This is heat stroke. It can happen to any dog or cat in a very short period of time. Within one hour, a car’s temperature can increase 40 degrees above the outside temperature. That means in this scenario, the temperature inside the car could potentially be 125 degrees.

Heat stroke in pets is a common occurrence in the summer months. It most often occurs when animals are left in the car even for a short period of time. It can also occur if an animal is left outside in hot, humid conditions without shade and cool water, or exercised in hot, humid conditions.

If heat stroke unfortunately happens to your pet you should:

1. Get your pet to a cool, shaded environment.
2. Direct a fan on him/her.
3. Take his/her rectal temperature and record it (anything over 105? F is an emergency)
4. Place cool wet towels in the armpits, groin, and neck areas.
5. Transport your pet to the nearest emergency facility or veterinarian’s office.

 DO NOT:

1. Use ice water, submerge your pet in an ice bath, or use ice cubes or ice packs to cool them. Believe it or not, using these methods will actually cause your pet to retain heat on the inside of their body – exactly what you do not want to do.
2. Overcool your pet – Get them to a temperature of 102.5? -103? F.
3. Force water in your pet’s mouth – Provide water for them and allow them to drink when they are ready.
4. Leave your pet unattended for any length of time.

Despite having no tail, this breed has no difficulty with balance.

This adorable cat and these adorable kittens are searching for a forever home. They are each so unique with their stories and personalities!

Open House 2010 in Pictures:

Dave Kerr, Dr. Elizabeth Lauron, Dr. Gale Kerr

Volunteer

Volunteer

Volunteer

Our open house benefits Stop The Suffering because of the work they do with pets!

Stop The Suffering Volunteer

We recommend Slate Run Kennels to care for your pet.

Jennifer with Slate Run Kennels

Volunteers!

Team Member: Wanda

Team Member: Laura

Team Member: Cindy

Volunteer Team Member: MacKenzie

Team members: Mary & Jennifer

Ready for Nail Trims with Practice Manager Shannon

Dr. Elizabeth Lauron & Dr. Gale Kerr

 We had lots of fun at our 3rd annual open house.  Thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered and attended.  If you missed it this year, stop by for a tour anytime and make plans to attend our 4th annual open house in 2011!

LIKE us on Facebook!

Click here to open a PDF flier about our Open House and share it with your friends!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Tour our award winning animal hospital in the historic church building.

Meet our doctors and staff, support a good cause – Grove City’s Stop The Suffering,

Tell your friends!

Welcome to Concord Chapel Animal Hospital

1. Your veterinarian’s phone number and driving directions.

2. The phone number for an emergency veterinary hospital and directions if your veterinarian is not open 24 hours.

3.The ASPCA Poison Control Center number 888 4 ANI HELP

4. A pet first aid kit – They are readily available online or at your local pet store, or you can make your own.

5. A plan – Have a plan in place in case of an accident.

These are some things to remember if an accident does happen:

1. DO NOT PANIC – Staying calm will help your pet stay calm and give you time to think.

2. Avoid getting bitten – Use a muzzle if necessary if your pet’s breathing is not impaired.

3. Call a veterinarian – They can give you advice on how to handle the situation.

4. Know where you are going or ask for directions if you need to transport your pet for further care.

5. Drive safely – Your pet can sustain more injuries or become more compromised if you are rocketing around corners or have to wait for the police officer to write you a ticket.

A good source for information on pet emergencies and injuries can be found at veterinarypartner.com. Have a safe and happy Spring.

Spring has finally arrived!  Flowers are blooming, the lawns are green, and every animal under the sun has woken up from their long winters nap.  The bugs are out too and it is again time to start worrying about fleas and ticks.  There are a bunch of different flea and tick products out there and it can get incredibly confusing trying to choose which product to use.  Here are some helpful tips to help with this dilemma. 

1.    Let your veterinarian and his or her staff help you decide because every family, pet, and living situation is different.

2.    DO NOT put dog flea and tick products on cats.  Even the smallest amount can cause cats to seizure and have muscle tremors that may necessitate a hospital stay.

3.    Make sure you know how much your pet weighs before you purchase the product.  Using a large dog sized product on a small dog can also cause health problems even if you only use a little bit of it.

4.    Flea collars are a thing of the past.  They do not work well on your pet but they do work well in your vacuum bag!

After you have purchased the product, read the package instructions and warnings carefully, apply the product as directed, and keep the product package in case a reaction should occur.  The most common reactions include skin irritation or ulceration and hair loss where the product was applied.  Other more serious reactions may include fever and neurologic problems such as seizures and muscle tremors.  If a reaction does occur, call or get your pet to your veterinarian or emergency veterinary facility.  You should also report any problems to the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378.

Improve your life now … puppy classes begin April 14th.   Veterinary Technician & Behavior Consultant Cindy Luhring will help you and your puppy learn some of the very important basics.  Did you know that every puppy really wants to please you?

Click here to view more information and some photos of recent graduates who completed learning basic commands and leash walking!

Call 614.871.1111 to get your puppy registed for the upcoming classes.  The classes begin April 14th and will be each Wednesday evening for five weeks from 6pm – 7pm for a small investment of $50.00 for the training.

They come in a variety of colors, including red, belge (black and reddish brown), black and tan, or all black.  They make good watchdogs and are very intelligent.  Due to their average weight of 10 lbs., they are ideal pets for apartment living.  The Brussels Griffon breed is usually affectionate and is a good pet for households with children and other pets. 

We have just a handful of Brussels Griffon patients at Concord Chapel Animal Hospital, but all of them are extremely friendly and very cute!

Brussels Griffon

Shelby

Affectionate, Adorable & Intelligent

No great words to summarize the amount of love Sadie brought to the world.

Our heartfelt sympathy to our Veterinary Technician and Certified Behavioral Consultant, Cindy Luhring with the loss of her oldest dog and greatest friend, Sadie.

Sadie shared her love for life with everyone she met.  She often was a welcoming and comforting team member as she greeted everyone walking through the door.

Sadie loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hiking and camping with Cindy.  She was certified with the Canine Good Citizenship Award and in her spare time, she enjoyed bringing joy and love to a nursing home or hospital.

Sadie will be sadly missed by all of the lives she touched.

We hope you are doing home dental care for your pet.  Do you brush your dogs teeth?  Always use a toothpaste made for dogs and never use a human toothpaste as it can upset your dogs’ stomach.  Most dogs learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed.

Most pets also need professional dental cleanings and since they can’t sit in a chair, hold still and hold their mouths open for us, it is a procedure which requires anesthesia.  Leaving the tartar and bacteria on their teeth can cause oral infections which can travel and do irreversible damage to your pets’ major organs. 

Dental Cleaning

Proper dental care is vital in maintaining the health and quality of life for your pet. Good dental health prevents tooth loss, bad breath, and periodontal disease that can affect your pet’s overall well-being. Also, the bacteria from oral infections can travel to other organs via the bloodstream and cause irreparable damage to the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Pets with healthy teeth and mouth are better able to eat a nutritious diet, which helps lengthen lifespan and increase physical comfort – dental disease and infection can be painful!

We perform dental cleanings Monday through Friday every week with admission times between 8:00 and 9:00 am. For your convenience, you may also make special arrangements to admit your pet the night before at no additional charge. Your pet should have no food after midnight the night before surgery. No water restriction is necessary.

Pre-surgical bloodwork screens will be discussed with you and are strongly recommended prior to any surgical procedure to help ensure the safest anesthesia and to monitor vital organ function.

Our dental cleaning includes:

• a full physical exam
• hospitalization
• anesthesia
• record of any dental disease or damaged teeth
• hand and ultrasonic scaling above and below gum line
• high speed polishing with a fluoride paste
• fluoride treatment
• post surgical monitoring to ensure that your pet is clean, dry and comfortable during recovery
• nail trim and ear cleaning
• instructions for continuing dental care at home

To save your pet further anesthetic procedures, we will perform any necessary extractions while he or she is anesthetized. Pre-surgical bloodwork, extractions, pain medications and antibiotics are provided at an additional charge.

Dental Care At Home includes brushing your pet’s teeth twice weekly with a veterinary toothpaste. Do not use human products as they may cause upset stomachs. Most pets can be easily taught to enjoy home dental care. At release, we will discuss the best dental care products for your pet and show you how to care for his or her teeth at home.

Wash and dry your dogs feet and belly as he/she comes inside from playing in the snow.  Treatments we use for ice on our walks and in the streets can be hazardous to our pets safety.  Also, ice chunks can accumulate on their paws and make them uncomfortable and possibly cause injury.

If your pet has short hair or seems uncomfortable in the cold weather, limit their time outside and consider putting a sweater or coat as they go outdoors.

Never leave your pet in the car in the bitter cold. 

It is best to keep your cat indoors during the cold weather.  Many seek shelter under the hoods of cars and if the car is started it can cause death or injury to the cat.

Antifreeze is poisonous to both dogs and cats.  Please be sure to clean up any spills immediately.

If you have a pet that is living outside in this bitter cold weather, please be sure he/she has fresh food and water that is not frozen, shelter from the elements with fresh bedding such as hay and even consider bringing your pet inside when the temperatures get extremely cold.  If you have a cat living outdoors, please be noisy before starting the car!

“Tiger” & “Diesel” would be so THANKFUL to get a new home.

These two orange tabby cats are five years old.  They are both male and neutered.

“Tiger” & “Diesel” are wonderful and loving cats that were recently left homeless and are in desperate NEED of a new home.

If you are interested in providing these two adult cats with a home, please contact Concord Chapel Animal Hospital at 614.871.1111.

If you have love to give, adding a companion animal as a member of your family can be a wonderful experience.  Cats and Dogs can add so much happiness everyday.  These special companion animal relationships have even been proven to have therapeutic properties.  We believe adopting and adding a fury family member to care for is well worth the time, expense and effort.

These two kittens are both female and are looking for a home or homes!  Someday, they’ll make great cats!

The adoption fee includes their spay and anything we’ve done for them up to the day of adoption. 

Please call 614.871.1111 for more information.

We’ll recycle your old items into usable items for our patients.  Please drop off any of the above items at your convenience during our normal business hours.

Monday 8-7

Tuesday 8-7

Wednesday 8-5

Thursday 8-7

Friday 8-7

Saturday 8-1

Cindy Luhring, behavioral consultant and registered veterinary technician will be teaching the classes at Concord Chapel Animal Hospital.

Classes are only $50.00 for five weeks of instruction and lots of information!

Call now to register your student:  614.871.1111

To celebrate and donate to a great cause, Concord Chapel Animal Hospital is offering:

• Free nail trims and ear cleanings with a monetary donation

• A raffle where baths, flea prevention products and other dog and cat goodies will be raffled off!

100% of the donations will be presented to the Stop the Suffering Grove City branch!

Other notable attractions include:

• Animal Hospital tours hosted by the award winning architect

• Presentations hosted by several vendors including Hill’s Pet Food Company, Furminator and The Invisible Fence Co.

• Tutorials on topics such as pet dental care and puppy training given by Concord Chapel’s knowledgeable staff

There will even be activities for the kids such as:

• Balloons

• Face Painting

• An on site Teddy Bear Surgeon for immediate stuffed animal repair

Parking is available at CVS and the Grove City Family Health Center across the streets.

There will also be beverages and finger foods to snack on while our guests experience Concord Chapel Animal Hospital and our amazing staff.

Concord Chapel Animal Hospital

2517 London Groveport Road

Grove City OH 43123

614.871.1111

www.ConcordChapelAnimalHospital.com

Thank you for voting!  We appreciate it.  We will be hosting an open house on Sunday, June 7th to celebrate this award.

Please click on the link below to read all about it!

http://veterinaryhospitaldesign.dvm360.com/vethospitaldesign/Veterinary+hospital+design/Announcing-the-winner-2009-Hospital-Design-Peoples/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/571434?contextCategoryId=47663

Congratulations to Dr. Kerr and family !!!

During our bitter cold weather, Dr. Lauron seen these two black and white stray cats battling the cold weather and snow.

She offered them food and shelter outside and then when the bitter cold continued to linger, she brought the cats to Concord Chapel Animal Hospital to receive care. We have one other orange kitten at the hospital which we’ve been trying to find a home for so we hated to bring in two more but at the same time, we couldn’t leave them to fend for themselves, especially during the weather we’ve experienced lately.

So, we currently are trying to find a home for these two black cats. One is a female and one is a male. They share a great bond and we suspect that they are litter mates or mother and son that have always been together.

We will be scheduling a SPAY for her and a NEUTER for him very soon. We have completed a feline leukemia test which was negative and currently began deworming them and vaccinating them.

They are available for adoption for $75 each or if we can find a home for both together, the adoption fee would be $125.00. The adoption fee includes everything we’ve done for them and will include their spay or neuter surgery.

Please stop in to meet the cats and fill out our adoption application.

View Concord Chapel Animal Hospital:

http://veterinaryhospitaldesign.dvm360.com/vethospitaldesign/People’s+Choice+Award/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/571428

VOTE for Concord Chapel Animal Hospital by clicking below and by SELECTING Concord Chapel Animal Hospital from the drop down menu.

http://veterinaryhospitaldesign.dvm360.com/vethospitaldesign/People’s+Choice+Award/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/573755

Thank you!

There are many treatment options available for our pets. This is great news for the health of your pet. Specialized treatments, emergency and unexpected surgeries and consultations with specialists are expensive. Adding a veterinary bills into an already tight budget can be difficult for many of us.

When an unexpected expense such as this arise, however, there are many options for pet owners looking to budget for the care of their faithful companion.

We are now able to offer CareCredit to our clients. CareCredit was the first company to offer financing exclusively for veterinary care. CareCredit works just like a regular credit card, except that it can be used only for veterinary (and human) medical care.

You can even apply online in the privacy of your own home or we are happy to help you complete an application and apply. Care Credit payment plans can last anywhere from three to 18 months, with no interest; for bills with a higher total, 24 to 60 month payment plans can be set up with a fixed 11.9 percent interest rate. The average credit limit is $4,000.

We all like to share some of our special Thanksgiving dinner with our dogs or cats … but please remember, too much “people food” is not always good. Please do not give your pet any bones. They can splinter, form sharp points, lodge in the throat, gums, roof of mouth or even in the stomach or intestines and can cause serious injuries. Also, avoid gravy, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins and chocolate as these items can be toxic to a pet.

If you are hosting an event, ask your guests and children not to give your pets any “human treats” and to be cautious as they enter and exit your home so your pet doesn’t “escape”. Be sure your pet has a quiet place where he/she can get away from the crowd if they get tired.

If you are traveling with your pet, also provide your pet a safe and quiet place to rest away from the crowd.

Use caution with decorations and pets. Be sure your pet is not chewing and consuming candles, plastic or paper decorations or potpourri.

Just use good common sense throughout the holiday season and do your best to keep your pet safe.

Show your pet lots of love by spending time with them and taking great care of them. If you really must give a human treat, remember that your pet is happy because you are giving them something. They really don’t care what it is and will be thrilled to receive whatever you provide even if it is a frozen green bean!

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We enjoyed having Nicole at Concord Chapel Animal Hospital for the day. Her love for dogs and cats was so obvious. Nicole is a young student who is looking into all of the different career paths available to her where she could spend her days around animals. We all enjoyed the giant chocolate chip cookie she brought us too!

Concord Chapel Animal Hospital offers grooming services. Sandy is an experienced groomer who does an excellent grooming on big dogs, little dogs, dogs of all different breeds and mixed breeds. Sandy even enjoys grooming cats. She’s very gentle, patient and kind with every pet she handles.

Working with animals is a very rewarding career. An animal being properly groomed is another important part of caring for your pet.

What could be more dramatic then being rescue while living in a corn field. This is what happened to this brave cat. But the story gets better as she is then reunited with her kitten, Crystal, days later upon arrival at Concord Chapel Animal Hospital. They have Dr. Lauron to thank for their rescues and reunion. Crystal has been lucky enough to find a new home. Now it is Jewels turn.

Jewels is under a year old. She has been spayed and has been tested negative for Feline Leukemia. Not only is Jewels very playful, she loves toys.

You can make Jewels a part of your family for the fantastic price of $75. This includes her spay and all of her shots up to the time of adoption.

It is a simple and painless process to adopt. Just obtain an application from the front desk. Fill it out and return it. It will take between 24 and 48 hours to get approval.

Please consider making this adorable, loving cat part of your family.

Why to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

by Dr. Elizabeth Lauron

There are good reasons to spay or neuter your pet. One reason is that it’s plain old good medicine to do so. Research studies have shown that if a female dog is spayed BEFORE she has a first heat cycle, the chances of that female dog developing breast cancer are reduced to .05%. If spaying is not done prior to the first heat cycle, the risk of developing mammary cancer rises to a range between 8% and 26%. Mammary cancer in female dogs can be a very malignant cancer leading to death.  Another potential medical disease that unspayed female dogs are at risk for is pyometra. This is a term which means infection in the uterus. Usually, the only cure for this problem is to do a complete ovariohysterectomy. However, the dog can be very ill and compromised to undergo anesthesia with this condition. A spayed dog is at absolutely no risk for developing pyometra as the “parts” infected are not there anymore!

Unaltered (not neutered) male dogs are at increased risk for developing testicular cancer, prostate disease, and certain kinds of hernias as they get older. Testicular cancer occurs in 10% of all intact males. This kind of cancer can be very aggressive if not found early, and spreads to the regional lymph nodes. Prostatic disease can occur in the form of prostatic cysts, prostatic abscesses, enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer. Sometimes, prostatic infections can be difficult to clear up, and are very uncomfortable for the animal. An enlarged prostate can lead to perineal hernias or inguinoscrotal hernias. These hernia problems are very serious and surgery is not only expensive, but sometimes require referral to a specialist. Rarely will a neutered male dog develop any prostate problems as they age.

A second really good reason to spay or neuter your pet is peace of mind. An unaltered dog or cat is much more likely to roam in search of a male, risking death in traffic, exposure to disease, and injuries from fights with other animals. Unneutered mature male dogs frequently act aggressively toward other dogs, and sometimes to people as well. These problems are often resolved when the animal is neutered, especially if done by six months of age.

If the above reasons are not enough to convince you to spay or neuter your pet, have you ever lived with a female cat or dog in heat? The heat cycle lasts about three weeks, and the discharges, howling, and other temporary behavior changes not to mention the stray animals attracted to your property are enough to drive you crazy. Also, check out the overcrowded humane societies, animal shelters, and rescue groups and you will soon see that there are so many animals in need of homes, why would you want to risk your pet having a litter of cats or dogs that need good homes as well?

In the long run, the cost of spaying or neutering your pet at an early age is far less expensive than the treatment/surgery required for any of the above problems we have mentioned. So, I ask you, why not spay or neuter YOUR pet?

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Meet “Push Pop” and “Sherbet” who are cute kittens searching for a forever home:

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Visit us at: Concord Chapel Animal Hospital, 2517 London Groveport Road, Grove City OH 43123

or call: 614.871.1111 for more information.

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. adopt a kitten

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Concord Chapel Animal Hospital has THREE kittens available for adoption. “Crystal” pictured above is very gentle and loving. The orange kittens “Sherbert” and “Push Pop” below are lots of fun!

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Contact Concord Chapel Animal Hospital at 614.871.1111 for more information!

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HINT: One person works in the FRONT DESK AREA, one person works in the BACK and the other is a VETERINARIAN.

I don’t even watch the news and I still hear about the economic news almost daily. We’re in a mortgage crisis with a record number of home foreclosures across the United States.

Some of the innocent victims of these stresses are our silent pets who cannot beg you not to abandon them in an empty home.

If you are having trouble caring for your pet due to any problem, please don’t abandon your pet. Your personal situation can be overwhelming and I understand you may not be able to take your pet along, but there are other people out there that may love your pet for you.

Here’s a website to help you find a pet friendly rentals: www.RentWithPets.org. This website also has information such as how to show your landlord that you’re a responsible pet owner.

If you decide keeping your pet is not an option, please put your efforts toward finding it a good home instead of feeling guilty. You can either work on this yourself by talking with family, friends, co-workers and others in your circle or you can talk with various organizations throughout this area which help find pets homes.

Even during difficult circumstances, please look out for your pet’s welfare. We hope that means you and your pet will be able to stay together or you will be able to rest easy knowing your pet will be loved and cared for in a good home.

Trina Daniels

Enjoy creations by Grove City and Ohio artists and craftspeople including fine art, hand-made crafts, quilting, glasswork, weaving, woodworking, photography and lots more all weekend!  A Saturday Community Parade will kick-off activities at 9:30 a.m.  Hours:  Saturday, September 20th from 10 am until 8 pm and Sunday, September 21st from 11 am until 5 pm.  This event takes place in downtown Grove City.

K-9 Carnival – Grove City

Dog lovers from Grove City, Columbus and the surrounding areas have fun at this fabulous event focused on your furry friends hosted by Grove City Parks and Recreation.  Pet care groups and rescue organizations will be at the event which will also feature plenty of fun activities to keep tails wagging.  All dogs must be leashed and sociable with people and other animals.  For additional info, please call 614-277-3050 or for a flyer to share:  http://www.grovecityohio.gov/downloads/cityDepartments/administration/K9Carnival85x11.pdf

1. Instead of consoling your dog in a sympathetic voice, use a playful and happy voice when talking to your dog. This may help your dog feel confident instead of feeling like there’s something to be worried about. This really made a big difference with our dog.

2. TRY to get your dog to play during a storm. It could be a special toy or a Kong stuffed with something your dog really loves to eat.

3. Sometimes, it is necessary for veterinarians to prescribe medication to help you and your dog cope with a storm phobia. My dog has to have medicine to help him cope with storms and the fourth of July.

4. Some people say their dog does best in a quiet room in a kennel. Some people also report their dogs do better with background noise from television or radio, air conditioning/heat, fans, dishwasher / washing maching running and lights on during a storm. Whatever works best for your dog, be sure he/she has a safe place inside to be during a storm. Personally, my dog does better with the more noise and stimuli I can offer during a storm.

5. Some people have reported using a sound machine and playing thunder noises, and playing it softly, then gradually louder and louder, until the dog gets used to it.

This fear of storms can get worse as a dog ages. Some dogs will throw up from this fear, and some will break out of houses, crashing through windows or doors. Some dogs injure themselves and your home during storms.

If our veterinarians can help with additional tips or with medication for your pet, please contact us at 614.871.1111.

Neal Lauron, a photographer for the Columbus Dispatch and husband of Dr. Elizabeth Lauron, spent a little bit of time with us on Wednesday morning and has given us some new images for the website.

Here are TWO pictures of our staff.  Please visit our STAFF page for more pictures and information.

There have been animal welfare groups trying to make sure evacuees can have their pets with them and other shelters away from the Gulf Coast are welcoming pets.

It is great that the owners are not forced with staying in the city during a horrible storm because they are not permitted to take their pet with them.  I personally know that I couldn’t bear to leave mine behind.

Since we are located in Grove City, OH, we don’t have the threat of hurricanes but we should have a few items available and ready in case of an emergency whether it be a flood, tornado or some other catastrophic event.  Please visit Disaster Preparedness for Pets from ASPCA for some ideas.

Blue Buffalo

Hills Science Diet

Iams Pet Food

Eukanuba

In addition to the original Kong, there’s other products by Kong which have durability and are still captivating for dogs who love to play.

http://www.kongcompany.com/

Most pet owners understand that leaving a pet in a car in the summer can kill them.  Unfortunately, not many realize just how quickly the effects of heatstroke can set in for a dog or cat.

Heatstroke is a condition that develops gradually at first but accelerates over time.  It is very easy for the early signs of heatstroke to not be noticed, and for the pet to be in an emergency situation fairly quickly.

On a summer day, a vehicle acts like an oven.  It holds the heat inside, and that heat becomes very intense even on days that don’t seem too warm. On an summer day, for example, even with the windows open, the temperature inside a car can climb to 120 degrees in just minutes and with humidity, it may go even higher. Because a pet’s normal body temperature is 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, he/she can only tolerate a body temperature of 107-108 degrees for only a very short time before suffering irreparable brain damage…or death.

If you are going to do errands where you’ll have to get out of your vehicle this summer, do what is best for your pet by leaving them home with proper shelter and water, or inside to enjoy the comforts of air conditioning. 

Dogs should be walked in the early morning and early to later evening to keep them comfortable during the summer weather.  Pets should be provided with plenty of fresh, clean, cool water.  They should also be provided with shade.  They should be check upon frequently to make sure they are not too hot, especially if they are left outside.

The typical signs of heatstroke are:
-Panting
-High body temperature
-Dehydration
-Red mouth/eye membranes
-Rapid, irregular heart rate
-Diarrhea
-Weakness, looking dazed
-Coma

A heatstroke is an emergency situation where your pet needs immediate medical attention.

Signs of flea-bite allergy result from hypersensitivity (allergy) to flea saliva. In an allergic dog, the bite of a single flea may cause a serious problem. Extensive skin damage may result from biting and scratching, causing areas of hair loss and sores, frequently seen at the base of the tail. Although flea-bite allergy can be controlled with medication, the best treatment is to protect your pet from flea bites with products one of today’s prescription products available, such as Advantix.

Flea allergies are most common in late summer and fall in areas with cold winters and warm summers. In warm climates or in heated flea-infested houses, flea allergy may occur throughout the year. Treatment of the environment as well as the pet is important, because fleas spend most of their time in the environment, and not on the dog or cat.

Flea allergies usually worsen as animals age. Signs may begin earlier in the flea season and last longer. Also skin reactions generally become more severe. Treatment includes flea control on the pet and in the environment and suppression of the allergic reaction. Corticosteroids, food supplements, and antihistamines may be used in acute flare-ups, the veterinarian will recommend the best course of treatment for your dog or cat.

My heart goes out to this client who is struggling with making this decision and with this illness with her pet.

There’s no easy answer or easy way to make the decision. The client lives with the pet every day and is the one who knows the pet‘s quality of life better than anybody. Each situation is different and the answer is often different for each one of us.

Anyone who has ever loved a pet dreads this decision. It is very difficult and painful. We all beg for our animals to pass peacefully in their sleep. This is the hardest decision we make when it comes to our pets. It never gets any easier. We can offer your advice and support but no one can make the decision for you.

Everyone makes the decision a little differently. Some pet lovers do not wait until their pet’s discomfort becomes chronic and they choose euthanasia much sooner than others. Some owners wait until their pet has stopped eating or has lost interest in normal things that they typically love to do. Some wait until there’s no doubt the time is at hand while others select euthanasia upon diagnosis of an illness.

There’s no absolute rule, and every method for deciding is right for some pets and some owners. As you live life with an terminally ill pet or geriatric pet, you enjoy each and every day and you do the best you can.

The advances in veterinary medicine have made the decisions even more difficult for many people. We can keep a seriously ill pet comfortable and even offer treatments such as chemotherapy. If you can have a realistic expectation that a course of treatment will improve your pet‘s life — rather than simply prolong it — then those options should be considered. But you must also ask yourself: Am I doing right by my pet, or am I just holding on because I can’t bear to say goodbye?

Choosing to end a pet‘s suffering is often the final act of love we can give to our beloved pet.

Trina Daniels

Some bathing tips and precautions:

Bathing our pets can be difficult. We need to be sure they are not slipping and falling when in the bathtub. It can also be difficult on our backs and it can create a large mess to clean up.

Pets need to be brushed prior to bathing. This is to help keep mats from forming and to get any mats out prior to bathing. Bathing a pet with mats will only make the mats worse.

Keep the water and soap out of their ears and eyes. When we bathe a pet, your pets ears are protected with cotton balls and your pets eyes are protected with a safe lubricant.

If pets are bathed too frequently or with the wrong type of shampoo for your pets coat condition, then the skin and coat loose its protective characters. Pet shampoos can be a tool the veterinarian chooses to use to help with different diseases, skin and coat conditions. One of the safe shampoos we use is: eZall Dog and Cat Shampoo
Please remember not to use human shampoo or soaps on your pet and always use caution when using a new product for the first time.

Have all of your products together that you’ll need for the bath such as the brush, a pitcher or a pet shower attachment, a large plastic cup, shampoo, conditioner, cotton balls and towels. Put on some relaxing music and make the bath an enjoyable experience. Allow time for the bath and for the necessary clean up afterwards. Give your pet praise and a treat when everything is finished!

If you don’t want the mess at home and you’d like for us to help you keep your pet clean, give us a call at 614.871.1111 to schedule your pets BATH appointment.

While it is not typical for the veterinarians to see a rat, there was a situation where a family brought in their pet rat for treatment. I’ve never been around a rat and never thought about a rat as a pet until I seen this little boy with big brown eyes staring at me with tears running down his face saying … “will the doctor help Fred?”.

It doesn’t matter if you are a dog person or a cat person, or if your favorite is a rat, a goat or a horse, there’s something special about a human who loves an animal.

Please remember to take great care of your pets during this winter snow storm. The severe weather can be just as dangerous to your pets as it is to us.

If your dog or cat is use to being inside and comfortable, you’ll need to use extra caution when letting them outside in this snow which has blanketed central Ohio. Since we have blowing wind and drifting snow, it is a good idea to go out with your pet and stay out with your dog or cat. If that isn’t possible, only leave your pet outdoors for a brief period of time. If you live near an open body of water, such as a pond, be sure to keep your dog on a leash or off of the snow covered pond which may not be frozen solid.

If your pet lives outside, he/she needs to have a solid structure for shelter. It needs to protect your pet from the elements and ideally be elevated to keep moisture out. It should have clean and dry bedding too. Obviously, you’ll want to be sure your pet has plenty of fresh water too. Cats are quick to snuggle up under the hood of a car. To avoid a potentially fatal situation, be sure to tap on the hood of your car, prior to starting it, if you suspect a cat could be seeking shelter there.

If your pet is very young, older or has health conditions, these things can contribute to your pets ability to tolerate the cold weather. If you have any questions about your pet and the weather, please call and make an appointment to talk with one of our veterinarians, Dr Kerr or Dr Lauron.

When your pet comes back inside, be sure to dry their body and wipe their feet. This will keep them from licking their paws and digesting the salt and can keep their pads from getting raw or chapped.

Put some extra loving thoughts to your pet care during this snow storm to keep your pet healthy! It can be a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the snow, romp and play in it and then curl up together in the warmth of your home with a great book.

Studies have shown health benefits for people of all ages such as reducing stress levels, improving well being, lowering cholesterol, reducing depression and lowering blood pressure. Pets also provide social interaction, comfort, acceptance and independence.

I’ve seen pet therapy in action in an assisted living facility. The patients were anxious on the days “Russ” would visit. The patients would eagerly pet him and almost all of them remembered his name.

Pets are great companions who demand some attention. They can teach us many valuable life lessons. Pets have been treasured companions for many years.

Pets are healthy for us!

Grove City is located just minutes from Columbus, home of The Ohio State University and our state’s capital. Our convenient location offers easy access to I270, I70 and I71, so we are able to serve those in Grove City and in surrounding communities.

If you are visiting or relocating to Grove City, OH here are two websites which share a lot of information about this wonderful community so you may learn more:

http://www.grovecityohio.gov/

http://www.visitgrovecityoh.com/

Concord Chapel Animal Hospital is happy to be part of the community of Grove City OH.

At Concord Chapel Animal Hospital, your ill pet will see Dr Gale Kerr or Dr Elizabeth Lauron. The veterinarians have a moral, ethical and legal obligation to help you find out what is wrong with your pet.

Wouldn’t it be terrible if you took your pet to the vet … and they did not offer any diagnostic testing and only offered you an option of taking your pet home and keeping him/her comfortable.

What if your veterinarian decided not to mention diagnostic testing to you because she assumed you wouldn’t want to spend that kind of money on a pet, or that you couldn’t afford it? What if your veterinarian decided to guess at what was wrong instead of doing diagnostic testing and guessed wrong because those symptoms could have been for several different illnesses?

What if you chose all of the possible testing available which helped the veterinarian make a diagnosis and a treatment plan that might save your pet’s life or could help your pet life a healthy and normal life? What if this treatment plan was reasonable, affordable and easy to do to treat your pet? What if this treatment plan was really expensive?

A veterinarian is under a moral, ethical and legal obligation to offer to you every thing that she knows is available that may help your pet when he/she is sick. It would be irresponsible to not inform you of all of your options to help your pet.

Diagnostic testing is a tool to help veterinarians determine the problem with your pet who cannot talk and describe pain, discomfort, feelings or symptoms. The veterinarians and staff only know what the pet parents see, witness and can explain. Pets can get as many different illnesses as humans. Diagnostic testing is a great tool to help veterinarians provide quality care to your pets.

It is your decision to do what is best for your pet, your life, your situation and what you are capable of doing. You know what you can do and cannot do for your pet.