Welcome to the Riverside Pet Hospital.
We are dedicated to providing the finest professional health care for your
pet. Our philosophy is that each client and each pet deserves all the time
and attention that we can provide. Dr. Carol Gifford is a graduate of the
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, and is a member
of the American Veterinary Medical Association. She has been a veterinarian
in the Rutland Area for 12 years. Our veterinary technicians have
many years of animal care experience. We are a full service hospital, providing
preventative health care, medical treatment, surgical procedures, laboratory
analyses and 24 hour emergency service.
We are open Monday through Saturday, and one
evening per week. To allow ample time for each patient, and to allow for
scheduled surgeries, we request that you make an appointment. If an unexpected
emergency arises, we will make every effort to contact you and reschedule.
Please bring any relevant health records on
your pet when you first visit. This is especially important with ongoing
health problems. You pet’s vaccination history is also very important.
Emergency service is available on a 24 hour
basis. We have an answering service, and Dr. Gifford carries a pager so
that she can always be reached. Our hospital is involved in a cooperative
arrangement with several other local veterinarians so that one of them
will handle our emergencies when we are unavailable.
Pets sometimes need to be kept in the hospital
for medical treatment. These patients will be monitored carefully and sent
home as soon as possible. We believe that most pets do better at home.
We have an attendant on the premises at night to watch our hospital patients.
Preventative medicine is the key to longevity
for both pets and people. Vaccinating your pets against contagious diseases
is one of the most important elements of their preventative health care.
Puppies should begin vaccinations at 6 - 8 weeks of age. They need a series
of 2 - 3 distemper shots, plus a rabies vaccination. All dogs also should
be tested for, and protected from, heartworm disease. Dogs who are boarded
frequently should have kennel cough vaccines. The lyme vaccine is recommended
if you travel to areas where this disease is a problem. Kittens need a
series of 2 - 3 distemper vaccinations their first year, starting at 6
- 8 weeks of age. They also should be protected from rabies and leukemia.
More unusual pets, such as ferrets and rabbits, often need vaccinations.
We can advise you about the best health care for these pets. Veterinary
medicine has made great progress in recent years, and pets are enjoying
longer and better quality lives. We look forward to helping your pet lead
a long and healthy life.
We have boarding available for both cats and
dogs. Cats are kept in a quiet area away from other animals. Dogs are walked
several times a day. Current Vaccinations are required to protect all boarder.
Space is limited, so please call early.
