Pets & Pool Safety

Swimming is one of the most fun activities for a hot summer day, for people and pets! Just keep in mind that your pets need supervision just like your children. When you can’t be outside with them, keep your pool gates closed and locked to prevent unwanted swimmers from entering the area. Help keep your children and pets, and those who live in your neighborhood, safe!

Visit us online at www.apcnw.com! 

Pet Age Chart

Having trouble calculating your pet's age? We hope this Age Chart will help!

Today is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Did you know that your cat should be in to see us once a year all their life, and sometimes twice a year when they’re over seven years of age? Today is National “Take Your Cat to the Vet” Day—if your cat is due for a visit, call and schedule one today. Regular visits can help your cat live longer, because we can identify and treat problems sooner.

Visit us online at www.apcnw.com today! 

CHECKLIST FOR A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR CARE PROGRAM

1	Establish the Senior Care Team
	TASK OR ASSIGNMENT:	Assigned to Team Member	Completion Date
	Determine roles & responsibilities of each member:	_________________________	_______________
	o     Veterinarian	_________________________	_______________
	o     Practice Manager	_________________________	_______________
	o     Technician	_________________________	_______________
	o     Receptionist	_________________________	_______________
2	Set Senior Care Protocols
	TASK OR ASSIGNMENT:	Assigned to Team Member	Completion Date
	Set age for recruitment into program	_________________________	_______________
	Create separate canine and feline protocols (refer to AAHA Senior Care Guidelines), including: twice-a-year wellness exams, complete medical history, physical examination, laboratory work
		_________________________	_______________
3	Complete an Audit of Current Performance
	TASK OR ASSIGNMENT:	Assigned to Team Member	Completion Date
	Establish current compliance	_________________________	_______________
	o     Dog
	o     Cat
	Conduct the audit to establish baselines for future comparisons (For assistance in conducting an audit, speak with your Pfizer Account Executive.)	_________________________	_______________
	o     Identify compliance misses	_________________________	_______________
	o     Identify areas for improvement	_________________________	_______________
	o     Identify possibilities for increased revenue	_________________________	_______________
4	Create the Senior Care Program
	TASK OR ASSIGNMENT:	Assigned to Team Member	Completion Date
	Name your program	_________________________	_______________
	Establish goals for client participation:	_________________________	_______________
	o     Recommend to ___ clients
	o     Enroll ___ clients in program
	Determine the plan’s cost to clients	_________________________	_______________
	Create new computer codes for program, if necessary	_________________________	_______________
	Customize client communication tools
	o     Recruitment Letter and/or Recruitment Postcard	_________________________	_______________

	Create the Senior Care Program (continued)
	TASK OR ASSIGNMENT:	Assigned to Team Member	Completion Date
	o     Senior Care Folder with Label, for client to take home with the following materials:	_________________________	_______________
	o      Age Chart for Pets	_________________________	_______________
	o      Symptom Checklists (canine and feline)	_________________________	_______________
	o      Senior Care Health Report Card (canine and feline)	_________________________	_______________
	o      Handouts (for client folder) on variety of feline and canine topics: ·    When is My Dog or Cat Considered a “Senior”? ·    Aging or Illness? Signs of Age-Related Disease in Senior Dogs and Cats ·    The Senior Care Wellness Exam ·    Common Conditions in Senior Dogs and Cats	_________________________	_______________
	o     Reminder postcards for six-month Senior Care Exams	_________________________	_______________
	o     Senior Care Posters for reception area	_________________________	_______________
	o     Add Senior Care information to your website	_________________________	_______________
5	Consider Staff Training
	TASK OR ASSIGNMENT:	Assigned to Team Member	Completion Date
	Provide staff seminars on:
	o     Client Compliance	_________________________	_______________
	o     Overall Senior Care	_________________________	_______________
	o     Osteoarthritis	_________________________	_______________
	o     Dentistry	_________________________	_______________
	o     Nutrition/Obesity	_________________________	_______________
	o     Behavior/Cognitive Dysfunction	_________________________	_______________
	o     Blood Analysis	_________________________	_______________
	o     How to talk with clients about health care needs of senior pets	_________________________	_______________
	Create a staff resource binder	_________________________	_______________
6	Track and Measure Participation
	TASK OR ASSIGNMENT:	Assigned to Team Member	Completion Date
	Track number/percentage of eligible patients enrolled in program	_________________________	_______________
	Track client compliance with Senior Care recommendations	_________________________	_______________
	Begin to compile data on program’s impact on patient longevity	_________________________	_______________
	Track program’s impact on practice revenues	_________________________	_______________
	Reward team members as goals are met	_________________________	_______________

Pet Travel Safety

Going on an end of summer vacation with your dog? Don’t forget to be prepared to have him or her with you so that they can enjoy the trip too! Remember to pack as much food as your dog will need for the trip, and bring a jug of water with you on the road so they can have a drink if they get thirsty. Keep in mind that more than a few laps of water can be too much for a dog when you have many hours of travel ahead because it can cause a need to use the bathroom or nausea.

Visit us online at www.apcnw.com today! 

Saturday is National Homeless Animal Day

Have you ever purchased a pet from a shelter? Tomorrow is National Homeless Animal Day, to raise awareness about the many animals that have not yet found their forever homes. We encourage families who are looking to expand to consider checking local shelters…you never know, the pet of your dreams may be sitting there now waiting for you!

Visit our website at www.apcnw.com for more details about Affordable Pet Care N.W.! 

Pets & Hot Pavement

Have you ever thought about the way you hated walking on hot asphalt when you were a kid? As adults, we don’t spend as much time outside barefoot, so it’s easy to forget. We want to remind you that your pet goes outside barefoot every day and can experience this pain. It’s important to limit their time on black asphalt during walks, and when possible, take walks before it’s reached the hot part of the day. 

Pets & Truck Beds

You may sometimes see dogs riding in the beds of pick-up trucks, and it may look like they’re having fun, but it’s extremely dangerous. As pet owners, it’s our job to set boundaries for our pets to ensure their safety. We advise all pet owners to NEVER allow their pet to ride in the back of a pick of truck, as the result could be seriously injury or even death. Be safe! Let your pet ride in the cab with you. 

 Visit our website at www.apcnw.com! 

Pets & Camping

Are you taking your dog with you on a family camping trip this summer? Don’t forget to be prepared for pet care! It’s important that your pet is up-to-date on parasite prevention and has plenty of food and fresh, filtered or sanitized water to drink at the campground. Also, be prepared for safety by ensuring that your campground of choice allows dogs to visit, and that your dog has a place to sleep, preferably inside the tent where they won’t be bitten by insects or pestered by wild animals! Be safe, and the trip will be that much more fun!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.apcnw.com 

International Assistance Dog Week

This week is International Assistance Dog Week, celebrating the wonderful animals who offer their skills to the handicapped people who need them. Assistance Dogs are intelligent animals who undergo at least 2 years of special training to prepare them for their jobs.

Visit Affordable Pet Care N.W. online at www.apcnw.com