Endocrinology
Allergic Disorders
Geriatrics
Pediatrics
Parasitology
Radiology & Ultrasound
Surgery
Dentistry
Behavior
Many animals today suffer from endocrine disorders. Perhaps the most common endocrine disorder of cats is hyperthyroidism. Fortunately this is a disease condition that can usually be managed either by medication, surgery, or radiation therapy. Another very common condition of both dogs and cats is diabetes mellitus, a failure of the body to produce insulin to regulate blood sugar. This condition is a challenging one but a special interest of ours. Cushing's Disease is an adrenal gland disorder. It is less commonly seen than hyperthyroidism and diabetes, but does occur regularly. It is also usually controllable by medication if diagnosed properly. Hypothyroidism is a lack of thyroid hormone. The condition is nearly exclusively seen in dogs. Signs include obesity, sluggishness, and intolerance to cold. It also sometimes leads to chronic skin disease and ear infections.
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Many dogs and cats suffer from allergy. Dogs are more prone to the problem. The problem is usually manifested by itchiness. The pets scratch incessantly. Sneezing, Eye and ear infections, or foot licking may be other signs of allergy. Allergies can be seasonal, to pollens or molds in the spring, summer or fall, (or fleas in teh late summer) or they can be year round. Year round allergies suggest sensitivity to food. Allergic disorders, and skin diseases represent nearly 25% of patients presented to veterinarians for treatment.
In our youthful years, we rarely think about diseases of aging. But time always catches up. We age. We can't help it. Dogs and cats age much faster that we do. (click here for age comparison chart). An adult dog or cat ages approximately four times as fast as we do. That means that an annual examination of your pet is comparable to you going to your doctor every four years. Remember that when you get your next notice for your pet's annual examination. All older pets should have regular examinations. The examinations should include laboratory tests to identify problems when they are manageable. We could extend the lives of many pets if we could identify problems early by available testing methods.
Immunity begins with a good puppy, kitten immunization program. A puppy or kitten that is well vaccinated early in life is off to a super start that will carry through for years to come. Although there is some controversy about how often to vaccinate adult pets, there is no controversy about getting the pet off to a good start in life by thoroughly vaccinating when young. Puppies and kittens have immature immune systems; they need a series of vaccinations when young to boost their resistance to disease.
We see parasites every day, day in, and day out. We don't see them just sometimes. We see them all of the time. There are those creatures we call intestinal parasites; roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and more. There are also external parasites, the most important of which is the flea. Parasite control is crucial to your pet's well being. We suggest you always bring a little "sample" when your pet comes for an examination. Ask us about the latest methods of external and internal parasite control.
We are equipped with the most modern (brand-new) radiology unit. Ultrasound is available in the hospital by appointment.
Where Dr. Greenberg's interests lean to internal medicine and acupuncture, Dr. Swails has a special interest in surgery. Of course we do routine surgery such as spays and neuters, but we perform many other procedures as well. We do most soft tissue and orthopedic surgery procedures here. More complicated cases are referred to area specialists.
As dogs and cats age, tartar accumulates on the teeth. The tartar invades the spaces between gums and teeth and eventually loosens the attachments of the teeth. The tooth becomes hopelessly unsalvageable. Worse yet, tartar is ripe with bacteria. A damaged attachment of gum and tooth is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Every time your pet chews, billions of bacteria enter the blood stream. They collect on heart valves and lead to heart murmurs. They collect in the kidneys and lead to weakened kidneys. Regular examinations will identify those pets in need of dental cleaning. This is another very good reason for annual examinations of your pet.
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We believe in the psychology of starting your pet of in its early months by proper training. Too many pet owners either ignore or abuse the pet's training in its early formative months. That is not because they mean to do so. It is because they do not know how to train a young animal to be a good pet for life when it grows up. It is much easier to prevent problems in the pet's formative stages, than it is to re-train an adult pet by modifying its unwanted behavior. We offer periodic behavior seminars by a professional trainer. Her methods are based on rewards, not punishment. If you need behavioral modification for an adult pet, we can refer you to the correct persons.
