Happy New Year from Kindred Spirit Kindred Care (KSKC)

KSKC Continues to Define Its Niche(s) Within the Veterinary Profession

As more is learned about different species, ailments, technologies, and therapies, it becomes harder for one general practitioner to know everything and to perform every technique expertly. It also becomes cost-prohibitive for one person to own every advanced piece of equipment. Those of you who have experienced veterinary medicine in other parts of the country, particularly bigger cities, are probably aware that specialty practices and practioners within the profession have become more common.

There is value in having both generalists and specialists within the profession. Generalists know a lot of things about a lot of species, ailments, and therapies. Generalists will almost always know SOMETHING helpful in any animal crisis, which is particularly valuable in rural communities. Specialists have more knowledge and experience with particular types of cases. Sometimes, when we have the option, it is reassuring to know that our pet is not the first such case that a practitioner has ever managed.

Since its inception, KSKC has tried to fill some of the less met needs of animals on the island, such as house calls and birds. The offerings of KSKC are also inevitably influenced by my professional training, experiences, and interests, which are geriatrics and hospice and acupunture and herbs.

KSKC Hospice Offers Pet Bereavement Support

Last year, I made a business decision to depend solely on word-of-mouth advertising, and use the funds to instead expand and enhance services. Thanks to your support, KSKC seems to be doing okay with this non-traditional approach to business.

One of the 2007 additions that I am particularly excited about is the pet bereavement support hotline. I introduced Jeri Gertz last year, but it took a bit longer to make her accessible. Jeri now has a KSKC phone (989-9529) and an email address (jgertz@kindredspiritkindredcare.com). For many years, I have felt priveledged to connect with some of the most caring people on the planet. I try to make the aging and dying process as graceful as possible, but the loss of a companion can still be difficult to recover from. I am proud that with Jeri's help, KSKC can now offer clients in Hawaii ongoing support through their grieving process.

Other Acquisitions and Investments

KSKC would like to thank Mike and Boo Shea for their generous donation of a brand new Avian Intensive Care Unit.

KSKC now has an outdoor pen (constructed myself from PVC, hardware mesh, and zip ties) for recovering wild or domesticated "outdoor" birds.

KSKC has added and upgraded some of its laboratory equipment and supplies -- better microscope, refractometer, kova urinalysis system, etc.

KSKC subscribes to several journals, and has added at least a dozen more books to its library this year. I went to one conference and took two classes at the Traditional Chinese Medical College of Hawaii (www.tcmch.edu) in 2007.

Upcoming Changes in Keeping You Supplied

Once again, it is the way of the world that nothing is as simple as it should be. Vetcentric has changed their policies on practitoner participation. As a results, I will be losing my Vetcentric prescribing priveledges as of January 1, 2008. In light of this, I have been exploring options for getting supplies to patients. Most likely, I will be suggesting different suppliers depending on your pet's needs.

• ThePetDrugs seems to be a reasonable source for basic conventional pet prescriptions -- heartworm preventives, flea and tick preventives, shampoos, ear cleaners, etc. They are located in California and offer Priority Mail shipping (free shipping on orders >$100.) so shipping should be reasonably cheap and timely.
• Vetcentric claims that they will be offering a new and comparable prescription service called MyVetStorePlus; however, details have yet to be disclosed. Based on changes to their shipping policy over the past several months, I suspect that prices of products and shipping will go up with this new branch of the company. Still, I will keep an eye on it as the company does offer a wide range of products.
• KSKC will continue to maintain an inventory of Chinese herbal formulas for its patients. I have also started to add products (Adequan, Azodyl, Epakitin, etc.) that I believe in. I do not want inconvenience getting these products to interfere with patients benefiting from them.
• Island Pet Supply in the building mauka of Home Depot in Kona has graciously agreed to carry certain over-the-counter products (Zymox, tapeworm tablets) and shampoos (Biogroom protein/lanolin, Biogroom tar-sulfur) at my request.
• Keauhou Veterinary Hospital on Walua Road is willing to sell prescription diets and other pharmaceuticals and supplies to KSKC clients WITH A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION. This means that you need to get in touch with me BEFOREhand.
• Some prescriptions can be filled at local (human) pharmacies.
• Health food and drugs stores carry many (human) over-the-counter and (western) herbal supplies.
• Only Natural Pet Store seems to be a reputable source for western herbal pet supplements and products.
• There are two compounding pharmacies on the island (Malama Compounding in Kealakekua and Ponahawai Pharmacy in Hilo). They can create flavorful or creative solutions for pets (especially cats and birds) that are difficult to medicate. Examples include flavored liquids or transdermal gels.

It is a time-consuming and ongoing effort to keep patients supplied with appropriate and sometimes necessary prescriptions, diets, supplements, and herbal formulas, especially practicing integrative medicine where there is not a single supplier of everything, and practicing on an island where shipping is expensive and expedited shipping is really expensive. Anticipating your pets needs whenever possible will maximize my efficiency and minimize your costs.

shannon

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