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MISC ║ ask the petxpert
ask the
petXpert
Who Is In Charge of Your Pet’s Health?
W
e are often challenged on the care and health of your pets in looking for solutions for everything from daily events to serious disease and injury. We spend a tremendous amount of our time researching and learning about your pet’s challenges as well as explaining it in detail in ways that we hope you truly understand. Many that know us understand our passion for problem solving without an end result of just a quick, temporary fix. It is for this that I have these questions for you. Recently I spent a great deal of time with a new client whose pet had a fairly serious health issue. The client was referred by her friend because her pet was getting worse and she was running out of money to pay for the veterinarian. After explaining the how’s and why’s, they purchased a minimal amount of products for our recommendation. A week later the client revisited us wanting to return the items because “her veterinarian had forbidden her to use them.” The recommendation and its products were not medicines, they were proposed to enhance the body’s ability to heal and improve its’ immune system. I reiterated our initial conversation of which she said she still believed, however she expressed that she couldn’t do anything other than what her veterinarian said.
My question is this: who does the pet belong to? You are its’ owner and you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of that pet. Your veterinarian is a service provider that YOU pay for. You deserve the utmost value and expertise. Who knows the most about your pet? It is YOU! You spend your life with your pet whereas the average time your pet spends with the vet at the clinic averages around ten minutes per visit. If you do semi-annual visits, total time is only twenty minutes per year. The point here is that you are the primary health and welfare provider for all your pets. YOU have the responsibility to gain the knowledge and expertise about your animals. YOU should seek the wisdom that your pets deserve. Information is easily available today with computers and the internet, however beware that you are getting the true information. Clients are often impressed how we find so much truth in a short period of time. It’s simple. Discovering the truth is in the way you ask the question. For example, if I search for the best pet food, I’ll get millions of hits with advertising for every food out there with all the marketing that goes with it. If, however I ask for the species appropriate diet for a natural canine or feline, the results will be quite differ-
ent. Same is true if I type in a drug name or I specify side effects of the drug. If I’m looking for an herbal or natural CURE for a challenge, I need to be specific. In your quest for a healthier pet, do not hesitate to ask the specific questions that you need to know and then verify. Regarding the case I cited at the beginning of this article, if the client did their homework and then asked their veterinarian the specific question as to why-maybe they would have realized this was inappropriate advice from a professional. These types of incidents need to be addressed with the professional boards involved in pet care and in the cases of medicine and drugs by both the manufacturer and the FDA. Remember, you are paying the bill and you are legally responsible. We all love our furry babies and they reward us with their unconditional devotion and love. Let’s make sure that we are giving them the best care that they deserve. Bill Piechocki, nutritionist and Dr Diane Sudduth, DVM are partners in Fiesta Pet Deli in Pompano Beach, FL, and are co-hosts of the PetHealthCafe.com radio show. Our 40 years in the animal field has provided us unparallel vision and information which we pass to our clients on a daily basis. We can be reached at Fiesta Pet Deli or www.PetHealthCafe.com , 954-472-1404.
SEND YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR OUR PETXPERT TO: PETS@ATLANTICAVEMAGAZINE.COM
These pets are available for adoption
21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton, FL 561-482-8110 www.tricountyhumane.org A NO-KILL animal shelter. Open Tues - Sun
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
ROSIE~This little girl is a favorite of everyone who meets her. Rosie is a 7 lb., 2 year-old Chihuahua mix. She’s housebroken and likes to play with other dogs. Full of energy and quite entertaining, she’ll make you laugh and then snuggle up for a belly rub.
BENJAMIN~ An interesting mix of Chihuahua and Dachshund, Benjamin is unique and adorable. He’s a 5 year-old boy who packs a lot of personality into his 10 lbs. and he’s so ready to meet his forever person or family. He loves long walks and treats!
ACE~ This good-looking boy is a silky soft Corgi mix. Ace is 1 year old and 23 lbs. Handsome, intelligent, playful and affectionate, he’s really got it all. Except a home! If you stop in to meet him, you’ll surely fall in love and be his lucky hero!
All animals are up-to-date on vaccinations and heartworm tested. Adoption fees $110 and up.
119 www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com || November November 2015 2015 119