Services
At the Kelsey Canine Medical Center we offer a full range of veterinary health care for your canine companion. From puppyhood to the geriatric patient we can treat, diagnose, and prevent many diseases and conditions that can affect man's best friend. These are just some of the services that we provide.
- Internal Medicine
- Surgery
- Dentistry
- Anesthesia
- New Puppy Visits
- Nutritional /Weight Management Counseling
- Preventative Medicine
- In House Pharmacy
- In house Laboratory
- Parasite Prevention
- Behavioral Counseling
- New Pet Selection
- Microchipping
- Radiology
- Pain Management
- EKG
Because our focus is just on one species, our doctors are better able to keep up with the latest in medical care and recommendations in regards to cardiology, endocrinology, dermatology, and gastroenterology just to name a few. Our doctors also closely work with local veterinary specialists to provide even more advanced care when needed.
Should your dog require surgery, you can be certain that they will receive the utmost care from our doctors and staff. On every surgery we first address the need for pain medication and decide upon the right pain management protocol. Also we will evaluate your pet's blood values prior to surgery to ensure they are a healthy candidate for the procedure. Our state-of-the-art surgical suite was designed with the canine patient in mind and includes features such as a heated surgery table, IV fluid administration, and an advanced anesthesia monitor. The doctors are experienced in a wide range of surgical procedures including abdominal surgery, soft tissue surgery (skin, eyes and ears), and spays and neuters. Our entire staff delivers compassionate care to your canine as they recover and spend the day with us.
Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs. Over 68% of all pets over the age of three have some form of periodontal or dental disease. Most pets might have bad breath, red, bleeding and swollen gums, discolored, missing or loose teeth. There is substantial scientific evidence that bacteria from tartar are absorbed into the blood stream and deposited in various organs. Heart and kidney disease often result. Second, tartar builds up along the gum line. As the tartar enlarges, it pushes the gums away from the roots of the teeth. Eventually, the teeth will loosen and fall out. To prevent this from occurring we offer complete state-of-the-art ultrasonic teeth scaling, followed by full polishing, and performed while your dog is under anesthesia. Our dental services are performed with the same high-quality dental equipment (high-speed drills, ultrasonic scalers, and polishers) found in most human dentist offices. It cannot be emphasized enough that regular professional cleaning is important to maintaining your pet's health. Upon completion of the teeth and gum cleaning, we will provide you with home dental care instructions to help your pet preserve a healthy smile! You may schedule a dental appointment for your dog by simply calling us at 861-BARK.
Whenever your four legged family member requires anesthesia or sedation, we understand the apprehension you feel. That's why we use only the safest available gas anesthetics like isoflurane. Also because our clinic focuses on the health of just dogs, we're aware of some of the special needs certain breeds require for surgery. We have a state-of-the-art electronic monitor that allows us to continually monitor blood pressure, EKG, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, and body temperature throughout the procedure. In addition the veterinarian and the veterinary assistant continually monitor your dog during the procedure and the post-op recovery phase.
As soon as you get your puppy home, it is important to have us evaluate the health of your new family member. In fact, we recommend that breeders give you at least 72 hours for you to bring your new puppy in to see us in order to ensure a healthy puppy. A thorough examination is necessary to detect any possible congenital defects or early signs of disease. A puppy series of vaccinations will be determined for your new puppy. We recommend a series of four puppy vaccines starting at 6-8 weeks, and continuing through 9-10 weeks, 12-14 weeks and 16 weeks. These are administered to prevent potentially fatal infectious diseases. Internal and external parasite examinations are performed to detect and treat parasite infestations. We will also begin heartworm prevention on their first vaccine visit. Prophylactic de-worming of all puppies is performed as recommended by the CDC in order to prevent potential zoonotic parasite transmissions. Advice is given regarding care of your new pet including feeding, exercise, house training and more.
Nutritional /Weight Management Counseling
We will provide guidance on your dog's nutritional needs and identify an appropriate diet based on their overall health, life stage, activity level, and environment. Also realize some pets require special foods if they have certain conditions or diseases. Our trained staff is available to help you choose the right diet for your pet to keep him or her happy, healthy and active.
Also nearly one-third (33%) of all adults in the United States are obese. Unfortunately, this same number now applies to our pets. Obesity leads to several diseases both in pets and people. Type II diabetes, heart disease and arthritis are the most common weight-related disorders. Diet and weight reduction are the key to ensuring that your pet lives as long and healthy a life as possible. We have several diets that are especially made for pets that are obese. Please ask our staff for more information.
Wellness visits
At the Kelsey Canine Medical Center we believe the most important part of your annual visit is the exam our veterinarian will perform on your dog. It's easy to forget that one year for your pet is equivalent to approximately seven human years. Our veterinarians are trained to feel, listen, and look for things that may go unnoticed by owners. Laboratory tests for internal parasites and heartworms will also be checked. We will advise you on diet, exercise, and lifestyle through all stages of your dog's life.
Annual Health Screening
This important test combines a heartworm test with a screening profile to determine organ function ( i.e. liver, kidneys), and a complete blood count to look for infection or anemia. If your dog is over seven years of age we will also perform an even more advanced study of organ function including a thyroid screening. Please call our office at 861-BARK to schedule your pet's annual health screening today.
Vaccinations
Over the past several years vaccine guidelines have shifted from the traditional annual vaccination to an extended three year protocol. Most of the core vaccines (Rabies and Distemper/Parvo) are now administered on a three year cycle; however, a few still require annual boosters like Bordetella, Lyme, Lepto and others. Again because we focus solely on dogs, we will individually tailor the vaccines according to the needs and exposure levels of your dog.
For your convenience, our in house pharmacy allows us to send you home with the appropriate medication the same day of your appointment. We have a complete inventory of veterinary pharmaceuticals, heartworm/flea prevention, shampoos, and pet prescription diets.
With our in-house laboratory facilities, we can provide immediate serum chemistry, complete blood counts, serology, urinalysis, and parasite testing while you wait. For more specialized diagnostics, we work with a national veterinary laboratory which supports us with timely (usually next day) lab results and excellent veterinary specialists for consultation.
There are several types of internal parasites that cause problems in dogs. These include nematodes, or roundworms, of which Toxocara canis (intestinal roundworm) and Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) are the main examples, and cestodes, or tapeworms of which Dipylidium caninum, Taenia species and Echinococcus species are important examples. Ancylostoma species (hookworms) are also common internal parasites in many parts of the United States. Also, heartworm disease is a major life-threatening problem. It is considered to be one of the most serious conditions seen in small animal practice. Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. There are many effective products available for the prevention and control of these parasites. Ask our staff what we recommend to prevent these harmful parasites.
We can provide advice on a wide range of canine behavioral problems including aggression, obedience, house training/crate training, and separation anxiety. We can also offer guidance on introducing a new dog to your home, traveling with your dog, and many other issues. If you have a specific behavior problem with your dog, we are at your service!
Many times new pet owners need guidance on certain breeds of dogs that might best suite your family's needs. This is an all too important decision that sometimes gets overlooked. Certain breed's become popular overnight in our society due to television shows or movies. Please give us a call before you make such a long-term decision on the choice of your next best friend.
A microchip is a tiny transponder, about the size of a grain of rice, which is encoded with a unique identification number. It is used for permanent identification. The procedure is fast, safe, and appears to be relatively pain-free in most pets. The chips are usually inserted without incident, even in the smallest of puppies. The microchip can be 'read' with a microchip scanner, which detects the specific electronic code embedded in the chip, and displays the identification number on the scanner's screen. Most, if not all, humane societies and animal shelters now have microchip readers, and routinely scan all stray and injured animals.
Our on-site, modern X-ray equipment provides high quality radiographs to aid in the diagnosis of many disorders. With automated processing, the x-ray films may be taken, developed, and read all within several minutes. Radiographs are helpful in the diagnosis of many canine diseases.
In recent years, veterinarians have made great progress in understanding how dogs feel pain and the best ways to manage that pain. Many dogs will instinctively hide their pain as a survival mechanism, which, in the past, lead to incorrect assumptions about the ability of dogs to feel pain. Because we now understand more about how dogs feel pain, we now know how to recognize and manage it. With obvious injuries or after surgical procedures, we can reasonably assume that the dog will experience pain. Although the signs may be subtle, careful observation will often reveal signs of pain in most dogs. Most dogs experiencing pain will change their behavior patterns. Pain is something that no pet should experience needlessly. By closely observing your pet for subtle signs of pain and by working with us, your pet can enjoy a long, pain-free life!
We provide EKG services on-site as well as consultations with cardiology specialists.