Orrville Veterinary Clinic - Articles

Veterinary Wellness Partners (VWP) based in Orrville is pleased to announce the addition of Southern Medina Veterinary Clinic (SMVC) to their family of companion and farm animal care practices.  Southern Medina Veterinary Clinic, formerly known as…
Earlier this month, USA Today published in article in which it was stated that the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report about potential problems with one of the more popular flea and tick products, the Seresto collar by Elanco Animal…
2020 has one more surprise for pet owners:  A FOOD RECALL   The FDA announced a recall of certain pet foods from Sportmix Brand.  These foods contain high levels of aflatoxin, a mold that typically grows on corn. This is in response to 28 deaths and…
Curbside Care With the continuing COVID-19 situation across the country, many veterinary clinics continue to provide curbside care to their clients and patients.  Veterinary Wellness Partners, including our four clinics, are continuing with this…
Species-specific coronaviruses and the diseases they cause Many pet and farm animals have their own version of coronavirus by which they can be infected. They usually cause mild gastrointestinal illness, but some can cause respiratory disease.…
COVID-19 Update  March 23rd, 2020 As of yesterday, Governor DeWine has issue an order to shelter in place beginning at 11:59 P.M. tonight that is statewide for Ohio.  As a result, Veterinary Wellness partners continues to adjust to the guidelines…
March Bovine Health Gabe Middleton DVM How can activity monitoring systems improve profitability?   Activity monitoring systems are becoming more commonplace on dairy farms.  Despite the large investment, many progressive producers see the potential…
COVID 19 UPDATE March 19th, 2020 As many of you know, things are changing by the day with the COVID-19 virus and government's directives and guidance.  We will continue to update via Facebook and various articles on our website.  If you haven't…
Veterinary Wellness Partners Feline Declawing At Veterinary Wellness Partners, we are continuously striving to improve our client and patient services.  It is our desire to stay up to date with diagnostics, procedures, and trends within the…
Our offices are continuing to monitor the Coronavirus situation and listening to the leaders of our state and nation. Currently we are taking the following steps; 1) We are wiping down door handles and areas every hour 2) We are offering car side…
CORONAVIRUS vs COVID 19 Veterinarians and human health workers have dealt with coronavirus for many years.  The old coronavirus was a fairly common infection that caused mild common cold symptoms.  Veterinarians often diagnosed this…
Canine Coronavirus There are two forms of coronavirus that infect our domesticated dogs: Intestinal and Respiratory Intestinal Canine Coronavirus (CCV) The first is an intestinal disease that can be found worldwide.  It is specific to dogs, not…
At the time of this writing, the World Health Organization has deemed the coronavirus outbreak an official pandemic.  There have been approximately 121,000 cases worldwide, with just over 1,000 in the United States.  Those numbers are likely to…
Amid the rapidly-evolving news regarding Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), we wanted to take a moment to share some helpful information and answer some common questions regarding this virus, domestic animals and pets, and what you can do to continue to…
February Bovine Health Find out if BRD is costing you more than you think Gabe Middleton DVM   Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to plague the dairy industry.  Raising replacement heifers is already an expensive proposition for dairy…
OVC Small Ruminant Wellness Plan   The small ruminant wellness plan (SRWP) is an all-inclusive program for sheep and goat owners. The goal of SRWP is to provide excellent quality of care for sheep and goats and provide owners with the resources to…
Some of you have reached out to us regarding the FDA reports of diet related heart disease.  We greatly appreciate your trust in us.  We are keeping up with the investigation and can share some recommendations based on the findings as of now.  …
How can I help my aging pet?                   We’ve all been there – your dog or cat is aging, and you don’t know what to do, or where to start for help. You’ve noticed that she gets up a little slower these days, seems a little weaker in the back…
The Orrville Pet Spa and Resort is celebrating our 15th Anniversary of providing quality care to dogs and cats.  We will be having an Open house Monday through Friday of the week of November 18-22nd.  We will have refreshments and daily prizes! …
Credelio We recently added a new tool to the fight against fleas and ticks, called Credelio.  Many of you may be familiar with Bravecto, a 12 week oral flea and tick preventative…
Proheart Zoetis Animal Health has several convenient products that they offer in the injectable format.  These medications make administration easier that oral and topical products.  While there is yet to be an injection for fleas and ticks, there…
Reasons To Spay Your Pet (Dog or Cat)   There are many reasons to spay your female pet.  This surgery will help prevent medical and behavioral issues later in life.  When spaying at a young age, 4-6 months, your pet will recover quicker and easier…
Disease Costs on Farms: Know the cost of disease on your farm   A dairy manager must evaluate and scrutinize all areas of management on the farm.  Understanding diseases (transition and other) and the associated costs should be no different.  The…
Keys to reducing calf and heifer respiratory disease   Over the past decade, there has been an increase in housing pre-weaned dairy calves indoors.  This has happened for many reasons. Humane comfort of housing calves indoors during winter months is…
  Displaced Abomasum:  Making the Right Decision   Transition cow programs have improved to increase cow health in early lactation, thus causing a reduction in transition cow diseases on many herds.  There are several management reasons why cows in…
Palliative Care in Veterinary Medicine   Pet parents are often faced with the issue when a beloved animal companion is faced with a terminal illness and is nearing the end of his or her life.  With palliative care, we focus on the…
Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. – Registered Veterinary Technician With over 60 years in the community, we are a clinic everyone has come to know and trust. We pride ourselves on providing the best service to our clients and their pets and would…
The birth of a live foal is the culmination of a tremendous amount of preparation, management, and even some good luck. Breeding a mare, keeping her in foal, and the successful delivery of a live foal is a wonderful course of events when everything…
February is Dental Health Month Common Signs of Dental Disease February has been designated as dental health month for animals.  Dental health is often an easily neglected aspect of caring for our pets.  It is not until we smell their bad breath…
Cold Weather Tips for Farm Animals The National Weather Service is predicting several days of extremely cold temperatures in our area.  In a previous article, we discussed some tips to keep small animals warm during this time.  Tips included:…
Cold Weather Tips for Animals It looks like the National Weather Service is calling for extreme cold in our ares over the next week.  Termed the "Polar Vortex," the professionals are calling for "extreme" and "dangerously" cold temperatures.  On…
Veterinary Wellness Partners and our clinics are collecting donations for a local dog shelters.  Please help to support these wonderful organizations, who each have a passion to help save animals that do not have homes.     Needed Items include:…
Leptospirosis is a bacteria with the potential to cause devastating infections in multiple body systems. We are going to look at: 1)  When do we vaccinate against this deadly disease? 2)  Why do we vaccinate against this deadly disease? 3)  What…
  PCDart Dairy Herd records analysis Mel Wenger DVM   The large animal doctors at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. include herd records analysis as part of our comprehensive dairy herd health management.  Many herds in our area use PCDart as the…
West Nile Virus: What Horse Owners Need to Know For many years, West Nile Virus (WNV) has caused scares among people and their four-legged companions. Recently, that scare became a reality for two horses and their owners in Northeast Ohio. On August…
July Bovine Health – Financials   In 2009, our veterinary business experienced a significant downturn.  This downturn was also experienced by many other businesses, including dairy farms.  This event caused our practice to gain a better…
Orrville Veterinary Clinic Achieves AAHA Accreditation May 15th, 2011 "The mission of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. is to strive to promote quality health care practices for companion and farm animals. Through preventative, maintenance, and…
A reason to give Heartworm Pills? Did you see the recent report of the young couple that went to Punta Cana on…
February Bovine Health Column Gabe Middleton DVM It is no secret that we are in the midst of a dairy recession.  Producers are trying to find ways to tighten their belts and weather the storm of low milk prices.  An evaluation of the components of…
October 25, 2017   The new strain of Canine Influenza Virus (CIV H3N2) that emerged in 30 states earlier this year has recently been reported in Columbus and Toledo. With this new information, the veterinarians and owners of  Orrville Veterinary…
An Emerging Concern A new strain of Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) has emerged in over 30 states across the country. Labeled CIV H3N2, this new strain is incredibly contagious. It can be spread easily by direct contact (sniffing, licking or nuzzling)…
Esco Buff Saturday August 5th, 2017 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M The Orrville Veterinary Clinic The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to announce an upcoming clinic featuring Esco Buff, PhD.  This equine education seminar is focused on everything hoof…
Dr. Middleton announced as President-elect of CAST In a recent election at the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), Gabe Middleton, DVM, was chosen as the President-Elect for 2017-2018. Dr. Middleton has been involved with CAST…
Orrville Veterinary Clinic Welcomes Our Newest Associates Here at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we are so excited to announce the arrival of two new associate veterinarians to our practice group.  Dr. Lydia Friend is joining our small animal team…
The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is pleased to announce our recent purchase of a state of the art, diagnostic ultrasonography unit.  This unit is much needed and will allow us to more accurately "look inside" your pet to try to determine health status…
Our annual Horse Owners' Meeting is Scheduled for Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 P.M.  We will once again host the event within the Doggy Day Care center, located inside the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort.  Our topic this year is Natural Horsemanship…
  The previous version of Interceptor was a good product, but was removed from production a few years ago due to a problem with the previous company's production facility.  Please know that at no time did any of their animal products have a problem…
What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is a complex that is caused by a bacteria, called Borrelia Burgdorfei.  This bacteria is a type that is called a spirochete.  Spirochetes are shaped like coil or spring and tend to embed their way into tissue.  …
It's time to celebrate with the Orrville Veterinary Clinic! The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is celebrating their 60th anniversary with an Open House to the community on Saturday May 7, 2016 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  The tour of the campus will…
Orrville Veterinary Clinic Open House May 7th, 2016 12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. We are excited to announce the completion of our two renovation projects at Orrville Veterinary Clinic and Orrville Pet Spa and Resort.  Renovation began in the Doggie Day…
Food Allergies Cutaneous adverse food reactions, also known as food allergies, are a very common differential in dogs and cats with skin conditions that present year round.  Signs of food allergies can present very similar to another common skin…
Join us this Thursday, January 28th for our Fourth annual Horse Owners meeting.  We will be hosting the meeting at the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort, which is located behind the main Orrville Veterinary Clinic building.  This year's speaker is Dr.…
Chasing after items, such as leaves and shadows, can become an obsessive condition in dogs.  The instinct to chase a moving object is inherent within dogs, yet it can develop into a problem situation.  Your dog sees a moving object as something they…
Identifying obsessive dog behaviors A normal dog plays well with others - it's owner, children, and other dogs. Balanced dogs may like one toy or game more than another, but it's still a game.  Playing is not a life or death situation for a normal…
Many of the dogs that we see on a day to day basis are overweight.  This weight gain is often obvious to us, but not noticed easily by the owners.  This is due to the fact that you see your dog everyday and a gradual gaining of weight is not obvious…
This may sound like a simple question, but it is another one that we often address.  The quick answer is that most commercial dog treats are suitable to feed your dog.  So with that being said, why address this question?  The main reason for…
This is another question that is asked a lot during appointments.  The scientific answer to this question involves several formulas.  First, we must calculate Metabolic Energy Requirements (MER), which is based upon Resting Energy Requirements (RER…
As veterinary professionals, we often get asked for our recommendations on pet food.  Clients often ask: "What do you feed your dog/ cat?".  With the seemingly endless options that are available, it can be difficult to decide what to feed your pet…
Feline Inappropriate Elimination, also known as house soiling, is a term that incorporates any bathroom behavior that occurs outside of the litter box. Examples include urinating outside of the litter box, defecating in various places, and spraying…
While the exact cause of anal glad disorders is not known, there are some noted risk factors and potential remedies.   The two main risk factors are overweight dogs and small…
Dr. Fink's Recent Interview for the OVMA Newsletter Dr. Fink has been serving on the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association's Board of directors for several years.  He is the district representative for our ares, region 8.  He was recently interviewed…
Canine Respiratory Disease Flare Up Northeast Ohio June 17th, 2015 According to some very reliable sources, there has been a recent waive of respiratory disease in dogs.  This most recent "outbreak…
9 Cat Myths   1)  Indoor cats are not exposed to the outdoors 2)  Heartworm disease is for dogs only 3)  Litter is the only thing that is in a litterbox 4)  The deck, balcony, porch, etc does not count as the outdoors 5)  Only the…
While nobody truly knows the answer to this question, most experts believe that they do dream.  As we continuously discover more and more things about dogs, we find that they have many characteristics in common with humans. Experts have observed the…
With Summer vacation season upon us, we would like to share with you some valuable tips for you and your pet family to stay safe on the road this year. Whether you are planning an extensive road-trip with your pooch or just an extended day trip this…
CIRD Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease has been in the news lately due to an outbreak in Chicago.  While this sounds like a specific diagnosis or specific disease, CIRD is actually a complicated syndrome caused by three or four different…
Lately there have been reports of a deadly dog flu outbreak.  As with many emerging diseases, details are not finalized at this time.  In addition, there is some misinformation that has floated around regarding the disease itself. Here is what we…
This is a very common question from dog owners.  It is often a concern that owners have that something is wrong with their pet.  There is not one specific response to the question, but we will review several below: A lot of veterinarians agree that…
This is a common question that we receive during an appointment, as well as in general conversation.  There are two ways to answer this question and we will attempt to do so below. The first approach is to answer with a clinical, or physiologic,…
How do I change my pet's food from one to another? Is the pet store out of your normal pet food?  Are you needing to change diets due to food allergies?  Are you changing diets for medical reasons or weight management?  Scared of a food recall or…
Class Action Lawsuit Purina Pet Foods Beneful Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.   Recently there has been a lot of talk on the news and on social media about a class action lawsuit that has been filed against Beneful dog food by Purina. At Orrville…
Product Spotlight: Vectra (For Cats) Vectra for cats is a topical product that is available for prevention of fleas and ticks.  It also treats and prevents biting flies, sand flies, lice, mites and mosquitoes.  Vectra kills through contact, which…
Vectra 3D is produced for use in dogs as prevention of fleas and ticks.  Like many products, it is unable to totally prevent a flea bite from occurring.  However, Vectra 3D is fast acting, often reducing flea feeding within 5 minutes.  A total flea…
We are proud to provide a wide range of veterinary emergency services. We serve the Orrville, Wooster, Dalton, Rittman and surrounding regions. Since we are a mixed animal practice, we are able to provide services on the farm, as well as meeting you…
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a common medical condition in which an animal's skin overreacts negatively to one or more flea bites.  This is due to an allergy to the saliva of the flea.  Reactions to flea bites in these cases can cause itching,…
Laser Therapy in Practice History of Laser Therapy Laser therapy is a treatment modality that has been around since the 1960's, but is also a recent trend within veterinary medicine.  The recent surge in the number of veterinary clinics that…
The Benefits of Laser Therapy in Horses Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is growing in popularity among equine veterinarians to promote healing, decrease inflammation, and manage pain. Laser light has a direct action on cells,…
Why Should I have my Veterinarian Vaccinate my Horse? Have you ever wondered why you should have your horse vaccinated by a veterinarian when you can simply buy the vaccine at the feed store for less money?  Some horse owners may choose have to have…
What they mean and how to manage them Did you know that there are basically seven types of barks that our dogs exhibit?  Each bark has a different reason and remedy.  Without further ado, here are the seven bark types and some…
One of the top ten diseases of both dogs and cats is periodontitis.  Often referred to as Gingivitis, periodontal disease is actually a deeper issue.  With periodontal disease, not only are the gums inflammed, but the underlying structures as well…
Orrville Veterinary Clinic's Horse Owners Meeting Thursday January 22nd, 2015 6:30-8:00 P.M. Schmid Hall (in Orr Park) 501 Hall St. Orrville Ohio    This is our fourth annual Horse owner's meeting.  We are excited to once again be hosting many of…
Ear Infections Otitis Externa One of the most common reasons (Top Ten Medical Conditions of Dogs) that a dog or cat presents to the veterinarian for a non-…
Companion Laser Therapy November 2014 The Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. is excited to announce the purchase of a class IV laser therapy unit.  We recently agreed to purchase this unit, which will be incorporated into many of the treatment plans…
How to Keep Your Pet Healthy During the Holidays The holidays are a very busy time of year with gathering and parties very commonplace.  Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to align with the American Humane Association to remind pet owners about…
*CHRISTMAS ANIMAL SHELTER DONATION LIST* **Dry and Canned Kitten and Puppy Food (Friskies, Fancy Feast, Science Diet)                                  **Dry and Canned Adult Cat and Dog Food (Pro Plan, Pedigree, Science Diet…
Bordetella Guidelines Revised November 17th, 2014 Bordetella Bronciseptica is a contagious disease of dogs.  It is spread by aerosolized particles, which can spread from dog to dog when they come into close contact with one another.  It is a common…
"This Flea Product DOES NOT WORK" This is a common complaint that we get from clients.  So.......this must mean that what we recommend is not working, right?  To quote Lee Corso of ESPN fame: "Not so fast, my friend!"   There…
Revolution (Selamectin) A common topical medication that is available for both dogs and cats is Revolution.  Selamectin is the active ingredient in Revolution, which is produced by Zoetis, Inc.; formerly Pfizer Animal Health.  They  known for…
2014 Eastern Equine Encephalitis Update The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently confirmed several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horses living in Northeast Ohio.  The horses were located in Ashtabula and Trumball counties and tested…
2014 Wayne County Fair It is that time of year again, time for the Wayne County Fair.  The Wayne County fair is one of the largest fairs in the state, something for which our area can be extremely proud.  Our doctors and staff…
Coughing Canines August 2014 In Wayne County and and the surrounding counties, there has been a recent outbreak of a cough going around among dogs of our area.  The affected dogs break with a cough and upper…
2014 Bring Your Cat to the Vet Week Here are the winners from last week's Take Your Cat To the Vet Day celebration! Cat's Meow Toy - T-Bone  Cat Treat Maze - Albert  Light-up Speed Circuit Toy - Sasha  Massage station and Laxatone gel - Angel  Water…
Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control Introducing Bravecto! We are excited to announce the arrival of a new product for prevention and control of fleas and ticks:  …
Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control In 2014, the Merck Co. released this novel product for flea and tick control in dogs and cats.  This is a product that is unlike any other and provides long-lasting protection against these…
Bravecto The Merck Corporation recently released a novel product for flea and tick control in dogs.  This is a unique product that provides extended protection against these pesky critters. …
Canine Firework Phobia With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, we thought it would be a good time to discuss the fear of fireworks when it comes to our dogs.  The fear of the loud noises and flashes in the sky is a common one among dogs.  If you…
Lyme disease in Horses You may be hearing about Lyme disease becoming more common in Ohio this season. There has been a significant increase in the population of deer ticks in Ohio since 2009. The spread of the Black Legged tick…
2013 Top Ten Medical Conditions in Cats Feline Cystitis (Bladder conditions, including bladder stones and urinary tract infections) Periodontitis (Gum disease) Chronic Renal Disease (Kidney failure) Hyperthyroidism (Overactive thyroid) Gastropathy…
Top Ten Medical Conditions in Dogs 2013 It is interesting to follow industry trends.  By staying current, we are able to monitor disease trends in our clinic and our region of Ohio.  Veterinary Pet Insurance has recently released its top ten list…
Orrville Veterinary Clinic Online Scheduling System On June 1st, Orrville Veterinary Clinic launched our newest client-friendly system: Appointmaster Online Scheduling System.  As far as we can tell, we are the only local clinic that offers easy,…
Online Medical Records Orrville Veterinary Clinic prides ourselves on continuous excellence.  We pursue this in all that we do in order to provide the best care and support for our patients and our clients. We are always reevaluating what we do and…
Cat Friendly Practice Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to raise the standard once again by achieving certification as a Cat Friendly Practice by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.  We are one of the only practices in the area to be…
2014 Blue Tip Parade Wadsworth Ohio Tuesday June 17th, 6:00 P.M.. Tomorrow night, Wadsworth will host the 2014 installment of the Blue Tip Festival Parade.  Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to once again participate in this large event.  We have…
Tramadol Now a controlled Substance in Ohio One of the more commonly prescribed medications for pain management, Tramadol, is now considered a controlled substance in Ohio.  This means that the supply of Tramadol is now being closely monitored due…
Screening Your Dog Heartworm testing is a much needed screening test in our region of Ohio.  Not only are we less than 30 miles from Shreve's wetlands, but there are many creeks, rivers and ponds in the Orrville, Smithville, Rittman and surrounding…
A Common Feline Disorder Definition  Hyperthyroidism - and overproduction of thyroxine by the thyroid gland.  This disease mainly affects our feline patients. What does a cat with hyperthyroidism look like? Clinical signs include:
Low Thyroid Hormone in Equines and Canines What is hypothyroidism?   Let's start with the basics.  The prefix "Hypo" means low.  Perhaps obvious, but the thyroidism refers to the thyroid gland.  So putting the two words back together, yields the…
Thyroxin (T4) Testing One of the more common tests that we run is the Thyroxine (T4) screening test.  This test is a generalized screening for both hypothyroidism (in dogs and horses) and hyperthyroidism (in cats).  Oftentimes, the T4 testing is…
Using our Online Store By Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M. June 3rd, 2014 Why should you use our online store: 1)  Buy buying from our online store, you are supporting your local veterinary clinic, not a distant group of investors. 2)  You…
How to Shop Our New Online Store Published June 3rd, 2014 The Orrville Veterinary Clinic has evaluated our online purchasing store for our clients.  Through this process, we have discovered some inconveniences in the process.  As a result, we have…
New Online Store The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is excited to announce the launching of our new online store.  This store is a vast improvement over the previous setup. Through the…
Appointmaster Online Scheduling At the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we are constantly trying to make owning a pet as easy and convenient as possible.  We belief strongly that we are here to provide the best possible care to our dog and cat patients,…
May 2014 is Heartworm Prevention Month "My pet is not at risk for heartworms?" "He or she is not around other pets, so I don't have to worry about heartworms, right?" BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ.  Do you hear that?  It is a pesky old mosquito.   Ouch, did you…
Dog Training A Story by Dr. Greg Roadruck   When I first started at Orrville Veterinary Clinic,  there were five Veterinarians. At that time, only one veterinarian split their time evenly between small and large animal.  The other four veterinarians…
Ohio Dairy Health Certification   Orrville Veterinary Clinic is very proud to be one of four veterinary clinics across the state to join together with several practices across the country to participate in the Ohio Dairy Health and Management…
May is Heartworm Prevention Month "Heartworms? My pet won't get heartworms!" "I take care of my pet; it stays home with me and in my yard!" You know that annoying mosquito flying around in your living room?  Did you see the pesky one that got you…
There is a new drug available for the treatment of allergic skin disease in dogs.  The drug is named Apoquel (oclacitinib). Apoquel works faster than a steroid, with…
Earlier this year, Elanco Companion Animal Health released a revolutionary pain medication called Recuvyra.  This is a topical solution that provides post-operative pain control via its  new transdermal (through the skin) delivery system. A single…
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a genetic disorder originating from the quarter horse breed.  The disease is linked to the bloodline of the famous American quarter horse stallion, Impressive.  This disease was once primarily limited to the…
At our annual Northwest Dairy Producer's meeting, we discussed breeding protocol.  A lot of data and research were presented by our featured speaker, Dr. Stevenson.  I will review a few of these protocols and try to sum up what he was presenting as…
Hookworms are one of many types of intestinal parasites that your dog or cat can contract.  These worms are in the category of nematodes, a classification of worms.  The scientific name of the main dog hookworm is Ancyclostoma caninum.  The main…
There are a lot of products on the market available to prevent heartworm disease in dogs.  Many of these also combine intestinal parasite control.  In this article, we are going to highlight Trifexis, a combination product that we highly recommend…
Whipworm (Tricuris Vulpis) is an intestinal parasite that affects various species of animals, including dogs and cats. The cat form is rather rare in the United States, but the canine form is commonly found in our region of Ohio.  This parasite can…
AAFP Vaccination Guidelines As with everything in medicine, there are new discoveries that occur as the result of ongoing research.  One of the newest changes in veterinary medicine revolves around cat vaccination guidelines.  The American…
Have you ever thought to yourself: "I can buy this medication online for less money?"  While we all seek to save money at any point possible, these are our thoughts on why you should purchase your medication directly from your veterinarian.  Let's…
2013 Top Ten AKC Breeds   We recently received our latest copy of Trends magazine, a publication of the American Animal Hospital Association.  One of the articles that drew our attention lists the top ten dog breeds for 2013 according to…
Botulism in Horses Written By Dr. Bill Yost With the recent interest in botulism in horses generated by the article in the Wooster newspaper: The Daily Record (March 24, 2014), I thought it would be of interest to review what I have experienced and…
All Creatures Great and Small Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. is a mixed animal veterinary clinic serving Orrville and the surrounding areas.  Being a mixed animal veterinary hospital, we have the privilege of treating nearly every type of…
Wendy Myers Visits Orrville Veterinary Clinic March 26th, 2014 Orrville Veterinary Clinic prides ourselves on being one of the best veterinary hospitals in the Orrville, Wooster, Rittman, Dalton and surround regions of Wayne county.  We know that…
April is Lyme Disease Awareness Month Is your dog at risk? Lyme disease is a debilitating disease in dogs that, if not treated, can lead to chronic arthritis,…
AAFP Vaccination Guidelines As with everything in medicine, there are new discoveries that occur as the result of ongoing research.  One of the newest changes in veterinary medicine revolves around cat vaccination guidelines.  The American…
OVMA Board of Directors Dr. Jeff Fink is proud to be a voice to the animals, livestock, pets, owners, farmers and veterinarians within our district.  He proudly serves on the board of directors of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association.  His duties…
Anal Gland Disorders in Dogs Anal glands, also known as anal sacs, are present in many animals, including dogs, cats, opossum, and skunk.  Dogs have two anal glands, which are located on each side of the rectum. Anal glands secrete a substance with…
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is studying why Golden Retrievers may develop cancer and other health problems.  For our beloved Goldens, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over two years of age.  The…
Laminitis is the medical description of the condition that is commonly referred to as "founder."  Technically speaking, laminitis is inflammation of the laminae.     The basics Laminitis, or founder, is inflammation within…
Does your horse shed its winter coat slowly in the springtime?  Does your horse have unexplained bouts of laminitis (founder)?…
Many people own pets and are familiar with the term spay (often mistaken as the word: Spading or spaded).  There are some …
Colic in Horses Colic is a general term that refers to abdominal pain.  Horses are the most common species affected by colic due mainly to the anatomy of their digestive tract.  In addition some of the practices that humans impose…
More Common Cents By Mel Wenger D.V.M. This article is adapted from an article written by Dr. Wenger for Dairy Herd Managemnet Magazine Following my …
This is a test that is most often performed in farm animals.  The purpose is to measure the worm burden prior to administering a deworming agent and then again following the deworming agent.  This allows the tester to monitor the efficacy of the…
Anal Gland Disorders in Dogs Anal glands, also known as anal sacs, are present in dogs, cats, opossum, and skunk.  These two glands located on each side of the rectum. They secrete an oily substance that is used to mark territory and identify other…
Every February, the veterinary industry focuses on Dental Health for cats and dogs.  This year is no different, as Orrville Veterinary Clinic joins in to promote the health and well-being of our patients (your special pets!).  Why is dental health a…
Many people are familiar with the term Coggins Test, but what does it actually mean?  A Coggins Test is named after Dr. Leroy Coggins, who developed the testing methods in the 1970s. The test must be performed by an appropriately certified…
At Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we are passionate about the care of our animals.  Routine care is vital to the health of each and every patient and animal that is entrusted to our care.  One part of the routine animal care is the annual fecal, or…
Gastrointestinal issues (digestive upsets) are one of the more common reasons that pets present to the veterinarian for sudden onset of illness.  These illnesses have a variety of causes and a range of clinical signs and symptoms.  Symptoms may…
There are many reasons that a biochemical profile may be recommended for your farm animal or pet.  These include: Diagnostics for a sick patient Monitoring for chronic medications Prior to Anesthesia Establiching a Baseline Senior Wellness programs…
The physical examination is the foundation of any visit to the veterinarian.  After we have assessed your animal, we determine a treatment plan.  If  your animal's illness is not readily apparent on a physical examination alone, we may be required…
What Age Is Best for Puppy Socialization? Most behavior experts consider three important time periods when it comes to puppy socialization.  These stages are 3-12 weeks, 12-18 weeks and older thean 18 weeks of age. Here are how the stages breakdoan…
Some Red Flannel Cat Food Recalled Released on January 30th, 2014 As always, the Orrville Veterinary Clinic is passionate about you and your pets.  In that spirit, we try to update you as much as possible about potential problems that may exist.  …
I can get what from my pet? It is common knowledge that rabies virus is transmittable from animals to humans, but not everyone is aware there are many other diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Zoonotic diseases can be…
Orrville Veterinary Clinic Support of the Veterinary Profession We are proud to be a partner with many veterinary students, as well as other aspiring veterinarians who may be yet to enter the formal schooling process.  You may see people around our…
Our clinic is heavily involved in supporting the community, as well as up and coming veterinarians.  One local group that we support is the Future Farmers of America (FFA).  FFA is a nationwide group, that was organized in 1928.  Their goal had…
The Importance of Water for Cats Water is one of the most important substances on earth.  It is vital for the life and health of every person and animal.  As we research more and more, we find that water is especially important to…
2014 Horse Owners Meeting We are excited to report the last night's Third Annual Orrville Veterinary Clinic Horse Owners Meeting was a great success.  We had approximately 50 in attendance.  A special thanks goes out to Todd Rediel, who joined us to…
Pet Obesity: Tips For Weight Loss As many as 53% of adult dogs and 55% of adult cats are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. With this growing trend, we want to discuss the risks of pet obesity, including:…
Running with Your Dog Many runners spend a lot of time out on the trails, and many have dogs.  This leads them to wonder about running with their dog in order to spend extra time with their canine friend.  Running with a dog can provide many…
Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Weight Management Do you have any overweight horse?  Does your horse have a cresty neck and fat deposits around his or her tail head?  Having an overweight horse has the potential to cause several…
Body Condition Scoring for Dogs Unfortunately, we see a lot of dogs that are in need of weight loss.  Sometimes, but on rare occassion, we examine dogs that are actually in need of gaining weight.  One of the tools that we use to determine your dog'…
Pet Overweight Management Unfortunately, we see a large number of cats and dogs that are in need of weight loss.  A lot of pet owners rationalize their pet's obesity to just being fluffy or having his or her "winter weight."  Weight loss for pets …
Purina EN is one of our featured diets, both at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic and the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort.  Purina EN is the main diet that is fed to dogs and cats who chose to board with us within the hospital or at the Orrville Pet Spa…
Probiotics in Dogs Canine FortiFlora by Purina Many people are familiar with the concept of probiotics.  Probiotics have been in the forefront of nutritional supplements in recent years.  The most common form of probiotic for people is the common…
15th ANNUAL NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL DAIRY CONFERENCE Come join us for the Killbuck Valley Veterinary Medical Association's 15th annual Northeast Ohio Regional Dairy Conference.  The conference is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th from 9:00 AM.…
Come Join us for our Third Annual Horse Owners Meeting.  We will meet at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 at Heartland Point in Orrville, Ohio.  Please RSVP if possible.
3rd Annual Horse Owner's Meeting
COLD WEATHER TIPS FOR PETS When the weather turns cold, our pets can be at risk for additional cold weather related issues.  Here are some practical guidelines to keep your pet safe during this cold weather in Northeast Ohio. It is best to keep…
Winter Horse Care In Northeast Ohio, winters can be rough.  The Ohio counties of Summit, Stark, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties can have some nasty stretched of winter.  These winters can produce bitterly cold temperatures,…
Stopping Pet Overpopulation Starts With You! Written by Tara Monohan For The Orrville Veterinary Clinic Whether you have recently added a furry friend to your family or you are considering it, one of the most important health decisions you will…
  Article submitted by Tara Monahan Written for Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic In our area of Ohio (Akron, Barberton, Norton, Wadsworth, and the surrounding areas of Summit and Stark counties), insects can be both a nuisance and a problem. …
Protect Your Pet from Heartworm Disease Insects have a purpose, but can be very annoying and harmful to people and animals. One insect that causes us concern in regards to our pets is the mosquito. Mosquitoes can be carriers of heartworm larvae.…
Thanksgiving is a time of family, feasting and festivities.  We celevrate this time with you and your pets!  At the same time, we realize that trips to the emergency clinic tend to increase at this time of year.  The main problem associated with…
PeopleFirst™ Father/Son Informational Luncheon When: December 13th 10:00am - 1:00pm Where: The Barn Restaurant, Smithville “Increased COMMUNICATION – Consistent PERFORMANCE – High ENGAGEMENT” A group of interested fathers and sons met at the…
Excenel RTU EZ Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Helath) has recently released a new formulation of Excenel.  This newer form is called "Excenel RTU EZ."  Zoetis has improved the formulation to make the product 40% easier to syringe.  This newly…
Christmas Animal Shelter Donation As Christmas approaches this means time for baking, decorating, spending time with family. It also means SHOPPING!  Taking a little bit of time to remember the pets in shelters without homes is important during…
2=5 New Math for Mastitis Dairy Vet Meeting Speaker:  Linda Tikofsky, DVM Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. Thursday November 21st, 2014 6:30 PM Hilton Garden Inn Wooster, Ohio Dinner will be served RSVP by November 18th Greg Spear (440)…
Tube Ventilation in Calf Barns Calf hutches remain the gold standard for providing optimal environment for calf health.  Recently, calf barns have been gaining popularity, mainly because they provide a much more comfortable working…
Why to choose a veterinary clinic that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) was established in 1933 as the only accrediting body for veterinary…
Lyme Disease on the Rise in Ohio According to a release from the Associated Press, the State of Ohio is seeing a shocking increase in the number of deer ticks that can carry Lyme disease. It is unclear what has caused this increase, though…
The veterinarians at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic strive to practice medicine using the most current research and information.  We also strive to pass this information onto our equine clients through our annual Horse Owner’s Meeting.  We have…
Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” to he Rescue On September 17, 2012, Max Brumfield found himself in a situation where he needed help from Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” fund. Max was going on a car ride with his pal Abe. Max got a little over excited and…
By the time that your mare goes into labor, you have a lot of time, money, and emotion invested.  The doctors at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic realize how important the first 24 hours of life are to the future health of your foal, as well as the…
At Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc; the ordinary cat flea is the leading cause of itching and scratching in dogs and cats. Fleas survive by jumping onto a host animal, biting their skin, and feeding on the blood. As a result you will observe the…
Holiday Safety for Pets As we turn the calendar from October to November, our thoughts turn to the upcoming holiday seasons.  Within a few weeks, it will be Thanksgiving, followed by Black Friday.  We then enter the Christmas…
Litter Box Management to Prevent Problems   One of the more common problems that we see with our feline patients is that of urinary tract issues.  Whether the issue is simply stress, a urinary tract infection, or bladder stones; many conditions can…
The Flea Life Cycle Did you know that the most common flea problem in our area is actually the cat flea (Cetenocephalides Felis)?   The cat flea is responsible for approximately 80% of the flea outbreaks in Ohio. The adult fleas tend to spend…
COMMON SENSE MAKES GOOD CENTS The following is an article written by Dr. Wenger for the magazine: Dairy Herd Management As a new contributor to this column allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Mel Wenger DVM, a dairy…
Orrville Veterinary Equine Services   We recently decided that it is important to continue to focus on our equine clients.  Beginning four years ago, we began to focus on horses by developing our Equine Wellness Program.  A lot of thought, effort…
Bovine Reproductive Protocols Our veterinarians realize that without a successful reproductive program, a dairy cannot be profitable.  We will tailor a reproductive program for your dairy based on your individual needs.  We follow the latest…
Myths Answered About Spaying and Neutering Your Pet   Myth #1:  It is better for my female dog to have a litter before I spay her. This is an absolute no, absolutely not. All the…
2013 Wayne County Farm Tour Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to once again be a featured stop on the annual Wayne County Farm Tour.  Along with the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort, we were a featured stop several years ago.  This time around, we are…
Canine Influenza (H3N8) An Emerging Canine Disease First isolated in 2005 in Florida, Canine Influenza Virus, H3N8, is an emerging disease that places all dogs at risk. Like the H1N1 Influenza virus, the H3N8 strain has jumped from one species (…
By Dr. Gabe Middleton Hello! I am a newly formed bovine embryo inside my mother. I was created as a result of artificial insemination using the very popular Holstein bull named Advent. I will move into my mother‘s uterus around 4 days after…
Mystery Dog Illness in Ohio Many people have called with concerns about the "mystery dog illness" that has been reported in the state of Ohio.  Please read the following information to better understand the state of the investigation at this present…
The veterinarians and staff at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic have a deep love and appreciation for the animals we work with. We have increasingly come to realize how important the people who work in our organization are for providing the top…
At first he was not interested in participating, but at the urging of his veterinarian, Stan Carmony agreed to open his dairy farm up to participation in the Wayne County Farm Tour, held Saturday and Sunday in the northwestern region of the county.…
With the warmth comes fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and parasites. Each group presents a particular health risk to our canine and feline companions. Fleas Fleas can present a variety of problems. They serve as an intermediate host in…
Dental health is an integral part of overall pet care.  It is recommended to brush your animal's teeth once a day, using a pet-approved toothpaste.  We recommend C.E.T. brand toothpaste because it contains an enzyme that helps by cleaning the teeth…
Orrville Veterinary clinic was able to expand to include three different locations to better serve your pets needs.  In 2007, we were able to purchase two veterinary clinics from the late Dr. Thomas Saurer.   The Seville Wadsworth Veterinary clinic…
Did you know that your pet can experience allergies to many of the same things that you do?  Atopy is the veterinary medical term that is used to describe the allergic response to environmental allergies.  Dogs can also experience food allergies.  …
July is National pet wellness month Every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to five to seven human years so it is important that your pet receives a wellness exam every year.  Similar to people, pets need to visit the veterinarian more often as…