Our Services
Medical Services
Dentistry
Imagine what your mouth would feel like if you never brushed your teeth or went to the dentist. For many dogs and cats, this is a painful reality that more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of 3. Dental (or periodontal) disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets.
Common signs of dental disease include:
- Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on the teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling
- Changes in eating or chewing habits
- Pawing at the face
- Loose teeth
- Depression
Even if your dog or cat doesn’t have these symptoms, we recommend that you have a veterinarian evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and possibly expensive oral surgery.
Dental disease can also affect other organs in the body: Bacteria in the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause serious infections in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. If these problems aren’t caught and treated quickly enough, they can result in death. A physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if infection in the mouth has spread.
Schedule your pet’s dental exam today with us. We can also show you the best methods on how to brush your pet’s teeth and provide recommendation on dental specific diet foods and treats that will help combat plaque and tartar buildup in your pet.
Radiology (X-rays)
When we need to figure out what’s wrong with your pet, we routinely use x-rays to help identify the cause of the problem, rule out possible problems, or provide a list of possible causes. We may also use x-rays during a wellness exam to diagnose potential problems before they become serious.
X-rays provide valuable information about a pet’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, and genitourinary system (bladder, prostate). We use radiology alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian.
We are proud to offer digital radiology (x-rays that are captured digitally rather than on film). This state-of-the-art technology allows us to provide you with a quicker diagnosis for your pet. Plus, it uses less radiation than traditional x-rays.
To avoid a blurry image, pets need to remain completely still while an x-ray is taken. In some cases, we may need to sedate your pet or use short-acting general anaesthesia.
If you have any questions about our radiology service or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Dermatology (Skin)
Skin problems are common in dogs and cats and can be caused by hormonal disorders, allergies, infections, or parasites such as fleas and mites. These issues can be particularly difficult to treat and should be addressed promptly.
We can often diagnose a skin problem by simply examining your pet. Some dermatologic diseases or conditions do require additional diagnostic procedures to ensure a correct diagnosis. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and the results of our physical exam, we may run blood work or perform a urinalysis, skin scraping, or biopsies.
Contact us if you notice your dog or cat scratching excessively or if he or she develops any bare patches, scabs, scaling, redness, inflammation, lumps, or bumps.
Cardiology (Heart)
Although heart problems occur more often in older pets, pets of any age can develop them. Heart disease usually poses a life-threatening risk, but early diagnosis and proper treatment can extend your pet’s life. Some forms of heart disease can even be cured if caught early enough.
Heart disease can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), which happens when the heart cannot pump blood effectively. Pets with CHF often accumulate fluid around the lungs and sometimes in the abdomen. Congenital heart disease (birth defects), valvular heart disease (heart valve abnormalities), arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), and heartworm disease can all cause CHF.
Call us if your pet begins breathing rapidly or coughing, loses appetite, tires easily, seems weak, or struggles to exercise. We can detect many heart problems during a physical exam. To accurately identify the cause, we usually perform additional tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), radiographs (x-rays), and ultrasounds.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography (also called ultrasound or sonography) is a noninvasive, pain-free procedure that uses sound waves to examine your pet’s internal organs and other structures inside the body. We use it to evaluate the heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, and bladder; detect fluid, cysts, tumors, or abscesses; and confirm or monitor pregnancy.
We often combine this imaging technique with radiography (x-rays) and other diagnostics to ensure a proper diagnosis. Interpreting ultrasound images requires great skill from the clinician.
During the procedure, the ultrasonographer applies gel to your pet’s skin, then methodically moves a small handheld tool called a transducer across the area. The gel helps the transducer glide smoothly and capture clear images.
The transducer emits ultrasonic sound waves directed into the body. These waves bounce back at different rates depending on tissue density and fluid presence. The echoes create detailed images shown on a monitor and recorded for evaluation.
Ultrasound doesn’t use radiation, has no known side effects, and usually doesn’t require sedation or anaesthesia. We typically shave hair in the area being examined to get the best results.
If you have any questions about ultrasonography or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Endocrinology (Hormones)
dentifying endocrine problems as early as possible is crucial in dogs and cats. Catching these serious, potentially life-threatening conditions early makes them much more manageable and allows us to start proper treatment sooner.
The endocrine system consists of tissues—mostly glands—that release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones regulate metabolism, growth, development, and reproduction, targeting different body areas based on each hormone’s function. When a tumour, autoimmune disease, or other issue disrupts hormonal balance, an endocrine disorder can develop. “Hyper” means excess hormone, while “hypo” means a hormone deficiency. Treatment depends on the specific disease.
There are several common endocrine disorders found in dogs and cats:
- Diabetes mellitus is caused by a deficiency in or resistance to the hormone insulin.
- Hypothyroidism, which is often diagnosed in dogs, indicates that the animal has low levels of thyroid hormone.
- Hyperthyroidism, which frequently affects cats, indicates that the animal has high levels of thyroid hormones.
- Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) and Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) can also affect both species, although Cushing’s disease is rare in cats.
Contact us if your pet begins panting excessively, develops any skin issues (such as hair loss or dull coat), or shows any changes in behaviour, energy levels, appetite, weight, water consumption, or urination.
Medical Assessment
To ensure a proper diagnosis, we often need to examine your pet. We begin the medical assessment by checking your pet’s eyes, ears, and skin and examining their cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and skeletal systems for abnormalities. We perform blood and/or urine tests as needed to evaluate your pet’s kidneys, liver, pancreas, and endocrine system, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Depending on your pet’s condition, we may recommend further diagnostic tests such as radiography (x-rays), endoscopy (internal scoping), ultrasound, or biopsy.
If you’re concerned that something might be wrong with your pet, please call us to schedule a medical assessment. Based on the symptoms, we may ask you to bring your pet in immediately.
