Welcome to Main Street Veterinary Clinic!

Like many mid-Atlantic states, Virginia is no stranger to severe storms, flooding, extreme heat, and power outages. Since natural disasters are anything but rare anymore, it makes sense to prepare for any eventuality. 

In our modern world of seemingly endless choices, the numerous possible paths that lead pet owners to our front door are not lost on us—we know it isn’t a spontaneous decision or an accident. A great deal of consideration usually precedes an initial appointment, and we value the time and energy it takes to choose the right vet for a single pet, or a group of animals. Excellent veterinary care is a natural part of your best friend’s health, and our priority is putting their needs before all else.

Whether you’re headed on vacation or you want a pet sitter to keep your pet company during your long work days, it’s important to find a reliable sitter. If you’re not sure where to begin the process of finding reliable, local pet care, we’ve got tips to help you get started. 

February 14 is a day for showing that special someone how much they are loved, and while our cats and dogs are certainly worth honoring on Valentine’s Day, there is a separate pet holiday reserved just for our animal companions! February 20 is Love Your Pet Day, and it’s the perfect time to shower your furry friend with extra doses of TLC. 

Teaching your pet new tricks is an excellent way to spend more quality time with them and build the bond between you. Here are two fun, simple tricks you can teach your pet this New Year, along with some tips for success.

Before getting started, make sure you have a good supply of treats and a quiet room to train in. This training is easiest to do while sitting on the floor, so a soft carpet or mat is helpful.

Teach Your Dog to Ring a Bell

Step 1: Show your dog the bell and let them examine it. If your pet shows interest in the bell or engages with it, praise them and give them a treat.

Winter is here, and for cold-weather-loving cat and dog breeds, winter means chasing snowflakes and pouncing in drifts of white fluff. But many of our furry friends feel the chill every bit as much as we do in spite of their coats, and it’s up to us to make sure they stay toasty when temperatures dip.

At Main Street Veterinary Clinic, we love helping your pets live their best lives through wellness and preventive care plus treatments for unexpected illnesses when they arise. The winter months can put your pet’s health at risk, so check out our team’s tips for protecting your pets from Old Man Winter.

November is National Pet Diabetes Month. This month-long drive opens the door for owners to learn about prevention, and why early detection is so meaningful. As a common condition facing many cats and dogs, pet diabetes is a huge priority for veterinary experts. Treatment is effective and available, but left alone, pet diabetes can cause serious health risks. 

Many pet owners can easily fill in the question “why does my pet do…” with any number of things. There’s “why does my pet eat my shoes?” or “why does my pet jump up on strangers?” or “why does my pet beg me for table scraps?” Pet behavior defies human logic all the time. You can change troublesome or unwanted behaviors, starting with trying to understand their motivations. Main Street Veterinary Clinic has you covered!

Thanks to the daily task of scooping the litter box, cat owners are well aware of their favorite feline’s potty habits. And while it may not be your favorite place to visit, the litter box holds important clues regarding cat health. 

At Main Street Veterinary Clinic, one of the most common concerns and sources of frustration we hear from our clients with cats is regarding a cat peeing outside of the litter box, which is often a telltale sign of urinary tract issues. Our experts are here to help you understand these conditions, know the warning signs, and learn about available treatments.

Canine parvovirus, or the disease commonly known as “parvo,” is a highly contagious virus that can affect dogs. It is one of the more serious illnesses that a dog can get, and can make your pup extremely sick. Parvo causes severe gastrointestinal issues including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and more. While the virus is more commonly seen in puppies, unvaccinated dogs of all ages can be susceptible.

The good news is, parvo is preventable with the correct vaccinations and proper socialization! Since it is highly contagious and very easy to spread, it’s important that puppies get their parvovirus vaccination as a part of their core vaccines and keep away from other dogs until they are fully vaccinated.