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.
|
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. |
- 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.
Microchips
Facts about lost pets:
- Every two seconds a family pet is lost.
- 41% of cats lost in 2007 were reported by owners to be “Indoor only” cats.
- Only about 2% of lost cats ever find their way home from shelters.
- Collars and ID tags can fall off or become damaged, leaving no form of identification on lost pets.
- Microchips are essential in times of disasters. If more animals had a microchip during hurricanes or tornadoes, more would have been returned home.
Facts about microchips:
- A microchip is small, about the size of a rice grain.
- Microchips have been used for decades to track wildlife, zoo animals and livestock.
- Each microchip has its own individual number.
- Placement of the microchip is done through a needle, much like a vaccine. It is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. This is a quick and painless procedure.
- After having the microchip placed, it then needs to be registered through the company. Registration information should be updated with the company whenever it changes.
Overall, microchips are a permanent form of identification. Veterinary clinics and shelters routinely scan unknown or stray animals for the presence of microchips and if found can help reunite the family!
|
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. |
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.
Feline Laser Declaw
The Benefits Of The CO2 Laser Feline Declaw
Cats Veterinary is proud to announce we have been completely “laser only” for our declaw procedures since the year 2004. The laser surgical method for declaws provides the most humane and state of-the-art technique.
Become Educated On Feline Declaw Procedures
Onychectomy ( or most commonly called “declawing”) is the term used to describe the permanent removal of the distal portion of the claw. This surgical procedure is done under general anesthesia.
Cats scratching is a normal behavior done to mark territory and also to help shed dead nails. At Cats Veterinary we understand that behavior modification is not always effective in deterring your feline friend from using its claws inappropriately and so only offers the most advanced method of declawing.
There are three methods of performing a declaw procedure. The oldest method is referred to as the “Resco Declaw” and utilizes a guillotine-type nail trimmer to perform the surgery. There are numerous complications with this procedure including the chance of nail re-growth and healing time is often prolonged. The second method is performing the declaw by utilizing a scalpel blade. While this method is an improvement on the “Resco Declaw” the healing time is still prolonged.
Performing the declaw with the use of the CO2 laser provides for the quickest healing time and with Cats Veterinary’s pain management protocols your feline friend will be pain-free during recovery.
Declawing by CO2 laser avoids the use of tourniquets during the procedure, which eliminates radial nerve complications. The laser cauterizes blood vessels and nerve endings, which provide a significant, decrease in post-operative swelling and pain.
What Is Included In The Cost Of Cats Veterinary’s CO2 Laser Declaw?
- Pre-anesthetic Blood Work. We tailor our pre- anesthetic blood work panels to the age of your feline.
- Two pre-operative pain management injections.
- Anesthetic induction with use of Isoflurane gas. Cats Veterinary does not use injectable anesthetics.
- Electronic monitoring of vital signs. A licensed technician will monitor both pulse oximetry and heart rate.
- A surgical technician that will assist the doctor with the procedure and monitor your cat.
- Surgery by use of the CO2 laser.
- Post operative phone call to the owner by the surgical technician.
- Overnight patient recovery stay at the clinic.
- Post- operative morning exam to ensure that the surgical sites are normal and your cat is recovering well.
- Patient surgery discharge to owner by a licensed technician on home care including an explanation on the need to use special non-irritating litter.
- Post operative phone call from the clinic to check on recovery progress.
Cats Veterinary aims to keep your cat pain free during the healing period. We offer the best in pain relief. Our staff would be more than happy to answer any questions regarding pain medication or about our CO2 laser.
MLS Laser Therapy
Cats Veterinary is proud to announce we now offer MLS Laser Therapy as an effective, proven, and pain free treatment option. This safe and effective therapy uses specific wavelengths of light that quickly reduce inflammation and swelling in tissues that are exposed to the laser
The Conditions Treated by the MLS Laser Therapy
- Rapid relief of pain
- Strong anti- inflammatory effect
- Timely healing of sprains and strains
- Rapid resolution of swollen area
- Immediate improvement of local blood circulation
- Postoperative pain relief
- Faster wound healing
How Laser Therapy Works
Photons of laser energy penetrate into tissue and accelerate cellular reproduction and growth. This means the laser will kick-start the healing process and speed up the recovery time. As inflammation is reduced, pain will subside quickly. There are no known side effects and most patients see positive results in 1 to 3 treatments.
Recommended Procedures for MLS Laser Therapy
After performing a full physical exam, the doctors at Cats Veterinary will determine if your feline friend has a condition that will benefit from the use of the MLS Laser Therapy. Such conditions are:
Arthritis Pain
Tendonitits
Sprains/ Strains
Postoperative
Wound healing
Inflamed Ears
Cystitis ( bladder inflammation)
Stomatitis
Disc Disease
Joint and Hock Pain
Lameness
Laminitis
Sinusitis
… and much more
|
