Thomasville Animal Hospital

08/13/2026

Cancer treatment doesn’t have to mean putting your dog’s happiness on hold. We’re always balancing treatment with quality of life. 💙Here’s to these three warriors and all the families standing beside them.

08/10/2026

🐾 Continuing Education Keeps Us Ready to Protect Your Pets! 🐾

Members of our team recently attended a continuing education meeting focused on rabies awareness, prevention, and current rabies protocols. 🐶🐱

Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease, but it is also preventable. Staying up to date on the latest recommendations helps our veterinarians and veterinary technicians provide the safest, most informed care for our patients—and guidance for the families who love them. ❤️

We’re proud of our team for continuing to learn, grow, and stay prepared to serve our community! 📚🐾

Keeping our knowledge current means keeping your pets safer. 💙

08/08/2026

🐱✨ Happy International Cat Day! ✨🐱

Today is all about celebrating the tiny tigers who rule our homes (and our hearts). 😻
Show us your favorite furry supervisor in the comments! 🧡🐾

08/06/2026

🐾🎉 Meet Our August Pet of the Month: Paddy! 🎉🐾

Give a warm round of a-paws for our August superstar, Paddy! 💚

Whether he's charming everyone he meets, showing off his adorable personality, or simply perfecting the art of being irresistibly cute, Paddy has certainly earned the spotlight this month. 🌟

We're so lucky to have wonderful patients like Paddy and the amazing families who trust us with their care. Thank you for letting us be part of your pet's journey!

Help us celebrate Paddy by dropping a ❤️, or leaving a congratulatory message below! 🐶🐾
Congratulations, Paddy—we hope you enjoy your month of fame! 📸🏆

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

🐴 Case Spotlight: Ninja 🐎

Ninja recently presented to Dr. Parker on emergency after a venomous snake bite caused severe swelling around his head and neck, making it difficult for him to breathe. A temporary tracheostomy (opening into his trachea) was placed to keep his airway open while the swelling resolved, and he received supportive care until he was able to eat and drink on his own.

*** See our stories for video of him breathing!! ***

We're happy to report that Ninja made a full recovery and is back being ridden as a staff horse for Live Oak Hounds!

Snake bites can be a serious emergency in horses, especially when the face or muzzle is affected. In South Georgia, the most common venomous snakes include:
→ Rattlesnake
→ Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)
→ Copperhead
If you suspect your horse has been bitten by a snake, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Early treatment can make a significant difference in recovery.

07/24/2026

🐾 What's in the Tube? It Might Be Your Pet's Breakfast! 🩸

Take a look at these three blood samples. Notice how the serum (the clear liquid at the top) becomes less cloudy the longer it's been since the pet ate? That cloudy, milky appearance is caused by excess fat (lipids) circulating in the bloodstream after a meal. That first sample really looks like a strawberry milkshake doesn't it??

🍔 A high-fat meal—or even a normal meal right before bloodwork—can affect laboratory results. Lipemia (fatty blood) can interfere with certain blood tests, making it harder to accurately evaluate your pet's health.

That's why, unless instructed otherwise, we often recommend fasting your pet for at least 8 hours before routine blood work (water is encouraged unless told differently). This helps us get the most accurate results possible.

Beyond bloodwork, excess dietary fat and extra calories can contribute to:
🐶🐱 Weight gain and obesity
❤️ Increased strain on the heart and joints
🦴 Arthritis and reduced mobility
🩺 Higher risk of diseases such as diabetes and, in some pets, pancreatitis. Having excess fat in the diet can indicate other disease processes.

The good news? Small changes can make a big difference!
✔️ Feed a balanced diet with appropriate portions. Good dog foods achieve this for you with no other foods or supplements needed.
✔️ AVOID high-fat table scraps and treats.
✔️ Keep your pet active with daily walks, playtime, or enrichment activities.
✔️ Maintain a healthy body weight to help your pet live a longer, happier life.

If you're unsure whether your pet is at a healthy weight or have questions about the best diet, we're happy to help! Ask us about a nutrition and weight management plan that's right for your furry family member. 💙🐾

07/17/2026

Dr. Chastain floated sweet Blue’s teeth at Oak Leaf Farm on Wednesday, with the help of equine tech, Alex.

🐴 Adult horses and ponies benefit from having their teeth floated every 1-2 years.
🦷 All of our equine vets at TAH are experienced with oral exams and floating.

We are happy to be a part of keeping ponies like Blue healthy so they can thrive and make memories with their owners and riders 🌈 🦄

07/14/2026

🎇 Our July Pet of the Month is Boogie! 🎇

Cue the fireworks because Boogie is here! 🎆

This handsome boy lights up our day brighter than the Fourth of July fireworks every time he walks through our doors. His joyful smile and lovable personality make him a favorite with our entire team, and we're always excited when it's Boogie day!

Congratulations to our July Pet of the Month—we think you're paws-itively amazing! ❤️🐾

07/09/2026

🐴 When a Horse’s Knee “Locks Up”…

This 5-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding was presented to Thomasville Animal Hospital because he suddenly couldn’t bend one of his hind legs. As you’ll see in the video, his hind leg was completely locked in extension—a condition called upward fixation of the patella, or a “locked stifle.”

Normally, the patella (kneecap) glides smoothly as the horse walks. In this condition, it becomes caught over a ridge of bone, preventing the stifle from bending.

Because we were unable to manually unlock the patella, the owner elected to proceed with a medial patellar desmotomy. The surgery took about 30 minutes, and the horse walked out with a normal gait (other than being a little sleepy from sedation).

Interestingly, about two weeks later, the opposite hind leg locked as well, requiring the same procedure. Fortunately, that surgery was also successful, and he’s now back to walking normally.

🎥 Watch the video to see what a true “locked stifle” looks like. If your horse ever develops a hind leg that suddenly stays locked straight behind them, don’t wait—have your veterinarian examine it promptly.