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Jan 05
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Laboratory

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We offer in-hospital blood testing as well as sending samples out to a reference lab.

Routine blood work is recommended yearly for all geriatric patients. Semi-annual testing may be necessary for patients with certain diseases and those on medication. Changes often take place in your pet without any outward signs. Routine blood tests can detect diseases and disorders at the earliest stages, giving your pet the highest quality of life. We are looking for common diseases that occur as your pet gets older (i.e., diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, anemia, cancer, and infections). Your pet can appear perfectly healthy to you while these diseases progress.

In-house blood work is used for emergency and anesthetic procedures.

The morning of your pet’s surgery we run a blood panel to make sure the anesthetic procedure is as safe as possible. Changes in the function of the kidneys and/or liver may alter the body’s way of processing the pre-anesthetic and anesthetic drugs, and blood work ensures sure these organs are working properly.  If there are changes in your pet’s lab work, it can increase the risk of problems during or following the procedure. Known problems can often be circumvented by a simple adjustment in the type of anesthesia. This allows us to move forward with your pet’s procedure safely.

In an emergency, it is critical to have as many answers as possible, as soon as possible. The information we get from blood tests and radiographs helps us determine the best course of action for your pet. In any emergency, time is crucial and we cannot wait 24 to receive results from a reference lab. Having an in-hospital laboratory allows us to get answers in as quick as 5 minutes allowing us to perform any lifesaving procedures necessary. We hope you never need us for emergency treatment, but are prepared if you do.

Some routine laboratory testing includes:

  • CBC (Complete Blood Count). This test gives information about blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.  It may reveal anemia, evidence of infection, dehydration, inflammation, allergies, parasites, or bone marrow disorders.
  • Chemistry profile. This test gives 25 values, including liver enzymes, kidney values, glucose, proteins, electrolytes, and other valuable enzymes.
  • Thyroid level (T4). This test provides a measure of activity in the thyroid gland (a common disease in older pets).
  • Urinalysis (UA). This test aids in the detection of urinary tract disease, diabetes, and insufficient kidney function.

Keeping your pet happy and healthy is our number one priority. Finding disease early benefits both you and your pet. Many diseases are more manageable in their early stages, possibly resulting in longer life expectancy for your pet as well as less costly solutions for you.

May 16
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Dental Care and Disease

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DentalGood dental care can add 3-5 YEARS to your pet’s life.

All cats and dogs over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease. The sad fact is that dental disease is the number one diagnosed problem in veterinary medicine. There are several things we can do to help your pet live a longer pain-free life, and good oral health is one of the most important. Outside of the “yuck mouth” associated with dental disease, there is the potential for far more serious health problems.

Tartar is a calcification of minerals in the saliva and plaque is a buildup of bacteria. As dental disease progresses, so does the severity of gingivitis. This is painful. When your pet eats, their gums bleed, and that bacteria is injected directly into the bloodstream. This can cause serious infections throughout the body. It can affect the liver, kidneys, and even the heart.

All of this can be avoided with something as simple as regular tooth brushing, annual or semi-annual checkups, and routine cleanings.

Please visit our You Tube station or Pinterest page for instructional tooth-brushing videos.

May 16
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Radiology

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We know how you worry when your pet is sick. We all want to see them get better as quickly as possible. Since they can’t tell us what’s wrong, we have diagnostic tools that speak for them. We offer the highest quality diagnostic testing to help determine what is going on inside your pet’s body. One of those tools is radiographs.  Just what are radiographs you might ask?

Radiographs, also known as X-rays, are a safe, painless, noninvasive diagnostic tool. Low amounts of radiation are used to create a 2 dimensional black, white, and grey picture of the inside of your pet’s body. Radiographs can help reveal irregularities in the size and consistency of bones and major organs; including the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, bladder, and intestinal tract.

Digital radiographs have many advantages over traditional x-ray machines. Digital radiographs are higher in quality and can be manipulated using specialized computer programming. We are also able to give you results quicker since they take less time to perform and process. If a radiology specialist is needed for consultation, they can be emailed with ease.  Radiographs are performed by the caring, well-trained technicians in our hospital.

Our goal is to offer the best possible care for your pet, assuring them the highest quality of life for as long as we can. We encourage preventative medicine and early diagnosis to better treat disease.

May 16
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Flea Control

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A flea problem on your pet means a flea problem in your home. Understanding the flea life cycle and methods for its control can be a daunting task. We will gladly assist you in this process. We can provide you with safe, effective flea prevention and if necessary, flea treatment. See the flea article in the Pet Health Library of our site.

May 16
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Dermatology (Skin)

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Skin problems are common in dogs and cats and can be caused by hormonal disorders, allergies, infections, or parasites such as fleas and mites. These issues can be particularly difficult to treat and should be addressed promptly.

We can often diagnose a skin problem by simply examining your pet. Some dermatologic diseases or conditions do require additional diagnostic procedures to ensure a correct diagnosis. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and the results of our physical exam, we may run blood work or perform a urinalysis, skin scraping, or biopsies.

Contact us if you notice your dog or cat scratching excessively or if he or she develops any bare patches, scabs, scaling, redness, inflammation, lumps, or bumps.

May 16
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Cardiology (Heart)

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Although heart problems are found more often in older pets, these conditions can affect pets at any age. Heart disease is usually a life-threatening condition, but early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can extend your pet’s life. If caught soon enough, some forms of heart disease can be cured.

Heart disease can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), which occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively. If an animal is suffering from CHF, fluid usually accumulates in and around the lungs and sometimes in the abdomen. Congenital heart disease (animals born with a heart problem), valvular heart disease (abnormalities of the heart valves), arrhythmias (rhythm disturbances), and heartworm disease can all lead to CHF.

Call us if your pet starts breathing rapidly or coughing, loses his or her appetite, tires easily, seems weak, or has trouble exercising. We can discover many heart problems during a physical exam. Additional tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), radiographs (x-rays), and ultrasounds, are usually needed to accurately identify the cause of the heart disease or failure.

May 16
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Tonometry

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It is crucial for your pet’s vision that we detect and treat glaucoma and other problems with intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye) as quickly as possible. We can test your dog or cat’s eyes for excess pressure easily and safely. The test, performed with a device called a tonometer, is not painful and does not require sedation.

If not treated immediately (within hours to days), glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or even blindness. Pets that have suffered eye injuries should have this test performed. In addition, we recommend that breeds that are prone to developing glaucoma come in for regular measurements so we can monitor eye pressure and begin treatment before any problem becomes irreversible. Please call us to discuss whether your pet may be at higher risk for glaucoma.

Call us right away if you notice any of the following problems in either or both of your pet’s eyes: dilated (enlarged) pupils, clouding of the cornea (the normally clear outer layer of the eye), red or bloodshot eyes, one eye protruding or appearing larger than the other, squinting, or tearing. Because glaucoma is painful, your pet may react by rubbing or pawing at the eyes or rubbing his or her head against the floor or furniture more than normal.

May 16
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Ultrasounds

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EchoUltrasounds use sound waves and their echoes to give us a picture of what is happening inside your pet’s body. It is very similar to the way bats and dolphins use their echolocation to “see”. We can see your pet’s heart beating, their intestines moving, etc. In essence, we can watch the organs function.

The procedure is simple, painless, and noninvasive and is performed by a Board Certified Radiologist. We use ultrasound to help us identify soft tissue masses and inflammation of the organs. It can help us monitor chronic disease.  It also helps us identify and classify heart disease so we can appropriately treat your pet.

Ultrasounds can be done right here in our hospital. Should your pet ever need an ultrasound we would be happy to assist you.

May 16
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Endocrinology (Hormones)

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Identifying endocrine problems as early as possible is important in dogs and cats. These serious, potentially life-threatening conditions are much more manageable when caught early, allowing us to begin proper treatment.

The endocrine system is made up of a group of tissues (mostly glands) that release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones regulate metabolism, growth, development, and reproduction and are dispersed to different areas of the body, depending on the hormone’s function. When a hormonal balance is disturbed (by a tumor or autoimmune disease, for instance), an endocrine disorder can develop. “Hyper” refers to an excess of hormone, and “hypo” refers to a deficiency in a hormone. Treatment varies depending on the disease.

There are several common endocrine disorders found in dogs and cats:

  • Diabetes mellitus is caused by a deficiency in or resistance to the hormone insulin.
  • Hypothyroidism, which is often diagnosed in dogs, indicates that the animal has low levels of thyroid hormone.
  • Hyperthyroidism, which frequently affects cats, indicates that the animal has high levels of thyroid hormones.
  • Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) and Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) can also affect both species, although Cushing’s disease is rare in cats.

Contact us if your pet begins panting excessively, develops any skin issues (such as hair loss or dull coat), or shows any changes in behavior, energy levels, appetite, weight, water consumption, or urination.

May 16
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Medical Assessment

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To ensure a proper diagnosis, we often need to examine your pet. We begin a medical assessment by looking at your pet’s eyes, ears, and skin and checking his or her cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and skeletal systems for any abnormalities. We will perform blood and/or urine tests as necessary to check your pet’s kidneys, liver, pancreas, and endocrine system, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Based on your pet’s condition, we may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as radiography (x-rays), endoscopy (internal scoping), ultrasound, or biopsy.

If you’re concerned that something may be wrong with your pet, please call us to schedule a medical assessment. Depending on the symptoms, we may ask you to bring in your pet right away.