Today is the full moon.
Give your monthly preventatives!
Note: If you have another way to remember to give your preventatives, that’s okay too! Do what works for you. I thought it might be fun for us to all give it together.
I am writing this as I head up the highway to Essex Scenic Byway north of Boston. Mark, my husband, is driving. We head up to drive along the ocean and eat seafood at a local restaurant in Gloucester, The Causeway. It is All Souls Day, November 2. November leaves me remembering all those saints and ancestors that lived before me and that have influenced my life.
I spent most of October with my parents. My mom had a stroke on October 5. I went to North Carolina to visit her over Indigenous People’s Weekend, and found that she was not doing well. She was re-admitted to the hospital through the emergency room soon after I arrived. Supportive care, several days in the hospital on fluids and antibiotics, and medications to improve gut motility improved her condition and she is currently in a rehabilitation facility in North Carolina. Her doctor is predicting that she probably won’t live independently again. She is 80 and my dad is 85. All they want is to go home and resume the life they lived before her stroke. My brother is in North Carolina and lives nearby. We have to wait and see how much recovery she makes during her time in the rehabilitation facility. I am in the midst of figuring out plans for long term care for my parents. It is something that puts me in touch with my own mortality. Opening the animal hospital was a long time dream for me. It was also a long time dream of my parents for me. On November 14, 2025 we will be open for three years.
Many, many thanks to all of the clients and pets who have supported my dream! And to my great staff and to Dr Mack and Dr Simpson who kept the clinic open for all of October. I am so proud of my staff for being able to take care of things here while I spent time with my family. I was there with the feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be and doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.
Clinic news? Sydnee is now officially a Certified Veterinary Technician! We are thrilled! Tell her congratulations if she is taking care of your pet at the clinic. It requires two years of study, an exam and certification by the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Technicians Association. Certified veterinary technicians can induce and maintain anesthesia. It is a big deal!
In October we purchased an instrument that measures ocular pressure. This allows us to screen for glaucoma as our pets age. Glaucoma is increased pressure within the globe of the eye which leads to blindness. Please let us know if your pet is having any changes in vision or in how their eyes look at your visits. Below are links to trusted articles on glaucoma and blindness in pets:
- https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=6097123
- https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=9801244
Lastly, we are a drop off point for AMOS HOUSE gifts for children this year.
Toy donations received will go directly to AMOS HOUSE Family Shelter and to their Mother-child Reunification Program for distribution to the kids in those programs.
For donations, these guidelines apply:
- Toys or clothing can be for any age, infant through 16
- Toys and clothing should be new
- Toys and clothing should be unwrapped
If people would like to contribute monetarily, they can write checks to AMOS HOUSE. In addition to toys for the children in our shelters, money will also be used to fund gifts for the adults in their Older Adult Emergency Shelter.
Mark, my husband, will take the toys and gifts to AMOS HOUSE on Thursday, December 18. Please have your gifts or checks for AMOS HOUSE dropped off here at the animal hospital by then!
Dr Mo is seeing exotic pets!
Happy Fall!
Happy full moon gazing!
Remember your monthly heartworm and/or flea and tick prevention!