Medical Services

Regular examinations are especially important for our pets because of their ability to mask illnesses. We’ll discuss specific care of your pet to ensure that he or she is housed correctly and fed an appropriate diet, and perform diagnostics such as blood testing, or intestinal parasite exams as needed.

Hospitalization

If your pet becomes ill, he or she may need to stay in the hospital for diagnostic testing and treatments. We have kennels in our main treatment room for observation of critical cases, as well as a quiet room specifically for our feline patients with a window for observation to help reduce stress by keeping them away from all of the noises and other pets. Our separate cat ward is part of our commitment to being a Cat Friendly practice.

If a patient has a contagious disease, we have an isolation ward in our treatment room with windows for observation to keep the rest of the hospital free from contamination, and precautions are taken by the entire staff to prevent the spread of diseases.

While in the hospital your pet may receive intravenous (IV) fluids in order to keep your pet hydrated and keep electrolytes balanced. We use an infusion pump to make sure that your pet is receiving the proper amount of fluids in the proper timeframe. An IV catheter is placed in a leg and wrapped in a soft bandage for comfort and protection.

During the weekend we will come in at least twice a day to medicate, treat, clean, offer food and water, and to take your dogs out for a walk. The doctor comes to the hospital in the mornings to give your pet a brief exam and will call you to let you know how your pet is doing.

Our Union, KY office is equipped to handle your pets should they need hospitalization.

Surgery

We offer many types of surgical procedures, from the routine to emergency cases, including:

  • Spay and Neuter
  • Tumor/Mass/Growth Removals
  • Ear Flushing
  • Endoscopy
  • Exploratory Surgeries:
    • Foreign bodies
    • Tumors
    • Intestinal Hernias
  • Orthopedic Surgeries:
    • Cruciate Ligament Repair: TTA/Tightrope
    • Patellar Luxation Repair
    • Fracture Repair: Plating, Pinning, External Fixators
    • Back Surgery (Hemilaminectomy)
  • Breeding Services including insemination

We normally do surgeries Monday through Friday. For more information about a specific procedure, or to schedule an appointment, please call in advance.

Anesthesia

Many pets go under anesthesia at least once in their lives. To ensure the safest possible anesthetic experience for your pet, we use the most current safety protocol recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association. However, just like in human medicine, anesthesia has its risks. To help reduce these risks we may require a few tests prior to your pet’s procedure.

The doctor will begin with a full physical exam the day of surgery to make sure nothing new has developed, as well as listen to the heart and lungs. We may also check your pet’s heart with an electrocardiogram (ECG) to make sure there are no abnormal rhythms that may not be detectable by stethoscope.

To check for underlying conditions that may interfere with the surgery, we recommend doing a few blood tests. These may include a Complete Blood Count to check the levels of blood cells that help to fight off infections and to promote healing after surgery, as well as a Chemistry Panel to check the liver and kidneys to make sure they can process the anesthesia and remove it from the body.

Once we ensure that everything is within normal limits, we will proceed with surgery. We use a gas anesthesia, just like in human hospitals, called Sevoflurane, which is the safest choice in gas anesthesia currently available. To further help reduce risks during surgery we place an intravenous (IV) catheter to supply your pet with fluids and keep your pet hydrated during and after the procedure, which in turn keeps their blood pressure up. This catheter also gives us a port directly into the vein in the event we need to administer emergency drugs.

After surgery, your pet will recover in a warm and comfortable cage under the watchful eyes of our doctors and technicians. Most surgery patients will go home later the same afternoon, but certain surgeries require a longer hospitalization. Feel free to bring food from home or a special blanket or toy if your pet is going to stay overnight.

Dentistry

Most people understand the importance of daily dental care for themselves but forget that it is also important for their pets. Plaque and tartar can build up on your pet’s teeth and gums causing bad breath, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. The teeth are close to the bloodstream which means that severe oral disease can worsen problems in other parts of the body like the heart, liver, and kidneys.

To help prevent these problems we offer many different products to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Chews, dental diets, mouth rinses, and brushing teeth with toothpaste formulated specifically for pets can help remove bacteria off of the main surface of the tooth. However, professional dental cleanings are the only way to remove the bacteria that lies under the gums.

Signs that your pet may have dental problems include:

  • Persistent halitosis (bad breath)
  • Discolored teeth
  • Swollen, receding, or bleeding gums
  • Sensitivity of the mouth (pawing or rubbing at the mouth)
  • Change in eating habits or loss of appetite
  • Decrease in activity

 

 
Ultrasonic Scaling and Polishing

Our veterinarians and technicians use an ultrasonic scaler to remove the tartar from your pet’s teeth, just like at your own regular dental visits. This process even removes the tartar from under the gum line where the toothbrush can’t reach. We then follow up with a polishing that removes the small grooves in the teeth, making it harder for the tartar to grow. For more information on dental cleaning, go to oralatp.com.

The following procedures are available at our hospital:

  • Digital Dental Radiography
  • Dental Cleanings
  • Root Canals
  • Pulpotomies and other tooth saving procedures
  • Extractions
  • Counseling on home dental care