York Veterinary Hospital

09/20/2024

September 21st is National Cat and Dog Gut Health Awareness Day!

In addition to following guidelines for basic cat and dog nutrition, monitoring for (and preventing) internal parasites is vital to pets' health. Heartworm preventives offer some protection against intestinal parasites, and a yearly f***l test for both cats and dogs is recommended to help pets stay healthy.

If your pet has a sensitive stomach, talk with your veterinarian about prescription diets and probiotics. Be conscientious in choosing treats for your pets and avoid feeding table scraps.

"Garbage In - Garbage Out" doesn't always apply to pets! Sometimes pets ingest things they cannot digest or pass through the GI tract (fabric, string, toys, corn cobs, etc). Gastrointestinal obstruction is a life-threatening emergency. If you know your pet has ingested a foreign body, or your pet is vomiting, refusing food, drinking extra water, panting excessively and appears anxious, is unable to pass f***l material or having diarrhea, is restless, and/or appears bloated then contact your veterinarian (or an emergency clinic) right away.

A healthy pet starts with a happy tummy!

09/14/2024

Hurricane season reminds us that we need to be prepared, but disaster can strike at any time. Having a pet "go bag" prepared helps ensure pets' safety in times of crises.

Talk with your veterinarian in advance about having medications or calming treats to help your pet deal with the anxiety that may result from a crises situation.

08/29/2024

York Veterinary Hospital will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2nd for Labor Day.
Emergency numbers:
(757)874-8115 or (757)234-0461

08/29/2024

Feel-good story alert!
"What Walmart would you shop at?" isn't a our traditional question when a citizen asks requests assistance, but in this case it paid off, literally!
Chad originally reached out to us for assistance in April. At that time, PAWS IN NEED and York Veterinary Hospital were able to provide some assistance, and we submitted a grant application to the local Wal-mart where Chad gets his grocery deliveries! Walmart Norfolk - Tidewater Dr came through last month with funding to support several months of vet care.
Bastian is Chad's service dog, and in one of his original social media posts searching for assistance, some commenters raised concerns about Bastian's ability to serve if he were in need of treatment for arthritis. These comments were really distressing to Chad and he addresses those concerns in his thank-you below. Upon meeting Bastian, we had no concerns about his overall health and no concerns at all about him continuing to perform his medical alert duties.
Please read Chad's thank you message below.

"I wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you that has helped Bastian and I with financial assistance for Bastian’s monthly Librela injections. They have made his joint pain nearly non-existent. Without your kindness and generosity I would not be able to afford these injections and I never want to see Bastian in any pain. Bastian is my service dog and the services he has been trained to perform are medical alerts where he will detect a scent that my body will produce at the oncoming of a seizure. He will immediately alert me and also will bring my medication that will prevent the seizures from happening. No human and no computer is capable of providing that amazing service. He is also for PTSD and without him I would never leave my home. Think of it as my best friend, my guardian, my life line.
For those of you that believe a service dog is mistreated I would invite you to educate yourself on the benefits that these amazing creatures are capable of doing. If I had arthritis I would do whatever I could to suppress the pain, so why would you think the same for an animal is a form of cruelty? I would say the opposite would be animal cruelty by not helping the animal suppress their pain.
I have attached a few pictures of me and Bastian which most were taken in my backyard, the one place that he does not wear his Service Dog vest and where he is allowed to be a dog and run, play, chase the ball, etc. He is the happiest boy you would ever meet and I can promise you that. Thank you again for also reassuring me that there still are great humans out there. "

07/18/2024

Summer fun includes swimming for our puppers, but ....

Beware of toxic blooms on the water’s surface that may
look like spilled green paint or pea soup. Steer clear of
lakes, ponds, and streams with visible algae blooms and
check local advisories for warnings. If you suspect your pet
was exposed to blue green algae, seek immediate care.

07/10/2024

Happy National Kitten Day!

06/28/2024

York Veterinary Hospital is closed on Thursday, July 4th for Independence Day. Emergency numbers: (757)874-8115 or (757)234-0461

06/26/2024

Please reach out to your veterinarian now to request medications and supplements to help keep your pets calm during the upcoming holiday festivities.

06/21/2024

Fireworks and festivities are fun for us but can be stressful for our pets. Reach out to your veterinarian today to discuss picking up medication and/or calming supplements to help your pet get through our celebrations.

Create a safe space, with curtains closed and the TV on, and make sure pets are secured inside during fireworks displays. Be aware that many people set off fireworks in the days leading up to, and after, July 4th and be extra vigilant. More pets escape and get lost around July 4th than any other time of the year. This is a great time to microchip your pet, or review and update contact information for pets who are already microchipped.

If you will be celebrating with fireworks, please be respectful of neighbors that have horses or other livestock. They may bolt in fear and injure themselves.

Planning a barbecue? Keep sweets, bones, onions, and corn on the cob away from your pal (corn cobs can cause life-threatening gastrointestinal obstructions).

Don’t forget to have your pets microchipped!

06/11/2024

Please monitor the situation with the recent hijacking of the page for Critters 4 U Rescue out of Gloucester, and do not send donations or reach out to adopt until they get their page back. Hackers have taken over it and are collecting donations.

It appears thousands of dollars meant for charity are now in the hands of cybercriminals.

05/14/2024

Pets not only "keep us company" - they help us be our best and happiest selves!

05/11/2024

Cheers to all you Dog Moms out there!

Today celebrates the countless hours of vacuuming dog hair tumbleweeds, running a pet-taxi, feeding and watering, working hard so your dog can enjoy a higher standard of living, exercising, standing in the rain waiting for him/her to “go,” bathing, grooming, and tending to the veterinary needs of “Woman’s Best Friend.” But mostly today celebrates the love and unbreakable bond between Dog Moms and their Fur-Kids!

Let’s share photos of some of our favorite Dog Mom moments!

04/30/2024

It's National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day! Pets end up in shelters for all kinds of reasons ... all through no fault of their own. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a shelter pet who has completely shut down emotionally find their "furever" home and blossom into a happy and cherished family member! They may present some unique challenges, and require extra patience and love, but shelter pets are SOOOOOO worth the investment!

Please check out the Peninsula SPCA and the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter in Newport News, The Animal Aid Society and The Cat Corner in Hampton, The Gloucester Matthews Humane Society in Gloucester County, and the local shelters in your area. If you aren't ready to adopt, please consider sponsoring a shelter pet with a donation or by volunteering.

04/27/2024

Happy World Veterinary Day! We LOVE our Veterinary Doctors!

04/21/2024

Our own Dr. Jennifer Graham talked about Pain Management for Dentistry at the International Veterinary Dentistry Institute meeting in Knight's Key, Florida this month! She loves to share her knowledge with her peers!

02/27/2024

February is spay/neuter awareness month and today is "World Spay/Neuter Day."

Did you know pets live longer, healthier lives if they’ve been spayed or neutered? Spaying or neutering can also reduce behaviors like urine-marking, roaming, and aggression.

With millions of homeless animals in shelters, we need the community’s help to address the pet overpopulation issue. Please reach out to your veterinary clinic to discuss spaying or neutering your pet.

01/24/2024

Happy "Change A Pet's Life" Day! Many pets who don't present well in shelters blossom once they are in a home environment. Fostering such a pet can give them the chance they deserve to find a furever home. Is there room in your heart / home for a foster?

12/29/2023

York Veterinary Hospital will be open for our regular Saturday hours (7 am - 12 noon) on December 30th. We will be closed on Monday, January 1st, for the holiday, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2nd at 7 am. Please call 757-874-8115 or 757-234-0461 in the event of an emergency. Have a safe and Happy New Year! ❤

Photo: Practice Manager Lisa's beagle boy, "Ro" is bringing in the New Year like a gentleman!

12/22/2023

Dear Santa,

We are writing you on behalf of dear little Ellie. Her parents sent this photo and captioned it "Roxie is feeling confident and Ellie is concerned that she is on the naughty list." We want to put in a good word for Ellie. Yes, her sister Roxie is a perfect angel, but we want you to know that (though she may have a few tiny dents in her halo) Ellie is a little angel as well. We love them both, and hope you will move Ellie from the naughty list to the "perfect angel in training list."

Sincerely,
The Staff of York Veterinary Hospital

12/21/2023

York Veterinary Hospital will be open for our regular Saturday hours (7 am - 12 noon) on December 23rd. We will be closed on Monday, December 25th for the holiday, and will reopen on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 7 am. Please call 757-874-8115 or 757-234-0461 in the event of an emergency. We are grateful for the opportunity to help care for your fur-family. ❤ Thank you!

Photo: Wallace gives a defiant laugh and tells Santa, "Define naughty."

12/14/2023

Holidays are filled with joy and excitement but can be stressful for furry family members. Please remember to watch pets for signs of anxiety or overstimulation, and provide for their needs.

11/22/2023

York Veterinary Hospital will be closed on Thursday, November 23, 2023 for Thanksgiving. We will reopen on Friday, November 24th, 2023 at 7 am. Please call 757-874-8115 or 757-234-0461 in the event of an emergency. We are grateful for the opportunity to help care for your fur-family.

11/22/2023

Happy 19th Birthday to dear little Toby! The team gathered to celebrate with a special senior-dog-friendly nutritious "cake" and to honor this much-loved little gentleman. When the candle was removed, Toby eagerly tore into his "cake!" We love sweet Toby!

11/21/2023

Each year, the day after Thanksgiving, the clinic receives multiple calls about pets with gastrointestinal issues. Please remember that foods we love are not always healthy (and some can be dangerous) for our furry family members. Also, sudden changes in diet and over-generous portions of food can upset our pets' tummies. Please use care and moderation when giving holiday treats to your fur-family.

11/20/2023

Feline arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease or DJD), is a common cause of pain in senior cats. One way to help identify DJD associated pain is by observing changes in your cat's behavior or everyday routine. You can start by filling out the DJD questionnaire below and bringing it with you to your cat's next vet visit.

Download Brochure Português | Español What is a Senior Cat? Cats go through four life stages as they age: Kitten Young Adult Mature Adult Senior Cats are considered senior when they are 11 years old,