With more than 25 years of experience as a veterinarian, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince serves as a partner in the Elmhurst Animal Care Center in Elmhurst, Illinois. In addition to maintaining a board certification in small animal practice, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince works to improve his professional knowledge and skills through memberships in several organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
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Joel Todd Leroy Prince, DVM, serves as a partner for the Elmhurst Animal Care Center in Illinois, where he focuses on preventative and orthopedic care for companion animals. Outside his dedication to the animal patients at his clinic, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince makes annual donations to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, which operates a Wildlife Medical Clinic in Urbana. Staffed primarily by College of Veterinary Medicine student volunteers, the nonprofit Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC) treats and cares for injured and orphaned animals with the intent of releasing them back into the wild. Student volunteers offer care 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and members of the public may drop off injured or orphaned animals at the Small Animal Clinic’s reception desk. Animals welcomed into the clinic include all native wildlife, with the exception of skunks and bats due to the risk of rabies. In the event that an animal cannot be released due to a debilitating injury or defect that affects the possibility of survival in the wild, the WMC also performs humane euthanasia. In some circumstances, the WMC will place permanently disabled animals with zoos, wildlife facilities, or nature centers. These animals become ambassadors for their species in education campaigns. The WMC currently cares and trains four non-releasable raptors through its Resident Bird of Prey program, which allows veterinary students first-hand experience in caring for wildlife and learning about concepts used by zoos and keepers. Furthermore, the birds also serve as ambassadors in community outreach and public relations programs for Illinois wildlife education. Resident raptors include a northern saw-whet owl, a red-tailed hawk, an American kestrel falcon, and a great horned owl. The WMC also cares for a painted turtle and a blue-tongued skink, a large lizard native to Australia. A veterinarian board certified in small animal care, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince leverages decades of experience to treat companion animals. Through his private practice, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince cares for dog breeds ranging from toy poodles to golden retrievers.
Small dogs, popular for their compact size and charming personalities, can develop health issues that owners ought to be aware of. Some of these issues occur often in certain small breeds and not as often in others. For instance, pugs and shih tzus are famous for their squished faces, but this distinctive feature can give rise to breathing problems. Further, since small dogs have such tiny bodies, they are at higher risk for complications while giving birth. For this reason, veterinarians may recommend cesarean sections for small pregnant females. Though there are certainly health challenges that come with small dog breeds, there are also health benefits that prospective owners should to take into account. Small breeds live longer on average than larger breeds. Moreover, they tend to maintain quality of life well into their senior years. A board-certified small animal veterinarian, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince currently cares for pets at practices in Naperville, Illinois. Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince pursues a professional focus on veterinary neurologic disorders.
When a cat develops diabetes, control of its blood glucose becomes a challenge. Some cats become chronically hyperglycemic, a term that indicates an abnormally high level of blood sugar. This condition may lead to peripheral nerve degeneration, or diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy affects approximately 10 percent of cats with chronic hyperglycemia. It most often affects the femoral nerve, which in turn causes the cat to walk on its heels. This abnormal gait correlates with progressing degeneration of the joints and nerves in the hind legs. A cat first loses the ability to stand on its toes, and as the hind legs become weaker, the animal becomes unable to jump and then to walk. Advanced cases may also involve degeneration of nerves in the front legs, which further impacts the cat's locomotor abilities. If identified early, diabetic neuropathy may be treatable by careful regulation of blood sugar. Supplements of vitamin B12 can also be effective in reversing a portion of neuropathy's associated nerve damage, though only a qualified veterinarian can determine the best course of treatment. Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince treats small companion animals at a number of veterinary clinics across Illinois. A member of several national, state, and regional veterinary organizations, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince has a professional interest in preventative care, which includes maintaining the oral health of dogs.
While facilitating good breath and hygiene, brushing a dog’s teeth also cultivates strong health overall. Dogs are particularly susceptible to gum disease, which can lead to a host of more serious health problems, such as infections of the liver, heart, and kidneys. To prevent such problems, owners should select specially formulated toothpaste and a veterinarian-approved toothbrush to care for their pet’s teeth. They should then perform regular cleanings, ideally on a daily basis but at minimum a few times a week. There are several other ways to facilitate good oral health in dogs in addition to brushing their teeth. Pet owners should give their dog hard food rather than soft food, the latter of which easily adheres to their teeth, ultimately causing tooth decay. Moreover, several companies produce toys and bones that strengthen a dog’s teeth and help manage plaque build-up. In addition to oral care at home, pets need dental exams every six to 12 months. Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince currently serves as a partner at the Elmhurst Animal Care Center in Elmhurst, Illinois. Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince has 25 years of experience in small animal practice as a board-certified veterinarian.
Veterinarians who choose to specialize in small animal care are distinct from those who treat larger animals, particularly horses and livestock. The separation can seem somewhat arbitrary, however, as small animal veterinarians address the needs of countless species and breeds. While cats and dogs may comprise the majority of patients at the average small animal practice, birds, lizards, other reptiles, and various species of rodent are not uncommon, not to mention the countless exotic animals that may pass through a small animal veterinarian’s door at any time. As one might imagine, small animal specialists receive broad and extensive medical training. The approach to helping an injured parakeet, for example, differs tremendously from how a veterinarian cares for a sick German shepherd. Some small animal veterinarians may even pursue further specialties to better address the needs of different species. Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois. Prior to enrolling in the school’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Joel Todd Leroy Prince majored in animal science at Iowa State. He currently serves as a partner at Elmhurst Animal Care Center.
Whether you are preparing yourself for your first pet or have just moved to a new town, finding the right veterinarian can be an intimidating process. Begin by defining the qualities you would like to see in your vet. This can include attributes that range from the doctor's personality to the office's location. Next, visit www.healthypet.com and browse through nearby veterinarian offices that have been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). These offices have been screened for quality of care, staff, equipment, and facilities. It can also be helpful to talk to friends and families with animals and ask where they go. When visiting a veterinarian office for the first time, individuals should observe the cleanliness of the office and monitor the interactions between staff members and animals. Pet owners should ask their potential veterinarian a few questions during the first visit, such as how overnight stays are handled and what kinds of specialists are on staff. If an accredited office appears clean and features a friendly staff, you may have found the right place. Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince is a board certified small animal specialist. He possesses over 25 years of veterinary experience. Working at a number of practices in the northeastern Illinois area, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince provides a wide variety of preventive pet care, such as helping dog owners get their pets ready for the summer months.
During hot weather, dogs need to be hydrated more than ever. Therefore, it is necessary for their water bowls to be refilled constantly. Also, it is important not to leave dogs outside for long periods of time, or they may be subject to heatstroke. Furthermore, a dog should never be left inside a car in the summer months. Even with a cracked window or the air conditioning on, the inside of a car can get too overheated. Daily dog walking in the summer months should be done in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are cooler. Also, walking dogs during this time will prevent their paws from getting burned on the hot pavement. To keep the dog cool and hydrated during the walk, bring along a water bottle. |
AuthorWith more than two decades of experience as a veterinarian, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince serves as Partner with Elmhurst Animal Care Center. Archives
January 2020
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