Greenville Veterinary Clinic, Ltd. was established by Dr. Harold Gehrig and Dr. Harold Bristow in 1973. Originally located on Harris Avenue in Greenville, the Clinic moved to it's present location in 1988. A new addition to the kennel area was completed in 1997.
Bond County and the surrounding area has a very diversified population of livestock and companion animals. The doctors and staff at Greenville Veterinary Clinic are dedicated to providing quality veterinary services to livestock producers and pet owners alike. A partial listing of services available includes:
Farm Service calls with portable chute
Herd Health and quality assurance programs for dairy, beef, and swine
Equine health programs
General surgery on farm or at the clinic
Radiology
Ultrasonography
Fertility evalutations
Diagnostic laboratory facility
Nutrition consulting
Pet vaccination program with reminders
Heartworm treatment and prevention
Flea and parasite control
Veterinary dentistry
Emergency care
Referral services
Orthopedic surgery
Boarding for our client's pets
Our doctors frequently consult with specialists from the St. Louis area or veterinary colleges on cases that require specialized procedures or equipment. Referrals are made when appropriate.
The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Patients are usually seen by appointment. We also maintain a well stocked sales area with a wide variety of animal health products for pets and livestock.
After office hours the Veterinarian on call can be reached at (618) 292-7567.
Payment is expected at the time services are rendered. This is necessary to meet the costs of a well equipped and fully staffed facility. An estimate can be provided for your approval prior to treatment or surgery.
Payment may be made in cash, by personal check, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover. We also have application forms for pet health insurance.
Harold W. Gehrig, DVM - University of Illinois - 1963
Harold L. Bristow, DVM - University of Illinois - 1968
Jennifer Libbra Ostrom, DVM - University of Illinois - 2003
Lynette Hemker, DVM - University of Illinois - 2006
Carol Bristow - Office Manager
Melba Grott - Bookkeeper/Receptionist
Angel Bays - Veterinary Assistant
Betty Lawrence - Veterinary Assistant
Elaine McConnell - Veterinary Assistant
Becky Rieke- Veterinary Assistant
Mary Ann Bloemker - Veterinary Assistant
Greenville Veterinary Clinic, Ltd. is located southeast of Greenville, IL, on US Hwy. 40, 1/2 mile east of the intersection of US 40 and IL 127. From I-70, take Rte.127 Greenville exit and go north to the Rt. 40 intersection.
Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A DOG (CAT) TO DELIVER AFTER BEING BRED?
A. The average is 63 days (60-65) Pregnant females should be checked for worms and be up-to-date on immunizations. We like to examine the female the morning after delivery.
Q. I THINK MY DOG HAS MANGE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
A. There are a number of things it could be (different types of mange, bacterial or fungal infections, ringworm, allergy) We really need to examine the pet to determine the proper treatment or medication.
Q. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HAVE A CAT (DOG) SPAYED?
A. Because costs vary due to size of the animal, whether they are in heat or not, etc. it is best to call the clinic (618)664-0640 for current charges.
Q. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF DISTEMPER?
A. The signs of distemper can be confused with many different diseases. If your pet is sick in any way, you need to bring it in for an examination. Runny eyes, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite are early signs. May we schedule you an appointment?
Q. HOW OLD DOES MY DOG (CAT) HAVE TO BE TO BE SPAYED (NEUTERED)
A. All pets may be spayed (neutered) anytime after six months of age. It is best and easiest on the pet if done before the first "heat" cycle.
Q. HOW OLD DOES A PUP HAVE TO BE TO START IT'S SHOTS?
A. Usually six weeks of age, or as soon as they are weaned from the mother. We also prefer to start deworming pups at three to four weeks of age due to the severe problems that hookworms may cause.
Q. HOW LONG WILL MY DOG (CAT) STAY IN HEAT?
A. Dogs stay in heat an average of three weeks. They usually come in heat every six to nine months. Cats are unlike dogs. They will almost constantly stay in heat until they are bred. The act of breeding is necessary for the release of the eggs in the cat.
Q. MY DOG IS SCRATCHING AT IT'S EAR. SHOULD I BRING IT IN?
A. Yes. It could be a bacterial infection, ear mites, fungus, foreign body, or allergy causing the problem. We need to examine the ear secretions under the microscope to determine the exact cause and proper medication.
Q. MY DOG IS IN LABOR. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
A. We need to examine the pet if the discharge is anything but clear (green, bloody, etc.) or the pet has been straining for two hours with no results. We have a handout on proper care of pets during this time which you may pick up at the clinic. We want to examine the pet the morning after she has completed delivery for an injection to prevent uterine infections.
Q. MY DOG IS PREGNANT AND DUE ANY TIME. WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR?
A. She usually will act restless and nervous when labor begins. A clear discharge will be present. Come by the clinic and pick up a handout about this condition.
Q. WHEN CAN I BRING MY PET IN TO BE SPAYED/NEUTERED?
A. We perform surgery every day, Monday through Friday. Do not feed your pet after 8:00 pm the night before you schedule the surgery with us. Free choice water is OK all night. We prefer to schedule the appointment ahead of time. You should bring the pet to the clinic no later than 10:00 am the morning the surgery is scheduled. You may bring your pet in the night before surgery at no additional charge if you prefer.
Q. HOW LONG WILL MY PET HAVE TO STAY AFTER SURGERY?
A. We use sterile technique and the same anesthetics used in human medicine. We usually are able to send the pets home the same day surgery is performed. The pets usually do much better and are much more satisfied at home in their natural environment. If you prefer, they may be left overnight at no additional charge.
Q. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF MY DOG DYING IN SURGERY?
A. We use the same anesthetics that are used for human heart transplants. Pets are constantly monitored just like in the human hospital. Of course, there is always some small risk anytime a person or animal is anesthetized, but the risk is really very small.
Q. HOW LONG MUST I WAIT AFTER MY PET HAS PUPS BEFORE I CAN HAVE IT SPAYED?
A. We prefer to wait about one week to allow the milk to dry up. However, we can spay her at anytime, even while nursing when the need arises.
Q. CAN MY PET BE SPAYED WHILE IN HEAT OR PREGNANT?
A. Yes. Due to the greatly enlarged reproductive tract, there will be a small additional charge to cover the costs of additional supplies used in surgery. Dogs spayed while "in heat" must be kept away from male dogs for about 7 days because it takes that long for the "heat scent" to disappear. Although your pet could not become pregnant if bred after spaying, the internal sutures could be torn causing internal bleeding. There is no additional charge for cats that are in heat. Pregnant cats may or may not have a small additional charge, depending on the supplies required.
Q. WILL SPAYING/NEUTERING MAKE MY PET GET FAT AND LAZY?
A. NO! This is an "old wife's tale" which probably started many years ago when the only pets spayed were pets who got no exercise, laid around all the time, and ate too much. Spayed pets live longer and are less prone to develop cancer or reproductive infections. Proper exercise and diet are important to prevent obesity in ALL pets.
Q. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DECLAW MY CAT AND HOW LONG MUST IT STAY AT THE CLINIC?
A. Please call for current charges. We routinely declaw the front feet only. We prefer not to declaw the rear feet since they usually do not cause a problem. This allows the cat to still be able to climb trees and fight with the rear feet. Cats should spend one night in the hospital. Suture removal is not required. The best age to declaw a cat is at 3-4 months, but we can declaw cats at any age when it is required. The total fee for declawing includes the office visit, physical examination, anesthesia, surgery, injectable antibiotics, and one night's hospitalization.
Q. CAN PEOPLE GET WORMS FROM PETS?
A. It is possible to get "Roundworms" from eating the pet's stools if they contain worm eggs. We recommend deworming puppies at 3-4 weeks of age and again 2 weeks later on a routine basis. Our clinic can dispense you the safest, most effective medications at reasonable fees. Do NOT use over-the-counter medications. They can be dangerous to your pet- and are often not effective.
Older pets should be routinely examined for intestinal parasites every 6-12 months. It is routinely done at the annual visit for vaccinations.
"Pinworms" (a common parasite in people) CANNOT be contacted from your pet. In fact, dogs and cats do NOT have pinworms, regardless of what other people tell you.
Q. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HEARTWORM?
A. Some of the early signs of heartworms include weight loss, tiring during exercise, labored breathing, or coughing. Your dog should be checked for heartworms each year and placed on preventive medication to be given once a month. The new medications are very inexpensive and only need to be given once a month. When heartworm disease is caught early, before severe heart damage has occurred, we can treat these dogs very effectively, usually with no permanent damage.
Q. MY CHILD WAS BITTEN BY A DOG. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
A. Wash the wound with soap and water, then contact your physician. The pet must be confined for 10 days. If it's a stray without tags, catch the dog and call the animal shelter or health department.
Q. ARE PUPPIES BORN WITH WORMS?
A. Very often so. They also can be infected with "hookworms" through the female's milk while nursing. 95% of all puppies have "hookworms" and "roundworms". We recommend deworming puppies beginning at 3-4 weeks. You are welcome to pick up the medication at our hospital to perform this procedure yourself.
Q. MY DOG DIED WITH DISTEMPER/PARVO. HOW LONG MUST I WAIT BEFORE GETTING ANOTHER DOG?
A. Thirty days. Be sure to bring the new puppy in for vaccination BEFORE you take it home.
Q. WHAT IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT TO USE IN MY HOUSE FOR DISTEMPER/PARVO?
A. Four ounces of Clorox in one gallon of water. We also have another prescription disinfectant you may obtain from our hospital that will not damage your carpets and furniture like Clorox will likely do.
Q. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BREED MY DOG?
A. We want the dog to be at least 12-15 months old before breeding. You must skip the first heat if it occurs before that time to insure that your dog obtains it's maximum bone structure before the stress of pregnancy.
The dog will be "in heat" for about three weeks. Best breeding usually occurs during the second week (usually day 9-12) We recommend attempting to breed every day starting about seven days after the first bleeding begins. Attempt to breed every day until breeding does occur. Then skip one day and breed again. Breed every other day as long as she stands for the male.
Q. HOW OLD DOES MY PET HAVE TO BE TO GET A RABIES SHOT?
A. Rabies vaccination is required by law at three months of age, and then once each year. Vaccination for distemper and other diseases is important also. It can also be done at the same time for your convenience.
.Q. WHAT IS THE VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR MY CAT/DOG?
Dogs: 6 weeks of Age--------------Temporary Parvo
8 weeks of Age--------------DHLP + P I
10 weeks of Age-------------DHLP + P II
12 weeks of Age-------------DHLP + PIII, Corona I, Rabies
16 weeks of Age-------------Booster DHLP + P, Corona II, Bordatella
Annual boosters--------------DHLP + P, Corona II, Bordatella, Rabies
Cats: 6 weeks of Age---------------Temporary FERC
9 weeks of Age--------------FERC I
12 weeks of Age-------------FERC II, Rabies, Feline Leukemia I
14 weeks of Age-------------Feline Leukemia II
5-6 months of Age-----------Feline Leukemia III
Annual boosters--------------FERC, Rabies, Feline Leukemia
Q. WHAT VACCINATIONS DOES MY FERRET NEED?
A. Distemper vaccinations are started at 8 weeks of age. Rabies vaccinations are given at 3 months of age.
Q. WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH A "BATH AND DIP" ?
A. Nail trim, anal sac expression, drying and brushing, spraying with deodorant.
Q. DO YOU BATHE CATS?
A. Yes, we do. For cats that do not tolerate a bath very well, we require them to be sedated.
Q. YOUR FLEA PRODUCTS DON'T WORK!!!
A. Flea control is an on-going battle. It requires thorough treatment of the yard, the house, and the pet. The products we dispense are the best available and work well when used properly. The is no easy answer to flea control. Please come by our hospital to obtain a copy of our handout "Declare War on Fleas". It will give you a step-by-step program to solve your flea problems.
Q. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR BOARDING FEE?
A. The fee includes food and all care including giving routine medications required by the pet.
Q. MY CAT HAS STOPPED USING THE LITTER BOX. WHAT CAN I DO?
A. There is a strong possibility something is physically wrong. The cat needs to be examined immedietly. There is a problem in cats called "FUS" that can be very serious and even threaten the life of your pet.
Q. MY PUPPY VOMITED UP HIS WORM MEDICATION ON THE WAY HOME FROM YOUR OFFICE.
A. Some puppies do get carsick. You may come by and pick up another dose to give at home.
American Society For Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/POISON CONTROL- http://www.aspca.org
Missing Pet Network- Bandit Alert
Pet Information- http://www.petplace.com
Dairynet Online Resource to Dairy Industry- http://www.dairynet.outreach.uiuc.edu/
Horse Health- http://www.myhorsematters.com
Donkey Information- http://www.saddledonkey.com