Jackson County Veterinary Associates

07/11/2024

In this clip I teach you how to turn a pill popper into a delicious food dispenser! This technique will allow you to medicate your cat without any restraint and minimal handling! This is a very positive medicating strategy! Be sure to check out all of my medicating, behavior and training videos at f...

06/21/2024

🧨 🇺🇸🧨 4th of July is coming soon, are your pets ready?? 🧨 🇺🇸🧨

Make sure their collar tags and microchip info are up to date, and if you think they may need some meds 💊 to help them keep their cool, give us a call!

(And please don’t wait till July 3rd!! 😂)

06/19/2024

With the building heat wave, watch out for your pets, even walking them. Use the 7-second rule. If you can't hold your hand against the hot surface, then your pets should not be on it. They can burn their paws.

06/19/2024

If any of our patients would be interested in participating in this study, this is a great way to help out with separation anxiety research and get some free supplements for your pup!

Animal Behavior Wellness Center is looking for dogs to enroll in a clinical trial investigating an oral behavioral support supplement in dogs with separation anxiety Please share!

Does your dog tremble, vocalize, pant excessively, or become destructive when you leave the house? Has your dog been diagnosed with separation anxiety? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, please contact us about enrollment in our double-blinded, placebo controlled, fully funded clinical study. This is a completely remote study, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your dog into the clinic. During the 30 day study, your dog will receive either a placebo or an oral behavioral support supplement. When you leave home (for example, to go to work) your dog will be evaluated via a 20 minute video, using a provided web cam.

Your participation is confidential, and you will be compensated for your time. At the conclusion of the study, regardless of the test group to which you’re assigned, you will also receive 3 FREE months of a nutritional behavioral support supplement.

Scan the QR code or visit https://www.abwellnesscenter.com/clinical-behavior-trial for more information. Thank you for helping to promote the behavioral wellness of our best friends.

Animal Behavior Wellness Center
Treatment. Training. Compassion.



11230 Waples Mill Road
Suite 125A
Fairfax, VA USA 22030
888.438.0788 ext.1

06/12/2024

RECALL ALERT - TDBBS, LLC. is voluntarily recalling Best Bully Stick and Barkworthies branded Green Tripe Bully Sticks due to foreign material (metal) contamination.
▪ Best Bully Stick branded product packaged in 2 lbs (UPC:816807016027)
▪ Best Bully Stick branded product packaged in 5 lbs plastic bags (UPC: 816807016010)
▪ Barworthies branded product packaged in 7oz plastic bags (UPC:816807015686)

For more information, including affected lot numbers, visit: https://bit.ly/4b4uHLP

06/11/2024

As an owner of a couple anxious dogs myself, I will share this every year.

Quick PSA: During the Fourth of July holiday, and the days leading it up to it when folks start celebrating with noisy fireworks, scores of pets run away from the sights and sounds, making the day after Independence Day the busiest of the year for animal hospitals and shelters. Please do your due diligence. And if you feel as though your pet may need medication to help them relax during firework season, now is the time to speak with your veterinarian!

04/27/2024

Is your dog’s lepto vaccine up to date? Give us a call if you’re unsure!!

Emmanuelle Butty, med.vet., DACVIM (SAIM), assistant clinical professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, sometimes treats dogs with leptospirosis, an

04/13/2024

Mosquito bites can be more than itchy--they can be deadly, too. Here's why. http://bit.ly/2SoNw4b

04/04/2024

This is just across the border from us in SC… rabies vaccines save lives!!

Nearly a dozen dogs were exposed to a rabid skunk in Oconee County.

04/01/2024

I’d like to share a case I saw at the clinic today (with owner permission). In April 2023 I saw Ned for some dental work. Ned sounded a little gurgly afterwards, nothing out of the ordinary, but out of an abundance of caution, we decided to take some x-rays. The lungs looked fine, but the heart was enlarged. When I questioned Ned’s people, it turns out they were feeding a BEG diet. Many of you have heard me talk about these over the last couple of years, but they predispose dogs to developing exactly the kind of heart disease I suspected Ned of having. Despite the growing evidence that these diets are a problem I still get push back from people dedicated to their particular diet.
As Ned was largely asymptomatic for his heart disease at the time, we decided to go with only diet change to help Ned. His initial VHS (a measure of heart size) was 11.76 (high normal is 10.7). In September of last year, we rechecked his heart and it visibly reduced in size, (VHS 10.84). We just took another round of x-rays today and he has fallen to 10.11 - within normal limits, with the only change being to get Ned off his Boutique/Exotic/Grain Free diet. Congratulations to Ned and his people.

03/26/2024

If your pet is feeling stressed and needs a little pharmaceutical help, we’d love to help them get comfortable!

02/13/2024

Lots of people will be sending and receiving flowers tomorrow… if your bouquet includes lilies, please keep them far far away from your feline family members!

02/08/2024

A Vet's Pet: Socializing!

According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), the first three months (0-12 weeks) of a puppy's life are "the primary and most important time for puppy socialization." Those with dogs may recognize that this window of time is before puppy vaccines are completed-- 16-20 weeks depending on breed and lifestyle.

'Socialization' is sometimes mistaken as literally being social with other people or animals. In reality, it refers to all types of exposure to stimuli-- sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures. This is the period when puppy learns what things are safe and normal vs worthy of fear. Taking puppy out into wet grass for walks, doing something fun and positive during a thunder storm, feeding treats or playing a game when the garbage truck comes by, or acclimating your pup to paws and ears being touched are all forms of socialization, none of which require socializing.

With behavior being one of the number one causes of pet surrender, setting puppy up for behavioral success is considered higher benefit than the minor risks associated with age-appropriate socialization.

In this photo, Truffle is in a Marshalls! Pet-friendly, non-pet retail stores (nix on the Petsmart and Petco for now) are a great place to take a puppy for exposure to novel sights, sounds, and people, without close contact with other dogs and risk of preventable illness.

Playdates with healthy, vaccinated, friendly adult dogs that don't live a social lifestyle are also a good way for puppies to socialize, as well as puppy classes with a similar age group- as long as all puppies have received a minimum of their first vaccinations 7+ days prior to class.

You can read AVSAB's position statement at this link:
https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf

How did you socialize your puppy?

Dr C

01/08/2024

The holidays can be a busy and stressful time for everyone, and we’ve been seeing quite a few kitties lately having litterbox issues from all that stress. If your New Year’s resolution is to not have cat p*e where it shouldn’t be, come see us and let’s work together to get your cat feeling better!

When a cat eliminates outside of the litter box, it's because there's a problem. One of the most common reasons for litter box aversion is due to an underlying medical problem. It's critical to rule medical issues out before assuming the problem is behavioral. Have your cat checked by the veterinarian. Never skip that step.

Another common reason for litter box aversion is due to unappealing or uncomfortable litter box conditions. Is the box not scooped and cleaned often enough? Is the box too small? Is it a covered box? If your cat is a senior, is the box too difficult to step into? Take time to identify what needs to improved with the litter box set-up.

Finally, household dynamics could be the issue. Is there tension between cats in a multicat home? Is your home chaotic? Does your cat feel scared to be in the box? Is it located in an area where a cat has to cross another cat's path, or maybe encounter the dog? Is it separation anxiety? It's time to take a look at what might be happening in your cat's world that's causing stress, fear, or confusion.

You can find more information on litter box issues in my books, but please, start by talking with your veterinarian.

https://catbehaviorassociates.com/buy-pams-books/

12/14/2023

In a joyful announcement for children and animal lovers alike, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has declared that Santa's reindeer are healthy and all clear for their magical Christmas Eve journey.

11/29/2023

These are some great guidelines! If you’re attending puppy classes right now, while this respiratory disease is going around, we’d recommend keeping puppies at least 6 feet apart and no dog-dog play. Socialization and puppy class does not have to include touching other dogs or playing with them! It is just about having positive exposure to other dogs 😁

There's no excuse! Start your puppy in puppy class 2-3 days after they get their first deworming and vaccinations.

A good puppy class:
🐾 verifies vaccinations and deworming before each class
🐾 doesn't let puppies interact in unsafe ways
🐾 is taught by experienced trainers
🐾 is indoors where urine and f***s can be cleaned up
🐾 controls access with dogs who have unknown vaccination and deworming
🐾 has specific places where puppies are walked to reduce exposure to parasites and infectious agents
🐾 enforces pet parents picking up urine and f***s

11/17/2023

RECALL ALERT - TFP Nutrition is expanding their voluntary recall that was initiated to include all dry dog, dry cat, and catfish formulas manufactured in their Nacogdoches, Texas facility due to the potential for Salmonella contamination. More info: https://bit.ly/46qj0g9

11/17/2023

It’s been said once or maybe thousand times, leave your cat carrier out 24/7/365 so it is safe and as benign as any other piece of furniture.

Place soft bedding inside, treats and scent enrichment to encourage use and exploration.

I use the carrier as part of our clicker training props so it is seen as “fun” and something they want and choose to engage with. I don’t even need to leave mine out due to this, they are anxious to get in once the see them.

Søren has a preventative care visit to the internist today. Can you believe he is TEN years old?!?! Got the carrier out this am, like a magnet, he entered it instantly! When it was time to leave, he was sound asleep inside, closed the door and we’re off!

These recommendations really work! Embrace them, implement them, make your life and theirs easier!

11/14/2023

🚨 🚨 🚨 Important Notice for any clients feeding Victor or any other brands from Mid America Pet Food: 🚨 🚨 🚨

Mid America Pet food has recalled all the brands produced at their Mount Pleasant facility, including: Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and some Member’s Mark varieties

The recall includes any food with Best By Dates before 10/31/24

The recall was initiated because of multiple reports of babies getting salmonella after handling the foods, but salmonella could also make healthy adults and pets in the household sick.

If you’ve got any of the recalled food, dispose of it in a way that children, pets, and wildlife can’t access it and then sterilize all bowls and storage containers that have touched the food, and wash your hands throughly afterward!

The Centers for Disease Control reported the outbreak has cropped up in seven states so far.

11/09/2023

🐾 Did you know that stress can impact your feline friend's health? 🙀

At JCVA, we care about the well-being of your cats, and we want to raise awareness about the connection between stress and disease in our feline companions. Cats are sensitive creatures, and when they experience stress, it can weaken their immune system and lead to various health issues.

😿 Common stressors for cats include changes in their environment, new family members, loud noises, stray cats outside and even visits to the vet. But don't worry, we're here to help! Our experienced team knows how to make your cat's visit as stress-free as possible, and we’re sharing some tips to keep your kitty’s home environment as low stress as possible.

If you've noticed any changes in your cat's behavior or health, please reach out to us. Together, we can ensure your furry friend stays happy and healthy. 🐱❤️

10/31/2023

09/18/2023

Why is my vet so busy? Check out the numbers.

A gentle reminder that our team is working extremely hard to meet the needs and demands of every client and patient. If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a voicemail and we will be in touch with you as quickly as possible.

09/08/2023

🐾❤️ Protect Your Pets: Heartworm Prevention Matters! ❤️🐾

Dear pet parents,

At JCVA, we're passionate about your pet's well-being, and that includes protecting their hearts! ❤️🐶🐱

Did you know heartworm disease can affect dogs and cats through mosquito bites? 🦟 We’ve been seeing an increase of cases in our area the last couple years. Prevention is key!

Here's what you need to know:

1️⃣ Prevent It: We offer safe, effective heartworm preventatives to keep your pets safe. Ask us how to get started.

2️⃣ Early Detection: Routine testing can catch heartworms early when treatment is most effective.

3️⃣ Peace of Mind: Protecting your pets means peace of mind for you. Contact us at 828-586-8383 to schedule a check-up.

Let's keep those tails wagging and those purrs going strong! 🐕😺

08/16/2023

Keep an eye out for this sweet girl, y’all!

06/26/2023

Look at this big handsome boy! We were all so excited that Diesel graced us with his presence last week 😁

02/21/2022

02/09/2021

Confirmed rabies in Macon county! Make sure your pets’ vaccines are up to date!

03/07/2020

03/07/2020

We love finishing our Friday with a cute puppy! This is Bootleg and he just got his last round of puppy vaccines and lots of snuggles from our staff 🥰

10/19/2019

🍂🍁🍄🍁🍂🍁🍄🍁🍂🍁🍄🍁🍂
Monday, October 21st, we will be having our Fall Rabies Clinic!

For everyone's safety, we ask that all cats be in secure carriers and all dogs be on leashes 6 feet or shorter (no retractable leashes, please).

Rabies vaccines will be available for $8; other core vaccines will be available at a discount as well. The clinic will be held in our parking lot from 6-7pm.

🍂🍁🍄🍁🍂🍁🍄🍁🍂🍁🍄🍁🍂