How to Choose a Good Veterinary Hospital
 by: Diana Romaxx

One of the most important decisions that you can make as a pet owner is choosing where to take your pet for medical care. One of the best ways to learn about veterinary hospitals in your area is to simply ask around. Inquire where your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors go and if they can make any recommendations. We found our dog's veterinarian through recommendations from our friends at our local park.

Another way that you can search for a new veterinarian doctor or hospital is by looking on-line or through the yellow pages. There will certainly be a lot of listings that will include information about licensing, certification, a list of services, office hours, etc., and although it’s important to look for specific qualities when choosing a veterinarian, location is also a big factor. But don’t decide to go to ABC Animal Hospital just because it’s closest to your home. It's possible that by driving a few more extra miles you could find a veterinarian that could provide you with more specialty services that might even save you more money in the long run.

Many veterinary hospitals cater to working individuals by offering late office hours. This can be a godsend especially if you are dealing with a pet that has a chronic disease or a condition that requires regular check-ups and prescription refills. Some hospitals also offer 24-hour care and emergency services on-site while others will refer you somewhere else, even during regular business hours. Be sure to ask about emergency services when seeking out an animal hospital so that you can be prepared in case something unexpected happens.

Be sure to visit any hospital where you plan to take your pet. While visiting you could also ask if you can possibly take a tour of the facility. Pick up brochures to take home with you such as a price list of sevices offered, etc. You may read information about how to choose the right “doctor” for your pet and it is important to feel comfortable with your pet’s veterinarian, so don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember this could be your pet's veterinarian for many years to come.

The intimacy that a one-doctor veterinarian hospital offers can be very reassuring because when something goes wrong with your pet you will always see the same doctor. However, a one-doctor staff also means that office hours are going to be limited, especially when the doctor goes on vacation, leaves for a conference or an unexpected emergency. So it would be a good idea to discuss these scenarios with your veterinarian. He may have a veterinarian colleague that temporarily fills in for him while he is away or he may offer another alternative solution.

In any event, you might also consider making alternative plans with another veterinarian hospital so that you have other options when your regular veterinarian is not available. You would have great peace of mind knowing that someone else will be there as a back-up in case your pet became ill, someone to call if you needed advice or simply to ask a question.

Planning your pet's medical care takes time and energy, but is well worth the effort, because once you have found the care and services of a good veterinarian, you know that these were the important decisions that helped to provide the foundation of your pets good health and long life.

About The Author

by: Diana Romaxx, of Maxxamillion's Dog House. She publishes articles for her dog's website @www.maxxamillion.com.

Chicago's Paw-master Maxxamillion suites up to bark out the word about Dogs! Save A life Adopt A Pet!

How To Choose a Good Boarding Facility For Your Pet!

Sometimes the most difficult thing a pet owner has to deal with is leaving their beloved companion behind while going away on a trip or vacation. Who do you trust? Finding a place where you know your pet will be happy and comfortable can make the whole experience less stressful for everyone.

Be sure to visit any facility you are considering in person. This is an absolute MUST! Is the place clean? How do the animals look? Are they sitting in clean or soiled cages? If you are boarding a cat make sure the cats are kept in an area that is separate from the dogs.

Do not leave your pet anywhere that does not require him to be up to date on current vaccinations, including a negative fecal check.

A lot of veterinary hospitals offer boarding services. It may surprise you though that this may not be the best place to board your pet, UNLESS they have a separate staff and facility designated for boarding.

First of all, how would you feel hanging out in a human hospital for a few days? No thanks! Hospitals are just that—hospitals. Your pet is not going to have any fun staying in a veterinary hospital while you go away.

Most clinics are not setup well for boarding purposes. The hospital staff is often focused on taking care of sick patients. Chances are, if your pet is boarding at a hospital he will be taken care of only after all the sick animals have been attended to. Veterinary hospitals often are not staffed 24-hours, so your buddy may be spending a lot of quiet time alone. In addition to that, he may be hanging out with a bunch of sick pets. Not good.

However, many veterinary hospitals have a separate staff and facility designated for boarding. This could be an excellent option, just be sure to check it out in person.

When visiting a boarding facility make sure the animals are kept safe while spending time outdoors. They should never be left in any confinement area unattended for long periods of time. I’ve heard horror stories of dogs escaping from outdoor pens while boarding staff was inside cleaning kennels. Make sure all fences look secure, especially if you dog is prone to being an "escape artist

Also make sure that your pet is not given any toys or bones he could choke on. Many kennels have restrictions on the types of toys and treats you can leave with your pet which is a good sign because it means that they are aware of choking hazards.

When checking out a kennel be sure to find out what kind of schedule your dog will be on. How often will they feed him? How often will he go outside? Do they allow you to bring his own food? Can he have his special blanket?

Ask your veterinarian if they know of any good boarding facilities. Often they know the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to kennels in your area. Just be sure to visit any kennel you are considering for your pet in person. You may even want to take your pet along for the ride so he can tell you what he thinks of the place too!

by: Diana Romaxx, of Maxxamillion's Dog House
www.maxxamillion.com

Maxxamillion is doing well with his rehab and walking around a bit more each day. He had a ultra-sound done last week in Buffalo Grove which did show two spots in his stomach area. He is on two homeopathic medications one for his arthritis Traumeel anti-inflammatory and one is Mycelia for his immune system. He is still a big joker and loves to play with his toys and give us a hard time, I could almost see him laughing at us, We love it though! Thanks to the wonderful doctors and staff at Integrative Pet Care.

Maxxamillion Spends some time Saturday Morning in the snow while I shoveled the public sidewalk.

Just a quick view of Maxxamillion's limo (really our family truck). He is stretched out on his favorite seat after a visit to the Integrative Pet Center for some more therapy. It has been below zero outside for a few weeks now. But Maxxamillion loves this type of weather. We just have to time the amount of time he stays outside in the really cold weather.

This past week Maxxamillion went for his third acupuncture treatment and his second underwater treadmill treatment. His prognosis has improved dramatically since he started his therapy. He was able to walk a lot more around the house and around the back yard. He was also able to walk into the clinic and to the therapy room. The problem is he does not want to get up after his acupuncture treatment. I used one of his favorite squeaky toys but that did not help much this time. He can be quite a character when he wants to be. When he doesn't want to get up he will intentionally throw himself to the floor, and at 133lbs. he makes it very hard for me to pick him up.
I have to say that I may have had a little doubt about the acupuncture treatment in the beginning, but after seeing Maxxamillion's improvement each day, it made a believer out of me.

Dr. Julie Mayer, Stacy Nigrelli and Kellee Joost founded Integrative Pet Care. Integrative Pet Care center is a specialty veterinary center dedicated exclusively to the physical rehabilitative therapy, fitness and holistic wellness needs of our pets. The first and only center of-its-kind in the Chicago metro area. Their 6,000 square foot facility features a resistance swimming pool, underwater treadmills, land treadmills and other therapeutic equipment – all state-of-the-art and designed specifically for animal rehabilitation and exercise.




Dr. Julie Mayer and Dr. Kimberly Curtis are both certified in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary chiropractic and have significant experience in rehabilitative, complementary and traditional veterinary medicine. Treatment for medical conditions is by veterinary referral, Maxxamillion was referred to the Integrative Pet Care center by his vet at Portage Park Animal Hospital. The staff is so professional, courteous, caring and loving with all pets. We highly recommend their services. Maxxamillion gives it Four Paws!



They are located at 2520 W. Armitage Chicago, IL 60647
phone: 773-269-2964 fax: 773-269-2934 website: integrativepetcare.com

Today was Maxxamillion's second acupuncture treatment and it went very well except for the hard time I had getting him into the treatment rooms. He still thinks he is going to be left behind, and hesitates going to the vet. When we finally went inside, Maxxamillion was a lot more relaxed. He was very calm during his acupuncture treatment, which just like in humans, will help relieve his pain and build his immune system.


Afterwards, he went to his first underwater treadmill therapy. The 88 degree water was level with his chest and the therapist was also inside the tank helping support Maxxamillion with a flexible brace. He did very well walking gently on the underwater treadmill. This treatment will help strengthen Maxxamillion's muscles, increase his range of motion and endurance. After a few sessions of therapy, We're so happy to see improvements and that he's feeling better. Although Maxxamillion has only received a few treatments, we've noticed that they've really made a big difference. Maxxamillion is actually walking slightly longer distances around the house and yard without any assistance. He has also been more playful in the evenings. We're so happy that he's improving and feeling better.




We want to thank the Integrative Pet Care Center for everything they do for pets. Everyone is so professional, courteous, caring and loving with all pets. We highly recommend their services.

Yesterday Maxxamillion received his first acupuncture treatment. Although we had a hard time getting him into the building, he was very calm during the acupuncture treatment. He'll be receiving another one this Thursday. We'll keep you posted with his diagnosis on this blog.

Hello all, Maxxamillion is doing a little better. But his arthritis is getting worse and he is having a hard time walking. We have made an appointment for a consultation with a holistic medicine physical rehabilitative therapy clinic. We would like to have acupuncture treatments for him, we have read a lot of positive feedback on such treatments for dogs.

Happy Haooowlidays from Maxxamillion! Maxx has been a little sick for the past week. But I am happy to say he is doing much better today.

Cancer In Dogs, Maxxamillion fights The Odds!

by: Diana Romaxx

Just like in humans, cancer in dogs is a very serious condition which canseriously impact the life of both the dog and its owner. As with
humans, cancer in dogs is on the increase and today, excluding accidents, almost half of all dogs aged 10 or over are likely to die from
the disease. One of the most common cancer in dogs is the mastocytoma (or mast cell tumor), which is what our family dog Maxxamillion was
recently diagnosed with. What a shock this was to my husband and I because we had taken Maxxamillion to the vet two years earlier for a
fatty tumor that was growing around the top of his left front leg. A biopsy was done and we were informed that the tumor was comprised of
fatty matter and at that time the test showed no sign of cancer. The cause of mast cell tumors is unknown.

The statistics on cancer in dogs was a bit alarming to us, and in fact, the current rate of cancer is higher in dogs than it is in humans.Incidences of cancer in dogs are very difficult to accurately estimate. On average, the highest incidence of cancer occurs in dogs 6 to 10 years of age. Because dogs can't tell us where it hurts, medical treatment for dogs is very different from the medical approach for humans.

According to our veterinarian, Maxxamillion's cancer was spred by the tumor cell itself. Other studies indicate that one of the most
common cause of cancer in dogs is commercial dog food toxins, and preservatives in their diet. Cancer in dogs is always tough to handle because treatment can't be administered as aggressively to them as it is to humans.

Dogs today are a big part of our families and we want to give our loyal companions the best medical attention we can. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to manage cancer in dogs. Treatment of Cancer in Dogs is usally treated by conventional forms of radiation therapy. There are different treatment options for cancer in dogs. Each tumor type within a location has a different treatment and prognosis. Canine Lymphoma is another common form of malignant cancer in dogs. Your pet's diet should most often be low in fat and calories.

One of the options that was recommended to us by our vet for treatment was radiation therapy. Although we live in a big metro city, the problem is that there are very few veterinary clinics that offer this radiation thereapy treatment. Radiation therapy, can also be very grueling on an older dog, and also very expensive. Moreover, it is not a suitable treatment for many cancers. The closest treatment center that we could find for Maxxamillion was over 40 miles away. Before radiation, our vet recommended that we
talk to an encologist about having a 3d ct scan done to determine if the cancer cells had spread beyond the tumor that was removed, but actually, Maxxamillion had two tumors removed, and each tumor weighed 3 pounds. The first tumor did appear in the x-ray and when the vet removed it, he found the second tumor that was hiding. The first tumor was benign and only the second tumor was cancerous. A 3-d ct scan entails putting an animal under anesthesia.

The 3-d ct scan would determine the extent of the cancer or if he was cancer free. Although our vet assured us that the cancer was contained within the tumor he had removed, and there was a possiblility that some cancer cells may have gone beyond the tumor. We were advised that it would be best to take Maxx for his 3-d ct scan five days after the surgery, at which time it was still very difficult for Maxx to move and walk, but we figured that if this was the best fight he had, it was better to go ahead with the radition. Unfortunately, it is an expensive procedure. The radiation therapist also informed us that because Maxx was overweight he would run the risk of complications because fat does not allow the anesthesia to metabolize as it does in thinner dogs. Maxx's 3-d ct scan was performed. After the procedure, which took approximately four hours, Maxx woke up from the anesthesia and was allowed to come home. Max was still groggy from the anesthesia 12 hours later, which we knew might happen because he was overweight.

Due to the fact that it scared us so much and that we would lose him to the anesthesia, we and the therapist came to the decision that it
would be best to monitor Maxx and hope for the best at his age. We didn't want to inflict any more suffering on our baby. Radiation would
have consisted of 25 daily visits with anesthesia being administered each time. If the tumor does come back there is a possiblty that he can have surgery again. For now he is 11 years old and doing much better. He lost a little bit of his step, but he still walks around, plays a lot, goes for short walks, and has fully recovered from his tumor operation.

About The Author Diana Romaxx lives in Chicago, Illinoise. Visit Maxx's Website http://maxxamillion.com.

Hello all, Just want to let every one know Maxxamillion is doing well with his recovery. He is a little stiff around his hind legs from his arthritis. We still give him liquid glucosamine daily for his arthritis. He gets around very well and has very little trouble climbing stair. In the past his vet has recommended Rimadyl, but we just do not trust this medication for a dog of Maxxamillion's age and size. Plus we have had friends of ours have bad results from Rimadyl. The liquid glucosamine has been working very well for Maxxamillion for about three years now. Thanks for stopping by!

It's My Birthday!
Hello every one today I'm 11 years old or 77 in dog years! I got this football pillow as one of my gifts. So I could watch Da Bears play.

Today is Maxxamillions 11'th birthday. It seems like yesterday that this beautiful loving puppy boy came into our lives. We can't imagine him not being in our lives and around the house. Maxxamillion's surgery a few months ago was a lesson on how to really appreciate your loved ones every moment, for tomorrow is not promised us! Today Maxxamillion was spoiled like always, we made him a special batch of his favorite low-cal oatmeal dog bisquits that we make for him. He got gifts and cards from friends and family. We got him a football shaped pillow and some stuffed toys. He loves the pillow a lot, as for the stuffed animals he did what he does to all stuffed animal toys, pull off the eyes. He continues to recooperate each day and we are very grateful to have him with us today. Happy Birthday Maxxamillion!!!! and many many more.
Love Mom & Pop.

Here is Maxxamamillion at six weeks old and six and a half pounds. The beginning of the our little Pawmaster in 1995.

I am happy to say Maxxamillion is doing much better each day. He is still a little stiff on his his hind legs from his arthritis but continues to inprove daily
He continues to get some rehab and short walks around our neighborhood daily. On Saturday he finally went back to his favorite park (Portage Park) which he went to daily for ten years.
We could see the joy in his face and tail wagging high when we pulled up to Portage Park. He got up from his seat with out any hesitation at all. And when we opened the truck door, out came Maxxamillion down his ramp and ready to walk his park again. Oh what happiness we felt to see him in the park again. He marked every spot he could until he had no more. His running days are over but we are so happy he is able to walk around fine. So far he has survived the surgery and the removal of a six pound tumor. We are blessed to have such a wonderful puppy boy. We love You Maxxamillion, Mom & Pop

Today was Maxxamillion's last follow-up for his surgery. He got a clean bill of health as far as the surgery goes. We will monitor him for chances of a reoccurrence of the tumor. He will still be in recooperation for a while longer so his right leg could regain more strength. The picture above is in the back yard after we got back from his Vet appointment today. Maxxamillion has been I survivor since he was an 8 week old puppy. At the age of four a Vet told us he would not survive to be eight. He will be eleven on October 23, God willing. Making the decision to have the surgery was a very hard but well researched decision for us. We could not stand the fact that he was very uncomfortable with the tumor and that it was hampering his ability to climb stairs and getting in and out of the family car (really his). We are very fortunate to have a great Vet in doctor Michael, who has taken care of Maxxamillion for over five years now. Maxxamillion is a family member and putting him down was never an option for us. We will be posting more on the decisions we faced through the whole surgery ordeal.

Maxxamillion is feeling much better and is very close to feeling normal. We're so happy that he can go up and down the stairs without hesitation. Also, for the first time since his surgery, he did his favorite flip upside down on his back barking with joy - which he had always done at least once a day when he'd go outside. As you can see the in the picture, we made Maxx his favorite home made oatmeal dog biscuits, which he enjoys very much.