Island Animal Hospital

01/06/2024

❄️As temperatures drop, it’s important to take extra precautions to help keep your pet healthy and happy. Check out our top tips and share this post to help keep your neighborhood pets safe!

More on this here: https://bit.ly/3sP79L7

01/04/2024

Does your pet have stinky breath? It could be periodontal disease.

More than 70% of pets show some degree of periodontal disease by the age of 3. Regular exams and routine dental cleanings help us catch signs of disease and intervene before it exacerbates. Reach out to us today to schedule your pet's next wellness visit – we can’t wait to see their smile!

01/04/2024

Puppy Socials are back this Sunday January 7th and continuing weekly!! Click this link for more info and to sign up here: https://www.rainorshinecaninepdx.com/services-1

Did you know that 3 to 16 weeks of age is the critical socialization period for all puppies? During this phase, puppies are like little sponges soaking up all they can about the world around them - how to interact with people, other dogs, different sights, smells and sounds. Safe and guided socialization during this time can help prevent many fears and behavior problems from developing later in life.

Let TWO certified dog trainers, Cathy Thrift and Kate Johnson, help your puppy get socialized and give you a quick break from the puppy crazies!

Socials for puppies between 8 and 20 weeks old.

All puppies attending must show proof of their first round of vaccines!

12/30/2023

2024 is almost here! Are you ready to yap out the old and bark in the new? Do your resolutions involve your pet? Share them with us in the comments below!

12/28/2023

The New Year is just a few days away! Here are our top pet safety tips so you can welcome in 2024 as safely as pawsible:

-Keep all pets indoors
-Make sure pets have an ID and are chipped
-Keep human food and alcohol away from your pet, and relay to any guests of this as well
-Keep your pet in a cozy area with music or a TV on. These sounds help to drown out any party noises and/or fireworks.

Spread positive New Year vibes by sharing this post! 🎉

More on this here: https://bit.ly/3TarQvT

12/23/2023

We can all agree that when a pet receives a new toy, their excitement is undoubtedly adorable!

Are you gifting your pet a new toy this holiday season? Tell us – or if they already received it – show us in the comments! 🦴🎁

12/21/2023

Do you and/or your pet have an ugly sweater you rock during the holiday season? If so, join us in the holiday spirit and show us in the comments below! We’d love to see them!

12/21/2023

12/16/2023

December is a wonderfur month – it’s National Cat Lovers’ Month!

Celebrate your feline friend by giving them their favorite treats, extra cuddles, and by showing us a photo of them in the comments below! 😻

12/14/2023

It’s the howl-iday season, but safety comes first. Here are our top holiday pet safety tips to help ensure your pet stays happy and healthy. Share this post to help spread holiday joy!🐾

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/46Tf9ZD

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12/14/2023

Hello from our little Mia!! Mia’s enjoying a C.E.T. Dental chew in her warm Christmas bed! She hopes all of you are staying warm, too! ♥️🐾

12/11/2023

We got to meet this cool guy last week! Donald the duck came in for a quick procedure and got to wake up getting the best cuddles from our technician, Sam! 🦆♥️

12/09/2023

Did you know that most pets see muted colors?

While dogs can’t see the same array of colors that humans can, they can discern between yellow and blue (making them red-green color blind).

When choosing your pet’s holiday gift this year, maybe opt for a yellow or blue toy! 🔵
Share this post if you learned something new!

12/07/2023

Our pets’ physical exams provide a lot of information on heart, lung, eye, and ear health, but what about what’s going on inside?

Performed at least once a year, blood work panels help us assess your pet’s overall health. Diagnostic labs give us an inside look at how your pet’s liver and kidneys are functioning and help track any changes in their health.

To schedule your pet’s wellness exam, contact us today!

12/02/2023

Today is National Mutt Day – as if we need another reason to celebrate our mixed-breed bestie.

Do you have a mixed-breed pup? Tell us about your mutt and share a photo of them in the comments below. We’d love to see their faces!

11/30/2023

Arthritis is extremely common in pets, especially as they age. Signs of arthritis in pets include (but are not limited to):

-Stiff or swollen joints
-Difficulty standing from a lying position
-Difficulty going upstairs or jumping
-Reduced muscle volume in the rear limbs

If your pet is showing signs of arthritis, please contact us. We have many treatment options available to help keep your pet thriving, comfortable, and happy!

11/30/2023

We got to meet the coolest guy today!! This is Magoo! Magoo’s tech, Chrissy really enjoyed getting some “dinosaur” hugs! 😍😍 This dude is definitely a showstopper!!

11/28/2023

This week’s puppy social update!! 😍😍 A few new faces joined the group - they were a little nervous at first but came around so well with guidance from Kate and Cathy!

Puppy Socials - every Sunday afternoon at IAH! Link in the comments for more info and to sign up!


Rain or Shine Canine, LLC SSI Cathy Thrift

11/25/2023

Did you know that the average dog has an intelligence level comparable to a 2-year-old human? 🤔

According to the American Psychological Association, dogs can learn up to 250 words and gestures, equivalent to toddlers. What words does your pet know?

11/18/2023

Before we activate feast mode, we wanted to share our Thanksgiving safety tips to help keep your pet as healthy as can be.

Share this post to spread awareness and Thanksgiving cheer!🦃

11/16/2023

Senior pets are more susceptible to certain health problems. Combining regular wellness visits with lots of love can help prolong their life!

Check out our tips on making your pet’s silver-whiskered years more golden. Share this post with a fellow pet parent!

11/13/2023

PUPPY SOCIALS!! Check out this video of some great play skills our puppies are learning - and some more info from our trainers Kate Johnson and Cathy Thrift on why puppy socials are SUCH a great thing! Link to sign up in the comments below!

“The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.”

Improper socialization is a leading cause of behavior problems in adult dogs.

We use positive, reward based training systems to set every puppy up for success!

While the main focus of these socials will be learning how to play appropriately with other puppies, socialization isn’t just about meeting other puppies; there are all kinds of sights, sounds, and smells our puppies need to learn about. Puppy classes should include opportunities for puppies to investigate novel objects at their own pace with lots of positive reinforcement.

INDOOR CLASS: 1st ROUND OF VACCINES REQUIRED

5 PUPPIES PER CLASS

45 minute session

TWO CERTIFIED TRAINERS PER CLASS

COST: $40 per puppy

The space will be completely sanitized before and after each class.

All classes are held at Island Animal Hospital / 2603 Demere Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522

11/11/2023

In honor of Veteran's Day, we want to express our gratitude to our brave veterans – both human and canine – as well as the Service Dogs who provide unwavering support.​ 💙

To donate, learn more, or apply for the perfect Service Dog match, visit K9s for Warriors here: https://k9sforwarriors.org/​

11/09/2023

November is , and we wanted to bring awareness to some early onset signs to remain vigilant of:

-Excessive drinking
-Increased urination
-Weight loss
-Appetite changes
-Cloudy eyes
-Chronic or recurring infections, especially skin and urinary infections

If any of the above develops in your pet, consult your veterinarian. Diabetic pets can live a long and happy life with proper treatment. Share this post to spread awareness!

11/04/2023

Senior pets are perfect for families that are looking for a loyal companion, and at your local animal shelter, there is a senior pet waiting for their fur-ever home.

Did you adopt your senior pet? If so, tell us about your pet’s adoption story in the comments below!

11/02/2023

Your pet’s bladder is an important part of their overall health. With November being , we wanted to share our top tips to help keep your pet healthy and some signs that might indicate an issue is present.

Share this post to help keep your fellow pet parents in the know!

10/31/2023

Happy Howl-O-ween from the Spooky IAH Vet crew!! You know how it is taking photos with animals… See comments for bloopers 😆🐾🐾👻🎃

10/28/2023

Did you know that 1 in 5 parents dress up their pet as a pumpkin? 🎃

According to the National Retail Federation, pumpkin pet costumes are very popular, followed by a hotdog, superhero, or bumblebee costume!

What does your pet plan to dress up as this Halloween? Show us in the comments below!

10/26/2023

Our first Puppy Social last weekend was a HUGE success!! Sign up your puppy to join the group at the link below!

https://www.rainorshinecaninepdx.com/services-1

⭐️ Offered weekly every Sunday afternoon!

⭐️ For puppies younger than 16 weeks.

⭐️ This is an amazing opportunity to have your puppy socialized in a safe environment under the guidance of two wonderful certified trainers, Cathy Thrift and Kate Johnson!

10/26/2023

Halloween is only a few days away! We wanted to share our top pet safety tips so you and your pet can have a happy howl-o-ween. Enjoy, be safe, and share this post for awareness! 🐾 🎃

10/21/2023

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate Team Appreciation Week!! Here’s a quick video of the whole team doing what they do best!

10/20/2023

⭐️VET TEAM APPRECIATION WEEK⭐️

Last but not least we celebrate our veterinarians! Technically, they are experts in animal health who diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in animals, but their jobs encompass much more.

Unlike human physicians, veterinarians must specialize in multiple different species with varying anatomy and physiology. They also have knowledge in multiple areas of medicine like anesthesia, pain management, general surgery, pharmacology, nutrition, critical care, dentistry, dermatology, pediatrics and geriatrics, parasitology, immunology, behavior and many more.

Our veterinarians are also dedicated to continuous learning - that means attending continuing education courses every year, researching and discussing cases, and staying up-to-date on the most current medicine set forth by professional veterinary organizations!

Along with our entire team, they care deeply about what they do every day to make your pet’s lives better!

Thank you Dr. Luckstone, Dr. Hill and Dr. Phillips for all you do!!

10/19/2023

October is Animal Safety & Protection Month, shedding light on pet safety protocols to help keep your pet healthy and as happy as possible!

Share this post to help promote awareness and possibly save a pet’s life. 💙

10/19/2023

⭐️VET TEAM APPRECIATION WEEK⭐️

Our veterinary assistants and technicians are the backbone of our daily operations. They are handling the flow of appointments and surgeries throughout the day - getting history information, vital signs, drawing blood, giving medications, monitoring your pet under anesthesia, taking X-rays, observing hospitalized patients, processing lab samples and paperwork, cleaning your pet’s teeth, taking their dental X-rays, and assisting the doctors in surgery. Not to mention, cleaning, stocking supplies, sterilizing surgical packs, doing laundry - and yes, even the dirty jobs like cleaning up p**p and expressing a**l glands!

They spend a lot of time educating pet parents on how to best take care of their pet so they can live a long and happy life! Like the rest of our team, they are also there to help you through the emotional side of pet ownership when you need them!

Thank you to Robin, Sam, Chrissy, Kim, Taylor, Yesenia and Kathleen for all you do!!

10/18/2023

⭐️VET TEAM APPRECIATION WEEK⭐️

Client Service Representatives or CSRs, are the front lines of our hospital - they are answering the phones, making appointments, sending and receiving records, checking patients in and out, handling payments and organizing communication between all departments.

But beyond just their day-to-day duties, with every brief or long encounter, they are also building connections and relationships with all of our clients and their pets over their lifetime. As does our whole team, they too share in your joy of welcoming a new pet and in your sadness when you lose one. They are here for you!

We include Traci, our hospital manager, in the CSR group because she can do the CSR duties PLUS some! She is also the IT help desk, the fixer of all things mechanical or equipment (if she can’t, she will find someone who will), human resources, and supervisor of all departments.

Thank you to Lisa, Nancy, Tonya, Elizabeth and Traci for all you do!!

10/18/2023

PUPPY SOCIALS!! This is such a great opportunity for socialization and we are excited to be a part of!! Check out the info below to sign up!

Now offering Drop Off Puppy Socialization Classes on St. Simons Island!!

Who: 
Puppies up to 16 weeks who have had their first round of vaccinations.

What:
Two trainers work directly with a maximum of 5 puppies per class. Focus is on developing appropriate play skills and building confidence. 

Classes are 45 minutes and cost $40.

When:
Sundays (starting this Sunday 10/22)
2 pm — small puppies who weigh less than 15 pounds
3 pm — large puppies who weigh more than 15 pounds

A dog’s critical socialization period is the first 16 weeks of life. This is the most important time to start helping them learn what in the world is safe, and exposure isn’t enough.
A lack of positive socialization during this period is one of the leading causes of behavior problems for dogs in adult life.
This is the time to safely and positively expose puppies to all sorts of new and unfamiliar people, other dogs and animals, sights, sounds, surfaces, etc.

Let trained professionals do some of the work for you.

Our Social Puppy class aims to help puppies learn to play and communicate well and make positive associations to new experiences during this critical window of development.
The goal: confident puppies who can have fun, slow down, read body language and respond appropriately around other dogs and people. 

Sign up now at my website: rainorshinecaninepdx.com

Please reach out if you have any questions!

10/17/2023

⭐️VET TEAM APPRECIATION WEEK⭐️

This amazing group we are highlighting today takes care of your pets when you’re out of town! Their days are spent doing pool and playtime sessions, sending updates to pet parents, medicating, feeding, and cleaning. They also observe your pet’s behavior while boarding and alert the veterinary staff if anything seems off - physically or emotionally.

Thank you to our wonderful boarding crew - Jailyn, Tonya, Kiley and Tarra!!

10/16/2023

Happy Monday!!

We are a Fear-Free facility and always want your pets to feel “at home” with us! Miss Ella stopped in today and made herself comfortable at the front desk! We’re so happy you enjoy coming to visit! ♥️🐾