Enter CUVS Hallowen Pet Costume Contest!

Enter CUVS' Halloween Pet Costume Contest!



"b'ARRRRk mateys. Where be me milkbones?"



We know that all of our facebook and social media followers and pals out there LOVE their pets. You show it time and time again and here's yet another chance to show the world how cute (and silly) your pet can be!

Send us a photo of your pet wearing a Halloween costume (either in a facebook message or to swebster@cuvs.org) and we will post it in our Pet Costume Contest photo album. Then, encourage everyone you know to "like" your pet's photo for a chance to win.  The pet with the most "likes" by end of day on October 30th will win a featured spot on our CUVS website homepage and our facebook page for a week! 

We're so excited to see everyone's crazy pet costumes and looking forward to revealing which pet will be a CUVS star! Get clicking people!

CUVS Improves Quality of Life for Rescued Shelter Dog

Cornell University Veterinary Specialists Improve  Quality of Life for Rescued Shelter Dog 

Two-year old Shepherd receives treatment for chronic nasal condition



Dr. John Broussard of Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford preps two-year old Ember for her CT scan. 


 Westchester County, N.Y. (September 06, 2012) - Adopt-A-Dog, a nonprofit animal shelter based in Armonk, enlisted the help of its most recent supporter, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists (CUVS), when one of its dogs, Ember, displayed symptoms of nasal bleeding and facial pain.  Possible causes of this condition included trauma, dental disease, nasal tumors, infections, or blood disorders.  

 Two-year old Ember, a German Shepherd mix, and her four puppies were rescued by Adopt-A-Dog this past April from a shelter in Florida; she had been surrendered by her owner for unknown reasons and was in danger of being euthanized. After undergoing a CT scan and nasal biopsy at CUVS, doctors diagnosed a chronic fungal infection which had caused extensive damage to the left side of her nose and sinuses.  A special medical procedure under anesthesia and a long course of oral anti-fungal medications were required to clear the infection and stabilize Ember's condition.   

"While treatment for Ember's nasal condition would normally not be considered an emergency, we felt it was important to act quickly as she was struggling with significant pain," said Dr. John Broussard, of Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, who performed the procedure this past week at the facility in Stamford.  "Ember has recovered well from the procedure and while her nose will never be normal, her pain is gone and the quality of her life is drastically improved." 

 
Adopt-A-Dog has reported more good news for Ember: a home. A local family is in the final stages of adopting Ember; one of the family members is also chronically ill. Ember’s four puppies have already found permanent homes.   “We take a lot of pride in our ability to care for our shelter animals and keep them healthy. When a rare situation such as Ember’s arises, we’re grateful for the support of our local veterinarians and in this case, especially for the doctors at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists,” said Allyson Halm, Adopt-A-Dog president.   

Cornell University Veterinary Specialists is a premier sponsor of Adopt-A-Dogs upcoming annual festival, Puttin’ on the Dog, to take place on September 23 and presented by Pet Pantry Warehouse. For more information, please visit www.adoptadog.org. For updates, follow Adopt-A-Dog on Facebook (Adopt-A-Dog) or Twitter (@adoptadoginc).  

About Adopt-A-Dog

Adopt-A-Dog is a nonprofit humane animal shelter, rescue, and sanctuary founded in 1981. Since its inception, Adopt-A-Dog has aided in the placement of more than 13,000 companion animals in Westchester County, NY, and throughout the United States. Known for its dedicated staff of animal advocates and innovative adoption procedures, Adopt-A-Dog aims to reform the animal welfare industry and educate future pet owners to promote lifetime ownership and care. The shelter’s strong educational component sets the standard for animal rescue and placement, of which they boast a 95% success rate. The year 2012 marks the organization’s 25th anniversary of Puttin’ on the Dog, its annual fundraising and adoption event that benefits upkeep of its shelter and care of its adoptable dogs and cats. Adopt-A-Dog’s headquarters is located in Greenwich, CT and its shelter is located on two acres in Armonk, NY.

About Cornell University Veterinary Specialists (CUVS)

Cornell University Veterinary Specialists is a 24-hour specialty and emergency veterinary center located at 880 Canal Street in Stamford, CT. Closely affiliated with Cornell’s leading College of Veterinary Medicine, CUVS is redefining the delivery of veterinary specialty and emergency medicine by bringing together the best of specialty private practice with the best of academia to benefit pets, their owners, and the profession. The board-certified specialists and highly trained staff at CUVS integrate the latest medical and scientific advances with a personalized, collaborative and compassionate model of care. Specialty services offered include Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Surgery, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Oncology, Interventional Radiology, and Diagnostic Imaging.

Summer Program

12 Aspiring Veterinarians Receive an Introduction to Specialty Medicine at our 2nd Annual Summer Program

In July, CUVS held its second annual Summer Program for students interested in learning more about veterinary specialty medicine. A group of twelve high school and early college students from Connecticut and New York spent a good portion of each day here with us, learning, observing and getting a deeper look into the world of veterinary specialty medicine.

For two weeks, these aspiring veterinarians and technicians attended lectures presented by our specialists, our technicians and one of our referring general practitioners. They shadowed the doctors and technicians on clinics in Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Ophthalmology and Surgery, and they experienced some hands-on "in the field" time with our distinguished specialists. Additionally, many staff members brought their own animals in for the students to practice basic hands-on techniques!

We hope that the photos below will give our readers a sense of the students' time here!

Dr. Nolan Zeide from Bulls Head Animal Hospital in Stamford, CT delivers a lecture on veterinary general practice. 

The kids enjoying Dr. Nolan's dog and co-presenter, Vader

First day surgery clinics experience with Zoe, Matthew & Lindsay

Watching a patient's surgery prep

Observing in the ECC

Kayla and Brittany with a patient following diagnostic testing

Learning from criticalist, Dr. Alex Rousseau

Taking Cricket's pulse

Kayla examines Cricket.

Matthew checking Cricket's heartbeat

The students attended a hands-on bandaging lab and practiced on each other

Their handiwork

They're pros!

Checking on a patient in recovery

Preparing to observe surgery with extern Tricia

Getting ready to listen to her heartbeat

Trying it out on themselves too!

GIANT cake and parent ceremony to celebrate the completion of their two weeks

We were fortunate enough to also get the perspective of one of the students after the two weeks were over. Matthew Katz, 16 described his experience at CUVS:

"When I learned about the Cornell University Veterinary Specialists summer camp, I thought it would be a good experience. It would help me get into a college and I might learn a few things along the way. However, I was way wrong. Participating in this program was the best decision I ever made. 
 The first day I was there, I was told I would be watching a surgery. “WHAT?!” I exclaimed. Seeing Atlas (the dog) limp into surgery, whimpering with each step, I knew that helping animals is what I want to do for the rest of my life. 
 This program gave the opportunity to experience pet care first hand. I want to thank all of the doctors and technicians for being so welcoming and answering all of my questions.  Because of this program I know how I want to spend the rest of my life.  And not many 15 year olds can say that."

Thank you to Matthew, and to all the students who participated in our program. Thank you also to our specialists and techs and Dr. Zeide for making the experience informative, helpful and memorable for our students!

Thatcher's 8th Birthday

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY THATCHER!



Thatcher the birthday boy.

 Last week the staff here received a surprising, beautiful and DELICIOUS birthday cake from one of our clients. The lovely frosting (it was cream cheese) stated "Happy Birthday Thatcher!" and there was a happy, blue number 8 candle all ready to be lit.

The card accompanying it read:

"Dear Drs. Forman, Post & Kramer, along with all our friends at Cornell,

Thatcher celebrates his 8th birthday on Thursday and it's all because of you! Please share some birthday cake.

Thatcher, John & Kelly"

Along with being delicious (it was an incredible carrot cake) the gesture was heartfelt, unexpected and sincere - something that makes everyone's job here that much easier and reaffirms why every single person here chose the industry they did - to help animals and their families live happier, healthier lives and give them a second chance they might not have otherwise.

In speaking with Kelly, Thatcher's owner, I asked for her experience here. Her account of Thatcher's story here at CUVS is below.

"It’s a story of hope that demonstrates the wonderful quality of medical care that is the hallmark of Cornell University Veterinary Specialists.
 Dr. Forman’s thoroughness in a pre-op physical for an unrelated condition revealed a previously unsuspected anal tumor that Dr.Kramer was able to excise and Dr.Post was able to successfully treat. I would also like to credit Dr. Rousseau for his wonderful save when Thatcher, early on, did have an adverse reaction to the combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
Thatcher had a severe drop in his blood count and was critical when we came to Cornell for supportive care. Dr. Rousseau and your wonderful critical care department got us through this rough patch, stabilizing Thatcher and positioning him to continue his therapy.
We are convinced that Thatcher is celebrating his birthday, almost a full year later, because of the wonderful team at CUVS  and the compassionate care you provide."

We are so happy to know that Thatcher is doing so well and we're so grateful to Kelly and John for their support and good wishes. Clients and patients like Thatcher, Kelly and John really make work here at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists worthwhile and as always, we LOVE a story with a happy ending.

Thank you Kelly for sharing this with us! And thank you Thatcher for gracing us with your fluffy, friendly presence - we love you!



We couldn't pick just one picture!



Bear Walks!

Bear Walks!

By Andi Bettencourt

     As someone who has worked with board-certified veterinary surgeons for over a decade, I’ve seen myriad orthopedic conditions – congenital defects, fractures, neoplasia, etc.  So when I looked at our schedule and saw a consultation for ‘complications following medial patellar luxation repair’ on an Akita, I grabbed my stethoscope and went out to the waiting room to collect what I thought would be a slightly gimpy patient.  Bear was laying in one of our dog beds and as I approached, his poofy tail started going a mile a minute.  As an Akita lover I immediately went to get some love and was rewarded with a thorough facial cleansing and a huge smile that only a dog can give.  I told mom that she could follow me to the appointment room and went to get Bear’s leash.  It was at this point that I saw the condition that Bear was in, and despite any immunity I might have developed in my years, it took more will power than I can say not burst into tears.  Watching Bear’s heroic effort to walk would affect any compassionate human being, but the happiness he continued to display as he moved and endured what could only be intense pain is what struck me the most.

     Bear DID, in fact, have a lot to be happy for – he had been gifted with two of the most loving and devoted owners.  Bear had gone through procedures before coming to CUVS that had caused him to develop laterally luxating patellas.  Luxating patellas are graded on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 being the worst.  Bear’s case was extreme; he was a grade 4 on both back legs, though he was able to support himself slightly better with the left.  His owners had seen him through all his previous surgeries and had continued to provide physical therapy to try and keep him comfortable.  They had developed a system for him to go to the bathroom lying down and kept the floors in their home carpet free so that he could pull himself along and not have to stand up.  They bathed him several times a day, as he was not able to urinate without partially soiling himself.  Now, they were determined to try and get Bear to a place where he could, literally, stand on his own.

     Dr. Alon Kramer was as affected as all of the staff who met Bear, and he was determined that we were going to help this dog and his owners.  Bear’s surgery was not easy as his anatomy was so disfigured and covered in years of scar tissue, each leg required hours of reconstruction.  He came through like the strong dog that he is and managed to earn not only the affection, but the respect, of the staff here at CUVS with his positive spirit and lack of complaint.  We went through weeks and then months of casting and bandage changes, each time Bear had a line of people coming in for their kisses and love.  His owners were using slings to help him learn to walk again with his back straight.

      It was a regular Wednesday filled with rechecks and consultations when I received a text message from Bear’s dad.  There was a picture of Bear standing next to a fence and a message letting us know that Bear heard a squirrel or another dog outside and when dad had opened the back door, he ran to the fence.  He ran to the fence.  Dad had never seen him do that before, and his admission of crying at the sight of Bear’s, admittedly awkward, run caused the tears to start pouring down.  They continued to flow from many eyes as I made the rounds to tell everyone the news.

     Bears journey wasn’t finished, he still required minor revisions on both knees.  As you can imagine, this was financially challenging for the owners, but through the generous donations to our Patient Assistance Fund, Bear’s revisions were performed.  After a couple more months of casting and bandaging, Bear gave us a gift that meant more than all of his kisses combined (though we would never give those up); he walked out of the hospital.  No splint, no cast, no sling.  Just Bear.

     Bear’s owners continue to be as devoted as ever to his care and comfort, providing him with physical therapy and unconditional love.    If you would like more information on how you can help patients like Bear through new discoveries in animal medicine, please contact Alison R. Smith at ars1@cornell.edu.

PDA

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

 Jamie was a 6 and a half week-old puppy when she was first brought to Dr. Chuck Noonan at Animal Doctors of Weston. She was acting normally and seemed to have had no issues in her first weeks of life. Dr. Noonan examined her and listened to her heart only to discover a significant heart murmur that was continuous throughout her heartbeat cycle. Dr. Noonan astutely recognized that this was likely a very significant heart defect that she was likely born with and recommended that Jamie’s mother take her to a veterinary cardiologist.

A week later, Jamie was seen by Dr. Mandi Kleman, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Kleman performed an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), which revealed a structural abnormality called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A PDA is a congenital cardiac abnormality in which a connection exists between the aorta (the major systemic artery) and the pulmonary artery (the major vessel to the lungs). This abnormal connection results in the heart becoming overloaded by recirculating blood and typically results in heart failure within the first year of life. It was imperative, therefore, that we correct Jamie’s PDA.

There are 2 ways to correct PDAs. The first is via open chest surgery, to locate and ligate (tie off) the abnormal PDA vessel. This is the traditional method. The second option is to occlude (close off) the PDA vessel via an Interventional Radiology technique. Interventional Radiology is a method of surgery that uses video xrays (fluoroscopy) to allow the surgeon to see into the body and manipulate structures. This is a new technique in veterinary medicine, available at few academic and specialty institutions, including Cornell University Veterinary Specialists. The advantages of these techniques are that they are less invasive; there is no open surgery and thus, less pain and a faster recovery. For PDA correction via Interventional Radiology, an Amplatz ductal occluder or embolic coil can be inserted via a blood vessel until it is placed across the abnormal PDA vessel. The device then causes obstruction of blood flow across the PDA.

Here, at CUVS, both techniques are possible. In Jamie’s case, however, it was decided that surgery was her best option given her very small size. Dr Oli Morgan, staff surgeon at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, performed the surgery - a left lateral thoracotomy via the 4th intercostal space. The PDA was carefully dissected and ligated, restoring normal blood flow. Jamie recovered smoothly in the Intensive Care Unit. Her heart murmur resolved. That evening she was already standing and eating! The next day, she was giving kisses and behaving like a puppy again. She was discharged to her owners care for at home recovery. After two weeks of exercise restriction she was healed. Her prognosis is excellent with a normal life expectancy.

PennHIP

PennHIP comes to CUVS! 

With our recent addition of Dr. Oli Morgan, VMD, DACVS, we are now certified to screen your dog's hips for early signs of hip dysplasia as well as degenerative joint disease (DJD) using the PennHIP program. 

What is PennHip?  PennHIP is the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. It requires a series of very specific radiographs (Xrays) to be taken and submitted for evaluation. The radiographs are carefully evaluated by a select group of radiologists, and a score is given to determine your dog's probability of developing hip dysplasia and DJD.

What is the benefit of PennHIP and how will it help my dog? This evaluation provides important information for dog owners and breeders alike! It is, to date, the most accurate means to predict, at a young age, the probability of that dog to develop hip dysplasia. This affects breeding decisions in many dog breeds, but also affects the canine pet. Adjustment of environmental factors, such as diet and exercise, can mitigate the progression and signs of hip dysplasia. And, with the right information on probability, we can counsel you on these factors.

Is my dog eligible for screening?  In order to be eligible, your dog must be 16 weeks or older. 

How is it done? To obtain the best quality radiographic images, it's important that the dog be completely relaxed.  To this end, they receive short-acting sedation. But don't worry, they are recovered quickly and able to go home shortly thereafter. While sedated, they are positioned several different ways to obtain the required radiographs.

How do we get results and what do they mean? We will call you with results, and our surgeon will discuss findings, what it means, and options.

Where do I sign up? Give us a call at (203) 595-2777 to speak with a member of the surgery department to set up your appointment or answer questions. 

Can I get CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) performed at the same time? Yes! We can coordinate your appointment such that Dr Seth Eaton, our board-certified ophthalmologist will also perform an ophthalmic examination.

Wally's Story

Meet Wally and family!

Wally is a 7 year old Pembroke Corgi that was diagnosed with B-Cell Lymphoma in April 2011. We, along with Wally's parents and brother, are so proud to annouce that Wally has graduated!

He is finished with his chemotherapy protocol this month and he is still in a complete remission. Wally had virtually no major problems handling his chemotherapy. The protocol we used was co-authored by our own Dr. Gerald Post DVM, MEM, DACVIM.

Dr. Oli Morgan joins CUVS

CUVS Welcomes Dr. Oliver Morgan, VMD, DACVS, on board as our new staff surgeon!

As we bid a sad farewell to Dr. Alon Kramer, who has moved back to Portland with his family, we are excited to introduce Dr. Oliver “Oli” Morgan as the newest member of our medical team. We are so lucky to have found a surgeon of his calibur, and his communication skills and core values lend themselves very well to our atmosphere here. We're thrilled to have him on board, and he is undoubtedly a great match for our team here at CUVS!

We had a chance to catch him in the middle of a busy day here to ask him a few questions:

Q. Where are you coming from - where did you work before CUVS?

A. I am moving from Los Angeles, California where I worked at a large multispecialty referral hospital (Advanced Critical Care at the City of Angels Veterinary Specialty Center).  I am returning to Connecticut where I grew up with my wife and 1 year old son not only to work at CUVS, but also to be close to family.

Q. How have your first few days been here at CUVS?

A. My first few days at CUVS have been great with everyone being extremely welcoming.  The atmosphere within CUVS for both clients, patients, and new doctors is very similar it seems!

Q. How is CUVS different? What do you like about working here?
A. CUVS represents a new paradigm in veterinary medicine that is directed at providing a mix of the best of private practice with the best of academia.  I am so excited to be working in an environment with specialists that both love what they do and are excellent at what they do with a central dedication to client service and to our referring veterinarians.  The technicians and staff are excellent and also clearly have a deep-seated dedication to the care of our patients and that carries through in all their interactions with our patients.

We're so happy to have Dr. Morgan on board and are looking forward to a great future with him as part of the family. Welcome!

Best Pet Winner

WE HAVE A "BEST PET" WINNER!

As you’ve probably guessed, the Chihuahua Mia F. won our “Best Pet” competition by a landslide! The littlest gal in the running received by far the biggest show of support in the competition, and it’s no surprise.

Mia came to CUVS in the Fall of 2011 with a collapsing trachea. She was a patient of ours for several months and while her medical condition was one of those incredibly complicated cases that we could not ultimately save, we’ve yet to see a more dedicated owner than her mom Kelly Falconieri, and a bigger show of support from her many admirers. During her time here, and through Kelly’s tireless efforts on Facebook and IMOM.org, Mia captured the hearts of hundreds of people, many of them strangers, who donated to Mia’s cause and to her treatment. We even had people calling us here to contribute to her treatments! Although Mia is no longer with us, it is obvious that she is still in the hearts of the many who supported her through her treatment, and gaining followers even now!

Not only was Mia an incredible little girl, but Kelly is a great example of an absolutely incredible pet owner, and we’re pleased to announce them both the winners. Kelly will be receiving a gift certificate to Pet Pantry Warehouse, one of our favorite spots to get ANYTHING you could need for your pet and more.

Thank you again to everyone who sent us pictures of their pets – it was a wonderful week getting to share your furry friends and see everyone’s enthusiasm and love for their animals.

Thank you to the Pet Pantry Warehouse for this great prize!

"Best Pet" Photo Contest!

Enter our "Best Pet" Photo Contest!

One thing we see every day here at CUVS is the strength and uniqueness of the human/animal bond. We know everyone loves their pet, and everyone believes their pet to be the most special, most adorable, best pet in the world.

Now we’re giving you guys the chance to compete for the title of "Best Pet"! If you would like to participate, just send us your “best pet” photo. As we get them, they will go into an album on our facebook page, and the picture with the most “likes” will win a gift certificate to Pet Pantry Warehouse! All the pictures will remain up and in the running until 10:00PM on Sunday, June 10th and the winner will be announced on Monday morning (the 11th).

Here is how it works:

• Send us your .jpeg or .gif photo by email to swebster@cuvs.org or by facebook message to our page by 10:00PM on Thursday, June 7th and make it a great one! Put your name and the name of your pet in your email so we can post that as well. (Pictures will be posted as they come in, so the sooner you submit your pet, the more time you have to collect "likes"!)
• Ask EVERYONE you know (family, friends, colleagues) to “like” our Facebook page and then “like” your picture.
• The picture with the most “likes” by the end of the contest will win a gift certificate to Pet Pantry Warehouse, and access to the best selection of toys/food/beauty/grooming/healthcare/fun & frolic products around!

Good luck everyone – and may the “Best Pet” win!!!

Hot Weather Tips

Hot Weather Pet Tips

Holy cow is it hot this week!!! Summer is officially here and we all need to adjust - even/especially our pets! Here are some tips from the ASPCA on how to safely and comfortably  handle the summer heat with your pet.

Made in the Shade Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.

Know the Warning Signs According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "symptoms of  overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees." Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

No Parking!
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.

Make a Safe Splash
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool-not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

Screen Test "During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets-mostly cats-fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured," says Dr. Murray. "Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions." Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.

Summer Style Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut helps prevent overheating. Shave down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. As far as skin care, be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.

Street Smarts
When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

Avoid Chemicals Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well.

Party Animals Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. "Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas," says Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. "Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol."

Fireworks Aren't Very Pet-riotic Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. "Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous," says Dr. Hansen. "Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals."

For more tips and information/resources, visit http://www.aspca.org/, and to read this article in its entirety please visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/hot-weather-tips.aspx.

Welcome Emily!

Our Stray Has A Name!Thank you so much everyone who contributed to giving our little puppy girl a name - all of the suggestions were so creative!

After about a week of voting among our staff, the name we've decided upon is...
EMILY!

A suggestion from one of our staff members, it was so well liked that people have already started calling her Emily - and she seems to like it too! In addition, our little pal seems to be gaining more confidence and moxy every day!

Thank you again to all our followers for your help and enthusiasm.

May is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month!

May is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month!



*The cause of cancer in pets, just as with people, is largely unknown, although animals get cancer at about the same rate as humans! In fact, The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation has noted that 50% of dogs aged 10 or older will be affected by cancer.

  

Thus, in a continued effort to battle and treat pet cancer, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists is proud to  welcome Dr. John Farrelly, a long-standing leader in the field of oncology, to our team!

Dr. Farrelly, a Diplomate of both the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, is approximately 1 in 25 veterinarians in the country who are board-certified in both medical and radiation oncology.

He was the Director of Radiation Oncology at the Animal Medical Center in New York City from 2004 to 2011. Named Veterinarian of the Year at the AMC in 2006, Dr. Farrelly brings an expertise and renown to Cornell University Veterinary Specialists that gives us the ability to provide the most advanced care and treatment options available.

We are very excited to welcome Dr. Farrelly to the team here at CUVS!

*American Veterinary Medical Association

Name This Stray!

Today we're giving all our followers the opportunity to get involved in the life of one of our very special residents here at CUVS:


This pretty girl came to CUVS when she was rescued from an accident by the Stamford Police. While we’re unsure of her age and her exact breed, we do know that she’s incredibly loving and a world class snuggler. While we would love for her to be adopted into a nice, quiet home with low key adults who want a lap dog to cuddle with/keep them company, she is currently residing in her own plush little palace here at CUVS.

At current, she has about 8 names, among them Lefty, Beyonce and Thrombolina. However we feel that this beautiful girl deserves a really great forever name! Help us pick the perfect one by posting your suggestions in the comments section on our facebook page. At the end of the week, our staff will look at all the submissions and pick our favorite one!


A dog this sweet and special needs a special name to match! 

She loves cuddling up in her warm, fluffy home here in the office, among all our doctors, specialists and techs who stop by for a kiss and a cuddle throughout the day.

Our little visitor isn't without her talents. She regularly dazzles the staff with her funny little walk.

CUVS's New Presence!

CUVS has a new social media look and presence! Visit and like our Facebook page and follow us on twitter @CUVS_Stamford. We will be providing you and all our followers with pictures, articles, helpful information and updates on what's going on here at CUVS!

Follow us on twitter!

Visit our facebook page!