Cops learn how to aid their furry partners

Increasingly, paramedics say, police dogs, or K-9 officers, are injured or shot almost as often as their human handlers.

"If they go down, then we treat them," said Rudy Gabor, battalion chief for Plantation Fire Rescue, lead SWAT medic and an owner of a boxer. "We're all animal lovers."

The medics acquired basic and advanced emergency medical techniques for dogs by practicing on canines who were getting regular veterinary procedures performed by Dr. Monica Fernandez and her staff at the hospital, 9601 W. Broward Blvd.

Fernandez, 37, of Plantation, said one essential skill for paramedics is the ability to administer oxygen to stricken animals.

The emergency first-responders also learned how to place IV catheters and treat burns or lacerations.

In June, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue paramedics saved the life of a dog who collapsed after running alongside a bike in Wilton Manors. The dog, Popeye, was given fluids and oxygen and rushed to Imperial Point Animal Hospital.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals later honored the agency for its compassionate work.

Tuesday was the second time Gabor, 37, of Plantation, had the training — his first time was during SWAT school — and now he feels ready to take on an injured dog.

"Learn the right procedures in a controlled setting," he said, "so we're ready in an emergency setting."

December 2011

The following is from a client who went through a devastating experience with her pets. It was her wish to share her personal experience with the public:

I just want to give my thanks and appreciation to Dr. Fernandez and the entire staff at Lakeside Animal Hospital.  You will never find friendlier and caring individuals; their emotions and sincerity comes from the heart.  I recently had a house fire and lost many of my beloved and cherished cats. All the staff at Lakeside Animal Hospital immediately responded and offered assistance not only to the animals, but also on a personal note. Several staff members arrived at my home to retrieve the cats that had perished in the fire, and to take the six surviving cats to the hospital to be examined; all at no charge to me. This was very generous and very much appreciated as my cash flow was next to nothing. It gave me peace of mind knowing that my surviving cats were in a safe environment and would be well taken care of. The entire staff is very caring, and concerned about the well being of my babies. And my cats love them!

On another note, Dr. Fernandez paid out of her own pocket to have all of my deceased cats cremated. I am here to tell you and anyone that will listen: THERE IS NO OTHER VETERANARIAN THAT goes the lengths that Dr. Fernandez has gone both personally and financially to make things easier for me and my animals during such a difficult time. Not only Lakeside Animal Hospital ensured the health and safety of my animals but immediately came to mine and my mother’s rescue by offering and providing assistance with just about everything without being asked.

 We were and still are having difficulty with the insurance company, as they do not want to pay our claim and housing assistance was not included in our policy. Several staff members from Lakeside jumped into action by assisting with the boarding up and securing of our home. They brought us food and drink throughout the day, began taking donations, provided us with toiletries, and well needed clothing and other major essentials. Some of the staff and their relatives went through their own belongings and provided myself and my mother with clothing and footwear. Another staff member has been assisting us with trying to find a place to stay. 

One will never find more caring individuals professionally and personally. Every individual that works for Lakeside went above and beyond on many levels to assist my self and my mother in a very difficult time and three months later they are still offering and providing assistance.  I truly do not know where we would be or what we would have done without the assistance and caring support we had and still have from all the Lakeside Animal Hospital Staff. 

On a totally different note, I would like for people to know if you have animals that are near and dear to your heart Dr Fernandez and the staff at Lakeside will provide the best care and will go to all lengths to provide your animal with a long and healthy life.  If you know an animal that is sick I am here to tell you that you will find no better veterinarian than Dr Fernandez, she is excellent with the animals and compassionate with the owners. Dr Fernandez’s care comes straight from the heart. She truly loves what she does. I know this because several of my beloved cats had serious ailments, such as kidney, liver, heart and cancer issues due to age, and Dr. Fernandez provided such good care that some lived 3 years longer than expected. I had one cat that had suffered kidney and liver issues on more that one occasion but due to Dr. Fernandez’s excellent care; he pulled through each incident and was doing fantastic. Unfortunately he was one of the cats that I lost in the fire.

I have many other stories as above, my cats have survived many close calls health wise and have lived to be ripe old ages. I had one that lived to be 21 years old due to the excellent care and love provided by Dr. Fernandez. If I have to move any distance due to the house fire, I will travel what ever distance to continue to take my cats to Lakeside Animal Hospital because of the excellent care and love provided by Dr. Fernandez and her staff. I know I could not find a better veterinarian anywhere else equal to the quality of care myself and my cats received.

In conclusion I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to all staff members and especially to Dr. Fernandez for their love and support through a very difficult experience. I can not put into words on how much this has meant to me, my mother, and my cats. Thank you is just not enough.

Lakeside Animal Hospital Receives AAHA Accreditation

[Plantation, FL] Lakeside Animal Hospital of Plantation Florida has again received accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association. The evaluation includes a quality assessment review of the hospital’s facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management.

Only 15 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the U.S. have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. In order to maintain accredited status, Lakeside Animal Hospital must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association’s consultants.

“Lakeside Animal Hospital belongs to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the standard of veterinary excellence,” says Gregg Takashima, DVM, AAHA president. “AAHA hospitals pass a stringent evaluation of over 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols. By attaining accreditation, Lakeside Animal Hospital is demonstrating its dedication to offering the best care to its patients and clients.”

Established in 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices throughout the U.S. and Canada for dedication to high standards of veterinary care. Approximately 3,200 AAHA-accredited practices pass regular reviews of AAHA’s stringent accreditation standards that cover patient care, client service and medical protocols. For pet care information or referral to an AAHA-accredited practice, visit www.healthypet.com.

Lakeside Animal Hospital, located at 9601 W. Broward Blvd, has been an accredited practice member of the association since 2008 and can be reached www.lakesideanimal.com.

Well we finally did it on 9/19/2011. We are now paperless!!!! After months of preparation we achieve what once thought impossible. We are reducing our paper "footprint" by 90%. This approach will also expedite our checkout process since all information will on the computer screen. Since all of pet's information is digital is now possible to save all information offsite in a safe place.

Congratulation to our crew and special thanks to Lisa, our office manager and Laurie, our Senior Technician for their many hours devoted to this project.

Every year Dr. Fernandez takes all the hospital employees on a "field trip". This year the employees wanted BUSH GARDENS

What a beautiful day and what a great time everyone had.

Lakeside Animal Hospital is proud supporter of the Happy Trails Park by sponsoring the pavilion at the park

Plantation-Area Veterinary Hospital Rallies
to Help Local Shelter Pets in Need

Lakeside Animal Hospital joins national movement to donate lifesaving medicine to benefit area dogs and cats in need

Plantation, Fl August 23, 2010 — Pet shelters in Florida are seeing an increase in the thousands of cats and dogs entering shelters each year due to the economic recession. In response, Lakeside Animal Hospital in Plantation has partnered with more than 2,000 veterinary clinics nationwide to provide heartworm and intestinal parasite medication to shelter and rescue dogs and cats.

The program, dubbed Give Interceptor® Give Back, provides Interceptor® (milbemycin  v oxime) Flavor Tabs® to participating veterinary hospitals which, in turn, make the donation to any local pet shelter or rescue group of the hospital’s choosing. Nationwide, the program will ultimately deliver 167,900 doses to dogs and cats in need.

Lakeside Animal Hospital chose to support Gulf Coast Golden Retriever Rescue because of its commitment to help local animals. “We know the importance of heartworm and parasite prevention,” said Dr. Monica Fernandez, at Lakeside Animal Hospital. “Because of our involvement, today, more animals are healthy and more are ready for adoption.”

Through the program, Lakeside Animal Hospital has pledged enough medicine for Gulf Coast Golden Retriever Rescue to keep 206 dogs and cats protected from the most common and dangerous internal parasites.

Interceptor Flavor Tabs prevents heartworm disease, which can be deadly to dogs and cats, but also controls roundworms, hookworms and whipworms in dogs and roundworms and hookworms in cats. Through the end of 2010, every qualifying purchase automatically generates a donation, making it easy for pet owners to treat their own pet while helping pets in need in the surrounding community.

Note:
Dogs and cats should be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage of treated dogs, digestive and neurologic side effects may occur. In cats, safety studies up to 10 times the label dose did not detect any adverse drug reactions. For full production information, go to www.interceptorpet.com or call 1-800-332-2761.

Laparoscopic Surgery