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MOSQUITOS ARE ACTIVE - Protect your Dog and Cat from Heartworms

Mosquitoes are expected to be very active this year.  They're a nuisance to you, but to your pets they are a deadly enemy. After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of homeless dogs, most of which were carrying heartworm disease, were brought to our area.   Many dog owners are diligent about testing for heartworm and administering preventive medication. But, considering that heartworm disease has now been reported in all 50 states in both dogs and cats, we still have our work cut out for us. Recent studies indicate that only 59% of dog owners and less than 5% of cat owners protect their pets by giving them a heartworm preventive!

Heartworm infection takes place when a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae bites your dog or cat. The larvae then enter a blood vessel and are carried to the arteries in the lungs. There, both live and dead worms can cause potentially life-threatening inflammation. Dogs may cough, have difficulty breathing, and get tired more quickly with exercise.  Severe infections can lead to death.   In cats, heartworms cause severe respiratory disease, and occasionally sudden death.  The most common signs are coughing, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. ALL DOGS NEED TO BE TESTED ANNUALLY.   Heartworms are more difficult to detect in cats making monthly prevention even more important. 

HEARTWORM PREVENTION IS SIMPLE, SAFE, AND EFFECTIVE. For dogs, we recommend SENTINEL, a once a month oral tablet.  For cats, we recommend REVOLUTION, which is applied topically to back of the neck, once a month.   These highly effective preventatives also prevent INTESTINAL PARASITES, and even FLEAS.  The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention, even where mosquitoes are seasonal. You can protect your entire family by giving your dog or cat a monthly parasite preventative.   Our doctors will help you select the best preventative for your pet.  Don’t be mislead by internet pharmacies.  WE CAN SAVE YOU MONEY AND GUARANTEE THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THE MEDICATION.   This year, KEEP YOUR PET SAFE!

Visit our new website

Since the completion of our hospital expansion in 2009, we have been anxious to launch a new web site that reflects the new look of Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital.  The new web site is updated and easier to navigate.  It has easy links to our Facebook page, Twitter, your pet’s PetPortal (health information), and our Blogs.  It enables clients to fill out forms and access an entire database of information relating to the health of their pets.  Clients can learn about our history and beliefs, and see pictures of our adorable patients.

I would like to thank Lauren McBain, Kim Delaney-Mimbs, Erika Ervin, Molly McBain, Nina Hellmers, and Andiamo Creative Company for all the time and effort they have put into the site.  The new site gives us the flexibility to keep the site fresh and up to date.  Something new and exciting happens every day at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, and we want you to know about it.

Please let us know if you like the site or if you have any ideas about how we can make the site better for our clients.  We invite you to visit us in person, to tour our hospital, and see how loving care happens every day at OVH.

Please visit us at http://www.oakhurstvet.com/.

Scott Delaney DVM

Hospital Director

More COOL History

On Sunday, June 15^th, 1930, the Asbury Park Press published a full page article about the big, new veterinary hospital in then Deal, New Jersey.  The heading read MONMOUTH NOW BOASTS FINEST DOG HOSPITAL with the subtitle BEST IN THE LAND FOR AILING CANINES. 

About a year after Dr. Wefer and I bought the hospital from Dr. Harry Millar, we were cleaning out some old file cabinets when we came across the cut out newspaper article in a folder.  The folder was just about in the trash when we found it.  The article was pretty well preserved because of how it had been stored out of the sun light.  We put it back in a folder in my desk drawer where it remained hidden for another 24 years. 

In the summer of 2009, I decided to have the article framed for our reception area.  A picture framer who specialized in preservation informed me that the article should be chemically treated to protect and preserve it, so I sent it out to be repaired and de-acidified.  While it was being restored, I decided to contact the Asbury Park Press to see if they had a copy in their archives.  I called the APP, and they said there archives didn’t go back that far, but that it might be found in the Asbury Park Library.  I went down to the AP Public Library and found the microfilm for the 1930 Asbury Park Press.  I spent about an hour scanning through the dates when I realized that the archive had June 14^th and June 16^th, but not June 15^th.  Oh No!  The very friendly and helpful librarian was also perplexed, but then realized that they used to archive the old Sunday APP editions on separate microfilms.  We found the Sunday microfilm, and there it was.

The article is an amazing lesson on the history of the veterinary profession.  At the time, horses were being replaced by automobiles, and veterinarians were branching out, realizing that there might be a market for caring for man’s best friend.  The Millars were true visionaries.  They mandated a level of excellence that still lives in our hallowed halls.

PLEASE read the attached article.  They don’t write newspapers like they used to. 

You can click in the image to enlarge it.  If you still can’t read it, please stop by the office and you can see the original.

Landmark Building

The original veterinary hospital building, now known as Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, was constructed in 1926 by the Millar family.    It was one of the first veterinary hospitals in the nation constructed specifically to treat small companion animals (dogs and cats.)
The veterinary practice was founded in 1894 by Dr. Harry C Millar.  The Millar practice tradition was continued for three generations.  Dr. Harry Sr. was followed by his son Joe Millar, and then his grandson, Dr. Harry Millar, Jr..  Dr. Harry Jr. sold the practice to Drs. Delaney and Wefer in 1986.  The Millars were leaders and innovators in the veterinary field.  They were one of first veterinary hospitals to have an x-ray machine, and to practice sterile surgery techniques.

Logo Fun - St. Patrick's Day



HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

Colleen, one of our talented technicians, has made "googled" changes to our logo to fit the seasons and special holidays.  We celebrate innovation and attention to detail.  Our support staff loves the work we all get to do, and they get involved.  We encourage our staff to have fun and add energy to the practice.