Common Services Offered by an Animal Clinic
A common service offered by an animal clinic is wellness exams for your pet. They focus on preventive care and routine checkups and may perform spaying and neutering procedures. Some animal clinics can also perform diagnostic tests and refer complicated cases to a better-equipped hospital. Be aware, however, that clinics do not always carry a complete inventory of medications. Therefore, you should call ahead to confirm. If you are not sure what services your pet’s clinic provides, ask the vet.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a key part of your pet’s wellness program. There’s never a good time to begin your pet’s vaccine schedule, as it will ensure your pet’s protection against common contagious diseases. However, a vaccination schedule is especially important when your pet is still a puppy or kitten. Make sure you include booster shots in your pet’s routine, too. Nw Houston animal clinic offers vaccination packages for every stage of life.
Vaccinations are biological preparations made of dead or weakened microbes and delivered in small doses to your pet’s body. Vaccines train your pet’s immune system to fight off specific diseases, reducing the severity and frequency of outbreaks. As a result, vaccinations are the most effective and affordable way to keep your pet healthy and prevent future diseases. Fortunately, many clinics offer a wide range of vaccines, and a veterinarian can help you choose the right one for your pet.
Diagnostic testing
Various tests can be performed at an animal clinic to determine the health of your pet. Annual wellness blood and urine tests can help detect diseases like feline leukemia, heartworm disease, and parasites. These tests can also detect changes in the liver and kidney functions, as well as intestinal parasites. Early testing also provides a baseline for future reference. Diagnostic testing is commonly performed during pre-anesthetic screenings.
A veterinarian can also order specialized tests to determine the condition of your pet. For example, blood chemistry tests measure the number of certain chemicals in your pet’s blood. Any changes in this number may indicate a problem with an organ. Other diagnostic tests include x-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs. These tests can identify many common veterinary conditions. A veterinarian can also perform diagnostic tests to find urinary tract infections, internal parasites, and heart disease. Some tests also look for foreign objects your pet may have consumed and internal injuries.
Feline spay
While it’s rare that a cat will require spaying, if you do, it may be time to consider it. The procedure is a major abdominal operation, and the cat will likely need pain medication for at least seven to ten days. During that time, the cat is likely to be less active and exhibit decreased activity. A reversible anesthetic is used for cats, and most cats will recover within 15 to 30 minutes. A cat that is in good health and active will recover quickly. A cat that is older or in heat will take longer to recover. In addition, the procedure may cause a seroma to open on the cat’s skin. In either case, antibiotics may be necessary.
In addition to preventing the development of cancer, spaying prevents the risk of pregnancy. Unspayed cats have an increased risk of mammary, uterine, and prostate disease. Because spaying can prevent these diseases, it is an important decision for the health of your pet. In addition to saving your pet from pain, spaying also has a number of other health benefits.
Ovariohysterectomies
Ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which both ovaries and uterine horns are removed. Most of the uterus is left in place. The procedure is the most common form of spaying in the United States. In veterinary colleges, this is taught to students. The ovary and the uterus are removed from the abdomen through an incision in the center. The abdominal wall is closed afterward.
Ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the ovaries and uterus from female animals. This procedure is commonly performed on cats and dogs but can also be performed on guinea pigs, reptiles, and rabbits. Its main goal is to prevent the animal from reproducing and causing unnecessary problems.
Microchip identification
While most veterinary offices and pet rescue shelters offer microchip identification, you should also ensure that your animal gets it. Typically, a pet is microchipped before being adopted, which can be a particularly valuable service. But microchips must be registered. Microchip identification requires annual registration with a company, and the cost of microchip registration is low. Therefore, you should only pay for this service once a year, although you can purchase a lifetime microchip plan if you’re worried that you will lose your pet.
Luckily, microchips are permanent, and unlike a tag, the microchip can remain implanted for the life of the pet. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted into the animal just like a vaccination. It contains information about the pet owner and can be read with a special scanner. It’s worth the price of a microchip if you have to worry about your pet’s safety or being left behind.
Behavioral counseling
Veterinary behavior services are available for pets with a variety of behavioral issues. These services promote the healthy behavior of pets and reinforce the notion that the veterinary practice is a complete healthcare provider. They should be separated into three categories: bonding services, screening for behavioral changes, and problem behaviors. Successful implementation of these services may require a team approach, leveraging the expertise of nursing and office staff.
Behavioral counseling for dogs and cats is a common service offered by animal clinics. Behavioral problems in pets are the leading reason owners give up their pets. A behavioral expert at North Hills Animal Hospital can help you understand the causes of your pet’s problems and provide solutions to correct them. Physical ailments cause some behavior problems. Your veterinarian can guide to help you to decide whether behavioral counseling is right for your pet.