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Financing At Colchester Veterinary Hospital, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care for your beloved pets Our experienced team of veterinarians and staff is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of your animals through comprehensive services. To make pet care more accessible, we partner with iFinance to offer flexible financing options tailored to your needs. Trust us to provide compassionate and professional service for your furry family members.

A description of rabies and the vaccine offered at Colchester Veterinary Hospital. 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.

A description of dental services offered at 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).

This is a description of Abby, our veterinary assistant and includes a bio and picture. Veterinary Assistant A Bit About Me Hi! My name is Abby. I graduated from Eastern College as a Veterinary Assistant in March 2025 and recently completed an 8-week internship at Hope for Wildlife, where I gained valuable hands-on experience working with a variety of native Nova Scotia Wildlife . I’ve always had a love for animals and enjoy spending my time outdoors and hanging out with my dogs. I’m excited to be part of the team and look forward to meeting you and your furry companions!

A description of the veterinarians employed at Colchester Veterinary Hospital. Owner/Veterinarian A Bit About Me Dr. Karen Johnson grew up in Chester and spent a lot of time playing in the woods. She joined the team at Chester Basin Animal Hospital during high school and took a meandering road that eventually ended with her graduating from vet school in 2009. She spent several years living in Australia, working as an equine vet. While the scenery was beautiful, it was hard living on the other side of the world, so she returned to Canada in 2012 to practice small animal medicine. After the birth of her daughter in 2017 she returned to Nova Scotia and has been helping animals here ever since. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and loves helping as many pets as possible. Dr Johnson lives in Old Barns with her husband and daughter. She has two bouncy golden retrievers, Molly and Tucker, who rule the house, and a new puppy, Salty, who keeps everyone on their toes. In her spare time, she enjoys biking the old roads around her house. She also enjoys gardening, watercolor painting, and reading.

A description of bordetella and recommendations for the vaccine 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.

A description of the recommended dog vaccines. Includes core and life style vaccines. Dog Vaccines Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus Rabies Bordetella Lyme Leptospirosis

Registered Veterinary Technician. An invaluable part of our team. Registered Veterinary Techinician Colchester Veterinary Hospital is seeking a part-time or full-time licensed and experienced Registered Veterinary Technician. Company Overview: Colchester Veterinary Hospital is a 4000 sq foot facility in the convenient location of the Truro Industrial Park. We are an innovative small animal hospital dedicated to creating an elevated healthcare experience for our vet team, clients, and patients. As an independent 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. 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. If you are a passionate Veterinary Technician 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: Degree or diploma in Veterinary Technology and registered with NSVMA and EVTA Prior experience is required Ability to work independently Surgical and anesthetic experience is required Ability to restrain animals safely Ability to lift 50lbs Strong knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, procedures, and protocols Strong interpersonal and communication skills The ability to empathize and interact effectively with clients and their pets Detail-oriented and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment Strong organizational and time management skills 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 PIMS Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on advancements in veterinary medicine Responsibilities and Technical Applications: Directly assist veterinarians during examinations, surgeries, and other procedures Assist in handling animals safely and compassionately Initiate appointments for doctor on duty by taking relevant and thorough patient history Administer medications, and treatments as directed by veterinarians Perform laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures including blood work, urinalysis, and radiographs Comfortable performing in-hospital lab work: cytology examination (ear and skin swabs, blood smears, etc.), running bloodwork and urinalysis (IDEXX Pro Cyte, Catalyst One, and Sedi Vue) Monitor and record vital signs of hospitalized animals, ensuring their comfort and well-being Maintain accurate and organized medical records in our cloud-based practice management system Comfortable with doing intakes and discharges of surgical patients Perform dental prophylactic cleanings and obtain dental radiographs Prepare and sterilize surgical equipment and maintain cleanliness in the veterinary clinic Monitoring patients under sedation and anesthetic, providing post-operative care, and monitoring recovery of surgical patients Compensation and Benefits: Competitive compensation No on-call - emergencies are referred to Coastal Care Veterinary Monday to Friday work week: no evenings, weekends, or holidays Medical and Dental benefits Annual dues coverage, generous CE compensation and opportunities for professional development Annual scrub allowance Employee discounts on services, veterinary products and food Paid vacation, and paid sick/personal days/CE 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 kmjohnson21@gmail.com . All applications will be considered confidential. We look forward to hearing from you!

This is a description of Annika our Veterinary Assistant and includes a bio and picture. Veterinary Assistant A Bit About Me I'm Annika! My partner and I moved back to Nova Scotia from Toronto in 2021. My passion for wild animals and conservation led me to attend the Durham College Veterinary Assistant program specifically focused towards wildlife rehab. I spent my co-op at the Toronto Zoo working with snow leopards and red pandas and graduated on to finish an internship in South Africa rewilding and studying the wild cheetah population. My partner and I own a farm sanctuary in South Maitland where we aim to educate on sustainability and animal welfare for the younger generations. I love emergency medicine as well as helping assist animals in need!

Here you will find a description about the staff members Meet The Team Dr Karen Johnson Owner and Veterinarian Annika Veterinary Assistant Grace Veterinary Assistant Sam Registered Veterinary Technician Abby Veterinary Assistant

Contact Address 190 Industrial Ave Truro NS Canada B2N 6V4 Contact 902-897-7387 Colchestervh@gmail.com Opening Hours Mon - Fri 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Closed Saturday and Sunday and all Holidays EMERGENCIES Emergencies outside of regular hours can call: 1-902-703-2323 First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Inside Our Hospital We are proud of the design and layout of our hospital. Our goal is to make visits as low-stress as possible - for both you and your pets!