Windward Animal Hospital

08/20/2024

What a cutie! We look forward to seeing Stella again. ❤️.

Call us to schedule your preventative needs. (770)569-7298

https://windwardanimalhospital.com

08/06/2024

06/19/2024

A client posted this to a closed group on social media today and we were asked to share it to our page.

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"Two weeks ago my son adopted a kitten from a neighbor who found a stray cat with 6 kittens. He brought her into Windward Animal Hospital for an initial kitten check-up. It was safe to assume she needed to be dewormed and the only visible concern was her eyes were gunky.

She was only 6 weeks old at best & was the runt of the litter. Sadly, being a stray and being improperly weaned off the Mom the cards were stacked against her already.

We thought she was low on energy but we kept researched kitten behavior and everything we read said it was normal for them to sleep most of the day. She progressively got worse yesterday to the point where last night we decided that we were calling the clinic first thing this morning to get a recheck. No symptoms except meowing a lot, when awake less energy and a lot less interested in food yesterday. By midnight. I started having doubts that she would make it through the night.

Sadly, this morning we woke to her passing away overnight. Our hearts were broken!

The whole reason for the post is…. ( I want to be honest) Instinctively I wanted to think “why didn’t the Vet Clinic catch this”? For a split second, maybe nano-second, human nature kicked in and I, found myself wanting to blame someone! "The neighbor we got her from or the Vet Clinic"??? Someone had to be at fault for my family’s pain. It is weird how the human mind operates.

But thank goodness reality set in really quickly! I realize the clinic was seeing a kitten with “no prior” history or even any complaints from us to go on. Therefore they had to treat based upon visual examination alone. He didn’t test for every single birth defect nor did he run every diagnostic lab test humanly possible (thank GOD $$$). He did exactly what was expected of him which was to give her the best possible jump start on typical Kitten preventative care.

After all of this said, There is a hefty price to be paid for bringing a pet into your life. You love them deeply but with an awareness that someday you will absolutely lose them. It is a strange commitment that we, as humans, are willing to make in order to experience the unconditional love from our pets.

Thank You "Windward Animal Hospital" for helping us and having so much compassion. We could not imagine having your job and having to deal with the stress from taking risks and putting yourself out there every single day knowing it could result in DEATH. The toll that must play on your mental health must be so taxing. Then couple it with how so many people wanting to place blame.

Who knows maybe one day Vets will no longer be willing to take those chances or risks to save our pet's lives anymore. Who knows? I, however, am deeply grateful that your clinic is here.

Thanks!"

06/18/2024

Nationwide Pet Insurance canceling more than 100,000 policies. What pet owners need to know >>> https://2wsb.tv/4b35aTz

05/29/2024

It's takes a special person to be a Vet Tech. We are looking to hire another Certified or Registered Vet Tech. Please do not call the clinic. Email your resume to: [email protected]. We will review immediately.

05/24/2024

We can handle all of your preventative care needs. Call to schedule an appointment. (770)569-7298

05/22/2024

We would love to take care of all of your pet's needs whether it is preventative, routine or emergency care. We are here to help.

(770)569-7298

05/08/2024

A lot of people are under the impression that we are a rabbit clinic. Because of our passion for rabbits & exotic species we do like sharing the less common, less frequently posted animals.

However, our primary patients are still dogs & cats. Please keep us in mind if you are looking for a clinic to care for any & all of your furry, scaled, feathered loved ones.

https://windwardanimalhospital.com

(770)569-7298

04/24/2024

It is the time of the year where we get flooded with calls about baby birds. Here was a useful flowchart -

04/24/2024

We can assist with any necessary paperwork, including travel and boarding requirements.

https://windwardanimalhospital.com

04/23/2024

Please help us WELCOME our newest team member - ERICA. She has fantastic people skills & absolutely has a passion for all animals. She has been with us for the past month and we look forward to our future together.

04/09/2024

This caught our attention for sure.

It's a fact that there's a National Dog Farting Awareness Day! Yes, this is really a thing, and if you have a dog, you know it!

Dogs pass the gas just like we all do, but if your pooch is extra... extra. There might be a reason worth investigating! It could be an infection, or new food, people food or just something they should not have been eating. Also, pups who eat too fast tend to expel a little more puffs than those that take their time, so try to slow down those hungry, hungry hippos with a specially designed food dish, and even dividing up their meals into smaller portions. There's actually a lot of good intel on the topic, and even some really great scientific research worth reading for those who really want dig their nose in.

If you're suffering from frequent stink bombs and your fur baby is healthy, speak with your vet about some medications, supplements, and snacks that can help!

We have some stinky and some not-so stinky pups who would LOVE to meet you! Check them out today at Bit.ly/GwinnettAvailablePets!

03/25/2024

Other than as a spontaneous holiday gift, if you have been weighing taking on a new companion and rabbits appeal to you. Please consider adopting one from Georgia House Rabbit Society. They are an amazing resource and wealth of information. They always have rabbits who need a loving home.

https://www.houserabbitga.com/current-adoptables

03/25/2024

Cosmo came in for an eye infection. Glory "Clear" days ahead. LOL.

We wanted to include some symptoms of eye infections in Reptiles to help you recognize it and jump to action.

Swelling or Puffiness: The area around the eye may appear swollen or puffed up, more so than usual, even when the lizard is not inflating its body to appear larger.

Discharge: You might notice watery, pus-like, or any unusual discharge coming from the eye, which isn't typical for a healthy lizard or chameleon.

Eye Rubbing: The reptile might frequently rub its eye against objects or its limbs, indicating discomfort or an attempt to remove irritants.

Squinting or Closure: The infected eye may be partially or fully closed most of the time, and the lizard might squint, unable to open it fully due to pain or swelling.

Redness: The eye and surrounding tissue may exhibit redness, a common sign of irritation or infection.

Cloudiness or Loss of Transparency: The eye might lose its clarity, looking cloudy or opaque, which could indicate a more severe infection or injury.

Decreased Appetite: As with many health issues in reptiles, an eye infection might lead to a decreased appetite due to discomfort or stress.

Behavioral Changes: The reptile or chameleon may become more lethargic or less active, possibly avoiding bright light or basking areas if the infection causes light sensitivity.

Call us anytime if you have questions or need to make an appointment to be seen.

(770)569-7298

https://windwardanimalhospital.com

02/14/2024

Happy Valentines Day to all. ❤️🩷🧡💚💙🩵

01/24/2024

I saw this today and thought it was insightful enough to share. 💚❤️

12/05/2023

Honey was brought in because her "parents" observed a change in her appetite and they were concerned.

As devoted pet owners, Honey reminds us to post how crucial it is to be aware that changes in our furry friends' behavior can often be an early warning sign of underlying health issues. While some symptoms might be obvious, others can be more subtle. Here's some info to help you recognize these changes and understand when it's time to reach out to us:

https://windwardanimalhospital.com/early-warning-signs-cats/

(770)569-7298

12/01/2023

I couldn’t resist sharing this video.

▶️ Watch this reel https://www.facebook.com/reel/328801699787626?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=0NULKw

11/21/2023

From our family to yours "Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with 'pawsitive' vibes and grateful tails! We're 'fur'rever thankful for the trust you place in us to care for your beloved pets. Have a purr-fectly delightful Thanksgiving!" 🐾🦃🍁

Please NOTE: We are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

10/26/2023

We hope everyone has a wonderful time with the kids & stays safe. Don't forget if you are considering taking your dog out trick or treating - they do not understand costumes and may react unexpectedly.

https://windwardanimalhospital.com

(770)569-7298

10/19/2023

We can take care of all kinds of exotic species, simply call us to discuss.

(770) 569-7298

10/19/2023

Poor Mila! She looks pretty surprised to be here at Windward Animal Hospital. She has a healthy start to life with her kitten vaccinations and a beautiful pedicure. : )

Visit our website at: https://windwardanimalhopsital.com

(770)569-7298

10/05/2023

We get a lot of clients who are snake owners that bring their pets to us when they are not eating just like 'Toothless" (pictured).

We wanted to share some generic information as to common reasons why snakes might stop eating:

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:
* Temperature: Improper temperature in the enclosure can impact a snake's digestion and appetite.
* Humidity: Inadequate humidity can lead to shedding issues and reduced appetite.
* Habitat Setup: Inappropriate shelter, hiding spots, or overall setup may stress the snake, reducing its willingness to eat.

HEALTH CONCERNS:
* Illness: Respiratory infections, parasites, or other health issues can cause a snake to stop eating.
* Obstruction: If a snake has an intestinal blockage or is constipated, it may refuse to eat.
* Injury: Physical injuries or pain can deter a snake from feeding.

BEHAVIORAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES:
* Shedding: Snakes often lose their appetite during the shedding process.
* Breeding Season: Some snakes may refuse food during their breeding season due to hormonal changes.
* Stress: Moving to a new enclosure, changes in the environment, or handling can stress a snake and affect its appetite.

PREY (FOOD) ISSUES:
* Prey Size: If the prey is too large or too small, a snake might refuse to eat it.
* Prey Type: Some snakes are picky and may prefer a specific type of prey or have a preference between live and frozen-thawed prey.
* Scent: The smell of the prey or the enclosure might deter a snake from eating.

AGING OR LIFESPAN ISSUES:
* Old Age: As snakes age, they may experience a decrease in appetite and metabolic rate.

UNRECOGNIZED PREDATION:
* Threat Perception: If a snake perceives a threat in its environment, such as the scent of a predator, it may refuse to eat.

Please do not let it go too long before you act on it and bring your pet in to see us. You know better than anyone else when behavior is not normal. Observe concerning behavior, take notes or keep a log and call us.

https://windwardanimalhospital.com
(770) 569-7298

10/02/2023

Let us know how we can help you to help your furry loved one stay up on preventative care. We have text reminders, email alerts and other options.

https://windwardanimalhospital.com

(770) 569-7298

09/13/2023

Windward Animal Hospital has offered a low-cost spay and neuter program for rabbits for several years. As most rabbit owners know, rabbit surgery is a costly procedure with spays and neuters usually costing hundreds of dollars. More importantly, due to the delicate nature and special needs of rabbits, it is of the utmost importance that a veterinarian with extensive experience with rabbits performs the procedure.

Dr. Colby from the Windward Animal Hospital has been entrusted to the care of rabbits throughout the State and one of the leading veterinarians for the Georgia House Rabbit Society, a rabbit rescue and shelter located in Cobb County.

https://windwardanimalhospital.com

(770) 569-7298

08/31/2023

We just posted an article on "Upper Respiratory Infections" in Guinea Pigs. Please take a moment to read about it if you are the proud parent of a Guinea Pig.

If you need to have your pet seen, please call us and let us know if you feel the symptoms warrant an emergency visit.

https://windwardanimalhospital.com/guinea-pig-uri/

(770)569-7298