Animals get gentle medicine at hospital

If not for the loving care provided at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, Sylvia Gentle is convinced that Phea, her beloved miniature dachshund, wouldn't be alive today.

At 15, Phea has arthritis and a few other lingering maladies. But acupuncture and other treatments performed by veterinarian Sree Reedy have extended and improved her dog's life.

"I've been taking her to Dr. Reedy for probably about two years," the Wesley Chapel woman said. "At first, she had ear problems - her ears were bleeding. I took her to my other vet and they put a patch on (her ear), then told me to take it off in a couple of days."

That didn't work.

"Then I called (Reedy) and they said, 'Bring her in right now,' and they got her fixed," Gentle said. "When she started having arthritis problems with her knees, he suggested the acupuncture. I'd never heard of that (as a treatment for animals), but the acupuncture definitely worked."

At Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, Reedy, a native of India, said he incorporates aspects of Eastern and Western veterinary philosophies to treat pets.

Besides acupuncture, Reedy performs teeth-cleaning without anesthesia and spaying and neutering with a minimally invasive laser technique called laparoscopy, popular because it requires only a dime-sized incision instead of a large, gaping wound.

"There's no bleeding and no pain," Reedy said of the technique. "Sometimes, I don't see even a drop of blood."

Acupuncture is becoming more popular locally, Reedy said.

"It's not common, but a lot of doctors in Tampa, Clearwater and Largo are doing acupuncture and more holistic treatments. We try to incorporate the Eastern and Western (philosophies) for a faster and better outcome" for pets.

Seven Oaks Pet Hospital is located off State Road 56 in the Cypress Squareview plaza, just west of the sprawling Seven Oaks community at S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

Reedy, who previously had a practice in Iowa, opened the office in 2007.

"Business has been awesome since we opened," he said. "In this economy, it's really great. We have the right location and great clients."

Reedy is earning his business. Because he is the only veterinarian at the practice, he is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has gotten to personally know his clients and their pets.

"If you have multiple doctors, the owners see more than one doctor and there could be some kind of miscommunication," he said. "I know exactly what the pets need and exactly what the owners' expectations are.

"As for my practice, I don't necessarily want to grow," he said. "If I'm helping my clients, I'm happy."

If all of his clients are as happy as Gentle, who boasted recently of Phea's health and energy, Reedy should have all the business he needs.

"He extended her life and improved the quality of her life," she said. "They've never once told me they couldn't see her that day, and his staff is just as wonderful as he is. They're very charismatic."

SEVEN OAKS PET HOSPITAL

For information about Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, call (813) 929-4100 or visit www.sevenoakspet.com.