Whether minor or major, when your pet gets sick or needs evaluation, we are well equipped to help. Our knowledgeable and skilled veterinary staff and state-of-the art facilities allow us to deal with the majority of pet medical and surgical conditions, including hospitalization when necessary.
Acupuncture is the treatment of conditions or symptoms by the insertion of very fine needles into specific points in the body. Those specific points provide access to nerve endings which, once stimulated, send information to the spinal cord and brain. A cascade of events occurs promoting pain relief, increased blood flow, and increased function of organs and tissue which then speeds healing.
There is evidence of the success of acupuncture for treating disorders of the reproductive, musculoskeletal, neurologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic systems.
Alternative therapies are characterized by a holistic and natural approach and include treatments other than conventional western medicine. Alternative therapies include acupuncture, herbology, homeopathy, and massage.
Did you know budgies, parrots and songbirds require regular veterinary attention too?
We advise annual visits to the vet for your feathery friends. During their yearly check up, we will examine your bird’s beak, nails and feathers to determine if they require any specialized attention. Some birds require more frequent examinations. Since birds are notorious for hiding illness, we also recommend annual wellness blood testing to catch disease in it’s early stages.
Note: A bird that doesn.t groom itself correctly and exhibits a ruffled, un-kept look associated with its feathers is usually a sick bird and should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
Beak Trims
Beaks grow continuously and healthy birds wear their beaks evenly. Some birds develop problems with their beaks and require veterinary assistance to trim and grind the beak to a normal functioning appearance. Do not attempt to trim your bird’s beak at home.
Sexing
Determining the sex of many birds can be very difficult and in some cases, impossible, if relying solely on physical appearance. A blood test can be done to determine the sex of your bird. Please feel free to consult with us about these procedures.
Toe Nail Trims
Most birds require their nails to be trimmed on a regular basis. Trimming the nails of birds too short can be detrimental to the bird. Blood vessels inside the nail are easily “nicked” during the trimming process. Be careful if you perform this procedure at home. We suggest it only be performed at home if you have a small bird with white nails. We also suggest you have a readily accessible .caustic. agent available to use if the nail begins to bleed. Alternatively, bring your bird to us on a regular basis and we will trim or grind away the appropriate amount of nail.
Note: Do not use sandpaper perches! They do not wear down the nails and they can cause skin problems.
Wing Clippings
Wing clipping is performed on birds to inhibit their flying abilities. It is a non-painful procedure that ensures the safety of your bird in its environment. A bird that has had its wings trimmed will no longer be at risk of flying into a ceiling fan or into a window. There are several techniques available to preserve the aesthetic appearance of your bird. Please call to discuss this option further or to set up an appointment.
We offer individualized dog and cat behavioral counseling on a variety of issues including aggressive behavior and inappropriate elimination. If you are concerned about some aspect of your pet’s behavior, please contact us and request an appointment with our veterinarians.
Therapeutic laser therapy has been used in human medicine for decades and is now becoming a common complementary therapy in veterinary medicine. Often referred to as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or less accurately, as “cold” laser, these lasers are different from surgical lasers, which cut tissue with a very concentrated beam. Simply put, low level laser therapy works when the laser beam penetrates to the cellular level, causing a reaction that essentially boosts the cell’s energy. Increased energy means faster tissue repair and cell growth creating results like pain relief, decreased swelling and faster healing of wounds and injuries, just to name a few. Laser therapy initiates the body’s own healing process meaning that, even after the treatment is over, the anti-inflammatory response can continue for up to 24 hours!
Laser therapy is a non-invasive, quick and essentially painless treatment for a wide variety of conditions. It can be used to treat acute conditions such as soft tissue injury, surgery recovery, wounds and bone fractures as well as chronic conditions such as arthritis, ear infections, skin infections and some neurological issues. Most treatments take less than 15 minutes and even chronic patients can experience improvement after just a few treatments. The frequency and duration of treatment depends on the condition being treated but, most patients can decrease or stop laser treatments over time and still achieve the same results as their body begins to heal itself.
Ever wondered what type of dog your mixed breed dog is? It is now possible to answer that question with DNA testing. Following a simple sample collection, the test is submitted and results are provided in a few short weeks.
The loss of a pet can be a tragic event. The emotions we have as a result of this loss are real, justifiable and nothing to be ashamed of. Our team understands these feelings, as many of us have faced this in our own lives. We also have literature that can help you and your children deal with the loss of a family pet. Please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding this issue.
We are pleased to offer you veterinary services at most of our locations for ferrets, lizards, hamsters, snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small but important pets.
Your ferret should be examined yearly by a veterinarian. A stool sample for parasite check should be submitted at the same time as the yearly check up. Vaccines are available for ferrets and can be discussed with you during your visit.
Common problems associated with ferrets include gastrointestinal disease (diarrhea), parasites and cancer. Ferrets are inquisitive creatures by nature and frequently ingest objects they shouldn’t. Any loss of appetite or abnormal behavior should alert you to a potential problem and the need for veterinary consultation.
Your furry friends require veterinary attention too! You should seek veterinary attention if your pet stops eating, appears quieter than normal, exhibits discharge from the eyes or nose, and/or develops a lump on its body. Teeth grow continuously in these small animals and often require attention.
These interesting and entertaining creatures are frequently presented to veterinarians for nutrition-related problems. We strongly advise you to set up a nutritional consultation with our veterinarians to discuss how you may best avoid these conditions.
All reptiles should have yearly examinations and parasite checks.
Rabbits are susceptible to a variety of conditions including hairballs, overgrown teeth, parasites and cancer. If your rabbit stops eating, appears overly quiet, experiences discharge from the eyes and/or nose, you should have him or her examined by a veterinarian.
Rabbits should be examined yearly by your veterinarian. Wellness blood testing and parasite checks may be recommended.
We provide medical assessments and surgical procedures for a variety of other exotic animals including mice, rats, sugar gliders, pot-bellied pigs and hedgehogs. We see many diseases related to improper nutrition in these animals. Please talk to us about how to properly feed your pet as most of these diseases can be prevented with a fundamental knowledge of their nutritional requirements.
Massage therapy is an alternative therapy which may help reduce stress in the body, help joints, muscles, and bones heal, provide basic pain relief, and may assist in the rehabilitation and regeneration of muscle tissues. Both acute and chronic conditions may respond to massage therapy, especially as a complement to other forms of treatment.
