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GBVH is conveniently located at the intersection of General Booth Blvd. and Princess Anne Rd, beside the 7-11 convenient store. Access to the hospital can be made directly off Princess Anne Rd. or by turning by the 7-11, and making the next right onto Veterinary Way..
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In addition to dogs and cats, our Doctors will see any small mammal such as a hamster, rabbit or ferret. If you have a bird or reptile with a problem, call our office and we can give you the name of an experienced exotic veterinarian in the area.
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What grooming services are available?
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April has been grooming with GBVH for more than 10 years. She can provide your pet with a simple bath and dip or a perfect show cut. She will meet with you to discuss the needs of your pet's hair coat and skin, and clip it to your or the breed's specifications
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What age should I spay or neuter my pet?
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The ideal age to spay or neuter your dog or cat is at 6 months of age. We have found that at this age, they are well able to handle anesthesia but have usually not yet developed bad habits associated with sexual maturity such as marking behavior, urine spraying, roaming and hormonally related aggression. Dogs and cats in this age group generally recover faster and with less complications than their older counterparts. Also, surgery is easier and sometimes less expensive when done in this age pet. Spaying your dog before her first heat will virtually eliminate the the risk of breast cancer or reproductive disorders later in life and neutered male dogs rarely experience prostate problems as they get older.
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Why should my dog be on heartworm preventative?
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Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. In this area, we have epidemic problems with mosquitoes and therefore epidemic problems with heartworms. It only takes the bite of one mosquito to spread heartworms to your dog. If your dog is not on heartworm preventative, it will probably get heartworms. These are 6-8 inch worms that lodge in the heart. Obviously this is not healthy and can be very expensive to treat once they have acquired this parasite. Prevention is very simple. Give one chewable tablet once a month throughout the year and you no longer have to worry about heartworms. An added bonus is that the heartworm preventative also protects against the three major intestinal parasites: hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
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When do you begin vaccines for puppies and kittens?
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Puppies and kittens should begin vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks of age.Before this time their immune systems are not mature enough to adequately respond to vaccinations. The immunity they recently received from their mother's milk might also interfere with their response to a vaccination. If you wait until they are older than 6-8 weeks you run the risk of exposure to several infectious diseases and a puppy or kitten that may not be able to fight off the infection. This decision may prove life threatening. So start your puppy's or kitten's vaccines early.
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What is the best way to treat a flea problem?
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Recent advances in flea products have revolutionized the way we treat flea problems. The most important thing is to understand the flea's life cycle. The adult flea can lay several hundred eggs during its life span; therefore, the number of fleas a pet has and are in its environment can grow rapidly. A small number of fleas lay hundreds of eggs which hatch out to larvae in the environment, then become a pupae or cocoon stage before emerging as adult fleas. With the right environmental conditions of temperature and humidity this life cycle takes place in 10 to 14 days. After hatching, the adult flea immediately looks for a source of food, your dog or cat! The new products such as Advantage® and Frontline® are applied topically to your pet. They come in small tubes of liquid that after application spread over the pet's entire body. When the flea jumps on your pet and contacts the product it dies. These products quickly eliminate a flea problem and prevent the fleas from biting and irritating your pet's skin. The oral product Program® (also in Sentinel®) works by affecting the flea after it bites your pet so the eggs it lays die, effectively sterilizing the flea and preventing an expanding flea problem in your home. This product is extremely safe but does not kill the adult flea so bathing, spraying or other topical products are needed to kill the existing adult fleas. If you have a large flea problem, you also want to treat the environment with a product such as a spray, which states on the label that it kills not only the adult fleas but also the eggs and larvae stages. Speak with our staff and Veterinarians to determine which products and plan will keep your home, yard and pets flea free!
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We offer air conditioned runs and condos for all sizes of dogs, cats, and exotics with soothing music heard throughout. Our "Kitty Play Room" is painted with nature murals and includes climbing trees and perches for adventurous felines to enjoy during their stay. All pets are monitored closely by our experienced kennel staff, and any medical problems are immediately brought to our Doctors' attention. Your pet's health and comfort are of utmost importance to us during their visit.