Thomasville Animal Hospital

08/30/2024

Happy Friday from these two cuties!! Ricky and Lucy came to visit Dr. Chastain yesterday 🩵💗🩶🫏

08/27/2024

This cutie was found today running loose near Southern Regional in Thomasville around 2 pm. No microchip or tag. Very sweet and friendly. If this dog is yours, please call 850-228-7548!!!

08/19/2024

Mr. Krunchy at Mahan Farm was very helpful with Dr. Bailey's medical records on Friday!!

08/11/2024

We don’t know this horse, the owner, or this veterinarian. But it resonates. We are ALL ready and trying our best. We all hope and pray for the best outcome and strive to be kind and respectful to you and your animal no matter what happens ❤️

This is Dr. Rebecca Rifkin. She was the equine veterinarian surgeon who helped Rocky as best she could at New England Equine Medical Center the night he passed on.

I took this picture as Rocky was being prepped for surgery. After I said goodbye to him I walked by this viewing window and saw Rebecca sitting like this and I knew. I took this picture knowing I was going to write about her and all the others that helped us that evening.

Look at her, sitting there. She’s facing a closed door where on the other side Rocky was being anesthetized and prepped for surgery. And there she is, waiting. Focused. Locked-in. Ready.

Ready to do her best to save a horse’s life.

Once in surgery we found Rocky was well beyond any physical saving. But Rebecca and the staff there did such an amazing job of being in both worlds—the world of anatomy and science and numbers and tests and results…and the world of emotions and connections, and love. They let us in. Doctors are around so much life and death and it can be so massively overwhelming, and protective walls—both healthy and unhealthy—can go up so easily. But I didn’t feel walls. I felt the opposite of walls. I felt care.

Rocky died that night. And I am so thankful for how it was honored. For there is a way to embrace it where the whole process is respected and felt in such a way that it transcends the living and dying. We do all we can to stay alive in this world, but in the end there is nothing more sacred than divine timing and its infinite wisdom of what happens and when it happens. And to trust this is to let go of the heaviness and pain that can accumulate through our lives. Give your heart, give your honor, give your all, be there in your whole attention and presence and being…and then let life, and death, happen in its time. By letting it in—the living and the dying, the unknown of its timing—we can let it flow through in the most beautiful of ways.

It takes support. It takes seeing each other. It takes SLOWING DOWN. And it takes opening up and caring, and then letting go. And by letting go, we find that everything passes…

Except the love.

That stays.

And in that, we find that they’re still with us.

😊🐴🙏

08/09/2024

Happy Friday!! Wishing everyone a weekend without pulled shoes!! 😆🙏🏻🤞🏻🐎

08/05/2024

Praying for those affected by the storm.

We are open for normal business today.

08/01/2024

Last week we celebrated Gracie’s last day of chemo. Gracie was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Hemangiosarcoma after emergency surgery to remove a bleeding tumor on her spleen in March. As part of her treatment plan, she has received 5 rounds of chemotherapy. We are happy to say Gracie has finished her chemo protocol and is doing great!

07/23/2024

I have an equine emergency!!! What do I do????

The best way to be prepared for an emergency such as colic or a wound is to have a plan--BEFORE the ER occurs.

*Make sure that you have a regular relationship with a veterinarian. This means that your horse sees the vet at least once a year. Most vets only see established clients on an emergency basis. Talk with your vet about his/her emergency service prior to needing it.

***CALL YOUR VET FIRST!!! It can be very tempting to call friends, family, trainer, farrier, etc....but the veterinarian needs to be your first call. This allows a calm plan to be made and executed in the best interest of the horse. The vet will give you specific instructions for any monitoring, medication, and/or treatment that may be needed prior to seeing the horse.

*Do not give your horse medication without first talking to the vet. This includes Banamine! When given without instruction, it can affect our ability to assess and treat your horse appropriately.

*Have a plan to haul your horse if needed. If you don't have a truck and trailer, have a list of friends/family that you can call in an emergency. At TAH, we are always available to see equine emergencies at our office but may not be able to come to the farm pending location.

*If you board, make sure that the barn owner and all caretakers have easy access to your contact info and your vet's contact info. Have a working halter and lead rope easily accessible at all times.

*It never hurts to have a thermometer and get a re**al temperature prior to calling.

*Above all, when in doubt, just CALL! We can often walk you through situations on the phone, and no matter what, the best plan can be made for you and your horse.

07/17/2024

When your pet needs a blood transfusion, have you considered where the donated blood comes from? The personal pets of our technicians and veterinarians are our blood donors! Pictured is our assistant Allie with her dog Stella who donated blood recently. Don’t worry, they get rewarded 😊

07/15/2024

When it comes to tumors originating from canine spleens, about 50% are benign and 50% are malignant. Surgery to remove splenic tumors is often an emergency because if the tumor has ruptured, the dog can bleed to death. Luckily, the bleeding can be stopped by removing the entire spleen, which is called a splenectomy. Pictured is an affected spleen that Dr. Bostick removed.

07/11/2024

Deep dive with Dr. Erin Chastain:

Q). Why did you become a veterinarian?
A). I'm one of those that always wanted to be a vet for as long as I can remember. My grandfather was a vet, so I was familiar with it from a young age. I read all of the James Herriot books and then just stuck with it. As I got a little older, I became involved with horses and decided that equine practice was the place for me. I honestly can't imagine doing anything else.

Q). What is your favorite part of being a veterinarian?
A). Horses are my professional and personal passion, so I really enjoy spending my days with them. The job is emotionally, physically, and mentally challenging; but it's also exciting and incredibly rewarding. Additionally, I love the relationships that I build with clients and their horses over time.

Q). What is the hardest part of being a veterinarian?
A). I tell students that this isn't a job, it's not even a career; it's a lifestyle, and it impacts every aspect of your life. Leaving the work at work and finding a balance with your personal life can be very challenging.

06/25/2024

UPDATE: We found the owners and this sweet little one has returned home WITH a newly inserted microchip!!

This cute puppy was found by one of our employees this afternoon (6/25) in the Chick-fil-a parking lot here in Thomasville. No microchipwas found.
Please call us to identify the puppy if it is yours. We want to return this sweet pup to its home!

06/24/2024

We are still looking for a small animal exclusive veterinarian!! Many people see our posts and assume that we are a traditional small town mixed-animal practice. However, we strive to practice high quality small animal medicine and equine medicine. While a few of our doctors choose to cross over between the two departments, most stick to exclusive SA or Equine. Our doctors regularly attend continuing education, and we all push each other to excel and grow. Some of the services that we offer include:

• Digital ultrasound including echocardiography
• Digital radiography
• Endoscopy
• Full in-house bloodwork
• Orthopedics ex. TPLO, fracture repair/plating, FHO, etc
• Internal medicine including management of complicated endocrine cases and chemotherapy/oncology
• Soft tissue surgery
• Advanced canine sports medicine
• Acupuncture and alternative medicine
• Advanced canine reproductive services including semen collection, evaluation, and freezing
o Artificial insemination, including transcervical and surgical

TAH is privately owned by 3 of our veterinarians; we have no plans to sell corporate. We offer a competitive package and family-oriented practice culture. If you are interested please let us know!!
Visit www.thomasvilleanimalhospital.com and click “Careers” under the “About Us” tab

06/20/2024

Lordy, horses can do some crazy things!! These two came to the office to see Dr. Cooley yesterday. They left in two separate slots, and this is what the owner found 15 minutes later when he arrived home! 😆 Luckily, they didn't seem to mind and unloaded uneventfully and unharmed. Wishing everyone an uneventful day!

06/18/2024

Please call ASAP if your dog has anxiety/fear with fireworks!! Our doctors can figure out the best drug combination for your dog and situation ❤️

06/17/2024

Deep Dive with Dr. Ward Mills:

Q). Why did you become a vet?
A). I grew up on a farm in Southwest Georgia and got to interact with our local veterinarians on a routine basis. They were great Christian men admired in their communities for their hard work ethic and care for people and their animals. I knew then that being a veterinarian would be a great career path for me. The variety of cases you find in a small town mixed animal practice is incredible. There truly is never a dull day! Being in the Red Hills area allows me the opportunity to work closely with the sporting dog community which I really enjoy. Thomasville has been an amazing place for me to be a veterinarian and now raise a family. Although I primarily work with small animals, I do occasionally get to assist local beef and dairy producers in the area which is a great treat.

Q). What is your favorite part of being a vet?
A). love seeing an animal come in with a problem and leave with a cure or a better way to manage that problem. I also really enjoy surgery and have been able to bring more orthopedic options to TAH over the past several years. Most of all I love the relationships I have developed with the animals and their owners. It's been really rewarding to grow those relationships and know they trust my professional opinion on important decisions related to the health of their pet. It's been a joy to serve Thomasville and the surrounding communities.

Q). What's the hardest part of being a vet?
A). Every day presents a new challenge. It's not all puppies and kittens as they say. The heartache that you can see in the animal and the owner can be taxing. The constant demand for aggressive diagnostics and care can take a toll on the veterinarian. Every client's wishes can be a little different and there is a psychological component to veterinary practice I am constantly trying to learn. There's not a solution to every problem and that is a difficult reality to face. All in all, it is a very rewarding career. I always try to keep my mind focused on the positive. Phillipians 4:8

06/14/2024

HUGE shout out to Dr. Amy Bostick!! She had rotator cuff surgery just 3 weeks ago and returned last week ready to be her awesome vet self 🤩. We are so thankful for and impressed by her dedication ❤️🙌🏻. If you see Dr. Bostick, make sure to give her some extra appreciation 🥰.

06/13/2024

We are sad to announce that TAH will no longer be able to provide extended evening hours Monday - Wednesday due to staffing shortages. This change will go into effect on Monday, July 1st. We will still be open from 7:30 - 5:30 Monday through Friday, and 9:00 - 12:00 on Saturday mornings. Our equine department is available for client emergencies 24/7 and small animal is available for client emergencies until 10 pm on weekdays and from 8 am - 5 pm on weekends. If and when we are back to full staff, we will likely begin offering extended hours again. Thank you for your understanding.

06/10/2024

Many of you may have heard the term "cytology" while at the vet with your pet. This procedure involves putting material on a slide, staining the slide, and then looking at it under a microscope. The sample may come from the skin, a mass, the ears, or even the uterus. Looking at the types of cells and organisms that are present is very helpful with diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. The picture below is a uterine cytology from a female horse (mare). The tiny purple rods surrounding the large pink cell are bacteria. This mare had a uterine infection that needed to be treated with flushes and antibiotic infusions prior to breeding.

06/07/2024

Deep Dive with Dr. Jessie Stanley:

Q). Why did you become a veterinarian?
A). I was afraid of dogs until my childhood dog, a big black Labrador named Max, cured me of my fears. He was my best friend growing up. After Max, I was obsessed with all creatures great and small, but I decided to become a veterinarian after falling in love with a horse. My first horse, Buck, changed my life. I knew I wanted to do something that would keep me around horses as much as possible.

Q). What is your favorite part of being a vet?
A). My favorite thing about being a veterinarian is being able to combine science, medicine, and (best of all) animals!

Q). What is the hardest part for you of being a vet?
A). The hardest part about being a veterinarian is the stress that follows you outside of work. When I should be playing with my child, getting a good night’s rest, or conversing with my spouse I have to fight the urge to be worried or preoccupied with my patients’ wellbeing.

06/06/2024

Pictured here is a microscopic sample of a canine mast cell tumor.

From Veterinary Partners (online veterinary resource) regarding Mast cell tumors:

"Mast cell tumors are the most common skin tumor in dogs, with between seven and 21 percent of all canine skin tumors being mast cell tumors. Mast cell tumors do not have to involve the skin and can develop internally but most of the time there is skin involvement. While any dog can develop a mast cell tumor, several breeds have an especially high rate of mast cell tumor development (four to eight times the rate of the general canine population). These breeds are the boxer, the Rhodesian ridgeback, the pug, the Boston terrier, the pit bull terrier, and the Weimaraner. The Shar-pei tends to develop its mast cell tumors at an earlier age and they tend to be especially malignant.

Diagnosis can often be made with a needle aspirate, which collects some cells of the tumor with a needle, and the cells are examined under the microscope. The granules have distinct staining characteristics leading to their recognition. An actual tissue biopsy, however, is needed to grade the tumor, and grading of the tumor is crucial to determining prognosis."

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952018

Mast cell tumors are treated by surgical removal, radiation, or a new injection called Stelfonta. Please be sure to bring to our attention any new lumps or bumps on your canine and feline patients. Early diagnosis and intervention is key!

06/03/2024

This little guy was born last week. He’s a draft mule—from a Belgian mare and mammoth Jack stud. Due to having donkey factor in his blood, his platelets (which help with clotting) were destroyed by his mom’s antibodies when he ingested her colostrum. This is a very uncommon disorder called neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. It leads to excessive bleeding—this sweet boy bled from his umbilicus and formed hematomas very easily. He has been treated by Dr. Chastain since the day following birth and is now 12 days old and doing well!! The disease gradually resolves as the antibodies degrade; antibiotics, steroids, and careful management were also used in his case. We are happy to report that he is now healthy enough to kick our butts during treatment 😂💪🏻🤎

05/30/2024

Deep Dive with Dr. Bailey Feinberg (shown below with her son Joseph, and husband Collier):

Q). Why did you become a veterinarian?
A). I became a vet to help solve health issues and keep animals feeling their best.

Q). What is your favorite part of being a vet?
A). I love being out on the truck and getting to know horses and their owners

Q). What is the hardest part for you of being a vet?
A). The hardest part of being a vet is sacrificing time with your family and friends on the nights and weekends in order to help sick or injured animals. (And also, dealing with gnats and summer heat and humidity 😂)

05/17/2024

Name this parasite!!

05/14/2024

******We are currently hiring 1-2 SMALL ANIMAL exclusive veterinarians*******

TAH is a privately-owned, 8 doctor, progressive, fastly-growing Small Animal and Equine Veterinary Hospital with a supportive and positive work environment.

Thomasville provides a great quality of life, is only about an hour from the gulf coast, and has been voted one of 2024 USA Today's 10 best small towns in the South.

We offer a competitive package with the opportunity to work for a non-corporate, well-established clinic. We have all of the “toys” and foster an environment of growth and excellence. Please see the link below for details and feel free to reach out with any questions!!

Please share!!
https://thomasvilleanimalhospital.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1102205?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2sld3EK9TL7OSig4JhvTtHIs7bBFFJnTj1DkkPY5AldlYLNlYTIb4vHP0_aem_AYE3x0IVaTA74Glc8I5KM7dOgrSV2VB4B6V-HYb-JuhQ-c-ynWVk8jpnnKwAQMhDKqJxD9o6HbuBw6d6xe16sqzL

We are looking for a small animal veterinarian to join our growing privately owned mixed animal practice. Located in the Red Hills region we are surrounded by hunting plantations and working dogs and horses along with a wide variety of household pets. Thomasville is a pet loving community and welcom...

05/10/2024

04/25/2024

Tink came to us through Animal Services. She was found hit by a car, and was unable to use her hind legs. After a thorough work up was done, it was concluded that she had extensive nerve damage to her hind end. Dr. Bailey performed electroacupuncture, and after a single session Tink was able to briefly stand on her back legs again. With daily physical therapy, and another 2 sessions, Tink is now back to normal. It takes a team!

04/23/2024

***TAH Veterinarians are still on-call 24/7 for our clients' equine emergencies!!***

We have had several questions and concerns regarding EQUINE emergencies since limiting our small animal on-call hours. Rest assured, we are still always here for our established clients and their horses. We will see urgent farm calls within our usual territory and treat our out-of-area clients in the clinic. Non-client emergencies may been seen after hours on a case-by-case basis.

Anytime you have a question--PLEASE CALL!!