Florida Veterinary Referral Center & 24 Hour Emergency and Critical Care Receives Accreditation from Better Business Bureau

Florida Veterinary Referral Center & 24 Hour Emergency and Critical Care, Inc., an Emergency Veterinary company located at 9220 Estero Park Commons Blvd., Ste. 7 Estero, Florida 33928, announced that it has met the accreditation standards required by the Better Business Bureau for membership with the organization.

Florida Veterinary Referral Center & 24 Hour Emergency and Critical Care really wants potential customers to feel comfortable when choosing them. The BBB seal will help customers understand who they are and the core values they believe in.

BBB Accreditation means FVRC adheres to very high ethical standards. People know they can trust a company that has made the commitment to live up to the BBB Principles for Trust:

Build Trust, Advertise Honesty, Tell the Truth, Be Transparent, Honor Promises, Be Responsive, Embody Integrity, Safeguard Privacy.

Being affiliated with the BBB shows Florida Veterinary Referral Center & 24 Hour Emergency and Critical Care is one of a select group of businesses in our community that not only supports the BBB's services but also subscribes to the idea that ethical business is good business and that you "deliver trust" by treating the public in a fair and honest manner.

Media Contact:  Jessica Miller
Phone:  239-992-8878
Email:  jmiller@flvrc.com
Website:  www.flvrc.com
 

Pet First Aid Kit

-Here is a list of what you will need to be emergency ready-



Most of us already have some sort of first aid kit in our homes for our own needs. However, we should not discount our pets from their needs of a first aid kit. If your pet has special needs, you should consult with your regular veterinarian to better determine what additions should be made to your pet first aid kit.

A basic pet first aid kit should include the following:

• A current animal first aid booklet, such as "The First Aid Aid Companion For Dogs and Cats," Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, by Amy D. Shojai
• Blanket. You will need a blanket to keep your pooch warm in case of serious injury. This will help prevent the dog from going into shock.
• Tweezers. Tweezers are great for removing stickers, splinters and ticks. There are commercial tick removers that are more efficient, but you may not have it on hand.
• Scissors. Scissors for cutting bandages that you apply to wounds or for cutting out things matted in fur, freeing your pet from entanglements.
• Muzzle. While cloth will work in a pinch, consider investing in an inexpensive muzzle for emergency transport, along with a leash. Even the most well-trained animals may bite when injured or afraid.
• Roller Gauze and Tape. If you have access to the tape that vets use, it is preferable. This tape sticks to itself and not to the animals hair. There are similar products at some drug stores.
• Gauze Pads.
• QuickClot or similar-to stop bleeding (wounds).
• Thermometer. Either a rectal or ear thermometer can be used. A dogs temperature should be between 100.5 and 102.5 F.
• Splint Materials. You can use a tongue depressor, 12-inch wooden ruler or thick magazine to make a splint. *For spinal injuries, secure your pet to a board with masking tape that will not hurt the fur or skin. Avoid placing the dog inside a crate or carrier, and call your veterinarian before heading to the hospital so the staff can prepare for your arrival.
• Latex Gloves for you to use while dressing the wound. Gloves help reduce the risk of spreading infection and just generally keep you from touching gross things your dog may have gotten into.
• Toenail Trimmer and Styptic Pencil for torn toenail. Cornstarch also works for torn nails, but not for skin wounds.
• Ice and Hot Packs cool down skin after a burn or keep an animal warm if hypothermic. Always use a cloth between the pack and skin and check frequently for redness or irritation.
• Antibiotic Ointment. Get an over-the-counter "general purpose" antibiotic ointment for light use with minor skin wounds. Not for eye use. Caution is advised for animals that may ingest by licking. The antibiotics are absorbed via the skin, remaining ointment may collect debris or actually slow healing in some cases. Use with discretion.
• Antiseptic Wash or Wipes. Look for non-stinging preparations such as chlorhexidine or betadine. Rubbing alcohol is not good for open sores or wounds.
• Benadryl Tablets at your vet's suggestions.
• Ear Syringe to flush wounds or administer fluids by mouth.
• Eye Wash. Make sure you use eye wash, not contact lens solution.
• Flashlight for obvious reasons! :)
• Peroxide and/or Activated Charcoal. These will be used if your dog ingests something harmful.
• Hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting after your dog ingests poisons. Activated Charcoal helps prevent the poison from being absorbed and can also help induce vomiting. In either case, check with your veterinarian before administering. There are some poisons that need to be treated differently and vomiting may increase the danger to your pet.
• All of your dogs medical records and pertinent info. This will include your veterinarians phone number, shot records and any medications your dog takes routinely.

Veterinary Hospital Celebrates 5th Anniversary

Florida Veterinary Referral Center & 24-Hour Emergency and Critical Care (FVRC) hospital is celebrating their 5^th anniversary.  Their 35-member staff provides emergency and specialty medical and surgical care in Lee and Collier counties as well as Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.

The medical staff at FVRC specializes in emergency and critical care medicine, surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery and soft tissue surgery as well as internal medicine, radiology and oncology.  It should be noted that the hospital has on staff the only board certified veterinary reproductive specialist in the entire state of Florida. 

In addition, Dr. Joshua Parra, FVRC’s Medical Director states “Through an internship program, we provide advanced training in small animal medicine and surgery for veterinarians from all over the country.  In today’s economy, we are proud to say that FVRC continues to create new jobs in Lee and Collier counties.”

Dr. Parra, who is currently the Vice President of the Caloosa Veterinary Medical Society, attributes the success of FVRC to the hospital’s highly skilled medical, technical, and administrative staff and the support of veterinary community.  In addition, he expresses his gratitude to the thousands of clients who have entrusted their beloved pets’ care and convalescence to FVRC. 

Plans are now underway at FVRC to establish a residency training program for veterinarians wanting to specialize.  “New medical services and treatments are also being reviewed for implementation to better serve the region’s veterinarians and our clients who are in need of specialized or emergency care” according to Dr. Parra.

As a part of their 5^th anniversary celebration, FVRC is scheduling public tours of their state-of-the-art facility located in the Estero Park Commons.  Appointments for these tours can be made through the hospital’s reception office.

You can find FVRC on the web at http://www.flvrc.com/ or call (239 )992-8878

Update on Brahman

*UPDATE*
After the condo fire in early December, Brahman was sent to Florida Veterinary Referral Center for treatment.  The owner of Brahman was injured in the fire and was recovering in the hospital for some time...Brahman was such a good boy at FVRC and everyone fell in love with him-he became a part of the staff. A wonderful thing happened at Florida Veterinary Referral Center last week-Brahman was reunited with his Mom and WENT HOME!!! It was such a great reunion and joyous time for the family, bittersweet for the hospital to see Brahman go...but definitely for the best for him! So happy for Brahman to be healthy and happy, as well as his mom!!!

Such a happy ending!!!

Your Pet Deserves...

When you are in a crunch, not sure where to go for the best care, compassion, and quality-Florida Veterinary Referral Center is there for your pet and you. Centrally located in Estero, Florida serving the Southwest Florida region, FVRC is open 24/7/365 for veterinary emergency & critical care. FVRC also has specialty services available 24/7/365 should the need arise for your pet. Specialists are available for consultations Monday-Thursday by appointment and a referral from your regular veterinarian. If you feel that your pet may need to see a specialist, please do not ever hesitate to call Florida Veterinary Referral Center as a staff member will answer your call & questions 24/7/365.

Your pet deserves Florida Veterinary Referral Center. With a state-of-the-art medical facility, FVRC can handle any advanced veterinary condition. If you care about the well-being of your family pet, Florida Veterinary Referral Center is the place for you.

Florida Veterinary Referral Center
9220 Estero Park Commons Blvd. #7
Estero, Florida 33928

239-992-8878 
http://www.flvrc.com/

New Flea Control Just for Cats!

"Elanco Launches Flea Control Product Just for Cats

Posted: January 4, 2011, 4:10 p.m., EDT

Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched Assurity, a topical flea treatment developed specifically for cats. Most other feline flea treatments share canine formulations, according to the Indianapolis-based company.
The active ingredient is spinetoram, registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 for use on a variety of fruits and tree nuts. In regards to agricultural use, spinetoram has a lower environmental impact than many current insecticides because both its use rate and toxicity to non-target species are low, according to Elanco.
Assurity is said to be the first flea control product using this active ingredient.
Elanco reported that Assurity kills 98 percent to 100 percent of fleas within 12 hours, killing fleas before they can lay eggs. It is 100 percent effective for a full month, according to the company.
The product, only available through licensed veterinarians, comes in a six-dose package and a single-dose package. One dose treats all sizes of cats and kittens, eight weeks of age and older, according to Elanco.
“To reinforce dispensing within the context of a valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship, all boxes and cartons of Assurity contain a unique product tracking code,” said Steve Connell, DVM, director of technical, academic and consumer services for Companion Animal Health at Elanco. “This code helps ensure product quality and integrity.”
Elanco encourages pet owners to always read, understand and follow label and use directions."

Retrieved From: http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-breaking-news/2011/01/04/elanco-launches-flea-control-product-just-for-cats.aspx

'State Expecting Certain Industries to Grow'

By Sarah Hollenbeck - bio | email | Facebook | Twitter

FORT MYERS: Looking for employment? The Florida Department of Labor just released the top industries that will see growth in 2011. We found out how you can get help with training and hooked up with employers in the top growing fields.

The top 12 growing industries for 2011 may not surprise you. Health care and information technology are leading the pack.

• You can find the complete list of growing industries in the "Story Links" section at the right.

And in Southwest Florida, those industries are expected to grow between four and five-percent next year.

"Right now there's a high demand for high quality technicians," said Laura Breunig of the Florida Veterinary Referral Center.

The Florida Department of Labor says veterinary technician is at the top of the list of "most promising." And the industry salary has shot up as well.

Also on the list are interior designers, middle school teachers, massage therapists, paralegals, computer engineers and dental hygienists.

"New techniques, new procedures, we're constantly evolving. Dentistry has become a highlight in a lot of people's health care so it's promising for us," said Dr. George Kazakos, with Specialists in Periodontics.

So what if you're in an industry like construction that hasn't seen much growth in the last couple years? The Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board says now is the time to pursue a different career. And sometimes, they'll even pay for it.

"Books, supplies, uniforms, materials, and after they complete classes then we'll look for employers wanting their new skills," said Joe Paterno, Executive Director of the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board.

And Paterno recommends if you're out of work and can find a job - any job, just take it.

"You have income, you're showing progress. As jobs in other industries start to become more available you have the opportunity to transfer back into the field you prefer," said Paterno.

While job growth is slow, the labor department says Florida's 13-percent unemployment rate is starting to recover.

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