Preventative Medicine – Preventative medicine is just that – preventative. Performing a bi-annual exam with some simple blood tests allows us to identify any abnormalities before they become apparent. The most important part of your cat’s visit to the veterinary hospital is the physical examination performed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian is trained to evaluate and identify problems early so that treatment, if needed, is started quickly. Preventative medicine can include, but is not limited to:
- Physical Exam
- Vaccinations – Vaccinations are an important part of preventative care. We determine which vaccines are needed for your kitty on an individual basis, which takes into account exposure risks.
- Routine Diagnosic Testing is recommended for early screening of disease.
- Nutritional Counseling
- Dental Care
- Grooming (includes nail trims, mat removal, ear cleaning)
Digital Radiology – Digital radiography is state of the art technology and helps provide a quicker, clearer and faster x-ray image. Similar to a digital photo, a digital radiograph can be manipulated after it is taken allowing our doctors to view the image in ways that are not possible with film technology. Radiographs, or x-rays, are important for evaluating the size and shape of the internal organs in both the chest and abdomen and also for examination of the skeletal structure.
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Ultrasound – An ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure used to evaluate internal organs. Ultrasound allows the veterinarian to look inside an organ. Sound waves are transmitted from the probe and are either absorbed or echo back from internal organs. Based on how many sound waves are absorbed or reflected, an image of the internal organ is displayed on a computer screen.
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- Abdominal ultrasound is important for more detailed evaluation of the internal architecture of organs like the kidneys, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, and urinary bladder.
- Cardiac ultrasound is essential for evaluation of the function of the heart. A skilled ultrasonographer can measure the wall thickness of the chambers of the heart as it beats and determine the contractility and effectiveness of the heart muscle.
Endoscopy – An endoscope is a long flexible tube with a tiny camera at the tip, and within the tube is a channel that allows the passage of a variety of instruments, including snares and biopsy items. Using an endoscope can be valuable for visual evaluation of the esophagus, stomach, early small intestine and colon. Sometimes we can even retrieve foreign bodies (objects accidentally swallowed) with the endoscope. Biopsy samples can be obtained with the endoscope, but these samples are very small and full thickness surgical biopsies are usually better for getting a true diagnosis.
CO2 Laser – The laser provides state-of-the –art surgical technology for use in many surgical procedures. The advantages of using the laser includes less bleeding by cauterization and less pain since nerve endings are deadened by the laser cut.
Rhinoscopy – A rhinoscope is a small, rigid, fiberoptic tube used for examining the entire nasal passage. The rhinoscope is attached to a television camera to provide easy viewing. Using a rhinoscope is valuable for visual evaluation of the inside of nasal passages. We can also take a biopsy while still being a minimally invasive procedure.
Microchipping – This is a form of permanent identification that places a small “chip” under the skin. This procedure can be done at anytime.
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Dental – Veterinary dental cleaning is very similar to the care you receive when you go to the dentist. Patients receive an ultrasonic scaling, handscaling, polishing and then a fluoride treatment. We also offer routine dental X-ray screening to all patients. Many problems under the gumline can only be detected through taking an X-ray.
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Anesthesia – We only use the safest gas anesthesia for cats. We never use injectable anesthetic agents. Injectable anesthetics can cause respiratory depression that may not be able to be reversed. Gas anesthesia is more easily monitored and controlled.
Diagnostic Lab – Our hospital offers a full in house laboratory. We can have most test results in minutes.
Chemotherapy – Unfortunately, cats can also get cancer. We are pleased to be able to offer chemotherapy to patients as a treatment for cancer. Most cats that are candidates for chemotherapy respond well to their treatments with very few of the negative side effects that are often seen in human medicine.
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