Please join us at our hospital (1215 Canandaigua Road in Palmyra) for an open house on Saturday, December 1st from 12 to 2:30 p.m. We will be asking trivia questions through which participants can win prizes. Visitors will also get to meet with our staff, see our hospital and enjoy refreshments. Children are invited, too! We will have fun items for the kids to take home.
In addition, we will raffle off a basket donated by Hidden Pet Fence. Hand-painted ornaments will also be available when you make a donation to Rochester Hope for Pets, an organization that provides grants toward veterinary care to owners facing financial hardship. Raffle proceeds will also benefit this non-profit organization.
We hope to see you for a day of fun on December 1st!
The air has gotten cooler and the leaves have changed. Pumpkins are everywhere and it’s likely that you or your children have begun to think about a Halloween costume. This is a fun time of year for all, but with the fun comes potential dangers to our pets. Here are some tips to keeping our four-legged friends safe this Halloween.
While beautiful, decorations can be hazardous to our pets. Place candles safely out of reach from curious kitties or pups who could get burned. The same goes for lights, which can be hazardous if your pet chews on them. Additionally, avoid decorations with parts that could be chewed and ingested.
Candy is one of the best parts of Halloween, and most people know chocolate can be harmful to pets. Another problem treat is Xylitol, an artificial sweetener often used in sugar-free candy and gum. It can cause serious problems in our pets, including vomiting, coma and death. If you suspect your pet has ingested Xylitol in any amount, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Costumes are a big part of Halloween for humans, and many people dress their pets up. They are just so cute! However, if you have a particularly nervous pet, it is best to avoid dressing them up. For pets that are easy going, it is important to avoid costumes with pieces that could be chewed off or ingested, or costumes that prevent your pet from breathing, barking/meowing or moving freely. Plus, pets should never be left unsupervised in their costume!
Finally, on the big day, be mindful of your pet’s personality. If he or she is easily bothered by strangers at the door or even just by people walking past the house, it might be a good idea to put him in a quiet room away from the ruckus of trick or treating.
Wishing you and your family a happy and safe Halloween!
Inappropriate elimination in cats is a common problem and can obviously cause owners a lot of frustration. The first, and most important, step is to see your veterinarian to check for any medical issues. Urinary tract diseases can cause inappropriate elimination, and bladder infections can cause pain an increased urgency to urinate.
Other medical conditions that lead to discomfort of the nerves, muscles, or joints may cause your cat to be unable to climb into the box or get into a comfortable position for elimination. If elimination is associated with pain or if gaining access to the box is difficult for your cat, then urinating outside the box may occur. A complete physical exam by your pet’s veterinarian and additional diagnostic tests can help rule out medical problems.
If your veterinarian determines there are no medical reasons causing this behavior, consider the location of the litter box, the type of litter you are using, and any recent stresses in the household.
Generally, it is recommended to have a litter box for each cat in the house to reduce box sharing. Also, cats need a little bit of privacy and quiet and will use a box that is easy to get to. Many cats prefer the box to be very clean, which often requires daily cleanings. Keep in mind that different cats like different types of litter; some like clay litter while others may prefer clumping litter. It may take some experimenting before the correct litter box, location and litter combination is found for your cat.
The next step would be to determine if there is a pattern to the behavior. Is there any seasonal variation or time pattern, such as certain times of day when the improper elimination occurs? All of this information can help find the basis for the behavior.
Spraying is a common feline marking behavior. Cats may mark their territory due to stress, anxiety or the presence of other cats inside or outside the home. Again, many different things can cause this type of behavior, so it may take some investigating on your part to discover if any environmental factors are at play.
Although inappropriate elimination is a difficult problem to address, solutions do exist. Visiting your veterinarian can help to rule out any potential medical issues, and then he or she may be able to provide additional ideas to solving the problem based on your cat and his or her lifestyle. With patience and commitment, many cats can be retrained and treated appropriately to get them back to consistently going inside the box.
Have a safe and happy Independence Day!
Treating fleas can take a lot of effort, so it is easier to prevent fleas rather than treat them after an infestation. Many options exist in terms of external parasite preventives, so it is recommended to consult your veterinarian for option that best fits your lifestyle and your pet’s risk.
Do you have any questions about cat health? We'd love to answer them for you! Post in the comments below or email to palonlinerx@yahoo.com.
With proper medication and monitoring, long-term prognosis is very good for your cat. Stay tuned for the next post, in which we'll talk about a kidney failure, another serious problem our senior cats can face.
In our next post, we’ll discuss diagnosis and treatment of these common conditions. Stay tuned!
Cats are one of the most popular pets in America. They provide just as much love as dogs, yet they visit the veterinarian much less than a dog does. However, just like dogs and humans, cats need regular wellness exams, too! In fact, cats may need annual visits even more than dogs because cats are more likely to hide signs and symptoms of disease or illness. In the wild, felines had to hide weaknesses to stay safe from predators; in today’s pet cats, hiding symptoms means owners might not know when their cat faces a serious disease or illness.
By routinely visiting the vet, diseases have a greater chance of being caught earlier, which is good for two reasons. First, the earlier a disease is found, the better the chances of treating or managing it, increasing your pet’s longevity and quality of life. Second, diseases found in the earlier stages tend to be less expensive to treat than those found in the end stages, potentially saving you money in the long run.
However, we all understand how visiting the veterinarian once a year can be easier said than done. Here are some initiatives Palmyra Animal Hospital recently started to help you bring your cat to the vet.
· Multiple Pet Discounts: Clients who bring multiple pets together for a wellness exam appointment will pay the full price for the first pet's exam, but each subsequent pet examined during that appointment will be 10% off the wellness exam price.
· Cat Friendly Day: Thursday morning is our cat-only day. This will make it easier to bring in cats who are easily stressed by dogs sharing waiting room space.
· Cat Carrier Rental: We always recommend bringing your cat to the veterinarian in a carrier to keep him or her safe. However, cat carriers can be costly. To help with this expense, Palmyra Animal Hospital now allows clients to borrow carriers from us the day before the appointment.
For more information on any of these initiatives, give Palmyra Animal Hospital a call any time at (315)597-4567 or leave us a comment below!
What happens during my pet's dental cleaning procedure?
Most humans have their teeth cleaned twice a year by a dentist, and it is important that our pets have their teeth cleaned by a dentist regularly, too. Pet dental cleanings are a little different from human dental cleanings, though. To give you an idea of what a professional dental cleaning is like for your pet, here’s a step-by-step breakdown.
Step One
A pre-anesthetic exam is performed before the procedure to ensure no new health concerns have developed that would put your pet at risk while under anesthesia. Once this is completed, your pet receives pre-anesthetic medications, which help relax your pet before the procedure and minimize discomfort your pet may feel upon waking.
Step Two
We recommend an intravenous catheter, which administers the anesthetic drugs, gives IV fluids that help maintain your pet’s blood pressure, and serves as a port for other medications that could be needed during the procedure.
Step Three
Your pet then receives induction drugs that put your pet under anesthesia. An endo-tracheal tube is placed to deliver the maintenance anesthetic gas and to prevent tartar and other foreign material from entering your pet’s lungs.
Step Four
Before starting the procedure, your pet is placed on monitoring devices and a heating unit to keep him/her warm. Also, your pet begins receiving IV fluids.
Step Five
A technician begins cleaning the teeth using an ultrasonic scaling tool under the gum line as well as inside and outside the teeth. Additional instruments may be used on tartar that is more difficult to remove. Your pet’s teeth are evaluated and their condition charted throughout the cleaning. A probe is placed under the gum line to detect and measure the presence of periodontal pockets (gum detachment). The veterinarian assesses all teeth to determine if any require x-rays, extractions, or other treatments.
Step Six
If needed, an x-ray will be taken to assess the condition of the tooth roots, possibly revealing abscesses, bone loss, fractures and other abnormalities that may be present. Depending on the x-ray results, a tooth may need to be extracted. These decisions are always performed by the veterinarian overseeing the procedure.
End Result
Your pet leaves with beautiful, clean teeth, but they will not stay that way. You have to help maintain your pet’s oral health by brushing his/her teeth and following staff recommendations.
Dental Disease, a common health problem in dogs and cats, has the potential to lead to many problems, including bad breath, loose teeth, swollen gums, and general mouth pain.
It is caused by a thin coat of protein from saliva, food particles and dead cells, which forms on your pet's teeth and gums, creating a breeding ground for bacteria once the layer thickens. This thickened layer of bacteria can cause gums to swell and, in severe cases, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream from the gums to other parts of the body, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.
To help ensure healthy teeth, pet owners should consider doing the following.
* Your veterinarian can perform an in-depth oral exam to look for signs of early tooth decay. During this process, anesthesia is used so your vet can scale, polish and give fluoride treatments to your pet.
* You can brush your pet’s teeth at home a few times per week. Pets tend to resist tooth brushing, but if you associate this process with a treat, they will likely begin to like or at least accept it. Please note: You must use a pet toothpaste sold at a pet store or provided from your veterinarian. Human toothpaste contains xylitol, which can be toxic to pets.
* You can give your dog or cat dental toys, treats and specially formulated foods, all of which are made to help prevent plaque build up. When shopping for dental friendly treats or foods, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. For a list of these products, visit www.vohc.org
Remember, it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian about your pet’s dental health. Based on your pet’s specific circumstances, he or she will be able to provide you with the most effective way to keep your pet’s teeth healthy.
Many pet owners don’t realize that oral hygiene is important to pets just like it is to humans. Imagine going years without brushing your own teeth; they sure would need a cleaning!
The purpose of recognizing February as Pet Dental Health Month is to educate pet owners on the importance of keeping your dog’s or cat’s teeth healthy. However, this is an activity that requires year-round monitoring, either with brushing from home, giving special food or using another method. (There are many ways to regularly care for your pet’s teeth. Ask your vet about what would work best for your pet.)
Here are a few more facts about dental care in pets that you may not have known. These facts come from petdental.com, a great pet dental care resource.
* 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
* Periodontal disease is common among dogs, especially smaller breeds.
* Cats can develop resorptive lesions, which are painful. Studies have determined about 28 percent of domestic (pet) cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
Throughout the month of February, we’ll share more information on why regular dental care is important and what you should do to benefit your pets’ teeth. In the meantime, ask us any questions you have on Facebook or share a picture of your pet and his or her pearly whites on our wall. If you would prefer, you can always email questions and photos to us at palonlinerx@yahoo.com.
Palmyra Animal Hospital is now offering Puppy Kindergarten, which focuses on socialization and also covers a variety of topics, such as obedience training, clicker training, aggressive behavior and first aid.
Scheduled discussions include the importance of dental health, how to puppy-proof your home against common canine toxins and first aid and emergencies.
Details about the seven-week course:
* Each class lasts about an hour. During that hour, exercises and skills are demonstrated for you and your family to practice at home with your puppy during the rest of the week. (Yikes…HOMEWORK!!!) Puppies also have free time to interact and play with each other. This helps to reinforce appropriate play behavior.
* Classes are for puppies aged seven weeks to six months.
* Children between ages 4 and 17 are welcome, with adult supervision. Having your children involved in training your puppy can be a great learning experience.
* We welcome up to three family members to attend with each puppy. If there are circumstances in which you would like more than three family members to attend class, special arrangements can be made with the instructor.
* The cost of the entire seven week course is only $75. Discounts are available for multiple puppy households.
If your puppy is not currently a patient at Palmyra Animal Hospital, you need to provide proof that your puppy has been examined by a veterinarian and received its first distemper vaccination. Although kennel cough vaccination is not required, we strongly encourage it any time your puppy will be in contact with other puppies or dogs. Your puppy must be free of fleas. If not, we will apply flea control for an additional fee.
If you have more questions or would like to register for a course, please contact Llisa Spencer at (315) 597-4567.
Is your dog exhibiting a particularly frustrating behavior that you don’t know how to fix? Add your questions to the comment section below or email
The new year is a great time to make a positive change not only in your own life, but also in your pet’s life. We all love to spoil out dog and cats, but the truth is, too much of this can hurt them in the long run (no matter how much they imply the opposite!). Making just a couple changes for your pet this year will help him or her shed a few pounds – and could add years and quality to his or her life.
Here are a few tips and to keep in mind when working to help your pet lose weight in 2012:
Talk to your vet to learn what your pet’s ideal healthy weight should be and then set a goal to work toward throughout the year.
Monitor your pet’s diet, and as difficult as it may be, avoid feeding them table scraps or too many treats. Or, try replacing some of the fatty snacks with baby carrots.
Increase daily exercise for your dogs. Daily walks for 30 to 60 minutes can help maintain a healthy weight and shed extra pounds.
For indoor cats, have plenty of stimulating toys and use them often to coax your kitty into running around. Even adding 5-10 minutes a day of active playtime with a laser pointer or dangling toy can help your kitty.
If your pet is in need of a total body makeover, restricted calorie diets are also available and can help provide a basis for successful weight loss. Ask your veterinarian about specialty diet options.
By decreasing extra calories, increasing daily physical activity, and promoting a healthier lifestyle for your pets, you will both be rewarded with fewer vet and doctor visits. Good luck!
We are excited to be able to use this blog to share information on keeping your pets healthy. If you have any questions or topics you would like to see addressed, please email us at palonlinerx@yahoo.com.
Our History
Palmyra Animal Hospital opened in 1950 at 1215 Canandaigua Road (Route 21), where it’s still located today. As a small town community veterinary practice, doctors and staff past and present have always focused on offering compassionate care for pets living in the local Palmyra community. We are proud to have helped pets and their owners for more than 50 years, and Dr. Rebecca Nealey and the staff at Palmyra are excited to care for pets for years to come.
Our Staff
Our doctor, Rebecca Nealey, DVM, joined Palmyra Animal Hospital in 2009. She completed her undergraduate education at the Pennsylvania State University and received her bachelor's degree in wildlife biology in 1991. She went on to attend the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and completed a large animal internship at the University of Illinois.
Our licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs), Llisa Spencer and Lindsay Foxluger, complete many tasks to assist Dr. Nealey. These include monitoring patients, assisting with surgeries, administering medications, performing laboratory diagnostics and more.
Animal care assistants Susie Roncone and Holly Cross have many tasks that assist both doctors and LVTs, such as cleaning cages, feeding and giving patients water and performing routine diagnostics such as weighing and obtaining temperatures.
Our client service representatives, Norene Zegers and Ann Mullin, answer phones, schedule appointments and greet clients when they arrive at our hospital.
Finally, we can’t forget our hospital cats, Ralphie and Petey, who entertain and love our staff, patients and clients day in and day out!
Advice on keeping your cat or dog healthy and improving his or her well-being. Information on what's happening in Wayne County's pet lover community. All info about creatures with fur and paws!
