Internal Medicine

Small animal care has changed dramatically in the last few years. Coupled with technology and new procedures, internal veterinary medicine is continually changing. To keep up with the latest techniques & and procedures, our staff members attend many continuing education programs. This ensures that your companion receives the highest level of veterinary healthcare. Our veterinarians are highly trained in diagnosing and treating a wide range of internal medical problems. They also have a wide range of diagnostic tools at their disposal such as, on-site laboratory, digital radiographs, and ultra-sound.

Dermatology & Allergies

Pets that scratch excessively may be allergic to one or many things. Some pets are affected continually, while others have problems only occasionally or at certain times of the year. Pets may be allergic to such things as flea bites, pollen, mold, grass, trees, wool, tobacco smoke, certain foods, and even other pets. Regardless of the offending agent (allergen), the main signs are scratching, biting and chewing the skin, which may result in extensive skin damage. The damaged skin is then highly susceptible to bacterial infection. Our highly trained veterinarians are skilled in diagnosing and treating skin problems.

The manifestations of allergies can be confused with other disorders, or be concurrent with them. Therefore, do not attempt to diagnose your dog without professional assistance. Your pet may need a full diagnostic work up by your veterinarian. If an allergy is diagnosed and identified, the whole family must follow your veterinarian's advice very closely if success in controlling the problem is to be achieved.

Our veterinarian will discuss your pet’s clinical history and environment surrounding with you. After excluding other possible cause for your pet’s symptoms, he or she may be prescribed a simple blood test from Bio-Medical Services. Our Pet ELISA is an accurate, reliable test for allergies, one that offers many advantages for pets and owners alike. The Pet ELISA blood test can even be done on pets being treated with antihistamine or steroids.

Your veterinarian will draw a small amount of blood from your pet and send it to the Bio- Medical Services laboratory. Your pets serum will be tested for sensitivity to a panel of grass, tree and weed allergens specific of your geographical area, as well as to other important allergens such as dust mites, molds or cat dander.

The Pet ELISA can also identify your pet’s sensitivities to specific foods. Avoidance of the offending food is the only therapeutic option available for the treatment of food allergy. Bio-Medical Services will send your veterinarian a computerized listing of commercial foods acceptable for your pet. Over the years, we’ve documented dramatic improvement in thousands of dogs and cats will food allergy, simply through targeted changes in diet.

Avoidance of sensitizing allergens is preferred, but this is often difficult if not impossible. Steroid drugs and antihistamines offer short-term relief, but prolonged use of these drugs is not advisable, and may even be harmful to your pet. Immunotherapy (also known as hypo sensitization, desensitization or allergy injections) is the only proven, safe and effective method available for the treatment of allergies.

Studies have documented success in more than 70% of the animals tested, evidence by marked improvement of allergy symptoms accompanied by reduction or elimination of the need for steroids or antihistamines. Success depends upon the precision of diagnosis and is highly dependent upon adherence to a prescribed course of treatment. Most side effects if immunotherapy are localized, mild reactions easily treated with antihistamines. Sometimes a small adjustment to the injection protocol is required. Systemic adverse reactions are extremely rare.

Every animal's allergic response to immunotherapy is unique, and pets show progress at different rates. Some animals exhibit immediate, dramatic improvement in allergy symptoms, shortly after immunotherapy begins. For others, 6-8 months is required before significant improvement occurs. It is also known that symptoms can return if allergy injections are stopped. Allergies are rarely, if ever, cured. The need for allergy injections may continue throughout your pet’s life.

Nutritional Counseling

Pets need special nutritional care for many reasons (obesity, diabetes, arthritis, urinary, or kidney problems). Our veterinarians can provide a custom made nutritional plan that fits your pet's needs.

Approximately 40% of all Americans are obese. Unfortunately, this same number now applies to 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 management can be the first step in preventing health problems.

Behavioral Counseling

Most, if not all, behavioral problems can be a stressful situation for your pet as well as for you. You can consult our veterinarians and they can suggest a wide range of tools such as simple behavioral training classes to pheromone treatments. With the proper care and perseverance, many of the behavioral problems can be solved

Behavior problems can be due to medical or behavioral causes. A clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing will determine if there are underlying medical conditions contributing to the problem. Although there may be a single cause for a behavioral problem, it is often the combined effect of the environment and learning, on the pet's mental and physical health that determines behavior.

List of Common Behavioral Problems

Humane Euthanasia

The humane euthanization of a cherished pet creates a sense of loss and produces a predictable chain of emotions. Many times the decision to let your pet go instead of suffering is the best thing you can do. Most pet owners want their pet's last moments to be as comfortable as possible and stress free. We offers several options in humane euthanasia.

• In Home- Our board certified veterinarians and veterinary assistants are trained in gentle restraint procedures. With the use of these procedures our staff will provide this service in an environment that is comfortable for your pet.

• Owner Witnessed- Other owners want to witness their pet's last moments. For these clients we offer owner witnessed humane euthanasia. After filling out the required paper work, you and your pet will be provided a private exam room. Our highly trained staff will administer the euthanasia solution by using gentle restraint procedures.

• Drop Off- Some owners wish not to be present during the euthanasia. We offer you the option of dropping off your pet for human euthanasia. After filling out the required paper work, our highly trained staff will administer the euthanasia solution by using gentle restraint procedures.

• Post-Euthanasia Options- For Years, your beloved pet has lived by your side, offering comfort and companionship through thick and thin. When that time comes to say, "Goodbye", and you are forced to address the inevitable, consider these options.

• Individual Cremation- Where your pet is cremated individually so the remains can be returned to you. For our modest fee we include a quality wood urn with engraved metal memorial plaque. 

• Communal Cremation- Communal cremation is a procedure where several pets are cremated together. Their remains are scattered in our Garden Of Companions.

Private Burials- Please call us for more information 925-292-5153.