Read Mountain Animal Hospital

06/24/2026

Don't forget that we will be closed in observance of Independence Day Friday July 3rd and will only be scheduling appointments and medication pick up Thursday, July 2.

If your pet had medicine that needs to be refilled ahead of the holiday please call asap so that we can get these filled for you. Reminder that medicine refills can take 24-48 hours to process.

06/21/2026

06/19/2026

A set of keys was found in our parking lot this week. If they are yours please come in and give a description of the keychain to claim them!

06/18/2026

What is Rabies?
Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system in mammals. The disease is invariably fatal if left untreated; however, effective vaccines are available to protect people and pets.

How do you contract Rabies?
Rabies is passed along through contact with an infected animal's saliva and is almost always transmitted when an infected animal bites an uninfected animal or person. People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. It is also possible, but quite rare, that people may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.

Why should I be worried about Rabies in wildlife?
Rabies is a serious public health concern because if left untreated it is always fatal. Costs associated with detection, prevention and control of rabies exceeds $300 million annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90% of reported rabies cases in the United States are in wildlife.

What can I do to prevent Rabies?
Avoid all contact with all wild animals. Make sure your pets are vaccinated in accordance with state and local laws. Report any suspicious acting animals to USDA's Wildlife Services at 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297). Do not relocate wildlife.

This and more information can be found:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies/faq

05/05/2026

Due to the rise in missed appointments we will have to start implementing a no call no show policy here at Read Mountain Animal Hospital.

We truly love each and every one of our Clients and Patients and hate to do this.

If we do not have at least 24 hours notice of cancellation or a request to reschedule your appointment a fee of $60 will be applied to your account.

04/23/2026

It is often said that prevention is the best medicine — and that’s especially true for pet vaccinations.

No pet owner wants to see a furry friend get sick, and as an added bonus, vaccinations are far less expensive than treating a disease.

Vaccines contain either partial or weakened versions of viruses and/or bacteria. Your pet’s immune system reacts to these antigens and creates antibodies. Once your pet’s immune system learns how to fight the virus or bacteria, the pet’s body can fight it off if it comes in contact with that same pathogen again. Over time, however, the effect of the vaccine grows weaker, which is why booster shots are needed to keep your pet safe.

The rabies vaccine is a core vaccine for both cats and dogs, and 39 different states require that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. Virginia requires rabies vaccination for cats and dogs over the age of four months.

Complications from vaccines are very rare, and side effects tend to be mild, such as swelling at the injection site. In cats, the inflammation from vaccination has been known to cause sarcomas. However, this is very uncommon, occurring in one out of every 10,000-30,000 vaccinations. Furthermore, many feline vaccines have been modified to remove the majority of agents that resulted in injection site sarcomas.

Call us today to schedule your pets yearly visit and update their vaccines. 540-992-3470.