Tails From The Field: Stories From Across our Family of Hospitals

Our Tails from the Field blog is a glimpse into the heart of our hospitals - the compassionate care, the medical advancements, the unparalleled client experience, and most importantly - the people! Here’s to highlighting moments of passion, resilience, dedication, inspiration, and to always putting compassion first!

These are their stories.
* Toxic Warning *
Human Chemotherapy Cream is Fatal to Pets!

Hear from Eric N. Glass, MS, DVM, DACVIM from Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals about how Fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, is fatal to pets.

Fluorouracil, a chemotherapeutic ointment, is used for skin cancers such as superficial basal cell carcinoma, or actinic keratosis and goes by brand names of 5-FU include Fluoroplex®, Efudex® and Carac®.

Unfortunately, most prescribing physicians do not know to warn patients of the risk associated with 5-FU to household pets. Additionally, there is absolutely NO warning on the product packaging to keep the medication away from your furry friends.

Learn more about the dangers of 5-FU on their blog.

Supporting the Human-Animal Bond Through Unprecedented Times
"The human bond has never been stronger. People are paying attention to their pets to a much greater degree. Pet owners are leaning on their pets to provide comfort during this time...it's sort of amplified that bond, to a greater level, which I think has fueled a lot of increase in demand for services."

In this latest issue of Veterinary Advantage Magazine, our EVP & COO, Ryan Buck, offers insight into the veterinary operational, financial and medical lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and an even greater focus on people.
Is Your Pet's Excess Weight Shortening Their Life?

We can all agree that roly-poly Pugs and chubby Chihuahuas may seem adorable, but the implications of being overweight are anything but cute to your pet! 

Learn more about how you can tell if your pet is overweight, the effects due to excess weight and how you can help your pet through diet and exercise, and hear from one of our esteemed board-certified clinical nutritionists, Dr. Martha Cline, of Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals.
COVID Fatigue: Its Effects and Helpful Tips & Resources
“You have to work to be healthy in the world that we live in today,” says Dr. David Leopold, Network Medical Director at Hackensack Meridian Health.

Listen to our latest health and wellness podcast as our own Dr. Liz Lund interviews Dr. Leopold on the real effects of COVID-19 fatigue and provides helpful tips and resources to help you manage through these continued uncertain and changing times.

You’ll hear about:

✨ How to cope with COVID fatigue
✨ Practical ways to reduce stress
✨ The effect of sleep and diet on your mental health
✨ How to implement integrative medicine into your life
✨ The value of meditation, exercise, and self-care
Get to Know Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals (RBVH) – Three Locations Across New Jersey
We love shining a light on our family of hospitals! This month get to know more about one of our founding 24/7 specialty, emergency and general medicine hospital groups who joined the Compassion-First family in 2014. RBVH provides unparalleled state-of-the-art compassionate care and are uniquely ingrained in each of the pet communities they serve.

RBVH - Tinton Falls, NJ

  • This state-of-the-art 58,000 square foot hospital houses advanced specialty suites with equipment such as the first Cios Alpha C-Arm in veterinary medicine, in-house/on-site MRI, a Varian Trilogy LINAC for radiation therapy and an advanced critical care unit.
  • Is a teaching hospital with highly respected and well-known internship, specialty internship and residency programs.
  • Is American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Referral Accredited and VECCS Level 2 certified.
  • Chief of Staff, Stacy Burdick, DVM, DACVIM also serves as Clinical Advisor for Compassion-First and leads the C-F Medical Director’s Advancement Council (MDAC) and is Chair of the C-F Specialty Advisory Board (SAB).
  • Offers over 16 specialty departments including clinical nutrition lead by one of only a few board-certified veterinary nutritionists® and avian & exotics lead by a team of boarded exotics specialists.

RBVH – Mount Laurel, NJ

  • In 2016, RBVH in Mount Laurel opened its 26,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in Mount Laurel – only 8 miles away from its previous 8,000 square foot facility originally located in Cherry Hill, NJ.
  • For RBVH Mount Laurel’s Hospital Director, Austin O’Connell, veterinary medicine was in his blood from any early age. He started his career in high school as an animal caretaker and over the years worked his way to becoming a technician, then hospital management, and ultimately Hospital Director.
  • They have had their fair share of celebrity clients – from professional football players to Stranger Things cast members.

RBVH – Hillsborough, NJ

  • Recently moved to its brand-new, 19,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility and offers 7 specialty services along with 24/7 ER pet care.
  • Hospital Director, Amy Pierce is a U.S. Army Veteran who brought the U.S. Army’s PaYS Program to both RBVH and Compassion-First. This partnership program provides veterans the opportunity to interview for employment across our family of hospitals following their discharge from the Army.
Congratulations To All The October Compassion-First Kudos Recipients!

Each month we are thrilled to recognize the outstanding work of our Compassion-First family – our community of hospitals. It’s a time to celebrate the exemplary work and meaningful impact these individuals have for their individual hospitals and for helping bring the C-F core values to life. 

Team culture. Work-life balance.
Join the team that heals with their heads, hands and hearts.
Protect the Legacy You’ve Built!
Learn more about joining our
Compassion-First family of hospitals.
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