​The RAPS Animal Hospital has a new system to make us even more responsive to the needs of you and your pets!
 
If you are a client of the RAPS Animal Hospital, you will be receiving a welcoming email to PetDesk in the coming days.
 
This cutting-edge technology has advantages for you. Through this system and its associated PetDesk app, you will be able to self-book most types of appointments, request prescription refills and access some components of your pet’s medical records. For example, you can show kennels and daycares your pet’s vaccine records.
 
What you won’t see are some of the profound and powerful benefits on the back end – but these robust components will make our hospital even more efficient and effective for you and your pets.
 
You’ll get more details and specific instructions in the coming days if your pet is a patient at the hospital. 
 
Various automations in the system will free up time of the support staff, including the reception team, which means we can deliver even more individualized service to you and your animals!
 
Stand by for the latest news as we roll out this exciting new development. And thank you for your patience as our team gains expertise in using it!

In last month’s (first ever!) edition of the RAPS Animal Hospital newsletter, we told you about the amazing range of integrative medicine options now available at our clinic.
 
In this issue, learn more about manual therapy and how it can help your pet!
 
RAPS Animal Hospital is committed to making animals healthier – and their people happier.
 
We are broadening our ability to meet this goal.
 
Dr. Laurie Pearlstein brings to RAPS Animal Hospital specific training and years of experience in a range of additional approaches to veterinary care. Some of these modalities are complex, but the end-goal is not.  She wants your pet to be as comfortable and functional as possible.  
 
Rambunctious wrestling puppies, weekend warriors and seniors with well-earned age-related joint issues – in any body, one issue or injury easily leads to more than one thing that causes pain as the body adjusts posture and weight bearing to accommodate for the original problem.  
 
A huge area where physiotherapy and integrative medicine shine and where they are routinely employed is in treating and managing pain. It’s all about alleviating a pet’s pain and a big part of this includes being able to address the underlying conditions that caused this pain.
 
One of the ways Dr. Pearlstein does this is through manual therapy – in particular, joint mobilizations and myofascial release.
 
Manual therapy is a very broad term. It encompasses all the therapy that one can accomplish using hands to affect body tissues. Some more familiar examples include massage and chiropractic care.
 
Manual adjustments in pets is similar to that in humans.   
 
“There are different degrees of how you can move a joint,” explains Dr. Pearlstein.  "The bigger sudden joint manipulations can sometimes be overwhelming for many patients. Most of the time, I can employ the more gentle joint mobilizations and fascial techniques to affect tissues and get to where we want to go successfully. This lets them relax and allows me to do more to try and help.” 
 
Fascia is a whole other complex and fascinating interest of Dr. Pearlstein's. 
 
"Suffice it to say, it is so much more than just 'connective tissue,' literally wrapping around every tissue – muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve, lymph and blood vessel – in the body with a tensile strength of 2000 pounds."  
 
Myofascial release is another key component she includes to improve the effectiveness of all the other therapies.  
 
RAPS Animal Hospital is thrilled to offer these and other options to make pets healthy and maintain their well-being. For more information, check out the range of services we offer or speak to one of our professional team.

The RAPS Animal Hospital has received an unprecedented expression of support from some of the world’s top veterinary medicine technology companies – to the tune of close to $1 million!

The extraordinary windfall came from conversations RAPS Animal Hospital doctors and team members had during a major veterinary industry trade show a few months back. 
 
“Our model of community-owned nonprofit veterinary care really resonated with some of the industry representatives we spoke with, says Eyal Lichtmann, CEO of the Regional Animal Protection Society. “The enthusiasm was so great that some of the firms stepped up to provide us with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of new equipment.”
 
These gifts-in-kind are especially welcome as the RAPS Animal Hospital patient load has been increasing dramatically and that is stretching capacity on all fronts, says Lichtmann. 

RAPS Medical Director, Dr. Tom Homer, walked us through the panorama of new tools. He says most of the new equipment are items the hospital had before, but by doubling the number of machines able to analyze tests – hematology, biochemistry and urine tests, for example – it eliminates wait times and allows doctors to get results faster, make speedier diagnoses and therefore get right to treatment conditions – or sending the healthy pets home sooner!
 
There are plans to accommodate many more patients (stay tuned for more big news to come!) but the new equipment the hospital has received is already streamlining services to animals.
 
Dr. Tom, who walked us through the panorama of new tools, says most of the new equipment are items the hospital had before, but by doubling the number of machines able to analyze tests – hematology, biochemistry and urine tests, for example – it eliminates wait times and allows doctors to get results faster, make speedier diagnoses and therefore get right to treatment conditions – or sending the healthy pets home sooner!
 
“Now we don't have to wait for results of basic bloodwork, chemistry, some of the viral testing that we do, and the urinalysis,” says Dr. Tom. “In an event where we have two or three sick patients at the same time, we don't want to have to prioritize getting results while making another patient wait.”

In just one example of where timing matters, the new IDEXX VetStat Electrolyte and Blood Gas Analyzer can give crucial information almost instantly.

“This assesses the acidity or the alkalinity of blood,” says Dr. Tom. “In the sickest of patients, that can really determine how stable they are. It also tests electrolytes as well, so this can give us an idea of if we have certain types of diabetes, DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis – the only way you can actually diagnose that is when you check blood gases. Without this test, we could make an educated assumption that that's happening but we wouldn't be able to confirm it.”
 
If a diabetic animal is very sick, it is urgently necessary to determine whether DKA is the issue or if some other factor is at play. The rapidity of getting this information and acting on it can be lifesaving.
 
In the next issue of the RAPS Animal Hospital Newsletter, we’ll go on a deeper dive into the new technologies and what they mean for the well-being of your pets. For now, we’re just thrilled to share the news that our hospital has increased our ability to get test results and analyses faster, increasing testing capacity by 100% – or more in some cases. 

We have only touched the tip of the iceberg in this report – next month, we’ll get more technical and explain many of the specific types of technology we have. These include new items that improve our ability to deliver the most responsive, prompt and comprehensive assessments of potential problems – allowing our medical teams to act even more quickly, particularly in cases where timing is especially critical.
 
Stay tuned for more exciting developments …

Nine months ago, Boots underwent a sudden and major personality change.

​The two-year-old cat stopped playing with their other cat and started aggressively attacking his own tail – so intently that he did permanent tissue damage requiring amputation of the last 7 centimetres of his tail.
 
Even after he was healed from that surgical procedure, he was required to wear an Elizabethan collar (AKA, the cone of shame) or he would continue to further harm his tail.
 
His personality – once lovable to his humans and frisky with his feline sibling – turned hissy and aggressive.  
 
Boots’ human, Leon, who works with Applewood Auto Group, RAPS’ most awesome corporate community partner, was at his wit’s end.
 
“Seeing him every day in pain, there was no light at the end of the tunnel,” says Leon.

​A total of 135 animals – including 45 cats and 90 dogs – were assisted during the clinic, which was made possible through the support of Vancity Community Foundation and the Leo and Frances Longo Fund for Charity to Animals. RAPS worked with Watari Counselling & Support Services, which operates regularly on the DTES, to deliver the pop-up clinic on December 17, 2023.

​“The clinic focused on examinations, vaccinations, and flea and parasite treatments, as well as other routine procedures such as ear-flushing,” says Eyal Lichtmann, CEO of RAPS. “The response far surpassed what we had anticipated, and was greater than what we experienced in the past.”

​Demand was so great, in fact, that there were people and animals who weren’t able to see the veterinarians during the December event. These clients are now on a waitlist to receive additional help through the RAPS Animal Hospital, and Watari continues to receive inquiries from more of their clients about additional support, says Lichtmann. 

​“We also hope to be able to obtain additional donated vaccinations, treatments and supplies so that we can offer follow-up booster shots and treatments to those who have already received assistance, as well as helping even more animals as time goes on,” he said.

RAPS Animal Hospital has been authorized to provide euthanasias at the pet’s home, ensuring families and their pet a comforting transition on their last journey together.
 
Families facing the saddest moment in the relationship with their pet will now have the option of making that last journey together as comforting as possible, at home.
 
The RAPS Animal Hospital has received authorization from the College of Veterinarians of B.C. to provide at-home euthanasia.

“It is a service that a lot of pet owners want but one that many veterinary hospitals are not able to offer,” said Dr. Regan Schwartz, a RAPS veterinarian and strong proponent of providing home euthanasias. “Being at home, on their bed, with their loved ones, with the smells and sounds that they know and trust, it couldn't be more peaceful. I see it as a gift to pets and their families to be able to offer this to them”  

In Dr. Regan’s experience, families are overwhelmingly grateful to have said goodbye to their beloved family member where they lived, rather than making a final journey to a place that might be unfamiliar or where the animal might feel nervous.

“Almost every family I have worked with sends me really heartfelt letters of gratitude,” she says. “I think the biggest thing and the most surprising thing for people is how comfortable their animal is. That's what it's all about – helping to relieve the suffering of the patient in the most peaceful and stress-free way possible.” 

At-home euthanasia appointments are dealt with differently than routine vet appointments. They cannot be booked online. The client can call the RAPS Animal Hospital and the veterinarian will call them back to discuss. If the animal is a patient of RAPS Animal Hospital, the doctor will already be familiar with the case file. If they are not current clients, there will be a consultation process. RAPS is a no-kill organization and that means that euthanasia is administered only when medically warranted. “I have to do that assessment over the phone and then in person,” she says. 
 
It's not a cut and dry area of veterinary medicine, she says. 
 
“It requires a lot of empathy, compassion and understanding of what the families are going through, and being sensitive to all the factors involved,” says Dr. Regan. “deciding to euthanize a companion animal is one of the most difficult decisions that a pet owner has to make. It’s a process that families need to be supported through with patience and without judgement. I take that role very seriously.”

Putting a pet to sleep is an emotional experience and a heavy weight not only for the family but for the veterinary team as well, and it is cited as a significant contributing factor to the mental health strain in the veterinary sector.
 
But ensuring that, when it is necessary, it is done in a way that is most compassionate and peaceful for the pet and their people can provide everyone involved with a sense of comfort.
 
“It is not something that anyone wants to think about,” she says. “But we hope that knowing this is available will reassure people that, when the inevitable day comes, their pet will be at home, comfortable and as surrounded by love at the end as they have been all through their life. Isn’t that what we all would hope for?” 

​Ayala Dafni Friman is a vet technician and Assistant Manager of the RAPS Animal Hospital.
 
She holds a B.Sc. in Animal Science from the Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University, and a diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy.
 
Ayala has more than three years’ experience as head manager of a pet store chain and more than five years’ experience as head manager at a veterinarian hospital in Israel. In all, she has more than 13 years of experience as a vet technician. 
 
Ayala grew up mostly in Israel, but also in Holland and Spain. She moved with her husband, son and their three-legged dog to Canada from Israel on August 2020.
 
When not working, Ayala enjoys spending time travelling and seeing new places with her family.
 
“Nothing more important than family!” she says.

​Maintaining your pet’s dental health is crucial to their overall well-being.
 
Periodontal disease is entirely preventable. The disease begins when bacteria in the mouth combine with leftover food particles and form plaque on the surface of the teeth. It only takes a few days for minerals in the saliva to bond with the plaque and form hard tartar.

​In most cases, pet owners can only detect their pet’s periodontal disease through bad breath, painful chewing or tooth loss but, by the time these symptoms are detected, the pet may have already had dangerous bacteria from under the gums travel through their bloodstream to their heart, kidneys or liver.
 
Don’t wait until your pet is in pain with symptoms of dental disease. As in humans, routine maintenance and treatment ensures your pet’s dental health – and overall health – remains the best that it can be.
 
Some pet owners seek to prevent the development of periodontal disease in their pet by performing daily tooth brushing and perhaps even giving their pet special dental chews. This can definitely be helpful, but a professional dental cleaning is required in order to remove all the plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth.
 
Your pet most likely needs a dental cleaning if they are suffering from redness or bleeding along their gum line, bad breath, drooling, difficulty chewing, loose or missing teeth or if they are pawing at their mouth. Professional dental cleanings for pets require that they be under anesthesia, as they are unable to understand what is occurring and why it is good for them.
 
The veterinarian will remove plaque and tartar from their teeth and under their gums, polish the enamel of their teeth and assess the health of their tongue, gums, lips and teeth. They may also recommend x-rays, application of fluoride, removal or repair of fractured or infected teeth and other necessary services.
 
The RAPS Animal Hospital has a designated dental exam and procedure facility, with expert veterinarians and technicians to ensure your pet’s comfort, well-being and dental health. Right now, we have an extraordinary special on dental exam and treatments. Get the full details here.
 
Regular inspection of your pet’s mouth is important to catch dental disease in the early stages. Tartar may appear as a brownish-gold buildup on the teeth, close to the gumline. Redness or bleeding along the gumline may indicate gingivitis.
 
A professional dental cleaning removes not only the visible plaque and tartar on the teeth surfaces but also the bacteria under the gums. This eliminates potential sources of infection to the mouth and other organs and protects your pet from pain and tooth loss.
 
Once a dental cleaning has been performed, you can take a number of steps at home to keep your pet’s teeth clean and lengthen the intervals between dental cleanings.
 
Our veterinarian may recommend a plaque prevention product — a substance that you apply to your pet’s teeth and gums on a weekly basis. The product adheres to the teeth surface to create a barrier that prevents plaque from forming.
 
Just as in people, daily brushing can help remove food particles from between your pet’s teeth. You can use a child’s toothbrush or purchase a finger brush from your veterinarian. Human toothpastes should be avoided because they contain ingredients that should not be swallowed by your pet. Your dog or cat may like the taste of pet toothpaste, which is available in flavors such as chicken, seafood and malt.
 
Several dental diets and treats can also help keep plaque and tartar to a minimum. The diets tend to have larger kibbles to provide abrasive action against the tooth surface when chewed. Or they may contain ingredients that help prevent tartar mineralization. Ask our veterinarian which diets or treats are appropriate for your pet.

A veterinarian with an innate desire to help found a community-owned veterinary hospital and it’s a perfect match! Dr. Regan Schwartz was raised in Toronto, and she has travelled the world helping animals – but when she discovered the RAPS Animal Hospital, she knew she had found her place.

Before, during and after getting her veterinary degree, Dr. Schwartz was volunteering in underserved places where veterinary care was either inaccessible or unaffordable.

She did an international veterinary medicine training program with World Vets, a Washington State-based group that helps animals in 45 underserved countries. That was a one-week program in Nicaragua – even before she was in veterinary college.

While she was in school, she went to Nepal just days after the devastating 2015 earthquakes there and worked for three months aiding the local animals.

“The human world was highly impacted and the animals obviously as well, so there was a lot of work to be done,” she says.
“In Nepal, I supported surgeries, general practice, vaccination efforts, and helped to medicate patients at a hospital run by Dr. Pranav in Bhaktapur,” she recalls. His facility was a hospital as well as an animal sanctuary. He collected the dogs in the community that just weren’t good adoption candidates. A lot of them had missing limbs, congenital abnormalities and/or were pretty sick and need a lot of care. He had a whole collection of these fantastic animals in his back courtyard.”

One of those animals, a dog named Zunee, travelled all the way from Nepal to Toronto, where he was adopted by Dr. Schwartz’s mother.
​
“He was magnificent, just incredibly wise,” she says of Zunee. “He was one of those dogs that peered into your soul, highly intelligent, you could just tell that he’d been through a lot in his time.”

Injured cat is rehabilitated and finds forever home.Some Good Samaritans found an injured stray cat hanging around their property. He was limping and evidently injured. Because the cat (who they named Mooncake!) was nervous and shy, it took them a week to gain his trust.

When they eventually got Mooncake into their reach, he was brought to the RAPS Animal Hospital, on Dec. 2, 2021.

Mooncake received treatment right away from the veterinarians at the RAPS Animal Hospital. It turned out that Mooncake had experienced some trauma to his right hind leg, which left him with open wounds and inflammation. Staff estimate that he is about a year-and-a-half old and found that he was not neutered and had no ID. As is our policy, we held him for seven days to allow his people to claim him, but no one contacted us.

During that week, Mooncake received top-notch care at the RAPS Animal Hospital. He went in once a day to have his wounds cleaned, checked over and rebandaged – and he quickly became a favourite with all the hospital staff because, even though he remained shy, he is also incredibly sweet and very well behaved.

Mooncake’s wounds healed quickly and, thankfully, there was no permanent damage to his leg. The hospital team neutered and microchipped him and just a couple of weeks after he first came to us, Mooncake was ready to find his new furever home.

We were so excited to hear that Mooncake’s finders were very interested in adopting him. Once he became available, we called them to set up a meet-and-greet. They had not stopped thinking about him since they dropped him off on Dec. 2 and were so happy to see him healed and doing well. They filled out an application, which was reviewed and approved.

Exactly one month after Mooncake first came to RAPS, he was adopted by his loving and caring finders. Mooncake’s new “pawrents” sent us an email of Mooncake purring and accepting belly rubs only a couple hours after being brought home. It was a perfect match and we are so happy for Mooncake and his new family.
​
These are the sorts of happy endings that are possible because of the huge community of animal allies who support us so that we can save and improve the lives of as many animals as possible.