Clearfield Veterinary Hospital

04/01/2024

02/21/2024

I'm at the emergency vet with Sky tonight after I gave her a bath and discovered a gash that she must've gotten while I was doing barn chores. She's fine, just needs a few stitches.

We've been here for three hours, and we've got at least another hour before we get to go home.

But I'm absolutely happy to wait.

There are two families here in the waiting room that seem to have lost their pets tonight.

Waiting means it's not critical. Waiting means that I get to keep my heart whole and take my dog home tonight. Waiting is a privilege.

01/15/2024

Rainbow Bridge: Setting the Record Straight
Most anyone who has loved and lost a dog has most certainly heard of the poem, Rainbow Bridge, a tribute to pets that have passed. The poem has touched the lives of millions of pet lovers around the world.
Most often, it has been shared, posted or inscribed with "Author Unknown" attached to it. Paul Koudounaris, an art historian and a founding member of The Order of the Good Death, was on a mission to find the poem's true auther.
Through his research, Koudounaris found records of 15 separate claims filed under the title "Rainbow Bridge" with the United States Copyright Office, dating as far back as 1995. He compiled a list of 25 names he found that had any connection to the poem. Then, he found the name Edna Clyne from Scotland, in an online chat group. A little Googling led him to the name Edna Clyne-Rekhy, whose authorship of a book about her late husband and their dog made him jot her name onto the list — the only woman and the only non-American.
"What initially would have seemed like the most unlikely candidate in the end turned out to be the most intriguing candidate and, of course, the actual author," said Koudounaris. When Koudounaris contacted 82-year-old Ms. Clyne-Rekhy, she had no idea that the poem she had written more than 60 years ago to honor her childhood dog had brought comfort to so many people.
Major, a Labrador Retriever, was Edna's first dog. "Major was a very special dog," said Edna. “Sometimes I would just sit and talk to him, and I felt that he could understand every word I said.” Her mother used to ask how Edna had trained Major to be so gentle and obedient, and she still laughs about the question, explaining that she had never trained him at all, it was natural between them.
Major died in 1959, when Edna was 19 years old. The day after he passed, Edna found a notebook and pulled a piece of paper from it. As she began writing, she felt as if Major was guiding her pen.
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge," the poem begins. When she was finished, she wrote "Rainbow Bridge" at the top of the piece of paper, then showed it to her mother, who responded, "My darling girl, you are very special." Afterwards, she put the piece of paper away and didn't show it to anyone else for a long time.
Years later, she showed the poem to her husband, Jack Rekhy, who suggested she publish it. But, Edna didn't want to, telling him it was something private between herself and Major.
Eventually, Edna typed up a few copies and handed them out to close friends - but she did not add her name on those copies. As more and more people shared the poem, it became cut off from its source.
By the early 1990s it had crossed the Atlantic. In February 1994, a woman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, sent a copy of Rainbow Bridge that they had received from their local humane society to the advice column Dear Abby. It was published with a comment from Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby), "I'm sure that many readers will be as moved as I when they read it. I confess, I shed a tear or two. Regrettably, you did not include the name of the author. If anyone in my reading audience can verify authorship, please let me know." The letter provoked an overwhelming reponse with mailbags full of letters from pet owners who had been touched by the poem.
When Koudounaris reached Edna, she was surprised he found her, and the reason why. She told him everything, inluding that the original poem sat in a box in her attic marked, "If you can't find it, it's in here."
Edna confessed to Koudounaris that when she took the poem out of the box to take photos of it for him that she began to cry. The memory of Major in the poem still carries that much emotional power for Edna.
"More than anything though, she is simply flattered that something she wrote so long ago has resonated with such a vast number of people—the fact that it has comforted so many is the greatest possible homage to her love for Major," Koudounaris said. "She knew nothing about the inscribed tablets in pet cemeteries.
She had also never heard the abbreviation ATB. I had to explain that it meant 'At The Bridge', and that there are entire mourning groups based around those three letters, which signify the pets waiting to meet their owners at a place she invented for Major."
"As a concept, what nineteen-year-old Edna envisioned is a kind of limbo where deceased pets are returned to their most hale form and cavort in newfound youth in an Elysian setting," wrote Koudounaris. "But it is not paradise itself. Rather, it is a kind of way station where the spirit of an animal waits for the arrival of its earthly human companion, so that they may cross the Bridge together, to achieve true and eternal paradise in each other’s company, and to thereafter never again be parted."
Koudounaris asked one question of Edna that took her aback during their discussions. What advice could she share for someone suffering from the loss of a pet?
"Her response was then immediate – get another pet," wrote Koudounaris. "She said that the relationship with a new pet will never be the same as the relationship with the old one, but it can be equally special and loving in different ways."
Shown: A recent photograph of Edna with her dogs Zannussi and Missy. Courtesy of Edna Clyne-Rekhy
Credit Goes to the respective owner 🌷

11/29/2023

We have been using this AI technology in our practice for over a year now. It has been so helpful.

The Vetscan Imagyst developed by Techcyte to apply AI algorithms to test f***l, urine and other components of animal health is being used at more than 3,000 US veterinary practices, and the company's animal data is beginning to make a difference for people also. The timeframe for parasite testing fo...

11/21/2023

CANINE INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX

There has been a increase in complex respiratory cases over the past year or so in some areas in our nation, with more dogs developing pneumonia or serious complications than is expected from typical causes of 'Kennel Cough'. Locally, we have had some cases over the summer that seem to fit this pattern, but we do NOT have any reason to believe that there is currently an outbreak in our area.
We will provide additional information as it comes available from reputable sources.
What should pet owners be aware of?
ISOLATE your pet if they develop a cough without known medical explanation. Coughing dogs should not be boarded in a kennel or exercised with other dogs as they could be exposed to other pathogens which could progress their disease and they pose a risk to other pets.
CONTACT your veterinarian if your pet develops a cough, and monitor for progressive signs such as loss of appetite, lethargy, depression, weakness or nasal discharge. A Pet ER visit might be necessary if after-hours or if your veterinary office does not have availability.
VACCINATE your pet. Eliminating or reducing certain known infectious respiratory pathogens such as Distemper, Bordetella and Canine Influenza may provide protection against complicated disease.
RESTRCT your pet from sharing toys and public drinking bowls and from interacting with dogs that are coughing or appear unwell.

07/23/2023

Amazing

07/11/2023

Expanding Emergency Coverage.

CPVETS is expanding our hours! We are now staying open on Tuesdays to better serve our patients and their families.

Current hours: Open continuously from 7pm Thursday to 8am on Wednesday. Wednesday 7pm-8am

05/18/2023

Please protect yourselves by protecting your pets with proper tick control.

A resident of Sagadahoc County, Maine, has died of Powassan virus, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick or woodchuck tick. Powassan virus can cause no symptoms at all, or it can cause brain and spinal cord inflammation, and about 10% of severe cases are fatal.

04/18/2023

03/05/2023

Lilies are such beautiful flowers. But they can cause some serious kidney damage if ingested by our feline friends. Cats love to chew on plants—so keep these out of the household! 🌸🪷🚫❌

02/15/2023

MONDAY, Feb. 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- In the wake of natural disasters like wildfires that have destroyed whole communities with alarming speed, some folks are focused on the beloved pets left behind — and how to save others in the future.More than 1,000 pets died in the Marshall fire on Dec. ...

02/09/2023

12/08/2022

: Pennsylvania’s already vulnerable snowshoe hare populations face the looming threat of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2), a highly contagious, often fatal disease affecting rabbits and hares.

The Wildlife Futures Program is investigating exactly how RHDV-2 affects hares to understand the virus and how to treat it.

This , learn how to protect your pet rabbit and in turn safeguard wild populations: https://bit.ly/3VKwoai

12/07/2022

We are now able to offer the RHDV2 (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease) Vaccine! For more information on this disease please click on the link below. Please call our office if you are interested in getting put on our list for the vaccine.
www.medgenelabs.com/RHDV2

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a highly contagious, fatal disease in rabbits. Medgene Labs provides a vaccination for RHDV2.

07/16/2022

Everyone loves a beagle!!

07/15/2022

Found a pair of Jersey cattle in Woodland. Anyone missing cattle or knows who might be please post here and share. Thank you

07/07/2022

Please take this into consideration when you are calling into our hospital. The receptionists are usually overwhelmed with calls and doing the best that they can. Thank you

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/07/not-enough-veterinarians-animals/661497/?utm_source=apple_news&fbclid=IwAR04youe-2XwtZ2VHCq7pTvro5N2I1BcrMLvjPCcEYopX4Es3YaUvVDQPoE

There are not enough humans to take care of all the animals.

07/03/2022

Protect your pets this July 4th please!

Every year, the days leading up to and following the 4th of July, shelters everywhere fill up with animals frightened by fireworks, and many shelters are already at capacity! While We wish fireworks were banned, this will never happen. So it’s up to us who love our pets to protect them! Keep them comforted inside, and even if you think there is no way they can or will escape your property, take the extra step of attaching your phone number on your pet’s collar. All you need is some duct tape and a sharpie or ink pen. Finding an animal with a phone number makes it SO SIMPLE to reunite them with their owner. Let’s make a difference this holiday and keep animals from ending up in shelters!

07/01/2022

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/4th-of-july-dangers/?fbclid=IwAR1okhgJQzGNlHjqajyNRUZgPAn7bVpYLuwvbRwMnDD79ogMFOMFYbuvzqA

For many of us, July 4th is a day celebrated with barbeques, outdoor activities, and fireworks. However, for our pets, this can be a time of heightened anxiety

05/29/2022

Recently, my wife and I went through one of the more excruciating experiences of our lives – the euthanasia of our beloved dog, Murphy. I remember making e

05/18/2022

04/15/2022

SEASONAL PSA! It’s that time of year again! Lilies are a common Easter flower and many pet owners don’t know that they are FATALLY TOXIC to cats! ANY part of the plant if ingested can KILL a healthy adult cat. Even a speck of pollen getting on their fur or paws and then being licked off can be enough. PLEASE be aware of what plants and flowers you bring into your home. The ASPCA has an easy database of all toxic and non-toxic plants that I implore everyone to refer to before buying any houseplants or bouquets! Here’s a link: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

02/03/2022

For those in Clearfield and surrounding areas that were previously taking their pets to Dr. Herring's veterinary practice and now in need of immediate care for your pets we here at Clearfield Veterinary Hospital will be doing our best to help. But please note..

We will be triaging patients by the severity of their needs such as animals in need of refills of medications for serious chronic conditions will be helped first, then all other medication refill needs. We cannot legally refill any prescription medications for an animal we have not examined in the last year. Please understand this is Pennsylvania law and out of our control.

CPVETS 814-237-4670 in State College will also be helping out by allowing clients in urgent need for medication refills to been seen there for an exam to allow for refills. Please call ahead before you go there. If their veterinarians are dealing with a full hospital of emergencies and sick animals they will not be able to help you at that time.

For all other needs such as urgently sick pets please call our hospital. We will help if we can. If we do not have room in our schedule to give you an appointment we may have you drop off your pet for the doctor to see between her other appointments or surgical procedures. But again we can only take in so many patients in a days time so please understand if we cannot help you immediately when you call.

For our present clients thank you for bearing with us during this transition, we will strive to continue to take care of you and your pets as we always have.

01/06/2022

12/22/2021

After John was hospitalized,he was forced to give his dog to the Rome Humane Society
When RN Jennifer heard about it, she immediately went there and adopted John’s dog, so that she could bring him to visit while he complete his rehabilitation
For John, this kindness is the most precious gift he could ever wish for Christmas ♥️💚