Old Dominion Animal Hospital Charlottesville

08/22/2024

Thank you to each and every one of our clients for your continued support. It means more than you could ever realize.

We are so grateful that you are part of our family and look forward to many more years together keeping your pets happy and healthy!

08/19/2024

Have you noticed your pet has been scratching or sneezing more than usual- you’re not alone. As we approach the fall season, we are also seeing an early uptick of environmental and seasonal allergies. Here are some things to know:

What are environmental or seasonal allergies?

These allergies are typically caused by allergens that exist in your yard, home or places where your pet spends a lot of their time. As the weather changes we see an increase of allergies in our pets due to pollen, grasses and even dust.

Why do pets have allergies?

According to Virginia-Maryland Veterinary College, pet’s develop allergies when an allergen is touched, breathed in or ingested. Your pet’s immune system will go into overdrive to defend their body, which results in an allergic reaction like itching, face rubbing and ear infections.

What are the symptoms of my pet’s seasonal allergies?

Look out for scratching/itchy skin, licking of paws, face rubbing, sneezing, ear infections, red skin and potential loss of fur.

How do you treat seasonal allergies?

In most cases, seasonal allergies are easily treatable with either oral medications like Apoquel, antihistamines like Zrytec or injections like Cytopoint. At your appointment, we will discuss all treatment options with you to curate a plan that alleviates your pet’s allergies.

If your pet is presenting symptoms like above and you think it could be seasonal allergies, please give us a call so that we can help your pet have a happy, enjoyable and adventurous fall season.

08/15/2024

We love this 5 🌟 review for Dr. Wood.

If you haven't left a review and had a positive experience at our office we'd love to hear about it. You can leave us a review on Google or Yelp.

07/31/2024

Happy Birthday Paul! 🎂

Paul is our Kennel Manager and a long time employee of Old Dominion. We love his sage wisdom, sense of humor, friendliness to all and compassion towards our clients.

Join us in wishing him a very happy birthday!

07/30/2024

Hey all you cool 🐱 and kittens!

These sweet kittens are available for adoption through . We are currently fostering them in our lobby.

They are incredibly sweet, brave and working hard on their napping skills.

🐱Winston is a black male who loves to chase and is all about a Churu treat.

🐱Mary is a grey and white female, she is still shy but loves to play when he comes out of her shell.

Please feel free to drop in and meet with them if you are interested in offering them a fur-ever home.

07/24/2024

Thanks for this reminder from our sister hospital, Old Dominion Animal Hospital Crozet.

We are on a busy road- so please bring your pet into our office properly restrained.

07/23/2024

When mom brings you to work and you find out that she has a bottomless peanut butter stash. 🥜

07/20/2024

Happy Birthday to us 🎂

Yesterday we celebrated 42 years since the day we opened our doors. We've come such a long way and we know that the best is yet to come.

We are grateful for the clients who have become like family!

07/12/2024

Our friends at The HOWS Project are in search of volunteers. This is a great organization that is making a big impact in our local community.

Please get in touch with them if you are interested in joining their team!

📣HOWS friends are needed!

Want a chance to work together to help outside dogs? We have several upcoming opportunities this month - check them out!

Friday, 7/12 **MOST IMPORTANT
5:15p-8:15p
Fridays After Five
Ticket Tent Sales
4 Volunteres Needed

Friday, 7/19
5:15p-8:15p
Fridays After Five
Ticket Tent Sales
4 Volunteres Needed

Sunday, 7/21
5:45p- 9:45p
Ben Folds Concert
Ticket Tent Sales
2 Volunteers Needed

No experience needed - we train you on site in 5minutes! Super easy, great music, great people, so much fun and you are helping raise funds for the puppers!

Want to learn more?
Feel free to message us and we're happy to chat.

Sign up for an event here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CAAA629A2F4C61-volunteer

07/11/2024

Dr. Garrett Wood was interviewed yesterday by our friends at NBC29 News about the recent Parvo outbreak in Fluvanna's SPCA. If you missed his interview you can check it out below.

Some big takeaways from his interview with Kate Nuechterlein:

🩺 We know that there are a number of dogs in our area that have been diagnosed with, treated for or succumbed to Parvo virus.

🩺 Parvo virus is completely preventable and veterinarian administered vaccines are highly effective.

🩺 Survival rates are higher when diagnosed early on. Symptoms of Parvo virus to be on the lookout for include blood in vomit or stool, lethargy and lack of desire to eat or drink. If your puppy exhibits any of these symptoms get them into to see their veterinarian as soon as possible.

A contagious virus is ravaging Virginia, but it doesn’t affect humans.

07/04/2024

Did you catch Dr. Sirk on WVIR NBC29 last night? If you missed his interview you can check it out by clicking the link below.

If you don't have evening plans, our friends at Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA are in need of volunteers for their Peaceful Pet event. You can find all the details in the segment as well.

Pet parents would do anything to keep their animals safe and happy. For a lot of pet owners, Independence Day is a particular challenge because of the fireworks. Through Peaceful Pet Night, the Charlottesville SPCA is hoping to help.

07/01/2024

Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2024? As we gear up for the upcoming 4th of July celebrations, it’s essential to remember that this holiday can pose risks to our pets, particularly from fireworks. Check out our newest blog post for tips on keeping your pet safe.

Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2024? As we gear up for the upcoming 4th of July celebrations, it’s essential to remember that this holiday can pose risks to our pets, particularly from fireworks. Here are some tips from our veterinarians to help ensure your pet’s safety and peac...

06/30/2024

Don't worry- you still have a few hours to submit your vote for Best of C-ville 🏆

Vote at www.vote.c-ville.com
Navigate to the Services Category. Scroll down to Veterinary Hospital, select Old Dominion Animal Hospital, and hit vote.

06/28/2024

Don't Betty and Allen look cute as can be?

We can't imagine saying "No" to those faces- so have you voted for Best of C-ville yet? If not, you still have time to submit your vote at www.vote.c-ville.com

Betty and Allen visited Dr. Kramer recently and took full advantage of the window seat. 🥰

They also look like they want to know if you've submitted your vote for Old Dominion as Charlottesville's Best Veterinary Hospital. Voting closes in TWO days, there is no time to waste. Head over to www.vote.c-ville.com to vote now.

06/27/2024

4th of July is right around the corner and that means fireworks.

We encourage all pet owners to check their pet's medication to see if you need a refill prior to the holiday weekend. Additionally, if you think that your pet could benefit from some extra help staying calm during the weekend long fireworks display, give us a call today to figure out a plan.

We want everyone to enjoy the holiday weekend safely and happily!

06/24/2024

Best of C-ville voting ends in less than a week.

You can submit your vote for Old Dominion as Charlottesville's Best Veterinary Hospital by following the instructions below:

🐶If you navigate to the Services Category, scroll down to the bottom and click on Veterinary Hospital.

🐱Click on Old Dominion Animal Hospital

🐰Follow up with a simple click of the submit button and you’ve done it!

Vote today at http://vote.c-ville.com

06/18/2024

Yesterday we shared about keeping your pet cool and safe during hot temperatures this summer. We mentioned that heatstroke is one of our biggest concerns during this season.

Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s internal temperature goes above their normal baseline of 101.5 Fahrenheit (F). As companion pets, specifically dogs are unable to sweat, they rely on the evaporation of moisture through their tongues, nasal passages and linings of their lungs to cool them off. When they are unable to regulate their temperature due to extreme temperatures- heatstroke develops. Symptoms of heatstroke include:

Panting that progresses to distressed or noisy breathing
Restlessness, agitation, pacing
Seeking shade or excessive drinking
Drooling
Red gums and tongue
Vomiting and diarrhea

06/17/2024

Stay Indoors
The best place for your pet during high temperature days is inside with you. Excessive heat can cause significant health problems for our friends- like heatstroke and even more extreme problems. The state of Virginia also has a law that makes it illegal for companion animals to be tethered outside when it is higher than 85 degrees.

Make sure that your pet has access to cool and moving air, as well as, food and water when they are indoors. We encourage pet owners not to rely on a doghouse or garage to keep their pets cool, as often times, these structures can create the same conditions as sitting outside in the sun with no breeze.

Fresh Water
Hydration is key to keeping your pets cool and safe during high temperatures. Offer your pet cool, clean water after coming in from outside and be sure to bring along water and a bowl if you will be outside for more than ten minutes.

Limit Outdoor Activity
We highly encourage all pet owners to remain watchful on the daily weather to plan your pet’s exercise for the day. Hot temps may mean that you have to adjust your schedule to get your pet out for their run, walk, hike in the morning or around dusk instead of when it is hottest- in the middle of the day.

Another thing to keep in mind is that pavement will become hotter throughout the day with sun exposure. Ensure that you test the pavement with the back of your hand- if it is too hot for you- it is too hot for your pet!

No sitting in vehicles
Car temperatures are notorious for being too hot, even for a few moments. The Humane Society reports that on an 85 degree day, a car can reach an internal temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (F) within ten minutes and 120 degrees Fahrenheit (F) after thirty-minutes.

Leaving your pet in a car for an extended amount of time can cause tragic outcomes for your pet. When in doubt- leave them at home on the couch to wait for you to come back home.

06/11/2024

With summer in full swing, it seems like we've transitioned straight from cool spring days to the sweltering heat of summer! As always, we're reaching out to keep you informed with some exciting updates halfway through 2024.

Firstly, it's that time of the year again – Best of C-ville voting is now open! We've been incredibly honored to have been voted Charlottesville's Best Veterinary Hospital for both 2022 and 2023, and we're hoping to make it a three-peat this year! We encourage all of our wonderful clients to head over to the Best of C-ville website and cast your vote. Simply navigate to the Services Category, scroll down to the bottom, click on Veterinary Hospital, select Old Dominion Animal Hospital, and hit submit. Your support means the world to us! Hurry, as voting closes on June 30th – visit http://vote.c-ville.com to vote!

In other news, we're thrilled to announce that we've recently transitioned to new email addresses. This change was smoothly implemented a few weeks ago internally, and we're excited to begin using our updated email addresses. We kindly request that you update our contact information on your device to reflect these changes. Please find our updated email listings below:
Charlottesville office: [email protected]
Crozet office: [email protected]
Meredith West (Manager): [email protected]

Lastly, a friendly reminder regarding medication requests: While we strive to fulfill all medication requests within 24 to 48 hours, please bear with us during the summer season as our staff and veterinarians may be enjoying well-deserved vacations. We're committed to attending to your needs as promptly as possible, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thank you for entrusting Old Dominion Animal Hospital with the care of your beloved pets. We look forward to continuing to serve you and your furry family members throughout the summer and beyond!

06/10/2024

Mr. Bear snoozing during his cooperative care training session with Emily, our behavioralist.

It is important to us that your pet's veterinary office experience is happy and pleasant. We know it can be overwhelming with all of our four-legged patients, the sounds in our treatment space and smells. Just like we might experience anxiety visiting a doctor- your pet does too.

For some of our clients, that means we have to first work on getting relaxed and comfortable with it all. Which is exactly what Bear is doing. By visiting our office in sessions with Emily, he has been able to relax and get comfortable with the environment prior to being seen by a veterinarian.

06/07/2024

EEK 😍

We're so excited to see our spread in Vol. 16 of The Scout Guide.

Fun fact: This photo shoot was chaos in the best way. Many of our veterinarians are pictured with their personal pets which makes this so incredibly special.

You can find the newest edition of TSG at both of our locations.

06/03/2024

This gorgeous gal, Coco, would like to know if we take alternate forms of payment.
Perhaps nose-boops?

06/01/2024

Best of C-ville voting is officially open!

You can submit your vote for your community favorites until Saturday, June 30th at the link below:

https://vote.c-ville.com

05/27/2024

We solemnly honor our fallen military heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are profoundly grateful for your patriotism and dedication to our democratic nation. 🇺🇸

As a reminder- we are closed today in observance of Memorial Day. In case of a veterinary emergency, we encourage you to contact

🐾 Autumn Trails Veterinary Center at 434-971-9800
🐾 Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital at 434-202-1616
🐾 Verona Veterinary Emergency Services at 540-248-1051
🐾 VETSS at 434-973-3519

05/23/2024

As a friendly reminder, we will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 27th.

Please plan accordingly for your pet's medication and dietary needs.

05/11/2024

Happy pet mom’s day- enjoy this beautiful day and do something fun to celebrate!

05/08/2024

Poor Gryffin looks quite remorseful...

This handsome guy received some quality time with Dr. Garrett after he was brought in because he ate his tiny human's homemade play-dough. Turns out- he was suffering from salt toxicity.

🧂Salt toxicity can be a life-threatening condition for companion pets, as they are exposed to high levels of salts.

🧂Gryffin presented with vomiting, lethargy and increased/inappropriate urination.

🧂 Treatment of salt toxicity is inducing vomiting to empty stomach contents and receiving high doses of fluids to flush the salt out of the body.

🧂High salt items include, homemade play-dough and ocean water.

🧂 Normally, pets are hospitalized for 2-3 days. During this time, they are monitored closely and blood work is completed regularly to ensure that the salt is flushing out of the body.

If there is any worry that your pet has ingested high levels of salt (or drank lots of ocean water while swimming), we encourage you to reach out to your veterinarian immediately.

05/02/2024

We aren't the only ones enjoying the warmer weather, so are fleas and ticks. 🤢

We're grateful to Dr. Sirk for giving us prevention tips to keep our four-legged community members safe.

04/29/2024

Best of C-ville nominations are still open!

You can visit https://vote.c-ville.com to submit your nomination.

Navigate to "Services Category", scroll to the very bottom to "Veterinarians" and start typing "Old Dominion Animal Hospital" into the entry area. Our logo and name should self-populate for you!

04/25/2024

Moose 😍

This handsome boy is a Maine C**n cat. These large domestic cats are one of the oldest cat breeds in North America. They originated out of Maine- which is where their dense fur comes in handy to survive the harsh winter climates.

Maine C**ns are known as "gentle giants" and Moose is the perfect example of this characteristic. They are playful, affectionate and sociable, which makes them excellent family pets.