Hospitalization

We would prefer just to keep your pet healthy and never have to hospitalize a sick animal. However, as with people, illness and injuries occur, as well as infirmities with old age.

We are staffed and equipped to give the finest inpatient care. Anchored by veterans Ron (kennel and hospital maintenance), Marilyn and Bob (laboratory), Laura, Kathy and Cathy in Treatment (how's that for confusing), and Ann and Caitlin (surgery), our staff work together with our doctors to see that all animals are kept clean, comfortable, fed, watered, treated and medicated as is indicated by their condition and individual needs. Anyone who visits a sick pet (see Visiting) in our Hospital is impressed with this care.

Our doctors are dedicated and concerned about their patients, but without the right tools, even the best artist could not create a masterpiece. So we provide advanced diagnostic equipment, including an:

• ultrasound
• EKG
• Tono-pen (for checking eye pressures)
• blood pressure equipment
• high quality radiographic (x-ray) equipment
• endoscopic equipment - both rigid and flexible
• laboratory - anchored by veteran technicians Bob and Marilyn, has advanced equipment capable of running individual blood chemistry tests, including thyroid and cortisol tests, whole chemistry panels, white and red blood cell counts, heartworm, Lyme, etc.. Our lab technicians are experienced and well trained both in handling and maintaining this sophisticated equipment, and also in a variety of other blood tests, cytology, fecal and urine analysis, fungal culture and identification, and specimen preparation for bacterial culture and special tests to be sent to outside laboratories.

If we are good at getting to the root of the problem, we're even better at treating it.

• Our doctors share information at daily rounds, or with each other in our communal office/library to bring the brain power of many to your pets' problems.
• Our pharmacy is up-to-date and well stocked to help ensure the best medication is available.
• Supplies, including IV's and IV pumps are applied and monitored expertly by our doctors and technicians to support your pet when needed.
• Overnight nursing care included!
• Further support is available through such amenities as:
  • tub-tables for quick clean ups and messy procedures
  • Oxygen therapy / Nebulizer Therapy
  • Incubator for little critters and special needs
  • Isolation/Bird/Exotics room - with special heat and ventilation systems.

  
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Visits are permitted at our discretion only - a constant flow of people tends to excite all pets in the kennel. We do not allow visits the for "routine" type surgery patients, and generally do not allow visiting on the same day of surgery. In general, if visiting is approved, the hours allowed are from 1-7 pm.

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Should it be necessary, we have the expertise and equipment to do most procedures. For procedures our own surgeons are not comfortable with, we have available the services of qualified Surgeons who can come in to our Practice to do these advanced procedures, including specialized bone surgery and spinal decompression (i.e. disk) surgery.

• We utilize a variety of anesthetics including both injectable (i.e. propofol) and gas (i.e. isofluorane) as apply to each animal's needs.
• All animals are individually monitored, and get their own sterile surgical pack, sterile gloves, etc..
• We utilize table pads and have water blankets for smaller critters to help maintain body temperature
• Oxygen saturation/pulse/temperature and EKG monitors for help, especially in watching our more critical patients.
• We have many of the tools used by our human counterparts, such as:
  • CO₂ Laser surgery, to decrease bleeding and discomfort in many procedures, including the feline declaw procedure.
  • a Hall Air Drill
  • surgical stapling (both for skin and for rapidly tying off vessels, and multiple-staple-and-cut units for partial organ removal)
  • special instruments for special procedures i.e. eye and delicate tissue surgery
  • suction
  • electrocautery
  
• Mice, hamsters, rabbits, snakes, iguanas, parakeets, parrots, turtles, ferrets, domestic and exotic breed cats, Chihuahuas to New Foundlands, even the rare fish (not an inclusive list) have had surgery in our facility.

We are proud of both our staff, facility and our success in these endeavors.

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Elective/Non-Emergency Surgery Info for Pet Owners

Scheduling

Routine and non-emergency surgeries are scheduled Monday through Friday and usually can be arranged within a week. Routine surgeries include spays, and castrations and cat declaws on healthy animals from 5½ through 6 months of age. All non-emergency and any routine surgery on animals in poor health or not current on vaccinations should be seen prior to scheduling surgery, as should any animal that has never been seen by us before. Older animals for "routine" type surgery may or may not have to be seen, depending on specific age, condition, vaccination status and how recently examined. Also, pre-surgical/anesthetic labwork and fluids are REQUIRED for animal 7 years and older. It is highly recommended for younger pets.

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Fees

"Quotes" for routine surgeries (as defined above) including the specific procedure, anesthesia and hospital stay and can be obtained by contacting our office. For older animals and other procedures our office staff may be able to give an estimate range, or your may need to discuss an estimate with the veterinarian.

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Admission

Routine and non-emergency surgeries are admitted between 6 and 8pm the night PRIOR to scheduled surgery. Occasionally, under special circumstances, other arrangements might be permitted.

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Vaccinations

All animals must be current on the following vaccinations: dogs - canine distemper, parvovirus and rabies; cats - feline distemper and rabies. Please check with us if there is any question of your animals' status.

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Pre-Anesthesia

We use sedatives and pain medications individually tailored to your pet's condition and needs. Our Staff is very proud to provide excellent pain control protocols for every pet.

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Anesthesia

No general anesthetic is without risk! We use a variety of different anesthetic agents, trying to match each animal with the proper drug or drug combinations according to condition and procedure. In addition, pre-anesthetics, fluids and other medications may be used to minimize risks in some patients and conditions. All surgical patients are individually monitored during surgery.

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Pain Control

Numerous types of medications are used before, during and after surgical procedures to reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort. We strongly believe that pain control is optimal for your pets physical and mental well-being.

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Complications

Regardless of precautions, surgical patients are obviously stressed by anesthesia, surgery, and hospital stay. This stress can precipitate directly and indirectly related problems, including "subsurface" problems, such as heart or kidney failure, underlying infections, etc. If your pet already has a known medical problem, the risks may be greater. Specific procedures often have specific related risks of surgical and post-surgical complications. In addition, airborne and indirect contact diseases (i.e. upper respiratory infections, fleas) can be a problem in any hospital or boarding facility regardless of good sanitation, and diet changes can affect some animals as well. The owner assumes all risks when leaving animal(s) for hospital stay and surgical procedures.

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Treatment

We reserve the right to examine and treat any animal evidencing any problems or unexpected operative/postoperative complications, including necessary diagnostics, at the owner's expense. We will attempt to reach the owner if significant problems and/or expense is involved, and time permits. Please leave a phone number where we might reach you or someone authorized to make any necessary decisions regarding your pet.

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Progress Reports

Time permitting, the surgeon will usually attempt to contact an owner sometime after the procedure is done. After 1pm our front office personnel may be able to give an update, or you can leave a message for a doctor to contact you.

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Discharge

Most routine surgeries are discharged from 2-8pm of the day following surgery. Cat castrations are usually able to go home from 6-8pm of the day of surgery. Please call before coming for your animal to be sure your pet is ready. Note: animals may dirty themselves coming out of anesthesia: we cannot always clean them completely in order to keep the incision sites dry and to minimize stress after anesthesia and surgery.

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Bringing Your Pet Home

Anesthesia, postoperative discomfort, stress, excitement, diet changes and possibly illness or exposure to illness can affect your pet's return home. We recommend:

1. Follow all instructions and give medications as prescribed.
2. Try not to excite your animal - they are usually excited enough
3. Feed small amounts more frequently the first day home (same for water if vomiting after drinking large amounts)
4. Keep a close eye on your pet, especially for the first few days home.
5. Call us with any questions or concerns!

Postoperative Considerations

Activity

In general, most surgical patients should be kept quiet, indoors and leash walked only for at least one week. For specific procedures this may vary, i.e. dentistry requires no restriction when acting normally, cruciate ligament repairs require strict confinement for 3 to 4 weeks, and orthopedic patients may be restricted considerably longer.

 

Bathing

No full baths until sutures are removed (or for 10 days if sutures are dissolving type); moist toweling, partial baths and brushing/grooming away from the incision sites can be done if needed.

 

Licking

Try to prevent your pet from licking the incision area. Cats normally groom themselves more than dogs do but if you notice an increase in redness, swelling or discomfort at the incision site or any discharge from the area, please call the hospital and allow a doctor to check it.

If you should feel your animal will or is licking the surgery area excessively or if the doctor feels the surgery indicates the need, a plastic neck collar can be dispensed. Animals are normally able to eat and drink with the collars on, but it may take a day or so for them to get used to wearing one. Alternatively, use of a short or long sleeve shirt or a sock or sock piece, depending on size and location, may be taped (if necessary) in place to help protect the area, and changed as needed. If your animal chews at this covering, bitters may be applied lightly on it to discourage this.

 

Drainage

Occasionally, drainage is expected and desired. For example, after aural hematoma repairs or if a drain was inserted as part of the surgery. In these situations, clean off the discharge at least three times daily with warm water and remove any scabs to facilitate further drainage. You may also be instructed to gently express any accumulated fluid.

 

Bandages & Splints

All bandages and splints should be kept clean and dry. Any loosening, swelling or irritation above or below a splint or bandage, or any excess moisture or bad smells from the area should be brought to the attention of a doctor as soon as possible. Chewing at bandages/splints should be discouraged. They might also be protected as described above under licking. Especially animals with splints should be kept quiet, confined, and given short leash walks only.

 

Cat Declaws

Do not use gravel or clay litter in the litter pan for 10 days after surgery. We recommend Yesterdays News®, shredded newspaper or paper toweling only. Keep the cat indoors and away from dirty or dusty areas for 7 to 10 days. If any bleeding, swelling or discharge occurs, call the hospital and discuss the situation with a doctor or arrange for the animals to be checked.

Please observe any specific instructions regarding your animal's postoperative care. If any questions arise once your are home, please call for clarification.
For pictures see Our Facilities