BEHIND THE SCENES AT SEASIDE

Hello everyone, Chyanne here! Welcome to my very first blog post :) 

Sporting my Seaside scrubs & a smile!

I am so excited to take the reins on our blog and help to connect more with our patients and clients through Seaside Home Veterinary Care! I have received so many great topic ideas from all of you that I truly look forward to discussing and sharing some knowledge together! 

With that being said, I am brand new when it comes to blogs so bare with me; this could be a rollercoaster for the both of us! 

I thought a fun way to begin this would be a little ‘behind the scenes’ look at Seaside. Before I started, I had no idea just how much truly happens around here! The day to day life is like no other, and no two days are ever the same. What is it REALLY like?

Mornings start off in the office. 

The perfect prep space for a busy day!

Storage area for all of our equipment, food, and medications when they aren’t in the car.

We are EXTREMELY fortunate to now have an office to do administrative work in before, after, and during appointments. This is where we print vaccination certificates, create labels for products, count inventory, test blood/urine, and SO much more! 

Every item in the car has a special spot so that it fits perfectly! This took some trial and error, but we think we have it down pat now!

We also keep a microscope and a centrifuge back at home base (the office) to do all of the in depth testing on blood and urine samples that we collect during our appointments. 

Centrifuge and Microscope.

I always enjoy doing blood/urine testing as both Dr Bells (Will and Katie that is!) always make a point to allow me to look through the microscope and explain exactly what it is we’re looking at, and what we’re looking for! (I like to make my own guesses first.. I’m not always right, but I’m learning!)

From here we can either determine the results from our own findings and notify the clients, or we package up the samples and ship them off to IDEXX (a professional reference laboratory) or other laboratories for further testing.

So cute. So tiny. So portable.

Check this out. This is our PORTABLE ULTRASOUND MACHINE!!! It weighs 35lbs so it’s a little tough to bring around (we put it on the dog scale for an exact number LOL) but it is SO worth it. We usually only bring this when we know we have a specific need for it in order to keep it safe!

The ultrasound machine can be used for so many things! 

We typically bring out the ultrasound in an appointment to see internal organs to assess their size, shape, and general appearance. We can also use it to check for bladder stones, liver/kidney issues, or signs of cancer. We even use it for a guide for obtaining urine samples - ask us about that if you want to know more!

After performing an ultrasound, we have a much easier time determining where to go next. Sometimes we will collect a urine sample (with help from the ultrasound imaging as a guideline) or decide on a medication/treatment plan if needed.

I am still in awe every single time we bring out the machine. It is amazing to me to see such an up close and in detail image of internal organs, all while I sit in your home!!!

Isn’t that just crazy?!? 

And don’t worry, if you’re into that kind of stuff, Dr Bell will let you watch, too!

This huge cabinet is stocked with; 

• syringes (of all sizes)

• needles (of all sizes)

• gauze

• microchips

• catheters

• rabies tags

• isopropyl alcohol

• hydrogen peroxide

• tick twisters

• surgical blades

• rubber gloves

and so much more that I’m sure I’m forgetting! 

Like I said before, no 2 days are EVER the same, and I have been amazed at the sights I’ve seen with Seaside so far! One of my favourite things about being on the road is getting to see new places and feel inspired by you guys - our clients! 

Between appointments, you can find us stopping in at client’s houses, or popping in to Pet Corral or the Saint John SPCA to drop off your deliveries. When you need a delivery for something such as; medication, food or flea/tick products, you have the option to pick it up, or we can deliver it straight to your door. 

Just a few of the many types of special foods we can order in!

We have just recently partnered with Pet Corral in both their West and Quispamsis locations, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Pet Corral West.

On your next visit to the Pet Corral, keep an eye out for the special ‘Our Pick’ stickers! Dr Will and Dr Katie toured around the store and put stickers on products they think are super awesome! This way you know what you’re looking at is veterinarian recommended before you even buy it! 

At the end of every day, we unload the car and tie up all loose ends. We will print certificates required for the next day, stock up the kits, and plan for the day ahead. 

Normally we are lucky enough to be greeted by the Little Bells; Maria, Violet, and Drew. Seeing their sweet smiling faces at the end of every day reminds me that this is so much more than just a ‘job’. I try not to be biased (but seriously, how could you NOT be?) when I say I truly do think I hit the jackpot here. 

Snuggling handsome baby Drew!

Kayla (another lovely Vet Assistant at Seaside) and I on the ferry heading back from a great trip in Grand Manan.

Well, that’s it for now. I genuinely hope you enjoyed my first post! Please don’t be shy to leave me questions, comments, or critique! I want to make this blog exactly what you want it to be, and something that YOU get excited about reading! :) 

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this, and I look forward to writing these blogs for you. Until next time!

Chyanne :) 

#YOUMATTER

Happy TWO YEAR Anniversary to Seaside!

Today I got a notification telling me that it has been TWO YEARS since my post that I made on the official “soft launch” day of Seaside Home Veterinary Care, and I couldn’t believe it. How have two years passed already? This was just a little tiny idea in my head what feels like just yesterday! Now here we are, two years in, and THIS IS STILL A THING! It is amazing!

Here is the exact notification!

And I have all of the wonderful clients, my family, and some incredible friends and mentors along the way to thank for helping me make it a reality. I am humbled, and excited, and just generally mind-blown by every single bit of it!

I just want to post a few images of the early days starting this adventure TWO YEARS AGO to commemorate and celebrate where we began, and what we have become!

And of course, it’s time for a GIVEAWAY as well, as promised! Check out Facebook and Instagram for details on that!

In the beginning we had the idea to do pictures of pets in front of their doors, highlighting the home aspect of our services! We did a lot of these, if you look back at our early instagram!! However, it got too fun to do other cool things on Instagram so we've very much broken that mould now! The first one was with me and some of my pets (Toby the pug is my mom's dog, but the other babes are mine)! 

Check out our Instagram @seasidehomeveterinarycare to see more of these style of pics!

Fun fact! The actual concept for the logo was 100% thought up by Dr. Will Bell (my wonderful husband), but I basically YouTubed tutorials on Adobe Illustrator to design it myself and created my own logo!

Above there is an image of a photo we took of Mary (it has showed up a lot in our social media so it may be familiar!) to try to bring Will's concept to life, and also some images of my tumultuous journey with Adobe Illustrator to get to the final product on the far right!

This is me being super excited when my phone case for the business phone with my logo arrived!!! Things were getting really real!

This was the vehicle I had when we started the business, and I thought it was going to be so perfect with some tweaking! I was VERY wrong!! Haha We no longer have this truck which we affectionately referred to as "Franny the Frontier", but we either use our Subaru Forester or our Mazda 5, and with much bigger signage so that people can spot us more easily!  

All set up at the SPCA Dog Jog down at Rockwood Park ready to spread the word about my new business! Was a GORGEOUS day and was a very exciting event for me to be a part of, since I LOVE THE SPCA!!! :)

Finally, here is me two years ago with my INSPIRATION to make this happen! I wanted to have more control over my life and my schedule so that I could enjoy my job, while also making lots of time for my number one priority - my family!

Thank you thank you thank you to every single one of you for making these two years the best yet. Here's to many many more!!

Katie

HOT DOGS – The Dangers of Leaving Your Dog in a Vehicle

With the spring and summer sun gracing our skies (finally!), it’s time to remind everyone about the dangers of leaving your dogs in the car!

Leaving your pet in a car, whether the windows are “cracked” or not, can be likened to putting them in an oven, even with surprisingly low temperatures and lengths of time with them in there.

What happens when your pet is in there as the temperature is rising, is that they are quite literally being “cooked” or “melted” by the rising temperature.  I use these scary words, because this IS scary and something that needs to be taken very seriously. We have seen multiple dogs die this way and would love it if we never had to again <3

This is a general idea of what will happen:

1.     They will first just feel warm, and will pant a lot, and their blood vessels will dilate in order to          try to dissipate some of the heat.

2.     Their heart will pump harder due to their vessels being dilated, and this leads to pooling of            the blood in organs, and a drop in blood pressure.

3.     Their heated blood starts to cause thermal damage to their organs, most likely starting with          kidneys (which can lead to kidney failure), the gastrointestinal tract (which can lead to                    bloody diarrhea), and their liver (leading to liver failure).  Tiny blood clots will start to form            in the brain leading to brain swelling.

4.     Brain swelling leads to irreversible brain damage, seizures, coma, and death.

THIS CAN ALL OCCUR ON A COOL BREEZY 20 DEGREE DAY WITH NO SUN and depending on the dog and how they react to the stress, in as LITTLE AS 5 MINUTES with the right conditions!

I would much prefer to be out in the breeze!

These are some rough guidelines – even if the actual temperature is lower, these numbers are even HIGHER when the sun is beating down on your car.

This chart is just meant to explain to you how serious this is – it should not be used as a guideline for figuring out whether to leave them in your car or not. As a general rule, if you cannot bring your dog with you when you are going somewhere in these temperate months, you should leave them at home.

We understand that this is difficult as I know we want to take the opportunity to bring our companions along with us on excursions, but if you don’t have time to drop them back at home before going to the store, then it is always better to have a safe baby back at home, rather than one in danger who got to go with you somewhere first <3

HELPFUL TIP – if before getting your pet to a vet because you think they may be experiencing heat exhaustion/stroke you want to try to cool them down, DO NOT USE ICE WATER – it is better to use “cool” water than freezing water, as freezing water will cause their blood vessels to constrict which will make things worse.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A DOG IN A CAR THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED FOR

Some discretion should be used when addressing the situation, as not all situations are the same.  If a dog (or cat) is in obvious IMMEDIATE distress, you will likely have to use the more aggressive approaches sooner. 

·      Check yourself if the door can open, without setting the pet free of course!

·      Call the police! In Saint John, NB the number for the police is 648 3333 – if you cannot find           this number and the situation is very urgent, it is okay to dial 9-1-1

o   I have confirmed with the police department that they take these calls very seriously and WILL respond – this is a living creature (HIGH PRIORITY) and they will do all that they can to help, including helping you figure out what to do. They may ask you for a license plate number and this could help you in locating the owner more quickly.

·      If you are at a store, immediately have the customer service desk call the people to their car

·      Always call the police if you are really uncertain on how to proceed as they can help guide             you in your intervention

·      Also, once you have the situation dealt with, call the NBSPCA to come to the scene at 1 877          722 1522

Please comment or reach out to us if you have any questions or if we can help in any way! (506) 663 5221

You can take me in the car, just don't leave either of us in there!

Vaccinations: Core vs. Lifestyle

Hello Readers! 

Coming into warmer weather, we have a lot more people inquiring about vaccines: new pet owners, pet owners looking to get their babies up to date, and pet owners inquiring about vaccines that they do not yet know much about! 

I wanted to give a little rundown for you all of the different types of vaccines offered, and which are "core" vaccines, vs. "lifestyle" vaccines. 

Please leave a comment here, on our facebook page, or send us a message with any questions or comments you may have! 

Happy summer! 

Megan

Dogs: Core Vaccines

First I will go into the "core" vaccines, which are Rabies and DA2PPV (often referred to as "Distemper" or "Distemper Parvo". These are the two core vaccines for dogs. Core vaccines are vaccinations which every dog should have, barring any health issues related to either vaccination. It is a provincial bylaw for dogs to be vaccinated for Rabies, and in order to licence your dog in Saint John, they are required to be up to date on their Distemper/Parvo, unless they have a written note from a veterinarian.  

Rabies:

This is a fatal viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including cats, dogs and humans. It affects the central nervous system, and often first reveals itself through significant changes in an animal's behaviour, including sudden restlessness, aggression and fear.

Recommended for ALL DOGS.

DA2PPV (Distemper, Adenovirus type 1 and 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus):

• Distemper: Canine distemper is a systemic, very contagious, potentially fatal viral disease. It causes fever, runny nose, cough, and vomiting, progressing to twitching muscles or seizures. Can be carried by wild animals such as foxes, skunks, and racoons.
• Adenovirus 1 & 2: Canine Adenovirus Type 1 (CAV-1) is responsible for the development of canine hepatitis, a contagious, potentially fatal disease that affects the liver and other body organs; CAV-2 causes canine infectious laryngotracheitis. Young dogs, less than one year of age, are particularly susceptible. Symptoms of CAV-1 infection include fever, anorexia, lethargy, “hepatitis blue eye”, vomiting, diarrhea and possibly neurological disorders.

• Canine Parainfluenza: causes contagious respiratory disease and is involved in opportunistic canine infections. Together with several other viruses and bacteria, CPiV is one component of infectious canine tracheobronchitis, also known as “kennel cough”. The main clinical sign is a dry, hacking cough.

• Parvovirus: Parvoviral enteritis is an acute, potentially fatal disease of the immune system and gastrointestinal tract primarily, but the virus can cause further multisystemic disease. Although dogs of all ages are susceptible, puppies are more at risk. Symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever and dehydration. Since these symptoms can indicate other diseases as well, the veterinarian will confirm a diagnosis of parvoviral infection by doing a thorough work-up including diagnostic blood work.

  DA2PPV is recommended for ALL DOGS

Dogs: Lifestyle Vaccines

He may have drank a little bit of this water haha ! 

Now we will go a little bit into the "lifestyle" vaccines, meaning vaccinations that are more applicable to dogs with certain lifestyles! More and more these are getting closer to needing to be considered "core" due to the prevalence of these pathogens, and the very active and outdoorsy lifestyles many of our furry family members are leading!

Bordetella: also known as “kennel cough”. Most commonly caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica. This vaccination can be very important for puppies, especially if they are going to be interacting with other dogs. It is good for older dogs who have had/shown symptoms of Kennel Cough, or dogs who are commonly being kennelled, or visiting dog parks. 

Lyme disease: also known as Borreliosis, is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, and is transmitted by the black-legged tick (deer tick). The disease can affect both animals and humans. Symptoms include fever, which may become chronic, along with other signs such as loss of appetite, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. Abnormal neurological, cardiac, kidney, and reproductive symptoms can also occur. This vaccination would be a good idea for dogs who are commonly in long grass, wooded areas, or anywhere they may pick up ticks. If deer are plentiful in your area, we highly recommend having your dog on a veterinary grade flea and tick medication, and having them up to date on their lyme disease vaccination for safety. 

Leptospirosis: a contagious bacterial infection caused by organisms that can survive in stagnant surface water for extended periods. Animals and humans can become infected by ingesting contaminated feed or water. Symptoms include weakness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy and mild conjunctivitis in the early stage. Later stages of the disease are characterized by laboured breathing, increased thirst and urination, back pain, reluctance to move andA commonly encountered bacterial pathogen in the disease complex that often leads to clinical signs of respiratory disease in dogs. Jaundice, kidney and liver failure are the often fatal consequences of this disease. This vaccine is for your puddle-drinking dogs. Lepto is easy to prevent but very hard and extensive to treat. It is much easier to have your pup protected, then it is to treat them if they get it! 

Cats: Core Vaccines: 

First we will again go into the "core" vaccines, which are Rabies and FVRCP (often referred to as "Distemper" or "Distemper Parvo". Core vaccines are vaccinations which every cat should have, barring any health issues related to either vaccination. It is a provincial bylaw for companion animals to be vaccinated for Rabies. FVRCP is highly recommended due to how susceptible cats are to upper respiratory diseases. 

Rabies: This is a fatal viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including cats, dogs and humans. It affects the central nervous system, and often first reveals itself through significant changes in an animal's behaviour, including sudden restlessness, aggression and fear. Spread by the bite of wild animals.

Recommended for ALL CATS.

FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis- Calicivirus- Panleukopenia):

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis: a syndrome characterized by sneezing, runny nose, irritated eyes, and coughing.

• Feline Calicivirus: infection typically presents with a runny nose and moderate sneezing, but the presence of other viruses and bacteria can increase its severity. Painful oral lesions are also a common symptom seen with calicivirus infection. This very contagious, dangerous disease primarily affects the gastrointestinal system, causing fever, loss of appetite, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia, and, even death.

• Feline Panleukopenia: caused by parvovirus, affects cats and kittens, though mortality is higher in younger cats. Cats become infected when they ingest the contaminated feces of an infected cat, either directly or indirectly.

Recommended for ALL CATS (even indoor cats)

Cats: Lifestyle Vaccine

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus): This virus is one of the most important causes of illness and death among cats, and is especially dangerous to young cats. It can cause cancer (lymphoma and leukemia) in infected cats, and contributes to other infectious diseases by suppressing the immune system and infecting the bone marrow. This vaccine is recommended for any cats that go outside, or may come in contact with outdoor cats, as it is spread through bodily fluids, including saliva. In our area, we are seeing quite an increase in this disease. It is highly recommended to have any cats who go outdoor to be vaccinated for this! 

There you have it folks! A little rundown on vaccination, which will hopefully answer any questions you may have :) But if you have any more questions, never hesitate to send us a message or give us a call!  

He loves the outdoors <3 

Happy Grand Manan-Iversary! <3

Happy Victoria Day! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday :) We are just popping in to announce the WINNERS of our Grand Manan-iversary giveaway, and also to share some words and photos about our Grand Manan love! So here are the winners, and read on for a bit of nostalgia from us!

From Instagram: @lobsterbrat (Candice Green)

From Facebook: Tiffany Ingalls

 CONGRATULATIONS!!! We will reach out to you, but in case we don't find you, please contact us to give us your contact information so that we can add you to the system and put your credit on file for whenever you want to use it! It does not expire, and you are welcome to gift it to someone if you want to at some point :)

Thank you all SO MUCH for joining in our celebrations and following us along on this journey to improving the availability of veterinary care!

Now on to some reminiscing:

I cannot believe it has been one year since we made the wonderful decision to start hitting the water once per month to go to one of my absolute favourite places – Grand Manan, NB. It has been a whirlwind, and we cannot say enough about how much we love going there. Not only do we love the place, but we love the people (and the pets of course!)

Numerous times while on the island we have been offered meals, snacks, warm drinks, cold drinks, (alcoholic drinks  haha), and even a place to lay our head if we were spending the night! But beyond all of that, we just always receive such a warm welcome into everyone’s homes.  And most importantly, we never stop appreciating you entrusting us with the care of your furry family members.

I just want to share with you some photos from some of our trips to Grand Manan over the last year. There are many many more photos, and many MANY more memories as well. Thank you all so much for your patronage. We hope we will be serving you for years to come <3

Katie, Will, and Megan - The Seaside Team

Heading on Over <3

Megan was, in fact, with me on this trip but didn't last too long outside, as the open water does make her a bit queasy - but she loves Grand Manan so much that she quite cheerfully endures it!

Checking out the other boat during the "two ferries" part of the season!

One of our monthly Grand Manan reminder announcements!

Some of our beautiful patients <3

Just a few more of our favourite shots <3

Sometimes we come to Grand Manan even when we aren't working :)

Mary loves herself a good Whistle Road sunset!

Heres to many many (many) more trips to Grand Manan for both work and fun (often at the same time!)