In 2001 I moved to Corpus Christi, TX with 10 ferrets in tow. Looking
around I found a wonderful vet, who also was the weasel doc at the
local aquarium. Thrilled, I began using his services immediately. It
wasn't long, however, before he retired, leaving not only me, but the
entire area without a ferret vet. Who would we call in an emergency?
Everything pointed in one direction -- north. To Houston. The Gulf
Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS) was a wonderful specialty vet
clinic with a wonderful ferret vet. Dr. Natalie Antinoff is the
Director and a Staff Veterinarian of Gulf Coast Avian & Exotics, a
division of Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists.
With 10 ferrets someone always needs treating, so I made an appointment
for a few. And, as always, as I am leaving, something else crops up and
I end up taking a few more than expected. On arrival I explained that
I had brought more than planned and didn't expect them all to be seen.
Truth be told, I may have had all 10 with me. At some point, it is just
easier to take them all than to split them up.
The front office staff very graciously said they would check and see if
Dr. Antinoff would be able to look at a couple more than expected. She
agreed. That was a nice surprise. They placed us in an exam room to
wait for her. Shortly, Dr. Antinoff and an assistant arrived.
Walking into the room was a pretty young woman with happy eyes and a
surgical mask. "Hi. I'm Dr. Antinoff. I hope you'll excuse the mask.
I am allergic to ferrets and it is particularly bad today." Whoa!
Allergic to ferrets? And you are a ferret vet? Yup. I had heard that
she was allergic to ferrets, but it didn't really register. And, here
she was, having a bad allergy day and still willing to add to the
number of little fuzzbutts she was examining. Impressed again.
After completing the visit, Dr. Antinoff surprised me again. I expected
a high exam fee for each of the ferrets and also knew the lab fees and
possible medications and injections would add up. But, she said to me,
"I am going to charge you the group fee since I saw so many ferrets."
Huh? Group fee? I didn't see that on the website! This vet was not only
interested in the ferrets, but recognized the cost of quality care and
worked to make it not be a burden to the owner. Will she ever stop
surprising me?
That was the first of many experiences I had with Dr. Antinoff. And,
now, you can experience her, too. An expert in ferret care, Dr.
Antinoff also has vast experience with the treatment of cancers in
ferrets. Within their practice is also an oncology clinic, keeping
radiation and chemotherapy easily an active part of treatment. The IFC
is pleased to provide you with the opportunity to hear Dr. Antinoff not
once, but twice. Come join us as we learn more about "Lymphoma and
other Neoplasms." And, then, to help you deal with them, she will also
discuss "Chemotherapy and other Cancer Treatments."
Dr. Antinoff lectures locally and nationally and has authored articles
and chapters in professional texts and journals. Online, she serves as
a consultant for Veterinary Information Network, a resource for
veterinarians by veterinarians. Proceedings from various presentations
are available to all. To read some her ferret wisdom, visit DVM360 at
<http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/avhc/author/authorInfo.jsp?id=51451>
After being awarded her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the
University of Wisconsin in 1992, Dr. Antinoff completed an internship
in small animal medicine and surgery, and a residency in Avian and
Exotic Pet Medicine and Surgery at The Animal Medical Center in New
York. Prior to joining GCVS, Dr. Antinoff was in private practice in
New York City.
Board Certified in Avian Practice, Dr. Antinoff serves on the
Credentials Committee of that board. Additionally, she mentors
veterinarians seeking avian board certification. Veterinary students
spend time at Gulf Coast Avian & Exotics as part of their elective
rotation. Dr. Antinoff is a member of the Harris County Veterinary
Medical Association <http://www.hcvma.org/>, the American Veterinary
Medical Association <http://www.avma.org/>, the Association of Reptile
and Amphibian Veterinarians, the Association of Avian Veterinarians,
and the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
In 2003, she received the Texas Veterinary Medical Association's
Non-Traditional Species Practitioner of the Year Award. These awards
are designed to pay tribute to individuals who have made outstanding
contributions to the field of veterinary medicine. Recipients are
nominated by their colleagues and selected by the Awards Committee. She
is also a finalist for the revered Lafeber Avian Practitioner Award.
Single, Dr. Antinoff spends her spare time rollerblading, bicycling and
fixing up her house. As seems to be the case with most veterinarians,
she shares her living space with several surrogate children, including
two dogs, a cat and six birds.
To learn more about this practice or to use this vet:
Natalie Antinoff, DVM, DABVP
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists
1111 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
(713)693-1111
Avian/Exotics
(713)693-1134
--
Renee Downs
"Eventually we will realize that if we destroy the ecosystem we
destroy ourselves." Jonas Salk
"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart
It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who
gets the credit!
Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.)
http://www.ferretemergency.org
[Posted in FML 6974]
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