Here at Bellson Animal Hospital we like to give our patients the best care that we can! That being said, with spring and summer around the corner we highly recommend getting your pet on heartworm prevention. This protects your dog from the deadly heartworm disease that dogs get from mosquitoe bites. We  sell many types of prevention here in our office and also on our online pharmacy.  We try our best to educate our clients about this  disease, but to learn more click on the link below! 

American Heartworm Society 
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/
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Meet Luna! This sweet little girl was born at a staff members farm, and was unfortunately rejected by her mother. Her mother had triplets and was unable to care for all three of them due to not producing enough milk. Luckily, she now has a human mother that stepped in and brings her to work here at  Bellson everyday.  Luna gets bottle fed throughout the day and likes to think she is a great helper here at the hospital. At home, she loves playing with her dog roommates Stella and Dixie, and jumps around with the other lambs on the farm. Our staff members and clients spoil her with hugs and kisses every chance they get! While she is still a baby, come on in and visit her.  You wont be able to resist her cuteness!   ​

1. How did you come to live with your humans? Did you join them as a kitten, or were you adopted as an adult? 
 
I was found in a yard by one of the Bellson staff members. I was so tired and sick that I slept all day after they fed and gave me a warm bed.
 
2. How did they choose your name? 
 
I was pretty feisty, so they named me Helen the Hellion, but no worries I am sweetheart.
 
3. What are your favorite activities?
 
Besides napping in my hammock, I love playing hide & seek and running around the clinic.
 
4. What is your favorite treat? 
 
Anything fish or chicken flavored!
 
5. Do you have a favorite toy? 
 
I love pouncing on my rattle ball, mouse toy or crinkle ball
 
6. What do you like about coming to Bellson?
 
Everything!! It is my current home. Everyone here is so nice and  they make sure I have the best care.
 
7. Do you have any nicknames? 
 
Hellion
 
8. Any other fun info you'd like to share with us? 
 
I love my Bellson family, but I would love to find my ‘purrrfect’ & permanent ‘fur-ever’ home right meow. I am pretty funny, so…..I promise I will make you laugh & smile every day. Please adopt me!!


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**If you are interested in adopting Helen, please stop by or our clinic to fill out an adoption application or call the clinic at 618-281-5100 for any questions**

​1. How did you come to live with your humans? Did you join them as a puppy, or were you adopted as an adult? 
 I was adopted from my grandma’s friend, Miss Lisa, when I was so young. I was 9 weeks old at the time. 
 
2. How did they choose your name? 
 My Daddy Murl watches PawwSome Anime Movies, (and that's the name of one of them) Ponyo Also Means "Soft And Squishy"
 
3. What are your favorite activities?
 My favorite thing to do is run around in PERFECT circles in the front yard. But I can also get Ruff’N Tuff with my hedgehog toy
 
4. What is your favorite treat? 
 Rachel Ray soup bones FURRR LIFE!!!
 
5. Do you have a favorite toy? 
 As much as I love my furry hedgehog toy, my next favorite is a used up 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke that my Daddy Murl is done with
 
6. What do you like about coming to Bellson?
 Where do I begin? First of all… I can pee wherever I want so it makes me feel right at home. Then they give me treats :)))) **DRRROOOOLING*** But there was a time, I remember....not sure if it was a dream or not…it’s a little fuzzy, but I think Daddy Murl dropped me off one day. When he came back to pick me up, at that moment I didn’t feel so ‘nuts’ about Daddy Murl or Doctor Carr haha, but now I realize it was for my own good. Daddy Murl says I’m getting to be a big boy. I don’t know what that means…but I hope that still means that I get to go to THE BATHROOM WHERE EVER I WANT! **Daddy Murl Rolls His Eyes** 
 
7. Do you have any nicknames? 
Daddy Murl Has Lots Of nicknames for me. There's, "Stop That!", "Get Over Here Mister." AND MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE... "Awwwwe, Ponyo, Not Again!" 
 
 
8. Any other fun info you'd like to share with us? 
 Daddy Murl told me to say that we love you guys at Bellson so much. Thank you f or everything you have done in the past for the amazing future we have in store.
 
Alright guys, Daddy Murl is calling me for dinner, just remember...don’t let pups treat you ‘ruff.’ Just tell ‘em you a “Chihuahua, I’m a Rottweila'.”  Buttt wait…I’m a Boxer…oh well... RRRRRRRRRUFFFFF. 
 
Ponyo :)
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Heartgard Plus is giving away a FREE Kong toy with a purchase of 12 doses of Heartgard Plus while supplies last!!

Heartworm disease can be deadly. But a monthly preventive can help stop heartworm in its tracks!

Take the Paw Pledge today and stop by our clinic to purchase 12 doses of Heartgard and receive your FREE Kong toy for your pup!

To learn more about Heartgard Plus please visit their website at: www.heartgard.com 

Kong toy is limited to one (1) per person while supplies last
Prescription required
Call us at 618-281-5100 for any additional questions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      Contact Information
                                                                                                              Name: Bellson Animal Hospital
                                                                                                              E-mail: bellsonappt@gmail.com
                                                                                                              Phone: 618-281-5100
 
 
Bellson Animal Hospital Offers a New Way to Help Animals in Need
Columbia, Illinois—The Bellson Animal Hospital has enrolled in the AVMF Veterinary Care Charitable Fund, a program created by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) to support veterinarians in offering low or no-cost services to clients facing extraordinary hardships, as well as a way to support animals rescued from abuse and neglect.
Bellson Animal Hospital donates considerable time and money each year to local, animal health-related charitable endeavors in Columbia. As a participant in the AVMF Veterinary Care Charitable Fund, Bellson Animal Hospital will be empowered to provide charitable care to those in need, including: disabled veterans requiring a service dog, low income senior citizens, Good Samaritans who rescue domesticated animals, and victims of domestic violence.
Bellson Animal Hospital encourages community members to make tax-deductible charitable contributions to the AVMF Veterinary Care Charitable Fund at AVMF.org/CARE or at the practice location.
To learn more about the remarkable veterinarians at Bellson Animal Hospital and the work they do to care for pets in Columbia visit www.bellsonanimalhospital.com. For more information on the AVMF Veterinary Care Charitable Fund and other animal health and wellness programs provided by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, visit AVMF.org.
 
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About the American Veterinary Medical Foundation
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association, one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world.  More than 88,000 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. For more than 50 years, the Foundation has been helping veterinarians help animals with support for education, advocacy, service, and research programs and activities.  Visit AVMF.org to learn more.

Here at Bellson we love seeing and caring for your feline friend. We know that regular check ups and parasite preventatives  are very important to the health and well being of your cat. So now throughout the month of April, all scheduled feline examinations and feline preventatives purchased in clinic will be automatically entered to win a $25 Bellson gift certificate!!!
 
To schedule an appointment call us at 618-281-5100 

​Needing more information on the importance of yearly exams?
Check out this article: 
​https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/need-visit-vet
 

Did you know that we have  implemented the Cat Friendly Practice Program? Cat Friendly Designation Elevates Cat Care!

The cat is king. With cats being the most beloved pet in the country, there is a growing need to improve the health care and overall well-being of the feline population. Whether it’s a routine checkup or special visit, the staff at Bellson Animal Hospital is committed to ensuring that cats get the best care. And, to further its dedication, the clinic recently implemented the Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) program to offer pet owners more at every phase of the cat’s health care process. “We are committed to providing quality care to our feline patients,” said Dr. Rita Ryerson. “When we heard about the CFP program, we knew it was time to take a fresh look at the practice to determine what could be done to make the veterinary visit more positive for cats and cat owners.”

Program Puts Cats First
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) pioneered the CFP program to provide a framework for creating a positive practice environment for cats, including medical care that supports the cat’s unique needs and knowledgeable staff members who understand feline-friendly handling.
“The AAFP realizes that cats present unique challenges before, during, and after a veterinary visit,” said Dr. Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline) & President, American Association of Feline Practitioners. “Some things that can cause a cat anxiety include aversion to carriers, sensitivity to new sights and smells, and the added stress of an unfamiliar location or experience. Understanding these obstacles helped to shape the CFP program and its dedication to putting the needs of cats first.”

At a CFP-designated clinic, the veterinary staff incorporates cat-friendly features into the physical environment of the practice including special waiting rooms or waiting accommodations, feline-sensitive examination rooms and ward facilities, and equipment appropriate specifically for cats. Staff members also approach cat care in a different manner. The staff learns how to understand the needs of the cat such as how to interpret a cat’s facial expression and body language. Furthermore, the staff is well-trained in alternate techniques to calm an anxious cat and ensure that exams and procedures do not escalate anxiety.

Bellson Animal Hospital Boosts Cat Care
“We evaluated every aspect of the practice and its environment from the perspective of the cat,” Dr. Ryerson said. “We can proudly say that from the minute they walk through the door, our patients and clients will be part of a welcoming, comfortable experience that will ultimately lead to the improved health of our feline patients.” For more information about our cat friendly practice offerings, call or stop by anytime! 

​The doctors and staff at Bellson Animal Hospital are excited to announce the 2018 DENTAL SPECIALS starting in January and running through February.  Dogs are diagnosed with dental disease more than any other infection and this can lead to a painful inflammatory condition in which bacteria attack the gums, periodontal ligament and can cause permanent bone loss.  A dental cleaning will do wonders for bad breath and may help prevent harmful bacteria from entering the bloodstream and causing serious problems to your pet’s vital organs.  If you are interested in scheduling an appointment feel free to call anytime.  Our schedule is filling up fast so call today for prices and more information.