E-Services and thefamilyvet.mobi

Many of our clients are aware of the convenience and savings available with our e-Check-In and Rx Refill Request. When done correctly, electronic Check-In and Rx Refill Request are great time savers for our staff. The time savings (i.e. lower cost of service) are passed on to you in terms of $5 off per scheduled exam/consultation and $2 off per rx refill request when you use the e-Forms. E-Check-In not only increases the efficiency of our admission process, but also allows the doctor time to better plan for your visit by reviewing your concerns before the consultation. Currently, our e-Check-In form is reserved for pre-scheduled appointments.

There are many behind-the-scene steps involved in processing a medication refill request. The bulk of the time is spent on record-keeping --- which can now easily be done by a copy-paste function with e-Rx Refill Requests.

In addition to the e-Check-In and Rx Refill Request, other e-Services include Registration and Feedback / Contact. E-Services save time and improve accuracy, resulting in better care for your companions and more attentive services to you.

These e-Services are under the Resources tab on our website. As Elias mentioned, we also have a mobile site at thefamilyvet.mobi. If no desktop computer is available or it's too inconvenient to power up the computer just to fill out an e-Form, the mobile site is the way to go. Give it a try.

A screenshot of the e-Check-In on a Treo 755p. Type in the text box the same way you would on a computer.



Some browsers will open up a text entry box for longer entries.







And when you are ready, clicking "Submit" will send your form directly to us.












Let us know if you have problems with e-Services: here in the comments, via the Contact Us tab on our website, or the Feedback option on our mobile site.



Our website and mobile site continue to be on-going projects as we find ways to improve our services. We welcome all comments and suggestions.

American Kennel Club: The Labrador Retriever is Long Beach's Top Dog!

The American Kennel Club released its annual list of most popular breeds in Long Beach. Tops on the list once again is the Labrador Retriever.


The rest of the Top 10 are:
2. Bulldog
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. German Shepherd Dog
6. French Bulldog
7. Dachshund
8. Shih Tzu
9. Siberian Husky
10. Poodle

Also of interest is their nationwide list as well. Do you have a favorite?

Salmonella Peanut Butter Recall Affects Pet Foods

The widely reported salmonella outbreak affecting peanut butter is now a concern to pet owners, as some pet food is now being recalled. Pet owners are encouraged to check the Food & Drug Administration's website regularly for updates.

Update: 02/03/09 List of affected pet products

Mobile Pet Sites

Many of our clients know of our mobile web page, thefamilyvet.mobi. Mobile web pages differ from "regular" web pages in that they're specially formatted for mobile devices, such as mobile phones. Whether waiting at the bus stop, or at the doctor's office, mobile web pages provide easy entertainment on-the-go.Unfortunately, the veterinary and pet community has not yet widely adopted the mobile format. It was pleasantly surprising to see Purina now has a mobile web page that we encourage you to visit: Purina.mobi.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
And thank you for allowing us to provide for your companion animals' health care during the past year. We look forward to continuing to provide you with great service, and your pets with excellent veterinary care. Their optimal health and your satisfaction are our most important concerns.

May 2009 bring you and all of your family prosperity and good health.

Sincerely,
The Family Vet

FDA Issued Caution on Chicken Jerky Products

Chicken jerky products --- such as chicken tenders or strips --- are popular treats for dogs. They can be pricey ranging from $4 for 3.5 oz. to $15 for 2-pounds bag. But they are well-loved by our canine friends so probably worth the price. As delicious as they are, I still avoided the chicken jerky treats ever since reading reports of melamine contamination and the FDA cautionary advisory last year.

Most dogs love these treats and what better time to indulge them than during the holidays? Among the Christmas presents was a bag of Smokehouse Chicken Breast Strips from my family.

Chistmas morning had me up researching chicken jerky strips, hoping that they are no longer on the suspect list. Unfortunately, the FDA had (renewed) released a cautionary statement on December 19, 2008 warning of potential illnesses associated with chicken jerky products imported from China.

Illness may appear within hours to days of eating the products. Signs include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased water intake and urination.

Researchers have not been able to determine the cause(s) of the illness. No specific brands were named, only that they were imported from China.

I am sure there are many dogs eating chicken strips from China without any problems. However, I am not one to place my dog's health at risk for treats --- no matter how delicious they may be --- especially when there are alternatives.

So what if your dogs have to have those chicken strips? There may not be that many around but you can purchase those NOT made in China. According to their FAQ, Plato treats are made in the U.S., with ingredients from Europe and North America.

Be careful of similar brand names. For instance, Planet Blue Dog has Made in USA Smokehouse Chicken Breast Strips. The packaging is identical to the bag I received on Christmas minus the "Made in U.S.A." banner. The Smokehouse Chicken Breast Strips I received was from Smokehouse Pet Products, a company in Sun Valley, CA that imports some chicken treats from China.

For those who are handy in the kitchen, try making your own baked chicken strips. Warning: I tried making the chicken strips and got as far as slicing the fried chicken breast. The dogs decided they like the strips fine without the baking. Still, it may be a good alternative if you want to make a larger batch to save for later. However, I have not figured out how long these will keep --- perhaps a month in the fridge or longer if in the freezer?

Bottom line, if you want to safely treat your dogs to chicken jerky products, avoid those imported from China or made with ingredients from China.

Be vigilant and read labels.

Happy Holidays!

My niece reminded me last night that we have not posted anything about holiday safety for pets. Of course, she said that after Kobi, my mom's poodle, got into the trash and ate some unidentified foodstuff.

So while I take Kobi for a walk to see if there are any "presents" from last night feast, here is last year's post on Holiday Safety.

Merry Christmas!