Update: Have a Heart

Our fund sponsored numerous kittens during this period. Lucy, pictured here, was the youngest at two days old. She required bottle-feeding every three hours. She was found in a parking lot and has one deformed leg that may require surgery.


Thanks to our contributors during this period:

* The Oliver Gramling Family (In memory of Rover)
* The Charles Allgood Family
* The Dale Gearing Family (In memory of Michelle)
* Liz and Gerald Perry (In memory of Radagast and K'Ehleyr)
* Christie Setunsky (In memory of Weasel)
* Deb Tiede
* Dave Cummings
* Peggy Gordon
* Karen Bosze (In memory of Brandy)
* Major Alyce Smith

Holiday Message

by Dr. Allison Mayo

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, it is time for me to reflect on the year that has unfolded. The sense of patriotism and faith in our nation that carried us through the tragedies of the previous year are still abundantly evident in our community. Our annual participation in the Dale City Fourth of July parade was somehow sweeter than ever (though it was, by far, the hottest one yet!), and I was proud to see so many of you lining the streets of our town to help celebrate our country's birthday.

Last year, I vowed that we would carry on with business as usual, helping to keep pets and their families healthy. And so we have. We continue to support the local animal shelters and rescue leagues (The Pet Assistance League is one of our main benefactors, and they could always use your support, too). Our Have a Heart Fund, thanks in large part to the generosity of so many of you, has provided care for untold numbers of stray and homeless animals. It warms my heart to be able to say that no stray has to suffer unnecessarily simply due to lack of money to cover the cost of their care. Our doctors continue to donate their time to this cause, so that only the material expenses must be deducted from the fund.

This year, as we did last year, we are going to adopt a needy family for Christmas in lieu of sending out holiday greeting cards. It is a small thing to be able to do to thank the community for the continued support our business receives. We want every one of you to know that we appreciate the trust you place in us when you bring your pets to us for care. We hope that all of you have a happy and healthy holiday.

Update: Have a Heart

Your contributions to our fund continue to help needy animals. Although numerous animals were helped by your generosity this period, I would like to feature two of them. Annie is a 9 month old Calico cat that was brought to us after she was hit by a car. We were unable to locate an owner. Annie had both front legs broken, the tendons on one back leg severed, and severe trauma to one eye. Dr Levinstein spent 4 hours in surgery putting pins in the broken legs and suturing the tendons. Frequent medications in the eye saved it although she has no sight in it. Today she scampers happily around her new home with only a slight limp and odd looking eye as reminders of her lucky escape.

Cisco is a two year old male cat that came in with extreme distress due to a urinary blockage. Such a blockage can be fatal if left untreated. Our doctors cleared the blockage once but it reoccurred. In such a case, surgery is usually the only option. Our doctors operated on Cisco to permanently widen his urethra, making reobstruction less likely. After a difficult recovery, which included placement of a feeding tube, he is doing well.

Contributors during this period include the following:

* Patricia Johnson
* Pat Christopherson
* David Cummings
* Karen Bosze
* Carl Carlson
* Linda Boland

Update: Have a Heart

First CatThe Have a Heart fund continues to make a difference in the lives of stray pets in our area. During this quarter, our fund has supported a mother cat and her 5 kittens, three dogs, and approximately 10 adult cats. Two of the adult cats, pictured here, are in need of homes. They are females, approximately 1 year old. They have been spayed and vaccinated. They are both a little skittish and need someone with patience and TLC. Our fund also contributed to the initial evaluation and treatment of 10 adult cats that were seized by the county animal warden as a result of neglect.

Our thanks to our contributors for this period:

* Judy Gallagher
* David Cummings
* Peggy Bercher
* Rachel Gilbert
* Paul and Linda Boland
* Sterling and Margarette
* Johnsen (In memory of Bootsie)
* The Scott Werner Family (In memory of Leibchen)
* Melinda Whitman (In memory of Nancy Crawford)

Community Spotlight: Pet Assistance League

Our hospital works with a number of pet and wildlife rescue organizations in the community. In support of their efforts, our care and treatment is provided at a significant discount. We would like to highlight some of these organizations, beginning with the Pet Assistance League.

The Pet Assistance League (P.A.L.) is a nonprofit animal rescue and adoption service that has been helping homeless animals in Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties since 1986. They rescue animals from a variety of sources, including local animal shelters where they may be scheduled for euthanasia. Many of the animals have been lost, neglected, abandoned, or abused. Some are older animals with special needs.

P.A.L. provides safe and caring foster homes for animals until they are adopted. Last year they placed approximately 300 animals. They work with area veterinarians, like ours, to provide spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and general medical care for these animals.


They hold adoption sessions every Saturday at the Potomac Mills Petsmart from 12-5 and at the Spotsylvania Petsmart from 12-4 (cats only). They also have a program to educate the public about the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

P.A.L. is staffed by volunteers who provide their time, and often money, because of their love for animals. Jane Froelich and Wendy Lackey are the primary contacts for the organization. If you have other questions about P.A.L., please contact Jane Froelich (703- 221-8937) or Wendy Lackey (703-441-9310). Their website is currently in transition. However, in the interim, they can be reached at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FRIENDSofPAL.

If you would like to help P.A.L., you can do so in several ways. You can volunteer to foster animals. You can make a monetary donation via the Combined Federal Campaign (agency #7075) or mail it directly to P.A.L., P.O. Box 1076, Stafford, Virginia. You can also donate a variety of items from their wish list including: food, blankets, towels, crates, kennels, collars, leashes, newspaper, kitty litter, toys, catnip, and chain link fencing.

Update: Have a Heart

Once again our clients have contributed generously to our Have a Heart Fund. Beneficiaries during this period include a cat and her five kittens who were brought to us by employees of Pitkins. They found the mother and kittens in their store. Unfortunately, the mother cat had developed an infection in her uterus. However, she was lucky that the Pitkins employees brought her to us. We were able to diagnose the problem and spay her immediately. All are doing well and have owners waiting for them once the kittens are old enough to be spayed/neutered.

Thanks to our contributors for this period:

* Kay Corcoran (in memory of Missy)
* Gregroy Hale (in memory of General and McDuff)
* Jeanette Hirschkowitz (in memory of Whiskey)
* Judith Gallagher
* Liz Shifflett
* David Cummings
* Susan and Alfred Hughes
* Karen Rollins
* Gwen Smith
* Linda Boland
* Italo and Sabina Sigilli (in memory of Phillip and William)

Dog Training

Our hospital staff believes that a well-trained dog is a happy dog that is loved by its owners. The best time to train dogs is while they are puppies. To support this goal, our hospital offers two puppy training programs.

Puppy Socialization classes are designed to introduce young puppies to other people and dogs. The class exercises make them more confident and comfortable in situations with other animals and people.

These classes are conducted by Arleen, one of our veterinary assistants. The classes are for puppies under 6 months of age. The classes are free and are held twice a month at our hospital. Arlene will contact you if your puppy is within the appropriate age group for the class.

Puppy Kindergarten is a new course conducted by Karen Peak of West Wind Dog Training. Karen has over 18 years experience with dogs, including pet therapy programs, raising guide dogs, and with obedience, conformation, and agility training. Her course builds on the skills learned in puppy socialization. Specifically, it focuses on teaching manners and basic commands and on trouble-shooting problem areas such as chewing, biting, and housetraining. The course is $60 for 6 weeks. The next class will begin June 21st. Contact our office if you are interested.

Hot Dogs!

Murray, pictured at left, is a very lucky Shetland Sheepdog. He serves as a reminder to all of us that even on a relatively mild 70 degree day, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to over 100 degrees. Murray was accidentally forgotten inside a car on just such a day. When his owners discovered him, they correctly put him directly in front of a fan while they called us. They were rightfully concerned about sending him into shock by submerging him in cold water.


(You may use tepid water to try to cool off a pet, but do not use ice water!)

When Murray arrived at our hospital, he was weak and in shock from heat stroke. With intravenous fluids, plasma and antibiotics, he has done very well and was released to his grateful family. Please learn from their frightening experience and remember that you should never leave pets in a car for any amount of time. Keep your doors and windows closed so that curious cats and dogs don't climb inside and get overlooked. Remember that even the back of a pick-up truck can get dangerously hot. (We have seen heat stroke cases from both of these situations.) If you think your pet is suffering from heat stroke, call us right away for life-saving advice.

Meet the StaffDebbie HoskinsDale City Animal Hospital

As our senior receptionist, she is one of our most visible staff members. She very frequently answers the phone when you call and greets you when you come to the hospital. As a staff member here for 12 years, she knows many of you and your pets on sight. She has served the hospital and you in many capacities. She worked as a veterinary assistant during her early years at the hospital. Currently, she is also responsible for the hospital inventory, patient reminders, accounts receivable and general customer service.

Debbie's pets include a cat named Tiger Socks, and three birds (a conure and two lovebirds).

Update: Have a Heart

Our continued thanks to those of you who contributed to our Have a Heart Fund. This quarter your contributions helped Garfield, Felix, and Elvis (cats in need). Athena, a Great Dane, (pictured here) was also a recipient of your generosity. She was hit by a car and broke bones in her neck. The county shelter brought her to our hospital where she was treated. She is doing well and has been adopted by loving owners. A pregnant dog was another benefactor of your generosity. The dog was unable to deliver her puppies normally because of her poor health. She underwent a caesarean operation and only one puppy out of a litter of ten was alive at the time of her surgery. Without this surgery, the dog and her puppy would have died. Mother and puppy are doing well.

Thanks to the following contributors:

* Cornelia Allen
* Roseann Cole
* David Cummings
* Harry and Nancy Fiske
* Davies Gaddy (in memory of Rue)
* The Hale family (in memory of General)
* Melanie Hersey
* Ivan and Joann Hughes (in memory of Cujo)
* Lori LaFave
* Liz LaValle
* Hella Levy
* Toni McFadden (in memory of Fluffy)
* Mr. and Mrs. Mernin (in memory of Acorn)
* Cynthia Schell (in memory of Bao-Tse)
* Judith Schneider
* Italo and Sabina Sigilli
* Gwen Smith, and Patricia Webb.

Laser Technology

We are pleased to offer laser technology as an exciting new option for safe and comfortable surgery. A laser generates a highly concentrated, intense beam of light. This intense light basically vaporizes tissue, replacing the surgeon's traditional scalpel. The veterinary field uses a carbon dioxide laser. There are numerous advantages of laser surgery over traditional surgical methods.

From the perspective of the patient, the laser seals nerve endings resulting in less post-operative pain. It also seals blood vessels reducing bleeding both during and after surgery. Trauma, inflammation, swelling and scar tissue are also significantly less with this technique. Furthermore, the laser sterilizes the incision site which limits the risk of infection. These combined factors contribute to a quicker and more comfortable recovery from surgery for your pet.

From the surgeon's perspective, the laser allows for precise incisions, and less bleeding also provides the surgeon with a clearer field of vision during surgery.

This technology can be used on almost all surgeries, but is particularly suited to cat declaws. It removes the need for tourniquets during surgery and bandages after surgery. There is much less bleeding than with traditional declaw surgery. Pain management for this surgery is far superior to that of the traditional scalpel method. For these reasons, all our declaws are now done using laser technology.

The laser is also ideal for many mass removals. Small growths can often be done under local anesthesia.


For older dogs, who often develop many of these growths, the surgery can be done without subjecting your older pet to the risks of general anesthesia.

With the exception of cat declaws, the use of the laser is currently an elective for our clients. It does cost more than traditional surgery, primarily due to the sophisticated equipment that is used. However, as outlined above, the advantages result in a faster, more comfortable recovery for your pets.

If you are interested in learning more about our new laser technology, or the use of it for surgery on your pet, please do not hesitate to discuss it with your veterinarian