Summit Animal Hospital

31/07/2025

Summit Animal Hospital is seeking a responsible, compassionate Kennel Attendant to join our dedicated team. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to start a career in veterinary medicine or animal care.

Key Responsibilities:
* Walk and exercise dogs
* Clean and sanitize kennels and facility areas
* Administer basic medications
* Monitor and ensure the comfort and well-being of animals in our care

What We’re Looking For:
* A love for animals and a genuine desire to care for them
* Ability to work late afternoons, some weekends, and some holidays
* Reliable, detail-oriented, and able to follow instructions
* Previous animal handling experience is a plus but not required

Why Work With Us:
* Friendly, enthusiastic, and supportive team
* A great way to get your foot in the door at a veterinary hospital
* Opportunity to learn and grow in a professional animal care setting

If you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of pets and their people, we’d love to hear from you!

To apply: Please send your resume to [email protected] or stop in for an application!

Send a message to learn more

25/07/2025

Exciting news from Summit Animal Hospital!!

Construction is officially underway at our future home at 1110 N 14th Ave! We broke ground on March 31, and things are really starting to take shape.

After 18 months of careful planning and design, we’re proud to be building a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic that reflects our commitment to providing the best care for your pets. We’re aiming to open around the first of the year, and we can’t wait to welcome you into a space built with both comfort and innovation in mind.

Thank you for your continued support - we’re building this for you and your furry family members!

27/05/2025

***UPDATE***
This was a PHYSALOPTERA worm (AKA stomach worm)!!!

1. Life Cycle:
- Dogs become infected by ingesting intermediate hosts (like beetles, cockroaches, or crickets) or transport hosts (like rodents or reptiles) that have eaten infected insects.
- The worm matures in the dog’s stomach and attaches to the stomach lining, feeding on blood and tissue.

2. Symptoms:
- Vomiting (sometimes containing worms)
- Anorexia or reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Dark, tarry stools (from bleeding ulcers)
- General discomfort or abdominal pain
Some infections can be asymptomatic, especially if the worm burden is low.

3. Diagnosing Physaloptera infections can be quite challenging, and here is why:
- Physaloptera eggs are thick-shelled, heavy, and do not float easily in standard f***l flotation solutions.
- They are shed intermittently, meaning even a properly collected sample may not contain detectable eggs.
- When present, the eggs can be mistaken for other parasites or missed entirely due to their low numbers.

4. Treatment:
Anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole, or ivermectin are commonly used

5. Prevention:
- Control of insect and rodent populations
- Prevent dogs from hunting or scavenging

***********************************************************************

🐾 Cool Case of the Month!
Meet Porter – Our Curious Labrador!

Porter, a playful 1-year-old Labrador Retriever, came to us with persistent vomiting. He was initially treated at IVS for sudden onset vomiting and sent home with medication for a possible Helicobacter infection. While his symptoms improved briefly, the vomiting returned once his anti-nausea medications were stopped.

Next, he was tested for Addison’s disease — but that came back negative. Still determined to get to the bottom of Porter’s problem, we performed endoscopy. And that’s when we made an unexpected discovery!

💡 Can you guess what we found?
Hint: It was a pesky parasite — but we won’t say which one just yet!

After removal, Porter bounced back quickly and is now happy, healthy, and vomit-free!
Drop your guesses in the comments, and we’ll reveal the answer — along with some fascinating details about this case!

15/03/2025

As the warmer months approach, we want to remind you that it’s time to think about your pet's health and well-being as we enter flea, tick, and heartworm season. At Summit Vet Services, we are passionate about preventative care, and we want to make sure your pets stay healthy and happy throughout the season.

Why Prevention is Key
Ticks pose a serious threat to your pet’s health. They can transmit life-threatening diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Ehrlichiosis. Aside from these dangers, ticks can also cause skin irritation and discomfort.

Fleas are not just annoying—they can also lead to significant health issues such as severe anemia, infections, and allergies. Additionally, fleas can carry diseases that can be transmitted to both pets and humans, which makes prevention even more crucial.

Finally, heartworm disease is fatal if left untreated. It can cause severe damage to your pet’s heart and lungs, and in many cases, the symptoms are not obvious until the disease has advanced. The good news is that with regular preventive treatment, heartworm is easily avoidable.

Safe and Effective Prevention Options
At Summit Vet Services, we offer a variety of safe and effective prevention options for fleas, ticks, and heartworms. Our team is happy to discuss the best options for your pet based on their age, lifestyle, and specific needs.

Whether you prefer oral medications, topical treatments, or injectables, we have the perfect solution for keeping your pet safe and comfortable.

Book your appointment or stop in for your preventative today. Don’t wait until it’s too late—prevention is always the best medicine!

Thank you for trusting Summit Vet Services with your pet’s care. We look forward to seeing you and your pet soon!

05/03/2025

Update: we will be closed until Thursday

Due to inclement weather, we will be closed until noon today. Everyone stay safe!

24/02/2025

Our phones are currently down. However, we can receive text message. We apologize for the inconvenience.

28/01/2025

We LOVE dentistry here at Summit Vet Services! There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing the immediate change in a pet’s demeanor after a dental cleaning. Dogs and cats hide pain so well that you might not even know they’re suffering until they feel better. We often hear of pets acting like kittens and puppies again—being unaware of the discomfort they were in before!

To celebrate Dental Health Month, we’re offering 10% off all dental cleanings throughout February. But hurry—appointments fill up fast! Give your pet the gift of a pain-free, happy smile. Call today to schedule!

05/01/2025

Dear Pet Families,

Happy New Year from all of us at Summit Veterinary Services! As we kick off 2025, we are more committed than ever to providing exceptional care for your pets. At Summit, we believe that prevention is key to keeping our furry friends healthy and happy.

A Message from Dr. Lindsay:
At Summit Veterinary Services, we are very passionate about preventative care for our patients. When disease is diagnosed and intervention is started early in the disease process, outcomes significantly improve. My New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to be even more proactive about my patients’ health, ensuring that we catch potential issues before they become serious problems. I look forward to working with you and your pets to make 2025 a year of optimal health!

Preventative Care: The Best Way to Protect Your Pet
Prevention is not just about vaccinations. It includes a full range of services, from dental cleanings and parasite control to routine health exams and nutrition counseling. By staying on top of these important measures, we can help keep your pets in the best shape possible. Early detection and intervention can make all the difference in your pet’s health journey.

Here are a few ways we’re helping you stay proactive this year:

Wellness Exams: Regular check-ups are essential in catching health issues early.
Vaccinations: Ensure your pets are up to date on their vaccines to prevent potentially life-threatening diseases.
Dental Care: Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in pets. Let’s work together to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.
Nutrition: Let's discuss your pet's diet. Food is medicine!!

Together, we can ensure that your pet enjoys a long, healthy life. Thank you for trusting Summit Veterinary Services with your pets’ care. Let’s make 2025 the healthiest year yet!

Send a message to learn more

26/11/2024

Attention:

As of January 1, 2025, we will no longer be open on Saturdays. There will be a doctor available on the following Saturdays in 2024:

December 7
December 21

We will continue to be open for medication refills, appointment scheduling, general inquiries, etc. on all Saturdays until the end of the year.

To ensure that all of our clients and patients continue to receive the care they deserve, we will be open later, until 7:00PM, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If your pet needs attention over the weekend (or after business hours in general), please contact the following hospitals:

Westfield Veterinary Hospital - Now offers urgent care services
515-986-5738
Johnston, IA

Iowa Veterinary Specialties (IVS) - Emergency Services
515-280-3100
Des Moines, IA

Blue Pearl Pet Hospital - Emergency Services
515-727-4872
Des Moines, IA

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Here's to a great a new year!