• 
• 
Hours Directions Payment Information Hospital Policies For New Clients For Referral Clients For Existing Clients For Referring Doctors
• 
Mission Statement History News & Events
• 
• 
Acupuncture Emergency Services Health Maintenance Laboratory Services 24 Hour Care Online Pharmacy Overnight Care Rehabilitation and Fitness Radiology & Ultrasound Surgery
• 
Acupuncture Financial Health Maintenance Genetic Diseases Parasites Pet Loss Poisoning Rehabilitation & Fitness Radiology & Ultrasound Surgery Urine Collection
• 

Colonial Veterinary Hospital is a multi-specialty veterinary hospital located in Ithaca, New York. We are a progressive practice dedicated to quality veterinary medicine, patient care, and client service. The hospital is AAHA-accredited and a past Veterinary Economics Practice of Excellence.

Colonial Veterinary Hospital is owned by a board-certified surgeon who is committed to providing the latest medical and surgical diagnostics and treatments. We offer specialty services in surgery and radiology, including ultrasound, as well as acupuncture and rehabilitation services. We have a doctor in our hospital from 8 am until 10 pm every day of the year allowing us to see patients in a timely manner. Our hospital operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing care for our hospitalized patients and emergency service for established patients. We are supported by an experienced and dedicated staff of 45, including a team of NYS-licensed veterinary technicians.

Ticks are skin parasites that feed on the blood of their host. They are attracted to motion, body heat and exhaled carbon monoxide. For this reason they find a perfect host in either: dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits, cattle, small animals, humans, etc. Although their bite itself is not painful, they can transmit diseases (such as lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, rickettsial disease, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever) and cause a condition referred to as tick paralysis.

With tick removal appointments constantly on the rise, many have come to ask how they can help control the issue. Here are some ideas for you to try:

• Try spraying your yard and outdoor kennel area with a product containing fenvalerate, which is not harmful to the environment. It may be necessary to repeat this treatment every 1 to 2 months.
• If ticks have moved inside, try applying a flea and tick fogger, spray or powder to the carpeting. Also, be sure to wash your pets bedding regularly.
• Treat your pet with a monthly preventative such as Frontline (which discourages ticks from staying put and implanting themselves), Advantix (which repels and kills Deer ticks, American dog ticks, Brown dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks), or Revolution (which is only helpful, as far as ticks are concerned, in controlling Brown dog tick infestations). Apply any of these topical solutions as directed and be sure to keep him or her away from water until it has the time to dry. Other liquids, sprays and powders can be considered in certain circumstances, but we recommend one of the previously mentioned topical products. Remember, these are not tick “repellents,” so don’t be surprised if you still find ticks on your pet after a nice hike through the woods.

What is the proper way to search for ticks on yourself or your pet and what do you do once you find one? Here are some simple steps to follow:

• Each time your pet comes back indoors after a hike or a romp in the yard, start off by running your hands down the length of his or her body.
  • Under most circumstances, you will find ticks near your pet’s head, ears, neck and feet; but by no means should you focus your search solely to these areas.
• Once you’ve located the tick, separate the hair from the area as much as possible
• Grab a pair of tweezers and disinfect them with rubbing alcohol
• Dab a bit of alcohol on the tick itself, then do your best to tweeze the tick as close to your pets skin as possible.
• Without squeezing the tick itself, pull it out slowly and steadily and place it in some rubbing alcohol. This way you can ensure the tick is dead before you dispose of it.
• If you notice a portion of the ticks’ head is left behind, don’t fret. Your pet’s body will naturally reject the tick over time. This could take as long as a week or more, so be sure to keep an eye on the area and to keep it clean.

After you have successfully removed the tick, be sure to keep the area clean and try to keep your pet from scratching the area. The site could become infected if not properly cared for. If you are concerned, an over the counter triple antibiotic cream can be applied regularly to the site. Should any signs of inflammation or “crustiness” last longer than a week, there may be an infection present and you should have your pet examined.

As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns about ticks, feel free to contact the hospital.

Relay for Life

All of us here at Colonial Veterinary Hospital would like to thank everyone who contributed to this years Relay for Life team. Together with your dedications, memorial donations, refundable bottle and can donations and participation in the Castaway's and Applebee's events, we have raised over $6000 for the American Cancer Society. Thank you all so much for your generosity!

Take a 360 degree virtual tour