Meghan Ryan – Lexington Animal Hospital

Please Welcome Dr. Cathy Connelly & Hospital Renovations Under Way

Meghan Ryan — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 01:49:40 +0000

We are excited to announce that Dr. Cathy Connelly is joining our permanent veterinary team at Lexington Animal Hospital. Dr. Connelly has worked intermittently over the last two years at Lexington Animal Hospital in a relief capacity. She is joining Dr. Mollie Fox and myself (Dr. Meghan Ryan) permanently on as we continue to grow and expand our practice hours and services.

Dr. Connelly graduated from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She completed a fellowship in abdominal ultrasound imaging at UC Davis Veterinary School. She has extensive experience in veterinary dentistry, ultrasound imaging, and exotic animal medicine. Most recently, Dr. Connelly worked as a shelter animal veterinarian around Roanoke. She is passionate about geriatric medicine, ultrasound imaging and radiology, exotic animal medicine, chemotherapy, and education.

Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Connelly when you meet her!

Dr. Connelly with a rescued beagle

In addition, renovations are finally underway as we expand and remodel the behind-the-scenes part of the veterinary hospital. Demolition started on November 28th! First phase includes the creation of a large, comprehensive treatment area. We will have better ability to hospitalize sick pets, attend to emergency conditions, run necessary lab work, and perform medical treatments with more space and light. We are also converting the old, small treatment room into a third exam room. This is a plan that has been 6 years in the making and we’re thrilled to finally be starting. As with any renovation, we anticipate some headaches with the temporary cramped operating space for the next few months. We hope renovations will proceed swiftly and apologize in advance for any inconveniences.

Please feel free to ask me or the staff about what’s in store with the renovations, and hope you and your pets stay warm as the weather cools off.

Best,

Dr. Meghan Ryan

Deep Sadness with Bruiser’s Passing

Meghan Ryan — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 02:41:09 +0000

With deep sadness, I write to share news of our clinic kitty Bruiser Bear’s passing. He was just 13 weeks shy of his 19th birthday. He had battled inflammatory bowel disease and kidney disease for the last 18 months. Bruiser came to live at Lexington Animal Hospital as a small orange kitten after Dr. Carls adopted him from the Rockbridge SPCA. She tried to bring him home with her many times, but he made it known that he felt most comfortable in the hospital.

Bruiser loved climbing into half unpacked boxes delivering medical supplies, jumping onto the treatment table just as you were opening the carrier of sassy cat for a nail trim, hiding in hospital cabinets, and begging for squeeze cheese and hair ball treats. He caught a mouse exactly once last year, and seemed utterly surprised by his luck. He lovingly endured silly hats and all the cuddles from the staff that cared for him over the course of his life.

Bruiser’s decline made us all struggle with balancing the quality of his life with choosing among available interventions to give him longevity. Today’s decision to euthanize him was not easy, but he was surrounded by those who loved him.

Welcome Brandi, our new groomer

Meghan Ryan — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:28:14 +0000

We are excited to announce that we have a new groomer starting Wednesday, January 5th.

Hello my name is Brandi, I am a Rockbridge County Native and graduated from Rockbridge County High School in 2017 where I then attended Blue Ridge Community College and got my Veterinary Technician degree. I recently decided to pursue a grooming career as well and I enrolled in a online grooming school. I have been given the exciting opportunity of working at LAH as their groomer and I am so excited to meet your pets.

Why does my pet itch?

Meghan Ryan — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 16:59:36 +0000

Why does my pet itch?

Itchy pets can be a pain, not only for the animal with it’s incessant drive to scratch and lick, but also for it’s owner who’s been up all night from all the noise and commotion. The #1 cause of itchy skin is fleas, which is why a vet will use a flea comb to check for fleas and flea dirt. Common problem areas for fleas include: inner thighs, rump, base of the tail, and around the neck. It is essential to confirm proper monthly flea prevention with effective products.

Other creepy crawlies that can cause itchy cats and dogs include ear mites, demodectic mites, and sarcoptic mites. Testing for these includes checking swabs of ear debris and skin scrapings under the microscope. Fortunately, most prescription strength flea/tick preventatives protect against mites, including LAH recommended products of Revolution Plus, Bravecto, Simparica, and Simparica Trio.

Once fleas and mites have been firmly cleared as the culprit, the search becomes a little more frustrating. Roughly 70% of itchy dogs and cats have environmental allergies, which range from seasonal allergies such as grasses, weeds, and tree pollens that can peak in spring, summer, and/or fall, to nonseasonal environmental allergies such as molds, feathers, wool, as well as dust and storage mites. Pets with environmental allergies struggle with a vicious inflammation cycle. Allergic pets’ skin is hypersensitive to allergens absorbed through the skin and the normal function of the skin as a barrier against the outside world becomes damaged. Consequently, bacteria and yeast in the environment colonize the eroded and inflamed skin. These infections trigger further itch and inflammation, driving the pet to scratch, chew, bite, and lick even more.

Due to this vicious cycle, successful management of environmental allergies is multifaceted. One needs to repair the barrier mechanism of the skin, reduce the hypersensitivity to allergens, and treat the underlying infections. Allergic pets often require topical therapies such as bathing with shampoos, conditioning sprays and mousses as well as ingestion of essential fatty acids to repair the barrier function. Various medications can help reduce the hypersensitivity and itch, including Apoquel pills, Cytopoint injection, Cyclosporine, prescription skin support diets, as well as targeted Allergy Immunotherapy (desensitization). Lastly, skin infections are managed with topical and oral versions of antibiotics and antifungals to clear bacterial and fungal infections.

The remaining 30% of itchy dogs and cats are allergic to ingredients in their food. Contrary to popular media reports, grains are not a common source of itchy skin. Rather, it is the proteins in the pet’s food, with beef, chicken, dairy, fish, and lamb as the most common allergens. To diagnose a food allergy, a strict elimination diet trial is necessary. Everyone in the pet’s environment must be on board with the plan- no sneaking table scraps (intentionally from one’s spouse or accidentally from the toddler in a highchair), no dental chews, no treats from the mail carrier, and no flavored medications. After a successful trial, the pet is challenged with proteins and closely monitored to see if this induces an itch flare up.

Because pets’ itchiness can range from mild to severe and vary from seasonal to nonseasonal, discovering the underlying cause of itch can be frustrating and time consuming. If you are struggling with an itchy pet, please be prepared for a multimodal approach to diagnosing and managing your pet’s skin condition. Lastly, on a personal note, as the owner of two food and environmentally allergic dogs, I feel your pain. I will do my best to help your pet get the relief it needs.

Best, Meghan Ryan, VMD

What we are thankful for in 2020

Meghan Ryan — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:18:35 +0000

November 2020 finds us all in a very different place than we ever imagined 8-12 months ago. Unlike last year’s hustle of pets checking in for holiday stays, we find ourselves arriving at a quieter, smaller, and socially distant Thanksgiving. We miss seeing you all in the building. We miss the relaxed opportunity for conversation and sharing of news, instead of the “essential business” mentality that has affected our COVID-19 interactions.

I wanted to share some things that I am grateful for this holiday season, and send a reminder that LAH will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26th and Black Friday, Nov 27th. We will be open from 8 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, Nov 28th.

1) At the beginning of November, we embarked on a reception renovation that is opening up the lobby. The receptionists will finally be able to face forward and greet you when you arrive! We will also have more storage space to minimize time to retrieve any needed food and medications. The picture below shows that it is still a work in progress. I can’t wait to share the new lobby with everyone when it’s completed.

2) This August and October, we upgraded our server, computers, internet, and phone service (essential, just not exciting purchases). The headache during the upgrades has made us very grateful for working technology in 2020.

3) Throughout the fall, we’ve been able to foster 9 kittens. Salsa, Randy, Ranger, Bolt, Blue, and Bandit have all found loving homes. We still have Pancake, Waffles, and Con Queso looking for homes.

Pancake, 9 wk old girl , Waffles, 9 wk old boy, and con Queso, 9 wk old boy

4) We have been able to continuously be open since March 2020 with our staff and doctors staying healthy! Fingers crossed we can continue to weather it all.

5) Bruiser, our old man hospital cat, is now 17 year and 7 months old. He still loves sunbathing.

Phase 2 COVID-19 Policies

Meghan Ryan — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 01:57:21 +0000

We are excited to have entered Phase 2 of Virginia’s Reopening Plan. We have stayed busy since mid-March caring for sick and injured patients. We have had so much fun meeting and playing with all the new “Corona puppies”. And, we hope that you have been able to enjoy more time with your pets than usual while quarantined at home. We look forward to easing the curbside appointment protocol as soon as possible, but we ask for your patience as we remain curbside until Phase 3 begins.

We ask you to remember that we are only here because we want to help! We love our jobs. We love animals and we love being able to help the families that care about them. Nothing makes our hearts happier and enriches our lives like being able to make a difference! But we can’t help pets if we aren’t open and with a small staff of just two doctors and 7 support staff, if one of us gets COVID-19, we would have to quarantine us all and close the clinic.

Unfortunately, unlike other businesses, veterinary medicine does not allow for social distancing. Our small exam rooms means we can’t stay 6 feet apart and our staff members must always stand close together when restraining and examining patients together. And we want to keep you safe! There just isn’t a feasible way to social distance inside the hospital at this time.

Despite its limitations, we want to make appointments as successful as possible. The doctors are doing consultations outside by your car. Outdoor exams of dogs are possible in good weather, but we do not want to risk a cat escaping from a carrier or car. Lastly, having a written list of questions or observations to present to the staff can aid in communication of your concerns.

We ask that you please be patient and understanding. Please know we have the best interests of you and your pet at heart. If you have any questions, please call to discuss.

COVID-19 Protocols at LAH

Meghan Ryan — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 01:55:31 +0000

LAH is taking steps to help minimize community transmission of the COVID-19 virus while still being open to provide medical care for your sick and injured cats and dogs. In order to preserve medical supplies, we may recommend delaying elective medical procedures when circumstances call for that.

1) We will be thoroughly disinfecting exam rooms between appointments. However, drop-off appointments are a good alternative to minimize person-to-person contact. Please be sure to leave a good phone number where we can reach you to discuss your pet’s treatment needs.

2) Please consider calling us at 540-463-2715 from your car after you arrive. One of our staff can come out to alert you when we are ready for you so we can minimize wait times in the lobby. We can also bring food and prescriptions out to your car.

3) Home Delivery of pet food and medications is always available through our online pharmacy- visit http://lexingtonanimalhospital.vet/ and click on the Online Pharmacy tab to be redirected there.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Meghan Ryan — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 01:54:10 +0000

Happy Valentine’s Day! Wishing you and your pets a wonderful day filled with kisses, hugs, treats, and belly rubs.

I am excited to share a photo of my new daughter, Katherine (Kate) Adele Ryan. She was born on Monday, Feb 10th, weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz. Kate joins big sister Anna and big brother Danny, as well as our 2 dogs and 2 cats. It is a full and lively house!

I am grateful to be able to take some time at home with Kate over the next few weeks. Dr. Mollie Fox and Dr. Keena Van Horn will continue to provide your pets with the same excellent care that you’ve come to expect in my absence. I look forward to returning to the hospital in late March. Please reach out to my staff and other doctors if you need to get a hold of me in the meantime.

Best, Dr. Meghan Ryan

Holiday Cheer from Lexington Animal Hospital

Meghan Ryan — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 20:11:16 +0000

Happy Holidays! I hope your animals were better behaved than mine in 2019. My two cats destroyed our Gingerbread House on Christmas Eve, much to the disappointment of my kids. Luckily, the chocolate decorations were not toxic to the cats. And, gratefully, the cats didn’t knock any pieces down to my two dogs who were eagerly waiting for their share on the floor. My hope is that the chaos of living with “6 young animals” in my home has brought me more patience, humility, and understanding as a veterinarian.

As we approach the new year and new decade, I wanted to help you ring in 2020 with a clean mouth for your pet. Despite candy and sweet treat ingestions, accidental or otherwise, animals rarely get cavities. Because animals do not brush their teeth regularly, plaque accumulates on the surface of their teeth and can mineralize into hard tartar. This tartar harbors bacteria that contributes to infection and inflammation of the gums, tooth roots, and supporting jawbone. Tartar can only be removed by a thorough dental cleaning of the teeth above and below the gum line.

We are offering 15% off dental cleanings in January 2020 to help your pet have a fresh, healthy mouth for the year to come.

Best Wishes for a Happy 2020!

Dr. Meghan Ryan, Dr. Mollie Fox, and the staff at Lexington Animal Hospital

Cold Weather Tips

Meghan Ryan — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 18:01:35 +0000

With temperatures dropping, it’s important to remember that cold, wet, winter weather can be just as harsh on our pets as the hot, summer sun. If it’s uncomfortable for you to be outside for an extended period, it’s also uncomfortable for your pet. Here are some tips to help keep your pets healthy in the winter months.

1) Know your pet‘s limits- shorten winter walks in temperatures <30’F

2) Consider a sweater or coat for short haired pets, or even well-fitted booties to protect their feet from ice and salt

3) Ensure outdoor pets have insulated shelter and unfrozen drinking water

4) Clean up any antifreeze spills quickly- even 1 tsp is lethal to a cat

5) Check your pet‘s paws frequently for signs of irritation and injury

6) Wipe down or wash your pet‘s feet, legs, and belly to remove packed snow, ice, salt, and any de-icing chemicals.

Lastly, Lexington Animal Hospital will be be closing at noon on Tuesday, December 24th and closed on Wednesday, December 25th. We will have normal business hours otherwise.