Caring for the Pets You Love

The Best Dental Care for Your Pet

2012-02-06T14:04:00.000-08:00

PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH All Creatures Veterinary Center 972-307-7400

The Best Home Dental Care For Your Pet

Has your pet ever flopped in your lap and then dissatisfied with your attention put it's face right in your face to say 'hey, I need some attention right now'? Did you marvel at your pet's affection or think 'we have got get you a mint or something'?

That something is home dental care for your pet. Your pet needs regular home dental care and now there is a variety of ways to make that happen like tooth brushing, rinses, chews and even food. What is the BEST dental care for your pet? It is the one you and your pet WILL DO! Whatever type of pet oral health care fits into your daily routine.

If you are not aware of all the choices you have for daily home pet oral care, here they are rated Good to Best:

GOOD

C.E.T.^® Enzymatic Oral Chews for Dogs and Cats

These feature a Dual-Enzyme System, are made from select beefhide to combine a natural antiseptic plus an abrasive texture that works with the pet's chewing action to loosen tartar and provide plaque control. These come in a 30-count bag designed for giving one each day

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BETTER

C.E.T. AQUADENT^® Drinking Water Additive

A daily drinking water additive with xylitol for dogs and cats to help fight plaque and freshen breath. Add 2 teaspoons to a quart of pet’s drinking water every day to provide clinically tested dental care every time a pet drinks.

C.E.T.^® Oral Hygiene Rinse

Dental rinse for cats and dogs containing chlorhexidine gluconate, cetylpyridinium chloride, in an oral rinse formulation to help fight plaque, maintain oral health, and freshen breath fast. One squeeze into your pet's mouth quickly covers and rinses the entire mouth. You don't have to rub it around. Your pet's natural licking action does it automatically. Ideal when brushing is not an option.

Hill's T/D Prescription Diet Food

Prescription Diet® t/d® is formulated with the following benefits:

Unique kibble scrubs away laden plaque in the mouth to promote systemic health
Clinically proven to reduce plaque, stain and tartar buildup
Reduces bad breath and has antioxidants to control cell oxidation and promote a healthy immune system

Science Diet® Healthy Advantage™ Pet Food

Available exclusively from your veterinarian, Hill's® Science Diet® Healthy Advantage™ is formulated to help address five common health concerns for pets and one of those is dental health. Healthy Advantage food uses the same kibble technology as t/d but the preventative effect is less as it is a non-prescription diet.

BEST

Brushing

Daily tooth brushing is the best at-home method for maintaining good dental health for cats and dogs. There are several types of toothbrushes and different flavors of toothpaste to make it easy and effective for cat and dog owners to care for their pet’s teeth as part of their daily routines. We will be happy to show you the different styles of toothbrushes and demonstrate them if you wish. Keep in mind, you do not have to choose just one method of dental care for your pet. It may be better for you and your pet to brush some days and have a chew some other days.

2011-11-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

ThanksgivingFood Exchange: YouHelp People – We Help Pets

By Jamie Hutton, DVM
(All Creatures Veterinary Center)

The Thanksgiving Food Exchange is a food drive with a twistwe hold each November. We collect humanfood from our wonderful clients and friends. The cans of corn, jars of peanut butter and boxes of cereal are weighedon the pet scale in our lobby and we keep a chart showing the weight of all thedonations. We give all that human foodto Metrocrest Social Services in Carrollton. Last year it was over 1000 lbs. Then inDecember, All Creatures donates an equal amount of Hill’s® Pet Food toOperation Kindness – the no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton. We are going to continue the Food Exchange this year and our goal is tocollect and donate 1300 lbs. of food. Soeven if you aren’t one of our clients, feel free to bring your human fooddonations by our office at 2525 E Hebron Pkwy. It will do double duty by helping the catsand dogs at Operation Kindness.

A list of commonly neededitems from Metrocrest’s web site: Peanut butter, Canned fruit, Mac &Cheese, Flavored rice & pasta “helpers” & “ronis”, Breakfast Cereal.

Do You Have a Secret Cat?

The other day one of our favorite clients caught mecompletely by surprise when she brought in her cat. I was surprised because I had no idea she hada cat. I had only met her dog. Cats now out number dogs as pets in the U.S. but very fewcats ever have a health checkup. That’skind of sad for all those secret cats. Cats are masters at hiding illness, sousually sickness or disease has to be severe before their human notices. (1) One thing you can do for your catis to watch for subtle signs of sickness. You can find a good tutorial at www.healthycatsforlife.com and click onthe Did You Know? box. (2) The best thing you can do for yourcat is get a regular wellness checkup. We are making that easier this month, by extending our new clientoffer to any new cat wellness visit. So now is a really great time to surprise us with that family member we nevermet - your cat. Call us at 972-307-7400.

OFFERS All offers Expire December 4, 2010	$25 OFF Vaccines or Bloodwork – New clients or cats only (with paid exam fee of $49.90. Even if you are a current client, if you have a cat we have never examined or not seen in over 2 years this offer applies.)
	12 Doses of Revolution for Cats for the price of 9 prevents fleas and heartworms, controls ear mites, hookworms, roundworms

Pet Fall Festival, Saturday, October 15, 1-4 p.m.

2011-09-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

Does your pet like to dress up? Is your pet's favorite outfit just like your favorite outfit? Does your pet have a trick the world needs to see? Then our Pet Fall Festival may be your ticket to fame and fortune or at least a nice gift basket. As part of our 25th anniversary, All Creatures is throwing a fall festival for the whole family including your pet. Among the activities will be photos with your pet, a pet costume contest and a pet trick contest. We will also have games for the kids, balloons, food, face painting and a raffle for a Giant Gift Basket. All the activities are $free - $5, and all proceeds will benefit the Humane Society and All Creatures' pet rescue fund. For details on the costume contests, etc. go the event page on our Facebook page or scroll down for all the details.

DETAILS:

LOCATION: 2525 E Hebron Pkwy. and Marsh Ridge Rd., Carrollton, 75010

DATE: Saturday, October 15, 2011, 1-4 p.m.

COSTUME CONTESTS

Most Like Owner

Most Original

Funniest

Entry fee: $1

Prize: Gift Basket of products & services worth $75

PHOTOS WITH YOUR PET

Donation: $3

4 x 6 photo and digital copy of you and your pet in a fall display

FACE PAINTING

Donation: $3

GAMES $1

Bean Bag Toss

Sucker Pull

FOOD

Hot dogs, chips, drinks, cotton candy Donation: $1 each

YOUTUBE YOUR PET TRICK

Entry Fee: $1

Prize: Gift Basket worth $50, worldwide fame

CRAFT

Create a frame for your pet photo.

Donation: $1

BALLOONS

free

GIANT GIFT BASKET RAFFLE

Total value of gift cards, products, services, includes a Nook Color, $500

Donation: $5

Make Your Pet Safer With a Microchip

2011-08-02T23:33:00.000-07:00

Cheyenne the boxer bolted while on a walk. Gracie the beagle was frightened by fireworks and forced her way under the fence. Gretel the cat didn’t return from her daily walk around the back yard. Rosco, a beloved rescue dog was taken by a vengeful ex-boyfriend.

Some of these pets were missing for as little as 2 hours or as long as 2 years. But these dog and cat stories all ended happily because they all had a HomeAgain microchip.
Many of the pets mentioned in the stories above were found because of the services that accompany the chip like the Lost Pet Alert broadcasts to veterinarians and shelters or the yellow collar tag that alerts people that your pet has a microchip. Other services let owners make Lost Pet posters from templates on the HomeAgain website. http://www.HomeAgainID.com

JOIN US:
What: HomeAgain® Microchipping Clinic

When: Friday, August 19, 2011

10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m - Come and Go / Snacks and Sandwiches served.

Who: The HomeAgain Rep will be on hand to answer your questions

Service: Microchip and Lifetime registration for $42.40 (this Anniversary price is 25% Off)

How it Works
A microchip with a unique identification code is implanted under the skin between the shoulders of the pet. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and you cannot see it after it is implanted in the dog or cat. The procedure is simple and similar to administering a vaccine.
Your pet is also enrolled in the HomeAgain Recovery Service. HomeAgain maintains a national database and is available 24-hours daily, 365 days a year. When a lost pet is found, it can be scanned at an animal shelter or the clinic of a participating veterinarian. The animal’s identification number is called into HomeAgain, and the pet owner is notified immediately.
Currently, more than two and a quarter million pets are microchipped with HomeAgain and enrolled in the HomeAgain Recovery Service. Today, pet recoveries as a result of the HomeAgain microchip have grown to an average of 7,000 per month in the U.S.
The facts:

30-60% of lost pets in shelters are euthanized because they cannot be properly identified. Only about 14% of dogs and 4% of cats placed in shelters are returned to their owners.
Less than 25% of all animals that enter shelters are adopted by new owners.
About 2 million pets that are reported missing each year may be victims of theft.
Collar tags are a great way to identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners, but they can easily come off or be removed.
Reading a microchip is easier than trying to read the tattoo of a frightened stray animal.
Microchipping is permanent, completely unalterable, and does not change or harm the appearance of the animal in any way. The procedure is safe, inexpensive, fast and virtually painless for the animal.
There are about 50,000 microchip scanners currently in use by shelters, veterinarians,

25^th Anniversary Update
Congratulations to Karen Goldsmith and her dog, Holly, they are the winners of the $25 Visa Gift Card drawing for July. If you already entered, your entry will carry forward to this month. You may enter again each time you visit All Creatures Veterinary Center.
Employee Recognition
We want to thank our Front Desk Manager, Jinny Frederick, for 10 years of service to All Creatures. She is a fantastic person and wonderful asset to All Creatures and our clients. Congratulations, Jinny. We are glad you are here.
We are also happy that Sara Paek, one of our Certified Veterinary Assistants has been with us for 5 years. She does a wonderful job working and communicating with our clients and their pets. Thank you, Sara.
Fit Pet Month - Update
Last month we focused on feeding your pet the right amount of food and several of you have reported remarkable results from making this adjustment. Congratulations, keep up this valuable change for your pet. As we mentioned last month, studies show that pets with correct weight and body scores live significantly longer lives than pets that are overweight. If you would like a free nutritional consult for your pet, just call us and make an appointment with one of our Certified Veterinary Assistants.
　
Next Month: Senior Pets
October: Pet Fall Festival
More info: http://www.allcreaturesonline.com/

Do You Know How Much Food Your Pet Really Needs?

2011-07-08T00:31:00.000-07:00

For years, veterinarians have been afraid to talk about "fat pets" with their human owners. There was concern that owner’s might feel guilty for overfeeding their pet. Fortunately, that is not a problem at All Creatures Veterinary Center. We like to talk to every owner about proper nutrition and healthy weight levels – in the most diplomatic way possible.

Now a new study indicates, the problem of overweight pets is reaching epidemic proportions, with more than half of

U.S.

dogs and cats now overweight or obese. Obese pets (30% above normal weight) make up 20% of those dogs and cats that are overweight, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, which conducted the survey.

The causes for overweight pets are the same as in humans, too much food and too little activity. While those two factors are easy to understand, many owners may not realize the severe, and costly, health problems caused or made worse by excess weight. Common woes include diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, high blood pressure and cancer. Research also shows that pets fed less over their lifetime can live significantly longer. At insurance company, Petplan USA, five of the top claims all have a close correlation to obesity.

There are roadblocks to efforts to get a handle on this problem;

1) Perception. Many owners don’t believe the clinical reality. A study by Pfizer Inc.'s Animal Health showed that when veterinarians diagnosed a canine patient as obese, only 17% of dog owners agreed.

2) Information. Pet food makers aren't required to list caloric content on labels unless the product bills itself as low calorie; also, feeding directions are listed for the "most demanding" life stage and can overfeed for a less active pet.

3) Exercise. Large breed dogs like Labradors and German shepherds need 30 to 60 minutes of active play daily, or two to three miles of walking. Smaller breeds still require about 15 to 30 minutes of play, while cats benefit from short five- to 15-minute bursts of activity like chasing toys.

What to do: Start by looking at your pet and what you feed your pet. Go to http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-weight-check/ for a visual chart of what your pet should look like. Make sure you are not feeding your pet more than 1 (measuring) cup of food per 20 lbs. of weight per day. This is just a general guideline we use at All Creatures so then, consult with us or your veterinarian about the specific diet and activity needs of your pet. If you have questions, call us or join us for our Fit Pet Day.

Join Us :

EVENT: FIT PET DAY

WHAT: Free Pet Diet Consult (bring your pet or know its weight). Free Hill’s Pet Food with Rebate.

WHEN: July 13, 2011

10:30am – 2:00pm (come & go)

WHERE: All Creatures Reception

25^th Anniversary Celebration Update

1) Congratulations to Mike Pattison and his pet J.J., they are the June winners of the $25 Visa Gift Card. Make sure to enter whenever you visit All Creatures.

2) Frontline Winners

The following clients took advantage of our Frontline – 8 for the price of 6 promotion – in June and were chosen to receive a $25.00 credit on their Frontline purchase.

Cheryl Reed, pets; Prancer & Vixen

Zena Fitzgerald, pets: Lexie, Selma, Maggie, Kiki

Shawn Day & Gregory Strehle, pets: Callie, Sparky, Cici

Chris & Heaven Jent, pets: Duke, Lady

July Offers

Up to $15 Rebate on a Bag of Hill’s Healthy Advantage food.

http://www.hillspet.com/en-ca/healthy-advantage/pro/home.html

2 Free monthly doses of Frontline when you purchase 6 months (while supplies last)

$25 Gift Card to you when you refer a friend to All Creatures Veterinary Center and $25 Off for your friends first visit. (Friend must list you as referral source)

$35 OFF any Spay/Neuter Surgery or Pet Dental Cleaning (expires July 31, 2011)

Pet Hotel

1 Free Night of boarding with a Pet Hotel stay of 4 or more nights.

(1 per household, valid July 8, 2011 – July 31, 2011)

More Info: http://www.allcreaturesonline.com/

Fight Fleas with New Frontline Guarantee

2011-06-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Caring for the Pets You Love - June 2011

Frontline Plus Offers New Guarantee
Fleas are one of the most insidious pests involved in the human-animal bond. An adult flea can lay 50 eggs a day, bite up to 400 times a day and live for 120 days. The flea’s four stage life cycle includes – the pupae stage – that is impossible to kill. In this stage it sits quietly - in your carpet, your cushions or your yard - until an appealing host “awakens” it to the adult stage. This is how an area that seems clean can suddenly become infested when you or your pet enters the area.

Frontline Plus is our recommended product for controlling fleas and ticks because it has proven to be safe for pets and effective against fleas and ticks. It kills fleas in three of the four life stages and kills more types of ticks (4) than any other product.

Now Frontline Plus is offering a Satisfaction Plus guarantee that the product will control fleas in 3 months. If you purchase the product from your veterinarian and use according to directions for at least three months and you still have a flea problem, you will get a personal consultant to help you. The consultant will even send Terminix to your home to treat the environment if needed. The flea life cycle can make it hard for any product to control a true infestation, but now if regular use of Frontline Plus doesn’t break the cycle, you can get help without additional cost.

Choose Frontline Plus Savings

In June, you can choose 2 free doses or a free rabies vaccine when you purchase a 6 month supply of Frontline Plus. This is a great choice to have and makes the per dose price competitive with less effective products. Also, as part of our 25^th Anniversary celebration we will give away four $25 credits to clients that purchase Frontline Plus.

Story Time

Dr. Hutton’s daughters, Delaney and Makena, will host a “story time” of select animal stories on Wednesday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. The story time will include a snack, a tour and a presentation by Dr. Hutton on X-rays. The story time is open to children of all ages. 6/22/2011 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

You can keep up with all of the 25^th Anniversary activities by following us on Facebook (http://facebook.dj/allcreaturesonline) or check out our blog (http://allcreaturesonline.blogspot.com/)

Do You TEXT? J

Would you be interested in receiving communications about your pet in a text? This is a new feature in our electronic medical records. We can send you appointment reminders or remind you when your pet is due for service. We can also contact you after a surgery or other pet service or even let you know when your pet is ready to be picked up from grooming or boarding. Any interest? Please email us with your thoughts. (mail@allcreaturesonline.net) Thank you.

Congratulations to the Winners

As part of our 25^th Anniversary celebration, we gave away Early Detection Tests and a $25 Visa Gift Card in May. Lois Teed-Gillen, Paulette Klein, Pam Fox, and Linda Morrison all received a credit on their account for the Early Detection blood tests for their pets. The $25 Visa Gift Card went to Ashley Wathen.

Celebrate With Us

Our 25^th Anniversary celebration continues in June. We will give away another $25 Visa Gift Card so make sure to enter every time you visit our office.
More Info: http://www.allcreaturesonline.com/

More Information is a Good Thing for Your Pets

2011-05-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

ÜMore Information is a Good Thing for Pets

In our information age, you may think more information is one thing you can do without, but when you are talking about a pet you love, more information is better.

Your pet has a two big issues that affect their healthcare – (1) they can’t tell you what is wrong when they are sick and (2) they are aging substantially faster than you age. One way to make these two things less of an issue is to have more information about what is going on inside your pet. The best way we have to do that today is through blood testing.

As an animal ages many of the normal organ functions gradually begin to decline, just as in humans. The eyes, ears, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys may start to function less optimally, possibly leading to significant medical problems. It is more difficult for older animals to fight infections and problems such as arthritis frequently set in.

Early Detection blood testing tell your veterinarian and you what is happening inside your pet and can detect problems before they become serious. At All Creatures Veterinary Center, we offer two levels of Early Detection testing. Early Detection Junior is generally appropriate for pets ages 1-6 years. The tests look at the following areas;

o Complete Blood Count: cancers may affect blood cell shapes and numbers

o Blood Chemistries: cancers may affect organ function and lead to changes in:

§ Kidney Function (BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorus)

§ Liver Function (ALT, ALP, GGT, Bilirubin, Albumin)

§ Hormonal and Regulatory systems (Glucose, Electrolytes, Calcium, Thyroid)

§ Gastrointestinal Tract - (Protein, Electrolytes)

§ Bone - (Calcium, Phosphorus)

Early Detection Senior testing includes all of the above tests, and adds;

§ Urinalysis - checks for bladder/urinary infections and assess kidney function

The Senior level is usually apropriate for pets 7 years and up, but it can be good information for any age pet if you or your veterinarian feel the additional data is needed. If you think the Senior level is right for your pet don't let them urinate prior to the appointment. We need to collect about a teaspoon of urine for the test or bring a new (collected within the last 6 hours) sample with you.

At All Creatures Veterinary Center both Early Detection levels include a heartworm test FREE (dogs only) making this an excellent value as part of your pet’s annual visit.

During the month of May, as part of All Creatures 25^th Anniversary celebration, we will give 4 pets their Early Detection tests for FREE. Each Monday starting May 9, 2011 we will choose one pet that had the testing in the previous week and credit the owner’s account for the charges.

Taking advantage of the Early Detection tests can help keep your pet healthier and also your finances healthier (it costs less) if diseases are controlled before becoming serious.

Ü 25^th Anniversary Celebration – Beginning this month, All Creatures Veterinary Center will give away a Special Edition $25 Visa Gift Card to one lucky client. Enter each time you come into our office on Hebron Parkway. Ask a staff member for an entry card.

Win a Special Edition $25 Visa Gift Card

2011-05-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

Pet Dental Health Month & Once a Year Offer

2011-01-13T23:11:00.000-08:00

Pet Dental Month & Once a Year Offer

February is National Pet Dental Month, but at All Creatures we like to get an early start.

So we wanted to pass along some information on pet dental health and encourage you to look at your pets teeth.

First… here is why to look…..

Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS). Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds.

Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet’s mouth. Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations that accumulate on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar.

Without proper preventive or therapeutic care, plaque and tartar buildup leads to periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause oral pain, dysfunction, tooth loss and systemic complications.

Second… here is what to look for…

¨ Bad breath

¨ Yellow-brown crust on teeth

¨ Bleeding gums

¨ Going to the food bowl, but not eating

¨ Change of chewing or eating habits

¨ Tooth loss

¨ Subdued behavior

¨ Abnormal drooling

¨ Dropping food out of the mouth

¨ Swallowing food whole

Third… what to do if you see these symptoms…

Call and tell us what you see and schedule a FREE dental exam (a $49 value). If your pet does need its teeth cleaned or other dental services we will perform those at 10% OFF the normal charge. This offer is good January – March 31, 2011.

Look for other pet dental facts we will post on our blog http://allcreaturesonline.blogspot.com/ or follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/All-Creatures-Veterinary-Center/121410804579473

25^th Anniversary

2011 marks 25 years of business for All Creatures Veterinary Center and we just want to say thank you to all of our wonderful clients. We love that you share your pets with us and we hope to continue those great relationships for many more years.

We are planning many ways to say Thank You this year and here is the first one…

If you schedule dental services for your pet, now through March 31^st, we will take 10% Off any home-care dental products purchased on the same day as the dental service.

Was Your Present a Pet?

2010-12-23T02:15:00.000-08:00

Did you find a puppy or kitten under the tree? All Creatures is offering a Healthy 1st Year package for your new puppy or kitten. For optimum health, our doctors recommend three wellness visits for puppies and kittens spread out over about 12 weeks. During these visits, the doctor performs a nose to tail exam and reviews the pets medical history to determine what vaccines or vaccine boosters might be needed. During the first visit we will also test your pet for parasites and administer any necessary deworming. Our staff will also talk to you about any behavioral or training issues you might be facing as a new pet parent. Call us with your questions 972-307-7400 or send an email to mail@allcreaturesonline.net and we will send you the details.

Our On-Hold Holiday Messages

2010-12-23T01:47:00.000-08:00

Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years Day - the holidays are so much fun. One of the fun things for the All Creatures staff - well, most of the staff - is making the on-hold holiday messages. Some clients ask to be put back on hold so they can hear the whole loop. The internet gives us a venue for sharing those messages with you. Click on the video...

All Creatures Donating 1000 Lbs. of Hill's Pet Food to Operation Kindness

2010-12-10T00:39:00.000-08:00

Food Exchange Results - All Creatures Donating 1000 Lbs. of Pet Food to Operation Kindness

Thanks to the generosity of All Creatures clients and neighbors the Thanksgiving Food Exchange was a big success collecting 1217 pounds of human food for Metrocrest Social Services. This surpassed the Food Exchange goal of 1000 pounds and it was over 400 more pounds than was collected in 2009. Special thanks goes out to the employees of CMI, Inc., who collected over 1000 pounds of the food at their office before delivering it to All Creatures.

All Creatures will now donate the goal of 1000 pounds of Hill’s® Pet Food to Operation Kindness – the no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton, Texas.

Link to press release: http://www.prlog.org/11133945-carrollton-veterinarian-donates-1000-lbs-of-food-to-operation-kindness.html?embed

Getting a Pet for a Present?

If you are expecting a puppy or kitten as a present, All Creatures will be offering special puppy and kitten packages called Healthy 1st Year. The promotion puts together all the normal veterinary services you need for your pets' first year. The details will be available starting December 18th.so be sure to check the All Creatures blog or follow us on Facebook.

25 Years 1986-2011

Next year - which isn't that far away - will be the 25th year of existence for All Creatures. Since starting in the strip center at Rosemede and Marsh, the clinic has moved twice and changed ownership, so that is even more reason to celebrate that we still have wonderful clients to serve and pets for which to care. We are planning lots of ways to celebrate and we want you to be participate. There will be drawings and free products and promotions and maybe a party or three. In our January newsletter we will give you a chance to tell us how or if you would like to be contacted - email, text, or you can just follow us on our blog or on Facebook.

Get $25 Worth of Services for Free with Your American Express Card

2010-11-15T13:57:00.000-08:00

Small Business Saturday is November 27th. Use your American Express card to purchase $25 or more at a participating small business (we suggest All Creatures) and American Express will credit your card account for $25.00. That's like getting your pet's exam for half price. Think about how much pet food $25 will buy. We are open on Saturday, November 27th from 8am to 12 noon. You do have to register your American Express card at SmallBusinessSaturday.com. Only 100,000 Amex users can get the deal so register now. We look forward to seeing you Satuday, Nov. 27, 2010. smallbusinesssaturday.com

Thanksgiving Food Exchange - You Help People, We Help Pets

2010-10-31T23:16:00.000-07:00

By Jamie Hutton, DVM

The Thanksgiving Food Exchange is a food drive with a twist we hold each November. We collect human food from our wonderful clients. The cans of corn, jars of peanut butter and boxes of cereal are weighed on the pet scale in our lobby and we keep a chart showing the weight of all the donations.
We give all that human food to Metrocrest Social Services in Carrollton. Last year it was over 750 lbs. Then in December, All Creatures donates an equal amount of Hill’s® Pet Food to Operation Kindness – the no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton.
We are going to continue the Food Exchange this year and our goal is to collect and donate 1000 lbs. of food. So even if you aren’t one of our clients, feel free to bring your human food donations by our office at 2525 E Hebron Pkwy. at Marsh Ridge Rd. It will do double duty by helping the cats and dogs at Operation Kindness.

A list of commonly needed items from Metrocrest’s web site: Peanut butter, Canned fruit, Mac & Cheese, Flavored rice & pasta “helpers” & “ronis”, Breakfast Cereal.

Have We Seen Your Cat Lately?

2010-10-31T23:07:00.000-07:00

Have We Seen Your Cat Lately?

The other day one of our favorite clients caught me completely by surprise when she brought in her cat. I was surprised because I had no idea she had a cat. I had only met her dog. Cats now outnumber dogs as pets in the U.S. - 82 million to 72 million - but very few cats ever have a health checkup. That’s kind of sad for all those secret cats. Cats are masters at hiding illness, so usually sickness or disease has to be severe before their human notices. One thing you can do if you have a cat is to learn to watch for subtle signs of sickness. You can find a good tutorial at http://www.healthycatsforlife.com/. The best thing you can do for your cat is get a regular wellness checkup. We are making that easier this month, by extending our new client discount to any new cat wellness visit. So now is a really great time to surprise us with that family member we never met - your cat.

OFFERS Mention This Article	$20 Off First Exam/Consult – New clients or cats only
	$50 Off Spay or Neuter Surgery or Pet Teeth Cleaning
	All offers Expire December 5, 2010

Good Manners Workshop

2010-10-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

How to Involve Children With Pet Care | eHow.com

2010-09-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

Children and pets are big part of our lives. Sometimes one of the motivations for having a pet is to help teach your kids responsibility and give them the experience of caring for another living creature. Sometimes pets come before children, but either way it is best if they can coexist in peace.

I found this article on involving your children in your pets care. Maybe it will give you some good ideas for your household or just remind you to follow through on that idea you had already.

One addition I would make for this article is - once you have your child involved in the pets care, add that responsibility to your child's checklist of things to do every day/week, etc. You don't have a checklist for your child? Well, that's another article.

How to Involve Children With Pet Care eHow.com

Back to School Time - How About For Your Pet?

2010-09-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

We can tell it is back to school time at All Creatures. So many of our clients are stopping by at the end of the school day, kids in tow, sometimes in uniforms. It makes us realize training is going on - children training. And makes us think about all the furry family members that need training also.

At All Creatures, we really believe that getting training for your pet is a great investment. Imagine how training your young dog what is an allowable "thing" to chew might save you hundreds of dollars to have the wrong thing removed by surgery. We recommend trainers who will come to you in most cases saving your valuable time and when appropriate including the whole family in the training.

So as your schedules settle in, maybe think about sending your pet back to school. One of our favorite trainers is Speacialty Pet Training - specialtypettraining.com or call 972-768-7947 and ask for Anne.