Greenfield Veterinary Hospital

Where pets are people too!

Although an owner may believe that the symptoms a pet is experiencing are exactly the same as the pet experienced before, subtle changes or differences that an owner may not see can alter the way a pet is treated medically. These changes are only recognized through a thorough physical exam with the doctor. Sometimes the treatment for a condition is the same as it was previously but there is no way to determine that without seeing the pet. We strive to provide the best possible care for your pet and re-prescribing medication isn’t always the best medicine. 

Although this adds additional cost to any surgical procedure, the drugs used during surgery to anesthetize a patient are metabolized either through the liver or the kidneys. If either of these organs is not functioning properly, using these drugs can cause harm to your pet and making anesthesia a risk to your pet. The only way to test for organ function is with blood work. If one or the other of these organs isn’t functioning up to par, not only can safer anesthetic protocols be used, but it may also be helpful in identifying early stages of disease that neither you nor the veterinarian were aware of previously. Sometimes a simple change of diet can correct the progression of these illnesses and put your pet back onto the road to a healthy future.

We strongly recommend that flea and tick prevention be used all year long. A common misconception is that since there is snow on the ground during the winter months that there is no threat of flea infestation. However, prior to the snow falling, fleas have discovered that moving inside your home for the winter allows them to continue to propagate throughout the winter. Fall and winter are often the times of heaviest infestations. Keeping your pet protected during these times is paramount to keeping fleas at bay the rest of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although Interceptor provides safe and effective protection against parasites in your pets, that protection isn’t 100%. Rarely an animal will become positive for heartworms and other parasites even while taking preventatives. For this reason, testing is necessary yearly to insure that an animal remains heartworm and parasite free from one year to the next.

Why do I need a heartworm test every year when I keep my dog on heartworm prevention year round?

Do I need to continue with flea and tick prevention all year long?

Does my pet really need blood work prior to surgery?

Why does my pet need to be seen again when I know it’s the same problem as last time?

Quite simply yes! Although these prescription diets cost more than over-the-counter diet products, they are necessary once your pet has been diagnosed with any form of urinary crystal. These diets are formulated to help the body dissolve these crystals on its own, preventing further formation and keeping the bladder healthier over the life of the cat. This prevents blockages, urinary irritation, bladder infection, discomfort to the pet and bladder inflammation which not only can cause pain but can also lead to thickening of the bladder wall.  The bladder is like a balloon, a very thin, membranous sac located in the abdomen. A healthy bladder is nearly transparent. Once the bladder becomes thickened over time due to inflammation and irritation from crystals, infection or stones, it can lead to poor function and eventually incontinence. Simply by changing the cats diet at the first sign of crystals, you can maintain good bladder health throughout its lifetime. So eventhough it may cost a little more, it saves you money in the long run.

Do special diets really help my cat with urinary crystals?

The dogs most at risk for canine influenza are dogs that are boarded frequently or that are groomed multiple times a year. Normal contact while on walks or at the dog park generally doesn’t put dogs at risk for contracting canine H3N8 influenza virus. If your pet fits into the high risk category, we are offering the vaccine to protect your pet from contracting the influenza virus. Call the office to make an appointment.

Is my dog at risk for canine influenza?

Send your questions to info@greenfieldvethospital.com!

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