The EAH Newsletter

• EAH has been under a world-wide spotlight recently because of Brody, a sweet and resilient little puppy. Read his story and how he came to EAH below or on our blog here.
• Congratulations to Dr. Marlowe and her partner Erik! They are expecting their first child, a little girl, April 26th! Dr. Marlowe is planning to be out on maternity leave following the birth of their daughter for eight weeks, and then she will be coming back to EAH part-time for another month before returning full time towards the end of July. Don’t worry, we will make sure all of her patients are taken care of while she is out taking care of herself and her new little bundle of joy! If your pet receives acupuncture with Dr. Marlowe, please make sure you contact her to schedule acupuncture when she is ready and able to work again.
• You will see new faces around EAH in coming months… so who are they?
  Dr. Scarlet Springate will be a relief doctor in our hospital during May and June while Dr. Marlowe is out on maternity leave with her soon-to-be new little girl. Dr. Springate is from Spartanburg, SC, and is looking forward to serving the Rock Hill community during her time at EAH (Picture and details coming soon!)

  Lauren Cline (pictured below on the left) will be joining EAH as our fourth full-time doctor in June, following her graduation from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Lauren was born and raised in Columbia, SC and received her bachelors degree from Clemson University before going to Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She and her husband (also pictured) have a rescued hound/pit mix named Remy, and two cats (Bella and Gizmo). Lauren enjoys photography, painting, hiking, and traveling in her free time, and professional interests include dermatology, ophthalmology, and ultrasound. She’s looking forward to moving to the area and starting her career as part of the EAH team!
  

• February was pet dental health month, and we are THRILLED with the increasing awareness behind the importance of dental health for pets! More people than ever are recognizing how vital good dental health is in keeping our patients, YOUR PETS, happy and healthy! We were able to perform more dental cleanings than ever in February, and our wonderful clients received 10% off! Thank you for your vigilance and attention. Your pets thank you for it!!!
• In an effort to better accommodate our LARGE canine patients, we are in the process of adding five large indoor runs to our hospital for boarding purposes! We will now be even better prepared to board big guys and girls (think great danes and mastiffs!) than in the past. Our patient’s comfort is our top priority!
• As a reminder, our canine campers boarding at Camp Ebenezer are now required to have the canine flu vaccine to protect against the H2N3 strain of the canine influenza. Your pup hasn’t had the vaccine but is scheduled to stay with us? Don’t worry, you can swing by any time before boarding so we can administer the vaccine (recommended), or we can do it the same day of arrival at Camp Ebenezer. 
  Don’t have plans to board but think it’s a good idea to protect your pup? We couldn’t agree more! Come by any time for the vaccine!
  

A 6 week old puppy named Brody has won over the hearts of Americans and people around the world. Brody’s journey from an abandoned, abused puppy to the home of a loving, caring family is one that helps remind us that humanity often finds a way to help those the most in need.

On Sunday, February 21^st, our receptionist Beth was up front for our normal business hours of 5 to 6 p.m. for discharge and intake of boarding patients. In an instant, several police cars filled our parking lot to Beth’s surprise. They alerted Beth that a puppy that was stabbed multiple times was on its way to the hospital. Because we are typically only open on Sundays during our hour-long window for boarding drop off and pick up, doctors and technicians are generally not present. It just so happens that on this day two of our technicians, Ben and Tiffany, were at the hospital addressing a medical emergency with their own dog Folly. The doctor on call that weekend was yours truly (Dr. Hreiz) and Beth called to alert me of the situation rapidly developing. Brody, at that time nameless, arrived at the clinic while Ben and Tiffany did an initial assessment of him. They quickly realized that the majority of wounds that Brody suffered were BB gunshot wounds, not stab wounds as originally thought (later we would determine that Brody was indeed cut with a knife in one area of his body).

I conferred with Beth, Ben, and Tiffany over the phone about Brody’s condition and also discussed the game plan going forward. I was in Charlotte at the time (a 35 minute drive from Rock Hill) and decided to come down to the clinic to assess Brody in person. Ben and Tiffany shaved all of the areas on Brody’s small frame that were clotted with blood from the bullet holes and cleaned the wounds. When I arrived, I was shocked at how calm and relaxed Brody was. For a dog shot eighteen times, he was very docile and whining due to a mixture of pain and the fact that he was a young puppy! X-rays we took showed multiple BB wounds all over Brody’s body. This included two equally spaced holes on top of his skull along with BBs very close to Brody’s spine. We felt many BBs through the skin but several were buried deeper in muscle or further down in the body. Two thoughts immediately crossed my mind – why isn’t Brody in shock or at least more unstable than he was presenting and how could a puppy survive such a horrific act and not have some degree of debilitation? In retrospect, I think it may have been the will of this impressive little guy and sheer luck when his assailants attacked him.

Ben, Tiffany, and I started stabilizing Brody. We gave him fluids therapy to re-hydrate and replace the fluids lost from bleeding. We gave him injections of pain medicine to ease his pain. Finally, we started him on oral pain control and antibiotics to prevent infection that could develop from the BBs inside of him. His physical exam was relatively normal – quiet lungs, no evidence of bleeding in the belly, and no damage to the joints or ligaments of a growing puppy. Brody was also full of intestinal parasites that we began treating.

The next morning we arrived to the hospital to find a whining, hungry, and feisty puppy. In less than 8 hours Brody was already beginning to show us that he was a fighter and not willing to let the heinous act done to him be his undoing. Around this time the rest of the local community began to learn about Brody and his incredible story. Those local individuals shared his story with friends, and those friends shared his story with their friends, and suddenly thousands upon thousands of people began to learn about the amazing story of Brody. By the end of Monday, after the local news stations came by to interview us about the little guy, many of the wounds that Brody sustained were already beginning to heal.

Over the next 72 hours, Brody became a national celebrity. The hashtag #justice4brody was created and the world knew what a remarkable story he was telling. Our hospital, which typically fields between 30-50 calls a day, was now answering up to 500 phone calls from people all across the country that wanted to reach out and help.

Brody is now well on his way to recovery. The BBs inside of him will stay there for the time being. Because of his very young age and the fact that none of the BBs are in a dangerous location, surgery should be postponed until absolutely necessary. Many of these BBs will likely not cause any long term side effects. We will re-evaluate him when he’s older and a more ideal candidate for surgery. This should be around 6 months of age.

His story will have a happy ending. One of our receptionist Carla and her family applied for and successfully had their application accepted through the local rescue group Project Safe Pet, and they will be able to give Brody his forever loving home. Carla’s daughter had just lost her long time beloved canine companion and within seconds of meeting Brody the connection was evident. We are so proud of our staff, our clients, the Rock Hill police department, and the entire country for their outpouring of love and support for sweet little Brody. His story is truly one of humanity at its worst……and at its best.

Dr. Jay Hreiz

March 19th

Mount Gallant Elementary Family Health Day

We will be joining Mount Gallant Elementary School’s Family Health Day as a top level sponsor this year! This annual event strives to encourage students and their families to make healthy choices and live active lifestyles. This year they are allowing our hospital to join their event, as they recognize that pets are an important part of the family unit, and they should stay healthy too!

Students and their families will come together at the event to play group games, have relay races, health trivia, exercise activities, demonstrations, raffles, and much more!

We are excited to join Family Health Day to help keep pets healthy too!

April 16th

Waggin’ Trail Dog Walk and Event!

We’ve had so much fun the last two years, we decided to sponsor this event again in 2016! Mark your calendars now to join us for the dog walk, pet parades, and other fun! All proceeds from this event will benefit the Humane Society of York County this year. A great event for an amazing cause!

We hope to see you there!

May 2016

Something exciting is on the horizon… we just don’t know what it is yet! 

Stay tuned!

This month we are highlighting our technician, Tiffany! Many of you know her, as she has been a member of our team since September of 2005. Tiffany’s mother even worked at EAH in the late 80s/early 90s, so it’s no suprise that one of the things Tiffany loves about our hospital is the family atmosphere! EAH is in her blood! 🙂

Tiffany is mom to her two girls, Ava and Ali, as well as pets Folly, Jude, Murray, Vick, Loretta, and Brynn. Tiffany loves crafting (anything and everything from Pintrest!), and she and Ben, fellow team member, enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. They love spending time kayaking on the Catawba river, running, hiking and enjoying sunshine whenever possible. Tiffany also loves going to concerts, as she enjoys music of all kinds!

Next time you are at EAH, please make sure to say hello to Tiffany! Here’s a pic of her with our adorable Brody!

• February is dental month @EAH! Dog, cat, and rabbit dental procedures will receive a 10% discount for procedures performed in the month of February. Dental disease exists in over 80% of dogs and cats. This is a startling statistic and can lead to many diseases down the road. Appointments are booking up quickly so please give us a call at your earliest convenience to ensure your pet has a pearly white smile for 2016!

• Our January Winter Coat Drive has been a huge success thus far! We originally had a goal of 60 coats, but as of today have far exceeded that with 110 warm winter coats, and many blankets as well! They are being dispersed to needy members of the community through The Roc (www.renewoc.org), and we are so thankful for the wonderful response of our clients and members of the community. It’s amazing how many people have donated coats simply because they drove by, saw our sign, and opened their hearts and closets! Thank you to everyone!
  
• Laser Therapy is now included post-operatively for all spays/neuter and dental procedures! Laser therapy is now the fourth form of pain control your furry family member will receive while they have surgery at our hospital. As a reminder, laser therapy reduces swelling and inflammation at the site of the surgery, increases blood flow to the area and encourages healing, and may reduce the amount of pain medication you need to give your pet after the surgery.  This is in addition to opioid pain control, anti-inflammatory pain medication, and a local anesthetic.  Are you aware that many spay/neuter facilities that advertise low prices frequently give one form or NO forms of pain control?  Know that when your pet is with us for their spay or neuter surgery they will be as comfortable as possible throughout their procedure!

  Dental prophylactic procedures will also include therapeutic laser therapy after cleaning, regardless of whether or not extractions are performed.  Your dog or cat can develop mild sensitivity after their teeth are scaled, much like the sensation you can experience at the regular dentist. Therapeutic laser therapy reduces inflammation of the gums after cleaning and results in quick resolution of any sensitivity your pet may experience.
  

• To best protect your dogs during their stay at Camp Ebenezer, we have altered our requirements for our day and overnight campers. In addition to the Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine, we will now also be requiring the Canine Influenza (H3N2 strain) vaccine effective February 1st, 2016. Given the increasing frequency of canine flu outbreaks in our area, we feel it is best to preemptively protect our Campers by requiring the flu vaccine. Please note that the influenza vaccine must be given a booster shot after 3 weeks.  Immunity will last for one year after this.  A doctor appointment is not necessary – you may stop by at any time to have this time prior to boarding, assuming your dog has been examined within a year’s time. Keep in mind that it is best to have your pet vaccinated AT LEAST one week PRIOR to boarding or doggy daycare to allow for maximum immunity.  Plan accordingly!
  
• We will be closing early on Thursday, February 25th, at 6pm instead of our usual 9pm. We are sorry for any inconvience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding!

Upper respiratory disease in dogs can range in severity from a soft, non productive cough to a full blown systemic disease that requires hospitalization and intravenous fluids.  Two of the most common diseases we see in dogs is Bordetella bronchiseptica and Canine Influenza.

Bordetella is frequently referred to as “kennel cough.”  This is a highly contagious disease caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterial organism.  Infection occurs from aerosolization of saliva and material when dogs cough.  Are you aware that dogs can project their coughs up to 20 feet if forceful enough?!  Your dog will initially develop a coarse, non productive cough frequently referred to as a “goose honk.”  These coughs can present themselves as fits which can last for minutes at a time.  Your dog may suddenly lose his or her voice as another common sign.  Bordetella is typically not a fatal disease – your pet will not become gravely ill from this.

Canine Influenza, specifically the H3N2 strain, spread rapidly across the midwest and southeast in 2015.  This virus originated in Asia and is a new disease that just emerged in the United States.  This should be differentiated from the H3N8 strain which has been documented in dog populations since 2004.  Canine Influenza, or CIV, is a highly contagious disease that spreads in a similar fashion to Bordetella.  The signs are quite similar to Bordetella as well:  coughing, lethargy, voice change, and nasal discharge.  Almost 90% of all dogs will develop CIV if they are exposed to an infectious dog.  Thankfully, only about 10% of those cases will become seriously ill and require hospitalization and advanced care.

We recommend that if your dog exhibits any persistent coughing that does not resolve within a day or any of the other signs listed above, that he or she is seen by us at their earliest convenience.  Caught early, many dogs will respond quickly to a short course of antibiotics.  We can also use cough suppressants to lessen the coughing.  As with humans, prevention is the best medicine.  Because of this, we recommend that dogs that participate in the following activities be vaccinated against BOTH CIV and Bordetella:

-Dogs that attend doggy daycare, even as little as once a month
-Dogs that board overnight regularly at a boarding facility
-Dogs that play at local dog parks on a semi regular basis
-Dogs that are involved in group obedience classes
-Any situations where dogs come in contact with other dogs on a frequent basis.

As early as twelve (12) weeks, your puppy can receive this vaccine to provide protection against these respiratory bugs.  The vaccine schedule is as follows:
-Bordetella:  Two vaccines, one intra-nasal (a squirt up the nose) and one injection, given 3 weeks apart.  Booster this vaccine annually (once a year)
-Canine Influenza H3N2:  Two injection vaccines, given three weeks apart.  Booster this vaccine annually (once a year)

Keep in mind that it is best to have your pet vaccinated AT LEAST one week PRIOR to boarding or doggy daycare to allow for maximum immunity.  Plan accordingly!

It’s important to note that it is possible for your dog to contract one or both diseases if they are fully vaccinated against these respiratory pathogens. Infected dogs, however, will have moderately less clinical signs and will recover much more quickly than unvaccinated dogs. The chance of severe disease (ie the 10% that become gravely ill) is profoundly reduced as well. One can think of the human flu shot as a good example. It is also important to remember about herd immunity – the more dogs in a population that are vaccinated, the stronger the collective groups immunity is to that disease and the less likely that a non-vaccinated dog will contract the disease.

What next? If your dog falls into one of the lifestyle candidates above and is not vaccinated against Bordetella or Canine Influenza, give us a call to schedule their first set of boosters.  Your dog and your dogs companions will thank you!

February – all month!

Pet Dental Health Month!

February is pet dental health month, and to celebrate we are offering 10% off all dental cleanings and associated procedures! 

It’s SO important to keep your pet’s teeth clean, as bacteria that builds up in the mouth leeches into the bloodstream and can cause problems with internal organs. 

Not sure if your pet needs a dental cleaning? Give us a call! If so, do it now. Why not? – 10% off in February is the best time to have your pet’s dental care taken care of!

More details to come on Dental Month – so stay tuned!

February 13th

Adoption event at Carolina Fresh Farms feed store

Join us at Carolina Fresh Farms (4372 Old York Rd) on the 13th! They are hosting an adoption and education event between 11a and 2pm . EAH representatives, rescues groups including the Animal Adoption League, local trainers, and more will be on site for adoptions and great information! They will have plenty of fun and games for dogs and people alike, so drop by with your pup for a great time! Maybe you’ll take a new furry family member home! 🙂

April 16th

Waggin’ Trail Dog Walk and Event!

We’ve had so much fun the last two years, we decided to sponsor this event again in 2016! Mark your calendars now to join us for the dog walk, pet parades, and other fun! All proceeds from this event will benefit the Humane Society of York County this year. A great event for an amazing cause!

More details to come. We hope to see you there!

Zach cares for many of your pets “behind the scenes” here at EAH, particularly in his role as a Camp Counselor at Camp Ebenezer. He’s been a member of the EAH team since 2014. 

In his time outside of work, Zach enjoys music above all else- whether that’s playing the guitar (he plays both acoustic and electric), going to concerts (classic rock and metal are his favorites), or downloading his favorite songs. 

Zach also enjoys reading horror and fantasy literature, with Stephen King being his favorite author. He loves spending time with friends and going to movies as well! And although he loves caring for our patients, he has aspirations of training to be a  human paramedic. Clearly he enjoys caring for patients of all kinds! 🙂

Next time you are in the hospital, please make sure to say hello to Zach! 

• 2016 “Peace, Love, and Rescue” Calendars are now for sale! Many of our wonderful clients submitted photos of their own rescued pets, and we were happy to be able to include all submitted photos in our calendar! Calendars are $15 each, and 100% of proceeds go to Project Safe Pet (www.projectsafepet.com), a great animal rescue we work closely with.
  
• Thank you for your amazing participation in our November Food Drive! Second Harvest Food Bank picked up our donations for pets and people right before Thanksgiving, and were again amazed at the support of our clients! So THANK YOU!
• Our groomer, Sheila, will not be available from January 4th through (at least) February 8th. Sheila is having wrist surgery, and while we know all our wonderful clients will miss her, she needs time to recover and heal! When she returns her schedule will be initially limited until she can access her full capabilities over the month of February. Please be patient and plan ahead when scheduling grooming appointments!
  Our wonderful receptionist, Carla, doubles as a groomer in her “spare time” and will have limited grooming appointments available while Sheila is away. Please call to schedule an appointment with Carla!
  
• We had an amazing time in this year’s Christmasville parade! This was our second year participating in the parade, and it is such a great time! Thank you all who came out and celebrated the season!

• We will be closing early (at 12p) on Christmas Eve (December 24th) and New Years Eve (January 31st), and will be closed all day Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Years Day (January 1st).  As always, if you have an emergency with your pet, please contact Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Emergency at 704.504.9608.
  Happy Holidays! 

Tis the season! Can you believe it? The holidays are upon us! Here are some great tips on keeping your pets safe during the holiday season from Dr. Hreiz’s blog! 

– Food is a common hazard for pets around the holidays – yummy for us, but can cause problems for our furry family members. Think it sounds like a good idea to give them a “special treat” from the table? Think again! Foods that your pet isn’t used to, or foods that may be high in fat, sugar, or salt can cause medical conditions like pancreatitis (vomiting/diarrhea, and often requires hospitalization at our hospital). Also bear in mind that chocolate, onions, grapes, and several other foods can be toxic and should NEVER be fed to your pet. Having guests over? Please remind them that you do not wish for them to feed your pets!

-Pet Proof your tree! Decorating your home makes for a festive season, but have you considered that the tree and all that comes with it can make your pet sick? Make sure they don’t drink the tree water, as fertilizers used in the growing process can leach into the water and make your pet sick. Have pretty ribbon and tinsel on your tree? While it doesn’t look tasty to you, your kitties may disagree. The last think you want is for Christmas is an intestinal blockage! And make sure to keep the cords for lights out of reach, as inquisitive pets may decide to chew on them. Ouch!

– Plants and flower bouquets may make the table look pretty, but did you know mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, and lillies can cause major issues if ingested? Anything from vomiting and loose stool all the way up to liver and kidney failure. Keep the plants far out of reach!

– It’s getting chilly out there, and Antifreeze is a huge threat to our pets and wildlife! Keep it far, far out of reach, as the sweet flavor is very tempting to animals, but they don’t know that antifreeze is HIGHLY TOXIC and can cause severe liver and kidney failure, even death. Be safe and store it far away!!!

December 6th

Rock Hill Christmasville Parade!

Nothing starts the holiday season quite like the Rock Hill Christmasville Parade, and this year’s parade was no exception! A great time was had by the EAH staff as we entered the parade for the second year. 

We hope everyone was able to make it out and enjoy an amazing evening of holiday festivities!

The Month of January

Winter Coat Drive

As winter sets in, we will be collecting winter coats at the hospital during the month of January. All coats will be donated to Renew Our Community (The Roc) for adults and kids in need in our community. 

New or used, all coats are appreciated! Also feel free to bring other warm clothing items (gloves, scarves, etc), and those will be donated as well. 

Thank you for supporting our community! Together we can make a difference in the lives of others. 

The Month of February!

Pet Dental Health Month!

February is pet dental health month, and to celebrate we are offering 10% off all dental cleanings and associated procedures! 

It’s SO important to keep your pet’s teeth clean, as bacteria that builds up in the mouth leeches into the bloodstream and can cause problems with internal organs. 

Not sure if your pet needs a dental cleaning? Give us a call! If so, do it now. Why not? – 10% off in February is the best time to have your pet’s dental care taken care of!

More details to come on Dental Month – so stay tuned!

Most of you have met Thomas, one of our technicians, in an exam room, or maybe he helped while your pet was in surgery. But how much do you know about him? Let us help fill you in! 🙂

Thomas moved to the United States from England with his family (parents and three brothers) when he was only six years old, and has been here ever since! He joined Team EAH in 2010 as a part time Camp Counselor while in school at Clemson University, and then came on full time as a tech after graduating with a degree in Animal Sciences in 2013. 

Thomas has two kitties, Roxie and Harvey, who keep him entertained while at home. His household is a kitty-loving type place, as he lives with his brother David and sister-in-law, Kerstin, who also have three cats (Iris, Butters, and Professor Chaos). 

When Thomas isn’t surrounding himself with animals, he really enjoys mountain biking, racquetball, reading, and playing video games!

Please make sure to say hello to Thomas next time you are in the hospital! 

• Our Howl-o-ween costume contest was a huge success again this year! Thank you to all of our wonderful clients who brought their pet’s by EAH the week of Halloween in costume to trick or treat! We posted their photos to Facebook, and the pet with the most “likes” won 6 months of Bravecto – a great oral flea and tick medication! Congrats to “Koda” – our adorable Captain Jack Sparrow – for winning the contest this year with a record 176 “Likes”!
   
• We are putting together our second annual “Peace, Love, and Rescue” Calendar, so please submit photos of your rescue pets! They should be emailed to [email protected] no later than November 21st. Calendars will go on sale early to mid-December (we will let you know!) and will be $15 each. Proceeds will benefit Project Safe Pet, a rescue group in the area that we work closely with. Submit your rescued pet photos today to be included! Check out last year’s calendar!
   
• Don’t forget about our November Food Drive! Donations of non-perishable pet and people food are being accepted at EAH through November 21st to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Metrolinas. Please swing by and make a food donation and help struggling individuals in our area have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
  
• Burrr…. It’s getting chilly out there! With the colder temperatures come challenges for some of our pets, and we can all use tips on how to keep them safe. Here are a few tips, taken from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Cold Weather Pet Safety page:
  • Make sure your pet has seen one of our veterinarians recently, as cold weather can worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis. 
  • Know your pet’s tolerance of the cold, as not all pets respond the same. Lessen their time outside, go on shorter walks, and know their limits. Did you know pets with some medical conditions (diabetes, kidney issues, hormonal diseases, etc) can have a harder time regulating their body temperature?
  • Fur does not make animals immune to cold weather! If you don’t want to be outside in pants and shirt because it’s cold and/or wet, then your pet’s likely don’t want to either. Most fur is like having a base layer of clothes on… helpful but not fool-proof in keeping our pets warm!
  • Check their paws for signs of cold-weather injury, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. Slipping on snow, ice, or wet ground can also cause injuries, so stay in tune with your pet’s physical status and check their limbs after time outside!
  • And so much more- check out the site above for more!
    
• Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Please be aware of the following hazards that surround this holiday, and know how to protect your pet!
   

Want your pets to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal, but don’t want to deal with the upset belly that will likely ensue? Us too! As much as we love our clients and patients, we don’t want to have to see you the day after Thanksgiving because your furry family member over-indulged! Here is a healthy, pet-safe holiday treat that they are sure to love:

Scrumptious Sweet Potato Cookies (dog and cat safe!)

For more holiday tips, how to keep your pet safe, and yummy holiday recipes, visit 
http://www.gopetplan.com/thanksgiving-treat-recipes.aspx 

November 1st- 21st

Human and Pet Food Drive

We have so much to be thankful for, and we hope you do too. This November, we are gathering donations for needy families and animals in our area, with donations going to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Non-perishable food donations for both people and animals will be accepted for the first three weeks of the month, before going to members of the community in time for Thanksgiving!

Please consider coming by and making a donation to help support animals and their humans in our area. 

December 4th 

Rock Hill Christmasville Parade!

Nothing starts the holiday season quite like the Rock Hill Christmasville Parade! Last year was so much fun we’ve elected to join the parade again! Bring your family out on the evening of December 4th and enjoy the lights!

Check out our float in the 2014 parade – such a great time for our staff! We love being a part of this community and are excited to participate again in 2015!

January, 2016

Great things on the horizon- stay tuned!

You may have seen Britany around EAH for a while, but now suddenly you see her greeting you and your pet in our reception area, checking you in and out, and answering your phone call. So what gives? Britany has been a great member of the EAH team as one of our Camp Counselors for about a year, and now she’s moved up to the position of Client Care Associate! We are glad to have her in this new position, so here’s a little about Britany!

Britany is currently a student at both Winthrop and York Tech, working towards a degree in biology. She hopes to eventually earn a business degree as well! When she’s not working or at school, she loves hiking with her boyfriend, EAH Camp Counselor Devan. 

Britany and Devan are parents to a small herd of animals (like most of us!), including two rescue kitties, Pitou and Slinky, as well as two husky mixes, Koda and Nala, who she bottle fed from birth. Britany also enjoys assisting local wildlife rehabers with rehabilitating wild animals, and has rescued and subsequently released over 20 animals including birds, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and even a mouse. 

Britany’s ultimate life goal is to open a rescue and therapy center for adults and children with special needs, exposing them to rescued dogs, cats, horses, and so on. 

Please take a moment to say hello to Britany next time you are EAH and welcome her to our team of Client Care Associates!

• Dr. Lawrence is retiring! After over three decades of service to the Ebenezer Animal Hospital family, Dr. Lawrence is retiring and rejoining his family in the Charleston, SC area. His last day wll be Wednesday, October 7th, and that afternoon from 1p-6p he will be available to visit with clients and patients here at the hospital. We will have snacks and coffee, so please feel free to come by and wish Dr. Lawrence well!
  
• We will be closing early on October 7th at 6pm (instead of our normal 9pm) so that our staff can gather with Dr. Lawrence and send him off into retirement in style! We appreciate your understanding.
  
• October is Surgery Month! All surgeries and dental cleanings will be 10% off this month, so make sure to call and schedule your pet’s mass removal, dental cleaning, spay/neuter, or whatever else you’ve been postponing today!
  
• Please pardon our dust! We are in the process of converting old office space into a fully functional 5th exam room so that we may better serve you. In the meantime, we appreciate your understanding for any dust or other disturbance this may cause. 
  
• EAH is now EMV/”chip card” compliant! In addition to now accepting Google Wallet and Apple Pay, we have taken all necessary measures to ensure your security when it comes to credit card fraud. If you patronize businesses that have not upgraded their equipment to be EMV compliant, the burden of a potential fraud is being shifted to the business and potentially you, the consumer.

• We had a Dog Gone Good Time at the Humane Society Dog Gone Good Time Festival! Despite the overcast and drizzling weather, there was a great turnout. We are proud to have been a Pick of the Litter Sponsor for the second year in a row, and look forward to joining this great event again in 2016!

• Our Howl-o-ween costume contest and trick-or-treating is right around the corner! Come by the hospital with your pet in costume during office hours October 26th-31st. We will share pics of your pet on our Facebook page, and the picture with the most “likes” before November 7th will win a FREE SIX MONTH SUPPLY OF FLEA/TICK PREVENTION!

Veterinary technicians are critical to the day-to-day function of veterinary practices, and play vital roles in preserving animal health and welfare. National Veterinary Technician Week, first celebrated in 1993, takes place in the third week of October each year, and provides an opportunity to recognize veterinary technicians’ contributions.

Although we value our veterinary technicians and assistants every day of the year, we take this week to honor their commitment to compassionate, high-quality veterinary care for all animals.

Next time you are in, please take a moment to thank our techs and assistants for all they do to care for your pets!

October 26th-31st

2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating at EAH!

What will your pet wear for Howl-o-ween? Get the costumes ready and come by the last week in October for a yummy treat and the opportunity to win 6 months of flea and tick medication! Whether the costumes are adorable or scary… clever or silly… We love when animals can dress up and have a good time! 🙂

Pickle was our 2014 Howl-o-ween costume contest winner!

November 1st- 21st

Human and Pet Food Drive

We have so much to be thankful for, and we hope you do too. This November, we are gathering donations for needy families and animals in our area, with donations going to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Non-perishable food donations for both people and animals will be accepted for the first three weeks of the month, before going to members of the community in time for Thanksgiving!

Please consider coming by and making a donation to help support animals and their humans in our area. 

Nothing starts the holiday season quite like the Rock Hill Christmasville Parade! Last year was so much fun we’ve elected to join the parade again! Bring your family out on the evening of December 4th and enjoy the lights!

Check out our float in the 2014 parade – such a great time for our staff! We love being a part of this community!

Dr. Lawrence has been a part of Ebenezer Animal Hospital since 1985. He received his BS from Syracuse University, MS from Southern Illinois University, and DVM from the University of Missouri. In his free time, Dr. Lawrence is an avid bicyclist, plays racquetball, swims, enjoys motorcycling, and likes computers and other gadgets. Aside from his son, step-son, step daughter, and wife, Dr. Lawrence’s “extended” family includes domestic shorthair cats, Shrek and Spooky and Pekingnese Cisco. 

In 2013, Dr. Lawrence began his journey to retiremet by selling Ebenezer Animal Hospital to it’s new owners, Dr. Jay Hreiz and April Splawn. He is now formally retiring on October 7th so that he may join his family in the Charleston, SC area. 

While we are sad to see Dr. Lawrence go, we are glad for his opportunity to relax and enjoy life. We are thankful for the legacy he started so that those of us left behind can continue on and grow. 

Best of luck, Dr. L!

• Thank you! Because of your generosity, we received hundreds of dollars in Back-to-School donations during the month of August. These donations are being delivered to the Children’s Attention Home here in Rock Hill, helping our community children in need get a strong start to the school year. Thank you!
  
• Follow us on Instagram and see if your pet is our #EAHCamperOfTheDay at while boarding at #CampEbenezer!
  
• We will be closed September 6th and 7th in observance of Labor Day. Have a great day, be safe, and remember to keep your pets far away from fireworks! If you have an emergency with your pet, please call Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Animal Emergency at 704.504.9608 
• September is Happy Cat Month! To celebrate, we are offering a FREE dose of REVOLUTION for every cat we see for an exam in September! See below for what this means and how it will benefit your kitty!
  
• September 13th is National Pet Memorial Day. While we are lucky to have amazing furry family members in our lives now, many of us have lost some as well. Need someone to talk to? The Agape Hospice Group in Rock Hill offers a monthly Pet Grief Support Group. For more information, contact Ronnie Duncan at 803.329.4544 or [email protected] Want to share memories about your lost pets? Please follow us on Facebook and join in our remembrances on September 13th!
  
• September 28th is World Rabies Day!  Rabies remains a major concern worldwide, killing more than 55,000 people every year. In the United States, one to two people die annually, and there were more than 6,000 reported cases of animal rabies in the U.S. in 2012.
  • World Rabies Day was officially launched in 2007, and aims to raise awareness about the public health impact of human and animal rabies.
  • What can YOU do? Vaccinate your animals and keep them away from wildlife that can spread the disease. Rabies is 100% preventable. According to Dr. Charles Rupprecht, chief of the rabies program at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Your local veterinarian plays a key role in controlling rabies.”  – That’s us here at EAH! Please ensure your pet is up to date on it’s rabies and other vaccines. Not sure? Visit your Pet’s Portal on our website here or give us a call at 803.366.1950. 
  • Would you like more information on rabies? Check out these articles about rabies in dogs and cats. 
• Celebrate Surgery Month in October with 10% off all surgical procedures and dentals! From spays and neuters to dentals and mass removals and everything in between – enjoy 10% off on procedures performed during October! Call or email and schedule today!
  

To celebrate Happy Cat Month, during the month of September we are offering a FREE dose of REVOLUTION for all cats that are seen by one of our doctors for an examination! Statistically, cats are the most common household pet. However, they are much less likely to be seen reguraly by a veterinarian, as there are misconceptions that they do not need regular veterinary care like some other pets. This is not the case! In fact, cats are masters of deception, and often do not tell us there is a problem until it is too late. Routine exams are vital to making sure your cat stays healthy!

As such, we are offering a FREE dose of Revolution for all cats seen for an exam during September – this is a $27 value at no charge to you! Revolution is a topical that is applied directly to the skin of your kitty once a month and serves to prevent heartworms (yes- cats get heartworms too!), and also protects your cat against fleas, ear mites, hookworms and roundworms – all things you definitely don’t want your cat to get!!

It’s vital to have your kitty seen by the vet at least once a year, so we are happy to help keep your kitty healthy!

September 26th

Humane Society of York County’s “Dog Gone Good Time Festival”

Join Team EAH at Walter Elisha Park in Fort Mill from 10a-2p for a great time while helping the HSYC! There will be a dog walk, lots of great vendors, and EAH will once again be a “Pick of the Litter” sponsor of the event and will also be hosting a microchip clinic!  This event is a great opportunity for you and your pup to have a great time outdoors in beautiful Carolina fall weather while ultimately benefiting a great cause! Find more info on the event here!

October 26th-31st

2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating at EAH!

What will your pet wear for Howl-o-ween? Get the costumes ready and come by the last week in October for a yummy treat and the opportunity to win 6 months of flea and tick medication! Whether the costumes are adorable or scary… clever or silly… We love when animals can dress up and have a good time! 🙂

Pickle was our 2014 Howl-o-ween costume contest winner!

November 1st- 21st

Human and Pet Food Drive

We have so much to be thankful for, and we hope you do too. This November, we are gathering donations for needy families and animals in our area, with donations going to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Non-perishable food donations for both people and animals will be accepted for the first three weeks of the month, before going to members of the community in time for Thanksgiving!

Please consider coming by and making a donation to help support animals and their humans in our area. 

Say hello to Dhani! Dhani returned to the  EAH Team in June of 2013, after working with us from 1998-2000. We are glad to have him as one of our Veterinarian Technician/Assistants! Dhani is a Rock Hill native and always seems to know everyone in town!

Dhani has two beautiful kids who keep him very, very busy! His daughter, Skye, is 14 and she just started high school at SouthPointe (her main concern with high school so far is how long the hallways are! :)) His son, Jadarian, is 4 and just started his 4k program. Dhani is also kept busy by his five dogs – Sage, Cindy, Bobo, Ranger, and Buck!

When he’s not working, playing with his dogs, or keeping up with his children, Dhani is a sports fanatic! He loves playing basketball and football, and cheering for Michigan State (basketball) and The University of South Carolina (football)! He also enjoys deep sea fishing and reading – mystery and suspense novels (his favorite author is James Patterson). 

Next time you are in the hospital, please make sure to say Hi to Dhani!

• August 15th is “Check the Chip” Day, and we are offering $25 SaveThisLife.com microchips from August 10th-15th!  Microchips are invaluable in reuniting pets with their owners, are cost effective, and last a lifetime. Come by anytime from August 10th to the 15th to have your pet microchipped for the very discounted cost of $25! It’s fast and easy and our doctors strongly recommend microchipping all pets. Learn more about why microchips are important here.
  
• We will be closing 1 hour early (at 5pm) this Friday, August 7th so our staff can have some fun at a Charlotte Knights game as a THANK YOU for all their hard work! We will also be closing at 6pm (instead of 9pm) on Wednesday, August 12th. We appreciate your understanding!
   
• We will also be closed September 6th and 7th in observance of Labor Day. Have a great day, be safe, and remember to keep your pets far away from fireworks! If you have an emergency with your pet, please call Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Animal Emergency at 704.504.9608
• August 22nd is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, and September is Happy Cat Month! To celebrate the importance of veterinary care for your cat, we will be offering cat-specific specials during the month of September. Stay tuned for details! It is always important to provide care for your kitties, so we are glad to offer extra opportunities to make this easier for you!
  
• Celebrate Surgery Month in October with 10% off all surgical procedures and dentals! From spays and neuters to dentals and mass removals and everything in between – enjoy 10% off on procedures performed during October! Call or email and schedule today!
   
• Dr Lawrence is retiring October 7th – While we are sad to see him go, we are happy for this opportunity for “Dr. L” to rejoin his family in Charleston and spend more time relaxing. If you have traditionally seen Dr. Lawrence with your pets, please take this opportunity to meet another one of our amazing doctors by calling and scheduling a consultation with Dr. Lawrence and either Dr. Hreiz, Dr. (Mafturak) Stephens, or Dr. Marlowe! 
• Whole Health Plans continue to work well for many of our clients and patients! They help you divide the cost of your pet’s preventative care over 12 months, making monthly payments more manageable than more substantial bills! They also provide large discounts on other products and services. Find out more about Whole Health Plans on our website at https://ebenezervets.com/services/whole-health-plans/ 
• Our doctors are staying up to date on the Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) and want to pass information along to you! The latest research shows that the currently available vaccine (H3N8) does have some level of protection against the newest strain of the virus (H3N2), as it will decrease the severity of the virus if a patient is infected. As such, we are strongly recommending that dogs who have contact with other dogs (whether that is at a pet store, doggy daycare, boarding, or playing at the dog park) be vaccinated. The vaccine is $20 per administration and requires a booster three weeks after the initial injection. No appointment is necessary if your dog has been seen by our doctors within the last year – so come by any time!
  To help protect our hospital and our patients, we are also asking that ANY coughing dog be left in their (air conditioned) vehicle until otherwise instructed by a staff member.

“No, I don’t need Fluffly microchipped because he never leaves my side.” or
“I’m not going to microchip my cat because she’s indoor only.” or
“She always wears her collar with tags so he doesn’t need a microchip.” 

While personal financial limitations are understood, we ask you this – Is $37 enough to risk your pets life? (Or $25 during our August 10th-15th special?)

Here are some examples of why the above “arguments” against microchipping don’t hold up, and why our doctors and staff ALWAYS recommend microchips:

– One day, a workman, friend, or a neighbor may leave your back gate open while Fluffy is out to do his evening business. You didn’t know the gate was open, and before you know it, you are panicked because your pup is missing. 

– It’s Thanksgiving day and there are a lot of people in and out of your house. You are taking out the trash and Max slips out of the door with you to investigate the goodies in the bag. Before you know it, he sees a squirrel and takes off. 

– Your kitty is indoor only, but you didn’t even notice when she slips out under your feet when you walk out on the back porch. She didn’t show up for dinner when you called her and now you are searching frantically. 

– You and Sampson are talking a leash-walk stroll around the block. A car backfires and Sampson puts on the breaks and freaks out, slipping out of his collar and bolting into nearby woods. 

1 in 3 pets go missing in their lifetime. 90% of those pets never make it home without proper identification. Microchips are permanent forms of ID that can never be lost or removed – and with simple registration, will link you to your pet forever. 

So again, we ask you – is the money you saved by not chipping worth not seeing your pet again? Please consider microchipping – It could save their life!

August 1st-31st!

Back to School donation drive!

The new school year is just around the corner… and some children in our area won’t have the supplies needed to get off on the right foot. Please bring new school supplies by our hospital during the month of August. Donations will go to the Rock Hill Children’s Attention Home
Need ideas to donate?

• combination locks
• travel drives
• heavy duty backpacks
• lead pencils
• dividers
• pens/black and blue
• graph paper
• drawing/sketch pads
• colored pencils
• markers

Thank you for donating and helping us help our community!

September 26th

Humane Society of York County’s “Dog Gone Good Time Festival”

Join Team EAH at Walter Elisha Park in Fort Mill from 10a-2p a great time while helping the HSYC! There will be a dog walk, lots of great vendors, and EAH will be a “Pick of the Litter” sponsor of the event and will also be hosting a microchip clinic!  This event is a great opportunity for you and your pup to have a great time outdoors in beautiful Carolina fall weather while ultimately benefiting a great cause! Find more info on the event here!

October 26th-31st

2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating at EAH!

What will your pet wear for Howl-o-ween? Get the costumes ready and come by the last week in October for a yummy treat and the opportunity to win 6 months of flea and tick medication! Whether the costumes are adorable or scary… clever or silly… We love when animals can dress up and have a good time! 🙂

Here is Pickle – our 2014 Howl-o-ween costume contest winner in her adorable lady bug costume!! 

Beth is often the first smiling face you see when you visit EAH, and most of you know her well! When Beth is not serving as our Front Office and Accounts Receivable Supervisor, She loves spending time with family and friends, watching movies at home with her husband, Daniel, and their five rescued dogs and one kitty, visiting her family’s house in Cherry Grove, keeping her garden tidy, and cheering for the Carolina Panthers! 

But did you know that Beth loves Game of Thrones, playing Candy Crush (she’s at level 1085!), or that she’s an only child? She was adopted by her parents as a baby, and in fact she was the first adoption her dad (an adoption attorney!) ever did! Beth would also be barefoot or in flip flops 24/7 if it were socially acceptable (which, her family thinks it’s not!). 

Next time you are in the hospital, please take a moment to say Hi to Beth! Odds are good that you will see her. 🙂

• THANK YOU for supporting our June 6th Charity DogWash! Because of you (and your dirty dogs!) we raised over $1,500 to support the Community Spay/Neuter efforts of Project Safe Pet. Thanks to you they can continue to help control the pet overpopulation problem in our area. 
• We are a HomeTown Hero! As an added bonus to supporting a great cause, we are excited to announce that CN2 will be awarding Ebenezer Animal Hospital with the HomeTown Hero Award for organizing and hosting the Charity DogWash (details above), and our continued community service efforts. CN2 will be airing the awards on July 21st starting at 6pm, so tune in to help us celebrate! We believe it is so important to give back to our community, and are thrilled to receive this recognition!
• We will be closing early (at 5pm) on Friday, August 7th, instead of our normal closing time of 6pm so that we can enjoy a staff outing to a Charlotte Knights game! Our great team deserves some fun for working so hard on a daily basis. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to our clients.
• Parvo- what is it and why should your dogs be protected? Check out Dr. Hreiz’s latest blog on our website and learn all about the disease we see all too often. 
• Fleas and Ticks are awful this season! Do you agree? The warm, dry weather has brought out the critters in full force, and it’s important to protect your pets and your family. 
  Most over the counter (OTC) flea and tick options are not very effective anymore, as the fleas and ticks are catching on, adapting, and becoming resistant to the molecules in them. Thankfully, we’ve got a wide variety of products available for all budgets! Call or come by anytime and we are glad to go over the options with you!
  
• Seresto Collar tips! Have you bought one of our amazing Seresto Collars for your pet yet? They treat fleas and ticks for up to eight months and are not like the stinky, non-working traditional flea collars – our doctors really believe in them! Here are some tips to make sure you get the most of out of your Seresto Collar:
• • Apply it correctly! These collars are friction based, so must be applied appropriately close to the skin and not loose like a necklace. Check out this video demonstrating how to apply to collar to dogs, and this video for cats!
    
  • Check the collar weekly! Many pets will scratch at collars from time to time, which can loosen the collar. It’s important for the collar to fit appropriatelyto work, so re-tightening occasionally may be necessary. 
  • It lasts for 8  months! However, the company recommends replacement after 6 months for pets that are often in the water – active swimmers, very frequent baths with the collar applied, etc. 

Everyone knows it’s hot outside, and we often find outselves spending more time inside or in a cool body of water. But what about your pets? Heatstroke occurs when the heat-dissipating mechanisms of the body can’t handle the excessive external heat. While the normal body temperature for dogs and cats is around 99.5 to 103° F, heat stroke is defined when the body reaches temperatures above 105° F. 

So it’s only 95 degrees outside… why do you need to worry about heat stroke in your pets? First, you should know that your pets are unable to sweat due to their lack of sweat glands. This leaves them inefficient at controlling their body temperature and forces them to pant to help regulate.  Panting is highly ineffective, which leaves them to overheat in high temperatures. 

Heat stroke leads to multiple organ dysfunction,
and ultimately can cause death.

So what puts your pet at increased risk of heatstroke?

• Excessive environmental heat and humidity (may be due to weather conditions, such as a hot day, or to being enclosed in an unventilated room or car). It is vital to ensure your pets have access to plenty of shade, clean drinking water, and a cool environment at all times. NEVER leave your pets in a car unattended – the temperature in a car rises very quickly, even with the windows cracked or down. See the graphic below to give you an idea of how quickly it can get HOT in a car!

• Breeds with short noses (known as brachycephalic syndrome) such as pugs, shih tzus, boxers, bulldogs, persion or himalayan cats and so on suffer from upper airway disease that inhibits breathing, which makes them at higher risk than pets with longer noses.
• Excessive exercise on hot days can cause heat stroke. While we know exercise is important for all of us, going for that run or throwing the ball on a hot day isn’t the best idea. Dogs can cats can not appropriately cool themselves via sweating and thus will overheat faster than their human counterparts. 

Symptoms of Heat stroke:

• Panting
• Dehydration
• Excessive drooling
• Increased body temperature
• Reddened gums and moist tissues of the body
• Production of only small amounts of urine or no urine
• Sudden (acute) kidney failure
• Rapid heart rate
• Irregular heart beats
• Shock
• Stoppage of the heart and breathing
• Fluid build-up in the lungs; sudden breathing distress
• Blood-clotting disorder(s)
• Vomiting blood
• Passage of blood in the bowel movement or stool
• Black, tarry stools
• Small, pinpoint areas of bleeding
• Generalized (systemic) inflammatory response syndrome
• Disease characterized by the breakdown of red-muscle tissue
• Death of liver cells
• Changes in mental status
• Seizures
• Muscle tremors
• Wobbly, incoordinated or drunken gait or movement (ataxia)
• Unconsciousness in which the dog cannot be stimulated to be awakened

July, 2015

Amazon Smile!

During the month of July, we would love to encourage each of you to give back to your community on a daily basis- and you can do that by shopping on Amazon!

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at www.amazonsmile.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. The EAH family is electing to support the Rock Hill School District Foundation, so you can join that cause or you can choose from nearly one million organizations to support… whatever is close to your heart. 

To learn more about AmazonSmile, please visit www.amazonsmile.com . It costs you nothing and helps support a cause important to you. 

August 1st-31st!

Back to School donation drive!

The new school year is just around the corner… and some children in our area won’t have the supplies needed to get off on the right foot. Please bring new school supplies by our hospital during the month of August. Donations will go to the Rock Hill Children’s Attention Home
Need ideas to donate? Find a helpful list here!

September, 2015

Community Outreach TBD!

Keep an eye out for our next community outreach effort!

Brooke originally came to EAH as a client with her menagerie of animals, and then joined us as a Camp Counselor in 2002 while pursuing her biology degree at Winthrop University. She became a Veterinary Assistant a short time later, and stayed at EAH until she left to join Carolina Veterinary Specialists from 2006 to 2014. 

We are glad Brooke rejoined the EAH team full time in 2014 as a Veterinary Assistant and our Community Outreach Coordinator! She is currently back in school, pursing her Applied Associates degree in Veterinary Technology with plans to become a Registered Veterinary Technician in early 2016. When she’s not busy working or taking classes, Brooke enjoys spending time with her four rescued pit bulls, four rescue kitties, and a rescue rabbit named Pearl. She also enjoys time outside – including kayaking on the Catawba River, hiking, bicycling, and generally enjoying sunshine whenever possible. 

Next time you are in the hospital, take a minute to say Hi to Brooke!