Holistic, Integrative & Functional medicine house calls for Tampa Bay pets.
Email DrTruli@VetVMD.com or Text (813) 714-7863
Dr. Sandra Truli Springer, VMD, MS-TCVM, CVA, CVFT, CVTP, CVCH, CTCVMP, CTPEP, CVMMP
Veterinary Medical Doctor, University of Pennsylvania Ivy-League.
Master of Science- Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.
Acupuncturist, Food Therapist,Tui-na (medical massage), Herbalist, Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner.
Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncturists.
Human Animal Bond Certified.
Founding Member of the Nutrition Innovation Council.
Raccoon Attacks are not Good for Ducks
[Scene: Sunday morning. Scared, worried mom on the phone.]
The little duck could not walk, but she could eat!
“Dr. Springer, I’m sorry to bother you on Sunday, but Bo-Etta’s hurt real bad. That raccoon got her and it doesn’t look good,” said Jenn, Bo-Etta’s concerned mom.
I could hear the edge of controlled panic in Jenn’s voice. She is not a person to panic or give up. Yet I was worried this might be Bo-Etta’s last day on Earth. Raccoon attacks are no laughing matter; it’s a miracle the little duck survived at all. Well, a miracle named Jenn.
I remembered her love for any and all of her pets (even all the unexpected baby hedgehogs). Bo-Etta was her gentle, sweet white duck. She and her mate lived in Jenn’s yard. The ducks enjoyed picking at worms and bugs in the yard, all the chow they wanted, a fresh clean duck pool every evening, and the company of two awesome chickens and a miniature poodle.
Each evening right before sunset, the ducks waddled over to their hut, up their duck ramp, and into the pool. Then Jenn closed the door for the night to keep them safe from predators, especially the marauding raccoons. Until Saturday night.
“The raccoons changed their schedule. They showed up five minutes early,” said the injured duck’s mom. “He had her by her thigh. I had to wrestle her away from the raccoon. I thought she was going to die. This morning she can’t walk and there’s lots of blood. Can you come over?”
Bo-Etta the Duck’s Injuries
Bo-Etta lay on soft green grass in front of a pile of corn and lettuce and duck feed. Her orange bill pushed as much corn out of her reach as it took in as she gobbled food.
“She’s eating. That’s a sign she’s not in shock or septic,” I said.
Bo-Etta’s right thigh was swollen and after we cleaned some crusted blood away, she had 2 puncture holes in her thigh. She was swollen and bruised, but not broken. Her internal organs escaped damage. She seemed playful and hungry.
“She’s got a chance.”
Duckupuncture
Duck Acupuncture
We gave Bo-Etta antibiotics and painkillers. We cleaned her wounds. She had acupuncture treatments designed to decrease pain and speed healing.
“She cannot move her leg. If we see improvement in nerve function within 72 hours, then we should continue treatment. If not, then…” I said.
Jenn pointed out,”That drake keeps bothering her. I think I’m going to keep her inside at night.”
Bo-Etta Prevails
As Jenn and I set Bo-Etta in her pond 68 hours later, she touched her right webbed foot to the bottom of the kiddie pool duck pond. She kicked off and waved her right leg in the water 3 times as she paddled with her left leg.
“Did you see that?” asked Jenn. “Did I just imagine that?”
“I saw it too, she’s getting better.”
Against great odds, Be-Etta fully recovered from her raccoon misadventure. She and her drake are now retired to The Dancing Goat Farm, far out of the reach of the raccoon’s schemes.
Duck Hospital Room
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…
A Flea and Tick Collar that Works!
Seresto – designed for excellent mileage
Seresto is a new flea and tick collar from Bayer HealthCare, LLC. It is odorless, narrow, fits well, comes with a break-away safety function, and light reflectors. It prevents and treats ticks and fleas for up to 8 months on dogs and puppies 7 weeks of age and older and cats and kittens 10 weeks and older. Read more and apply for rebates at www.petparents.com
The Seresto Collar kills fleas. It repels and kills ticks. It is water-resistant* and comes in three sizes: cat, small dog up to 18 pounds, and large dog.
Important Note for Pets in Florida:
If you bath your pet more than once a month, replace Seresto after 5 months.
*Seresto is water-resistant and remains effective following a shampoo treatment, swimming or after exposure to rain or sunlight. Under normal conditions, effectiveness lasts for 8 months. In order to maintain an eight-month duration, dogs must not be bathed more than once per month. For dogs that swim once a month or more, the control duration is reduced to 5 months. (from the Seresto product brochure S13007)
read more…
Comfortis Flea Pill
The Comfortis pill to kill fleas has been very effective. However, the previous pills were FDA-approved only for dogs 5 pounds and greater. What about a teacup Yorkie? Or a tiny Chihuahua? Or a cat?
Finally, the maker of Comfortis, Elanco, has announced the Comfortis pill for for cats 2 lbs and greater and new smaller dog size for 3.3 pounds and greater. 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
- APBT Puppy
Compare Doc Truli’s Top Ten Dog Breeds to the AKC Top Ten
Pinellas County Favors Different Breeds than the US as a Whole
First, let us point out, the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is the most frequently seen dog breed by Doc Truli in Clearwater, Florida, USA. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a Breed, but does recognize the less common American Staffordshire Terrier. Therefore, any Top Ten dog list for Pinellas County would be remiss in not discussing the special needs of the APBT.
The Labrador Retreiver and the Beagle enjoy the top middle of the pack on the national and local lists. The Chihuahua is the third most commonly seen kind of dog at All Pet Care Hospital, yet it ranks only #14 in registrations in the AKC in 2012.
Chihuahua!
Golden Retreivers, Bulldogs, Rottweilers, and German Shepherd Dogs are in the AKC top ten, but in the Tampa Bay area, we prefer Chihuahuas, American Pit Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Miniature Schnauzers in our Top Ten Dog Breeds.
Why Should You Care About Breed Specific Advice?
Why does it matter? Your dog’s main breed matters very much to us because we know, based on scientific research, what diseases your dog is prone to. We know what age to start looking. And we know which University genetics departments run which tests for your dog in order to screen for the problems in the first place. Early detection and knowledge of a potential problem frequently means a cure or a prevention of a full-blown disease in the future!
Call to schedule a breed specific consult today 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.
