Pet Medical Services

PET MEDICAL SERVICES

Our knowledgeable staff and our facilities allow us to deal with a variety of medical conditions your pet may experience. We hope we do not have to see you or your pet for an emergency but if we do, we are equipped to handle the situation. In some cases, your pet may require hospitalization and further diagnostic tests.

• Complete Medical Assessment: A complete medical assessment begins with a thorough physical examination whereby your pet’s eyes, ears, skin, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and skeletal system are examined for abnormalities. Blood tests can be performed to assess the proper functioning of your pet’s kidneys, liver, pancreas, and endocrine system, including the thyroid gland and adrenal glands. Urine tests can detect similar problems. Depending on your pet’s condition, we may recommend further diagnostic tests such as radiography (X-rays), endoscopy (internal scoping), ultrasound or surgery.
• Cardiology (Heart): A heart problem can affect your pet at any age although it is more often found in older pets. Many heart problems can be identified on physical examination. Additional tests are usually required to accurately identify the cause of the heart disease. Additional tests include EKGs (electrocardiograms), radiographs (X-rays), and ultrasounds. Heart disease is a serious life-threatening condition but early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can extend your pet’s life. We have a veterinary cardiologist who comes to our clinic about once every month to evaluate your pet’s heart condition if needed. He is also available at the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Valley Forge.
• Flea Control: A flea problem on your pet means a flea problem in your home. Understanding the flea life cycle and methods for its control can be a daunting task. We will gladly assist you in this process. We can provide you with safe, effective flea prevention and if necessary, flea treatment.
• Dermatology (Skin): Dermatology refers to the study of the skin. Skin disease is a frequently observed problem in dogs and cats. Diagnosing a skin problem in your pet may simply require an examination by a veterinarian; however, most skin diseases or problems require additional steps to accurately determine if there is an underlying cause. Additional diagnostic procedures may include blood work, urinalysis, skin scraping, biopsies, etc. The cause of skin problems ranges from hormonal disorders to the common flea. You should book an appointment for your animal if you notice any excessive itchy behavior, loss of hair, and/or the presence of scabs or scale on the skin.
• Endocrinology (Hormones): Endocrinology is the study of hormones and there are several common endocrine disorders found in dogs and cats. There are many signs observable in pets with endocrine disease. These signs include (but are not limited to) the following: abnormal energy levels, abnormal behavior, abnormal drinking, urinating and eating behavior, excessive panting, skin disorders, and weight gain or loss.
• Laboratory Services: When the physical examination does not provide a diagnosis of your pet’s illness, we often rely on blood, urine and stool tests to investigate a problem. We utilize an off-site laboratory that provides us with a one-day turn-around time for most tests, and we also have an in-house laboratory to evaluate organ system function in certain situations with same day results.
• Hospitalization: Should your pet require overnight hospitalization, we provide intravenous fluids controlled by measuring pumps, injectable medications, appropriate prescription diets, and heating sources as needed. We have a highly qualified technician who checks on the animals in the late evening and communicates with the on-call doctor about any questions or concerns. If your pet is unstable and requires 24-hour monitoring, we will facilitate the transfer to one of the specialty practices with whom we work closely.