Hazel Dell Animal Hospital

Casey is one of our vet nurses and she brings a lot of knowledge and technical skill to the practice. She has been with Hazel Dell since the beginning of 2017 and our patients love her. Casey not only brings her expertise to us here in Carmel, but she can also be seen in the ER department at the Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Fishers.  Casey always knew she wanted to work with animals as a career and her passion drove her to pursue this dream.  She graduated from Morehead State University (agricultural/animal sciences major) receiving a diploma in Animal Health Technology in 2009.  Casey has a special interest in dentistry and has received additional training in this field. Casey lives with her 2 goofy dogs, Cinder and Darcy and three cats named Fred, George, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. In her free time, she enjoys music, crocheting and boxing.

Fun Facts about Cindy 1. She loves to to cook and bake. 2. She LOVES ALL Tortie colored kitties. 3. She irons her tablecloth for the holidays.  4. She enjoys gardening. It is a relaxing pastime.   Cindy has been with HDAH since the grand opening! As the office manager she plays an intricate role in the daily operations of Hazel Dell and brought with her many years of management experience. She has a large furry family. Her cats include Jabber, Winston, and newest kitty addition Zeva, followed by Maggie, her sweet dog. Cindy even has some llamas named Cara and Cleo, as well as horses named Zoe and Belle. Cindy can be found frequenting the lobby passing out kisses and treats to our patients and keeping our hospital running at it’s best!

Have you ever seen your dog or cat do the booty scootin’ boogie?   Have you wanted to know why they do that and what you can do to limit it?  You aren’t alone.  Many owners do not know the ins and outs of anal glands.  Often times, they simply know about anal glands because of that one time when their dog (or cat) left an unpleasant smelling spot on the sofa or in the house when they got excited. What are anal glands? Anal Glands are two glands at the 4 and 8 o’clock position around the rectum which produce a malodorous material.  The anal glands are a byproduct of the days before dogs and cats were domesticated.  Their undomesticated ancestors used this material as a scent marker.  The anal gland material is often excreted around the feces as our pet’s defecate.  Think of it as the dog’s (or cat’s) calling card.  It tells other animals that “Hey, It’s me.  I’ve been here recently!” Do I need my pet’s ...

Fun Facts about Chelsie 1.  Chelsie loves to throw birthday parties every year for her dogs. 2. She was married just this past September.   Chelsie is our newest employee, joining us in March of 2017. She graduated from the International Business and Vet Tech Institute in 2014 and has loved every second of the Veterinary field since. She is hoping to soon pass her tests to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). Chelsie lives in Beech Grove with her husband Matthew, their miniature Schnauzer Lily, Pit Bull Terrier, Pixie, and their Labradoodle, Linus. In her spare time, Chelsie likes working on puzzles, spending time with family, and enjoying her pups at home.

Have you met this owner yet?  Dr. Bassett is a lifelong resident of Central Indiana. He grew up in Anderson, then attended Purdue University. He graduated from Purdue’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. After graduation, Dr. Bassett practiced in Eastern Iowa and worked on many different kinds of animals (dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, etc.). In 1991, he returned to Indianapolis and began a career in emergency practice that continues to this day. He was manager of the Animal Emergency Clinic in Castleton from 1995-1998 and director of the Northwood Veterinary Emergency Practice in Anderson from 1998-2002, where he continued to work part-time as a staff veterinarian until 2013. Since starting the Hazel Dell Animal Hospital with Dr. McDaniel in 2002, Dr. Bassett has worked primarily in general practice, providing medical and surgical care to dogs and cats and other assorted small furry creatures. Dr. Bassett is a resident of Carmel, where he lives with his wi...

Fleas can be a big problem!  Credit (http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/fleas/) That picture is gross, right? Most of us know that fleas are no fun. But once you get them in your house, do you really know what to do in order to get rid of them? As there are four stages of the flea life cycle, you must be sure to manage all of them in order to keep fleas at bay.  Let's go over the Flea Life Cycle.  Credit (http://thefollisreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/flea-life-cycle-time.jpg) The flea egg is deposited by the female and usually fall to the ground or carpet once laid. They usually will hatch within 1-12 days and make up about 50 percent of the infestation.  The larvae  stage for fleas can be tricky as they are pretty small. They can hid in crevices and cracks located within the home. When vacuuming, one must definitely pay attention to the areas that your pet stays the most; like bedding or spots on the floor where they lay. Yo...

A few fun facts about Brittany 1. She used to compete in equine events in college in the IHSA.  Two years in a row she placed in the top 10th and top 20th in the nation.  2. She loves to Refurbish and Repurpose furniture. 3. She became Fire Crafter in 2010 - as part of the Boy Scout Organization   4. She loves to travel.   Brittany joined our team in the Spring of 2016 and we are glad for it. She started off in the Large Animal side of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated from Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Science. She has had animals of varying sizes all of her life, and at a very young age she knew that caring for animals was her passion.  Brittany and Adam relocated here from South Bend and her furry family includes a wonderful Corgi named Gwen and a Rottweiler mix named Rocky. Her home is completed by Tigger (Gigantor), the monster Bengal mix, and Brisuis, the comparatively teeny Calico....

Back to school is a very exciting time for many kids and parents near our animal hospital here in Carmel. What about your pet though? All of a sudden the family is leaving when they have been home for a few months. Some pets do very well, while others become anxious and destructive. What can you do about it?  Below you will find a few simple tips that may help.  Give Your Pet an Adjustment Period         Anytime there will be big changes in your pets lives, it is a good idea to have some adjustment time. If you are getting the kids up the week before to get settled into a routine, then why not help your pets too. You can head outside for a quick morning walk just to get them used to the idea that you will be leaving or hop in the car and run an errand. It does not have to be long, but enough time for them to realize that you did not just step outside. Just like kids can thrive on routine, your dogs and cats are the same way.  ...

A common question that we get asked here at Hazel Dell Animal Hospital  is when should you spay or neuter your pets?   There are a lot of factors that contribute to the answer of this question,  however the most common answer is that it depends. A good anesthetic candidate is made up of several factors.  Having a blood test performed is a great place to start.  We recommend having blood work done before any anesthetic procedure so that we can help determine if your pet is a safe candidate for anesthesia. We are looking at liver and kidney functions as well. Many of our anesthetic drugs are metabolized through these internal organs so we want to make sure that they are safe for surgery. Heat Cycles in your Pets Heat cycles in female cats and dogs are different. Small dogs can go into heat as early as 5 months old. Larger dogs may go into heat between 6 and 12 months of age. Dogs typically cycle twice a year. Some signs that your dog is in hea...

Kathy is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). As a child, Kathy wanted to be a Veterinarian, but when she got older she realized that nursing care sounded way more fun!     She has been with our team since March of 2016 and graduated from the Vet Tech Institute in Indianapolis. She has seven years of experience in small animal emergency medicine. Kathy lives with her husband James and their three cats. Teddy, Buster, and Oliver. When Kathy isn’t working, she volunteers at the local animal shelter. You can often find Kathy on the cat side of the hospital loving on our feline friends.

Facts & Vaccine Recommendations Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is an illness caused by spiral- shaped bacterium. It is considered a reemerging disease in Indiana, meaning it appears to be happening more often than in the past. Even though Leptospirosis remains an uncommon disease, illness in dogs can be severe and often involves  kidney failure,  liver disease, fever, and numerous other signs. People can also become affected, sometimes seriously, with everything from flu-like symptoms to infections involving vital organs.  Various wild animals and livestock, including mice, rats, deer, raccoons, opossums, and cattle, serve as "reservoirs" of the disease and if infected shed the causative bacteria in their urine. In this way, soil or water, especially slow-moving warmer water such as that found in ponds, ditches, or puddles, can become contaminated with the bacteria. Dogs usually become infected by exposure to contaminated water or soil. People can become i...

In this day and age, cats can be more of an inside animal vs. an outdoor animal. With the change in times, people are moving more often and also keeping many cats inside more due to environmental changes. With this being said, it is no wonder that cats can be very scared when coming into our clinic. We here at Hazel Dell Animal  Hospital go through additional training to ensure that your cats get the most relaxing exams possible.  A few of the methods can include watching a feline transportation video or reading brochures that can help you reduce your cats stress. If your cat gets car sick or is particularly upset by traveling  we have alternative options that can be helpful as well to include but are not limited to medication and/or a stress reducing pheromone that you can apply to your cats carrier.  Please take a look at this website  for more information and a great video on cat transportation. We strive to make your cats as comfortable as ...

Joanna started working the veterinary field in 1996.  She soon discovered that this was the path for her.  She studied Veterinary Technology at the College of Southern Nevada  while living in Las Vegas for two years.  She joined Hazel Dell in January of 2011.  You will find her ready to jump in and quickly help in any way that she can. She is a joy to have on the Hazel Dell Team.  Joanna lives in Noblesville with her husband Damon and her son Derek.  They share their home with two cats, Biscuit and  Brooksie and Gypsy, the lazy kitty.

Have you ever wondered why when you bring your pet into Hazel Dell Animal Hospital for an annual check up, the nurse lets you know that your pet is due for bloodwork or recommends it for the first time. What does that even mean? Here is a quick list of reasons why your  veterinarian might recommend you getting bloodwork.  1. A Heartworm Test - this may be the one that you are most familiar with. We recommend having this done once a year to ensure that you pet has not been exposed to deadly heartworms. Our hospital here in Carmel has not previously diagnosed many cases, though we have treated 5 cases of Heartworm Positive dogs in the last 2 years. Treatment for heartworms can be quite costly which is why we recommend giving prevention once monthly and year round versus treating, in the hopes that they will not get exposed.  2.   Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork - If you pet is going to have a surgical procedure, they would most likely have this blood...

DEE ANN  Your Hazel Dell Receptionist Dee Ann has been part of the Hazel Dell Team since July 2005. Dee Ann is usually the person who will greet you  upon your arrival with a warm smile.  She is an appointment-making, information-giving,  and question-answering extraordinaire.  She loves to spend time with her pets Rocco the Shepard/Husky mix,  Willie the Beagle,  and Bob the cat.  She also loves her Paint Horse named Charlie.  She is truly a favorite here among the clients and our staff  And we would not be able to perform at our best without Dee Ann.  Mostly likely she is the first person you will meet on the phone and  one of the last people you see on your way out.  We love you Dee Ann!!  

Why Should You Trim Your Dogs Nails?  Photo Courtesy of  Planned Property Management You hear the click clacking across the floor when it is quiet. You turn and it is the sweet face of your dog. You may or may not look at what is making that click clacking sound. The next day your dog is limping and you have no idea why. You look at the paw pads and toes and realize that one of the nails is broken. What do you do? Trim their nails!  Why is this important though? It is no different than you wearing a pair of shoes that do not fit correctly. The anatomy of the dog is set so that they can place their paws on the ground and push off. If the nails are too long, they are unable to rotate properly, then it changes the gait of your pet and they are not able to move as they should. Another reason to trim regularly is that sometimes the nails grow so long that they can grow into the paw pads of the pet, especially the declaws.  This can be painful for th...

      February is National Dental Month for your pets.  Let us tell you a little bit more about what it looks like in February here! WHO?   Hazel Dell participates in dental month and this can benefit you and your pet in many ways.  WHAT?   You may have been told that your pet has a varying degree of Dental Disease or Tartar at your last appointment. What does this really mean for you and your pet?  Those who have already or do schedule their pet's Dental Procedure during this month do receive a discount. WHERE? Hazel Dell Animal Hospital WHEN? The whole month of February 2017 WHY? Dental care is a topic that you need to think about throughout the life of your dog. Though each pet will have different needs when it comes to the care of their teeth, the typical pet needs a teeth cleaning every 1-3 years. The most helpful way to combat dental disease is to brush your pet's teeth every day to every other day. Imag...

Winter Weight Gain on Pets Do you know if your pet has gained weight?  Sometimes it is easy to tell and other times it is not.  We all can probably say that we are guilty for adding on a few pounds over the course of a winter,  but what about our dogs and cats?  It is much harder in Indiana to get our dogs out depending on the weather  and perhaps even harder to keep our cats exercising.  We also maybe decide to give them a few more treats.  You know what I mean.  Those little extras because it is the Holiday Season and they would love some extra food during the cold long nights here in Indiana. However, those extra pounds could be doing more harm than good. For each extra pound on your pet, it is like adding 10 pounds to yourself. So what can you really do about it? 1. Take a look at the back of the bag that you feed.  As animal lovers, many of us feed our pets with love. So that may mean that you are not measuring...

Kayla joined the Hazel Dell family in May of 2016. She may be one of the first voices that you hear when you call and you can find her most often in the lobby loving on your furry companions. She is interested in expanding her knowledge and expertise in the Veterinary field. She grew up in Indianapolis with her wonderful parents and younger sister. She now lives with her fiancé and a water loving, mud digging, wet-kiss giving chocolate Lab named Dakota, who is the love of their lives. She is a long time animal lover and knew at a young age that she wanted to make a career of working in the veterinary field. We are delighted to have her on staff and we know you will too!

New Year Resolutions for 2017 Do you have New Year Resolutions for yourself this year? How about for your pets? Is it one of those things where you write down a bunch of things you really wish you were doing and then bury the list under a stack of paper s?  Perhaps this year, for your pets, it could be different. No need to set unrealistic goals. Let us all be reasonable and enjoy the time spent with our animals. So here we go! Check out our list of easy goals that you can easily do to help your pets live a happier and perhaps healthier lifestyle. 1.        Check Labels! See how much your pet actually needs to eat. Many of our pets are overweight by a little or by a lot. Did you know that you should feed your pet the amount of food for their ideal body weight? (It is possible that you are feeding for the weight that they actually are, not what they should be) To do this, take a look at this chart. Or the next time your pet comes in for a n...