Our hospital offers thorough Ear Exams as one of our many services. Symptoms like head shaking, scratching and pawing at the ears, rubbing the ears on the floor or furniture, whining, and abnormal odors are common.

Conditions of the ear occur frequently in dogs and cats and result from a variety of causes. As with any other health issue, gathering a detailed history and performing a full examination of the patient is critical in determining these causes and is vital to the long term resolution of the symptoms. Careful examination of the ear with an otoscope, visualizing the full length of the ear canal and the ear drum, provides information important to the diagnosis.

Conditions of the ears can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful. Some patients will require sedation or anesthesia to be properly evaluated. Additional diagnostic tests are often warranted. Rechecking the ear after each stage of the treatment is critical to providing a long term resolution.

Did you know that your pets can have allergies to common environmental factors just like you?

Do you ever notice your pet’s skin becoming uncharacteristically red or itchy? This could be an allergic reaction. Pets can suffer from allergies to elements in the environment around them, as well as certain ingredients in their foods, just like people can.

Some signs your pet may be suffering from an allergy can include:

  • Itchy, or red/pink skin
  • Unusual scratching or itching
  • Discharge from the eyes or nose
  • Hair loss
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you suspect that your pet could be suffering from an allergy, it is recommended that you schedule to have an examination and consultation with your veterinarian. Your doctor will be able to assess your pet, discuss his or her symptoms, and conduct any necessary tests to help isolate the allergy. Together, you can decide on which course of medication, or diet will help restore your pet to good health.

Our staff will help you cope with euthanasia and end of life decisions. Unfortunately, there comes a time in the life of all pets when the possibility of a recovery to a comfortable existence is highly unlikely. Caretakers of an animal must at this time consider all possibilities to relieve the pet’s suffering.

One option is the palliation of symptoms. Proper nursing care is critical when patients cannot care for themselves. Providing proper nutrition, hydration, warmth, and skin care provide comfort. Pain, nausea, digestive irregularities, respiratory congestion, and movement limitations should be medically addressed. When proper care is provided, the final days of life can provide solace to the caretakers.

Often medical intervention may not provide a level of comfort acceptable to the animal’s caretakers. Euthanasia is often considered in these circumstances to hasten the pet’s death. The decision to euthanize a beloved pet is among the most difficult choices a pet owner ever has to make. Consultation with a veterinarian will help owners determine whether euthanasia is appropriate and when that might occur.

In a quiet and comfortable environment, euthanasia is performed by a veterinarian with the injection of an anesthetic overdose into a vein through a IV catheter. Because an anesthetic is used, no discomfort is perceived by the patient. The patient passes quickly. The veterinarian will insure that the heart, pulses and breathing have stopped. Pet owners are free to be present or leave depending on their preference.

Prior to euthanasia, pet owners should decide how

the pet’s body will be cared for. This reduces the emotional stress at the time of the procedure. Our hospitals provide a range of respectful options, from burial to private cremation.

Through consultation with the veterinarian and the hospital staff, the last days of a pet’s life can be comfortable and can reflect the care and love that the pet has experienced throughout its entire life.

Wellness Exams

At every visit, your pet receives a complete physical examination. During your appointment, one of our veterinarians informs you about all your pet’s healthcare needs and can provide:
  • Wellness evaluations and preventative care
  • Health profiles specifically tailored to puppies, kittens or senior pets
  • Post-purchase/post-adoption examinations of newly acquired pets
  • Parasite control (fleas, ticks, worms, etc.)
  • Treatment for acute illness or injury
  • Care and monitoring of chronic conditions
  • Nutritional advice
  • Prescription medication
  • Behavioral counseling
  • Referral to Board-Certified Specialists when uncommon or highly specialized procedures are required
  • Humane and compassionate end of life services
Our hospital offers a variety of Internal Medicine Services.

Internal Medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, management and nonsurgical treatment of disease affecting the lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, intestinal tract, urinary tract, endocrine system and neuromuscular systems. Management of these conditions is typically done with diet, exercise and medications.

If your veterinarian feels your pet has a more advanced or specific problem, they may recommend referral to an Internal Medicine Specialist who has additional internship and residency training beyond veterinary school and has taken a set of examinations certifying them as a specialist within that field.

Our hospital offers Geriatric (Senior Wellness) Medicine Services for your older pet.

When your pet reaches his or her “golden years” they require special care and your veterinarian will recommend certain screening tests. The tests enable your veterinarian to provide an early diagnosis for some of the common diseases that affect older pets, so that they can manage those diseases more effectively. In addition to this testing, twice-yearly examinations will be recommended to ensure your pet receives the best care as he or she ages.

This is because each year of an older animal’s life is roughly equivalent to 4 human years. Our pets age much faster than we do. Therefore, we need to do all we can to watch carefully and frequently for any developing problems. The earlier we find them, the more we can do to control these problems.

If your pet is already facing an illness or disability that can come with old age, your veterinarian will work with you to maintain the highest quality of life for your pet.

Our hospital offers a variety of Internal Medicine Services.

Internal Medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, management and nonsurgical treatment of disease affecting the lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, intestinal tract, urinary tract, endocrine system and neuromuscular systems. Management of these conditions is typically done with diet, exercise and medications.

If your veterinarian feels your pet has a more advanced or specific problem, they may recommend referral to an Internal Medicine Specialist who has additional internship and residency training beyond veterinary school and has taken a set of examinations certifying them as a specialist within that field.

Dental disease is not just a cosmetic problem. Studies have shown that the bacteria in the mouth shower the other organs with germs every time your pet chews. This can result in heart, lung, kidney or liver diseases. An unhealthy mouth can actually shorten your pet’s life. Good dental care can have a positive impact on your pet’s life, comfort, and overall well-being.

The key is knowing what to look for:

  • Does your pet have bad breath, red or bleeding gums, tarter build-up or loose teeth?
  • Is he/she refusing to chew hard food or bones?
  • Is he/she dropping food from his/her mouth despite being hungry?
  • Is your pet rubbing his face with his paw or on the carpet?
  • All of these are subtle signs of dental disease.

If you have any questions, or would like a Dental Treatment Plan, please feel free to call us, e-mail us or talk to one of our veterinarians or staff members.

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Exotic Pets Preventative Care