During an examination, we evaluate the following areas on your pet:

• Temperature, respiration rate, pulse, and body weight.
• The ears are examined for yeast, bacteria, parasites, or foreign objects.
• The eyes are checked for any abnormalities, injuries, or ulcers. The eyes are the window into the body and help us identify internal problems. While examining the face, we check your pet's nose and nasal passages.
• The gums, teeth, tongue, and palate are checked. We look for dental abnormalities, fractures, loose teeth, tarter build up, tumors, infections and even anemia (decrease in red blood cells).
• A stethoscope is used to listen to your pet’s heart and lungs. Early signs of heart disease can be recognized this way.
• The reproductive system is examined closely for swellings, discharges, and breast lumps.
• The skin is the body’s largest organ and a good indicator of nutritional health. We check for skin abnormalities. We can detect allergic skin conditions, infections, warts, cysts and tumors. We also check for fleas and ticks and other external parasites.
• The abdomen is palpated to detect irregularities such as enlarged organs, masses or areas that are painful.
• The legs and feet of your pet are manipulated and checked for abnormalities.
• In addition, we check and palpate the external lymph nodes.

Your pet’s health can change rapidly. During an exam, we ask you questions about your pet’s health. Please inform us about any unusual behavior or potential problems your pet is experiencing, including:

• Excessive drinking and/or urination
• Excessive panting or coughing
• Changes in eating patterns
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss or weight gain

During the exam, we may also recommend baseline screenings of blood, urine and feces to further assess your pet’s overall health. The old saying is true - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regular physical exams are the cornerstone of your pet’s preventive health care plan.

Vaccinations-
We use the Continuum DAP, the first canine vaccine approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for three year duration-of-immunity (DOI) against DAP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus). We also offer vaccines for Bordetella, Rabies, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease and Crotalus (Rattlesnake Toxoid).

For cats we offer the Continuum HCP, the only feline vaccine approved by the USDA for 3 year protection of Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia. We also use the safest technology in our vaccines for feline Rabies and feline Leukemia.

According to the latest scientific research pertaining to vaccines, we now have proof that the duration of immunity for viral vaccines is close to 100% protection for 3 years. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to vaccinate for all diseases every year.

Heartworm and Parasite Prevention –
Prevention is the key to keeping your pet safe from heartworm disease!

Heartworm is a serious, life-threatening disease that affects both dogs and cats. If left untreated, heartworms can damage the heart and lungs and, in some cases, result in death. Heartworms are transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Clinical symptoms of heartworm infection are slow to appear. In dogs, the symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, and lack of energy. Cats may exhibit convulsions, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, fainting, rapid heart rate, lethargy, coughing as well as non-specific symptoms. Advanced cases of heartworm infection can lead to heart failure and death.

Companion Animal Hospital recommends both cats and dogs be given preventive heartworm medication. Prevention for cats is particularly important, as there are many common myths and misunderstandings about heartworm disease in cats. In order to prescribe and dispense medication, the state of California requires a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, in which we have seen your pet within one year. All dogs must have had a current heartworm test during the past year. As long as these requirements are met, you may simply stop by the office for a refill of heartworm preventive medication.

Parasites and Zoonosis
Fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms and other parasites don't just pose a health risk to your pet—they can affect your family as well. Some animal diseases and parasites are zoonotic—this means they can be transmitted from animals to humans. Often, zoonotic parasites can be transmitted through regular contact—eating without washing hands and walking barefoot outside. Young children are particularly at risk since they taste everything.

Parasite Prevention
A very high percentage of puppies and kittens are born with or acquire intestinal parasites from their environment. Therefore, in accordance with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control, we administer deworming medication to puppies and kittens at least two times at two week intervals once they arrive at their new home. We perform a fecal flotation test during the puppy or kitten's first visit. We also perform a prophylactic deworming, in order to treat an unapparent infection and to purge immature parasites that may not be seen. The fecal flotation tests for eggs of adult intestinal parasites.

Due to the risk of zoonosis, it is extremely important to use a broad-spectrum heartworm and parasite prevention product for your pet. These products protect not only your pet, but your family as well.

Diagnostic Laboratory-
Companion Animal Hospital utilizes a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory in order to better treat your pet. Our lab is staffed by highly trained veterinary technicians capable of quickly processing and analyzing a number of tests, from complete blood counts and fecal tests to urinalysis and heartworm tests. These laboratory tests are extremely important in diagnosing, treating and assessing follow-up care for your pet.

Digital Radiology-
Radiographs (x-rays) are one of the most important diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine. Companion Animal Hospital utilizes high-quality, Digital radiology equipment for diagnosing your pet's problems. X-rays are useful in evaluating a number of areas of your pet’s body, from the heart, lungs and reproductive system to the gastrointestinal tract and the musculoskeletal system. X-rays can detect tumors or foreign objects (toys, bones, etc.) inside your pet’s body and pinpoint the location of fractures as well as symptoms of heart disease.

Surgical Services-At Companion Animal Hospital, it is our commitment to you and your pet to provide the highest quality patient care. We offer state-of-the-art anesthesia with Sevoflurane and monitoring technology to help ensure your pet’s safety and comfort before, during and after surgery.

All pets requiring anesthesia for any surgical procedure begin with a thorough examination performed by the veterinarian. They are also offered age-appropriate pre-anesthetic blood testing. Many pets appearing healthy on the outside may have an underlying disease or condition which could compromise their safety while under anesthesia. Based on your pet’s physical exam and blood test results, the doctor determines the safest and most effective anesthesia and pain management protocol. We recommend that all surgical patients also receive an IV catheter and IV fluids for the duration of their surgery, which keeps them well-hydrated and promotes a faster recovery. To assist in maintaining body temperature and comfort level, all patients are placed on special heated tables during sedation. For the duration of the surgery, each pet's heart rate, blood pressure, SPO2, EtCO2, respiration, and temperature are closely monitored and recorded.

After all surgical procedures, our surgical staff does everything possible to ensure the highest level of comfort for your pet. Your pet is placed in our Intensive Care Unit and continuously monitored. Our highly trained team ensures that your pet's body temperature is well regulated, provides additional pain medication if necessary, and offers continued supportive care until your pet is able to go home. All surgical discharge instructions are fully explained to every client prior to discharge to ensure the best possible recovery for every pet we treat.

Companion Animal Hospital offers many surgical options to our clients. We perform a variety of surgeries ranging from the routine to intricate, including but not limited to:

• Spays and neuters
• Feline declaws
•Soft-tissue repair
• Orthopedics
• Ocular procedures
• Stenotic nares
• Soft-palate resections
• Sebaceous Adenoma (wart) removal
• Caesarian Sections
• Surgical Semen implantation

We are a full-service hospital, but if our doctors find there is a need for any patient to visit a specialist, we offer referrals for regional veterinary specialists. Rest assured, while in our facility, your pet receives the highest medical attention and care. We strive for excellence here at Companion Animal Hospital.

Reproduction-
At Companion Animal Hospital, we are experienced in canine reproductive issues. We can aid in the proper timing of breeding by performing vaginal cytology and monitoring Progesterone levels in the female's blood stream. Once the timing is right we are fully equipped to perform artificial insemination if necessary. This is done by semen collection, fresh chilled samples or frozen samples. In the difficult to conceive patient surgical implantation of semen can be beneficial.

Lifestage Wellness-
As your pet ages, his or her health care needs change. Pets age more quickly than people and each stage of a pet’s life requires a different approach to health care. Companion Animal Hospital understands the needs of pets at all ages and has developed three health care plans for each stage of your pet’s life.

Puppy and Kitten Exam-
Bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home is a wonderful, exciting experience! Companion Animal Hospital helps you welcome your new four-legged family member with our special puppy and kitten wellness exams.

As part of each examination, we will administer age-appropriate vaccinations, fecal examinations, deworming, heartworm prevention and a complete physical examination. Our staff will also discuss with you important health care information about your new pet, including basic behavioral training, nutrition and dietary guidelines, crate training and zoonotic diseases. We also provide all pet owners with a free puppy or kitten information packet to review at home. Please ask us any questions you may have about your new pet - we encourage all pet owners to take an active role in their pet’s health.

Senior Pet Exam –
Your pet enters his or her "senior years" around the age of 7. It may seem like only yesterday that your pet was a playful kitten or puppy; however, pets age more quickly than people and your senior pet’s healthcare needs are very different from those of a younger pet.

Companion Animal Hospital’s comprehensive senior wellness program is available to pets starting at age 7. The program includes a thorough senior wellness examination, a blood profile tailored specifically for your senior pet and urinalysis tests.

As your pet grows older, he or she may develop diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, hypothyroidism and cancer. If your pet does not undergo frequent examinations, these diseases can go undetected and progress rapidly. This makes regular examinations an extremely important part of your senior pet’s health care.

Dental Care -
Healthy teeth and gums do more than just keep your pet’s breath fresh. Routine dental cleanings are an integral part of preventive health care. Plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth can lead to periodontal disease, which in turn can have far reaching effects on your pet’s health. Companion Animal Hospital offers complete dental care procedures for your pet, including routine cleanings, examinations and tooth extractions.

Why your pet needs regular cleanings:
Periodontal disease is caused by the build-up of bacteria and plaque on your pet’s teeth. It’s extremely common - more than 80 percent of dogs and cats have this problem by the age of 4 - but it’s also highly preventable. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause bacteria to spread from the mouth into the blood and damage the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs. If your pet already has periodontal disease, you may see the following signs:

• Discomfort while chewing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Drooling
• Bad breath
• Inflamed or bleeding gums

What's next?

A professional dental cleaning is the safest, most effective way to remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth and reduce the risk of periodontal disease. A veterinary dental cleaning requires a general anesthetic (in order to keep your pet still and comfortable), and, consequently, a day’s hospitalization.

Each dental cleaning begins with a physical examination. This helps us identify any potential health problems that could complicate the administration of anesthesia. Once your pet is given an anesthetic, we begin by removing tartar from the teeth using a hand scaler. A periodontal probe is then used to check for pockets under the gumline where periodontal disease and

bad breath start. Next, an ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline and a curette is used to clean and smooth the teeth under the gumline. Your pet’s teeth are then polished, resulting in a smooth surface. As a last step, we wash the gums with an anti-bacterial solution. This helps delay tartar buildup, both under the gumline and on the crown of the tooth.

Behavior Training and Counseling –
At Companion Animal Hospital, we want every dog to be a good neighbor! To achieve this, we have enlisted the help of Julie Gibson, a trainer who uses positive reinforcement to help you teach your pet to be the best companion he or she can be.

Microchipping-
Each year, millions of pets go missing. A sturdy collar and an ID tag are a good first step in identifying your pet should he or she become lost or missing, but often, it’s not enough. Microchipping your pet is a safe, easy way to increase the chances that your best friend will return home safely.

Each microchip is about the size and shape of a grain of rice. Vital identifying information is encoded on each microchip; that information is entered into a national pet database. Veterinary hospitals and animal shelters across the country are equipped with special scanners capable of detecting and reading these microchips. If your pet is lost, his or her microchip is scanned and the information in the database is used to reunite you and your faithful companion.

Companion Animal Hospital uses the Bayer resQ microchip system. This is an ISO universal chip that includes lifetime registration. Registration is simple and our reception staff will complete the online registration prior to your departure. If you need to change your information later, you may do so using a simple, easily accessible and secure website. Please ask a staff member for details about microchipping your pet.

Pharmacy and Prescription Details -
Companion Animal Hospital maintains a fully-stocked veterinary pharmacy so that we may better meet your pet’s health care needs. We carry a wide array of medications for your pet. This means you can start your pet’s medication right away without having to go to another pharmacy. Our veterinarians and staff will instruct you on how to administer prescription medication and can answer any questions you may have about your pet’s medication.

Grooming-
Companion Animal Hospital offers basic grooming services to keep your pet looking and feeling great. A basic grooming session may include nail trims, a bath, anal gland expression, ear cleaning and, if necessary, a medicated bath. For pets with fleas and ticks, we use Frontline. Flea dips are no longer recommended, as the harshness of flea and tick shampoo is detrimental to pets. For information about pricing or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 530-677-3868.