As Thanksgiving draws to a close and we wish our family farewell, for some, the time away will be a brief as Christmas shortly follows Thanksgiving. With our tummies still full from the glorious excess of the season, we begin the shopping frenzy with an immediate apocalyptic shopping day known as Black Friday. Well folks, that means it’s official, Christmas is now in full swing. We know what this means for our animal lovers! Most of us will be spoiling our little loved ones more than we already do. Huge dog bones, delicious succulent human holiday food, and praise galore from visiting family members.

So that brings us to the subject of our post. The activities of the holiday season will bring out every camera in America, and what family photo isn’t complete without the dog or cat? Submit your Holiday photos of your loved ones. We’d love to see the doggies and kittys dressed up in holiday cheer, receiving presents, or posing in the family photo. Submit these Holiday Themed photos to the fan page on the Atlanta Vet – Ambery Animal Hospital Fan Page and get your loved one featured as our pet of the season.

If you are looking for a place to board your pet this Holiday season call 404-351-5960 and we’ll set it up for your loved one.

Congratulations to Gus for winning pet of the month. Gus won all of us over with this adorable video! Enjoy!

If you would like to have your pets entered into next month’s contest post your videos or photos of your pet on our Ambery Animal Hospital Facebook Fan Page.

For the month of February we are offering a limited time special for your pet’s blood work and dental care. These very important health issues are often overlooked by pet owners. Getting blood work and dental care is essential in the over all health of your pet.

The dental care is more obvious as you’ve probably already noticed a build up of tartar around your pet’s teeth. Just like people…this tartar build up is a result of bacteria living in the mouth. Bad breath is only one consequence of neglecting dental hygiene. There are other far more sinister health related issues that this build up of bacteria can inflict.

Tartar build up is easy to spot!

At this point you might be thinking…why would I need to get my pet’s blood work done? Look at this as your pet’s physical. Humans visit doctors for physicals and check-ups, and this is a great way to quickly identify any health related issues before they become life threatening. It works the same for pets. Checking your dog’s blood is a blue print into the over all health of your pet. As your pet gets older this physical is something all pet owner’s should consider.

I did a little research on blood work and was amazed at what can be discovered about your pet simply by examining their blood. I posted a few useful resources if you want to read more about blood work …what you can expect, what you can probably detect, and why this could extend your pet’s life.

1. http://advancedcareforpets.blogspot.com/2009/05/blood-work-what-does-it-all-mean.html
2. http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/caninebloodwork.htm
3. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/understanding-blood-work-the-biochemical-profile-for-dogs-2/page1.aspx

Click here for a useful PDF document that will help you to understand your pet’s blood work.

Ambery Animal Hospital has a Special Gift for You this December

Tis’ the season for giving.   Here at Ambery Animal Hospital we decided to reward our loyal customers with a special gift certificate.

Anyone that visits Ambery Animal Hospital this December will get a special sealed envelope.

Inside this envelope is a special surprise.  However, nobody can peek inside the envelope until after the New Year!  After January 1st, you can come to Ambery Animal Hospital’s office and then present the envelope UNOPENED to see which of these valuable gift certificates you may receive:

• $50 Gift Certificate
• $25 Gift Certificate
• 15% Off Your Next Visit
• Weekend Vacation
• Free Pedicure
• 5 lb. Bag of Premium Cat or Dog Food

Cannot be combined with any other offers * Limit one per visit *Gift certificate expires 2/28/11

Not Valid if Opened **Proof of Current Vaccinations Required

]]> http://amberyanimalhospital.net/2010/12/gift-certificate/feed/ 0 http://amberyanimalhospital.net/2010/11/fan_of_the_year/ http://amberyanimalhospital.net/2010/11/fan_of_the_year/#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:12:33 +0000 admin http://amberyanimalhospital.net/?p=459

Ambery Animal Hospital is Proud to Announce,

The Facebook Fan of the Year Contest

The contest is being held by random drawing on YouTube video 12.11.2010.  This drawing will be held amongst all the Facebook Fans on the Ambery Animal Hospital fanpage so hit the thumbs up for us and automatically be entered for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate.

Go here for your chance to win!

Gift certificate is only redeemable in the store.  Participants must be available to pickup the gift certificate from Ambery Animal Hospital’s office in Atlanta one month after the winner is announced.  Gift certificate is not available for employees or affiliates of Ambery Animal Hospital.   Cannot redeem for cash, the certificate is good for pet care in Ambery Animal Hospital only.

Diesel was recently abandoned here at Ambery Animal Hospital He is about 20 weeks old and is looking for a new master. This black lab puppy has his shots and is ready to shower you with puppy love. Please help us to find Diesel a new home. Click on one of the icons below to share this puppy. You can call us at Ambery Animal Hospital 404-351-5960 to make plans for meeting Diesel.

It’s very tempting to want a puppy or a kitten.  We understand – they are irresistibly adorable when they are young.  The reason we want to persuade more people to adopt is because of some rather alarming statistics from the Humane Society.

These statistics are from 2001, but they illustrate a very unfortunate reality.  A few examples:

• The DeKalb Conty Animal Shelter put down 83% of the animals in their shelter
• Clayton County 72%
• Fulton County 84%
• Gwinnett County 56%.

The sad reality is that more than half of all the animals in Georgia shelters will be put down, and in most cases every 3 out of 4, as most counties are boasting 75% and higher mortality rates.  If you want a pet then we urge you to consider adoption – you will undoubtedly be saving a life, and a loving home is something these animal shelters desperately need.

We have 3 loving dogs available for adoption – view them here!  Also, please be sure to point friends/family to the Facebook fanpage for the Atlanta Humane Society if you’re looking to adopt.

Happy Independence Day everyone from all of us here at Ambery Animal Hospital!!!  While you are away this holiday make sure that your dogs and cats will have a place to crash while you are away.

Let our Midtown Atlanta Pet Boarding Facility take care of your loved ones at very reasonable prices that will include as many services you so choose.  Our caring staff will extend to your pet the care that they deserve, and at the end of their stay we will give you a report card on your pet so that you can get the most detailed information possible!

If you plan on taking your pet with you just remember the golden rule!

PLAN AHEAD -Bring plenty of water and food in containers that can be secured.  Make sure that you have the capability to find a vet in the area you might be staying in.  If your pet has any medical issues make sure that you bring plenty of medications.  Also – it is most advisable to get a recent check up at your veterinarian before any long trip.  It would prevent so many problems right off the bat.  If you need to stay in a hotel find a hotel that will be accepting of your beloved pet.  Bring as many toys or items that your dog is accustomed to on a regular basis with you.

Also -Make Frequent Stops – Dogs can get car sick so be sure to make frequent stops and don’t let them hang their heads out the window…it could possibly cause freak injuries.

Puppy vaccinations are a necessary ritual in making sure you puppy has a healthy and happy journey into adulthood.  The time and place  varies from the different breeds so consult with your veterinarian on when a good time would be.  In order to understand how the vaccine works, lets look at the first weeks of a puppies life.

A puppy that is just brought into this world is not immune to diseases naturally.  It does however gain a little immunity from by having antibody protection that is from the blood of the mother via placenta.  The mother’s milk is also antibody rich and if produced from time of birth for a couple days.  This milk is known as colostrum.  So the puppy receives antibodies until it is two days of age.  The antibodies are maternal and received through the blood or colostrum.  The puppy is only fortified against diseases that the mother has been vaccinated for or has had before during this time.

contact us regarding vaccinations

The appropriate timing in which puppies should receive a vaccine is proportional to the amount of the antibodies that the mother has given to the puppy.  If their are a lot of antibodies in the puppy’s bloodstream then it could mute the effectiveness of the vaccine.  You have to wait for the antibodies from the mother to drop to a low level so that immunization through a vaccine can occur. The antibodies will circulate in the blood of a newborn for several weeks.  During a certain window of time the antibodies will have thinned out too much too be effective but the puppy cannot be immunized.  This is what we call a “window of susceptibility” .  Even if a puppy or kitten was vaccinated during this window of time the antibodies would not protect the animal from disease.

The time in which a puppy or kitten should get a vaccine varies from the type of breed and even varies from the individuals in the litter.  Consult with your veterinarian on the right time for your pet to get screened and receive the appropriate vaccines.

The Summer season is progessing into full swing with this federal holiday just around the corner.  Clear skies and sunny days are here at last so where will you be going this Memorial Day weekend?  While some families will opt for travel and adventure others will stay at home this year. If your hitting the road or just staying at home remember that Summer brings the flea and tick season.    Don’t let your pleasant Summer images of beaches and sunny skies become tainted by the infernal presence of these parasites.

Ticks are always unpleasant

Don’t let your family pet suffer!  If you see your pet excessively scratching or biting then spend a little time investigating the matter. Your pet could have a flea infestation or other parasites.  A really bad infestation can cause all kinds of health problems for your pet, which will cost you more money in the long term.  Not to mention all the really nasty diseases your pet can contract from ticks such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

I wish fleas and ticks were the worst of the lot, but that is hardly the case!  Heart-worms will always be in the top tier of most devastating parasites.  In case you didn’t know heart worms are spread by mosquito’s.  This malevolent little insect is infamous for transmitting dangerous diseases and dogs are no exception!!  Read about the life cycle of heart worms here and shudder at the gruesome details of this devilish parasite.

Heartworms - do not let your pet's heart become the next victim

All it takes is one infected mosquito to wreak havoc on your pet!!!  Do not let this happen to you!  You can easily protect your dog with a pill that is applied once a month.  Come by Ambery Animal Hospital and get your heartworm and flea/tick medication.  You can get this medicine at any Veterinarian so do not take the risk!

On behalf of everyone here at Ambery Animal Hospital we want to wish you all a Happy Memorial Day!  Once you get your pet protected you can enjoy your summer vacation with the knowledge that your beloved pet will also be enjoying the Summer season!  In the meantime we hope that you continue to choose Ambery Animal Hospital for your pet clinic and Atlanta Veterinarian offering up the best in pet care!

Happy Memorial Day!

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