Cat Care Services
Acupuncture
Dr. Melinda was certified in Veterinary Acupuncture through the 2008 Colorado State University Acupuncture program (now called CuraCore science based medical acupuncture).
We are offering acupuncture for established clients.
How does acupuncture work? Using tiny acupuncture needles, we can:
• stimulate nerve pathways
• increase blood circulation
• release natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins
• reduce inflammation
• relax muscles and improve mobility
The types of conditions that we use acupuncture to treat include spinal disease, asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, sinus disease, urinary and colon problems.
Behavior Counseling
Cats are sensitive animals, and behavior problems can be tricky and frustrating! In a multi – cat household, there could be multiple cats experiencing stress, pain and illness, leading to the behaviors, so be prepared to manage the whole household.
If you are experiencing a behavioral problem with your cat, it is important that we rule out serious medical issues and pain, first. We offer examinations, testing (such as urine test and x-rays), behavior modification counseling, diet and medication therapy to help manage the issue. We are not behavior specialists and do not offer second opinion behavior appointments; we can also refer you to veterinarians specializing in behavior medicine as the situation warrants.
Complete Diagnostic and Ancillary Care
We offer a full range of diagnostic (radiography, blood analysis, urine tests, ultrasound blood pressure, etc) and ancillary services to diagnose and manage both minor and major health problems. Our team of experienced veterinarians and support staff are here to assist you with the outpatient and inpatient care needed throughout the life of your pet.
Comprehensive Physical Examinations
Early detection of health problems can allow for prompt treatment. At least once, and perhaps twice per year, your pet should have a complete physical examination. Remember, your pet’s lifespan is shorter than ours and their health can change significantly over a 12-month period. Our current exams are 30 minutes per pet, where we screen for every facet of quality of life, discuss preventative care, testing and management of chronic illness.
Dental Services and Teeth Cleaning
Proper dental care is as important for your cat as it is for you. In addition to preventing bad breath and periodontal disease it can also prevent infection from spreading through the blood stream to your pet’s liver, kidneys, and heart–even intestinal issues like diarrhea. Our dental package includes blood testing, IV fluids, anesthetic monitoring, warming support, full mouth dental radiographs (x-ray) and extractions with pain medications if needed.
Diagnostic Laboratory Testing
Our laboratory services provide information that is critical to the sick or injured pet. We have access to both an in-house and centralized reference laboratory for extensive diagnostic testing, allowing animals to receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Most blood tests and x-ray reports are available within 24-48 hours, or in real time during the exam. We offer limited ultrasound testing or can refer to the Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Center (VDIC.com) or have a specialist come to the clinic for abdominal ultrasound and echocardiogram services.
In-House Laboratory
We are equipped with sophisticated instruments that allow us to measure many laboratory values. As a compliment to our regular laboratory services, our in-house diagnostic capabilities allow us to get results pre-surgically, or in an emergency, within minutes.
Nutritional Counseling
We carry prescription diet foods for urinary issues, kidney disease and special conditions such as obesity and diabetes. We believe that diet is the foundation of health and longevity. We carry a large variety of supplements to support digestion, arthritis and kidney disease.
Pain Management
We offer a wide variety of pain medications, including Solensia, gabapentin, NSAIDs, and stronger medications for advanced pain or post operative patients. Some of these medications require regular blood monitoring for safety.
Pet Identification and Microchip System
A microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size and shape of a grain of rice. It is implanted beneath a pet’s skin between the shoulder blades, and stays there for the pet’s entire life. This procedure is as easy and as painless as a vaccination.
Each microchip has a unique number. This number, along with information about the owner and pet, are added to a national pet registry. Most veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have electronic scanners for detecting and reading these implanted microchips. If a lost pet is found and a microchip is scanned the registry is called and the owner can be contacted.
Pharmacy
We stock an extensive drug inventory so medications can be dispensed before leaving the clinic.
Radiology
We have a state-of-the-art x-ray machine that produces excellent quality radiographs (X-rays). Radiographs are extremely helpful for diagnosing and monitoring many medical and surgical problems.
Senior Cat Care
In recent years, great strides have been made in recognizing the special needs and requirements of our “senior citizen” cats. Our veterinarians are well equipped with the knowledge and diagnostic tools to identify age related problems and formulate realistic strategies to allow our pets to live longer and healthier lives. If your cat is ten years of age or older, it is now in its geriatric years. We will be happy to discuss with you our recommendations for geriatric testing, geriatric diets and supplements to support kidney function, arthritis and intestinal function.
Spay & Neuter
Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there are not enough homes for all the animals. As a result, every year 4 to 6 million animals are euthanized because there are no homes for them.
Spay and neuter your pet! We recommend spay/ neuter by 5-6 months of age so that the procedure is shorter and the recovery is faster; older cats spays will incur extra costs.
In addition to saving lives, spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your pet’s health and life expectancy. The idea that pets become fat or lazy when they are spayed or neutered is a myth. Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives. Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. Neutering a male reduces the risk of prostate disease and testicular cancer. Neutering also makes your pet more affectionate and less likely to roam, get in fights, or become lost.
Surgical Care
We offer most minor and major surgical procedures from spays and neuters to dental cleaning and tooth extractions, bladder surgeries, exploratories/ foreign body removals, mass removals and simple amputations.
Prior to surgery, each patient receives a thorough physical examination to identify any existing medical conditions that might endanger your pet’s health. Because not all problems can be detected on examination, we also suggest preanesthetic blood & urine testing. These tests not only give us a more complete picture of your pet’s health, but also allow us to tailor an anesthetic regime that is specific for your pet.
We offer a wide variety of anesthetic protocols tailored to your pet’s individual needs. We use state-of-the-art anesthetic machines offering both isoflurane anesthesia. Please discuss these options with our staff. We also utilize a variety of anesthetic monitoring devices including Doppler blood pressure monitors, respiratory monitors, and other cardiac monitoring equipment.
Pain management is an important part of our pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative anesthetic and medical protocol. All surgical patients, including those undergoing routine procedures such as ovariohysterectomy or castrations, receive pain control medications. We urge you to discuss operative pain management options with our staff.
Ultrasound
We offer limited ultrasound testing or can refer to the Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Center (VDIC.com) or have a specialist come to the clinic for abdominal ultrasound and echocardiogram services.
Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging procedure that complements X-rays and allows our clinicians to better visualize internal organs in the chest and abdomen. This painless diagnostic technique is normally done without sedation of your pet. Ultrasound is invaluable for making treatment decisions for various types of heart disease. It also allows us to biopsy organs such as the liver, kidney and spleen through a tiny “keyhole” incision. Using the ultrasound image as a guide, major surgery is avoided and your pet can often go home the same day.
Vaccinations and Preventative Medicine
We use only Non-Adjuvanted vaccines for cats. We typically recommend FVRCP (Feline Distemper combination vaccines) and Rabies vaccines, even for ‘indoor-only’ cats. Rabies vaccine is required by law in Multnomah County. We also offer Feline Leukemia vaccine for cats with indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
Due to the many recent discoveries and innovations in veterinary medicine your pet can be protected against most major infectious diseases. Today many immunizations and preventative treatments are available that did not exist a decade ago. Our staff can assist you in deciding which preventative measures are necessary for your pet.
We offer a wide array of parasite control for fleas and intestinal worms and mites.