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We‘re Improving Our Facility
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We have wonderful news to share! We are planning to build a new hospital! It will be at the same location; we will remain open for business during the entire construction process. The new hospital will be larger and better-designed, with enough room for all the things we do! Our architect is Sholar, a nationally-known firm that specializes in the design of state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals. We received approval from the West Deptford Zoning Board of Adjustment and expect to begin construction Fall 2008! We’re very excited!
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Employment Inquiries Always Welcome!
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While we may not have an opening at the time you inquire, interested individuals are welcome to submit a resume for future consideration.
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Our 5 doctor, small animal, AAHA practice is located in Mantua, NJ and was voted the Best of Gloucester County. Our practice is open 6 days per week and offers comprehensive services including radiology, ultrasound, dentistry, in-house laboratory, laser surgery, etc. We seek motivated veterinary technicians and assistants to join our team. Shifts include evenings and Saturdays. Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Health insurance, 401k, pet care program, & paid uniforms are among the benefits offered. Please send a resume via fax 856-468-3255 or email gvallc@comcast.net
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An Important Announcement About a Change to Our Hours of Operation.
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Starting in May 2008, we will no longer be open on Sundays. We have made this difficult decision in order to continue to provide you with the best service possible; we will continue to be open from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays to meet all of your pet’s needs. Of course, any patients that are hospitalized over a Sunday will receive the same care and attention by our Doctors as always. Please feel free to share any comments regarding this change with us. Thank you for your understanding.
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Pudgie Pets?
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Overweight pets have become more and more common. Overweight or obese pets are at increased risk for many life altering diseases, just as we are, such as diabetes, arthritis, increased anesthetic risk, and a shortened life. Sometimes, it is difficult for families to get the overweight dog or cat to lose weight successfully. Melanie Moretto, our Weight Loss Case Manager, can help you with your pet’s weight loss journey; she is available by phone at 848-0020 to discuss weight loss strategies for your pet.
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Purchasing Pet Drugs Online: Buyer Beware
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The United States Food & Drug Administration has posted an excellent article which explains the potential hazards of puchasing veterinary drugs online.
Please see our links section for the FDA's opinion on purchasing pet drugs online.
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Over the Counter Medication Can be Dangerous to Pets.
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Many medications that are available without a prescription (over the counter or OTC) can hurt your pet. Most people know that aspirin, acetominophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are lethal to cats. But did you know that even a small amount of aspirin, given to a dog, makes their stomach bleed? Usually the bleeding is so slight that you don’t see any change in the stool. Also, aspirin changes the dog’s platelets so that they don’t work anymore (platelets are the blood cells that help blood clot). It takes about 2 weeks for the dog to recover and make new platelets to replace the disabled ones. Therefore, aspirin given up to 2 weeks before surgery can cause excessive bleeding. If your pet is having surgery, please tell us about any medication that you have given during the last 2 weeks.
Also, did you know many herbal supplements contain ingredients that can be dangerous? Please tell us about anything that you give your pet, so that we can be sure that it won’t interact with other medications.
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Did you know?
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Did you know that our links section contains helpful links to veterinary emergency centers, veterinary specialists and information web sites? Check it out!
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Sugarless Candy Danger.
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Xylitol tastes sweet but can be harmful to our pets.
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The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center cautions animal owners that xylitol, a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and other products can potentially cause serious and even life-threatening problems for pets.
“Last year, we managed more than 170 cases involving xylitol-containing products,” says Dana Farbman, CVT and spokesperson for the Center. “This is a significant increase from 2004, when we managed about 70.” Barely halfway into 2006, the Center has already managed about 114 cases. Why the increase? “It’s difficult to say,” Farbman states. “Xylitol products are relatively new to the United States marketplace, so one possibility may be an increase in availability.”
According to Dr. Eric Dunayer, veterinarian and toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, dogs ingesting significant amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. “These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product. Therefore, it is crucial that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately.” Dr. Dunayer also stated that there appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs.
While it was previously thought that only large concentrations of xylitol could result in problems, this appears to no longer be the case. “We seem to be learning new information with each subsequent case we manage,” says Dr. Dunayer. “Our concern used to be mainly with products that contain xylitol as one of the first ingredients. However, we have begun to see problems developing from ingestions of products with lesser amounts of this sweetener.” He also says that with smaller concentrations of xylitol, the onset of clinical signs could be delayed as much as 12 hours after ingestion. “Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that even if your pet does not develop signs right away, it does not mean that problems won’t develop later on.”
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center strongly urges pet owners to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum or other foods containing xylitol out of the reach of pets. As with any potentially toxic substance, should accidental exposures occur, it is important to contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for immediate assistance.
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Pets Need Dental Care, Too!
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Our Dentistry Technician, Shelly Chadwick, is available by phone at 848-0020 to discuss your pet's dental concerns.
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Brushing your pet’s teeth provides much more than a beaming smile and fresh breath. Veterinarians stress that proper dental care is critical in order to help maintain your pet’s health.
“Too often, we overlook the need for dental care for our pets,” says Dr. Beyer. “Untreated teeth can cause serious problems in the overall health of the pet.”
Periodontal disease is the number one dental problem in dogs, and cats often develop cavities below the gumline which may be hard to detect. As in humans, abscessed teeth or periodontal disease can affect other parts of the body. In dogs and cats, it can cause heart and kidney disease.
A regular veterinary dental checkup and cleaning under a short lasting anesthetic is important to your pet’s good health. Equally important is home dental care, such as brushing the pet’s teeth at least three times per week.
Team GVA recommends a technique for both younger and older animals, although it’s easier to start brushing when the pet is young.
1. To introduce your pet to brushing, wrap a gauze or washcloth around your finger and use it like a toothbrush on the pet’s teeth. Wipe all the teeth, front and back, with strokes from the gumline to the tip of the tooth. Do this for one to two weeks until your pet is familiar with having the gums and teeth rubbed.
2. Gradually work up to a soft toothbrush and plain water. After a week of using a soft toothbrush, add a small amount of special dog or cat toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste as it will irritate the pet’s stomach.
3. Begin by brushing the front teeth and then the large upper and lower teeth in the back. The bristles should be held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and be moved in an oval direction. Scrub in the crevice where the gums meet the teeth as this is where odor and infection begin.
“We encourage people to regularly examine their pet’s teeth for signs of periodontal disease, such as swollen, red, or bleeding gums; persistent bad breath; loose teeth or the loss of teeth; puss between the gums and teeth; broken teeth; and any unusual growth in the mouth,” said Dr. Beyer. “Reluctance to eat, play with chew toys, or drink cold water are warning signs of periodontal or gum disease.”
Greenfields Veterinary Associates, LLC is an accredited hospital member of the American Animal Hospital Association, an international association of more than 32,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. AAHA hospital members are regularly inspected to ensure they meet AAHA’s high standards for pet care.
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Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus (VS-FCV)
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What Cat Owners Should Know.
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There is a new serious & potentially fatal strain of the Calicivirus. The Calicivirus is one of the upper respiratory viruses that can affect cats. Fortunately, a new top of the line vaccine has been developed to protect against this form of the Calicivirus.
Since March 2007, our veterinarians have been giving this new vaccine to our cats as a part of our routine vaccination protocol.
Because this is a new and different form of the vaccine, a booster is given one month after the initial vaccination.
If you have any questions regarding this vaccine or the Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus, feel free to ask your veterinarian.
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Send Us Your Pet‘s Photo!
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Send your pet's photo and we'll post it on our web site! Photos should be sent via email, compressed, 600x400 maximum size. Our email address is gvallc@comcast.net. Contact Kelly Groff at 856-848-0020 for more information.
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