Red Bank Veterinary Hospital

🌟Testimonial Tuesday🌟

Sweet Peanut is back to doing all the things he loves after undergoing surgery for a torn CCL with Dr. Heather Baginski and our Surgery team.

A cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs and can cause significant pain, instability, and lameness. Surgical treatment can help restore stability to the knee and get patients like Peanut comfortably back on their paws.

From arrival and surgery to recovery and heading home, Peanut’s family described their experience as “top notch”, and we’re so grateful they trusted our team with his care.

Here’s to continued healing and lots of happy steps ahead for Peanut! 🥜💚

🐱 Calling all cat people! RBVH is heading to Catsbury Park Cat Convention! 😻

Red Bank Veterinary Hospital is proud to be the Veterinary Sponsor of the Catsbury Park Cat Convention, happening this Saturday, October 10 & Sunday, October 11 at Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ!

One of the East Coast’s biggest celebrations of all things feline, Catsbury Park brings together cat lovers, rescue advocates, veterinary professionals, artists, vendors and some pretty famous felines for an entire weekend dedicated to cats and the people who love them.

This year’s convention features 50+ cat-themed vendors, artists, makers and pet-focused brands; an adoption lounge filled with adoptable kitties; interactive activities; and educational talks and panels covering rescue, TNR, feline behavior, wellness and advocacy. Special guests include Jackson Galaxy, Sterling “TrapKing” Davis, Drennon Davis and more.

We’re especially excited that RBVH’s own Dr. Lauren Wertheimer will be presenting during the convention!

And, of course, you’ll find plenty of our very own “RBVH Cat Ladies and Daddies” holding down the fort at the RBVH table throughout the weekend along with the ever popular Naked Cat Crew--a huge draw to the table at March's Catsbury Park Vendor Market. Stop by, say hello, grab some cat-themed swag, meet the nakeys and talk cats with people who could happily talk about them ALL DAY.

🎟️ Ready for a purr-fect weekend? Learn more about the Catsbury Park Cat Convention and grab your tickets here:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/catsburyparkcatconvention/2258706

Tickets are on sale now, and Catsbury notes that VIP experiences, workshops and meet-and-greets are limited and may sell out.

📍 Bell Works | Holmdel, NJ
📅 Saturday, October 10 | 11 AM–5 PM
📅 Sunday, October 11 | 10 AM–4 PM

Proceeds from the convention support Catsbury Park Inc. and its rescue work, helping cats and kittens in need in New Jersey and beyond.

🩺🐾 Meet our newest General Practice Doctor: Emma Bargiacchi, DVM!🐾🩺

Dr. Emma Bargiacchi may already be a familiar face around RBVH, but we’re excited to officially welcome her to our General Practice team!

Dr. Bargiacchi has been with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital for two years, beginning her time with us as a Rotating Doctor. She loves the variety that General Practice offers and has special interests in dermatology, internal medicine, and preventive care.

But her favorite part of GP? The relationships.

“I love creating relationships with pet owners and being the person they trust to take care of their pets.”

Dr. Bargiacchi is also Fear Free Certified and passionate about making veterinary visits as positive and comfortable as possible for every patient. And if you happen to be a patient in her exam room, there’s a pretty good chance peanut butter or cheese is involved! 🥜🧀🐶

At home, Dr. Bargiacchi has two dogs: Callaloo, a pot hound (island dog) pictured here, and Shea, an Irish Wolfhound mix. When she’s not caring for patients, you can find her playing pickleball, horseback riding, hiking and walking with her dogs, cooking, or spending time with family and friends.

And if veterinary medicine hadn’t called her name? She thinks she would have become a psychologist, which seems pretty fitting for someone who loves building relationships and earning trust!

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Emma Bargiacchi to the RBVH General Practice team!

Our General Practice team is here 7 days a week to provide preventive care, wellness visits, sick visits, and ongoing care for the pets you love.

📚🩺Meet our VTS Series Week 1: Diane DeVincentis, VTS(Dentistry)🩺📚

Throughout the month of October, we’re incredibly proud and excited to celebrate our talented team of Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS)! Each Thursday, we’ll introduce you to a different team member who has achieved this impressive credential and share a little about their journey, passion, and area of expertise.

We’re kicking off the month with Diane DeVincentis, VTS (Dentistry)!

With more than 22 years in veterinary medicine and six years at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Diane DeVincentis has built her career around a passion for patient care and veterinary dentistry.

Diane began as a kennel attendant shortly after high school and quickly knew veterinary medicine was where she belonged. As her career progressed, her love of dentistry inspired her to pursue the rigorous path to becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Dentistry.

Earning her VTS required dedication, sacrifice, and plenty of hard work, but Diane says one of the greatest rewards was proving to herself that she could accomplish something that once seemed incredibly difficult. Along the way, she has also built friendships with veterinary professionals around the world and developed an even greater passion for sharing her knowledge about the importance of veterinary dentistry.

At home, Diane is loved by Piglet, her 7-year-old Pit Bull mix, and Cotton, her 14-year-old cat who thinks he’s a dog, and who may secretly be the love of her life. (Don’t tell Piglet! )

We’re proud to have Diane’s experience, expertise, and passion as part of the RBVH team!

🎗️ Meet Lucas, one very dapper cancer fighter. 🎗️

Lucas is an 8-year-old Pittie mix who has been receiving care from our Medical Oncology Team, led by Dr. Emily Krieger, for large cell lymphoma.

For Lucas’s family, his care has meant something truly priceless: more time together. They shared that thanks to the outstanding care he has received, they’ve had an additional year so far with their handsome boy, and they are incredibly grateful for every extra walk, snuggle, tail wag, and ordinary day made extraordinary simply because Lucas is there.

Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in the immune system. Large cell lymphoma is generally considered an aggressive form of the disease, but it can often respond well to chemotherapy. Treatment is focused not only on achieving remission when possible, but also on maintaining a pet’s comfort and quality of life throughout their journey.

Cancer care isn’t only about treating a disease. It’s also about protecting quality of life and helping families make the most of the time they have with the pets they love. Learn more about Medical Oncology at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, including our comprehensive and individualized approach to cancer treatment and quality of life: https://www.redbankvet.com/services/medical-oncology

We’re so honored to be part of Lucas’s journey and to care for this very distinguished gentleman. Keep rocking that tie, Lucas—you wear it well! 💙🐾

🌟Testimonial Tuesday🌟

First things first… how much do you just want to boop that perfect nose?! Meet handsome Archie, whose family had some wonderful words to share about Dr. Opatut and our General Practice team!

Dr. Alene Opatut is one of 12 GP doctors at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, seeing appointments 7 days a week. Our GP doctors also have the unique advantage of working collaboratively with our hospital’s specialists and 24/7 Emergency team, all under one roof. That means whether your pet needs routine wellness care, a specialist’s expertise, or unexpected emergency care, our teams can work together to help make sure they’re covered in every circumstance.

Thank you to Archie’s family for trusting us with your very boopable baby boy!

Need a GP appointment? Give us a call to schedule with one of our General Practice doctors. Or, for added convenience we now offer online booking for several of our GP doctors on our website: https://www.redbankvet.com/

When Chevy wasn’t acting like himself, what his family expected to be a routine veterinary visit quickly became something much more serious. Chevy was found to have pleural and pericardial effusion, an abnormal buildup of fluid around his lungs and heart, and was brought to the Emergency Department at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.

Understandably frightened and fearing the worst, Chevy’s family was quickly greeted and triaged by our ER team. Dr. Albert George provided compassionate care, kept his family informed throughout the visit, and even followed up the next day to see how Chevy was doing.

Chevy was also evaluated by our Cardiology team and Dr. Alex Panarello, who provided specialized cardiac care along with a detailed follow-up to his family.

And the best part? Just two days later, Chevy was happily recovering at home!

His family shared their gratitude not only for his medical care, but for the kindness and compassion they experienced from everyone involved.

Cases like Chevy’s are a wonderful example of how our 24/7 Emergency and specialty teams work together when every moment matters.

We’re so happy to see you home where you belong, Chevy! 🐶❤️🐾

🐾 Surgery Department Success Story: Sometimes the Best Surgery Is No Surgery at All 🐾

When Bella’s family learned that a lump might require surgery, they had every reason to be concerned. Bella has liver shunts, a condition that can make anesthesia and surgery more complicated, so any procedure requires careful consideration of the risks and benefits.

They came to Dr. Heather Baginski, board-certified surgeon at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital for a consultation, and instead of assuming surgery was the next step, Dr. Baginski started with getting to know more about Bella.

She carefully reviewed Bella’s medical history, performed a thorough examination, and recommended appropriate diagnostic testing to better understand the lump before making a decision.

The result? Bella didn’t need surgery after all.

For her family, the good news brought enormous relief. More importantly, they felt confident knowing the recommendation was based on Bella’s individual medical needs and a thoughtful, evidence-based evaluation.

As Bella’s family shared, Dr. Baginski took the time to explain the medical reasoning behind her recommendation and made sure they understood the plan every step of the way.

Surgical expertise isn’t only about knowing how to operate, it’s also about knowing when not to.

We’re so happy Bella was able to head home without an unnecessary procedure, and we’re grateful to her family for trusting Dr. Baginski and the RBVH Surgery team with her care.

🍂 Hello, Fall! 🍂

Today marks the first day of fall, and we’re ready for crisp air, colorful leaves, cozy evenings, and plenty of autumn adventures with our pets! 🐶🍁🐱

As you enjoy the season, keep a few fall pet-safety reminders in mind: watch for toxic mushrooms and seasonal plants, keep pets away from rodenticides and antifreeze, and remember that shorter days mean making sure pets are visible during evening walks.

From all of us at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, we wish you and your furry family members a happy, healthy, and safe fall!

And remember, whether your pet needs routine care, specialty care, or an unexpected trip to the ER, RBVH is here for you, with Emergency & Critical Care available 24/7, and our General Practice department seeing appointments 7-days-a-week.