Veterinary Services
Wellness & Sick ExamsYour pet's health is our #1 priority. Whether your dog or cat is due for an annual exam or has an illness or injury that needs treatment, our veterinarians and certified technicians are ready to help.
Exams are by appointment, and we do our best to allow time in the schedule for same-day sick visits. |
Veterinary RehabilitatioN*Looking for our Rehabilitation Center? To expand the rehab services that we're able to offer, we have moved all patients in this program to our sister facility: Steel City Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine. SCK9 is fully equipped with physical therapy equipment, non-invasive pain management tools, and an underwater treadmill. Each pet is prescribed a customized therapy program with a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, and you will receive guided instruction for at-home techniques to help care for your pet between visits.
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VaccinationsVaccine recommendations are based upon your pet's individual needs and environmental risk.
Vaccine titers are available upon request. CANINE: Rabies, DHPP, Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella FELINE: Rabies, FVRCP, Feline Leukemia (FeLV) General SurgeryFrom routine spay and neuter surgeries to mass removals and laceration repairs, our hospital is equipped to handle most general surgical cases.
*ACL repairs available at our sister clinic, Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital. All surgical patients undergo a pre-anesthetic exam and testing prior to anesthesia. Each pet is monitored from check-in to discharge by our certified veterinary technicians. RadiographyAn x-ray is a tool that can help the veterinarian diagnose (or rule out) many conditions. For example, radiographs can show an enlarged heart, fluid in the abdomen, or stones in the bladder or kidneys.
We also have access to board-certified radiologists for specialized consulting, when necessary. In-House laboratoryLaboratory tests can reveal critical clues about your pet's health. Our in-house laboratory allows us to run tests while you wait. Some common tests include:
CBC: Checks for anemia, infection, low platelet count, & more. Chemistry: Assesses liver and kidney function, glucose, and the health of other internal organs. This is especially recommended for senior pets to allow early intervention by detecting disease in its early stages. 4Dx: This quick blood test screens for Heartworm Disease and three tick-borne illnesses: Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma. Urinalysis: We examine stained and unstained urine samples under the microscope to look for bacteria, crystals, and abnormal cells. The urine is also tested to assess concentration, the presence of protein and glucose, & more. Fecal: Using a special solution and a centrifuge, we examine your pet's stool microscopically to check for intestinal parasite ova (eggs). Cytology: With laboratory stains and a microscope, we can examine cells for abnormalities, check for yeast or bacteria overgrowth, and assess the composition of masses. MicrochippingA microchip is an invaluable safeguard to dramatically increase the odds of reuniting with your pet if he or she were to get lost.
The procedure is similar to giving a vaccine: using a syringe, the microchip is implanted under the skin near your pet's shoulderblades. Sedation is not necessary, and microchipping can be performed at a routine visit or while your pet is with us for an anesthetic procedure. When your pet is scanned with a microchip reader, the chip is activated and transmits a unique identification number to the reader. This ID number is like a driver's license for your pet, and will be registered in a searchable database to allow the scanning facility to contact you. |
Nutrition GuidanceYour pet's diet can make a significant impact on his or her health. The digestive system is responsible for fueling the body, building a strong immune system, and fighting disease.
Age, size, and the presence of underlying illness all influence your pet's specific dietary needs. We carry Hill's Prescription Diets in our hospital. These therapeutic diets are specially formulated to treat and prevent certain diseases and are only labeled for use under veterinary recommendation. Dental ProphylaxisPeriodontal disease affects most dogs and cats by age three. The best thing you can do to protect your pet's oral health is to brush those teeth daily! Unfortunately, brushing will not remove plaque that has hardened into tartar and moved below the gumline.
Dental cleaning involves ultrasonically scaling and polishing your pet's teeth while under general anesthesia. At that time, the veterinarian is able to perform a comprehensive oral exam to detect gingival pockets, fractures, or diseased teeth that may need extracted. ChemotherapyUnfortunately, pets are sometimes affected by malignant cancer. For some cases in which surgery is not curative, chemotherapy is an option to prolong your companion's quality-of-life. This is a personal choice, and we are here to guide you through your options during this emotional time.
The duration and frequency of chemotherapy treatment depends on the type of cancer, your pet's overall health, and your goals for treatment. Referral Lab ServicesFor specialized or non-urgent testing, we may send samples to a referral laboratory.
This includes tests like tissue biopsies, C6 Antibody testing to assess the severity of Lyme exposure, bacterial cultures, and tests for specific gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases. Turnaround time varies by test, and the veterinarian will call you when results are complete. Ultrasound*Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool that shows real-time images of soft tissues, blood vessels, and fluids within the body. These things are difficult to detect in x-rays, so ultrasonography can be more useful than radiography when assessing abdominal organs.
*Available by appointment at our sister clinic, Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital with Dr. Gaiser |