WOO HOO!!!! We just received word that we here at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital has been awarded an elite status of being classified as a Cat Friendly Practice in Chicago!!!!

What does that mean?

Cat Friendly Practices (CFPs) are sensitive to cats’ distinct characteristics and equipped to address their physical and behavioral needs. CFPs educate cat caregivers on teh importance of routine preventive care adn how to reduce the stress of transporting their cat, therby increasing veterinary visites and ultimately improving the health care of cats.

Practices that achieve Cat Friendly Practice status have been approved based on their physical environment and the delivery of medical care provided. This means that Animal Advocate staff are trained on the distinct needs of cats and develop the experience with a cat’s perspective in mind. Not just the doctors, but all the staff get additional training to best care for the feline population.

What can you expect?

Skilled Staff
Individualized health care plans
Low-stress environment – including our famous “Kitty City” Cat Holding area

Why does this matter?

Cats have outpaced dogs in number in United States households (86 million cats verse 78 million dogs). Yet when it comes to a cat’s health, we don’t always treat them the same. Cats do not receive consistent and regular veterinary health care. Many owners note that stress and an overall misunderstanding of their cat’s needs as a primary reason to not go.

For these reasons and more Animal Advocate has taken and will continue to take steps to make it easier for cats at our hospital. This helps us to fulfill our mission,

Here at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital we are so excited to be nearing our two month mark since our Grand Opening!
Since we have been open we have been able to give quality medical care to lots of pets and have made some wonderful connections along the way as well as some brand new furry friends!
We have received a myriad of inquiries and we have worked promptly to answer those questions for all of our new clients. But we thought it would be a great idea to make a FAQ for any clients looking for answers and a good, dependable veterinarian!

So feel free to consult our FAQ to address any burning questions you have.

But have no fear! If your questions aren’t answered after checking it out you can always feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to give you the answers you need!

Imagine going years without brushing your teeth? Sadly, this happens to many pets year after year after year. Just like people, as cats and dogs eat their food, tartar can build up on their teeth as well.

Without proper cleaning, this can lead to many health problems down the line, especially one many pet owners recognize as bad, stinky breath. Yucky! According to the American Veterinary Dental College*, some other signs of oral problems can include:

Loose or discolored teeth
Avoiding touch in mouth area from owner
Drooling or food falling out of mouth
Bleeding from mouth
Appetite or weight loss

In fact, poor dental hygiene can even turn into what is called periodontal disease where bacteria build up along the teeth and gumline. Periodontal disease is becoming known as The Silent Killer as it provides opportunities for bacteria to spread further into a pet’s body and affect the internal organs. Avoid this disease by talking to your primary care veterinarian about how and when to schedule appointments for your pet’s teeth to be cleaned and treated before bacteria growth gets out of hand.

Here at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital, we believe in making pet’s lives better as well as the people who love them! Our doctors are passionate about keeping your furry friend’s mouth clean and encourage you to keep up with their oral care as well. Here is a before and after comparison of just one of our many dental patients. Notice how clean and bright the teeth are after getting some one on one care with our team!

*https://www.avdc.org/ownersinfo.html

Click Here for more information

What is your educational and professional background?

Dr. Clay-Smith:

Undergraduate – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Campus

Doctorate – Tuskegee University – Alabama

Why did you choose Veterinary Medicine?

Dr. Clay-Smith:

“I went to the Minnesota State Fair as a child and I had the opportunity to put my hand in the second stomach of a cow and that was it. I knew that any career that let you get that ‘hands on’ was the profession for me. What can I say I loved science even at that age.

What is the best part of being a vet?

Dr. Clay-Smith:

“Human-Animal-Bond, for sure!!!”

What is your favorite activity outside of work?

Dr. Clay-Smith:

“Reading and Zumba”

What is your favorite food or restaurant?

Dr. Clay-Smith:

“Chicken Wings!” ( *bone in please 😉)

Do you have any pets at home or interesting facts about your pets?

Dr. Clay-Smith:

“I was the proud owner of a 28 year old cat named Moo-Cow. She was amazing! She had the Pitbulls in the house terrified to cross her path. She was my mentor’s cat when I met her when I was 7 years old. Fast forward, I was accepted to Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine as a gift, my mentor gave me MooCow as my first official pet on my own. She made it through school, first job, and marriage before her heart gave away and we needed to help her move forward so she wouldn’t be in pain. I loved her so much. She inspires me to be the best vet I can be for others that have such a bond with their pets like I had.”

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Dr. Clay-Smith:

“Talk to Animals, Of course!!!”

Come visit and get to know me at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital the newest animal hospital in West Loop. Address 1061 W. Jackson Blvd, STE A, Chicago, IL 60607

Chicago has been hit with some of the harshest conditions of history and this statistic isn’t just for humans. Dogs and Cats are exposed to this cold and even though they have fur it is not something that they can handle for long periods of time, just like humans.

If your 4-legged animal does have to go outside to do #1 or #2, here are some important facts to keep in mind:

If you have it, get them dressed!!! Yes, pet clothing is not just a fad but a NECESSITY when it comes to keeping them less exposed.
Where shoes!!! Dogs and cats sweat through their paws so bundling them up as much as possible will also help them in this time of need.
Finally, only go out for short periods of time. Within 5 minutes a person can be exposed to frostbite. The same is true for our dog and cat counterparts.

If you are worried that your pet isn’t feeling well due to the cold. Please reach out to your pets health care team. Don’t have one yet? Don’t worry Animal Advocate Pet Hospital will be open in late Spring 2019!!! Looking forward to meeting you then. 😉

At Animal Advocate Pet Hospital, we are not just an animal hospital that you found by typing in your search engine- “veterinarian near me.”-we are your true advocate with education, information, and a little fun about all thing’s dogs and cats. This post commemorates the end of 2018 and the bringing of 2019 (which, by the way, is our hospital’s Grand Opening Year), and it reviews the top dog names of 2018 in the city of Chicago, our home city, from Rover.com.

Top Dog Names of Chicago 2018

Bella for girls
Charlie for boys

Top name decreased the most Kanye (down 86%) in Chi-city

Top genre of names increased – Sports!!! Up 113% over last year

Ditka rose 300%
Butkus rose 100%

What made you name your pet the name you gave them? Many pet parents take inspirations from all over the place. When you come to visit us at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital, let’s talk about it.

Enjoy 2019!

Top 5 Male Dog Names

Charlie
Max
Cooper

Buddy
Rocky

Top 5 Female Dog Names

Bella
Lucy

Daisy
Luna
Stella

Hello Chicago!!!

Animal Advocate Pet Hospital will be a new general-care veterinary clinic coming to Chicago’s West Loop Spring in 2019. We are excited to start our journey and want to invite you on this discovery with us. We believe in education and finding ways to improve the lives of pets, pet parents, and the caregivers that serve them. Keeping all 3 groups happy or wagging is a task few hospitals have been able to convey, but we at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital will strive to make this a reality every day.

So, what do you need to know when looking for the next primary care vet for your pet?

We looked to the leading veterinary professional organization to give you the answer from a trusted source. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is the national veterinary governing body. They ensure that hot topics affecting the animal practice world small or large are pushed to the forefront for people, government agencies, and more. Enjoy this good video going over the best information for how to choose a veterinarian.

We believe that you will find the right veterinarian when you meet the veterinary team and take in the overall hospital experience. But the following are 4 key questions we would recommend asking:

What type of medicine do they practice?
- Some veterinarians will focus on evidence-based medicine to ensure your pet is not put in harm’s way off of a hint or feel. They look at how research shows the pros and cons to each treatment. Could lead to more diagnostic testing and information.
- Some veterinarians will offer options based on a “hunch” or feel. This technique has the individuals experience to support it. However, sometimes pets do not react the exact same as others. Could lead to unexpected results for different pets.
What options for pet support do they offer?
- What hours do they have? Do they align with your scheduling?
- Do they offer the newest techniques with technology and virtual visits to save you time and money?
What skill levels do the team members, including the doctors, possess?
- Do the hospital administrators routinely evaluate their staff and doctors to ensure top-notch associates?
- What is the staff turnover rate?
What qualities are most important to you when finding your own doctor or child’s pediatrician? Your veterinarian should have those same qualities and support team around them.

As you can see from the video and above questionnaire, the question is not an easy one to answer. It depends on what is of value to you.

We will leave you with a quote from our Medical Director with over 10 years of animal AND leadership experience.

“If you find a vet that listens to you the way you want to be listened to,

that answers the questions you have,

AND answers the questions you didn’t even know you had,

then you have found the doctor for you and your 4-legged family member.”

Newer Posts

Animal Advocate Alerts

Cat Friendly Animal Hospital Chicago West Loop

What does that mean?

What can you expect?

Why does this matter?

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep Bad Breath Away Today!

Interview: Medical Director Stefanie Clay Smith

Too cold for dogs and cats too!!!

Fun Post – Top Dog Names 2018

Finding a GREAT Vet in Chicago

Hello Chicago!!!

“If you find a vet that listens to you the way you want to be listened to,

that answers the questions you have,

AND answers the questions you didn’t even know you had,

then you have found the doctor for you and your 4-legged family member.”

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