Family Vet “Just Like Home”

Family Veterinary Clinic’s New Home is Now Open!

Crofton, Gambrills and Bowie, thank you for allowing us to serve you for twenty seven years. In that time we have been known as the vet clinic “in the house”, now it is our pleasure to introduce our new home. After much consideration for your ideas and concerns we believe that our new home will mix all of the “feel” that you have come to expect with all of the technology your loved ones deserve. The pictures say it all, a state of the art facility wrapped in the arms of a home. Enjoy!

At Family Veterinary Clinic, we take surgery very seriously.  Our veterinarians have thirty years combined experience, fifteen serving the Crofton, Gambrills and Bowie areas. Both have extensive knowledge and skill in spays, neuters, cesarean section, cystotomy, exploratory laparotomy, resection and anastomosis, minor reconstruction, digit amputation, mass removals, tail docking/declawing, and eye surgeries.  In addition to our primary veterinarians we also employ the services of Dr. Marilyn Kostolich a, Board Certified, surgeon who performs many other more complex surgeries e.g. ACL repairs. All of these surgeries are performed in our “state of the art” facility, outfitted with the latest surgical equipment.

Anyone considering having surgery performed on their loved one is faced with a daunting amount of information.  Whether it comes from their veterinarian, an online source or friends who have had similar procedures, it can be confusing and sometimes even scary. The following are just a few guidelines when considering having a procedure done.

• Be educated about the procedure.

There are plenty of resources to familiarize you with the procedure prior to having it performed.  Ask your veterinarian to explain what they will be doing. They should be willing to go over it in as much detail as you like. Go to reputable web-sites, such as ones sponsored by universities. (Click Here)

• Make sure the veterinarian is qualified and experienced in performing the procedure.

Like their human counterparts, veterinarians have become specialized, from general practitioners that you see every year to specialists that only work in one area.  Just as with human medicine, it is important to get the right doctor and although most veterinarians are capable of performing surgeries such as spays and neuters it is a good idea to have a ”Board Certified Surgeon” perform more complicated ones such as orthopedic repairs. (What is a Board Certified Surgeon?)

• “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, as the saying goes, is true when referring to surgery than at any other time.

This old proverb could be expanded to say, “A clean, well equipped and maintained surgery is next to godliness”. When general anesthesia is administered every measure should be taken, both pre and post operative, to increase the chances of a positive outcome. Most of the surgeries performed by your veterinarian call for general anesthesia. As is with the human medical field, there are standards and practices used to promote success. The veterinary field has adopted most of these standards, look for these when making your selection.

1. Experienced, qualified surgeons whom regularly perform the surgery your pet needs. (keep in mind that some surgeons perform more than 25 surgeries per day, try to schedule your pet to be one of the first  or schedule with a facility that does not place as much load on their surgeons)
2. A well-equipped, dedicated surgery suite. “The only thing that should be in surgery is surgery”. A surgery suite is not a recovery, storage, or dental room. At a minimum, it should contain monitors (pulse oximetry, respirations, temperature, ECG), heated surgery table, fluid warmer and pump, double lights, anesthesia machine with oxygen supply, and instrument table. At a maximum is should contain the same. (specialized procedures may call for additional equipment such as x-ray, ultrasound or endoscopy)
3. A clean, comfortable and heated recovery area. Heat loss during and after surgery is an important consideration; make sure the facility has a heat loss mitigation system, preferably heated recovery cages, that limit heat loss and keep patients safe while they overcome the effects of anesthesia. ( the floor, although sometimes necessary, is not ideal)
4. In-house lab.  As with humans, pets should have pre-operative blood work to check overall wellness and screen for conditions that could cause surgical complications
   

   Heated recovery cages

   

   Dedicated dental suite

   

   Full in-house lab

Giving Back

At Family Veterinary Clinic we believe that being a sucessfull business comes with the responsibilty of “Giving Back”, to the community, whether that community is Crofton, Gambrills, Bowie or part of the global one.  Please take the time to look through this list and visit the links we have provided…maybe one of these great organizations will inspire you to do the same.

Thank you!

Family Veterinary Clinic (Your Crofton Vet for thirty years)

Animal/Environmental Organizations:

Anne Arundel County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

As Veterinarians in the Crofton, Gambrills and Bowie area we know the need for organizations that support animals.  This organization is one of the oldest and most respected when it comes to animal welfare. In addition to financial support Family Veterinary Clinic is always a participant in the Annual Walk for the Animals held at Quiet Waters Park.

Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW)

The Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW) is a non-profit group of volunteers chartered to facilitate the rescue and adoption of homeless domestic animals, mainly dogs and cats, and place them in loving and stable homes.  Family Veterinary Clinic of Crofton is commited to supporting this mission through low-cost veterinary care and donations.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

WWF’s way of conserving the planet’s natural resources combines their unmatched global reach with a foundation in science, it involves action at every level – from local to global – and it ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) fights for bold and creative solutions to the pollution that plagues the Bay and its tributaries. Across the six-state Chesapeake watershed, CBF sets the agenda, serves as a watchdog, and speaks out on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay to business, government, and the public.

Sierra Club

They are America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Inspired by nature, we are 1.4 million of your friends and neighbors, working together to protect our communities and the planet.

Patuxent River Clean-up

 The employees of Family Veterinary Clinic have been participating in “Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service” for the last two years.  For both years the Family Vet Clinic of Crofton choose to clean-up the Patuxent River at Governor Bridge Road in Davidsonville.  We are happy to report that the second year saw a marked reduction in trash over the prior year. Progress!  Facebook pics

South River Federation

Protect means to value and respect the natural environment, including the river and the living resources that depend upon it. The Federation believes that the River is a privilege for all to enjoy and that as inhabitants of the land that ultimately determines the health of the River, we have an obligation to be good stewards of the River. In carrying out this duty to protect, the Federation reviews land use plans, advocates for strong laws and regulations and identifies and stops sources of pollution.

Greyhound Pets of America

GPA / MD, Inc. is an all volunteer organization founded in 1985 by Betty Rosen and dedicated to finding responsible, loving homes for retired greyhounds and younger dogs that can’t make the grade at various tracks throughout the country–resulting in an early retirement. GPA / MD’s goal is to let people know what excellent and loving pets these gentle, retired racers make.

Human Organizations:

Crofton Woods Elementary School

Davidsonville Elementary School

South River Robotics Team (Home of the Powerhawks)

At Family Veterinary Clinic we know the importance of the child animal bond,  anyone that has seen kids and animals interact knows this.  Whether it is your local elementary, private high school or any learning establishment in between, please support your local schools, they are the backbone of our communities.

Anne Arundel County Food Bank

The Anne Arundel County Food Bank is a free resource bank that gives away food and donated “gently used” appliances, furniture, medical equipment, baby items, cars and other items that will help a needy family make a home and a better way of life.

Rotary Club of South Anne Arundel County (Bountiful Backpacks Program)

HUNGER IN THE WORLD… HUNGER IN THE UNITED STATES… HUNGER IN MARYLAND…
Unfortunately, this is the grim reality for many children right here in Anne Arundel County. As the economy continues to decline, the number of hungry children rises. Although they are fed nutritious meals at school, the weekends at home are often much different.
In an effort to sustain these children over the weekend, the South AA County Rotary Club, as part of its hunger initiative, is launching the Bountiful Backpack Project.
By providing several food items sent home via backpacks, the hope is that these children will not go hungry over the weekend.

Read about the help at Lothian Elementary School  (Bountiful Backpacks)

Arundel Volunteer Fire Department

Proudly serving the Crofton, Davidsonville, Gambrills and surrounding communities for over 50 years.

Second Chance

The Second Chance mission is to retrain and create employment for displaced and unemployed workers in deconstruction methods; reclaim building material to reduce demolition debris overloading landfills; and renew materials to preserve the region’s rich architectural heritage.  As a result, Second Chance provides jobs and a green collar workforce, protects the natural environment, and preserves our architectural heritage.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Welcome to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.  We pray that you will find this web site useful in learning about the parish and all of the opportunities that exist here for you and your family.

Temple Solel

Temple Solel is a Reform Jewish Congregational family, guided by Torah; fostering a lifelong commitment to feeling, caring and doing Jewishly. Temple Solel has been a large part of its member’s lives – from religious services and school, to adding spirituality to our lives, to life cycle events and to being a Jewish Center for social and sporting events.

Komen for the Cure

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

Students First

Inside our schools, a great teacher is the single most important factor in a child’s education. While there are many factors that influence a student’s opportunity to learn, a great teacher can help any student overcome those barriers and realize their full potential. For this reason, we believe in doing everything we can to make sure teachers are supported and all schools are able to hire and retain the best teachers possible.

Relay for Life of Southern Anne Arundel County