What is a Monoclonal Anitbody?
Antibodies are produced naturally by your body and help the immune system recognize antigens (foreign material) such as bacteria and viruses that cause disease, and mark them for destruction. Like your body’s own antibodies, monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins that provide targeted therapy. The word “monoclonal” refers to the fact that the antibodies created in the laboratory are clones. They are exact copies of one antibody. Is Librela safe for my dog? Unlike other pain medications used to treat osteoarthritis in dogs Librela is very safe and does not effect their vital organ function in the same way as other pain medications. Librela is metabolized and eliminated from the body in the same way as naturally occurring antibodies. This means that if your pet has any disease process or changes in vital organ function that may limit their options in terms of what medications they use, Librela may be a great choice! This is also a great option if your dog is stubborn about taking oral medications. The most common side effects reported are injection site pain (similar to that of a vaccination), urinary tract infections and skin irritation. Some dogs feel so much better once starting Librela that we recommend a “Return to Play” plan. Our canine companions can feel so great that they injure themselves having a good time! We will discuss your pets current activity level with you and customize a program for your pet to gradually increase their activity. Can my dog stop taking the other medications that were prescribed for pain? Some patients are able to discontinue using other pain medications, some are able to decrease the dose or frequency with which they are taking medications but starting Librela is not a guarantee that your dog will be able to stop taking other pain medications. For the first two weeks after starting Librela, continue to give your pet their other medications as prescribed and then speak with your veterinarian before making any changes. Is this available for cats? There is a similar product that is available for cats called Solensia. If you are interested in more information about this product for your cat, please call or email our clinic at 802-365-9362 or clinicinfo@westrivervalleyvet.com
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What's a monoclonal antibody and how does it work?
Antibodies are produced naturally by the body and help the immune system recognize antigens (foreign material) such as bacteria and viruses that cause disease, and mark them for destruction. Like your body’s own antibodies, monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins that provide targeted therapy. The word “monoclonal” refers to the fact that the antibodies created in the laboratory are clones. They are exact copies of one antibody. The monoclonal antibody targets nerve growth factor (NGF), decreasing pain signals and making it easier for your cat to move and play. This video shows how Solensia works to help control osteoarthritis in our feline friends https://www.solensiavetteam.com/ Is Solensia safe for my cat? Solensia is very safe. It does not affect their vital organ function like other medications because it is metabolized and eliminated from the body in the same way as their naturally occurring antibodies. This means that even if your cat has any disease process in vital organs, Solensia may be a great option for them! The commonly reported side effects are occasional vomiting and injection site pain similar to that of any vaccine. It is safe to use in cats with other diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Rarely a cat may be sensitive to the ingredient, or develop temporary allergic itch that resolves by discontinuing injections. Our hospital currently has a handful of feline friends who have started taking Solensia. The results have been amazing! If you think there’s no way that you can get your cat to the vet every month (they are hard to get in the carrier or they don’t travel well) please let us know! We have tips, tricks, and suggestions that can help you get your cat into their carriers more easily. If they get stressed out or carsick, there are oral medications that can be used to help make their travel experiences more comfortable. What about my dog? Is there something available for them? Yes! We also now also carry Librela, a monoclonal antibody to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Please call or email our office for more information 802-365-9362 or clinicinfo@westrivervalleyvet.com For more information and other frequently asked question about Solensia, please visit https://www.zoetispetcare.com/products/solensia We will be closed on Monday, January 15th in observance of MLK day. Please plan for food and medication pickups accordingly. If you have an emergency during this time, please contact VESH (413) 665-4911 or SAVES (603) 306-0007
Thank you! This new option allows you to support local while having access to a broad range of options that ship directly to you, with comparative pricing to larger online companies.
Our online pharmacy has a wide range of products available, including monthly flea/tick and heartworm preventatives, prescription medications, and compounded medications. Discounts and promotionals are available on some products, and will be applied at checkout when applicable. Of course, we can still script medication to any pharmacy you prefer, and we still carry a selection of products in house. Please reach out with any questions as we transition to this new model. Thank you! The Team at West River Valley Vet p.s. Please note that emails from our online pharmacy will come through from e.covetrus.com, but please reach out to clinicinfo@westrivervalleyvet.com or at (802)365-9362 with any questions or concerns. We will soon be adding an online pharmacy for prescriptions! We will continue keeping some supplies in stock at the clinic, but please let us know if you have any questions during this transition. We will make another announcement when the website is live, so please check back for more updates!
We will be CLOSED on Tuesday, July 4th. We will resume normal hours on
Wednesday, July 5th, at 8am. Please plan ahead for all food and medications, especially anti-anxiety needs for pets who are sensitive to fireworks. Thank you! The Holidays are fast approaching! Please see below for holiday hours:
November: We will be closing at NOON on Wednesday, 11/23 and CLOSED Thursday 11/24 in observance of Thanksgiving. December: We will be CLOSED on Monday, December 26th. January: We will be CLOSED on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Friday, January 13th we will be open for medication pick-up only. Thursday, January 19th, we will be open for technician services only. THANKSGIVING: We will be closing at NOON on Wednesday, November 24th, and will be CLOSED Thursday, November 25th. We will reopen for regular hours at 8am on Friday, November 26th.
CHRISTMAS: We will be closing at NOON on Friday, December 24th, and reopen for regular business hours on Monday, December 27th. NEW YEARS: We will be closing at NOON on Friday, December 30th, and reopen for regular hours on Monday, January 1st. OTHER CLOSURES: We will be closed WEDNESDAY EVENINGS at 5pm on December 8th, 15th, and 29th. Please plan ahead for food, medications, and exam needs as much as possible during this time. Thank you! It's that time of year again!
Our annual Halloween costume contest will be running through the month of October. "Best in show" will be selected on November 1st, and win a trick-or-treat goodie bag! You can submit your entry one of three ways:
We wish you all a safe and happy Halloween! It's back!
Our Facebook Halloween Costume Challenge for 2020 is up and running! This contest is open to all current clients: cats, dogs, or other! To enter, email a photo of your pet in their Halloween costume to clinicinfo@westrivervalleyvet.com. You can also post your photo directly to our Facebook page or to our 2020 Costume Contest event, or send your photo through Facebook Messenger. All photos will be uploaded to our Facebook page, and the photo which receives the most likes will be our winner! All participants receive a treat for their adorable photos. One lucky dog and one happy cat who receive the most likes online will receive a bucket of treats and toys (literally a bucket!!!). Winners will be announced on Monday, November 2, 2020 by 5:00pm. Send us an email if you have any questions! |
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