Laurie Animal Hospital

08/27/2021

Due to a death in our family our office will be closed today, Friday August 27, 2021, from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm to allow our employees to attend the funeral service.
We will not be scheduling appointments today, Friday, but will resume our normal office hours on Saturday August 28, 2021.
Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.

08/26/2021

We have created a new page! Come and join us for news, updates, and events!

At Laurie Animal Hospital, we treat your pets like the valued family members they are.

08/25/2021

Due to a death in our family our office will be closed Friday August 27, 2021 from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm to allow our employees to attend the funeral service.
We will not be scheduling appointments on Friday, but will resume our normal office hours on Saturday August 28, 2021.
Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.

07/02/2021

Happy 4th of July Weekend from all of us here at the Laurie Animal Hospital! We celebrate our Independence Day and the heroes that protect and keep us safe, whether they may be deployed overseas, or right in our own backyard. Thank you!

We want everyone to know our office will be open tomorrow, Saturday, and on Monday.

So as you prepare for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, fireworks, picnics and other 4th of July traditions, remember some of these festivities can be frightening and even dangerous for animals. Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise and flashes of fireworks that we enjoy. Noisy fireworks and other celebrations can startle animals and cause them to run away; holiday foods can be unhealthy; summer heat and travel can be dangerous; and potentially dangerous debris can end up lying on the ground where pets can eat or play with it. So please keep all of this in mind as you celebrate the holiday with your family and friends.

Be safe this weekend and have a very fun and Happy 4th of July!

06/26/2021

Beginning next week on July 1st, our office will be back open on Thursdays, however, we will only be open from 8 a.m. to 12:00 noon, just like on Saturdays.

Thank you for being patient with us as we have been going through some changes. And as a reminder, our doors are open and masks are no longer required unless you feel more comfortable wearing them.

Next weekend is July 4th, which falls on a Sunday. Our hours will not change, we will be open Saturday the day before and Monday the day after.

Have a wonderful weekend from all of us!

06/22/2021

Is it hot? Do your pets feel like they need to cool off?

Summer is the time to have outdoor fun with our pets. Longer walks in the park – the sun is shining and the outdoors is calling! But hot weather can also make us uncomfortable and poses special risks for dogs. From increased exposure to ticks and other insects, to sunburn and even heatstroke, all sorts of things can go wrong for your pets in the summer.

Keep the following safety concerns in mind as the temperature rises and follow our tips for summer safety for your pets.

Dogs and cats don’t sweat like we do; they drink water and pant to bring down their body temperature. Watch for symptoms like heavy panting, dry or bright red gums, thick drool, vomiting, diarrhea, and wobbly legs, as these are signs of them overheating and possible heat exhaustion. If this does occur, move them to a cool place, give them a drink of water, and put a damp towel over their body. Don’t place in cold water, as that can put them into shock.

Give your pet a shady spot to hang out on hot days or keep them inside where there’s air-conditioning. Doghouses are not good shelter in the summer because they can trap heat.

Fill a child size wading pool with fresh water for them to cool off in. You can join them if you wish. Some dogs like to get into the lake, but the lake poses bacteria that can cause skin issues, so be sure to rinse them off when they get out.

NEVER leave your pet inside a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature can reach 100 degrees in just 20 minutes.

Always have plenty of cool, fresh water for them to drink.

Avoid exercising your dog strenuously on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early morning or evenings when the sun’s heat is less intense.

Avoid exposing your dog to hot asphalt or sand for any prolong period, and especially when it is hottest during the day, as it can burn their paws.

Be mindful of your dog’s breed. Dogs that have a short head and snout, such as bulldogs, boxers, Japanese chin and Pekingese have especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as efficiently as longer nosed dogs.

Keep all these things in mind and you and your pet(s) can have a wonderful summer!

06/19/2021

Happy Father's Day Weekend

To all you dad's out there, whether your kids are humans or furbabies .................. we appreciate you for all you do! So here’s to all the wise, funny, tough, gentle, playful, hardworking men who make a difference in our lives! Thank you!

Have a wonderful Father's Day from all of us here at the Laurie Animal Hospital!

06/01/2021

Happy Tuesday! Today is a brand new month, and we have an update............

We want to let you know we have lifted our restrictions here at the Laurie Animal Hospital regarding mask mandate. The CDC's guidelines are now telling everyone who is completely vaccinated that they do not need to wear masks, so we are no longer mandating masks when you come in the building or when you have an appointment.

You are welcome to continue wearing masks if you are more comfortable wearing them inside, and we do recommend masks if you are not vaccinated.

05/26/2021

The Memorial Holiday is upon us! Just a reminder we are closed tomorrow, Thursday, but open Friday and Saturday. We will also be closed on Monday, Memorial Day and re-open on Tuesday, normal hours.

As we all know, Memorial Day is a holiday honoring the people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and have given their lives for our country. We also honor those pets who also serve. Animals have been working in the service of humans for as many—if not more—years than they’ve been serving as our sweet and loyal pets. And for people with disabilities, the services that they can provide aren’t just useful—they can be truly lifesaving. So, we honor and thank you for your service!

Memorial Day is also an unofficial start to summer, and a great excuse to get outdoors. But whether you’re partying, barbequing, or just soaking up some rays, it’s important to keep your pet’s safety in mind at all times. To prevent any Memorial Day mishaps, here are some tips to help protect them:

PARTY SMART
Barbequing is one of the best parts of Memorial Day, but remember that the food and drink you serve your guests may be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from animals, and remind guests not to give them any table scraps or snacks. Raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, and avocado are all common at barbeques—and they’re all especially toxic to animals.

BE COOL NEAR THE POOL (AND LAKE)
Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Also, try to keep your pet from drinking pool water, which contains potentially dangerous chemicals like chlorine, or lake water, which contains bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

SKIP THE SPRAY
Unless specifically designed for animals, insect repellant and sunscreen can be toxic to pets. Signs of repellent toxicity include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and lethargy. DEET, a common insecticide in products for humans, may cause neurological issues in dogs.

MADE IN THE SHADE
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so if you’re spending time outside, give them plenty of fresh, clean water and make sure they have a shady place to get out of the sun. Note that animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

IDs, PLEASE
Time spent outdoors comes with the added risk of pets escaping. Make sure that your pet is fitted with a Rabies tag, microchip or ID tag with identifying information. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

AND ABOVE ALL……………………….have a wonderful holiday and be safe from all of us here at the Laurie Animal Hospital!

05/08/2021

All of us here at the Laurie Animal Hospital want to wish all the moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day tomorrow! We hope your day is filled with all the wonderful things you deserve! Whether your babies are "Human" or have four legs and fur...…..Enjoy your day!

05/05/2021

Happy Cinco De Mayo! It's a beautiful day, so enjoy the day and the festivities to follow!

05/04/2021

Here at the Laurie Animal Hospital, our office will be undergoing some temporary changes.

We are sad to say we are losing a couple people this week, but we are in the process of hiring, so until we are able to hire additional employees, our office will be closed for business all day on Thursdays beginning next week, May 13th. We anticipate being closed on Thursdays until July 1st. We will continue to be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays, normal business hours.

Our boarding may also be limited, but we hope to be able to work with you if you need to board your pets with us. However, during Memorial weekend, we will not be boarding any pets from Saturday, May 29th, through Monday, May 31st. We will resume boarding on June 1st. If you do board before the Memorial Holiday, pets will need to be picked up by Friday, My 28th.

GOOD NEWS…….we are opening our doors next Monday, May 10th. You will still be required to wear a mask when you enter the facility and we will still practice social distancing. So please be patient with us as we transition to serving you better.

04/29/2021

This past month, we have been celebrating our doctors’ 25th Anniversary here at Laurie Animal Hospital. Each week we gave away a gift bag to the 25th customer. We had a total of 5 winners and we would like to celebrate them with you.

Congratulations to Jeff Costa, Jill and Jeff Scott, Larry Ellington, Jason Goodrick, and Mary Lou Mades!

And a big thank you to all of you who bring and trust your pets with our Doctors and our Staff.

04/01/2021

Today, April 1st, marks the 25th Anniversary for Drs. Eric Tichy and Frances Cobb-Tichy at Laurie Animal Hospital. We will be celebrating 25 years of taking care of your pets through the month of April. So as a way to say thank you to each and every one of you, we will be giving away prizes to the 25th customer each week through this month. We will also be having a celebration event in May where we will be cooking hot dogs, giving away tee-shirts, and treats for your pets. Stay Tuned!

03/26/2021

JOB OPENINGS

The Laurie Animal Hospital is looking to hire a Receptionist, a Veterinary Assistant, and a Licensed Technician. Licensed Technicians must have a license.

Experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the right person. You must have a love for animals and be willing to work in a fast paced environment.

If this sounds like a job for you, please stop by and pick up an application. We are open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday. You must apply in person.

Laurie Animal Hospital
103 Purvis Road
Sunrise beach, Missouri

573-374-5279

03/24/2021

The Laurie Animal Hospital will be celebrating 25 years of taking care of your pets. We would like to thank each and every one of you for allowing us to take care of your fur babies throughout these last 25 years and for many more to come.

STARTING APRIL 1st …………..We will be giving away prizes EACH WEEK to the 25th customer through the entire month of April as our way of saying Thank You!

02/16/2021

Are your pets keeping warm?

The bitter cold doesn't just cause problems for humans, it can be dangerous for our pets too. When the thermometer falls below zero, it's important to take extra steps to keep your furry loved ones safe.

Cold weather poses threats to both outdoor and indoor pets. Dogs and cats can get hypothermia from playing outside and going for walks in sub-zero temperatures or just being exposed to extreme cold. Common areas for pets to develop frostbite include their ears, nose and feet.

If your pet is one of those that gets very excited to be outside, they may not want to come in. They don't necessarily know what's good for them, and so owners have to be vigilant and not wait until dogs or cats show up at the back door, or exhibit symptoms of being too cold.

Take extra care of your pet’s feet. In addition to wiping their feet when they come inside, using booties can also help protect their feet from both the cold and road salt if you have them.
If your pet shows symptoms like shivering, after spending time in the cold, the key is to warm them up slowly. Do not try and put them in a hot bath, opt for a warm blanket instead. Pets may can act a little sluggish or chew on their feet after too much exposure to the cold. And always remember to have plenty of water available for them to stay hydrated.

Bring outdoor pets inside if you can, but if you don’t have the means to bring them inside, try and make sure they have a warm place to sleep outside, and provide access to unfrozen water. Outdoor or feral cats may try to crawl into the engine block of cars to keep warm. You should tap on the hood of your car to make sure there aren't any furry creatures sleeping underneath before starting your car.

Please stay warm and safe!

12/23/2020

Travelling over the holidays? Here are some travel tips to keep in mind when taking your pet(s) with you.........

Invest In A Quality Pet Carrier

When in transit, it’s important for your pet to be safe and comfortable. That’s why you should make investing in a high-quality pet carrier a top priority. This will ensure your animal is stress-free, comfortable, and safe while traveling.

Plan Meals Around Travel

No one wants to travel on an empty stomach, right? But, when it comes to pets, sometimes skipping a meal on travel days is the best thing for them. When stressed or struggling with motion sickness, animals often experience vomiting and diarrhea. You can keep this risk to a minimum by keeping their tummy empty prior to travel.

You should also make sure you have an appropriate number of snacks and enough of your pet’s normal food to last your entire trip. This means that they will be familiar with their food and more likely to eat it, even if unsettled by a new location.

But Don’t Miss Out On The Water

While too much food might make travel with your pet too difficult, be sure to provide them with plenty of water throughout. Without access to their normal water bowl, animals can become dehydrated quickly – and even more so when they’re stressed.

Make It Easier To Locate Your Pet If Lost

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of losing your pet while traveling or in a new destination, you’ll want it to be as easy as possible to locate and retrieve them quickly.

Get your pet microchipped so that they can be easily tracked. This small tracking chip is implanted under the skin and is a procedure offered by most veterinary surgeries. If you don’t want to microchip your pet, at least make sure you have up-to-date contact details on their tag or collar, as well as their travel crate.

Bottom Line

With a little prep work, going on a trip with your pet is a breeze. Use this guide to make sure you’ve got everything in order before you go.

If you’re at all worried about taking your pet, know that it’s sometimes in your best interest to leave them at home, or board them with your local veterinarian. Weigh out the pros and cons, and only take your pet traveling if you’re 100% sure it’s something you want to do.

Safe Travels from the Laurie Animal Hospital!

11/10/2020

Laurie Animal Hospital has a new APP to help you manage your pet care.

We're excited to tell you about Vitus Vet and how it's helping our practice support you and your pets.

We can now send you text message reminders, prescription refills, as well as picture message of your pet when they are in our care!

1. Download the Vitus Vet app
2. Select "Sign up with email"
3. Register your email

10/31/2020

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from all of us at the Laurie Animal Hospital.

DON’T FORGET……………. Tomorrow, November 1st is Daylight Savings. So everyone remember to turn your clocks back an hour before you go to bed tonight and enjoy that extra hour of sleep tomorrow!

10/28/2020

Halloween Safety Tips For Your Pets

Halloween is this weekend! This means costume contests to trick-or-treating is right around the corner. Although Halloween is filled with light-hearted tricks and treats, it’s important to keep safety in mind for every member of the family—including your pets. Halloween can pose a number of potential safety hazards for pets, who tend to experience high levels of stress due to the hustle and bustle of the holiday.

Even though things might be a little different this year with COVID 19, that doesn't mean some of us will celebrate the holiday any differently. So, if you do plan to take part in the festivities, here are a few tips to keep you and your four-legged family members safe and happy this Halloween:

Costumes—while cute, can be dangerous for pets. Costume contests are popular around Halloween, and it’s tempting to want to dress up your four-legged friend in their own costume. After all, who can resist dressing up a pet in a cute witch’s cape or antlers? But if you do choose to dress your pet up in costume, make sure they can move in it comfortably and most importantly, safely. Avoid costumes that require tying anything around your pet’s neck that can choke them, or costumes that hang to the ground that they may stumble over. Let your pet be the judge. If they struggle and are uncomfortable, then maybe it’s best to let them stay dressed as a Corgi rather than a ghost!

Keep your pet away from harmful Halloween candy and food. Before you give in to your pet’s pleading eyes and feed them that Halloween candy bar, be aware of the harmful consequences of feeding human food to any animal. Chocolate—especially baking chocolate—can be deadly to a dog, so keep all such goodies well out of reach. To reduce temptation, feed your pet before any guests arrive so they will be less likely to beg and steal food. Tell your guests of any house rules regarding your pet, such as not feeding them scraps from the table.

If ni****ne and alcohol will be consumed in your home this Halloween, be extra vigilant to keep these items out of your pet’s reach. These substances can be highly toxic—even deadly—to animals.

Keep your home a safe space for your pet. Animals can get stressed with the hustle and bustle of guests and trick-or- treaters. It’s best to keep your pets indoors and provide them with a safe, quiet, escape-proof room where they can be removed from the energy and excitement of the holiday. Remember to provide plenty of food and water, and let your pet catch up on some Z’s!

As trick-or-treaters come to your door, there will be many opportunities for your pets to slip out unnoticed. Make sure that your pets always wear current identification tags—and watch the door!

Halloween, and all the spooky fun that accompanies the holiday, is best enjoyed when the entire family is safe and happy. Follow these tips, and your pet will have just as much fun as you and your kids this Halloween!

Everyone have a very happy and safe Halloween this weekend from all of us here at Laurie Animal Hospital!

10/14/2020

All of us at the Laurie Animal Hospital are hoping all of you are doing well and are healthy. We would like to give you an update on our policy as we continue to deal with COVID 19.

For the past several months, we have kept our doors locked and allowed one person in at a time with an appointment. We know this has been frustrating for some when we have several appointments and you may have to patiently wait until we can bring you in, or the fact that we may have to put you on hold when you call. Please know that these times are frustrating for all of us as well, as we want to provide you the best service you deserve.

We have had a policy in place to handle appointments and take food and medication orders, but we would like to reiterate what our policy says so that we can alleviate any confusion you may have when you call or arrive and hope that you may understand when we cannot get to you immediately.

• Our doors are going to continue to be locked.
• We are going to only allow one person in with a scheduled appointment. If you have to make arrangements for your pet to be euthanized, we will allow two people inside. Please understand that this is in place because the rooms are small and it is difficult to social distance when you, the doctor, and assistant are in the room together. Plus, it is difficult to social distance when several people are in the lobby at one time.
• If you need food or medication refilled, please call us and we will handle all orders and payment over the phone.
• When you arrive in the parking lot, please call us from your cell phone so that we can assist you promptly. We have signs on the front door with our phone number. If you do not have a cell phone, please knock on the door and let us know you are here. If we have a client in the lobby or we do not have a room available, we will ask you to wait until we can bring you in.
• We are requiring all who enter our facility to wear a mask. There will be no exceptions. If you do not feel comfortable coming inside, we are more than happy to bring your pet(s) in and take care of their needs and then take payment over the phone.

This has all been a very challenging year and we hope that this will end in the very near future, but until then, we appreciate all of you and thank you for your continued support and understanding. We are all in this together, and because of our policies, the doctors and staff have remained healthy and have kept our business open so that we can give your furbabies the best care we can give.

09/03/2020

What is Labor Day? It’s a time of acknowledgment of America’s workforce, the people who made this country what it is and sustain its growth. But we cannot forget our four-legged friends. Whether they serve as search and rescue, military or police, assist those with disabilities, are there for those in therapy or need emotional support, or as our own personal companion, we cannot forget them and we thank and love them for being there for our needs.

Let's not forget these wonderful animals, and especially those men and women who serve and protect our country and for all those hard working people in everyday jobs who make our lives better.

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7th, in celebration of the holiday but we will reopen on Tuesday, September 8th, at normal hours.

The Labor Day Weekend is upon us and all of here at Laurie Animal Hospital want to wish everyone a wonderful, fun, and safe weekend.

08/13/2020

We found a watch in our parking lot this morning. If this could belong to you, please give us a call (573) 374-5279 and we would be happy to return it to it's owner.

08/12/2020

The Laurie Animal Hospital sells Hills Science Diet food in the office. Many of you place special orders for food items/bag sizes that we do not carry in stock. In the past, food orders have always been placed on Tuesday and orders are delivered by Thursday.

We received notice that beginning next Monday, August 17th, we will have to place our orders on Mondays and delivery day will be Wednesday.

So those of you who place orders on a regular basis or for any one who would like to order something we do not carry in stock, please be sure to call us by Monday so we can get your order in the same week.

Thank you!