- Dental Care
- VaccinationBlood testing to detect antibodies against Leptospira interrogans (microscopic agglutination testing) can be performed. While a value of 1:800 or higher is supportive of a positive diagnosis, confirmation is not made until a second antibody level (called a titer) is run between 2 and 4 weeks and shows a four-fold increase. Vaccination may interfere with testing since obviously the entire point of vaccination is to generate antibodies. If the dog has been vaccinated in the last 3 months, testing will be difficult to interpret; however, a single titer of 1:800 or higher against a serovar for which there is no vaccine is considered a positive result. The PCR test, which amplifies small amounts of DNA, would be an excellent test if vaccination has been recent but PCR testing is not available in most reference laboratories.
- Veterinary OphthalmologyEvery spring the Old Country Animal Clinic hosts the Greater New York Bichon Frise Fanciers Club annual Eye/Knee/Microchip clinic. Dr. Monaco certifies that potential breeding dogs have no congenital defects of their patella (knee) and permanently identifies each pet with an AVID microchip. Dr. Van der Woerdt, a veterinary ophthalmologist, certifies the dogs free of any hereditary eye defects, like cataracts. The following photos are from this years 13th annual clinic.
- Nutritional CounselingVomiting and loss of appetite are normal for a day or two after surgery. If this occurs, you can feed a bland diet of boiled chicken or boiled beef and cooked white rice, or meat baby food.
- Parasites Treatment and Control
- Pain Management
- Vomiting Treatment
- Skin Condition and Allergy TreatmentTypical symptoms: Fever, depression, loss of appetite, joint pain, nausea, excessive drinking, jaundice, excess bleeding brought on by low platelet count..
- Leptospirosis TreatmentThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitor leptospirosis cases in people, and it seems that one third come from contact with infected dogs and one third come from contact with rats (usually through field work). The same disease symptoms occur in humans as would be seen in a canine infection.
- Hip Dysplasia TreatmentTo research canine hip dysplasia, patella luxation, heart disease and other hereditary defects click here to link to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- Heart Disease TreatmentThe pet is given an injection of anesthesia to make her sleepy enough to intubate. Then an endotracheal tube is placed in her “windpipe." The patient is maintained under general anesthesia with an extremely safe gas anesthetic (isoflurane or sevoflurane). She is monitored closely with a pulse oximeter. This keeps track of heart rate, respiratory rate, percent oxygenation of the blood, EKG, and body temperature. An incision is made into the abdomen and the two ovaries and both horns of the uterus are located, ligated (tied off) and removed. This is much easier in young, thin, healthy animals.
- Kidney Disease TreatmentDogs become infected by leptospires when abraded skin comes into contact with the urine of an infected host. The organisms quickly spread through the bloodstream leading to fever, joint pain, and general malaise which can last up to a week. The organism settles in the kidneys and begins to reproduce, leading to further inflammation and then kidney failure. Depending on the type of leptospire involved, other organ failure (especially liver) can be expected as well. Make no mistake, leptospirosis is a life-threatening disease.
- Veterinary Surgery
- Declawing
- Spaying and NeuteringNeuter: The patient preparation for a neuter and the anesthetic protocol is exactly the same as for a spay. When a male pet is neutered, an incision is made just in front of his scrotum. The testicles are removed and the cords are tied with suture. Dissolvable suture is used under the skin, and non-absorbable suture is used for the skin. Neutering helps curb behavior problems as well as help prevent prostate and testicular disease.
- X-Ray
- Microchipping
- Senior Pet Care