VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital

Welcome to VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital, located in Alexandria, Virginia! We are proud to be serving the community for so long and when you visit our hospital, you will experience why our hospital has been such an integral part of the community for so many years and why clients in Alexandria and the surrounding communities have entrusted their pets’ health to us.

Everyone on our staff believes the better we get to know your pets, the better we can provide the best possible healthcare for them. We'll make sure to give you and your pet all the time you need, and never rush through an exam. We'll also carefully document the course of your pet's care, which is so important to your pet's long-term health. Our veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other pet-friendly personnel are trained to the highest standards. When you come in you'll see exactly why our veterinarians are praised for their kind and thorough care. Their knowledge of the latest veterinary medicines and procedures ensures that all our pet patients get the best in prevention and healing methods.

Local Medical Issues

There are many local medical issues that can affect your pet. One of these is Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria, Borrelia Burgdorferi. This organism is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. It was first identified in humans in 1975 and in dogs in 1984, and the disease has been reported in every part of the United States, but is more common in certain areas. In this country, more than 90% of Lyme disease cases occur in the Northeast and in the North Central states.

The most likely time to be bitten by an infected tick in the USA is April through November, but ticks can remain active throughout the winter if temperatures are mild. At least three species of ticks are known to transmit Lyme disease; however, the great majority of transmissions are due to the bite of an extremely small (poppy-seed-sized) tick called the deer tick or black-legged tick.