Spring is in the air...

The weather is warming here in the Carolina's, signaling that spring is coming.  The arrival of spring brings many things - longer days, fresh buds on the trees, and kittens!  After stopping by the York County Humane Society yesterday, the number of eligible kittens for adoption was certainly a sure sign that spring is here, until I realized... it's still January!  What is the cause of this overpopulation of cats and the notorious spring "kitten season"?

It may not be common public knowledge, but cats are special little creatures.  Ok - you may have realized that, but what you may not realize is that female cats are polyestrus.  This means that starting at a very early age (as early as 4-5 months in some cats), the female cat will have a heat cycle that continues periodically until she is either bred or spayed.  Anyone who has every owned an indoor cat in heat knows that the crazy behavior that accompanies this heat cycle will quickly make you want to let your little princess go outdoors.  This is the worst thing that you can do, because it won't take long before your little princess becomes a "queen" - approximately 63 days to be exact.

The moral of this message is... Don't litter!  Have your pet spayed or neutered!  Need a kitten?  Adopt!  What a purebred?  Check the shelter!  York County Humane Society has several Siamese kittens along with many other adorable individuals who desperately need homes!

Ok...I'll get off my soapbox :)

Get Well Soon...

Tonight's blog is dedicated to my dear friend's dog, Harley.  Harley has not been feeling so well lately, and this evening he had to go to the emergency clinic for continued care.  Please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery.  Feel better soon Harley-man!

Our team is growing!

Today was an exciting day!  We officially hired our first employee - Sheera Bursch!  Sheera and I have worked together before and I am so excited to have her as a part of this venture.  Thanks for moving back from Florida, Sheera!  We are happy to have you as a member of the team :)

The Power of Three

In veterinary medicine it always seems that things happen in three's.  It's very strange, but true... as many a veterinarian will tell you.  No matter how random the disease or event, somehow they seem to always occur in three's.  Today, I saw two dogs with uveitis (inflammation of the eye) that was caused by a cataract.  This condition, while not rare nor overly common, occurred in back to back appointments at my relief position today.  Neither dog was diabetic, meaning that the cataracts were most likely hereditary, and both dogs were middle aged.  I'm just wondering when the third will surface - hopefully not tonight since it's late :)  Till next time - stay well!

Fun stuff!

It's pretty fun shopping for the new clinic.  I found some used cages this weekend - who knew that one could get so excited about stainless steel!  Construction has been a little delayed, but I'm still staying positive that we'll be able to open this March. It's all about your attitude right?  Today, I was able to do some relief work for a local veterinarian.  It was a relief (for me) to be able to get back into what I love!  Tomorrow will be more of the same and I can't wait :)

A dream come true

Baxter Veterinary Clinic - how sweet it is to say that name!  I have dreamed of being a veterinarian and having my own clinic my whole life.  Like many little girls, I was animal crazy - saving every turtle that was hit by a car on the side of the road and rescuing every stray kitten that wandered onto our property.  When I was 8 years old, I began to incessantly beg my parents for a horse.  I didn't get a horse, but what I did get was an after school job mucking stalls.  What started with stall cleaning, eventually led to 4-H Horse and Pony club and triggered the chain of events that has led up to this moment.  My inspiration growing up was a woman who merged a successful small animal veterinary business, with a family life and plenty of hobbies - including her horses.  I remember volunteering at West End Veterinary Clinic when I was 14 years old.  I spent my summers at the clinic bathing animals, babysitting the owners twins, learning to develop x-rays in the bathroom... thank goodness for digital radiography these days!

Planning the new clinic is exciting and at times a little stressful.  There are a lot of little things to keep track of, but in the end I know things will turn out just the way we envision.  Every little bump in the road is just one more step to making the end result that much better!  Just hang on and enjoy the ride...

Our website is officially up and running today - check it out at www.baxtervet.com