South Jefferson Veterinary Hospital

06/19/2025

Look at Harvey, visiting from All Creatures Big and Small today!
Allcreaturesbigandsmall.org

04/19/2025

For all of our dog owners, GDV is a serious medical condition that can happen in dogs of any size but is most common in large, deep chested canines. Do you know what to look our for?

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition that occurs suddenly when the stomach fills with air, fluid, or food, becomes distended, and twists on itself. GDV requires immediate medical and surgical intervention. Large, deep-chested dogs are most at risk. Preventive measures, such as gastropexy, greatly reduce the risk of this condition.

Risk factors (while there is no single known cause for GDV, several factors may increase the risk of GDV occurring, including):
• Large breed size
• Deep-chested dogs
• A first-degree relative with GDV
• Eating too quickly
• Feeding once daily or a large volume of food per meal
• Older age
• Nervous temperament
• Using a raised food bowl
• Dogs fed dry dog foods that list oils as the first four label ingredients
• Exercising soon after eating

Clinical signs:
• Non-productive retching or attempting to vomit with no production
• Excessive drooling
• Panting
• Bloated abdomen
• Painful abdomen
• Restlessness, pacing
• Pale gums
• Weakness or collapse
• “Praying” position (forelimbs extended forward and chest closer to the ground)

To learn more about diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and prevention click the link below.
https://hubs.ly/Q03hGY-90

04/02/2025

We have 2 of our these Bloodhound mixes visiting us today! Come on out and see them!

03/21/2025

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We'd like to help everyone end the week on a positive note! Patsy, our Adams stray, had reconstructive surgery Tuesday on her injured hind leg. After being able to thoroughly explore the damage, we were able to amputate 3 of the non viable toes and save the large pawpad so that hopefully she will still be able to ambulate on that leg. She was already standing on it when she woke up from surgery and she is doing great. Keep this girl in your thoughts since she will soon be looking for a home!

03/20/2025

As Easter approaches, we wanted to remind everyone that Lily's, including the bulb, leaves and stems, are highly toxic to animals, especially cats. Please keep them safe and out of reach of your pets!

03/20/2025

03/15/2025

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We had something happen at our office this week that not only shows the importance of annual exams, but also the dangers of common household items for your pets.

Dr Miller saw a seemingly perfectly healthy 2 year old cat for a yearly wellness exam on Wednesday. While palpating her abdomen, she could feel a 'mass' in the cranial abdomen in the area of the stomach. She recommended an abdominal radiograph to further investigate and found very suspicious looking items in the stomach causing the mass effect on palpation. After discussing her findings with the owner, it was found out that this cat loves to carry hair ties around the house. Although the owner never saw the cat eating hair ties, it appeared she may have eaten several over an extended period of time. Despite having a good appetite at home, gaining weight and not having any vomiting or diarrhea, the owner agreed to an abdominal exploratory surgery on her young cat and we are glad she did. When Dr Risser was called in for surgery, she found nearly 2 dozen hair ties in this kitty's stomach!!

The cat is at home doing well today and recovering from her surgery, but we thought this would be a good reminder to not let your cat play with elastic bands or even string since they often times will eat them and unsuspecting owners may not notice a problem until large numbers are consumed. Thankfully for this lucky cat, the problem was detected before it was too late, and it all started with a thorough annual exam.

03/11/2025

Update! We are going to continue another week or two of antibiotics and plan do surgery once her front leg has a little more time to heal. Keep sending good vibes her way!

🩷🩷Please Share!🩷🩷

We have decided to call the stray kitty we took in a few weeks ago, Patsy. She has been doing well, but her injured foot has still not healed and the toes are necrotic and are unable to serve a function any longer. We are having surgery done today to assess her wounds and either amputate her toes or her entire hind leg. We will also be doing wound care on her front leg. If you would like to donate towards her care, you can call in a donation to our clinic at 315-232-4528 or stop by. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers today🩷

03/04/2025

We have puppies visiting us today from All Creatures Big and Small if you want to get your puppy fix! Mastiff/Husky babies!!