Pet of the Week - Jackson the Jack Russell Terrier\Parson Russell Terrier | Frederick MD Veterinarian

Our first pet of the week at Jefferson Veterinary Hospital is owned and loved by our very own Veterinary Technician, Brandy!  He is Jackson, the Jack Russell Terrier.  Jack Russells' were bred as a working dog, and that working instinct and ethic has remained with them today.  They have a voracious appetite for exercise and activity.  If left to their own devices, they will create their own activity, many have been known to take up interior design, and they have a unique style which is generally not in keeping with their owners.  

Brandy tells us that Jackson's favourite activities are walking with his Gram and his Aubrey around Jefferson, MD (say hi if you see them!) as well as lazing on on the sofa.  Rumour has it that Jackson is very in touch with his feminine side and if you peruse Jefferson Veterinary Hospital's facebook page you may come across an image of Jackson laying on his back after having his nails done.  

The Jack Russell Terrier Club has put together a handy little test to see if a Jack Russell Terrier would be a good and happy addition to your family.   If you have any questions about this breed, or would like to hear information from our veterinarians about adding another member to your family, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We would love to help you! 

View fullsize

Where is Barb?

For the last few months we’ve had a friendly smile missing from our front desk as Jefferson Veterinary Hospital and this has been noticed by clients and been sorely missed by our veterinarians, veterinary technicians, assistants and receptionists alike.  

We have been slow to notify people of the reason and for that we are sorry.  Our receptionist Barb was diagnosed with a form of breast cancer late last fall. Shortly after, her treatment plan when into action and unfortunately it has taken a toll on her ability to work. 

She is currently entering the middle stages of her treatment and we are all hoping that, by year’s end, she will be recovering and looking to return to her former antics for our clients and staff. 

In support of Barb, our veterinarian Dr. Kalf, and other fighters in the struggle against breast cancer, the staff of Jefferson Veterinary Hospital will be participating in the Bros and Bras 5k run/walk on Saturday, April 23 in beautiful Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.   Both Brunswick Grooming Spa and Jefferson Veterinary Hospital will be closed while all of our veterinarians, techs, assistants and receptionists show their support for breast cancer research.

Please join us in wish Barb good luck in the next stage of her treatment.  We miss her very much and cannot wait for her laugh to ring through our office once more.

For more information about donating or if you are also interested in joining the Bros and Bras 5k check out their website here.

We know that Barb sometimes checks Jefferson Veterinary Hospital's website and would love to hear any words of support from you either below or on the veterinary Facebook page,! 

New Puppy Check up

This beautiful Australian Shepherd came to see our veterinarians today in Jefferson, MD for a puppy well check.  These checks form an important part of your new best friends health care and allows us to get to know each other!  Our veterinarians review our recommended vaccination schedule, discuss training recommendations and, most importantly, listen to any concerns and answer any questions that you, our client, may have.     

National Puppy Day! | Frederick County Maryland Veterinarian

It's National Puppy Day!!!!  We would love to see pictures of your dogs over on our Facebook page when they were puppies, when butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, before they chewed the leg on the dining room table chair or ate the couch, or, well ... did a whole number of destructive things that puppies can sometimes do!  Extra brownie points if you include details and/or a picture of the worst thing your dog did as a puppy!!! We will go first with Chug - he's been a wonderful puppy and avoided most of the typical things puppies do, but recently he's started stealing shoes (nothing like only being able to find one shoe) and decided that our garden needs a little work and has begun excavating. 

Part of national puppy day is encouraging pet adoption - if you are looking to add a new furry family member, consider checking out the local animal shelters and rescues!  You could save a life and find a wonderful companion! 

Jefferson Veterinary Hospital's New Facility

If you have been driving on Roundtree Road, Jefferson MD, or past the Lander Road exit on 340 on your way to West Virginia or Frederick MD you may have noticed some construction on a piece of land there.  This is soon to be the new home of Jefferson Veterinary Hospital.  We are very excited to soon be moving to this new location, which is less than half a mile from our current animal hospital and still convenient to our clients in Frederick county, MD.  When we started the process to build a new animal hospital, we had no idea of the process that was involved and are so glad to finally see the end (or beginning) in sight and that some of Frederick's best pet vet's will soon have a new veterinary hospital to call home.   One thing that we can tell for certain before the foundation is even poured is that we have a beautiful view and some amazing neighbours!  

We are proudly using a local builder (and client of Jefferson Veterinary Hospital) for the project - as not just a local business but as Frederick county Maryland residents (Dr. Ahalt and the majority of his staff live in Frederick MD, Jefferson, MD, Middletown, MD and Myersville, MD), we strongly believe in supporting other local businesses and people.

Mrs. Dr. A. took a quick trip from Frederick MD to take some pictures of the site of the new animal hospital - a culvert entrance and storm water management system is in place, and the site has been prepared ready for the construction of the new veterinary clinic.   We anticipate that construction will commence by the end of March and will update the blog, and our page devoted to the new veterinary hospital, as progress is made.  

Below are a few photographs taken by local photographer Clare Ahalt (AKA Mrs. Dr. A), who branched out from her role as a child and high school senior photographer to capture the progress made on the new veterinary hospital site.  We will keep the blog posted with updates of the progress made to the new veterinary clinic, and also have a page dedicated to the new animal hospital, which also includes the site plan and floor plans.    

One More Wintery Weather Blast for Frederick County MD!

We are on alert for another (hopefully last) wintery blast here in Frederick County MD.  Help keep your pets ready for snow with these tips: 

• When temperatures drop below freezing, the outdoors is no place for your pets - be a good owner and bring them inside. 
• Ice melt can damage your pets paw pads and be hazardous to their health - make sure to clean their paws off anytime they come into contact with this 
• Long haired breeds will frequently end up with snowballs attached to their underbellies and in between their paw pads, which can make it uncomfortable for them to walk on - make sure to check these and clean them out.  

A Dogs Eye View of Jefferson Veterinary Hospital

Have you ever wondered exactly what your dog sees when he or she comes to Jefferson Veterinary Hospital?  Wonder no more!  Dr. Ahalt's dog, Chug (who is a samoyed), kindly filmed what an appointment with his Veterinarian Daddy looks like!