, medical care and shelter, and is for the fun of
the good times and the dependence upon you in illness, too. Your decision is
one of far reaching consequences.
If you want the joys of sharing your life
with a pet and are ready to accept the responsibilities as well, then you
are ready to begin your search. Be prepared to invest some time in your
quest. Since your pet will be with you a long time, spend some time looking
for the right one for you.
Consideration should be given to your life
style and your living arrangements. If you have a small apartment or are
away for long periods of time, a cat may be best for you. If you have a bit
more room and will be home to walk and train a dog this might be the route
you wish to take. Larger dogs take more time and space than smaller ones.
You should examine your thoughts and be
mentally committed to always keeping your new cat indoors or your new puppy
on a leash attached to YOU and not staked outside or tied to a tree whenever
outdoors. That mental commitment is part of the assumption of responsibility
for your pet and will prevent it from being hit by a car, contracting
diseases or being poisoned or stolen. Moreover, in addition to assuring
responsibility of the dog or kitten's health you need to be considerate of
your neighbors. Not everyone will be as fond of your pet as you are and they
should not have to clean up after it or fear being bitten by a "stray"
in the neighborhood. Pet ownership is still a privilege here and not a
right. The old "born free" image has no place in our urban
society. Failure to realize this can only lead to tragedy and illness for
your pet and possibly yourself, too.
If you have children, consider their ages.
Very young children and very young animals don't mix if the children are too
young to comprehend the need that a new pet has to be left alone from time
to time. The pet is not a doll, it is a living being with needs of privacy
and of being protected from over exuberant physical play/abuse. If your
child is not yet toilet trained, consider having to extend your
responsibilities to include housebreaking the new pet and think about the
possibility that this might not be the right time in your life for this
added task. Consider waiting until the children are older and more
understanding., And lastly, as every mother knows, regardless of how much
the kids (and dads) say they will help take care of the pet, it's Mom who
winds up with the work for the next ten or twenty years after the novelty
has worn off. This is not to say don't get a pet, just think about it.
The time you have available to groom a pet
may determine the hair length of the pet you seek as may any allergies you
might have. (There are many new medicines to combat allergies and the fact
that you have them need not necessarily preclude your experiencing the joys
of having a pet.)
Having made the decision to get a pet,
realize that dogs or cats are social animals and their upbringing before you
get them is very important. They need exposure to people from day one to
learn how to act around us and to learn that humans are not a source of harm
or to be feared. Likewise they need to know that they are dogs or cats and
learn a lot from their mothers and siblings. It is here that you have to
determine one of the reasons why you are getting a pet.
If you are seeking a known, stable
companion you must seek a pet that has been properly socialized from birth
on. This means looking for a home-raised animal; a pet that was raised in
the human environment, not in the garage or basement, but rather with people
who took the time to start the pet out with lots of love. Don't be offended
if these people look you over as closely as you look over the puppy or
kitten, for they have invested considerable time, effort, love and money in
these pets and have a right to expect good homes for their charges and to be
fairly compensated as well.
Many people have, as part of their goal in
seeking a pet, the desire to save an animal from euthanasia and will look to
a shelter with this in mind. This is very noble and many fine pets have come
from these sources. You need to be well aware, however, of the potential
lack of socialization that can occur due to the absence of very important
and very early human contact alluded to above. Farm cats or stray dogs with
no socialization at all are the most deprived in a social sense and, no
matter how cuddly, should be regarded as the potentially most challenging as
far as biting, house soiling, and difficulty warming up to people. Dogs and
cats bred in one place and shipped to a pet store fall into a similar
category as do dogs or cats available from breeders with so many animals as
to be unable to afford the required attention so needed by a newborn or
young puppy or kitten.
In addition to a lack of socialization,
animals brought into a crowded area or transferred there for sale or those
picked up as strays can harbor viruses, diseases or parasites that might not
be evident when picked up.
None of this is to be construed as
suggesting that pet stores or shelters are not good sources of pets but
rather that you should examine your motives for getting a pet, your
expectations and your experience in raising a pet. You should merely be
aware of the benefits and pitfalls of each source.
If you are looking for an older pet, again
ask yourself why, particularly if you are looking for a dog. If you are
trying to avoid house training, you might need to rethink your time
availability in getting a pet altogether. Also consider why someone is
giving up the older pet. They may have developed allergies or have to move,
but the animal may have elimination problems, training problems, biting
problems or illnesses. Again, you can get a fine older pet, just be wary.
If you are seeking a pet, particularly your
first one, we want it to be a happy experience and not one left to impulse
or chance. With that in mind, regardless of where you go, never take your
checkbook with you. Look at what you are doing, go home and think about it,
and then, if you are still sure of your source and your commitment, return
to get your pet.
Having considered the philosophy of seeking
a pet and where to get it, and having decided whether you want a cat or a
dog, go to the library and look at breed books and pictures for descriptions
of these breeds of animals you are considering. Go to dog or cat shows to
see the real thing. That's also the time to see if you're allergic to the
pet you want, something that is better to find out before rather than after
you get your pet. Should you be allergic and still want a pet, there are
many new medicines that can combat your allergies if you really want a dog
or cat. You will, however, need to find a sympathetic pet loving allergist
who you can work with to solve your allergies. They are sometimes hard to
find but they do exist.
Through books or shows you will get a lot
of lore and hear from people who are particularly enthusiastic about "their"
favorite breed. Take what they say with a grain of salt, however, since they
have an obvious bias. Do you like how the animal looks; does it suit your
fancy? Do you like the disposition of what you see? If you are at a dog
obedience trial, be impressed with what you see and know that with work you
can accomplish the same thing, but someone already put in the effort to get
what you see; it doesn't just "happen". Above all else, avoid
impulse choices or being talked into what someone else thinks about the
breed. Consider mixed breed animals too. Each purebred dog or cat carries
with it genetic faults or problems as well as the color and conformation you
see. We have books available that you can use to check for these things and
ask intelligent questions of the people selling the puppy or kitten when you
get to that stage of your search. The color, conformation and temperament of
purebred animals are more predictable than it is for mixed breed animals.
Mixed breed animals tend to be healthier in many instances due to something
geneticists call "hybrid vigor" which essentially means that while
certain colors or conformation or size of mixed breeds are not as refined
and distilled genetically, neither are the genetic diseases which are
present in every purebred species.
Deciding on a male or female pet is a
matter purely of personal preference. Males usually are larger, females are
frequently more docile, though not always. The decision to neuter an animal
can alter these traits too, so the choice of gender is very much one of
personal taste more than anything else.
Having decided on dog or cat, breed, gender
and where you want to go to get a kitten or puppy, there are some guidelines
as to which one in the litter to pick.
Be sure to look at the mother (and father,
if available) to see their size, conformation and color. This advice is of
very little use if you are considering a mixed breed dog or cat since the
offspring can be as different one from the other as night and day. It is
important, however, when considering temperament since these traits are
mostly learned or controllable during the early socialization process.
The normal response of young puppies or
kittens will be to realize that you are there and are a stranger. They
should be curious and then ignore you. This is especially true of dogs. One
that stands there and barks or is aggressive should be dropped from your
list. Be cautious of the largest because it may be the most aggressive at
the food bowl. Likewise be leery of the "runt" since it may be
genetically disadvantaged and be the source of problems later even though it
may be the most appealing, cute or "helpless" now.
Take the pup or kitten that catches your
eye and handle it. It may struggle a little at first but then relax in your
arms. Turn it on its back and the results should be the same. A puppy that
is very clingy or resists restraint may well grow up to be aggressive or a
fear biter later on and a kitten that you can hardly hold onto without
getting scratched, no matter how otherwise appealing, should be rejected in
your process of elimination.
A puppy or kitten should not go to its new
home until it is seven to nine weeks old in order for it to receive the full
benefits of socialization and learning. It has to learn about people, which
should have been taught to it by the family you get the pet from, and it has
to learn what being a puppy or kitten is all about. This is particularly
true for a kitten learning proper litter habits that are best taught by the
mother cat.
As important as it is that the person you
get the puppy or kitten from questions you in regard to your competence to
take proper care of their pet's offspring, beware the person who can't wait
until the "darn things" are out of their house. Don't let them
shoo the pup or kitty out too early. If they want to "unload" the
animal that badly, walk away from the sale and look some place else.
Health "guarantees" are nice to
have and suggest a confidence level of the seller in his or her "product"
but be aware that they are virtually useless. Only the most objective and
rather cold-hearted person can bring a cat or dog back for a refund or
credit after a disease or genetic illness is discovered. Once you have it
home and hug it, it is yours, regardless of guarantees.
If the seller has that much confidence in
his or her product, they won't mind if the sale is not consummated until you
have the pet examined by the veterinarian of your choice (hopefully us!) and
you should walk away from any deal where this is not an option. The seller's
veterinarian is beholden to the seller and you want a critical appraisal of
health in your behalf. Make the appointment before you pick up the pet so
that if anything serious is wrong, you won't have had time to become
attached and can retain your objectivity.
Your first visit with us is
extremely important since, in addition to an assessment of your new
pet's health, we will discuss starting off right in the areas of feeding,
house training or litter training, behavior training, and vaccinations.
We will instruct you in how to introduce
your new pet into your household in such a way that the house remains yours
and does not become the domicile of the new pet where you are no longer the
boss. In addition to behavior we stress safety and prevention of problems at
this first very important visit. Our philosophy is that it is better, easier
and less costly to start out right than to go back later and try to correct
problems.
We hope this information is of
considerable help to you and look forward to meeting you and your new pet.
If you have any further questions, now or for as long as you are part of the
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL family, never hesitate to ask. We look forward
to seeing you soon.
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Born In Chicago, Dr. Goldenson received his DVM
(Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree with honors from the University of
Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at Champaign/Urbana. Following
graduation, he served as an intern and staff member at the University of
Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital in St. Paul. He
pursued additional post doctoral training and entered private practice in
the north suburbs of Chicago prior to moving with his family to Naperville
to establish the DuPage River Animal Hospital. The DuPage River Animal
Hospital became one of the first animal hospitals in DuPage County to
undergo voluntary peer review and receive coveted accreditation as an
American Animal Hospital Association accredited animal hospital.
Dr. Goldenson is an active member of many
Veterinary Medical Associations, including the American Veterinary Medical
Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the
American Heartworm Society and the American Veterinary Dental Society. He
served as president of the DuPage County Veterinary Medical Society and
has served as co-chair of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association's
public education committee.
In addition to activities in the veterinary
profession, Dr. Goldenson has served in many capacities in local civic
organizations including the Naperville Rotary Sunrise Club, past president
of the Naperville Noon Lions Club, past president of the Naperville School
District 203 Career Education Advisory Council, treasurer of the Naperville
Task Force for Drug Free Youth and on the Board of Directors of the
Naperville Sunrise Rotary Club.
Dr. Goldenson and his wife Sandy reside in Naperville where they are
avid tandem bicyclists, canoeists and cross-country skiers. Doctor
Goldenson's other hobbies include amateur radio, hiking, and playing the
piano and guitar.
Your veterinarian is the best person to make referrals for care after
hours, weekend and holiday emergencies. If you trust your veterinarian,
trust his or her recommendations for where to take your pet in case of an
emergency when he or she is closed. In most cases emergency clinics or
specialists FAX your doctor to let him or her know what happend so that he
or she can continue with the care they provided.
The same holds true for recommendations to
specialists. As veterinary medicine matures and grows, so does the amount
of knowledge and training. One person can never know everything. In this
day and age we are blessed with veterinarians who specialize in specific
board certified areas like orthopedics, internal medicine, cardiology,
oncologyy, dentistry, behavior, radiology and many more. You should never
be embarassed to ask your doctor for a referral. Seeking a 'second
opinion' from another general practitioner is like asking another person
with the same knowledge base the same question. Unless there is a
personality conflict between you and your veterinarian, ask for a referral
to a board certified specialist or University Veterinary Medical School
teaching hospital. If your veterinarian has your best interests at heart,
he or she will not be offended.
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Canine and feline family members...
If there is a topic you would like to see covered here, please
press here to email us
your suggestion.
As with every thing else on this web site, we believe that the more you
know about pets and pet care, the better we will look. We look forward to
working with you as a team to provide for your special furry family member's
health. Because you love your pet...we are here to serve.
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Pets
Living Longer, Living Better
Pets today are living longer and in better
health than ever before thanks to modern safe vaccinations and preventive
medicine.
Yearly
Booster Vaccines are available for rabies in dogs, cats
and ferrets. Vaccines for canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus,
bordatella and lyme disease have made these disease nearly absent, when
given on a timely basis, whereas these diseases continue to be devastating
for dogs that are not so lucky as to have good owners who provide for
their health care. The same is true for cats that can be protected from
feline distemper, serious upper respiratory diseases and feline leukemia,
all of which remain a problem in unvaccinated cats. In addition to rabies
vaccinations, ferrets benefit from vaccination to protect against
distemper as well.
The
yearly physical examination remains
the best way to help a pet live up to its genetic lifetime potential in
good health. The older a pet becomes, the more important and the more
frequent these examinations should be since pets age more rapidly than we
do since, sadly, they do not live as long as we do. Also, animals in the
wild would never show symptoms of illness or injury lest they be realized
as easier prey for their adversaries. Because of this hiding of symptoms
of illness these examinations are even more important to spot disease
earlier and, thus, affect earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Pets
six years old and over should have yearly:
Thorough
physical examination
Complete
blood count and chemistry profile
Urinalysis
Fecal
analysis for parasites
Heartworm
blood test (dogs)
Paying that little extra bit of attention to your
pet will help assure the longest and healthiest life possible so that you
can enjoy the unconditional love and affection that only a healthy pet can
bring.
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
We regret that we are
currently not taking new clients.
We hope that you will
find this web page educational.
Dental Health Care for Pets
One of the things that have helped more pets reach older ages in good
health is recent advances in veterinary dentistry. The bacteria, tartar and
gum disease that cause bad breath have been incriminated as causes of heart
valve disease and kidney disease as well as infections in other organs that
lead to premature aging and disease, not to mention a great deal of pain
that our pets suffer in silence. If your pet has bad breath or you can see
tartar on the teeth, red gums or bleeding or pus, your pet needs dental
attention.
Unlike us, pets won't sit still in the dentist's chair while the teeth
are cleaned and polished, the gum lines treated and fluoride applied so we
need to use general anesthesia to accomplish these important tasks. While
there is always an element of risk to anesthesia, there is even greater risk
to allowing the continual bacterial infection in the mouth to spread to the
rest of the body. Merely 'flicking' the tartar off does not address the
infection and is merely deceivingly cosmetic. In order to make pet dentistry
as safe as possible, we routinely do the following:
- Pre anesthetic blood and other tests are
performed to know as much as possible about your pet's health as it
would affect anesthetic safety.
- A pre-anesthetic physical examination is
performed on each pet.
- The dental cleaning and examination is performed
by the doctor, not a technician, so that it can be done as quickly and
safely as possible, also allowing the doctor the chance to perform a
thorough oral examination.
- The same anesthetics that would be used on humans
are employed for maximum safety.
- Every pet is given an I.V. catheter and necessary
fluids for maximum safety.
- Every pet has vital signs constantly observed
with electrocardiogram and respiratory monitors.
With such precautions, pets even into their late
teens and twenties can benefit from good oral health. Following
restoration of dental health, we encourage and teach clients about home
dental health care to help prolong the interval between needed cleanings.
Back to the Beginning and More
Choices
PET
CARE FORUM A FREE resource for information and fun things to learn
and do regarding pets of all kinds!
DUPAGE RIVER ANIMAL
HOSPITAL, P.C.
Fred Goldenson, D.V.M.
315 South Main Street,
Downtown Naperville, Illinois
Free parking in our lot.
Call today for an appointment at 355-6692
Back to the Beginning and More
Choices
RUNNING
Safely WITH YOUR PET
Get a checkup before you start up Just
as you would have a check-up, you need to know that your pet is in good
health before you start with any physically demanding training program.
Proper diet, feeding and weight control Hauling
around a lot of extra weight is not health. Let us evaluate your pet's
nutrition as an athlete before you start and as training progresses.
Always keep your dog on a leash Running
without one leads to lost dogs and auto accidents.
Use common sense - start training gradually "Week-end
Warrior" serious injuries can occur in dogs too. Just because your
dog wants to please, don't assume that s/he is able to keep up with you,
especially if you have been running often. Avoid injuries…start off
slowly
Don't run young dogs too hard or too soon
Just like human youngsters can be injured by training too hard before
their bones, tendons and ligaments are mature, young dogs can suffer
similar, long term debilitating injuries. Talk to us before these injuries
occur!
Don't run your dog if it is too cold Road salt and ice can cause
Irritation and deep cuts. You wear running shoes…your dog doesn't. Be
smart. Be careful! ·
Don't run your dog if it is too hot Heat prostration kills and so
does running in high humidity. Be careful! Stop running if you see
excessive panting and weakness. Be sure your dog is well hydrated.
Watch for glass on the road
PHI
$$ Conflicts of interest $$
When you buy a
house, you wouldn't want the same attorney to represent you and the seller
at the same time. At least in Illinois, it is illegal for a realtor to
represent both the seller and the buyer without full disclosure that s/he
is representing you both and must not divulge sensitive information like
how low a bid the seller will take or how high an offer the buyer is
willing to offer to pay for the house. The law is written that way in
order to protect both parties.
We feel that the
same should hold true in the veterinary medical profession. Whether by
offering you a discount or free examination or other service, veterinarian
can not represent you and a breeder, pet shop or shelter with the best
interest of both parties at heart. Think about it. If you get a pet and
have it examined by a veterinarian who works for the breeder, pet shop or
shelter too, to whom does that veterinarian owe loyalty, you or the other
party? If the veterinarian finds something wrong with the health or
temperament of your new pet and you might refer one or a few, or perhaps
none of your friends to his or her practice, while the breeder, pet shop
or shelter can refer many new clients to him or her will s/he tell you
that there is a problem and risk loss of referrals from the breeder, pet
shop or shelter if they get angry at him/her for telling you about the
problem, prompting return or refund? Most probably not. That veterinarian
can owe allegiance to only one party, not both. Caveat emptor. Let the
buyer be ware. We just thought you ought to know.
ÿ
ver pet-dr-1