Columbia Summit Veterinary Hospital

05/15/2024

05/15/2024

The clinic will be closed Monday, May 20th, for May Long Weekend. We will reopen to regular business hours on Tuesday, May 21st.

04/19/2024

Tick season is here and it's crucial to protect both yourself and your pets from the dangers of tick-borne diseases!
Give us a call to learn more about preventive ways to protect your furry friends!

They're coming... awakening from their slumber. When temperatures rise to 4°C, they will emerge. March is Tick Awareness Month. Talk to your veterinarian and...

04/19/2024

⭐️⭐️ We are offering a 20% discount on our in-house blood testing!! ⭐️⭐️

What are the Benefits of Pet Blood Testing, you ask?

​​​​​​​🐾Blood testing is something that we as humans are quite used to. However, there are times when our precious pet may require a blood test too. There are various reasons why your vet may recommend that your furry friend has her blood checked, but it is not suggested without good reason. There are some distinct benefits to blood tests for pet that we will look at in more detail.

🐾What is involved in pet blood testing?
Your vet or technician will draw blood from your pet in the same way that you would have a blood test, and the samples will be used to undertake two different types of screening.

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT
🐾A complete blood count (CBC) is used to see how many red and white cells are present in your pet’s blood, as well as the number of platelets it contains. This test is important because the results can indicate several health problems including anemia (too few red blood cells), infection (too many white blood cells) and how well your pet’s blood will clot if she suffers an injury. This test is essential for pets that have symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums or loss of appetite.

BLOOD CHEMISTRY PANEL
🐾This screening test looks at the various chemicals present within your pet’s blood to ascertain if their major organs are functioning as they should. Some of the things that a blood chemistry panel can detect include metabolic diseases, liver function, kidney function, protein and glucose levels. If your pet is older, they may also have her thyroid checked.


✅ Why is pet blood testing so important?
Pet blood testing has two key roles: one as a diagnostic tool and the other as a way of preventing illness.

✅One of the most challenging aspects of pet care is knowing when your pet is unwell. Animals have a natural instinct to try and hide any sign of weakness, and this includes any underlying illness. As a result, they will try and avoid showing any symptoms for as long as possible. In many instances, owners do not discover that their pet is unwell until the illness that is bothering them has had a significant effect. However, you may be able to tell that something is just ‘off’ about your pet, and if you visit your vet they may recommend a blood test as a diagnostic tool. Early detection of diseases and infections is essential if they are to be treated promptly, and this significantly improves the likely outcome of your pet’s condition. By identifying problems early, you can also prevent your pet from going through unnecessary pain and suffering.

✅Nevertheless, blood testing isn’t something that is only beneficial when you already suspect your pet is unwell. It is also a very useful part of any animal’s preventative care. This is because, even if your pet isn’t sick, the results of her tests can be tracked each time. Doing so enables your veterinarian to identify if there are any patterns developing in the results that could suggest that an illness or health problem is developing. At this stage, it could be possible that something can be done to prevent disease or disorder from occurring.

✅How often should I have my pet’s blood tested?
In most instances, vets recommend that all pets have yearly bloodwork. However, if your pet is already suffering from a medical condition, then she may require monitoring more closely and as such, blood panels may be recommended more frequently. It is important that you take the advice of your veterinarian and adhere to the timeline recommended to you.

If you would like more information about blood testing for pets, please contact our friendly and professional veterinary care team who will be delighted to offer their knowledge and experience.

02/05/2024

February is the month promoting dental care and educating clients about how they can manage their pet’s dental health!
🦷
Can you imagine what it would be like if you didn’t brush your teeth 🪥 for months? No flossing, no mouthwash? Unfortunately for our 4 legged friends they can’t do that, so we have a number of ways to manage their oral health at home. The best preventative is to brush your pet’s teeth daily. Bacteria that remains in the mouth for more than 24 hours will turn into plaque which will attach to the teeth and build up on the teeth over time, turning into tartar. You can easily see tartar on your pet’s teeth; it’s the brown accumulation that’s usually near the gum line. Often it can cause bad breath, and if allowed to continue accumulating can eventually cause dental disease, such as gum recession, bone loss, loose teeth, and infections.
If you cannot brush, most effective way to keep a pearly white smile for your pets, is a dental prophylactic cleaning, we can do this safely and effectively under general anesthesia.
It is NEVER acceptable to scrape tartar off an animal’s teeth when it is awake. It is dangerous as it can cause injury by accidental cutting or stabbing with the instrument if the animal were to suddenly move. Also, the inside of the mouth cannot be cleaned properly this way and a thorough examination of the mouth is impossible.
🦷
A dental exam will estimate a cost of a cleaning, AND if you book for FEBRUARY, you will get a 15% DISCOUNT on the dental prophylaxis!!
Call today for your FREE dental estimate. 👏
📱
250-314-1861

01/08/2024

Over the years, services available through your veterinary clinics have changed and evolved. With forever-evolving medical care and attention to our companion animals, comes many questions of what is available and from whom.

One of our most frequently asked inquiry is if we offer spay and neuter of companion animals.

Here, at Columbia Summit Veterinary Hospital, we perform a variety of surgical procedures, and the most common is Spay and Neuter.

Spaying or neutering your companion animal, will help control the ever-increasing pet population we are faced with. This procedure also helps aide in reducing the chances of mammary cancer, prostate disease and certain behavioural issues. It completely eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and pyometra (a life threatening infection within the uterus).

These spay and neuter surgeries are day procedures. Your pet would be admitted into our hospital, between 8:00 - 8:30 am on the morning of the surgery and discharged that same afternoon. We do strongly suggest that there is a discharge appointment/time before you take your pet home, which guarantees that we have time to address your questions and concerns.

Each spay and neuter procedure includes a full pre-surgical exam, pre-medication to ensure a smooth and stress-free anesthetic, inhaled gas anesthetic, microchipping and a complimentary nail trim. We also use equipment that will monitor your pet's blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen status and body temperature. Each of our surgical patients have a dedicated Registered Animal Heath Technician who will make sure that your pet recovers safely and comfortably from their surgery.

With each spay and neuter, we offer complimentary incision rechecks with our veterinary technician if you are unsure that your pet’s incision is healing appropriately.

We recognize that this is often the first time your pet will be placed under general anesthesia, and the first time that they will be hospitalized. We also understand that this can be very stressful to you as their loving “parent”. We strive to make it a comfortable, stress-free experience for you all.

If you have any questions regarding your pet’s spay or neuter, or if you’d like to schedule their surgery, please call our clinic at 250-314-1861.

01/05/2024

Where you at after the holidays?
🙊🙈

💉💊

01/04/2024

Salem was posing for but today he realized that it was Wednesday! We’re half way through the week!
👀
He’s so cute, though!!

Weekend tip: always make sure that you’ve got your food and medications to get you through the weekends👌

01/04/2024

We’re on Instagram. When you’re visiting, hashtag #️⃣ us and share your four-legged friends ❤️

01/04/2024

➡️ WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY MICROCHIPS WITH EACH SPAY AND NEUTER AT OUR CLINIC

Microchipping
Each year, thousands of pets go missing, and many don’t make it back home. Many pets (especially indoor pets) don’t wear collars or tags. Even if your pet wears a collar and identification tag, collars can break off and tags can become damaged and unreadable, so these forms of identification may not be enough to ensure your pet’s safe return. Your pet needs a form of identification that is reliable and can’t get lost, stolen, or damaged. A microchip is a safe, simple form of identification that can significantly increase the chance that your pet will return safely.
Young puppies and kittens can receive microchips, but even if your pet is already an adult, you should consider microchipping. Even indoor pets can get outside accidentally and get lost, so if you’re relying on other forms of identification, you could be placing your pet at risk. Microchipping is a safe, effective way to help ensure your pet’s return if the unthinkable happens.

What Is a Microchip?
A microchip is about the size and shape of a grain of rice and is placed underneath your pet’s skin
between the shoulder blades. Microchip implantation takes only a few minutes and is very safe.
Each microchip is unique and carries vital information about your pet—including your name, address, and contact information. When a microchip is implanted, the pet owner is given a registration form to complete. Registering the number on the microchip includes your pet in a national pet recovery database. Veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and animal control offices across the country are equipped with special electronic scanners that can detect the microchip and read the identification number. If a lost pet is picked up by animal control or found by a good Samaritan and presented to a veterinarian, a quick scan of the microchip reveals the identification number. A toll-free phone call to the pet recovery database alerts the microchip company that a lost pet has been identified. The pet owner can then be contacted and reunited with his or her pet!

Is Microchipping Safe?
Microchips do not need a power source and contain no moving parts, so they are safe to stay in your pet for a lifetime. They are made from material that is compatible with an animal’s body, so any discomfort or rejection is very rare. Over time, the microchip will become encased in the tissue, which means it will not move around the body.

What to Expect at a Microchipping Appointment
If you wish to have your pet microchipped, simply ask about it at your next appointment. The procedure is simple. Your pet’s vet will inject the microchip using a sterile syringe into your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. The procedure is quick and causes minimal discomfort, just like a vaccination.
Once your pet is microchipped, you will receive paperwork that tells you how to register the microchip. Registering is very important, because that is how your information gets put on to the microchip. If you don’t register the microchip, it is worthless. Also, you will need to keep this information so you can change your contact information if you move or get a new phone number. Up-to-date information is critical to making sure you protect your pet with your microchip.

What Happens if Your Pet Gets Lost?
If your pet is lost, the people who find him can take him to a local vet or shelter to be scanned. If your microchip information is up-to-date, the scanner will find your contact information and the vet or shelter staff can give you a call. You are able to collect your pet and return him home easily.

Microchipping your pet is a simple solution to add a layer of protection in case your pet is lost. Schedule your appointment today with Columbia Summit Veterinary Hospital to have your pet microchipped, and give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing you will always have a way to be reunited.

01/03/2024

We're accepting new patients! Give us a call at 250-314-1861

01/03/2024

FEBRUARY IS DENTAL MONTH!!!!

COMPLETE ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

🐶 A dental health assessment of your pet will determine if proper hygiene is present, or if dental hygiene or other treatment is needed.
🐱In order to perform complete dental hygiene, its necessary to clean teeth above and below the gumline. There is often discomfort (i.e.: pinching) when hand scaling or ultrasonic cleaning is done without the presence of anesthesia.
🐶 A complete dental assessment will be done by our veterinarian and/or Registered Animal Health Technician. We will establish the state of your pets dental health; if required, a treatment plan and will provide an estimate for you.
🐱 We suggest blood work to be done if recent lab analysis information is not available (within the first year from your regular DVM visit) to ensure that your pet is healthy to undergo his/her dental procedure.
🐶 A preanesthetic sedation will be given and an IV catheter will be placed for IV fluid therapy.
🐱A complete oral examination will be performed once the patient is anesthetized.
🐶 Dental x-rays will be obtained if there are any concerns during the oral exam.
🐱 After reviewing the dental x-rays, work may need to be performed, such as extractions, root canals, crowns etc. Our Doctors will notify the client with their recommendations (unless already discussed) and get their approval to go ahead with such procedures.
🐶 A professional dental cleaning will be performed including scaling and polishing.
🐱Our technician will contact the client when the procedure is finished to discuss how it went and when the patient can be discharged. Discharge notes will be sent home with the patient and will include feeding and medications instructions.
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Just remember: Regular assessments help prevent periodontal disease.
Three body organs are especially susceptible to the spread of periodontal disease/oral bacteria: the heart, the liver, and the kidneys. The bacteria found within the mouth of pets with dental disease are the same bacteria that are often implicated in heart disease.

12/27/2023

Salem hopes that everyone had a very merry Christmas! BRING ON 2024 🎉
💉💊

12/14/2023

Please note our Christmas Holiday Hours 🧑‍🎄 🦌 🎄

12/14/2023

Please take note of our Change of Hours this Friday.

10/19/2023

Some more safety tips for our furry critters on Halloween!!

10/19/2023

Halloween is fast approaching - here are some safety tips for our furry ones!

10/19/2023

10/09/2023

Happy Thanksgiving!

10/06/2023

One more Happy Thanksgiving photo that we couldn’t resist!!

10/06/2023

The staff (and animals) here at Columbia Summit Veterinary Hospital want to wish everyone (and their animals) a Happy Thanksgiving!!

02/08/2022

01/28/2022

Dental Month is beginning in just a few days!! Give us a call to schedule your free dental estimate 🦷 🐾

01/28/2022

I don't know who needs to see this, but let the countdown begin!!

12/15/2021

Who doesn’t like holiday baking?!
Whether you’re baking treats for your own pups or thinking of making some for their BFF’s, here’s a few ideas!

https://www.howimetmydog.com/blog/easy-diy-dog-treat-recipes-for-the-holidays?fbclid=IwAR1FzN0cS0TEfT8CRIytSSpf9_hO8XPCN-d2qpP53ggitFxK8Lb2_luWak4