Pets breathe easy at ACCESS Palm Beach County

For many dogs, visiting a veterinarian can feel overwhelming. Unfamiliar smells, strange sounds, and being handled in new ways can leave even the calmest dogs feeling anxious or reactive.

To help prevent accidental bites and ensure safety for everyone – dogs, their owners, and our veterinary team – our doctors sometimes use muzzles during procedures like exams or blood draws. This approach ensures the process is completed quickly and smoothly while reducing stress for the dog. (Muzzles also help prevent dogs from unintentionally injuring themselves while reacting defensively.)

But what happens when a dog requires oxygen to manage breathing difficulties caused by conditions like respiratory infections, heart problems, pneumonia, or bronchitis? Removing a muzzle to place an oxygen mask can cause unnecessary stress for the dog and make treatment more challenging.

That’s why, at ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital – Palm Beach County, we take an innovative approach by using JorVet Oxygen Mask/Muzzles (as pictured above).These specialized masks allow oxygen to be delivered while doubling as a muzzle. This dual-purpose solution ensures dogs can receive critical oxygen therapy while maintaining safety and comfort during their treatment.

Whether your dog is at ACCESS for a pet emergency or advanced care from one of our board-certified specialists, you can trust that our team at ACCESS Palm Beach County is committed to providing compassionate, thoughtful care every step of the way.

From pet emergencies to specialty veterinary care, we’re here to ensure every pet feels safe, cared for, and supported throughout their visit.

 

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Hyperthyroidism in Cats: What to Watch For and How We Can Help

Has your cat been restless at night, losing weight, acting aggressive, or vomiting? These could be signs of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid health is incredibly important for your cat, especially as they age. Unfortunately, older cats are more prone to hyperthyroidism, which happens when their thyroid glands produce too much hormone. This is often caused by a benign thyroid tumor but can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Organs like the heart, kidneys, and even the brain can be affected. But here’s the good news – hyperthyroidism is very treatable!

Introducing Iodine-131 (I-131) Therapy for Cats

We’re excited to offer a treatment that can make a big difference: Iodine-131 (I-131), a safe, simple, and effective way to treat hyperthyroidism in cats. Here’s how it works: when iodine, the substance that helps the thyroid create vital hormones, is made radioactive (I-131) and injected into the body, it releases just the right amount of radiation to target and destroy the abnormal thyroid cells. And the best part?
  • 95% of cats are permanently cured with just one injection!
  • It’s a quick and painless treatment – no anesthesia required.
  • Healthy thyroid tissue generally stays unharmed, and there’s no risk to other organs.
  • Plus, you generally won’t have to worry about giving daily medication!
After the injection, your cat can relax in our cozy, monitored radiation ward for a few days while their body processes the iodine.

What to Expect During Treatment

After a thorough exam and a recommendation from one of our board-certified internal medicine doctors, your cat’s treatment will begin with a small, under-the-skin injection of I-131. While the procedure is safe for both pets and people, federal laws and radiation safety guidelines require your pet to stay with us in a specially designed radiation ward for a few days. At ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital – Palm Beach County, we’ve created a calm, comfortable space where your cat can safely eliminate any remaining radioactive material before heading back home. We’ll keep your kitty cozy and well cared for during their stay, with our doctors and skilled veterinary technicians keeping a close eye on them day and night.

At-Home Care After Treatment

Once your cat is ready to go home, we’ll provide you with simple instructions to help minimize radiation exposure to your family and community:
  • Keep your cat indoors with limited human contact for two weeks.
  • Use flushable litter for two weeks.
And don’t worry, we’re always here to answer any questions and support you every step of the way as your cat gets back to feeling their best.

Find out more…

There’s more to know about Iodine-131 treatment, and we’d be happy to chat with you about how it can help your cat. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Alisa Berg and her team at info@accessvet.com for more information.

*Symptoms may vary from cat to cat.

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Celebrating International Service Dog Month

To celebrate International Service Dog Month (September, 2024), we’d love to introduce you to Bonny, a 6-year-old black Labrador with a heart of gold who’s devoted to her sidekick and best friend, Axel, a sweet and spirited young man on the autism spectrum.

Bonny is more than just Axel’s companion; she’s his guardian angel. After more than two years of specialized training, she’s earned a degree in “Knowing Exactly What Axel Needs.” Whether it’s applying deep pressure therapy to calm his anxiety, gently interrupting self-harming behaviors, or offering a comforting paw when she senses he’s feeling overwhelmed, Bonny’s got it covered.

And like any good buddy, she’ll steer Axel away from danger. Trained for elopement – when someone like Axel, who is cognitively impaired or vulnerable, leaves a safe and supervised environment – Bonny is there to help keep him close and safe, ensuring he stays connected with others by being his rock of security and comfort.

And she’s got a mean frisbee catch!

Bonny’s not just an amazing dog—she’s Axel’s true-blue friend and hero in fur.

So, this International Service Dog Month, let’s give a big cheer for Bonny and all the service dogs out there who bring love, safety, and independence to so many.

Bonny and Axel, you rock!

#InternationalServiceDogMonth #ServiceDog #UnbreakableBond #MonkeyTailRanch #Autism

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