Newsworthy  updates....
News for our clients..... 

Animal Control, Vet Win Regional Awards

October 18, 2010   

Loudoun County Animal Care and Control won two awards Oct. 1 at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's annual Animal Services Awards in Washington, DC.

The Council of Governments, or COG, attempts to maintain cooperative relationships among 21 member jurisdictions in the region. COG's Animal Services Committee recognizes outstanding work in the field of animal welfare, including animal sheltering and animal control, during its annual award ceremony.

Deputy Chief Animal Control Officer Adrienne Burton received the Leadership Award for her work, which included guiding her team through multiple stressful and complex cases, while promoting teamwork and excellent service to the public.

The COG committee awarded Administrative Manager Donna Levesque and Administrative Assistant Angela Joynt with the Administrative/Customer Service Award for their work revamping the County's dog licensing processes. Their ideas helped drive an increase in dog licensing from 22% to 35% of the estimated number of dogs in the county, while making improvements in automated systems that allowed reductions in staff time to process and issue dog licenses and tags.

Dr. Valerie Campbell of Blue Ridge Veterinary Associates was honored with the Veterinarian Award for her service to the community, especially her team's work with several foxhounds that were rescued from a devastating barn fire. Not only did Dr. Campbell and her staff treat and care for the dogs, they went above and beyond in finding rescue groups and homes for them knowing that the owners could not afford to provide the level of care that these dogs would require.

Loudoun County Animal Care & Control was also nominated for three additional awards ? the Humane Education Award for its Volunteer Apprentice Program, the Animal Rescue Award for the rescue of several foxhounds from a barn fire, and the Animal Control Officer team award for continuing service to the community.

"We are honored to be recognized by our peers for these programs and accomplishments," remarked Thomas Koenig, director of the department.  "I was so impressed to hear all of the nominations and the great things individuals and groups are doing at animal welfare organizations in this region."

Loudoun County Animal Care & Control is located at 39820 Charles Town Pike, Waterford, VA 20197. Department information and directions can be found at www.loudoun.gov/animals.

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Basic Information about Pain Medications....

NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs

These non-hormonal products include non-prescription aspirin (and other pain relievers) and prescription required products such as Previcox, Metacam, Zubrin, Rimadyl and Etogesic.  These and other NSAIDS interfere with the body's production of inflammatory molecules that actually trigger pain and swelling.  Talk with your Veterinarian because some non-prescription NSAIDs should not be used in dogs.  All these products must be used with caution because there is potential for stomach and intestinal problems and prolonged blood clotting time. NSAIDs are used for low to moderate pain and discomfort.  We recommend monitoring Blood values while using these products. 

Opioids Used for more severe pain, this class of pain relief medication includes morphine, codeine, Demerol and other prescription products.  Used in advanced cases of cancer or severe arthritic pain, opioids do have a place in selected cases where the quality of life for the dog can he maintained.  (Although not opioids, some antidepressant medications such as Amitriptyline may be used to treat severe chronic pain.)

Steroids Cortisone and synthetic cortisone-like drugs such as prednisone, dexamethasone and Depo-Medrol are potent anti-inflammatory medications and can have a very soothing impact on the patient.  However, they are always a double-edged sword and you should question any long-term use of corticosteroids when they are employed to reduce arthritic, allergic or dermatologic discomfort.  Unfavorable side effects can be a deterrent to their use. 

Remember to discuss  your concerns about Pain medications with your Veterinarian. 

Together you will decide on a plan to comfort your Pet  with the most effective medications for designed for your animal individual pain needs.

We  employee staff belonging to the  International Veterinary Pain Management Association...
and we are constantly are striving that every patient may be pain free.  Pain management is a key topic for continuing education among our staff interests.