Today was a moderately challenging day…definitely not routine.
We met a new patient today—one that would not allow pet mom to speak a word. Every attempt pet mom made to talk to me, C_ was interrupting and adding her 2-cents (barking.) The minute we decided to give C_ a tour of our facility and a break away from mom, she was quiet as a lamb, well-mannered and quite obedient. She had lots to tell her pet mom when we returned to the exam room. I hope she had nice things to say J
My next appointments were double trouble. Both had histories of thickened bladder wall that was identifiable via ultrasound. We were able to perform a cystocentesis on one and the other we had to send home with a sterile cup to collect a specimen. Sometimes when the bladder is not completely filled, it is harder to take a sample from the bladder. It’s amazing what we can see in, on, and around the bladder with the ultrasound. It is far superior than the x-ray for finding bladder stones, tumors and “sludge”.
A few other routine patients were seen thereafter. Our M. girl came for acupuncture for her incontinence and history of seizures. I decided to do some acupuncture points that target her seizures. No seizures or tremors during our session. She was fast asleep after all her needles were in place!
The challenging case of the day goes to the mast cell tumor surgery that we removed from one of our patients. Mast cells are always a challenge since curing the pet means having to resect them with large “margins”, meaning both wide and deep around the body of the tumor. Surgery went well and closure of the site was achieved. This patient also had a dental and unfortanutely or fortunately (depending on who you ask), we removed 2 rotten molars and premolars in the mouth. The pet was sent home with heavy duty pain medications and lots of TLC.
My wound case that I’m treating with honey, if you remember the story (dog suffers from puncture wound that left exposed muscles), well my patient figured out to manipulate her large e-collar, chew off her bandage and rip out the stainless steel staples and sutures in her skin. If there is a will, there is a way. Luckily the incision is healing so well that we decided to remove the remaining sutures and rebandage the wound. Not shortly before we were ready to go home, our lovely patient figured out a way to chew the bandage off again. Unfortunately for her, we had an upgrade for her ecollar. What will she come up with next?
My vomiting patient from yesterday was positive for pancreatitis. She responded well to treatment and started eating immediately after offering her a bland diet. No more vomiting and she went home happily to finish her healing.
Oh, lastly to end the day, we trimmed a Quaker bird’s nails and wings to the likings of her owner…not too short and not too long…perfect to maintain a low flight but not long enough to race through the house. A little here, a little there and she was perfect.
A good day. I’m sure I’ve missed a few.
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Day in the Life of Dr. Chau - Tuesday July 26
(from Dr. Chau - patient names have been changed)
The day started with beautiful clear blue skies, a good sign.
I started my day with a customary greeting from A_, our regular rehabilitation patient. He has gotten so comfortable that he no longer gets up to greet me but wags his tail from his bed and nods me a “hello”. A_, is one of our regular rehabilitation patients we treat twice weekly. He spends approximately 5 hours with us waiting his 1hr rehabilitation session. A_ is our special patient. We view him as one of our own beloved pet as we see him so often and have been through many medical hurdles with us. At the fine age of 9.5years, he has been through a femoral head ostectomy at an early age to prevent against hip dysplasia and recently had surgery to remove a heptoma (liver mass) from his liver. A_, being 114lbs is now suffering from osteoarthritis and has become a long-term member of our rehabilitation workout. He also gets routine acupuncture and laser therapy, both to manage his pain and recently acquired a new hock brace to help with his progressive hyperextension of his right hock. A_ is a delight and the love of his pet’s mother’s life and ours as well. He gets a special spot in our hospital (i.e. my office), as it is large enough for him to spread out.
B_ is one of our “old lady” Labradors—here for rehabilitation as well. B_ looks at me from her padded bed as if to say, “you again” and goes back to sleep. We are rehabilitating B_ to help strengthen her hind end. She used to scuff her rear limbs when walking, but since starting her on our rehabilitation program and underwater treadmill, she no longer scuffs her rear limbs and has good endurance. She has also been through multiple medical hurdles including a laryngeal tieback to help with her laryngeal paralysis and pneumonia. Both A_ and B_ go through similar rehabilitation exercises including cavaletti poles, weaving, stepping up and stretching, to name a few exercises.
Today, we also had a visit from another patient that we are putting in our underwater treadmill twice weekly for 20minutes. His name is C_ and he is a beautiful, majestic Newfoundland. At a weight of approximately 149lbs, he is recovering from a cranial cruciate tear (equivalent to the ACL of people) for which he has had surgery to repair. We are seeing him to also manage his degenerative joint disease of the hips, knees and back through: exercise, acupuncture, chiropractic and physical therapy. His pet parents are making him as strong as possible during his senior years. He looks great and has great mobility.
D_, a jack Russell was also seen today. Down to one eye, she looks at me through a remaining sick eye. She lost her one eye to glaucoma and hypertension (high blood pressure) and now is here for hospitalization with vomiting and not eating. I have a suspicion D_ may have pancreatitis as her general bloodwork has ruled out internal organ disease. D_ has also been through many medical hurdles one being a recent surgery to remove calcium oxalate stones, protein losing kidney disease and management of hypertension. Today, my licensed veterinary technician placed an IV catheter into her cephalic vein and we gave Lactated Ringers Solution via IV throughout the day. We also administered other IV medications including an anti-vomiting medication and already she was looking a little brighter. We took an abdominal x-ray to make sure she did not eat anything or had an obstruction and sent out blood to rule out pancreatitis. We will keep our fingers crossed for D_ to recover as sometimes the best solution to bowel disease or vomiting is rest.
The rest of my day was pretty routine. I spent the day with a 13week old Great Dane that was dropped off for vomiting and defecating worms (luckily treatable). At the age of 13weeks, he is already 42lbs! What a sweetie he is and what great manners he had in our hospital run he was in. Not a peep from him during his stay and treatment. He was fast asleep on our cot when I snuck a peek to see what he was “up” to midday.
The rest of the day was spent on wellness-exams and vaccines including two beagles, and a Papastzu (can you guess what designer breed that is?)
One of our patients, E_, was seen today by the neurologist for an MRI. She was tentatively diagnosed for Idiopathic head tremors (her head bobs involuntarily) and samples were taken via a CSF tap to look for potential causes of possible meningitis.
Our last patient was F_, a geriatric Australian Shepard. We drew blood to make sure his organs were not having any reactions to his long-term pain meds.
We also did several urinalysis and fecal floatations that were brought in for review and answered many refills, advice-calls and made follow-up calls. That’s about it to wrap up what is a normal day here at Family Veterinary Hospital. What will tomorrow bring?
Oh, and a Papastzu is a cross between a Papillon and a Shih Tzu. First one I have seen.
Dr. Chau
July 26, 2011
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive, Ste. 140
Chantilly, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
703 327-8425
The day started with beautiful clear blue skies, a good sign.
I started my day with a customary greeting from A_, our regular rehabilitation patient. He has gotten so comfortable that he no longer gets up to greet me but wags his tail from his bed and nods me a “hello”. A_, is one of our regular rehabilitation patients we treat twice weekly. He spends approximately 5 hours with us waiting his 1hr rehabilitation session. A_ is our special patient. We view him as one of our own beloved pet as we see him so often and have been through many medical hurdles with us. At the fine age of 9.5years, he has been through a femoral head ostectomy at an early age to prevent against hip dysplasia and recently had surgery to remove a heptoma (liver mass) from his liver. A_, being 114lbs is now suffering from osteoarthritis and has become a long-term member of our rehabilitation workout. He also gets routine acupuncture and laser therapy, both to manage his pain and recently acquired a new hock brace to help with his progressive hyperextension of his right hock. A_ is a delight and the love of his pet’s mother’s life and ours as well. He gets a special spot in our hospital (i.e. my office), as it is large enough for him to spread out.
B_ is one of our “old lady” Labradors—here for rehabilitation as well. B_ looks at me from her padded bed as if to say, “you again” and goes back to sleep. We are rehabilitating B_ to help strengthen her hind end. She used to scuff her rear limbs when walking, but since starting her on our rehabilitation program and underwater treadmill, she no longer scuffs her rear limbs and has good endurance. She has also been through multiple medical hurdles including a laryngeal tieback to help with her laryngeal paralysis and pneumonia. Both A_ and B_ go through similar rehabilitation exercises including cavaletti poles, weaving, stepping up and stretching, to name a few exercises.
Today, we also had a visit from another patient that we are putting in our underwater treadmill twice weekly for 20minutes. His name is C_ and he is a beautiful, majestic Newfoundland. At a weight of approximately 149lbs, he is recovering from a cranial cruciate tear (equivalent to the ACL of people) for which he has had surgery to repair. We are seeing him to also manage his degenerative joint disease of the hips, knees and back through: exercise, acupuncture, chiropractic and physical therapy. His pet parents are making him as strong as possible during his senior years. He looks great and has great mobility.
D_, a jack Russell was also seen today. Down to one eye, she looks at me through a remaining sick eye. She lost her one eye to glaucoma and hypertension (high blood pressure) and now is here for hospitalization with vomiting and not eating. I have a suspicion D_ may have pancreatitis as her general bloodwork has ruled out internal organ disease. D_ has also been through many medical hurdles one being a recent surgery to remove calcium oxalate stones, protein losing kidney disease and management of hypertension. Today, my licensed veterinary technician placed an IV catheter into her cephalic vein and we gave Lactated Ringers Solution via IV throughout the day. We also administered other IV medications including an anti-vomiting medication and already she was looking a little brighter. We took an abdominal x-ray to make sure she did not eat anything or had an obstruction and sent out blood to rule out pancreatitis. We will keep our fingers crossed for D_ to recover as sometimes the best solution to bowel disease or vomiting is rest.
The rest of my day was pretty routine. I spent the day with a 13week old Great Dane that was dropped off for vomiting and defecating worms (luckily treatable). At the age of 13weeks, he is already 42lbs! What a sweetie he is and what great manners he had in our hospital run he was in. Not a peep from him during his stay and treatment. He was fast asleep on our cot when I snuck a peek to see what he was “up” to midday.
The rest of the day was spent on wellness-exams and vaccines including two beagles, and a Papastzu (can you guess what designer breed that is?)
One of our patients, E_, was seen today by the neurologist for an MRI. She was tentatively diagnosed for Idiopathic head tremors (her head bobs involuntarily) and samples were taken via a CSF tap to look for potential causes of possible meningitis.
Our last patient was F_, a geriatric Australian Shepard. We drew blood to make sure his organs were not having any reactions to his long-term pain meds.
We also did several urinalysis and fecal floatations that were brought in for review and answered many refills, advice-calls and made follow-up calls. That’s about it to wrap up what is a normal day here at Family Veterinary Hospital. What will tomorrow bring?
Oh, and a Papastzu is a cross between a Papillon and a Shih Tzu. First one I have seen.
Dr. Chau
July 26, 2011
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive, Ste. 140
Chantilly, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
703 327-8425
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Black and tan Chihuahua missing
Please help return "Bella" to her home. A local pet family contacted us about their lost pup. If you happen to come across "Bella", please call the number on the flyer, or call us at Family Veterinary Hospital and we'll make sure she gets home. A reward is being offered for her return.
Family Veterinary Hospital
703 327-8425
Friday, March 25, 2011
Guilty pets (some humor to take you into your weekend)
A little weekend fun from one of our clients. It reminds us that many pets know what we're saying, and that resorting to physical punishment is seldom necessary.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B8ISzf2pryI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
We have a YouTube channel as well
We have over 13,000 views of our videos on YouTube. Subscribe to our channel to get updates on new videos we post!:
www.youtube.com/familyvet
www.youtube.com/familyvet
Friday, February 11, 2011
KEEPING YOUR PETS SMILING
“Pet owner to vet: doc, we haven’t brushed his teeth in a year and there’s something wrong with that?”
Imagine not brushing your teeth for a day, now a week, how about a whole month? The results would be pretty disgusting and unhealthy. Yet pet owners question the need for taking their pets to their vet for annual cleaning, despite not having a comprehensive plan to keep those canine or feline teeth free of tartar and bacteria. Pet food doesn’t contain a magic cleaner ingredient that protects their teeth, otherwise that magic ingredient would be put into human food as well and the toothpaste and toothbrush market would cease to exist. The truth is, most pet owners just neglect their pets’ teeth until often it’s time to have them pulled out. Often this also is the time where the vet discovers that not only do teeth have to be removed, but the pet has also developed a heart or kidney condition directly related to the rotten teeth.
February is Pet Dental Health Awareness month according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. This is when veterinarians nationwide try to raise awareness of how serious dental disease is in pets, and just how preventable it can be. In difficult economic times, pet owners may think that their pet’s dental care is optional. However this is tragically the case of being penny wise but pound foolish. The cost of pet toothpaste and toothbrushes can be under $20 and those supplies can last a month or longer. Annual exams and cleanings are not cheap (often exceeding $400 because they require anesthesia… and don’t be tempted to skip the anesthetic and pre-screening test for reasons discussed further on), yet are still a bargain when compared to treating the many related health conditions that follow poor teeth care. As in humans, poor teeth can lead to heart and liver disease, cause sinus problems, and abscesses left untreated can become fatal. Untreated pain in pets can lead to lack of appetite that then has a snowball affect of otherwise avoidable ailments (like dehydration and kidney problems). Also, as most pet owners know, pets in pain become more temperamental, are likely to bite unexpectedly in self-defense, and in general act unpredictably.
Pets deserve proper and compassionate care at home and at their vet. The AVMA recommends that all dental cleanings incorporate dental x-rays. The reason this is recommended is simple. Unlicensed technicians are allowed to do cleanings of pets’ teeth that are above the gums. However, again just like humans, the biggest problems are not always those that are easy to see. Cursory “dental cleanings” make the exposed surface of the teeth look fairly healthy, but those same pets will have pockets of plaque and decay that are easily seen on x-rays; plaque and decay that have been free to wage war against pets’ teeth and immune system for months or even years. Unfortunately some pet health care providers give in to pressures by pet owners to look for ways to save money, and the result will be that pets will get cursory cleanings above the gums. This saves time, doesn’t require a licensed professional, and may mean the vet or technician skips the costs of x-rays and anesthesia. Again, this is at the cost of a pet’s overall health. The AVMA estimates that by the age of 3, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have oral disease.
Luckily, the easiest way to keep your pet or pets healthy is also the cheapest: start a daily routine of brushing your pet’s teeth. It is easy, and no pet is too old to learn how. Start by buying special toothpaste for dogs or cats. It is flavored so that cats and dogs will want to use/eat it (obviously pets won’t spit, so it must be safe for them to consumer… which is why you should never use cleaners meant for humans!) For the first several days or weeks, just focus on getting your pets used to the toothbrush which is a finger cap you place on your index finger (like a baby’s toothbrush). Have lots of treats ready. Brush for as long as the pet allows you too, usually 30 seconds is plenty, and as soon as they lose interest or become uncomfortable, stop brushing, and reinforce this as a positive activity with a lot of praise and a treat. Before long, your pet will look forward to having their teeth brushed. And don’t pass up getting your pet’s annual dental cleaning. Pets with routine dental care will have longer and healthier lives than those who do not.
Routine annual physical and dental exams allow for vets to catch any other issues early, when there is time to make less expensive behavior changes (to avoid diabetes for example) or treatments (like newly discovered drug treatments that can be effective against certain cancers.) Ignoring obvious problems, like not taking care of your pet’s teeth for months or years on end, will only increase your costs, lead to avoidable suffering for your pet, and decrease the amount of time you have him or her in your family. And if your pet is considered a “senior pet”, which are pets in the last 25% of their expected lifespan (normally above 7 for dogs and cats), they should be seen by your vet twice per year, since they start to experience an accelerated rate of physical changes. February is Pet Dental Health Awareness month nationwide, and many vets are offering discounts for dental procedures in order to help spread the word.
Dr. Hanh Chau
(article written for I Am Modern Magazine by Dr. Chau, Feb. 2011)
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
www.family-vet.com
Imagine not brushing your teeth for a day, now a week, how about a whole month? The results would be pretty disgusting and unhealthy. Yet pet owners question the need for taking their pets to their vet for annual cleaning, despite not having a comprehensive plan to keep those canine or feline teeth free of tartar and bacteria. Pet food doesn’t contain a magic cleaner ingredient that protects their teeth, otherwise that magic ingredient would be put into human food as well and the toothpaste and toothbrush market would cease to exist. The truth is, most pet owners just neglect their pets’ teeth until often it’s time to have them pulled out. Often this also is the time where the vet discovers that not only do teeth have to be removed, but the pet has also developed a heart or kidney condition directly related to the rotten teeth.
February is Pet Dental Health Awareness month according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. This is when veterinarians nationwide try to raise awareness of how serious dental disease is in pets, and just how preventable it can be. In difficult economic times, pet owners may think that their pet’s dental care is optional. However this is tragically the case of being penny wise but pound foolish. The cost of pet toothpaste and toothbrushes can be under $20 and those supplies can last a month or longer. Annual exams and cleanings are not cheap (often exceeding $400 because they require anesthesia… and don’t be tempted to skip the anesthetic and pre-screening test for reasons discussed further on), yet are still a bargain when compared to treating the many related health conditions that follow poor teeth care. As in humans, poor teeth can lead to heart and liver disease, cause sinus problems, and abscesses left untreated can become fatal. Untreated pain in pets can lead to lack of appetite that then has a snowball affect of otherwise avoidable ailments (like dehydration and kidney problems). Also, as most pet owners know, pets in pain become more temperamental, are likely to bite unexpectedly in self-defense, and in general act unpredictably.
Pets deserve proper and compassionate care at home and at their vet. The AVMA recommends that all dental cleanings incorporate dental x-rays. The reason this is recommended is simple. Unlicensed technicians are allowed to do cleanings of pets’ teeth that are above the gums. However, again just like humans, the biggest problems are not always those that are easy to see. Cursory “dental cleanings” make the exposed surface of the teeth look fairly healthy, but those same pets will have pockets of plaque and decay that are easily seen on x-rays; plaque and decay that have been free to wage war against pets’ teeth and immune system for months or even years. Unfortunately some pet health care providers give in to pressures by pet owners to look for ways to save money, and the result will be that pets will get cursory cleanings above the gums. This saves time, doesn’t require a licensed professional, and may mean the vet or technician skips the costs of x-rays and anesthesia. Again, this is at the cost of a pet’s overall health. The AVMA estimates that by the age of 3, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have oral disease.
Luckily, the easiest way to keep your pet or pets healthy is also the cheapest: start a daily routine of brushing your pet’s teeth. It is easy, and no pet is too old to learn how. Start by buying special toothpaste for dogs or cats. It is flavored so that cats and dogs will want to use/eat it (obviously pets won’t spit, so it must be safe for them to consumer… which is why you should never use cleaners meant for humans!) For the first several days or weeks, just focus on getting your pets used to the toothbrush which is a finger cap you place on your index finger (like a baby’s toothbrush). Have lots of treats ready. Brush for as long as the pet allows you too, usually 30 seconds is plenty, and as soon as they lose interest or become uncomfortable, stop brushing, and reinforce this as a positive activity with a lot of praise and a treat. Before long, your pet will look forward to having their teeth brushed. And don’t pass up getting your pet’s annual dental cleaning. Pets with routine dental care will have longer and healthier lives than those who do not.
Routine annual physical and dental exams allow for vets to catch any other issues early, when there is time to make less expensive behavior changes (to avoid diabetes for example) or treatments (like newly discovered drug treatments that can be effective against certain cancers.) Ignoring obvious problems, like not taking care of your pet’s teeth for months or years on end, will only increase your costs, lead to avoidable suffering for your pet, and decrease the amount of time you have him or her in your family. And if your pet is considered a “senior pet”, which are pets in the last 25% of their expected lifespan (normally above 7 for dogs and cats), they should be seen by your vet twice per year, since they start to experience an accelerated rate of physical changes. February is Pet Dental Health Awareness month nationwide, and many vets are offering discounts for dental procedures in order to help spread the word.
Dr. Hanh Chau
(article written for I Am Modern Magazine by Dr. Chau, Feb. 2011)
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
www.family-vet.com
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Can you identify what's in these x-rays?
Hints: dog; no, these didn't "pass"; can be caused by improper diet;
More difficult to view: stray cat; not caused by what was eaten
The first x-ray was of a dog with bladder stones:
The second x-ray was from a stray cat which had been brought for a dental cleaning and was found to have been a victim of a pellet gun sometime in his former-life.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Journal of American Veterinary Medicine shows acupuncture superior to surgery for certain paralysis
Our own experience with a Dachshund's profound paralysis was remarkable:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9lXEPuLIxY
AVMA published studies:
Electroacupuncture also returns dogs to walking faster than western medicine alone, according to another recent JAVMA study (10 days versus 20-30 days), and with greater success (in this study 100% were able to walk without assistance after treatment vs. 66% of the dogs that did NOT have the acupuncture): http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.231.6.913
Electro-acupuncture is significantly more succesful in treating paralysis than surgery, according to a new published AVMA study. 15 of 19 pets who received electro-acupuncture showed significant improvement, compared to 4 out of 10 who received surgery alone.
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.236.11.1225?prevSearch=allfield%3A%28acupuncture+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9lXEPuLIxY
AVMA published studies:
Electroacupuncture also returns dogs to walking faster than western medicine alone, according to another recent JAVMA study (10 days versus 20-30 days), and with greater success (in this study 100% were able to walk without assistance after treatment vs. 66% of the dogs that did NOT have the acupuncture): http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.231.6.913
Electro-acupuncture is significantly more succesful in treating paralysis than surgery, according to a new published AVMA study. 15 of 19 pets who received electro-acupuncture showed significant improvement, compared to 4 out of 10 who received surgery alone.
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.236.11.1225?prevSearch=allfield%3A%28acupuncture+
Thursday, December 16, 2010
We have availability for walk-ins
We have had some cancellations today, Thursday December 16. If you've been meaning to bring your pet by for an annual exam or vaccination, or have wanted to come in and tour our facility, today would be a perfect day to stop by. We're located just a mile west of South Riding, on Route 50.
703 327-8425
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
appointments@family-vet.com
703 327-8425
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
appointments@family-vet.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
We have 9 5-star ratings on Yelp!
4 of our 9 reviews are filtered, but can still be read. Visible right on our business page are 5 of the 9 reviews. You can see all 9 reviews, all 5-star ratings. 24650 South Point Drive Chantilly, VA 20152 703 327-8425 |
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dr. Chau demonstrates rehabilitation exercise for a Guinea pig with a head tilt
Dr. Chau shows how a head tilt in Guinea pigs can be treated through some simple food motivation on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lrLssqkOno
www.family-vet.com
appointments@family-vet.com
24650 South Point Dr.
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
We are located just 1 mile west of the main entrance to South Riding (Loudoun County Parkway/606) directly on Route 50 at the intersection of Gum Spring Road and Route 5.
www.family-vet.com
appointments@family-vet.com
24650 South Point Dr.
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
We are located just 1 mile west of the main entrance to South Riding (Loudoun County Parkway/606) directly on Route 50 at the intersection of Gum Spring Road and Route 5.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Virginia reminder: ticks are still active during the winter!
The Virginia Department of Health reminds residents that ticks are active even during the winter. The rate of Lyme disease in Loudoun is among the highest in the nation. That's why at Family Vet, we continue to spray for ticks all year long in our backyard, for the health of our staff and our patients.
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/Vectorborne/documents/Tick%20Brochure_8%205x11.pdf
www.family-vet.com
appointments@family-vet.com
24650 South Point Dr.
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
We are located just 1 mile west of the main entrance to South Riding (Loudoun County Parkway/606) directly on Route 50 at the intersection of Gum Spring Road and Route 50.
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/Vectorborne/documents/Tick%20Brochure_8%205x11.pdf
www.family-vet.com
appointments@family-vet.com
24650 South Point Dr.
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
We are located just 1 mile west of the main entrance to South Riding (Loudoun County Parkway/606) directly on Route 50 at the intersection of Gum Spring Road and Route 50.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Having trouble finding us? Our location on mapquest
We are located just a mile west of South Riding, right on Route 50. Yet many still have trouble finding us. The following link may help in case you need directions: http://mapq.st/h/1-uWUzbjB9
We can see Route 50 from our front doors, as well as Gum Spring Road. We are on the south-east corner of the intersection of Route 50 and Gum Spring Road. The road along our parking lot is called South Point Drive, which causes the most problems for folks, since some internet mapping sites don't even recognize this street (which is new as of winter 2008.)
You can always call us for directions as well. We have clients visit us mostly from South Riding, Stone Ridge and Ashburn, but also Manassas, Fairfax and Great Falls as well. Being on Route 50 makes us easy to get to, once you know what you're looking for.
Aaron Zeitlin, hospital manager
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
We can see Route 50 from our front doors, as well as Gum Spring Road. We are on the south-east corner of the intersection of Route 50 and Gum Spring Road. The road along our parking lot is called South Point Drive, which causes the most problems for folks, since some internet mapping sites don't even recognize this street (which is new as of winter 2008.)
You can always call us for directions as well. We have clients visit us mostly from South Riding, Stone Ridge and Ashburn, but also Manassas, Fairfax and Great Falls as well. Being on Route 50 makes us easy to get to, once you know what you're looking for.
Aaron Zeitlin, hospital manager
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
Closed on Thanksgiving
Family Vet will be closed on Thanksgiving day, but open the day before and day after the holiday. We still have time slots available in case your pet needs an updated vaccine or annual exam.
Aaron Zeitlin, hospital manager
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
703 327-8425
you can request an appointment via email as well at appointments@family-vet.com
Aaron Zeitlin, hospital manager
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
703 327-8425
you can request an appointment via email as well at appointments@family-vet.com
Friday, October 22, 2010
Pet insurance review
As a reminder, we found the following comparison useful when we were researching pet insurance costs. On this page, Kiplingers Magazine named this as a best-of-the-web for pet insurance comparisons:
Kiplingers recommended this site for shopping for pet insurance: http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/12/best-websites-for-services-bargains-tools2.html?kipad_id=33
Here's the comparison of costs for dogs: http://petinsurancereview.com/dog.asp
and here's the comparison for cats: http://petinsurancereview.com/cat.asp
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 Southpoint Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Halloween Can Be Scary for Pets Too!
Halloween can be very stressful and dangerous for pets. Veterinarians often see an increase in pet accidents and injuries on Halloween. The most common problems are poisoning, ingestion of foreign bodies, trauma from car accidents and bite wounds. Here are some good tips to keep in mind this Halloween:
1. Keep all candy and wrappers out of your pet's reach. Candy is bad for animals - especially chocolate. Problems can range from diarrhea and upset stomach to toxicity and even death.
2. Keep your dog on a leash, but don't leave him tied up outside unattended. If you take your dog trick-or-treating, keep him on a short leash. Frequently scan the ground for dropped candy that your dog might eat.
3. During trick-or-treating, keep your pet indoors in a separate room that is far away from the front door. This will prevent him from getting scared or excited and running outside. Give your dog plenty of fresh water, a familiar blanket, and something to take his mind off the commotion going on in other areas of the house.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
1. Keep all candy and wrappers out of your pet's reach. Candy is bad for animals - especially chocolate. Problems can range from diarrhea and upset stomach to toxicity and even death.
2. Keep your dog on a leash, but don't leave him tied up outside unattended. If you take your dog trick-or-treating, keep him on a short leash. Frequently scan the ground for dropped candy that your dog might eat.
3. During trick-or-treating, keep your pet indoors in a separate room that is far away from the front door. This will prevent him from getting scared or excited and running outside. Give your dog plenty of fresh water, a familiar blanket, and something to take his mind off the commotion going on in other areas of the house.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Pet owners can give their pets MRSA and then vice versa
This was an interesting podcast where an AVMA representative was interviewing a specialist at the university of Oklahoma on MRSA transmission. MRSA is a growing problem in humans, and now in pets as well. Researchers are finding that humans are contaminating their pets, where they can then become carriers and infect other humans or pets they come in contact with.
This is a reminder why we will not just administer an antibiotic on an owner's request without first running a test to find out what the infection is. Drug-resistance is a very serious human as well as now a pet problem.
This is a reminder why we will not just administer an antibiotic on an owner's request without first running a test to find out what the infection is. Drug-resistance is a very serious human as well as now a pet problem.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Want to see what normal pet x-rays look like?
Whether you are a doctor, nurse, medstudent or just interested pet owner, the University of Illinois is making public a selection of typical x-rays from household pets (as well as cows and horses too!) This is a very interesting collection of x-rays, and can also be used to compare against the high quality x-rays we are able to take at Family Vet.
University of Illinois x-ray collection:
One of our favorite x-rays we've taken of a dog's knee of a patient at Family Vet
Keep an eye out for these during the holidays (chocolate, lillies etc.)
As the holidays approach, make sure you know some of the common household items that are lethal to pets. These include lillies, chocolate, and mushrooms just to name a few. For a complete list, see the American Veterinary Medical Association's more comprehensive list here.
Aaron
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive, Suite 140
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
www.family-vet.com
Aaron
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive, Suite 140
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
www.family-vet.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thunderstorms and pet phobias
Severe thunderstorms are expected in Loudoun this afternoon and later this evening.
Here is an article on immediate steps you can take today to ease your pet's suffering.
You may need to create a login and password to get access to this and thousands of other pet medical articles. It's quick and free.
Aaron
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
www.family-vet.com
703 327-8425
24650 Southpoint Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
Here is an article on immediate steps you can take today to ease your pet's suffering.
You may need to create a login and password to get access to this and thousands of other pet medical articles. It's quick and free.
Aaron
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
www.family-vet.com
703 327-8425
24650 Southpoint Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
Monday, September 20, 2010
Pets do not cause bed bugs
The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), recently released some FAQs on pets and bed bugs, due to the recent news coverage on bed bugs. Due to the increase in bed bug awareness, AVMA wanted to remind pet owners that often pets are helpless victims of bed bugs, and do not cause their appearance. And if treating your home for bed bugs, please be mindful of your pet's exposure. Similarly, do NOT try using flea and tick medicines on your pet in order to help your pet cope with bed bugs, as this can lead to overexposure to chemicals for your pet and may not be affective against the bed bugs at all. To read more, select here to visit the AVMA's bulletin.
Aaron Zeitlin
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
703 327-8425
24650 Southpoint Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
Aaron Zeitlin
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
703 327-8425
24650 Southpoint Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
www.family-vet.com
Not all teeth cleanings are necessarily about teeth
A cat's mouth needs to be kept clean for obvious reasons and sometimes not so obvious reasons. This stray cat seemingly had rotten teeth, but on closer (x-ray) examination, we were surprised to find metal! Apparently this poor stray cat had been the victim of someone with a pellet gun. Luckily, this cat still has some lives left and has found a new and safe place to call home. And we're happy her new owner has chosen us for her pet's care.
www.family-vet.com
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 Southpoint Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Pets get allergies
At Family Vet, we use Greer and Heska test labs to read and diagnose our patient's allergies. Both have useful information for pet owners, that can be used to supplement the information we provide during an exam. Have you wondered whether your pet is suffering? See these links to learn more about allergies, and then follow-up (if necessary) with an appointment with Dr. Chau to have some blood drawn. Just this past week, Dr. Chau received test results on a pet that were one of the highest she had seen since she began practicing (scoring over 3,000 on some allergens where the normal range was 0 to 150.) The poor dog (mixed-breed) was allergic to many things, including dust mites and weeds (so not just outdoor allergens but indoor as well.)
Greer
Heska: If your pet has allergies to mold, pollen or mites, here are some simple ideas from Heska on how to make your pet more comfortable.
Aaron Zeitlin
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
www.family-vet.com
From our own website:
Allergies in dogs
Allergies in cats
Food allergies in dogs
Inhalant allergies in dogs
Flea allergies in cats
Greer
Heska: If your pet has allergies to mold, pollen or mites, here are some simple ideas from Heska on how to make your pet more comfortable.
Aaron Zeitlin
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
www.family-vet.com
From our own website:
Allergies in dogs
Allergies in cats
Food allergies in dogs
Inhalant allergies in dogs
Flea allergies in cats
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Aging Gracefully
Arthritis is a progressive disease and a lot more common in dogs than you might think. Recent studies show that arthritis affects 1 in every 5 dogs. Most dogs don't show us when they are in pain, which makes it hard to tell that they are sick or uncomfortable. Arthritis causes pain and mobility issues, therefore dogs with this condition may not play as much, move slower or even seem unhappy. Factors such as age, weight, activity level and injury put your dog at higher risk for developing this painful condition. The more you know about the risks and symptoms of arthritis, the more likely you will be to recognize the problem in your dog. So if your dog is at risk, or if he appears to be slowing down, see your veterinarian. Many options are available to help your dog manage this condition and lead a more active, pain-free life.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
'Boy’s Best Friend' Risks Life to Save Owner From Swarm of Bees
This is a great story, so I thought I would share. Have a great Labor Day weekend!!!
Vivian
Client Relations Manager
(703) 327-8425
24650 South Point Dr. Ste 140
Chantilly, VA 20152
'Boy’s Best Friend' Risks Life to Save Owner From Swarm of Bees
Vivian
Client Relations Manager
(703) 327-8425
24650 South Point Dr. Ste 140
Chantilly, VA 20152
'Boy’s Best Friend' Risks Life to Save Owner From Swarm of Bees
Friday, September 3, 2010
Ear infections may be a sign of allergies
If your pet is experiencing ear infections at this time, it is no coincidence. There is a strong correlation between ear infections and allergies. Ragweed is at its peak and so are allergies symptoms. Ear infections are among the most common signs of allergies.
Consider allergy testing for environmental allergies during this time. Common breeds that suffer from allergies are: Golden Retrievers, Westies, Labs, German Shepards, Springer Spaniels, and Pit bulls.
Check out allergen is at its peak in your area by going to www.pollen.com.
Family Veterinary Hospital
Thursday, September 2, 2010
New reviews on Angie's List, as well as Yelp
We'd like to thank all of our clients for their continued reviews on: Yelp and AngiesList (we just received excellent ratings on both from 4 different clients), as well as Google maps.
Thanks again!
Aaron, hospital manager
Family Veterinary Hospital
www.family-vet.com
703 327-8425
appointments@family-vet.com
Feline Bartonella
It is estimated that approximately 33% of healthy cats in Virginia are infected with Bartonella. Bartonella can be transmitted by infected fleas and ticks. The bacteria can then infect people through cat scratches, bites, and even contact with fur! Yikes!
Cats who were strays, live in a multi cat household, originally came from a shelter, or go outside often are more likely to come in contact with fleas and ticks, and therefore are more likely to become infected with Bartonella. Bartonella causes inflammatory reactions in tissues throughout the animal’s body. These tissues include: oral and respiratory mucosa, ocular tissues, the GI tissues, skin, and organs such as liver, spleen and lymph nodes. It is thought that Bartonella is the cause of about 40-50% of the following conditions in pet kitties:
-Oral diseases (gingivitis, stomatitis, oral ulcers)
-Respiratory diseases (upper respiratory disease, rhinitis, sinusitis)
-Ocular diseases (conjunctivitis, uveitis, chorioretinitis, corneal ulcers, keratitis)
-Intestinal diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, chronic vomiting)
-Other diseases such as enlarged lymph nodes, fever of unknown origin, skin diseases such as papules and dermatitis, and heart disease such as valvular disease
Bartonella, transmitted though cats, is infamous for the “cat scratch fever” disease in people, but it can actually cause around 22 human diseases. Other known Bartonella diseases in humans are: bacillary angiomatosis & peliosis, febrile bacteremia, heart diseases, eye diseases, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal diseases, skin diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, mononucleosis-like syndrome, pulmonary infiltrates, lymphadenopathy and co-infection with Lyme disease.
We strongly recommend testing every new feline, kitten or adult, being introduced into your household for Bartonella. If a test shows a positive result, antibiotic therapy is effective for most cats.
Cats who were strays, live in a multi cat household, originally came from a shelter, or go outside often are more likely to come in contact with fleas and ticks, and therefore are more likely to become infected with Bartonella. Bartonella causes inflammatory reactions in tissues throughout the animal’s body. These tissues include: oral and respiratory mucosa, ocular tissues, the GI tissues, skin, and organs such as liver, spleen and lymph nodes. It is thought that Bartonella is the cause of about 40-50% of the following conditions in pet kitties:
-Oral diseases (gingivitis, stomatitis, oral ulcers)
-Respiratory diseases (upper respiratory disease, rhinitis, sinusitis)
-Ocular diseases (conjunctivitis, uveitis, chorioretinitis, corneal ulcers, keratitis)
-Intestinal diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, chronic vomiting)
-Other diseases such as enlarged lymph nodes, fever of unknown origin, skin diseases such as papules and dermatitis, and heart disease such as valvular disease
Bartonella, transmitted though cats, is infamous for the “cat scratch fever” disease in people, but it can actually cause around 22 human diseases. Other known Bartonella diseases in humans are: bacillary angiomatosis & peliosis, febrile bacteremia, heart diseases, eye diseases, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal diseases, skin diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, mononucleosis-like syndrome, pulmonary infiltrates, lymphadenopathy and co-infection with Lyme disease.
We strongly recommend testing every new feline, kitten or adult, being introduced into your household for Bartonella. If a test shows a positive result, antibiotic therapy is effective for most cats.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Loudoun receives an "F" from American Lung Association
Here's an interesting interactive map detailing the air quality of Loudoun and who might be at risk. Please be aware that air quality on hot days can be a significant contributor to a pet's comfort, in addition to the heat. Loudoun's rating for ozone by the American Lung Association is an "F"! (apparently based on the number of days of unhealthy air-quality)
If your dog, cat, bird or other family pet member appears to be struggling to breathe, we're always available to take your call and offer advice on whether your pet needs to see a vet.
Aaron Zeitlin, hospital manager
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
appointments@family-vet.com
If your dog, cat, bird or other family pet member appears to be struggling to breathe, we're always available to take your call and offer advice on whether your pet needs to see a vet.
Aaron Zeitlin, hospital manager
Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
24650 South Point Drive
South Riding, VA 20152
703 327-8425
appointments@family-vet.com
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