Acupuncture Gets Murphy Home 2 Days Earlier than Specialists’ Prediction
The Call for a “House Call” Comes In
Thanks for the treat!
“Is this Doc Truli?”
The phone signal was weak, but we could understand each other.
“Yes,” I said.
“My 9 week-old poodle puppy is in the intensive care unit and they are doing everything they can for him. I was wondering if acupuncture would help him,” asked the apricot teacup poodle’s mom. “Can you meet us at the intensive care hospital in 15 minutes?”
“I’ll meet you there,” I said. I hung up, started up the purrs-like-a-kitten (it doesn’t) 1999 faded burgundy Ford Explorer dog truck and headed for the overnight specialty hospital at 9:30 pm on a Saturday night. I am a holistic house call veterinarian. read more…
I’m happy in my bed, thank you!
House Calls for Pets are a New Experience for Most People, Here are Some Tru Tips
How do I Book My House Call?
Call 877-DR TRULI or email DrTruli@VetVMD.com to book a house call. You and Dr. Truli decide on a time. Dr. Truli will hear your concerns and start planning your visit based on your needs.
Assistance Holding Your Pet is Available
Most people either hold their pet themselves (Dr. Truli is a good teacher!), or they have a neighbor or friend come to the house to help. Assistance holding is available by special arrangement.
How Long is a House Call?
Initial holistic house calls take 60-90 minutes.
Follow-up visits are usually 45-60 minutes.
Red tabby kitten checks out Doc Truli’s bag
How Much Does the House Call Cost?
The cost is comparable to a hospital visit, however, with a house call, you get more attention for your pet and more consultation time with the doctor. On average, a house call costs $150-300. With diagnostic tests, treatment, and products such as herbal medications, some pets require a budget of $600 or more to diagnose and fully treat their needs. Each situation is unique. After consultation with Dr. Truli, your pet may need extensive services. Dr. Truli is prepared to provide these services and will discuss costs with you before embarking on the diagnostics and treatments.
One wonderful fact about a house call is we are not pressured for time by another pet in a waiting room. Therefore, if your pet has multiple, complex issues that have been addressed in a surface manner, or in a repeated introductory manner with $300-$600 hospital visits, Dr. Truli will look at your pet holistically and move your understanding and ability to help your pet forward on the path to health.
What Can You Really Do In a House Call?
All Outpatient Services
Your house call can take care of blood testing, blood pressure measurements, laboratory testing like fecal analysis, skin exams and skin tests and biopsies on peaceful pets, eye and ear exams, orthopedic exams and much more!
Supplement and Nutrition Advice
Dr. Truli can help you go through your supplements and pet supplies and use ones that you already have that will work for your pet. The peace of mind alone is worth the visit!
What did you bring me, doc?
Personalized Flea Advice
If you are having trouble with fleas, Dr. Truli can see your environment and figure out how to target your problem and fix it.
Cat Social Drama
If your cats are not happy, but you cannot explain or diagram why, Dr. Truli can just see the layout of the house and the litter boxes, food and water bowls, resources like windows and scratching posts. Sometimes the answer is right in front of you, but it takes an experienced doctor to see it.
Rundown of the Anatomy of a House Call
- We start with some routine paperwork. Most of it you can download and fill out ahead of time. Dr Truli saves some to complete in person (for example: assignment of pet responsibility in emergencies, ICE.) Your pet can investigate and check out the doctor while you talk.
- We discuss the problems and goals and hopes for the visit.
- Full physical exam.
- Discuss how much needed tests and treatments cost. We have the time to address everything in a single house call so your pet can get a paw on the road to health quickly.
- Draw blood, take samples needed for testing. Give treatments like acupuncture, injections, tui na massage, physical therapy, etc. Dr. Truli can teach you how to do some of the therapies at home.
- Pay with cash, check, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or Amex right there in your home.
- We book the recheck right then and there.
How Do I Get Ready for a House Call?
Dr. Truli brings everything you need for the house call, but there are some specific ways you can help.
- Keep your phone available in case Dr. Truli needs directions.
- Have your pet available. No kidding. Cat extraction procedures and dog catching cost extra! (Kidding, they just stress your pet and make the visit less effective.)
- Have a well-lit table or clear area on the floor for big dogs. A sunny room during the day has nice natural light for the physical exam.
- A nearby electrical plug is helpful. Dr. Truli brings extra lighting, but may need to plug it in (it has battery back up, but as a back up for the back up it plugs in.) Some pets need to be shaved or need other work done that requires electrical instruments
- Make sure any hyper or nosy disruptive pets are kept away from the exam area.
- Pay special attention to your environment as scented products can interfere with the physical exam.
Tru Tip
Certain infections, especially in the ears can be identified by scent.
What Happens After the House Call?
If your pet was treated with acupuncture s/he may be tired for a day, and then start feeling better than before the visit. This is a normal energy adjustment response to acupuncture.
Record-Keeping
You will receive your text or email receipt. Your copy of the physical exam notes and plan will come via email.
Another Puppy Succumbs to the Bag!
Pet Concierge Service
If you sign up for Truli Holistic’s secure 24/7 communication application, you will receive your login information and your exam notes will be there, along with any information sheets, diet plans, or other resources discussed in the consult.
VetVMD.vetsfirstchoice.com Competitive Online Pharmacy
You will be invited to Dr. Truli’s online pharmacy with email or texted login information (your choice).
Results
Results from tests may take several days to even several weeks (certain skin and allergy tests and biopsies). You can schedule a recheck and consult, or for simple results like a heart worm test result, Dr. Truli will call you.
If you still have questions or concerns, or wish to book an appointment, please call now to get started.
Dr. Sandra Truli Springer, VMD, CVA, CVFT
Truli Holistic Veterinary Services | House Calls for Your Pets
Serving the Greater Tampa Bay area
Call toll-free 1 (877) DR TRULI | (877) 378-7854
or email DrTruli@VetVMD.com
Help! My Dog has Tear Stains on Her Face
Does your dog have those unsightly brown stains on his or her face that make it look like your dog cries all the time? Is this a health problem?
Top 11 Reasons for Tear Stains
- Infection
- Corneal Ulcers
- Glaucoma
- Allergies
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or “dry eye”
- medial canthal syndrome
- extra eyelashes
- eyelashes pointing in, instead of out
- blocked tear ducts
- tear ducts that never formed in the first place
- inadequate lower lid anatomy to pool the tears
Bet you never know there could be so many causes of tear stains on the face. Some are more common than others and some affect some breeds of dogs more than others. Our veterinarians can diagnose the problem.
Once you have your diagnosis, then you can go about figuring how to fix the problem. read more…
Help us Celebrate National Holistic Pet Day
Herbal Remedies for Pets
Happy Aussie Smile
We have a full line of herbal remedies to treat many common ailments like arthritis, urinary incontinence, impacted anal sacs, skin allergies, separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, elevated liver enzymes, upper respiratory disease, and many more!Treating your pets with herbal medicine to complement pharmaceutical treatment or to replace drug therapy offers a balanced, natural option for treatment or a cure. Any time a natural treatment is available for your pet, we will let you know your options. read more…
Hi There!
The Catalyst Council Has Announced June is National Adopt a Cat Month
We support National Adopt a Cat Month!
The little black kitten, Sooty got a new home and some dog brothers to play with!
Check back later. We have a lead on another kitty that needs a home. Waiting for info…
Helping Your New Cat Adapt to Your Home
Most cats feel stressed when they enter a new territory- a new home environment. We can help with feline pheromone to help your new cat feel right at home. It is an all-natural product that humans cannot sense, but the cats sense it and feel right at home.
We also assess your new cat for stress. All-natural homeopathic remedies to put in your cats’ water dishes help with the stress of adjusting to a new household.
With a custom house call, Doc Truli can assess your cats’ environment and help you with flea control, litter pan placement, assessment of traffic areas and cat resource guarding. Call 877 DR TRULI to inquire about a home evaluation to reduce stress and intercat drama.
Join a Clinical Trial
If you are interested, and if your pet qualifies, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials at the University of Florida Veterinary Hospitals.
Doc Truli can let you know if your pet meets the qualifications to participate in investigational clinical trials. From investigational medication for pulmonary hypertension to medication that can potentially delay the onset of heart failure in dogs recently diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, to participation in a study of a vaccine cure for malignant melanoma. There are many opportunities to help extend the limits of scientific knowledge.
To find out what studies are available at UF and see if your pet might meet the criteria, see the link to The Veterinary Hospitals of the University of Florida Clinical Trials Spring 2012.
If you would like to make an appointment with Doc Truli, please call (877) DR TRULI
American Pit Bull Terrier Puppy
Dog Breed Specific Examinations Help You Focus on Your Dog’s Needs
If you have a purebred dog or a dog who identifies mostly as one or two main breeds, we can predict what problems he or she may be facing in the coming year. We now include as part of your annual physical, breed-specific history questions and breed-specific physical examinations for the top ten breeds of dog automatically at no extra charge during your yearly examination. We go over the results with you right away and give you specific suggestions for actions you can take to help your dog. If your dog needs further tests, we can make a plan – with projected costs – and you can schedule the tests out to fit your schedule.
We checked our records, and it’s official: American Pit Bull Terriers are the most common breed of dog seeking vet care in Pinellas County.
See if your dog made the top ten: read more…
Cats and Dogs: Update your Rabies Vaccine and County License
Doc Truli has heard from several clients about dog and cat Pinellas County pet license enforcement. Animal Control Officers recently went door-to-door on Woodbine Street, and requested County licenses to be presented for inspection. Neighbors found not to have current rabies vaccines and dog and cat licenses had their pets impounded. It can be expensive and emotionally draining to have your pet impounded and subsequently released to your care, so please call us today to get your rabies vaccine and license, or to inquire if you are not sure if your pet is up to date on the license.
Why Do We Have to Have Pet Licensing?
Many people assume the pet licensing laws were invented to generate money for the county. Actually, the laws are put into place as part of a comprehensive rabies prevention public health policy.
Did You Know?
Pinellas County, Florida…”has more dogs and cats licensed and vaccinated for rabies than any other Florida County. This provides the first line of defense against rabies, and it results in more animals being reunited with their owners than in any other Florida County. For more information contact Animal Services at (727) 582-2600.”
Who Needs a License?
Cats, dogs, ferrets, sheep, horses, and cattle who have reached the age of four months old must have a rabies vaccine in the State of Florida.
In Pinellas County, every cat and dog must have a county license. To save taxpayers’ money, since 2009, lifetime county tags/licenses have been issued. This program saves paperwork and money by assigning a unique pet license number and tag to your pet. You pet keeps the same “tag” or “license” for a lifetime, while you pay your licensing fee and send in your paperwork every 1 or 3 years, depending on the age of your pet and the rabies vaccine they received. The fee for the 1 year or the 3 year is $20.
What Can Happen If I Don’t Have the License?
Your pet can be impounded by an Animal Control Officer. Impounding means your pet is taken to the shelter and you cannot have them back until you pay for the rabies vaccine, license, and pay boarding fees at the impound.
To get your pet back from the County Impound, you must also either pay an impound fee, or pay a fee to have an intact pet spayed or castrated, and Pinellas County will waive the impound fee.
Impound Expenses (please refer to Pinellas County for up-to-date and accurate fees: fines and rules subject to change.)
Impoundment fee:
Charges assessed for reclaiming your lost or impounded pet:
- Sterilized pet = $50
- Intact pet = $80
- Board per day = $10
If your pet does not have a current county pet license or rabies vaccination, they will be required at the time of reclaiming your pet:
- License = $20
- Rabies vaccination = $5
When unaltered (reproductively intact) animals are impounded and reclaimed by the owner, an incentive will be offered at that time to have the animal spayed/neutered at a low cost and, in addition, the impound fees will be waived. The boarding fees will still be assessed per each day the animal was in the shelter.
Low-Cost Spaying & Neutering Fees:
- Spay – Dog = $40
- Spay – Cat =$30
- Neuter – Dog =$30
- Neuter – Cat =$20
Get Your Pet License(s)
In summary, be sure your cats and dogs have their up-to-date Pinellas County licenses. The County does enforce the law and your pets do have to have their licenses.
References
Pinellas County Website regarding Animal Services, including licenses
