Client Resources

Routine annual veterinarian visits for apparently healthy pets are ideal resources for preventive medicine. The best chance a pet has against an illness is early detection and prevention of the disease altogether.

A physical examination by a licensed veterinarian includes a general evaluation of the temperature, pulse, respirations/lungs, teeth, skin, ears, eyes, abdomen, joints, weight, mental status, muscle tone, and assessment of the patient’s history.

Female pets are spayed to prevent ever getting pregnant. We perform a complete ovariohysterectomy, which removes both ovaries, uterine horns, and the uterus. Male pets are neutered to prevent being able to impregnate a female. We perform a castration to remove both testicles. If a pet is cryptorchid, or retains the testicle within the body, the patient is at a higher risk of testicular disease and may pass the trait to the litter.

Several positive reasons for spaying/neutering your pet include:

1. Decrease risk for breast cancer and uterine infections in females.

2. Decrease risk for prostate and testicular diseases in males.

3. Decrease risk of aggression and roaming in males. Also prevents traumatic incidents related to these behaviors.

4. Decrease chance of unwanted litters or complications related to pregnancy and breeding.

5. Females no longer have heat cycles.

6. Decrease likelihood of spraying or marking territory, especially in your home.

7. Altering your pet is now affordable and cost effective compared to providing the veterinary care for a new litter.

8. Be part of the cause to reduce pet overpopulation and needless euthanasia throughout our shelters nationwide.

We prefer to alter pets at 4-5 months of age before their first heat cycle and before reaching puberty.

Tissue healing at the incision site can take 7-14 days. Patient activity varies for each pet based on age and medical condition. Most patients return to normal activity in 1-3 days, though some require pain medication for 1 week.

Periodontal disease is inflammation of some or all of a tooth’s support. When compared to gingivitis, periodontitis indicates bone loss. If left untreated, periodontitis may cause loose painful teeth as well as internal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque (bacteria). Bacteria are attracted to the surface within hours of teeth being cleaned. Within days, the plaque becomes mineralized and produces calculus. As plaque ages and gingivitis develops then periodontitis (bone loss) occurs.

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Stage 1 gingivitis can be treated by teeth cleaning, polishing, and fluoride treatment. Stage 2 disease will require deep scaling and application of a local antimicrobial if pocket exists. Stage 3 disease is treated similarly in cases where the owner is able to provide and the owner is able to accept daily plaque control. Once stage 4 disease occurs, surgery is necessary to treat the affected teeth through specific procedures or extraction.