Welcome Dr. Amanda Burris!

The Staff at SBVH

invites you to help us welcome

Dr. Amanda Burris to South Berwick Veterinary Hospital.

Dr. Burris grew up in Londonderry, NH. She graduated from St. Lawrence University in upstate New York with honors in biology in 2004. Dr. Burris earned her DVM from Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada.

She has wanted to be a veterinarian her whole life and has worked with animals for as long as she can remember; whether it was pet sitting, dog grooming, being an assistant horse trainer or as a veterinary technician. Dr. Burris has a strong interest in animal behavior, exotic pets. She has also worked at PEI Humane Society as a trainer and behaviorist while attending veterinary school.

Dr. Burris shares her home 4 dogs, 5 cats and 2 ferrets and her husband. She enjoys horseback riding, hiking with her dogs and photography but her most enjoyable time is curled up with a few cats and a good book.

What To Expect After Your Pet's Vaccination

It is common for pets to experience some or all of the following mild side effects after receiving a vaccine, usually starting within hours of the vaccination. If these side effects last for more than a day or two, or cause your pet significant discomfort, it is important for you to contact your veterinarian:

• Discomfort and local swelling at the vaccination site
• Mild fever
• Decreased appetite and activity
• Sneezing, mild coughing, "snotty nose" or other respiratory signs may occur 2-5 days after your pet receives an intranasal vaccine

More serious, but less common side effects, such as allergic reactions, may occur within minutes to hours after vaccination. These reactions can be life-threatening and are medical emergencies. Seek veterinary care immediately if any of these signs develop:

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Itchy skin that may seem bumpy ("hives")
• Swelling of the muzzle and around the face, neck, or eyes
• Severe coughing or difficulty breathing
• Collapse

A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination. It should start to disappear within a couple weeks. If it persists more than three weeks, or seems to be getting larger, you should contact your veterinarian.
Always inform your veterinarian if your pet has had prior reactions to any vaccine or medication. If in doubt, wait for 30-60 minutes following vaccination before taking your pet home.

Healthy Teeth & Healthy Pets!

Don't turn your nose to Fido's or Fluffy's bad breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only your pet's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well.

To address the significance of oral health care for pets, the AVMA and several veterinary groups sponsored National Pet Dental Health Month in February.

Dr. Sheldon Rubin gives easy, step-by-step instructions on how to teach a dog or cat to accept a daily tooth brushing. He also describes healthy treats, and explains the true risks of periodontal disease in pets.

 

Protect your Pet from Ticks

There’s a lot you can do to keep your pet safe

Better health starts with prevention and early detection

One of the first things you can do to protect your dog is to learn about the ticks and diseases in your area. This way you’ll better understand the risks your dog is likely to encounter in his or her daily adventures. At the same time, make an appointment with your veterinarian to talk about preventives, including topical medication, tick collars and vaccines for Lyme disease.

Your veterinarian will also likely tell you that no preventive or vaccine is 100% effective, and you should plan to have your dog tested annually for vector-borne disease. If your dog does test positive, treatment is available to help it live a healthy, long and fulfilling life. Here, you’ll find additional information about checking for and removing ticks, as well as steps you can take to reduce risk around the house.