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.
Orthopedic surgery for pets consists of invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures. These procedures can encompass joints, bone, and associated muscles, tendon, ligament, and cartilage.
Orthopedic issues are generally characterized by the part of the body that is affected. There is also a further distinction made between whether the orthopedic issue derives from birth (congenital) and whether it develops over the course of your pet’s life.
Dr. Caitlin Matters has taken advanced training and is able to help your pet with the following procedures:
-Femoral Head Osteotomy
-Cruciate Ligament Repair
-Leg Amputation
-Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) x-rays
Endoscopy ,or “scoping”, is a diagnostic procedure that allows our veterinarians to visualize and biopsy (obtaining samples of tissue for testing) your pet’s internal organs without the need for invasive surgery. It can, for example, allow us to retrieve an accidentally swallowed item without the need for surgery. It allows us to actually see inside of the stomach, intestines and airways to help detect any abnormalities.
Endoscopy requires the use of a general anesthetic for the animal to allow us to pass the scope.
Spaying , or ovariohysterectomy, is commonly performed at around six months of age; before the first heat cycle. This is a major abdominal day surgery requiring a general anesthetic.
The benefits of spaying at a young age include preventing inadvertent pregnancies, preventing uterine, ovarian and mammary tumors, preventing uterine infections (pyometra), eliminating inconvienent heat cycles, and reducing certain hormonal related behavioural problems.
Cardiology involves the diagnoses and treatment of heart disease. This can range from congenital heart defects to age related heart failure. Diagnoses of heart problems often involve the use of radiology, ECG’s, or ultrasound in combination with a thorough physical exam.
Due to advances in medical treatments, many types of heart problems can now be treated effectively.
Ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic tool used to detect several abnormalities in internal organs. It involves sound waves that are passed through tissues to transmit an image onto a monitor. This images helps to detect any abnormality in the structure of an organ.
Ultrasound is also commonly used to diagnose pregnancies at an early stage.
The advantage of using ultrasonography is it is a non-invasive procedure. It is often used in combination with radiology (x-rays) to give a complete picture of the internal organs.
Dr. Mila Profit has taken advanced training and is available to provide ultrasound services for your pet.
Neutering, or orchiectomy, is performed at around six months of age. It is a day surgery that involves a general anesthetic.
The advantages of neutering at six months of age include prevention of testicular tumors, greatly reducing the chances of prostate problems, and a reduction in hormone related behavioural problems.
Soft tissue surgery pertains to surgery involving the skin, ears, eyes and abdominal organs (such as stomach, intestines, bladder). Some examples of common soft tissue surgeries include laceration repair, abscess repair, removal of swallowed objects, removal of bladder stones, correction of eyelid problems, and removal of skin growths. We offer referral to a specialist for complicated soft tissue surgeries.
Orthopedic surgery refers to those surgical procedures performed on bones, muscles and ligaments/tendons. Often, pets will fracture a bone or rupture a ligament or dislocate a joint that requires surgical repair. Often these surgeries can be quite involved and, occasionally, may require referral to a specialist.
Congratulations on your new puppy!
To get you started the following visits are recommended for your new pup:
6-8 weeks of age:
-First physical examination
-Initial vaccination
-Begin deworming schedule
-Nutrition and behaviour counseling
8-10 weeks of age:
-Physical examination
-Booster vaccination
-Chart growth rate
-Begin flea preventative medication (depending on time of year)
-Consider health insurance
12-16 weeks of age:
-Physical examination
-Final vaccinations including rabies and bordetella vaccinations if required
-Chart growth rate
-Discuss spay/neuter surgery
6 months of age:
-Spay/ neuter surgery
-Consider microchip implant