Ridgewood Animal Hospital

02/14/2025

**ACTION NEEDED: Save This Life (STL) Microchip Owners**

**Save This Life (STL)** microchip company has closed, making their registry inaccessible. If your pet has an STL microchip, shelters and vets may not be able to find your contact information if your pet is lost.

What to Do:
1. Re-register Your Pet's Chip:
FREE: [FreePetChipRegistry.com](http://www.freepetchipregistry.com) (connected to AAHA)
PetLink: [PetLink.net](https://www.petlink.net/account/register-pet/) for $1 (code **STLDOLLAR**) or $9.99 (code **VEDCO**)
2. Verify Chip Number: Have your vet or shelter scan your pet if you're unsure.
3. Update Info: Ensure your contact details are accurate in the new registry.

**Important:** STL chips still work, but re-registering is crucial to ensure your pet can be identified. Contact your vet or a recommended registry for help.
IMPORTANT NOTE. Our clinic does not use the "Save This Life" microchips.

02/09/2025

Who needs a football when you have a food bowl?
'm just here for the Puppy Bowl

02/07/2025

Gum health is just as important as
clean teeth! Red or swollen gums
can be a sign of gingivitis or
periodontal disease--don't wait to
see your vet if you notice these
symptoms.

02/03/2025

It’s Pet Dental Health Month! Show us how you’re keeping your pet’s smile healthy—whether it’s brushing, using dental treats, or scheduling a vet visit. Let’s keep those tails wagging and mouths happy!

01/29/2025

January is Walk Your Dog Month! Share a photo of your winter walk with your furry friend and tag us!
Walking your dog offers two key benefits:
□Weight Management and Health.
Regular walks help maintain your dog's healthy weight and prevent obesity-related health issues like diabetes, joint problems, and cardiovascular disease. About 50% of dogs in the United States are overweight, making exercise crucial.
□Mental Stimulation and Behavior.
Walking provides essential socialization and reduces destructive behaviors. By exposing your dog to different environments, people, and other animals, walks help improve their social skills and minimize boredom-induced behaviors like excessive barking or chewing.

01/21/2025

Tips for Protecting Pets in Extreme Cold 🐾
•Keep Pets Indoors: Prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia or frostbite. Monitor for shivering, lethargy, or weakness—signs of cold stress.
•Limit Outdoor Time: Short walks only, especially for short-haired breeds, puppies, and seniors. Use coats or sweaters for extra warmth.
•Protect Paws: Use booties or vet-approved paw balms to shield against ice, salt, and chemicals. Always wipe paws after walks.

01/15/2025

Winter weather pet tips:
Keep your home humidified and be sure to towel dry your pet as soon as they come inside. Repeatedly going into the cold and then coming back into a warm home can cause itchy, flaking skin.
Pay close attention to their feet and in-between their toes and remove any snow balls from between their foot pads to prevent and treat skin irritation in the winter.
Thoroughly clean up any anitfreeze spills. Antifreeze is a lethal for dogs and cats. Be sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
Additionally, cold weather chemicals like ice melts can be dangerous when ingested, so always be mindful and keep chemicals up and out of paws' reach.

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s health, please heed this advice from our experts.

01/07/2025

January 7, 2025
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted warning letters sent to six firms selling unapproved drugs that claim to treat and control seizures in dogs and cats.
The unapproved products were sold on the firm’s websites, social media pages and Amazon shops without a prescription or other veterinary oversight. Animal drugs used to treat and control seizures are not safe for animal use except under the professional supervision of a licensed veterinarian because a veterinarian’s specialized training and experience is needed to properly diagnose the condition and manage the health of animals with seizure disorders. Many health problems can cause seizures in animals, including genetic disorders, anemia, head trauma, liver disease, diabetes, cancer and exposure to toxins.

Today, the FDA posted warning letters sent to six firms selling unapproved drugs that claim to treat and control seizures in dogs and cats.

01/04/2025

Here's a few winter weather tips!

01/02/2025

Many of us create a short list of New Year's resolutions in January, promising to improve ourselves or pay it forward for others. Some of us with furry family members have made such promises to our pets.
1. Walk Dogs Daily.
We can all pack on pounds during the holiday season. Exercising is always more fun with a friend, so head outdoors with Fido and get your heart rate up.
2. Feed Healthier Diet and Treats to Pets.
No more table scraps. Stick to a good quality kibble for your pet and offer some healthier snack options, such as carrots or green beans.
3. Brush Pet’s Teeth Daily.
A daily brushing helps eliminate tartar, prevent dental disease and protect your pet’s overall health. Annual dental checkups will be easier on both you and your pet.
4. Keep Toxic Substances Out of Pet’s Reach.
Nearly 7,000 claims were filed in 2015 by Nationwide pet insurance policyholders for toxic ingestion. Pet owners vowed to keep toxic substances such as household products, medications, food, alcohol and plants away from pets to prevent accidental poisoning.

Check out Nationwide's list of the top 10 best New Year's resolutions for pet owners. Learn what tips & habits you can pick up for your dog or cat this year.

12/31/2024

If you have an emergency please contact Animal Emergency and Critical Care of Lynchburg at (434) 846-1504.
We will reopen Thursday for our regularly scheduled hours.

12/25/2024

From our veterinary team and families to yours, we wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. Whether you're celebrating with family, friends, or your beloved pets, we hope this time brings you happiness and warmth.

12/25/2024

Carol is zooming back to the North Pole on a thrilling zipline adventure! 🌟 Don’t forget to wave goodbye and remind her to tell Santa how good you’ve been this year! 🛷💨

12/22/2024

Carol is all set for a cozy night in, watching Elf and enjoying some popcorn! Who else loves this holiday classic? 🎄❤️

12/20/2024

Will you be snapping pics of your furry family members? Avoid surprises. Let your pets get comfortable with camera equipment, props and festive outfits before you take the pictures.
There is no shame in bribery. Equip yourself with treats, squeaky things, wand toys—whatever it takes to get your pets to look at you and the camera. Offer rewards for good behavior.

Got a new furry friend—or just have a very photogenic pet—and want to share holiday pics? Check out these tips from our photo stylists.

12/19/2024

When you realize the only thing sweeter than Christmas is a perfectly toasted marshmallow!

12/18/2024

Holiday plants, lights, candles, and other decorations can make the holidays festive, but they also pose risky temptations for our pets.
▪︎Tinsel, ribbons, wreaths, and other decorative materials also can be tempting for pets to play with and eat. These items whether swallowed in whole or in part can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
▪︎Water additives for Christmas trees can be hazardous to your pets if swallowed. Avoid adding anything to the water for your tree if you have pets in the house.
Flowers and festive plants can result in an emergency veterinary visit if your pet gets hold of them. ▪︎Poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar, and holly are among the common holiday plants that can be dangerous and even poisonous to pets who eat them.

December abounds with holiday celebrations, and nothing can spoil good cheer like an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic. These tips can help keep the winter holiday season safe for pets.

12/16/2024