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Customer Service Representative A Bit About Me Hi, my name is Candice! I was born and raised on the South Shore but I have lived in Truro with my family since 2003. I graduated from the NSCC with a certificate in Human Services. I have many years of experience in customer service. Outside of work, I have a busy family life. I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren and a house full of international students. We also own a 12 yr old beloved golden retriever named Sierra. I love taking her for walks in Victoria Park and around my neighbourhood. I look forward to welcoming you and your fur babies to the Colchester Veterinary Hospital.

Dentistry Imagine what your mouth would feel like if you never brushed your teeth or went to the dentist! For many dogs and cats, this is a painful reality. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of 3. Dental (or periodontal) disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets. Common signs of dental disease include: Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on the teeth Red, swollen, or bleeding gums Bad breath Excessive drooling ​ Changes in eating or chewing habits Pawing at the face Loose teeth We perform an oral exam at every wellness appointment (temperament permitting). Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and possibly oral surgery (typically extractions). ​

New Client Registration Form First name Last name Email Phone Street Address Street Address Line 2 City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Country Country Pet 1 Name Species Choose an option Cat/Dog Breed Colour Age/Birthdate Gender Male Female Is your pet spayed or neutered? Yes No Pet 2 Name Species Choose an option Cat/Dog Breed Colour Age/Birthdate Gender Male Female Is your pet spayed or neutered? Yes No Pet 3 Name Species Choose an option Cat/Dog Breed Colour Age/Birthdate Gender Male Female Is your pet spayed or neutered? Yes No For additional pets, please e-mail us directly. Register Thanks for registering.

Customer Service Representative Position: Customer Service Representative Colchester Veterinary Hospital is seeking enthusiastic customer service representatives. This is a full-time position. Company Overview: Colchester Veterinary Hospital is an innovative small animal hospital dedicated to creating an elevated healthcare experience for our vet team, clients, and patients. As an independent, veterinary-led clinic, we are looking for team members to help create a clinic atmosphere that they enjoy. Our clinic boasts a warm and welcoming atmosphere where our staff feel valued and know that they are an integral part of the team. We are completely paperless, employing an innovative PIMS and online pet portal for our clients. Colchester Veterinary Hospital is currently renovating a 4000 sq foot facility in the convenient location of the Truro Industrial Park. Our clinic design emphasizes a bright, warm, and inviting environment for our team, clients, and patients. We strive to create a positive and collaborative environment for our team where your ideas are heard and you’re encouraged to grow both personally and professionally. If you are someone seeking a fulfilling career in a supportive and progressive environment, Colchester Veterinary Hospital is the place for you. We value teamwork, personal growth, and the wellbeing of our veterinary team. Join us in creating a positive change in veterinary medicine and making a difference in the lives of our patients and their devoted pet parents. Qualifications: Strong interpersonal and communication skills Capacity to work well during distressing situations Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities The ability to empathize and interact effectively with clients and their pets Detail-oriented and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment Technically proficient (we are paperless, so using computers and tablets is a necessity)and able to set-up notifications and communications with clients via the operating software The ability to triage appointments and book appropriately Commitment to continuous learning Previous administrative experience, preferably within a healthcare setting Basic arithmetic skills Ability to maintain confidentiality ​ ​ Responsibilities and Technical Applications: Greeting and welcoming patients with sincerity. The CSR is the face of the clinic and the first point of contact for clients Answering telephone calls and returning emails and texts Scheduling appointments using our designated software Informing the veterinarian of any emergencies that require urgent attention Issuing invoices for treatment and prescribed medication after each consultation Reviewing medication with the owners Receiving and verifying payments after each consultation Monitoring the inventory of items for sale by the practice and restocking these, as needed. Overseeing the sale of items stocked by the practice Liaising with courier services and laboratories to ensure that samples are delivered and collected on time Compensation and Benefits: Competitive compensation Monday to Friday work week: no evenings, weekends, or holidays Medical and Dental benefits Annual scrub allowance Employee discounts on services, veterinary products and food 2 weeks of paid vacation and 5 paid sick/personal days Opportunity to work in a supportive, encouraging work environment State-of-the-art equipment and a commitment to the highest standards of care To Apply If you are excited about the prospect of working with us, please reach out to us with your resume and a cover letter at colchestervh@gmail.com . All applications will be considered confidential. We look forward to hearing from you!

Pet Portal Colchester Veterinary Hospital is pleased to offer our clients an on-line pet portal. Here you will find all of your registered pets. You can access their vaccine history, request appointments, and even request medication refills (pending approval)! Click on the above link or scan the QR code. T he clinic will be opening in April 2024. At this time, you can submit a request to register you a nd your pets by emailing us at colchestervh@gmail.com . Our emails are monitored, but response time may be up to 48 hours.

Bordetella Vaccine Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that is associated with respiratory disease in dogs. It is one of the components of the canine infectious respiratory disease complex, sometimes referred to as kennel cough, upper respiratory infection, or infectious tracheitis. Dogs who will be in areas where they may come into contact with other dogs (e.g. doggy day care, the groomers, the dog park, boarding facilities) are more likely to come into contact with this bacterium and develop signs of an upper respiratory infection. Clinical signs of an upper respiratory infection include sneezing, nasal discharge, congestion, coughing, etc. If you suspect that your dog has an infection, it is important to isolate your dog from other dogs and contact your veterinarian right away. There are bordetella vaccines available for dogs which can lessen the severity of disease and can even prevent infection altogether. This vaccine is an optional vaccine, not a core vaccine. It important to keep in mind that this vaccine only helps protect against one thing that can cause respiratory disease. Your dog can still develop an upper respiratory tract infection if they come in contact with other infectious organisms.

Wellness Exams My pet is healthy, why bother going to the vet? ​ Your pet's annual wellness exam is a veterinary 'check-up' for your cat or dog. Wellness exams - or pet checkups - take place once or twice a year while your pet appears to be perfectly healthy. These examinations are a great way to help your pet achieve optimal health by focusing on prevention and early disease detection. By taking your healthy dog or cat in to see their vet regularly, you give your veterinarian the opportunity to monitor your pet's overall health and check for diseases that can be difficult to spot in the early stages (such as cancers and parasites). How often should my pet have a routine wellness exam? ​ The recommended frequency of your pet's wellness exams depends upon your pet's age, previous medical history, lifestyle, and breed risk for developing diseases. If your animal is healthy at the moment but has a history of illness or a higher than average risk of developing a disease, seeing your vet twice a year can help to ensure that your pet stays as healthy as possible. For adult pets in good health yearly wellness exams are often ideal. Animals that are very young or very old tend to be more susceptible to illness, and sometimes your veterinarian will recommend more frequent examinations. If you have a senior pet, or an animal such as a giant breed dog that faces an increased risk of developing disease, twice-yearly wellness exams are recommended. This will give your veterinarian an opportunity to check your pet for the earliest signs of disease, and get treatment started before the condition becomes more severe. What will happen at my pet's routine wellness exam? ​ When you bring your pet in to see us for their wellness exam we will review your pet's medical history and ask if there is anything about your dog or cat's health or behavior that you are concerned about. A veterinary team member will also ask you about your pet's diet, lifestyle, exercise routine, level of thirst, and urination. ​ Next, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your pet which generally includes the following: Weighing your pet Checking the animal's stance and gait for irregularities Examining your pet's feet and nails for damage or signs of more serious health concerns Listening to your animal's heart and lungs Taking a close look at your dog or cat's skin for issues such as dryness, parasites, or lumps Inspecting the overall condition of your pet's coat, watching for dandruff or bald patches Checking eyes for redness, cloudiness, eyelid issues, excessive tearing, or discharge Examining your pet's ears for signs of bacterial infection, ear mites, wax build-up, or polyps Looking at your pet's teeth for any indication of periodontal disease, damage or tooth decay Feeling along your pet's body (palpating) for signs of illness such as swelling, evidence of lameness such as limited range of motion, and signs of pain Palpate your pet's abdomen to access whether the internal organs appear to be normal and to check for signs of discomfort ​ ​ All of these checks and more can be done quickly and easily if no issues are detected along the way. No doubt your vet will continue to chat with you as they perform this comprehensive examination. ​ Annual vaccines will also be given at your pet's wellness exam, based upon the appropriate schedule for your cat or dog. Vaccinations for puppies and kittens, as well as booster shots for adult dogs and cats, are an important part of giving your animal their very best chance at a long and happy life. Keeping your pet up to date on vaccines throughout their life will help to protect your furry friend against a range of contagious, potentially serious, diseases and conditions. Why is my vet recommending extra tests for my pet? ​ As well as the general checks listed above, your veterinarian may also recommend additional wellness testing. When deciding whether your dog or cat should have additional testing it's important to keep in mind that in many cases early detection and treatment of disease is less expensive and less invasive than treating the condition once it has reached more advanced stages. ​ The following tests screen for a range of conditions and can help detect the very earliest signs of disease, even before symptoms appear: Complete blood count (CBC) Chemistry profile Thyroid hormone testing Urinalysis ​ ​ If you have a senior pet or a giant breed dog, more detailed diagnostic testing may also be recommended including x-rays and other imaging. ​ What happens once the examination is complete? ​ Once the examination is complete, and your pet has received their annual vaccines, your vet will take the time to discuss any findings with you. If your veterinarian has detected any signs of illness or injury, they will take the time to speak to you about more detailed diagnostics, or available treatment options. ​ If your dog or cat is given a clean bill of health, your vet may offer tips or recommendations regarding your pet's diet and exercise routines, oral health, or appropriate parasite prevention. ​

Accessibility Colchester Veterinary Hospital is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability. We aim to adhere as closely as possible to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0, Level AA), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines explain how to make Web content more accessible for people with disabilities. Conformance with these guidelines will help make the web more user friendly to everyone. Whilst Colchester Veterinary Hospital strive to adhere to the guidelines and standards for accessibility, it is not always possible to do so in all areas of the website and we are currently working to achieve this. Be aware that due to the dynamic nature of the website, minor issues may occasionally occur as it is updated regularly. We are continually seeking out solutions that will bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. ​ If you have any comments and or suggestions relating to improving the accessibility of our site, please don't hesitate to contact our accessibility coordinator by phone or colchestervh@gmail.com . Your feedback will help us make improvements.

Cat Vaccines Feline Rhinotracheitis-Calicivirus-Panleukopenia Rabies Feline Leukemia

Urgent Care We appreciate that everyone has a very busy schedule. That is why we are dedicated to offering same-day urgent care appointments, as well as a limited number of drop-off appointments. You cannot predict when your pet is going to suffer an injury or fall ill. We are here to help! Emergencies Outside Regular Office Hours Available April 2024 We are here for you and your pets during regular office hours. Emergencies outside these hours will be handled by a 24-7 specialty clinic. This will provide your pet with the care it deserves ! Please call (phone number coming soon) to reach a member of the emergency team at Coastal Care Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital. They will help you!

Rabies Vaccine Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can infect all mammals—including dogs, cats, and people—and is certainly not something you want to risk or mess around with. It’s transmitted to other animals via a bite, and kills tens of thousands of people every year worldwide. ​ While canine rabies has been mostly eradicated in North America, an infected animal can still infect other dogs, cats, cattle, horses, people, and domestic animals. Making sure you get a rabies vaccine for dogs in your home is the best way to protect everyone—including your furry friends. Doing so also helps prevent the re-emergence of rabies. ​ In most domestic species, the incubation period is generally between 3 to 8 weeks, but can be as short as nine days or as long as a year or more. The virus attacks and replicates in the nervous system, causing the clinical signs of rabies. There are two forms of rabies: the excitatory form (sometimes call the “furious” stage) and the paralytic form (also referred to as the “dumb stage.”) Not all animals experience both stages, and symptoms can vary. Symptoms may include: Vicious, erratic behavior (the classic form) Foaming at the mouth Heightened sensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli Weakness Paralysis Death from respiratory failure Once symptoms appear, rabies generally results in death in 3 to 8 days. There is no treatment for rabies. The good news is this disease can be easily prevented via a rabies vaccine for dogs. ​ Generally, puppies receive their first rabies vaccine at or after16 weeks of age, which stimulates the immune system to make antibodies. A second single dose of rabies vaccine is administered one year later regardless of the age of the dog, and then every three years thereafter. ​ ​

Distemper, Advenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus Vaccine Several of the most common vaccines are typically given together in a single shot that’s known as the DHPP, DAPP or DA2PP vaccine. This combination vaccine is considered a core vaccine, which means all dogs should receive it regardless of their lifestyle. Core vaccines tend to protect against viruses that are highly contagious, cause serious disease, and have high fatality rates. ​ This vaccine protects against canine distemper virus (indicated by the letter D), two types of adenovirus , parainfluenza (P), and parvovirus (P). ​ These diseases are all caused by viruses with no known cure, so vaccination is the primary way to keep dogs protected. They are also highly contagious, and dogs of all ages are at risk of becoming infected. Canine Distemper Virus Canine distemper virus is related to the virus that causes measles in humans. Distemper is spread through the air, by direct contact with an infected animal or by indirect contact through shared bedding or dishes. This serious disease targets the respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of a dog. Infe cted dogs may suffer from a high fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and watery discharge from the nose and eyes. Progressive stages of disease may include pneumonia, seizures, and paralysis. Distemper can quickly become fatal. For dogs that do survive, the disease can cause permanent brain damage. Newborn puppies and unvaccinated dogs of any age have the highest risk of infection. Canine Ade novirus There are two types of canine adenovirus (CAV): CAV-1 , which is also k nown as infectious canine hepatitis, is the more serious of the two types. It spreads through the urine and feces and can severely damage the liver. Even after the initial infection clears, dogs may suffer long-term, irreversible changes to the liver, kidneys, and eyes. CAV-2 is one of the diseases commonly associated with canine infectious respiratory disease complex (aka kennel cough). The virus spreads directly from dog to dog through coughing and sneezing. Infected dogs typically experience a dry, hacking cough along with a fever and nasal discharge. Canine Parainfluenza Like CAV-2, canine parainfluenza is another virus responsible for canine infectious respiratory disease complex . It is also transmitted in the air and can spread rapidly, especially in areas where large numbers of dogs are kept together. Coughing, fever, and nasal discharge are the major symptoms associated with infection. One important thing to remember is that canine parainfluenza is not related to canine influenza. The two viruses cause different diseases and require separate vaccines for protection. Canine Parvovirus Canine parvovirus is a serious and often fatal disease. Although dogs of all ages are susceptible, puppies that aren’t yet fully vaccinated have the highest risk of i nfection. Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and causes damage to the GI tract, resulting in vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and rapid fluid and protein loss. Treatment often requires hospitalization and intensive care. The virus is highly resistant to many common disinfectants and can remain in the environment (including soil) for up to one year. ​ How Often Does My Dog Need the DHPP Vaccine? The combination vaccine is initially given as a series of injections spread out over a number of weeks. However, because it is a combo vaccine, your puppy will only need one shot per visit. Puppies at least 6 weeks of age receive a dose every two to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. For dogs who are older than 16 weeks but have never been vaccinated, the num ber of initial doses is reduced to two. All dogs should receive booster doses of the vaccine every one to three years, depending on the vaccine label and your veterinarian’s recommendation.