Dr. Jim Rich of Seaside Veterinary Hospital remembers how it all began, “No one in my family was in the animal health field, but we always had pets around. I’ve always loved being in the company of animals and other animal lovers and I have always been very curious about animal health. I grew up knowing from very early on that this is what I wanted to do: I wanted to be a veterinarian.”
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According to Dr. Rich, the best thing about being a veterinarian apart from being surrounded by all kinds of wonderful pets is the unspoken camaraderie between pet lovers. He loves meeting pet owners, being able to share their joys, and helping them through difficult times. Conversely,he says, “The hardest part of this job is when you have to share heartbreaking news to pet owners.” Dr. Rich is a beloved dad to a 14 year-old Yorkie named Bonnie and recently said goodbye to his beautiful senior Australian Shepherd named Lizzie. “As a fellow pet owner, there’s an unspoken empathy. As a veterinarian, you become a trusted friend to both the pets and their owners. You see them grow together and you hear about the good days, the silly moments, the scary moments, and everything in between. You see and treat their pets as your own and you become very caring and protective of them.”
Coronavirus is another difficulty veterinarians must now also face. For Seaside Veterinary Hospital, being able to provide animal care while keeping pet owners and staff safe is an absolute must. The animal hospital continues to accept appointments by phone at 912.638.7600 or through their website at seasidevets.com. Once pet owners arrive for the appointment, they are asked to call in and give their parking spot number so a staff member can pick up their animalsfrom their vehicles without entering the building, except in extreme circumstances. Staff members are also taking necessary precautions like social distancing and are required to wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, and other PPE.
Despite the bigger issues caused by the pandemic, the recent uptick in pet adoptions has been a welcomed silver lining for animal lovers everywhere. As families found themselves having to stay at home or being able to spend more time at home, pets have enjoyed more time with their owners. Many pets who spent their days feeling abandoned at the shelters have now found new loving homes to call their own.
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“It’s definitely wonderful to hear so many more animals are being adopted and receiving much more attention”, said Dr. Rich. The doctor shared his wisdom with new pet owners saying, “It’s important to make sure new pets receive proper health care from the get go. I always encourage new pet owners to go in for an evaluation, make sure they have all the vaccinations their pets need, as well as preventative care for things like fleas and ticks. Unchecked and without proper care early on, these things can become bigger problems very quickly.”
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One example both new and old pet owners tend to miss is dental disease. “A lot of people simply don’t realize that pets, dogs in particular, are prone to dental issues. It’s one of those things that even truly experienced pet owners tend to overlook,” explained Dr. Rich. Dental care is actually one of the doctor’s most sought after services, especially for dogs. “Dogs can have advanced dental diseases and not show any signs of pain. What usually happens is that they still eat but most dog owners don’t notice their pets aren’t chewing their food anymore,” he continued.
Although it is often overlooked, there are some easy-to-spot signs that your pet may be experiencing some dental issues. The doctor recommends checking your pet’s teeth and watching out for foul odor coming from their mouths. Left unchecked, advanced dental disease can lead to discomfort and bacteria overgrowth that can cause serious periodontal diseases. Bacteria can get into the bloodstream and in some severe cases can cause serious problems, like bone loss, and jaw issues. Dr. Rich and his team regularly do dental checks when pets are in for their appointment and offer routine dental care to avoid complications down the road.
Another thing Dr. Rich points out is that many new pet owners may not realize is the fact that dogs and cats can get fleas and ticks even when kept indoors. “It’s a common misconception.The reality is that pets can get infested even when they are kept indoors. It may be from contact with other pets. It could be from rodents bringing it into the home. It could be picked up from walking your pets outside. It could even be from moving into a new home. Contrary to what some may think, these pests can also make it through colder seasons which is why year-round protection is vital,” he explained.
For those adopting older pets or incorporating them with existing pets, Dr. Rich suggests getting familiarized with them before making the leap. “It’s always upsetting to see pets going back to shelters because they did not fit in or because their adoptive families were unprepared in coping with their behavior or needs,” he mentioned. “I think it’s best for both pets and their adoptive owners’ safety and interests to test the waters and ease their pets in. If fostering is an option, start with that. Make sure that the pets, especially dogs, can fit in well with families and other pets. You want to test those things out in a controlled and safe situation as much as possible.”
As with your other pets, making sure your new furry family member has had good medical care before and continuing through the time they’re adopted is equally as important. Getting your newly adopted pets up-to-date with vaccinations, check-ups, and other health needs should be a top priority.
Seaside Veterinary Hospital is located at 175 Skylane Road, on St. Simons Island. Visit seasidevets.com for more information about their veterinarians and services or to make an appointment.
