June Team Member of the Month: Dr. Wilkinson

Dr. Wilkinson graduated from Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She joined Avondale the summer of 2008. Dr. Wilkinson is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. She works with the Animal Protection & Education Charity doing feline and canine spays and neuters when she isn't working at Avondale.Dr. Wilkinson is also our resident rabbit doctor! If you have a bunny buddy that needs some medical care, call us and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilkinson who will help you determine your rabbit's best treatment options. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian and pets, "Ted" a Balinese cat and "Cody", a German Shorthair Pointer. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their daughter and son.

Team Member of the Month: Jenifer Mondry, Client Care Coordinator

Jenifer is one of the care coordinators at the Avondale Pet Resort. Her friendly smile will greet you as you bring your dogs and cats to the Pet Resort for boarding, grooming or doggie daycare. Jenifer has been with Avondale since the spring of 2010. She has a Border Collie/Springer Mix named "Chilly Willy" and a black house kitty named "Scooter".In her free time she loves spending time with her husband, Joel, and visiting her two step-daughters in Arizona, shopping, sewing, decorating, taking road trips and spending time with her pets.

Extra Food and Fresh Water in Cold Weather

During the winter months, our pets need to stay warm, and sometimes that is best achieved by upping their food intake! This may be especially important if they are going to be outside and active. We recommend you ask us if you have questions about increasing food intake, or if you’d like specific recommendations for your pet.

Did you know that your cat should be in to see us once a year all their life, and sometimes twice a year when they’re over seven years of age? Today is National “Take Your Cat to the Vet” Day—if your cat is due for a visit with us at Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex, call and schedule one today. Regular visits can help your cat live longer, because we can identify and treat problems sooner.

Pets & Cookouts

Did you know that some of the most common foods we eat during our cookouts are the most dangerous foods for our pets? Meat with bones in it, such as chicken and ribs, are extremely dangerous for our pets to get a hold of…bones can puncture the stomach and other organs if swallowed because they cannot be digested. Corn-on-the-cob can also be dangerous because dogs have been known to swallow the cob whole! What do you do to keep your dog busy with something else during the barbeque?

Pets & Easter Eggs

Easter egg hunts are so much fun for kids, and sometimes even for adults! Finding that brightly colored egg stuffed with a surprise is exciting! But don't forget the dangers of failing to find an egg that's been stuffed with candy. Your dog leads with their nose, and if you don't find it, your pet might! Consider stuffing your eggs with something safe for pets this year. If Fido finds them, he'll be less likely to break them open and eat what's inside.

Welcome to our practice blog! We look forward to serving you and your pet’s needs for years to come!

Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex is owned and operated by Dennis D. Woodruff, DVM. He has served the Carlisle area since 1974 and employs 6 associate veterinarians and a support staff of over 50.

Avondale Animal Hospital was built in 1973 by Dr. James Wistrom and served as a small animal and a large animal facility. The practice sits on 1.6 acres of land. Dr. Dennis Woodruff joined the practice in 1974 and became a partner in 1976. The large animal part of the practice was sold in 1984 and Dr. Woodruff became the sole owner of the practice in 1986. A major renovation of the existing building was completed in 1989. It included additional examination rooms, offices, a central treatment area and an expanded reception and lobby area.

A second addition was completed in 1997 and Avondale Pet Resort, Avondale Cat Hospital, Avondale Grooming and Avondale Child Care joined Avondale Animal Hospital to now become Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex.

In 2009 a third addition was completed and added a double dental suite, laboratory area, pharmacy area, a second hospitalization area, orthopedic surgery room and a new routine surgery room in addition to a Rehabilitation and Laser Therapy Center.

Today, Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex employs seven doctors and over 50 technical, management and support team members.

Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex understands the importance of the human-animal bond. It is the mission of the Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex team to improve the lives of animals and their owners by providing the highest quality veterinary medicine, including state-of-the-art technology, highly skilled veterinary medicine practitioners and compassionate and trustworthy animal care. The team is devoted to the elimination of animal suffering, respecting our patients and their owners and maintaining our personal and medical integrity at all times.

The Complex includes:

· Avondale Animal Hospital – full service hospital and clinic for dogs and accredited. (515)262-6111

· Avondale Cat Hospital – full service cat hospital and clinic for “Cats Only”. (515)262-9222

· Avondale Pet Resort, (515) 262-PAWS, and includes:

· Boarding in Specialty Themed Suites, Dormitory Rooms or Cat Condos

· Doggie Daycare

· Avondale Grooming Salon for dogs and cats

Avondale sets itself apart from other practices by also offering:

· Canine & Feline orthopedic (bone & joint) surgical procedures

· Laser Surgery

· Canine Rehabilitation Center, which includes an underwater treadmill, land treadmill and Class IV laser therapy for pain, swelling due and inflammation

· Stem Cell Therapy for arthritic joints

· Ultrasound

· Digital x-ray & Digital Dental X-ray

· Dental procedures from regular dental cleanings to complicated procedures including root canals

· Spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats

· Declaw cat surgeries

· Special diet counseling

Approximately 14% of the animal hospitals throughout the United States & Canada have met the standards of care to achieve accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This includes the commitment to voluntarily participate in an on-site evaluation based on the highest standards of veterinary medicine. Practice is evaluated on over 800 standards, proving a strong desire to provide high-quality medicine and top-notch client service. Both Avondale Animal Hospital and Avondale Cat Hospital have received the AAHA accreditation. Additionally, the Avondale Pet Resort is also accredited by Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) formerly ABKA.

Avondale is open 7 days a week to better serve our clients and their pets.

Visit us on Facebook and online at www.avondalevet.com

Welcome to our practice. We look forward to serving you and your pet’s needs for years to come!

Dennis D. Woodruff, DVM