Bear Valley Paws   Issue 19

         May/June 2008   

 

Bear Valley Veterinary Clinic

5600 W. Dartmouth Ave #105

Denver, CO 80227

303-985-3316

www.bearvalleyvet.com

The Vet

3224 S. Wadsworth Blvd Unit I

Lakewood, CO 80227

303-989-3641

 

Welcome to our new clients and hospital.

by : Dr Stevenson

As many of you already know, we have recently taken over operation of "The Vet", previously owned by Dr French.  It is located at 3224 S. Wadsworth Blvd, very close to our Bear Valley office at 5600 W. Dartmouth Ave.  This acquisition will lead to some changes for both offices so I wanted to address some of those changes so that you can know what to expect.  Many things will have to take shape as time goes along but here are a few things worth making a mental note of.

1)  The schedule

Both offices have traditionally been open for appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 1/2 day on Saturday, with Wednesdays being closed for appointments at both offices.  We are going to adjust that schedule so that you can get an appointment six days a week at one or the other location.  Starting May 10th we will start seeing all Saturday appointments at the Bear Valley office.  The office is larger there and has an on-site lab in case an ill pet needs immediate test results.  We will be extending the Saturday hours into the afternoon to allow for the typical busy Saturday.  There will be a staff member at The Vet on Saturdays for the next few weeks for food and medication pickups, but once we have the time to get the word out, the Wadsworth office will be closed completely on Saturdays.  There are still some decisions to be made about the Wednesday and Thursday schedules so stay tuned.  Most likely The Vet will see appointments until later in the day two days a week and Bear Valley will see earlier appointments.  So everyone wins with more hours to meet your busy schedule.

2)  Medications/Prescription Foods

It is necessary for anyone to call ahead if you need any food or medication item so that we can be sure we have it in stock, we can have it ready for you, and you can be sure that someone will be there when you come to pick it up.  It may take a little while to get used to what foods and medications need to be ordered and kept in stock so please give us a weeks notice if you need a specific food (as our hills order is only made once a week). 

3)  Services

The services at each office are quite different.  The equipment at the Bear Valley office is newer and of more advanced technology.  Bear Valley Veterinary Clinic is also accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, which means that we have met standards in all aspects of an animal hospital's operations.  From anesthesia and surgery to medical record keeping, these standards ensure that your pet receives the best, safest, and most up to date treatments and preventative care.  A list of the mandatory standards, (which is only a miniscule part of the standards we meet) are listed on the next page and on our website at www.BearValleyVet.com The Wadsworth office is not accredited partially due to building construction constraints and partially due to tradition, but it is still our goal to provide good pet care that can meet the needs of all types of budgets.  

4)  Staff

Our staff at Bear Valley continues to be a dedicated, caring group.  Many of your know our existing staff including Becky, Alison, Ryan, and Lisa.  Sandy who has worked at The Vet for the past 6 years will be staying on at The Vet as before.  We have added a receptionist Brandi and an Office Manager (Davina), who will help manage the day-to-day operations of both offices so that the Doctors can focus on medicine.  Dr Stevenson will continue to see appointments at Bear Valley with one day a week at The Vet.  Dr Lin is currently covering the post at The Vet four days a week and will be alternating Saturdays at Bear Valley.  We are currently in the process of hiring a full-time veterinarian to work at The Vet.  At that time Dr Lin will continue to float between the hospitals. 

5)  Our Future

It is our hope to eventually merge both offices into one location.  At this time we do not have any tentative plans for this transition.  We are fully open to suggestions or comments about this future.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the transition.  Please let us know if you have any additional comments or questions.

 
 
 

 

 

 

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Our next canine dental days for

Anesthesia-free cleanings:

May 14th and 19th

June 11th and 16th

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Check out our website…

You are now able to request appointments, request prescription refills, and make orders directly from our website! www.bearvalleyvet.com

 

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Heartworm Clinic

May 31st 8am - 12pm at The Vet (Wadsworth)

May 17th 8 am - 12pm at Bear Valley Veterinary Clinic  (Sheridan)

 

Hopefully you read our article last month about heartworm prevention and how it does far more than just prevent deadly heartworm disease.  We have gotten a bit of a late start on our Heartworm clinic this year with all the changes, but it’s not too late to start your pet on prevention.

You can bring your pet in any time during the heartworm clinic and blood will be drawn on a first-come-first-serve basis.  You do need to let us know you are coming in but you will not a have a specific appointment time.  You will get a FREE heartworm test when you purchase a 12 month supply of Heartgard Plus or a wellness blood panel for the same dog.  Heartworm tests are $10 with a purchase of six months of Heartgard Plus.  You will also receive a FREE month dose of Heartgard Plus and be entered into a drawing for a year supply of heartworm prevention.  These discounts are only good on the specified heartworm clinic dates.  We will not be able to see your pet for any other services on these days unless you have a regular appointment scheduled.  Please call if you have any questions. 

 

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Pet Birthdays

Shilo S.                 Baily R.                 Patsy R.

Sugar Bear G.        Smokey D.            Symba A.

Tily B.                   Chewie N.             Missy H.

Isis K.                   Munchie B.            Mittens A.

 

 

And so many more, we couldn’t list them all.  To get on our

E-mail list for special birthday giveaways, contact our office with your e-mail address.

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For after hour emergencies call

Central Vet Emergency Services  303-874-7387

They are located on the Southeast corner of Jason Street and Hampden Ave.  Just one block east of Santa Fe.

 

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Mandatory AAHA Standards (the first 46 anyway)

Anesthetic agents are administered by a veterinarian or trained practice team member under the supervision of a veterinarian on the premises.   A means of assisting ventilation, either manual or mechanical, is readily available and utilized as needed.  A patient assessment is performed by a practice team member prior to the administration of any premedication, sedation, or anesthetic. Endotracheal tubes must remain in place during recovery from anesthesia until protective reflexes (swallow or gag) are functioning. Patients are observed at frequent intervals until fully recovered. Monitoring equipment is utilized during procedures requiring general anesthesia.  A sufficient number of practice team members are trained in CPR.  Emergency drugs and equipment are readily available and kept in a designated place Anesthetic induction chambers are transparent and patients are observed throughout the induction process. Practice team members follow infection control policies related to personal hygiene, patient care, and disinfection of equipment and facilities. Potentially contaminated materials are contained in impervious containers or bags before transport within the practice. Veterinarians perform thorough examinations of the teeth and structures of the oral cavity in patients presented for dental procedures. Only properly trained practice team members perform dental procedures. Quality diagnostic images are generated on the premises. Practice team members wear protective apparel including aprons, gloves, and thyroid shields while in the X-ray suite during exposure. Radiation producing equipment is operated only by trained practice team members.  A qualified individual evaluates X-ray producing machines every five years (at a minimum).  Personal dosimeters are provided for practice team members working with or near ionizing radiation equipment. Emergency services, or referral to an appropriate practice, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Client and patient areas of the practice are neat, clean, and well organized. Only trained practice team members perform laboratory tests. Services provided by in-house or outside laboratories. Pain assessment is considered part of every patient evaluation regardless of the presenting complaint.  Appropriate pain management is provided for the anticipated level and duration of pain.   Patient care is under the authority, supervision, and approval of a licensed veterinarian.  Non-veterinarian staff are never authorized to diagnose, prescribe medications (without the consent of the veterinarian), or perform surgery.  Practice team members demonstrate humane care of animals. Fresh water and food are provided or withheld as appropriate for the medical care of the patient.  The practice has the means to administer oxygen on a periodic or on-going basis.  Syringes and needles are used only once for injections.  Patients are given an examination appropriate to the presenting complaints and clinical situation.  Aggressive handling or restraint that might cause patient injury is prohibited.  Animal-holding areas (cages, runs, and exercise areas) are secure, easily cleaned, adequate size. Controlled substances are stored in a limited access, securely locked, and substantially constructed cabinet or safe. All prescription medications are dispensed or administered by order of a licensed veterinarian. Child-resistant containers are used unless the medication is in a form that precludes it from being dispensed in such a container or the client declines the child-resistant container. All surgeries are performed by a licensed veterinarian. Surgical suites are separate, closed, single purpose rooms entered only for activities associated with aseptic surgical procedures.   The surgical suite is constructed and utilized in a manner that minimizes the potential for contamination.  Sterile instruments, towels, and drapes are used when major surgery is performed. Immediately prior to surgical procedures, a practice team member performs a presurgical assessment. Practice team members within the sterile field during major surgery wear proper attire. Sterile single use surgical gloves are utilized in all surgeries.  Separate autoclaved or gas sterilized surgical packs are used for each surgical procedure.  Prior to each use surgical instruments are properly cleaned, repackaged, and sterilized. Supplies including, but not limited to, drapes, laparotomy pads or sponges, towels, and gauze sponges, are properly wrapped and sterilized.  Appropriate equipment is utilized in the surgical suite.

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Pet Obituaries …you will never be forgotten

Caymus M.           Xena C..               Ollie G.

Bruiser L.             Cotton V.             Holly A.

Fatty C.                Lian H.                 Baily S.