Saturday, March 5, 2011

Ribbon Cutting


In a quiet ceremony today, we had our official ribbon cutting. Mayor Kristen Umstattd and other town and county representatives gathered with the families of Dr Bollenbeck and Rice, a few of our staff and friends (and Dusty) to recognize our move to the new facility. Having delayed the original ribbon cutting ceremony, we were pleased to mark this milestone in our business' growth. When the nicer weather arrives, we will have an open house during which we will celebrate again with our full staff and clients. Stay tuned!

No Superbowl

One of our senior patients stopped eating suddenly. She would go up to the bowl but then not want to eat. We assumed her kidney values were up or her reflux had flared up, but blood work revealed no problems and there were no other GI symptoms. No evidence of dental issues or swallowing problems.....

This situation is common and a dilemma for us. Do we wait and see if our elderly patients are just having a few bad days and will get better on their own, or do we do additional tests and treatments which may or may not be helpful. Well, in this case, our client figured out the reason for the inappetance: a new shiny metal food bowl! Apparently, this kitty would see her distorted reflection everytime she went up the the bowl and was put off by it. A switch back to the old bowl solved the problem.

From now on, "new food dish?" is going to be on my list of historical questions!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Our New Home

Well, we finally are in our new home! On Thursday, February 10, 2011, we moved from Market Street to Plaza Street and saw our first appointment Friday morning! Once we've unpacked more completely, we'll post some pictures, but we are up and running with few hiccups. The space is taking shape quickly and the work space is a welcome upgrade over our former facility. We look forward to seeing you and your pets soon. Stay tuned for our ribbon cutting and open house in early March.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Ely: "I thought you said tutored!"

Here is a look behind the scenes of a surgical visit:

Ely arrives in the morning having skipped breakfast. Robin gets his weight sets him up in a comfortable cage with an ID collar. Ely wonders what neutering is.
His check-in sheet tells us that he needs some preanesthetic blood work to make sure he can safely be sedated.

During his exam, the doctor determines that several baby teeth have not come out. After consulting Ely's mom, a plan is made to remove them under anesthesia. A medication is given to control pain and smooth out the anesthesia.


When this has taken effect and the blood work has come back normal, Ely is sedated with an injection and then put on oxygen and anesthetic gas for the procedure. Fluids and antibiotics are administerd as well. All goes well with surgery and the extractions, but an examination of Ely's ears under sedation show a large wax plug over the right ear drum. A loop is used to carefully remove it and the ear drum is healthy underneath. Our technician implants a microchip for identification and Ely goes to the recovery area. Later that day, Ely goes home with some additional pain medication for the next 48 hours.

(Even with a "routine" surgery, there are always individual considerations, and in this case the dental and ear issues were able to be addressed without a second anesthetic procedure. We love our hi-tech tools (ultrasound, anesthetic monitors, digital dental x-ray, in-house lab, etc.) but the foundation of good care will always be the physical exam! )

Reunited



Most folks have heard of microchipping their pet. A "microchip" is an inert rice sized bead that contains an electronic device that holds a code. When the chip is scanned, the scanner induces a signal in the chip that is transmitted to the scanner to reveal the code. If the code is registered with the microchip company, the owner's contact information can be used to contact them. Here's one story that I'll add to the mix of reunions facilitated by this technology:

A new client presented a wonderful cat that they had named Elvis for an exam. Elvis had been hanging out around their house and being fed by them for about 6 months when they decided to formally adopt him and get him caught up on his vaccines and deworming. We identified some significant dental issues that needed to be addressed and the client agreed to leave Elvis to have the dental procedures done.

Before I sedated Elvis, we scanned him and found a chip. I called the new client to let them know the news, knowing they would be disappointed if they couldn't keep Elvis. They graciously said that if Elvis was missing from a home, he could be returned, but they would love to keep him if the original family could not be found. Well, we did find his first family through the microchip company. Elvis had disappeared 6 months earlier and they were relieved to find that he had been taken care since then.

The original family did cat rescue work and had several other cats to care for, so Mrs. was willing to allow the new client to adopt Elvis, but she needed to check with her husband who had been very attached to Elvis. Fortunately, he also agreed to let the new client keep Elvis.

Even though a reunion ultimately did not take place, Elvis's former family has the peace of mind of knowing that he is in a good home. And Elvis had his dental work, is up to date on his routine preventive care, and is living happily in his new home!

Sign of the Times


Our new sign was installed recently--now Plaza Street is really starting to feel like home! Our improvements to the handicap parking spaces should be complete within a week if the weather holds out and hopefully we'll be moved in by mid February. The excitement builds!

Friday, January 28, 2011

The Twilight Zone

Great news:

Final building inspection: done!
Low voltage permit: done!
Sign: done!
Cat condo installation: done!
Phone installation and training: done!
Veterinary inspection: passed with flying colors!

Final zoning permit: delayed! Our goal of a February 1 opening date has been delayed until later in February due to some unforseen parking lot issues. This is a bump in the road, so to speak, of an otherwise smooth process, so we are taking this extra time to fine tune the transition. We'll update you as our move-in date gets closer.

Ahh, the best laid plans of mice and men...

Sunday, January 9, 2011

We're Floored

The floors are in and looking good. We chose tile for the reception/waiting area for a durable, attractive surface.
The clinical areas have industrial sheet vinyl with heat welded seams.

The epoxy kennel floor is tough, water proof, and easy to keep clean.


Final finishing touches are in progress. Next comes equipment and kennel installation along with a myriad of final inspections.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Veterinary Tiles

Happy New Year! One month to go on our clinic buildout. We are at the flooring stage-last week the tile was laid and next week the vinyl will be going in. We are still aiming for a Feb 1 start date but will let you know when the date is finalized.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Ceiling, Door and Cabinet Tour

As you walk in the front door, you face the reception desk (desk not installed yet)

To your right is the waiting area
The exam rooms are on the left. Not much to look at yet!

On the other side of the exam room, our pharmacy takes shape

On the way to the clinical area, you pass the doctor's office

As you enter the treatment room, the lab is on your left

The main treatment island has a dry (medical) side

and a wet (surgical prep and dental) side
The tile goes in next week, then the heavy duty sheet vinyl and poured epoxy kennel floor. We are still on schedule for a Feb 1 start date--more to come.

Beautiful Women


We recently had our clinic Christmas celebration at Clydes in Ashburn. As I told the staff, the new clinic that we are building is only a tool for us to practice good medicine and surgery. It is our staff that makes Towne Animal Clinic what it is. We are so proud of the role they play in helping to care for our patients. As we have grown together as a practice and family, we value them more and more, not just for their clinical skills and knowledge, but for the dedication to their families, the challenges they have overcome, the beautiful people they are.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Uncomplicated

The human-animal bond is truly a gift. One of the things that makes that relationship so special is how uncomplicated it is. When I come home, my dog is happy to see me. He doesn't remember that I didn't pay attention to him yesterday or that he didn't get that extra treat he wanted. When we play tug of war, he just wants to tug. No gloating at winning, no sadness at losing. He enjoys his food even though it is a nondescript nugget. He chases deer without thinking ahead to what he would do if he caught one. I can make his tail wag by just looking at him. A belly rub is as good as it gets. No complaints about not being able to sleep on the bed. No angst, no regrets, no worries about tomorrow.

I do wonder, however, what is behind that look of consternation as our new kitten eats from his food bowl!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Housebreaking 101

A lot of time and text is devoted to housebreaking, but of all the techniques I've heard, this, I feel, is the most effective. I describe it here because it comes up so often in practice, perhaps more than any other behavioral issue.

1. During the training period, keep your dog on an approx 8-10 foot leash or in a crate at all times. The crate should be just big enought for him to turn around in. (If he urinates or defecates in his cage for more than a few days, has medical issues or cage anxiety, these are special cases and we should talk!) Do not paper train unless you can't let him out for more than about 8 hours (less for very young puppies). Paper training blurs the line of what is an appropriate bathroom area.

2. When outside the crate, even indoors, keep him on a the leash so that you can immediately correct any inappropriate behavior (including attempting to use the bathroom inside) with a sharp "NO", rattle can, etc. You must keep him under observation at all times so that each infraction is interrupted and corrected immediately.

3. When you take him outside to urinate, go to one spot in the yard and just stand there with him until he goes. You can say "Go Potty"or a similar phrase, but do not pet, feed, touch, or play with him. Once he goes, then reward him profusely with treats and play.

4. If he hasn't gone in 10 minutes or so, take him back inside and watch him closely, again keeping him on the leash or in his crate. Be prepared to take him outside again if he shows any signs of having to go.

5. If he has an accident and you don't catch him "in the act", clean it up but do not punish him.

6. After at least 2 weeks of no accidents, start letting him off the leash, but if accidents occur, return to the program described above.

There are many subtleties to housebreaking, but this covers 95% of dogs, young and old. Best of luck!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Paint, Cabinets and Lights

While I was gone, a lot of progress was made on the new clinic. Walls were painted



Cabinets were installed

And light fixtures replaced the incandescent work lights.


Architectural Inspiration

My wife and I just returned from Rome, Italy and Paros, Greece where we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and visited our daughter who is studying abroad. I'll give updates on the clinic progress in the next post, but the trip certainly put the scope of our project in perspective!


Pantheon


St John Lateran Basilica Doors


A Paros Sunset

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

This is one of our favorites stories from several years ago:

Despite his lack of depth perception, “Bandito”, a 20 pound Jack Russel Terrier, was full of pep that June day when the yeast had finally won the battle over control of his ears. Little did we know as we sent him out the door, ear medication in paw, that a time bomb was ticking inside him, a vestige of maladies past and a vision of danger to come!

You see, Bandito’s poor vision was the result of an unfortunate shift in the location of his right lens and the resultant glaucoma that claimed his eye at the youthful age of 7. While his left eye was enjoying a mercifully low pressure, his right was a thing of the past, having been removed in its entirety. Seeking the most cosmetic outcome, his parents had elected to have the ophthalmologist place a rubber implant in the socket during surgery. In the following weeks, two separate implants failed. Both had been rejected shortly after surgery, and despite the ghastly looks from strange dogs on his daily walks (you know how cruel dogs can be) and the awkward moments in front of the mirror each morning, he had grown to accept his wink as a small price to pay for his suburban life and all the culinary perks that go with it.

One week after his ear visit, however, Bandito's world changed. Almost imperceptibly at first, he felt the shift. Up came the methazolamide, then up came the xalatan. Then gradually the waves of nausea crescendoed, leading to episodes of vomiting so numerous that within hours, his dedicated master had him looking at the wall of an exam room once again. Bandito considered biting Dr. Bollenbeck as he had seen the other terrier do in the room next door, but his gentle nature made him think better of it, resigning himself to a groan and menacing glance (to the left that is) as his abdomen was palpated.

The medication he was forced to swallow followed the same general route as the rest of his gastric contents that night, and the next day saw an even more dismal trip to the hospital. This time radiographs revealed a round foreign body in his intestinal tract. As he listened to the conversation between his master and Dr. Bollenbeck, he got the sinking feeling that he had been a very naughty dog. He then got very sleepy and recalled the room moving jerkily from left to right. Bandito’s next experience was expelling the endotracheal tube, a sensation that made vomiting feel like a good scratch behind the ears.

He happened to overhear the surgeon’s conversation with his master as he lay in recovery. He did not see the humor that Dr. Rice apparently did in having removed an eye prosthesis from his duodenum. After all, it had been over 2 months since Bandito had finally managed to scratch that darn thing out. Since it was too small to roll in, Bandito had followed the next prime directive regarding dogs and unsavory objects--he ate it. He recalled that it was smoother going down than most foreign bodies and had all but forgotten about its full-bodied, slightly woody flavor, but apparently it had not exited his stomach and started it's journey down the small intestine until yesterday.

He knew he was in the right home when his master graciously accepted the diagnosis and bore neither resentment nor scorn towards his entirely canine habits. And four months later, “blind in one eye and can't see out t'other”, he was confident that, should his left eye have to be removed, he certainly wouldn't be bothered or tempted by another prosthesis. Drs. Bollenbeck and Rice learned an important lesson as well--A dog's eyes aren't bigger than his stomach, but they are bigger than his small intestine!

The Gates of Trash

There are little signs of progress all around the new clinic space, but the dumpster enclosure is the first completed structure. She's a beauty, especially with the sun majestically rising behind her!

Monday, November 29, 2010

There's a sink in my Office

As we accumulate items for the new clinic, we must store them within the limited space of our existing faciliy. Everywhere I look I am reminded of a project to complete or solve: A sampling:
Cage parts
8' metal post
Sprayer hose
No Parking sign
Oxygen Manifold
Millwork Catalogs
Equipment catalogs
Site Plan Waiver Plat
48 inch walk in bathing tub
Wall mount fold down exam table
Recessed male DISS ceiling outlets
Scavenge Unit and 6 scavenger interfaces
Male DISS x 1/4 inch NPT Oxygen fitting
Quick Disconnect Dental Water Supply fitting

Although Dr Bollenbeck and I are enthused by and dedicated to this project, I think we both are spending more time with clients in the exam room lately to get recharged by what we really love-veterinary medicine!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thanksgiving

I have a lot to be thankful for, but the relationships I have at work are some of the great treasures:

First, our patients. I don't really need to explain the "human-animal bond" if you are reading this blog. But it is evidenced by the frequent focus of holiday gathering conversations on our pets. Just mention your cat or dog and see how many stories this prompts!

Second, our clients. The nature of our business tends to bring us compassionate individuals. The relationships we have with them are one of the most satisfying aspects of our profession. We realize we are not just treating pets--we are keeping the human-animal bond healthy too.

Third, our employees, our second family. One of the rewarding parts of owning a small business is being able to provide a livelihood for our employees. Their dedication to our business has given us the opportunity to focus on their needs as well as those of our patients. They laugh, cry, study, learn and trouble shoot with us. We enjoy the satisfaction that comes from a job well done.

Finally, Jason Bollenbeck. Jason is one of the closest and most trusted individuals in my life. He is a man of integrity and dedication to his profession and the community. He has selflessly supported my role as a husband and father and has helped make me a better person. I couldn't have been given a better friend to live the dream of owning and now building our own veterinary hospital.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Details

Other than the delivery of countless sheets of drywall, this is the stage of the buildout where nothing seems to be happpening at first glance, but on closer inspection many infrastructure items are going into place:

Wall insulation



Wiring for the wall outlets



HVAC duct work

and lots of Plumbing!