608-834-8118    |    1512 N. Bristol St. Sun Prairie, WI 53590    |    Mon - Fri 8 AM - 6 PM

News

Sun Prairie Pet Clinic plan summary for phased return to face-to-face appointments

  • Client traffic will again be available on a limited basis beginning May 4, 2021.  Please call the Clinic at 608-834-8118 for availability.
  • Curbside appointments will be available throughout this process for clients that are not yet comfortable with coming into the building.
  • We ask that only one family member accompany the pets into the building unless prior arrangements are made to better maintain social distancing.
  • Clients will be required to wear well-fitting face masks that cover the nose and mouth at all times during the visit.
  • The waiting room will be closed; if there are tests or procedures that are needed for your pet during their visit, you will be asked to wait for these to be completed outside of the building.
  • We will continue to use contactless checkout; invoicing will be completed either in the exam room or by credit card over the phone.
By |April 22nd, 2021|News|

Updated COVID-19 Containment Measures Implemented

UPDATED COVID-19 CONTAINMENT MEASURES AT

SUN PRAIRIE PET CLINIC

The Sun Prairie Pet Clinic will immediately institute the following changes to our operational plan in order to support the efforts that are directed at limiting the community spread of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 respiratory disease.

If you have a fever or are feeling ill, we ask you to remain at home.  If you have a fever or feel ill and your pet needs to be seen, please call our Clinic at 608-834-8118, so we can discuss options.

Beginning Wednesday, March 18:

  • The Clinic will be open our normal hours and staffed at our normal levels, though there will be no client traffic into the Clinic building.  
  • The Clinic will be open to care for both wellness visits and sick pets in the manner we typically do.
  • When you arrive at Sun Prairie Pet Clinic for an appointment: 
    • Please call 608-834-8118 to check in.
    • After checking in and verifying what you would like to have done for your pet on that visit, please bring your pet to the doors furthest towards Stonehaven Road. Open the door, place your pet inside (we ask that all cats be placed in a sturdy carrier and dogs’ leashes be removed) and close the door with your pet inside. Please remain with your pet until a staff member comes to retrieve them.
    • Our staff will call you with discharge instructions and for payment.
  • Our staff may be wearing a mask, gloves, or both; this is being done for your safety as well as the safety of our staff.
  • You have the option of leaving and returning later to pick up your pet or waiting for your pet outside the building.
  • After the exam is completed we will communicate the findings to you directly; this can be done over the phone, by text, or email.  
  • After care is completed we will accept payment with our usual methods (credit card, cash, or check).  Your receipt will be left in our vestibule or emailed to you based on your preference.  
  • If you are not comfortable having your pet treated without you in attendance, we ask that you to reschedule your pet’s appointment to a later date. 
  • Surgery patients will continue to be admitted between 7:30 AM and 8:15 AM.  Discharge times will continue to be determined through the day based on the order the surgeries are completed.
  • Clients that are picking up medications and prescription diets are encouraged to call ahead, so we know to expect you.  Medication or food will be placed in the appropriately labeled vestibule after payment has been taken over the phone.
By |March 18th, 2020|News|

Coronavirus Containment Efforts at Sun Prairie Pet Clinic

Update On Sun Prairie Pet Clinic 

Protocol Changes with COVID-19 Outbreak

Containment Efforts

Monday, March 16th, 2020

There is a considerable amount of concern and anxiety surrounding the recently-identified, novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 respiratory disease that it causes in people.  Available information and communication surrounding COVID-19 is constantly evolving, leading to rapidly changing recommendations and procedures.

Our veterinary staff has an obligation to protect and promote public health, as well as the wellness of our canine and feline family members, and we do not take this lightly.   At this time, there is no information to indicate that our dogs and cats can contract the respiratory disease associated with the novel coronavirus.  We have decided to take measures to slow the transmission of this coronavirus through the people in our community.

The staff at the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic, Inc. has been monitoring all of the available information regarding COVID-19 in both people and our canine and feline family members.  Based on current information and recommendations, we will implement the following changes in our operations to keep us in alignment with recommendations from the CDC as well as the Wisconsin Department of Public Health and the Dane County Department of Public Health.

If You Have Tested Positive for COVID-19 or If You Have a Fever:

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you should be following state-mandated self-quarantine procedures, and as such you should stay home.  Please do not visit our clinic if you have a fever, cough, or cold and flu-like symptoms.  This is appropriate to follow under typical situations and especially under the current fears of COVID-19.

If you are positive or are feeling ill and your pet needs to be seen, please call the us at 608-834-8118, and we can discuss options that are available to have your pet seen and treated.

New Procedures When You Come to Visit Sun Prairie Pet Clinic:

Based on current recommendations we will be working to increase social distancing and decrease foot traffic though the clinic:

  • We will be asking our patients to be accompanied by only one family member.  If you need assistance with your pet, or if you have multiple pets, please let us know and we can have staff members help with your visit.
  • When in the exam room we will be recommending that handling of your pet for his or her examination be performed by our staff.  This is being done to maintain the recommended distance between people as put forward by the CDC and Dane County Public Health.  The examination can be done in the exam room, though optimally this would be done out of the exam room in the treatment area.  It is important that you know that your pet will NOT be taken from the exam room for any reason without your permission.

If You Have an Appointment and Need to Reschedule:

Simply call the clinic, and we can find an alternate time and date for your visit.  There are no penalties for cancellations or rescheduled appointments.

If You Have Concerns About Public Spaces and You Need to Come with Your Pet to the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic:

Know that in addition to our already thorough cleaning procedures, we have initiated additional steps to increase the scope of our cleaning with the current coronavirus concerns.

We recognize that some individuals may not feel comfortable interacting with people in public at this time.  If this is the case, but you still need to have your pet seen at the clinic, we will have disposable masks and hand sanitizers available for your use upon request.

Additionally, we can bring your pet into the clinic for their visit from your vehicle if you prefer.  You have the flexibility to remain outside the clinic; our staff can communicate with you outside or by phone.

Finally, we have the capability of having your pet’s care performed without you present by having you drop off your pet with us and having you come back later in the day.

Local Awareness:

At this time there have been 5 confirmed cases of coronavirus in people in Dane County.  Several of these cases have been noted in the city of Sun Prairie.  This has led to high suspicion of additional cases that have yet to be discovered, in turn raising concern for widespread transmission of this disease.

While there is currently no information confirming significant numbers of cases, we realize that this is a real possibility after monitoring the progression of COVID-19 in other communities and countries.

Both the State of Wisconsin and the Public Health Department of Madison and Dane County have mandated isolation of all individuals that test positive for this novel coronavirus.  Additionally, individuals that are feeling ill or have a fever have been advised to not leave home.  Most recently, the Governor has ordered closing of all schools in Wisconsin beginning March 18 until April 6; the Sun Prairie School District extended that closure to include March 16 and 17 as well.  All of these measures have been instituted to attempt to slow the transmission of the coronavirus and cases of COVID-19.

By |March 16th, 2020|News|

Welcome Dr. Stephanie Brye!

The Sun Prairie Pet Clinic is very glad to announce the addition of our third full time veterinarian, Dr. Stephanie Brye.  Dr. Brye has 15 years of experience in small animal medicine and surgery.  Her skilled and compassionate care are a tremendous addition to our practice.  She and her family live here in Sun Prairie, so you may see her while you are out and around town.  Say Hi and give her a warm welcome to the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic!

By |February 21st, 2019|News|

Wow! SPPC named Best Veterinarian of Sun Prairie again!

The votes came in, and the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic was named Best of Sun Prairie again in 2018.  This makes the fifth time in 9 years – something we are very proud of.  Come in an let us show you what personalized care for your canine and feline family members looks like.

By |February 21st, 2019|News|

Pet Health Insurance – cover your assets!

When discussing health insurance for my client’s dogs and cats, I typically have two questions for them:

  1. Do you have health insurance for your pet?
  2. Why not?

Both questions are usually valid because current estimates are that less than 5% of all dogs and cats in the United States have health insurance.

Pet health insurance is a growing industry.  20 years ago there were only a small number of companies that offered pet health insurance, and this led to incomplete coverage and premiums that did not add up financially for many families.  Currently there are now over 10 reputable companies offering health insurance for pets, and the number of pets insured has risen significantly.  This increase has led to refining of the industry, increased competition, better coverage, and lower premiums.

This does not mean that getting insurance for your pet health is a simple decision.  Pet insurance is structured more like car insurance, where you can pick the level of coverage and a deductible (up front out-pf-pocket) costs you want, and the monthly premium is then figured out from that.

There are policies that cover almost all of your pet’s care, including emergency care, routine care, surgeries, and medications.  These policies are quite simple, but can be costly.  Adding up a year’s of premiums can result in a substantially higher amount then you would pay for out of pocket routine care.  Many of our clients benefit from a policy that covers for significant accidents and illnesses, but leaves the routine care for you to pay for.  While this leads to no savings on routine care, it can be a lifesaver in the case of an accident or illness.

Take for example a simple athletic injury, the torn anterior cruciate ligament in the hind leg (or torn ACL).  This is the most frequently diagnosed orthopedic injury in the dog based on statistics, with millions of dogs affected each year.  A high quality ACL repair can cost from $2500 – $3000 out of pocket; with insurance, a family can see 70 – 80% of that covered.  To have a $3000 surgery turn into less than $1000 is significant; while hundreds of dollars is not small, it is a lot better then thousands.

I strongly recommend that pet owners gather as much information on pet health insurance as possible and research the market for coverage and cost that is appropriate for them.  Pet health insurance has dramatically enhanced the care that many pet owners can deliver to their pets, and even saved many lives because of it.

By |October 17th, 2016|News|

Sun Prairie Pet Clinic named “Best Veterinarian in Sun Prairie for 2015”

BestofSPLogo[1]The Sun Prairie Star newspaper has run their annual “Best of Sun Prairie” contest, and the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic has taken top honors for 2015!  I am excited and honored that our clinic has been chosen for this award.  The care that we bring to every one of our patients is a result of dedication and hard work from every member of our staff.  I would like to thank the staff for their tremendous effort on behalf of all our patients.

The entire staff would like to thank our clients, who are responsible for this award and our ongoing success.  We recognize the trust that our clients place in us as we care for their canine and feline family members, and appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate what our tailored approach to veterinary care can do for them.

By |September 1st, 2015|News|

Parasite Threats to our Dogs and Cats

With spring nearly done and the summer fast approaching, we need to be sure we are protecting our dogs and cats against warm weather health threats. Heartworms, fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms are the biggest parasite threats to our canine and feline family members. Luckily, there are better methods to prevent these pests than ever before, with many products to protect against multiple threats at the same time.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos and are life-threatening if your dog or cat contracts them. Luckily, mosquitoes are far more common than heartworms in our state. Unfortunately, the most recent statistics from the Companion Animal Parasite Council indicates that there were at least 21 dogs that tested positive in Dane county this year so far. This means we are on the same pace to have a similar number of cases this year compared to last year, when at least 622 cases were recorded. Heartworm positive cases are frustrating because we have very good preventatives for this disease, all of which are reasonably priced (typically $5 – $6 per month). As a bonus, the heartworm preventatives that we recommend all prevent many intestinal parasites as well, so there is coverage against these threats for the same cost.

By far the most common threats that we face in Wisconsin are fleas and ticks. Although these pests are not life-threatening, they can carry diseases that can cause significant illness including Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Tapeworms, and Ehrlichiosis, some of which can transmit to people. Prevention of fleas and ticks will keep your pet and your home more comfortable and disease-free. There have been significant advances in flea and tick prevention in the past several years. Choices for flea and tick prevention include topical medications (including liquids and new generation collars) and newer oral medications.

The most frequently used flea and tick preventatives are the topical medications. Frequently mentioned topical liquid medications include Frontline, Revolution, Activyl, and Vectra. All of these medications share the same basic formula – the product is applied to the skin on the top of the pet and is translocated from this site to the rest of the body. Once this is done, these products last about 4 weeks. Each of the topical medications that are available have different characteristics in terms of which parasite they target best, durability of protection, safety to other animals, and cost.

Another form of topical medications are new generation flea and tick collars. These newer collars are vastly different from collars that have been previously available. Older collars were a piece of plastic with some active ingredient on the surface of the collar; they were good at keeping fleas and ticks off the collar but not the pet. The newest collars include more advanced medication that has been impregnated into the polymer of the collar. The collars will then release a small amount of the active ingredient with ongoing friction between the collar and the pet’s coat and skin. These products will provide 6 to 8 months of very thorough protection against fleas and ticks, even with swimming and bathing (because the product will constantly renew the amount of medication on the dog or cat). These collars can repel fleas and ticks as well as kill them once on the pet. These collars are incredibly convenient, with no maintenance after the collar is placed.

The newest form of flea and tick prevention are the oral products. While we have had access to oral flea medications for several years, only in the past 18 months have we had medications that would kill both fleas and ticks. These medications are made into a soft treat that most dogs take willingly. Because the medication is circulated in the bloodstream, there is no chance for exposure of people in the home to the medications, making these ideal for homes with small children, though the lack of repellant action is a concern for some owners. These products are also very convenient, with brands that are given either once per month or once about every 3 months.

Intestinal parasites are a year-round threat to dogs and cats, though the prevalence is far greater in the warmer months. Luckily, most of the intestinal parasites that are of concern to use can controlled by one of the other parasite control products listed above. The heartworm prevention that we recommend is able to control many of the intestinal parasites that we encounter, while some of the flea and tick products can do the same.

If you have any questions about parasite threats to your dog or cat, please call us for a discussion on how to protect your pet best.

Dr. V

NEW DEVELOPMENT in canine influenza outbreak

There is new information regarding the canine influenza (CI) outbreak in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest, and it is not encouraging. Information released today indicates that Cornell University, working in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin, have found that the causative agent is not the H3N8 strain as previously thought; rather, the virus responsible for this outbreak is the H3N2 strain. The Sun Prairie Pet Clinic does not know the specific strain of the virus found in the Dane County case. The H3N2 virus has been identified previously in Asia, but never before in North America.

The H3N2 strain has been in wide distribution in Asia (southern China and South Korea) since it was found in 2006. This virus causes a similar respiratory disease in dogs as the H3N8 version, though many clinicians feel that the symptoms are more severe with the Asia strain. The overall mortality rate is similar at about 5%. Humans are not susceptible to this virus, but it has been shown to infect and cause respiratory disease in cats. There is no vaccine available for the H3N2 strain of the canine influenza virus.

With this new information, several new questions arise. How is this virus transmitted? How can I protect my dog? Is there a vaccine available? We know the answer to some, but not all, of these questions.

As with the H3N8 strain, the best way to slow the spread of this disease is avoidance of areas where dogs congregate, good hygiene, and good sanitation. This strain transmits in the same manner as H3N8, with dog-to-dog contact the primary route. The virus remains viable (alive) on solid surfaces for 48 hours and clothing for 24 hours. The virus is killed with a wide variety of disinfectants, and routine hand washing with soap and water is effective in removing the virus from hands.

The canine influenza vaccine currently available provides good protection from the H3N8 strain of canine influenza. Protection from the H3N2 strain has not been tested and cannot be assumed. Cross-protection may by present; it simply has not been tested to date.

After taking all these factors into consideration, the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic recommends that dog owners continue to take the same precautions previously put forward – avoid areas where dos congregate if possible, avoid kenneling dogs if possible, and monitor the number of cases locally to judge risk of these activities.

The currently available vaccine is safe and effective at preventing disease from H3N8 Canine Influenza virus but has not been tested against the H3N2 strain. It is possible that the current vaccine can provide some benefit to dogs against H3N2. Because this vaccine is safe, effective against a serious canine respiratory disease, cost effective, and might help with the Asia strain of canine influenza, continued use of this vaccine is advocated.

As more information is made available, we will update this site.

Click here for the updated information from Cornell University

By |April 13th, 2015|Canine Influenza, News|

Protect Your Dog from Dog Flu (Canine Influenza)

As we are preparing for more cases of Dog Flu (Canine Influenza) in the Sun Prairie, Madison and Dane County area, here are some tips on how to protect your dog.

Tips to Protect Your Dog

If you are interested in vaccinating your dog for canine influenza, the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic has the vaccine in stock.

By |April 9th, 2015|Canine Influenza, News|