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Clinical Services

Boarding

Boarding

We are happy to offer our clients at Patton Veterinary Hospital a safe, clean place to keep their pets while offering a compassionate, trained staff to spoil them during their stay. We have canine camera runs available if you’d like to keep an eye on your companion while you’re away, as well as an outdoor kennel yard where they can run and play. Bring their favorite ball or Frisbee and we’ll put them to good use! In addition, if your pet has a medical condition, or an emergency should arise during their stay, our trained medical team will ensure that they get the proper care. While your pet is here, we can give them a bath, nail trim, or ear cleaning, if you like. Call our staff for reservations and rates. Of course, hugs and kisses are always included at no extra charge! It is the mission of the Patton Veterinary Animal Care Staff to provide every client and their companion with the best overall experience while in our care.

Clipping Mats

Long-haired cats are beautiful. If they enjoy being brushed they are likely to stay that way. However, some cats do not like to be brushed, and sometimes even the most fanatical self-groomer can’t tame big, stubborn mats. Especially if there are stray bits of things tangled up in them. That’s where Patton Veterinary Hospital comes in; we have clippers and we’re not afraid to use them! Just remember that we’re not professional groomers, so when Fluffy comes home she may not look like a show cat, but she will be mat-free. She’ll be healthier and more comfortable, and you’ll both be happier.

Baths

Sometimes your dog gets dirty. (Cats do, too, but as a general rule are much better at cleaning themselves!) Maybe your dog is too big to lift into the tub or won’t get in willingly. Or maybe your dog just doesn’t look at bath time as a special bonding time with you. If this is the case, bring your dog to us and our trained staff will get him clean, soft and fluffy for you. Your dog should be a patient here and up-to-date on vaccines. Save yourself some time and frustration – just call to make an appointment!

Soft Claws an alternative to declawing. Click here for video demonstration.

ADDITIONAL BOARDING INFORMATION


Behavior and Nutrition

Weight Management Programs

A wide array of tools, including prescription diets, are available to provide appropriate nutrition for the optimal health of your pet while still allowing your pet to lose weight. Obesity in pets will shorten your pets life by putting stress on their limbs, heart and other organs. We will help them and you get over the tough obstacles you are dealt with during the weight loss program. We want your pet live to their fullest.

Behavioral Consultations

At Patton Veterinary Hospital, we can help you with many behavior dilemmas, from litter box issues to house training, separation anxiety and aggression. Sometimes these can be fairly simple to resolve, such as adding more litter boxes or cleaning them more often. However, separation anxiety can be very complicated and may take several visits and much time and patience on your part. We offer behavior modification and medication to help relieve your dog’s anxiety.

Both litter box concerns in cats and aggression in dogs can sometimes be caused by physical problems, so a thorough physical exam is always the best place to start. Sometimes what people think is a behavior issue is actually just a poor match between pet and owner. Of course your Jack Russell is going to bark when you’re gone and bounce off the walls if you do not keep both his little body and his mind occupied. Lots of walks and playtime, as well as interactive toys, are necessary if you are going to keep your Jack and yourself happy and sane! These are just a few examples of some of the behavior problems we address – we’d be happy to help you with a wide variety of issues.

ADDITIONAL BEHAVIOR INFORMATION


Dental Care

Dental Cleanings

Does your dog have bad breath? Is your cat drooling or having trouble eating? Checking inside your pet’s mouth is an important part of an examination at Patton Veterinary Hospital. We want to make sure their teeth are pearly white and their gums are pink and healthy. If you look in your pet’s mouth and see brown gunk, imagine that gunk traveling throughout your pet’s system, leaving trails of bacteria wherever it goes.

To stop these bacteria in their tracks, we may recommend a dental cleaning. After checking your pet’s blood work, he or she will be put under anesthesia while being monitored closely. We will take digital x-rays before and after extractions to make sure we know what’s going on both above and below the gum line. There are things you can do at home to help – brushing your pets’ teeth, for instance, although not all pets will tolerate this. There are veterinary dental chews, and even water additives, that will help prevent the buildup of plaque. But understand that even with the best intentions and the best dental care on your part, your pet still may need a dental cleaning. Like people, some pets just have bad teeth!


Preventative Care

Preventative Care

Since dogs and cats age so much more quickly than humans, it’s important for them to be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year. We will give any required/requested vaccines, of course, but we’ll also give your pet a nose to tail exam, checking the ears, eyes, mouth, heart, skin, musculoskeletal and upper respiratory systems, and much more.

We’ll test their stool for parasites, as well as testing for heartworm and Lyme disease and other disorders that may affect your pet. (If you have further questions about blood work, please ask about our Laboratory External and In-House services for more information.) We’ll also discuss any questions you may have about behavior or nutrition; we’re always happy to help Fluffy or Fido lose a few pounds!

Vaccines

Vaccines are important for keeping your dog, cat or ferret healthy and for preventing serious and sometimes fatal diseases. Rabies vaccination is required every one to three years for all cats and dogs in Pennsylvania. Feline and canine distemper combination vaccines are also considered “core” vaccines and are strongly recommended. The need for other vaccines such as kennel cough (bordetella), canine influenza, Lyme and feline leukemia is based on individual risk so talk to our veterinarians about which of these non-core vaccines may be right for your pet.

Blood Pressure Checks

Hypertension or high blood pressure is not a common primary problem in our pets, but sometimes underlying health problems such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes and kidney disease can lead to elevated blood pressure. Critically ill patients may also need to have their blood pressure monitored, and, blood pressure is monitored in patients under anesthesia. We use either a cuff similar to what your doctor would use or a device called a Doppler to monitor blood pressure in cats and dogs. Click here for more information on high blood pressure in your pet.

Senior Pets

As our pets age, they can develop a variety of health problems such as arthritis, kidney and liver disease, hypo- and hyperthyroidism and even cognitive dysfunction which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. However, many people do not recognize early signs of illness as pets, especially cats, are good at hiding symptoms of being sick or unable to get around.

Our doctors advocate examining pets over the age of seven every six months to try to catch any changes or early signs of illness before the pet becomes seriously ill or debilitated and we also recommend annual blood testing to look for early changes to organs like liver and kidney and to keep tabs on thyroid levels, especially in older cats. Like you, we want your pet to live as long as possible, and early detection and prevention of disease is very important in our senior patients. Click here for more information on senior pets


Surgery

Orthopedic Surgery

Does your pet have a torn cruciate ligament in his knee or does she have a “trick knee” (luxating patella) causing chronic lameness? Patton veterinary hospital deals with these and several other types of orthopedic problems. From diagnosis to treatment to post-operative care, we can help your pet recover from a variety of orthopedic injuries.

We offer cranial cruciate ligament surgery using a method called the “tightrope” technique to repair this common injury in dogs.

PVH also offers removal of the femoral head (ball of the femur) known as femoral head and neck excision for patients with severe hip dysplasia who cannot have a total hip replacement or for treating a dislocated hip that cannot be replaced into the socket.

Patellar luxation (a kneecap that slips out of place) can be repaired with surgery to deepen the groove of the tibia so the patella will not slip.

We are also able to do limited surgical repairs of simple fractures, though, in many cases, these injuries are best left to the orthopedic specialists! Of course, we are also able to apply splints and fiberglass casts if applicable to your pet’s type of fracture.

Oxygen Therapy

Sometimes, serious illnesses like pneumonia or congestive heart failure or a trauma to the lungs as when a pet is hit by a car may necessitate the need for supplemental oxygen. Fortunately, we are able to offer oxygen therapy on a limited basis (not recommended for overnight care) with an oxygen cage or via mask or nasal cannula if a patient needs oxygen.

Cold Laser Therapy

Patton Veterinary Hospital is excited to offer a state of the art treatment known as cold laser therapy. A cold laser uses light to excite cells and reduce inflammation. It can be used for a variety of medical conditions but is most often used as an adjunct treatment for arthritis, to treat wounds and to treat post-surgical orthopedic cases and incisions.

Non-elective or Emergency Surgery

In addition to elective procedures such as spays or neuters, we are also capable of performing many non-elective surgeries for a variety of reasons. Emergency surgery for bloat or intestinal foreign bodies, tumor removal, cystotomy or surgery of the bladder for removal of bladder stones, perineal urethrostomy for blocked cats, and many other types of soft tissue surgery can be performed in our surgical suite.

Hospitalization

Sometimes your pet’s health problem requires more intensive care than can be provided at home. We may need to hospitalize him or her for supportive care, such as oxygen or fluid therapy. As we work towards a diagnosis of your pet’s problem, we will be able to provide treatment to ensure his or her recovery.

Our doctors will call you on a regular basis to keep you updated on your pet’s condition, and of course you’re welcome to call us to check on your companion. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be able to spend time with your pet in our visitation room. We will do everything we can to get your pet back home to you as quickly as possible!

Elective Surgeries

We offer surgical procedures such as dog/cat spay or castrations, hernia repairs and removal of masses (lumps & bumps). We are able to perform these daily surgical procedures with the newest monitoring technology and equipment. We monitor oxygen flow, CO2 flow, ECG respiration, temperature and blood pressure. We strongly believe in pain medication for all surgical procedures to make recovery as easy as possible along with lots of TLC.

Blood Transfusions

If your dog or cat develops anemia, they may require a blood transfusion. Anemia (a low red blood cell count) may be caused by trauma or a variety of other reasons. Symptoms include lethargy and pale gums. Your pet will need to be hospitalized. The transfusion will come from a blood donor or blood bank. This will temporarily replace the lost blood cells. However, unless we find the underlying cause of the condition, it will not solve the original problem.


Professional Services

Blocked Cats

Male cats sometimes form crystals in their urine which can lead to a plug in the urethra and inability to urinate. This is a life threatening problem which can cause kidney failure and death if not treated as an emergency. Patton Veterinary Hospital does offer hospitalization and relief of the urinary obstruction by placement of an indwelling urinary catheter. The catheter is left in place for 24-48hrs and the cat is usually hospitalized for 2-3 days.

Nutritional counseling and after-care instructions are a big part of preventing this condition from re-occurring and we want to make sure that your male cat stays healthy. However, some patients have multiple episodes of urinary blockage and may ultimately require a type of surgery called a perineal urethrostomy or “PU” for short to create a wider urethral opening more like a female’s anatomy to reduce the chance of a crystalline plug from forming. Our doctors are able to perform this surgery should it be necessary.

OFA Certification

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) will evaluate radiographs (x-rays) of hips or elbows in order to certify breeding animals as free of hip or elbow dysplasia. This is helpful for preventing these conditions in dogs as those with moderate to severely affected joints should not be used for breeding. At PVH we are able to sedate your pet, obtain the necessary films, then transfer them to OFA for analysis.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy can be used to treat many types of pain and inflammation. Cold lasers use light to stimulate cells and increase blood flow to specific areas which helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Laser therapy can benefit dogs with arthritis, spinal problems or other joint problems and can also be used to promote healing of wounds or incisions. Laser therapy can be used in conjunction with other forms of pain control such as supplements and medication, or it may be a useful alternative for those patients who cannot tolerate certain medications.
Laser sessions appear to have a cumulative effect and a typical schedule involves three sessions the first week, then two, then one. For chronic pain, laser therapy is typically repeated on a monthly basis for maintenance, but therapy may vary for each individual.
Please contact our office if you think your pet may benefit from laser therapy or if you have more questions about the process. Click here for additional information on laser therapy.

Ear Cleaning and Packing

Ear infections are a common problem in dogs and cats, and are not always due to ear mites. Sometimes, a deep ear flush under sedation to remove fluid, wax and debris from the ear canal is needed in some cases of severe ear infection.

We also offer a medical treatment known as an ear “packing” in which a thick medicated paste is applied to the ear canal. Use of this treatment penetrates deep into the ear to reach the source of infection and eliminates the need to clean and put ear drops into the pet’s ears at home making it much more convenient for our clients.

Ophthalmic Procedures

Patton Veterinary Hospital offers a variety of tests and surgical procedures to evaluate your pet’s eyes. Checking eye pressures to evaluate for glaucoma, staining the cornea to look for scratches or ulcers, and measuring tear production are common tests that may be performed. We can also perform cherry eye repairs, corneal debridement (removing the outer layer of abnormal cornea) or grid keratotomy for non-healing corneal ulcers, and enucleation or removal of an eye that is damaged due to glaucoma, trauma or cancer.

Anal Sac Expression

Is your dog scooting his bottom across the floor or licking under his tail or do you notice an odor around his bottom? His anal glands could be full or infected. We are able to feel and express the glands if needed.

Specialized Diagnostic Tests

We are able to do a variety of specialized testing such as tapping fluid from chest or abdomen (thoracocentesis/abdominocentesis), sterile urine collection by inserting a needle into the bladder (cystocentesis), transtracheal washes, fine needle aspirates of lumps to check for cancer and dermatologic tests such as skin scrapings to look for mites, ear cytology and tape preps or impression smears to look for bacteria or yeast on the skin.

Laboratory Tests

Your pet may need to have blood or urine samples analyzed to determine a cause of illness or before a surgical procedure.

We are able to check urine samples in house as well as blood glucose levels, electrolytes, liver and kidney function and red and white blood counts in the hospital for quick answers or to monitor critical cases.

Feline leukemia and FIV testing as well as testing for heartworm disease, Lyme disease and Ehrlichia and Anaplasma can also be performed as quick tableside tests at our hospital with results in about 10 minutes.

More advanced testing such as monitoring therapeutic blood levels, checking thyroid function or performing testing for endocrine diseases like Cushings disease are also available and samples are sent to external laboratories for analysis. Results are generally available within 1 to 3 days.

Fecal samples are also checked for parasites at Antech diagnostics.

Radiology

Patton Veterinary Hospital offers digital radiographs (x-rays) to examine pets for fractures, tumors, heart or lung disease, intestinal foreign bodies and many other conditions. We also have the capability to electronically send a radiograph to a board certified radiologist for interpretation if needed.

Tattoos and Microchips

Tattoo Placement: A permanent ID number is tattooed on the inside back leg of your pet. Since this is a form of permanent identification, it can also be used to apply for a lifetime dog license.

Microchip Placement: A microchip about the size of a grain of rice is inserted between the shoulder blades of your pet. The microchip has a bar code that is entered into a national database. If any animal control officer, humane society, or veterinary hospital finds your lost pet, they can scan between the shoulder blades and insert the numbers into the national database to provide an easy return of your pet to you. As with the tattoo, you can apply for a lifetime dog license after the microchip placement.

Kids Room

We know that sometimes you can’t leave the kids at home when you bring your pet for an appointment. That’s why we created a Playroom. The Playroom has windows on either side so you can keep an eye on the little ones during your appointment. While small, it’s full of toys, games, puzzles and books to keep the kids occupied.

Euthanasia

Our compassionate staff will help you through the difficult process of euthanasia each step of the way. From the time you make the decision, to the appointment itself, to how to handle the aftercare, Patton Veterinary Hospital will give you as much support as you need. If you need help dealing with the loss of your pet, Patton Veterinary Hospital offers a Pet Loss Support group for adults. We meet approximately quarterly to remember and pay tribute to our beloved pets, and to share our grief. If you are interested in this group, please call the office.

The Pet Loss Support Group is lead by Dr. Elizabeth Revell. This is an informal group session giving pet parents an opportunity to share stories about their deceased pets. The session offers a safe environment for sharing and listening for those that may not be quite ready to move past their loss. The Pet Loss Support Group meets on an as need basis, approximately every other month at the Patton Veterinary Hospital. The sessions are free and open to the community but registration is required. Please call Tiffany Ayres at (717) 246-3611 or email at [email protected].
Contact us for next meeting date.


Exotic and Pocket Pets

Small Mammals

Most small mammals do not require vaccines (ferrets are an exception), but they should be seen by a veterinarian on a regular basis. As cute and cuddly as they are, they live for a shorter period of time than other mammals, and have a multitude of health problems.

Some of these are obesity (too many treats!), abscesses from bite wounds, malocclusion of incisors or molars (this is when the teeth grow abnormally for various reasons, which can interfere with their ability to eat), cancer and/or tumors, GI blockage, upper respiratory infections and dermatology issues, which may arise from mites or ringworm. Regular check-ups with your vet can help to prevent these problems, or at least keep them from getting so far along that they become difficult to treat.

 Beak and Teeth Trims

Birds and pocket pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs have special grooming needs. Their beaks and teeth can grow long enough to impair their ability to eat, which of course can lead to serious health issues. In addition, birds should have their wings clipped if you don’t want them to fly away. Many of our doctors and nurses are trained to perform these valuable services safely and painlessly for your pet. Your pet should be a patient here and be in overall good health (smaller animals are susceptible to anxiety and, as gentle as we are, they may still be anxious in unfamiliar surroundings and in unfamiliar situations).

Avian and Reptile Exams

At Patton Veterinary Hospital, we don’t see only dogs and cats, we also enjoy caring for our feathered or scaled companions. While birds and reptiles don’t need vaccines, they should be seen regularly to ensure they are healthy. In the wild, these animals will hide their illnesses or injuries as long as possible, because any signs of weakness can make them vulnerable to attack.

Your pampered parakeet or spoiled skink has the same instincts, even in the safety of your home. This means that if there is a problem, you may not know until it has progressed to a dangerous degree. We suggest annual exams and of course, bringing your pet in as soon as you notice that something may be wrong. In addition, we are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding husbandry and nutrition for these fascinating pets!

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