If you would like to place an order or for customer service, please send us an email at info@vetmedsolutions.com.
]]>The cotton masks are unlike other masks on the market. They have a patent pending neck strap that is detachable from the side of the mask allowing wearers to temporarily suspend the mask around their neck. Both the mask and fabric are made in Canada from 100% GOTS organic cotton in the company’s two manufacturing plants in Mississauga & Burlington.
“We’re excited to be working with Metrolinx”, says Maciej Wojcik, “It’s another step forward for us as a company and validates the high-quality features sought in our mask”.
Features of the cotton face masks include:
For more information on their cotton face masks, visit: www.vetmedsolutions.ca/products/pack-of-cotton-face-masks
About VetMed Solutions: VetMed Solutions is the manufacturer of VetMedWear recovery garments and supplies animal hospitals. Their products help protect wounds and offer pet owners with an alternative to the e-collar. The company also offers exam table mats, muzzles, and other stress-free solutions for pets.
]]>Your dog just had surgery, and now he’s acting weird. Below is a fact sheet regarding some common behaviours of dogs post-operatively. Hopefully they will help you to understand why these behaviours are occurring, and what you can do about them.
Depression
If your dog seems depressed after surgery, there could be a few causes. One cause may be that your dog is still metabolizing opioids or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) used to control pain during and after surgery. The pain medication used while your dog was in hospital, as well as pain medication sent home, can often cause signs of depression. Your dog is likely to be lethargic and less active during the recovery period.
Additionally, you are likely restricting your dog from participating in activities that he or she enjoys while in recovery, at the advice of your veterinarian. Walks and play must be limited immediately following surgery so as not to cause extra trauma to the incision while it heals. Your dog doesn’t understand why these activities are being restricted, and they may have feelings of boredom or a lack of enrichment. Fear not! It is only temporary!
In the meantime, offer your dog some extra TLC. Extra cuddles, tasty treats and special privileges can go a long way in helping your canine friend to feel a bit better while they recover. Try to get creative on finding other ways to provide your dog with enrichment. Example: Fill a kong with peanut butter* (ensure it does not have xylitol or artificial sweeteners as these can be toxic to dogs), and freeze it. Freezing the kong allows for the treat to last a little longer while your dog enjoys devouring it.
*Check with your veterinarian that your dog is okay to receive peanut butter as a treat in case they have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Panting
Panting or opened mouth breathing while at rest following surgery can mean a couple of things. It can be caused by anxiety. Your dog had a long, hard day, and it may take some time for them to relax and settle. After some time, this should ease.
Panting can also be your dogs way of showing you that they are in pain. It is a good idea to assess your dog for pain if they are persistently panting after surgery. Other signs of pain include hunched posture, vocalization, hiding, reluctance to be held or picked up, uncharacteristic aggression, and restlessness. If you suspect that your dog is feeling painful after surgery, it is a good idea to report this to your veterinarian. They may prescribe extra pain control, or they may want to asses your dog for complications. Re-checks like this do not typically cost extra so it is worth reaching out to your vet. Better safe than sorry, I always say!
Whining
Whining can be caused by any combination of anxiety, restlessness, pain, or frustration. As with above, assess your dog for pain and offer them extra TLC and find creative ways to offer them enrichment while they recover.
Inappetence
So your dog has come home from surgery and they don’t want to eat. For the first 12 hours following surgery, it is not uncommon for dogs to feel nauseous. While nauseous, they are not likely to want to eat. It’s okay to give them a little bit of extra time to develop their appetite. It is also sometimes a good idea to offer more frequent, small meals during recovery rather than a couple of large meals a day.
If your vet allows, you may also offer them something extra special like canned food, or pure pumpkin to stimulate their appetite. Just be warned, your dog may become accustomed to fine dining and give you attitude when it is taken away after recovering!
Prolonged inappetence into the next day and beyond should be reported to your veterinarian.
No poop!
Regarding bowel movements, it is likely that your dog fasted the night prior to surgery. After fasting, it can take some time for their gastrointestinal tract to catch up and produce a bowel movement. However, they should be urinating normally, especially if they have been receiving intravenous fluid therapy throughout the day. They may even urinate more!
*While there are some recurrent behaviors in dogs post-operatively that are not necessarily a cause for concern, it is important to note that any prolonged abnormal behaviour should be reported to your veterinarian.
Sincerely,
Shelby, RVT and retired surgery technician
PHOTO CREDIT: @golden.aerobie, Thanks for letting us use your model pic, you beautiful girl.
]]>While we have a variety of products designed to aid in the recovery of veterinary ailments and surgeries, I do often feel that our V-Bonnet deserves a special mention.
Having spent years in practice as a Registered Veterinary Technician, I have several experiences in which I attempted to wrap or bandage ears. It is near impossible! Aural hematomas and ear wounds on dogs and cats can be one of the more challenging issues for veterinary professionals to treat.
Like many pet owners and veterinary professionals, I have tried to bandage cat and dog ears to prevent flapping and shaking or to protect wounds with many tools! Any combination of telfa, stretch gauze, or vet wrap has resulted in a makeshift helmet that lasts for but a few moments before being pulled off by the patient.
As we often do, VetMedSolutions has come up with a solution in the Veterinary Bonnet, or V-Bonnet. The V-Bonnet protects wounded ears and prevents shaking by gently covering and binding the cat or dogs ears. With a neck tie, and snaps below the chin, the design makes it very difficult for the pet to remove.
The V-Bonnet is composed of multiple layers of 100% Cotton to protect the ears and absorb aural or epithelial discharge as necessary. Additional gauze or telfa can be applied between the patients ear and the garment.
If the ears are being medicated, the snaps allow the owner to undo the garment in order to give ear drops to the cat or dog without having to remove it completely. Simply allow the neck tie to remain fastened while unbuttoning the snaps and applying the medication!
Lastly, it sure is cute.
Sincerely,
Shelby, RVT and master canine ear cleaner
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You know the sound. The sound of slip sliding nails from little paws on tables and counters. It doesn’t matter what material your exam or treatment room tables are made off. They are solid. And for good reason. The idea is to maintain cleanliness in a space often assaulted with fur, dirt, and all manner of your veterinary patients bodily fluids. These tables are easy to clean.
But then, there’s that sound. Little feets slip and slide as they lean into their owners while they stand on the table. Or as they reach up on their hind legs to give you sniffs and kisses. It is also a cold surface. For little animals, especially nervous ones, the cold is not appreciated – I’m sure. For decades, Veterinary Teams have sought a solution.
We have used towels. Towels help minimize sliding and cold, but they also lead to copious amounts of laundry. Laundry leads to lost time, manual labour, and excessive hydro. Towels also don’t please the eye aesthetically. In my experience, Vet Clinic towels are often old donated towels full of holes, stains and dangling threads.
We have used yoga mats and the like. These start out as a great fix! Until the nails in question gouge holes and craters into the yoga mats. Suddenly they become highly inefficient in the way of cleaning. Paper towels break apart, and table spray pools.
We have used bathmats. These lead to a disastrous combination of laundry, holes, craters, stains, and pools!
VetMedSolutions has come up with a solution! As we often do! Behold our Stable Table Mats. The mats are non-slip, non-porous, easy to clean, and highly durable to withstand the wear and tear from animals. In a time when anxiety reduction in veterinary patients is high priority, these mats are a fantastic solution.
Our mats are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a medical grade material with antimicrobial and tear resistant properties. Sound familiar? That’s because PVC is the same material used in hospitals for blood intakes, catheters, heart-lung bypass sets, and a number of other medical tubing applications which must meet high tear resistance standards. The Stable-Table Mat's medically approved material maximizes its tear strength while maintaining a balance of softness to ensure comfort for pets.
The mats are easy to clean with your common table sprays such as Prevail. Please note that Isopropyl Alcohol may cause patterns to fade if the mats are regularly cleaned with it. Having said that, if you get some drip drops of alcohol from use for venipuncture, it should not cause damage.
The mats come in a variety of patterns, including our recently created Holiday themed patterns! Our patterns aren’t for you? You can request a unique customized mat with your practice logo on it for an additional one time only $40 set up fee, and a minimum purchase of 4 mats. They’re great for functionality and marketing purposes. Try using them on your scales as well!
The mats come in 4 standard sizes:
Small – 18x26” (Small Scales)
Medium – 18x33” (Medium Scales)
Large - 21x36” (Exam Tables)
Extra Large – 24x40” (Large Exam Tables)
Be sure to measure your tables and scales to ensure you are getting the most appropriate size. If none of the standard sizes work for you, can also customize sizes to suit your needs!
Why not try out a mat? If they could, your little patients would thank you.
Sincerely,
Shelby, RVT and occasional groomer
]]>Anyone who knows a cat well, knows that cats are incomparable to any living thing that ever was or ever will be. They are entirely unique! They have the most particular tastes, and the most particular likes and dislikes. They don’t like change, and they don’t tolerate new things. Despite their obstinance, by some unknown twist of fate, we have had great success with our cat patients in our recovery wear as an e-collar alternative!
Unlike in people, the gestation period for a cat is very short. Cats can become pregnant and give birth to as many as 10 kittens within a few months. Given this information, you could see how a cat population can get out of control very quickly! Regardless of their wishes, cats need to be spayed and neutered. This will leave them with an incision on their abdomen or scrotum that needs some time to heal. While a cat probably wishes to remain naked for their entire life, some sort of protective measure must be put in place to prevent these cats from licking at the incisions.
If given the choice, I like to think a cat would choose a cotton shirt with an open back (VetMedWear) over a large, invasive plastic cone (e-collar) surrounding their face.
The e-collar can often impede their ability to eat and drink normally. Puppies often gobble up their kibble, but I know a lot of cats who gingerly lick at their canned food as if it has feelings. This can make eating a process easily disrupted. Our VetMedWear does not impede eating of any style!
While wearing our garments, cats can still lick their paws, chew their nails and groom their face as they like to do. When they attempt to lick their incision through the fabric, they do not receive the sought-after sensation of relief. Without instant gratification, they tend to give up quite quickly and go back to chasing toys and eating your hair or whatever means of entertainment they find joy in!
Another frequent cause for hesitation regarding cats and VetMedWear is the common knowledge that most cats are tiny contortionists and escape artists. With this in mind, we have gone through several prototypes to carefully design our garments to be suitable for cats. The unique design with tied backs and a tailored fit prohibits them from wiggling out of the garment.
In addition to all these perks of using VetMedWear on cats, there is one more crucial perk that I like to mention! They look really flippin’ cute in their little outfits.
Sincerely,
Shelby, RVT and kitten schmoozer
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Each of the conditions and/or surgeries found above, could benefit from the use of either the VetMedWear Gown, the VetMedWear Suit, or the Sputer Shirt as e-collar alternatives. They can aid in the prevention of licking and chewing, therefore reducing the likelihood of infection or dehiscence (the undoing of sutures) at the incision site. All the while, your pet can remain comfortable and relaxed.
Hip and Thigh Protective Sleeve – Shoulder Protective Sleeve
Each of the conditions and/or surgeries found above, could benefit from the use of either the Hip and Thigh Protective Sleeve or the Shoulder Protective Sleeve. By protecting only the affected limb, the bulk of the patients body – including their other limbs, can be uncovered. This promotes comfort and a feeling closer to normalcy for these pets. All the while, providing protection to the affected area from environmental contamination, extreme weather, chewing and licking. No e-collar necessary!
Recovery Boot
Each of the conditions and/or surgeries found above, could benefit from the use of the Recovery Boot. Ditch the cone of shame! The boot offers an amazingly affective alternative.
V-Bonnet
Each of the conditions and/or surgeries found above, could benefit from the use of the V-Bonnet! In addition to protecting any wounds, lacerations or incisions, the Bonnet prevents the action of ear flapping while the patient shakes its head. Preventing ear flapping is essential in preventing the recurrence of aural hematomas!
*Bonus – garments can be combined with other forms of protection or recovery aids such as compression bandages, gauze wrap, vet wrap, or drains.
*Photo courtesy of Hart Road Animal Hospital!
]]>There is something about the loss of a pet that is not easily understood by anyone who has not experienced it. For those of us who have, there is an unspoken understanding of the emptiness that is left behind when a beloved pet passes on.
My first pet, a female Jack Russel Terrier named Maxie, came into my life when I was only 3 years old. My parents gifted her to me and my siblings. She was the most wonderful companion for my entire childhood and adolescence. She lived to be 16 years old, and passed when I was 19. Having had her for as long as I had memories, the grief was indescribable.
Last year, I adopted a senior cat named Princeton, who we guessed to be about 15 years old. He lived with me for a year before he passed from neurological illness.
What I have learned, is that it doesn’t matter how long a pet belongs to us, whether it be one year or nearly two decades. Their loss is heartbreaking. The house feels empty and quiet. You look for them when you get home. It takes a long time to get used to. It takes a long time before you can think about them without your heart hurting.
Perhaps the most comforting experience during this time, is hearing from someone else who knows what you’re going through. When someone tells you that they too have lost a pet. That they have felt the way you feel and got through it. Maybe even that they have healed and found a place in their heart to care for a new pet.
Animal Hospitals are full of veterinary professionals who have experienced this type of loss. Apart from their own pets, often these team members knew their patients well before they passed on and cared for them deeply.
An artist name Sarah Brown is among one of those people as well. She created the most beautiful and compassionate sympathy cards for pet owners, so we can recognize their grief.
Whether it be the loss of a cat, dog, reptile, pocket pet, avian or equine. Sarah Brown has thought of it, and created an artistic rendering to share regret over the loss.
The sympathy cards can be printed with an empty interior, with a phrase selected by Sarah Brown herself, or a piece of writing created by the purchaser.
Until the heart has healed, pet owners can take comfort in these cards, and appreciate the beautiful watercolour designs of Sarah Brown.
Sincerely,
Shelby, RVT and pet loss sympathizer
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This is the story of Sara. The four-legged celebrity without whom, VetMedSolutions would not exist. We often get asked about the origin of VetMedSolutions. Just like many stories of recovery garments designed to replace the e-collar, our story began with a very annoying (but very cute) dog. We have heard countless stories of pet owners fashioning their own version of recovery wear using old t-shirts, baby clothes, or pillowcases. While these methods are better than no method at all, the creation of VetMedWear provides you with a superior garment, with effortless high functionality!
Several years ago, the family labradoodle, Sara, underwent surgery and was sent home with an e-collar. Her veterinary team had all the best intentions. They wanted to prevent Sara from licking and chewing at her incision. They wanted to prevent infection and dehiscence (the undoing of sutures). Unfortunately, Sara decided she did not like the e-collar, and that she would do whatever it might take to rid herself of it for good! The perfect height to smash into walls, bang into thighs, and cause a racket by throwing her head around, Sara was a menace. Her family quickly gave into her objections, as all we who have witnessed puppy dog eyes are want to do.
They created the first prototype of VetMedWear and slipped Sara into it. Sara instantly became happier. The garment alleviated her stress substantially, provided her with increased comfort, and allowed her family to relax! Lucky for us, Saras family did not stop there. The family realized they might be onto something. There must be other fur babies out there, trembling from undue stress caused by the e-collar while they recover from surgery. And thus, VetMedSolutions was born.
Each member of the team here at VetMedSolutions has a furry friend who has experienced stress and anxiety. We all aim to improve the quality of life in pets and pet owners alike by providing them with a smoother experience at a stressful time. If you have any questions about our products, we are here to answer them!
As for Sara, she is the beautiful model you see in our catalogs and promo photos! As well, she still likes to cause trouble in the office by wandering from desk to desk, demanding we pet her while we should be working. We don’t mind one bit.
Sincerely,
Shelby, RVT and proud cat mama
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VetMedSolutions is happy to announce a new partnership with PawPrintOxygen. We are very excited to be able to distribute this product across Canada!
PawPrint Oxygen provides 10L Oxygen Canisters for pet owners. This allows our beloved pets to receive oxygen therapy in their own home.
It is important to note that this oxygen therapy is not meant for long term use. It is meant for short term treatment of episodes of respiratory distress occuring in patients suffering from conditions which predispose them to these types of episodes. Respiratory distress can occur unexpectedly, or during instances of overexertion or overexcitement.
Some of the conditions which cause predisposition include…
PawPrintOxygen can also help support pets in transit under the following circumstances…
The small volume makes the cannisters very safe for at-home use. However, the usage does require a written prescription from a licenced Veterinarian.
There are three components to PawPrint Oxygen therapy. There are the cannisters themselves, there is a regulator, and there is a mask.
The regulator controls the rate at which the oxygen flows. They are available at 0.5L/minute, 1L/minute, and 2L/minute. This allows the cannisters to last between 5 and 20 minutes, depending on the regulator chosen by the prescribing veterinarian.
The masks come with 6 feet of tubing to allow some freedom of movement during Oxygen therapy. They are available in 3 sizes. The small size is most suitable for cats, while the medium is suitable for small to medium sized dogs. The large mask is, of course, best for larger dogs.
Pet owners are encouraged to ask their Veterinary Team today if PawPrint Oxygen is right for their furry family members!
Animal Hospitals can reach out anytime for information on how to get started with supplying Oxygen to pet owners directly out of their practice. Or even getting in the habit of keeping a cannister in treatment rooms and exam rooms!
Sincerely,
Shelby, RVT and advocate for furry friends with limited communication tools.
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Choosing An E-Collar Alternative
E-Collar alternatives are starting to pick up steam in the veterinary world, but with so many to choose from it could be difficult to find the right one for your beloved animal companion. The varieties are quite vast; from a soft cone, to an inflatable pillow cone, to after-surgery pet clothing. There is no perfect product out there yet, so the soft cone that worked for your neighbours’ dog, Sparky, might not work so well for your puppy, Bella. There are a few things to take into consideration when choosing the right -E-Collar alternative. Size, energy levels, breed, and species are factors that will affect your decision on what is best for your animal.
Benefits of Choosing After Surgery Pet Clothing:
Whether short or tall, the cone will be a nuisance. The cone needs to be long enough to cover their snout which will cause the animals to get stuck on rugs or grass if they have short legs, or the cone will be so large they won’t be able to navigate doorways without banging into them. Wearing after-surgery pet clothing not only allows animals to move about freely but also removes that cone stress. No more running into “invisible” obstacles, no more loud banging that reverberates in the cone causing sensory stress. Not only do post-surgical garments work for the short and tall, but they also work on the lanky and stout ones. Those with long necks and with thick necks can be the most difficult to size for cones (soft or hard). They often must be fitted for one that is much larger than the animals which makes their daily routines stressful.
After-surgery wear doesn’t just look cute they also serve a very important function in the healing process. By reducing post-operative stress, they are able to have quicker healing times and less risk of infection. Covering the incision protects it from licking and the elements reducing the risk of infection. Choosing the right post-surgical garment can seem a bit tricky if you have never used one before, but it doesn’t need to be complicated.
VetMedWear Gowns
VetMedWear Gowns for pets are perfect for everyone. They have a unique string-tie design that allow for adjustability, so no matter if they are skinny, stout, or barrel-chested, the ties at the top will accommodate them. Our e-collar alternatives are not just for dogs, but they are also suitable for cats and bunny rabbits! Made from a light-weight, organic cotton material it allows the animals to move without impeding on their daily routine. They also have an open top design which promotes breathability to the wound.
VetMedWear Suit
The VetMedWear Suit is another great option as it is also great for all sizes as it can stretch but allows for full coverage. There is a male and a female version, so the suit does not need to be removed for your pet to eliminate. The zipper function is useful if you need to check on a wound or incision, or if you need to apply an ointment or medication.
The Importance of Breathability
The most important thing to consider is breathability. You want the affected area to be able to breathe to promote quick healing, meaning cotton is the safest option. All VetMedWear’s e-collar alternatives are made from a cotton blend. Cotton is a natural material which means it is hypo-allergenic and easy to clean if soiled. Cotton will not irritate, and it is a sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable material making it an excellent choice as an environmentally-friendly fibre throughout its entire product life cycle. Other products may be made from synthetic materials, and most chemical fibres are petroleum-based, which means they come from non-renewable resources.
Not only are you making a choice for a better life for your animal, but you are also choosing a better life for the planet.
By Megan, Sales Representative at VetMedWear
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