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