Lake Avenue Veterinary Clinic

09/25/2026

09/24/2026

During Responsible Dog Ownership Month, here are a few basic tips to help you build a solid foundation for dog bite prevention. You can find more tips at https://bit.ly/4A6E23O

09/24/2026

09/16/2026

🐾 Let’s Talk About Rabies: Busting Myths & Protecting Your Pets 🐾

Keeping our furry family members safe means staying informed! Here is what every pet owner should know about rabies, vaccine safety, and protecting your pets at every stage of life:

1️⃣ Rabies is 100% Fatal (But Fully Preventable)
Once symptoms appear, rabies is fatal. The virus moves slowly through the nervous system, which is why vaccinating early gives your pet's body the power to destroy it long before it becomes dangerous.
2️⃣ Even "Indoor-Only" Pets Need Protection
Uninvited visitors like bats or mice can easily get inside your home. Keeping vaccinations current protects your pet from unexpected exposures and helps you avoid costly public health quarantines or legal issues.
3️⃣ What About Senior Pets & Safety Concerns?
It is safe to vaccinate senior pets! Older dogs and cats are often more vulnerable to illness, making continuous protection key. While mild side effects like slight tiredness or temporary soreness at the injection site can happen, severe reactions are extremely rare.
‼️For added peace of mind, vaccine manufacturers stand behind their safety standards; in the rare event that a pet experiences a severe adverse reaction to a properly administered vaccine, the manufacturer helps cover the cost of treatment. Our team carefully evaluates every pet's health and lifestyle during their exam to ensure vaccination is as gentle and safe as possible!
4️⃣ Clearing Up the "mRNA / RNA" Rumors
Hearing talk about newer vaccine technology?
Here are the facts on RNA particle rabies vaccines:
🐾Cannot Cause Rabies: They contain zero live virus or full-virus code.
🐾Does Not Touch DNA: RNA cannot alter or interact with your pet's genetic code.
🐾Fewer Reactions: They don't require traditional additives (adjuvants), lowering the risk of swelling or sore spots after the shot.
🐾Thoroughly Tested: They undergo years of rigorous USDA testing before ever reaching clinics.
5️⃣ It’s the Law in New York State
Under NYS Public Health Law, rabies vaccines are required for all dogs, cats, and ferrets starting by 4 months of age, followed by regular boosters. Age or "indoor-only" status alone does not exempt a pet under state law.

Got questions about your pet's vaccine schedule, health status, or lifestyle needs? We are always here to help you make the best, safest choices for your pets! Give us a call or ask us at your next visit!
🐶🐱✨

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day everyone! 🐾

09/03/2026

😸😽😀 September is Happy Cat Month! One way to ensure your cat leads a happy and healthy life is by visiting your veterinarian, as yearly wellness exams are critical to help catch any medical problems early!

Remember this tried-and-true equation: A happy cat = A happy life for you and your cat.

09/02/2026

😖🫰We know that managing veterinary expenses can feel overwhelming, and we truly understand how heavy that financial burden can be when all you want is the best possible care for your pet!
As veterinary team members, we see this struggle from both sides every single day.
We are pet owners ourselves who face those same costs, and we’re passionate caregivers who wish every treatment could be free.
While advanced medical technology, specialized equipment, and life-saving medications drive up the cost of modern care, our top priority will always be supporting you and working together to find a compassionate, feasible path forward for your family.

📝 Here are some of the most effective ways to manage and reduce your veterinary expenses without compromising your pet's health:

💉 Invest in Preventive Care:
Staying current on vaccines, parasite prevention, routine dental care, and wellness exams prevents costly medical issues down the road. Catching a condition early is always gentler on your pet and your wallet!

🩺 Don’t Skip Routine Exams to Save Money:
It can be tempting to postpone routine visits, but skipping baseline care often means subtle health issues go unnoticed until they become expensive, full-blown emergencies.

🐾 Consider Pet Insurance Early:
The absolute best time to enroll in pet insurance is before you actually need it. Having coverage in place for unexpected accidents or illnesses ensures you never have to choose between your finances and your pet's emergency care.

🛟 Build a Dedicated Pet Savings Account:
Small contributions add up fast!
Setting aside just $10 to $25 per paycheck into a dedicated pet fund creates a reliable safety net. (For example, saving $25 every two weeks builds a $650 cushion in just one year!)

🏆 Take Advantage of Rewards Programs:
Ask us about Zoetis Petcare Rewards!
You can earn points on eligible medications and treatments you're already buying (like Simparica Trio or Apoquel) and redeem those points for rewards to use toward future clinic visits!

🏦 Explore Flexible Financing Options:
We accept CareCredit, which offers promotional financing options to help you pay for unexpected treatments over time rather than all at once. This can take the pressure off when urgent procedures arise.

❤️ Request and Discuss Estimates:
We typically provide treatment estimates based on the gold standard of care (everything we ideally recommend for optimal health.)
If an estimate exceeds your budget, please talk to us! We can help you prioritize what is medically essential today, what is strongly recommended, and what can safely wait. Never hesitate to ask, "What does my pet need right now, and what can we plan for down the road?"

At the end of the day, we are in your corner.
We love your pets like our own, and we are always here to help you navigate their care in a way that works for your family!
If you ever have questions about treatment plans, financial options, or preventive care, please reach out to our team, we're here for you every step of the way! 🐾❤️

08/31/2026

🐾💉 Why Your Pet’s Rabies Vaccine Matters

Rabies vaccination isn’t just another vaccine on your pet’s checklist, it can save your pet’s life and help protect your entire family!

🦠 Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
It is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be spread through the saliva of an infected animal, most commonly through a bite.
And the scary part? Your pet doesn’t have to roam the neighborhood to be exposed.
Wildlife can make its way into your yard, garage, or other areas where your pet spends time. Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are all examples of wildlife that can carry rabies.

💉Keeping your pet’s rabies vaccine current:
• Helps protect them if they encounter a rabid animal
• Helps protect your family from potential exposure
• Provides important protection in the event of an unexpected bite or wildlife encounter
• Helps prevent the spread of this deadly disease

Rabies vaccination is also required by law in New York State with specific requirements regarding when vaccines must be given and kept current.
Even pets who spend most of their time indoors can be exposed. Accidents happen, wildlife gets inside, and pets can slip out.
Being vaccinated means having an important layer of protection when the unexpected happens.

🐶🐱 Please don’t wait until there’s an exposure to think about rabies protection. Check your pet’s vaccine records and make sure their rabies vaccination is current!

Your veterinarian is always happy to help answer questions about your pet’s rabies vaccine and what to do if your pet ever encounters wildlife. ❤️

08/29/2026

Our very own CASHEW is in the running for Purina’s Chief Snuggle Officer Contest!!! 🥹🐱💙

And guys… if Cashew wins, TEN LIVES CLUB could win BIG!!! 😻 This would be absolutely incredible for the cats and kittens in our care, but we need YOU to help us get Cashew there!

YOU CAN VOTE EVERY SINGLE DAY!

You have to vote for a dog first, and THEN you can cast your vote for our adorable Cashew! 🐶➡️🐱

Every daily vote adds up, so PLEASE help us spread the word! Vote, share this post, tag your friends and remind them to vote too! 📣

https://www.purina.com/s/puppy-chow-kitten-chow-chief-snuggle-officer-contest
💙

08/28/2026

A Gentle Reminder About Kindness ❤️

We know veterinary medicine can be stressful. When your pet is sick or you’re worried about their health, emotions can run high and we genuinely understand that.
But please remember that there are real people on the other side of the phone, computer, and front desk.
Our team shows up every day, works incredibly hard, and genuinely cares about the wellbeing of your pets.
We’re here because we want to help.

With that being said, we have laws, regulations, and professional standards that we are required to follow, especially here in New York State!
Sometimes that means we have to tell you “no”, or “not yet”, even when we wish we could say “yes, right away.”
We don’t make these rules for fun, and we certainly don’t enjoy disappointing anyone!!! 😭
We also understand that this can be frustrating, but these rules are in place for a reason.
Bending or ignoring them could result in our veterinarians getting into serious trouble, and in the worst-case scenario, could jeopardize a veterinarian’s license. If that were to happen, we wouldn’t be able to help any of your pets! 🙀😿

We are always willing to listen, explain, problem-solve, and do everything we reasonably can to help. What we cannot accept is verbal abuse, insults, threats, manipulation, or emotional blackmail because you didn’t get the answer you wanted.
We are here to help you, not to be bullied into doing something that is illegal, unsafe, unethical, or outside of our professional standards! 🐾

❤️ So please, treat our staff the way you would want to be treated.
We are human beings doing our best in an incredibly demanding profession. ❤️

We truly appreciate all the wonderful clients who understand that we’re doing our best to care for their pets while also navigating the rules and responsibilities of veterinary medicine. 🥰
We are here to help, and we will always do our very best to support you and your pets in any way we can.
All we ask in return is a little patience, empathy, and kindness toward the people who are here every day working hard because they genuinely care about your pets. ❤️🐾