Everything you need…
Read more about the services we provide
Dental Care
At Vet For My Pet Hospital for Animals, we are committed to our patients' dental health and implement the highest quality dental care. We take a comprehensive approach to dental care including dental health assessment, treatment and prevention.
We have state of the art dental equipment including digital x-rays to help diagnose disease that is below the gum tissue and therefore not always visible to the eye. We recommend an annual dental healthcare examination for all pets–make an appointment or call us..
Many health problems start in the mouth. Plaque, tartar, periodontal disease, and infected teeth serve as a source of inflammation and infection for the rest of the body. Dental disease is also a source of pain. There are many ways that dog and cat owners can help their veterinarian provide a healthy mouth for their pet. Our dental services at Vet For My Pet Hospital for Animals include teeth cleaning and polishing, tooth extractions and minor oral surgery.
Regular professional cleaning is important to maintaining your pet’s health at any age. Dental cleanings must be performed under general anesthesia in order to properly and safely examine and clean the teeth. We use modern and safe ultrasonic equipment; each tooth is thoroughly cleaned above and below the gum line. Dental technicians polish the teeth to create a smooth, lustrous surface more resistant to plaque buildup.
After the teeth are cleaned and polished, your veterinarian will perform a thorough oral exam and check each tooth for any signs of dental disease (gum loss, root exposure, pockets around the root). Extensive dental disease requires the tooth to be removed (extracted). Many teeth require oral surgery to safely remove each individual root. We have extensive training and experience to perform these procedures properly. Oral nerve blocks are performed and additional injectable pain medications are administered if teeth are extracted. Your pet will also be sent home with oral pain medication. Pets recover quickly following these procedures, and, once the gums have completely healed, they resume eating their regular dry kibble even when multiple teeth are extracted.
Your pet’s dental health is an important part of his or her overall health. Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats in the United States. Dental health problems can lead to more serious conditions such as infections and heart or kidney disease. Many pets with untreated dental disease suffer from chronic pain and premature aging (often acting older than they should). Some symptoms which can indicate serious dental problems include bad breath, plaque build-up, gum irritation and redness, loose teeth, tooth discoloration and swelling in the jaw area.
The American Animal Hospital Association recommends annual oral examinations after the pet is a year old. Dental cleanings for adult dogs are performed under general anesthesia. In addition to regular exams and cleanings, there are some things you can and should do to help promote good dental health in your pet. Feeding your pet a hard, kibble-type pet food, providing appropriate chew toys and brushing his teeth are just a few ways to keep your pet’s teeth healthy in between professional cleanings.
Dental disease can be easily prevented by visiting your veterinarian regularly for dental examinations and cleanings.
The American Animal Hospital Association recommends regular oral examinations and dental cleanings, under general anesthesia, for all adult dogs and cats. A veterinarian should evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year. This is recommended because bacteria and food debris accumulates around a pet’s teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay results in irreversible periodontal disease and even tooth loss. We can recommend and demonstrate preventative measures you can begin at home. Our wellness program emphasizes and explains how you can avoid costly dental procedures with your pet in the future.
Cat Declawing
Our veterinarians perform a surgical onychectomy if they believe that a cat cannot be trained to refrain from using its claws destructively in the home, or poses a danger to family members. Unfortunately, not all cats are amenable to behavior modification and we believe that this surgical procedure will result in fewer cats being abandoned or euthanized. Once declawed, it is recommended that your cat live indoors since the ability to defend itself is compromised.
Declaw Process
Your pet’s safety and comfort are our primary concerns when performing a declaw. We use advanced pain management techniques in conjunction with anesthesia to make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible during the procedure and after they are discharged. Our declaw patients receive 2 or 3 injectable pain medications during the procedure and go home with oral pain medication. We perform nerve blocks of the feet that provide additional pain relief immediately after the surgery. Our declaw patients stay with us overnight so that we can be sure they are comfortable, to remove their bandages in the morning, and to assess the surgical area before going home. It is very common to see these kitties pawing playfully through the kennel door following this surgery.
Microchipping
The microchip itself is about the size of a grain of rice. It contains a tiny metallic "bar code" surrounded by an inert membrane which makes it non-reactive when it is placed under the skin. The microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades with a hypodermic-type syringe. Although the needle itself is larger than those used for vaccinations, most pets don't seem to notice any more than any other injection. Once the chip is in place, it should be there for the life of the pet, and we will register your microchip to ensure your contact information is associated with the bar code number.
How It Works
If the pet becomes lost, all animal care facilities (shelters, veterinary hospitals, pounds, etc.) will scan the pet for a microchip, using a special microchip reader that is simply waved over the skin. These scanners are very reliable and easy to use. Once a microchip is found, a special hotline is called, and the lost pet is reported. The pet owner is then called immediately and given the contact information about where to pick up their pet.
Regardless of the type of chip, every pet should have microchip ID. Some owners feel that their pet doesn't need identification because it is always in the house, but in our experience, these are the most likely pets to become lost when they get outside by accident. As separation from your pet can happen all too easily, appropriate identification, ideally permanent identification by use of microchip, is critical. Industry figures claim that 8,000 pets every day are located and returned home because they have a microchip; your pet should be protected!
Vaccinations
Like most pet owners, you probably enjoy spending quality time with your pets both indoors and out. Don’t leave them at risk for any unwelcome visits from pesky parasites like fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks can be very damaging to the human-animal bond, particularly when flea invasion gets out of control or when ticks hitch a ride with your pet. Not only can these unfriendly parasites make your pets extremely uncomfortable, they can pose grave health risks.
Since fleas can survive a cold winter by feeding on unprotected pets and ticks are active whenever it is warm enough outside for them to crawl about their surroundings, preventive measures should be taken year round. By undergoing measures to inhibit these outbreaks, the diseases these parasites transmit to pets and people can also be mitigated or prevented.
There are many safe and effective flea and tick control products available, and our veterinary team will help you choose the correct preventive regimen based on your pets risk factors and health status. Once a year, it is important to discuss with your veterinarian ( which external pest control products are ideal for your household, based on the everyday life of your pet.
Intestinal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms can be a troublesome concern, especially for very young animals. Most puppies/kittens are born with worms and dogs/cats remain susceptible to the harmful parasites throughout their lives. Worms live inside your pet, making the symptoms difficult to pinpoint, and are therefore detected through a fecal analysis. Internal parasites can not only harm your pet, but many can also be transferred to children and adults, making them sick as well.
Our hospital performs a fecal analysis on all new puppies and kittens. If your pet does have a parasite problem, our veterinarians can provide you with different medications and treatments to remedy the problem and steer your pet back to good health. Preventive care and prescription heartworm medication are key, because of the damages presented by intestinal parasites to both pets and people. Our primary focus is to provide your pet with the safest and most effective ongoing preventive care.
Learn more about Parasites
Spay and Neuter
Your pet’s safety and comfort are our primary concerns when performing a spay or neuter. We use advanced pain management techniques in conjunction with anesthesia to make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible during the procedure and after they are discharged. Our spay and neuter patients receive 2 or 3 different injectable pain medications during the procedure and always go home with oral pain medication. We also perform local anesthetic blocks at the surgical site. Proper pain management makes the procedure as comfortable as possible and allows for faster recovery. If you are shopping around for a competitive price on this procedure, be sure to question the type of anesthetic used, the type of pain management provided, and the monitoring equipment and procedures followed. All of our surgery patients have IV catheters placed and receive IV fluids. We use several monitoring devices during your pet’s anesthetic. A veterinary technician continually assesses your pet’s vital signs during the procedure. Although the risk of an anesthetic death in a normal healthy pet is very rare, our monitoring devices and procedures allow us to respond to an anesthetic emergency faster. Faster responses can save lives. Please call or visit our facility to learn more about our neutering procedures.
Spaying is a surgical procedure in which both ovaries and uterus are completely removed from your female pet. Also called an “ovariohysterectomy,” the surgery is performed while your pet is under general anesthesia. There are many benefits to spaying your female companion. First, you will contribute to the prevention of the dog and cat overpopulation. Second, spaying will eliminate the sometimes ‘messy’ heat cycles that attract male dogs to your house from miles away. Third, you will help prevent diseases in your pet such as pyometra (infection in the uterus) and mammary cancer. Additionally, research has shown that pets that have been spayed live longer than pets that have not been spayed.
Neutering refers to the surgical procedure in which both testicles are removed. There are many benefits to neutering your male companion. First, you will contribute to the prevention of the dog and cat overpopulation. Second, neutering can help eliminate undesirable and at times, embarrassing behavior in your male companion. Third, you will help prevent diseases in your pet such as prostate disease and testicular cancer.
Pet Wellness Plans
PAW Plans make providing high-quality health care for your pet easy. PAW Plans are annual wellness plans that offer significant discounts on preventive care and allow you to spread the payments over time. Our PAW Plans include semi-annual comprehensive wellness exams, up to two additional office visits, vaccinations, screenings, blood tests and additional services depending on the selected plan level.
Benefits of Proactively Managing Your Pet's Health
By adopting a plan early on, you're taking an important step in managing your pet's health. Our PAW Plans support good health by providing your pet with the preventive care services they need to proactively monitor and treat conditions early on. Each plan was developed for your pet to receive a broad range of services at an exceptional value to you. PAW Plans offer:
-Discounted preventive care services
-Flexibility to spread the cost of care over time
-Additional discounts on non-plan professional services
Life Stage Care
Newly adopted puppies and kittens should visit Vet For My Pet Hospital for Animals in Fort Collins for a complete physical examination as soon as possible. The first step is to screen for fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites or any other health problems to ensure that your new family member is healthy and that disease is not transmitted to other animals or humans in your household. Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable to parasitic infections that can threaten their health. Proper screening and preventive products can help protect them against intestinal worms, fleas and heartworm disease.
Juvenile pets also have immature immune systems which makes it difficult to fight off disease. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, vaccinations are the most effective preventive measure you can take for the health of your pet.
A visit to your veterinarian is imperative if you notice any of the following:
Unexplained weight loss
Excessive drinking and/or urination
Loss of appetite or lethargy
Behavior changes
Diarrhea or vomiting
Skin lumps, bumps or irritation
Bad breath, plaque on teeth or bleeding gums
Ear odors, redness, scratching or head shaking
Trouble urinating or defecating
Important Animal Vaccines
Some of the most important vaccines for your young pet include:
Dogs
Rabies
Canine Distemper
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Bordetella
Cats
Feline Distemper
Feline Rhinotracheitis/Feline Calicivirus
Feline Leukemia Virus
Rabies
Additional vaccines may be necessary based on lifestyle (indoor or outdoor pet) and regional considerations. Finally, puppies and kittens are in a high growth stage therefore they require specially formulated food to meet their nutritional needs. Talk to your veterinarian at Vet For My Pet Hospital for Animals about the best food for your pet.
We recommend all pets be examined twice a year in order to prevent/detect medical problems. Pets age faster than we do and as a result, health problems can progress much more rapidly. Regular wellness examinations will confirm that your pet is healthy or help catch problems before they can become more serious. Your pet’s semi-annual veterinary visit will include some, if not all of the following: a health consultation, blood work, a physical examination, pain assessment, nutritional counseling, vaccinations if necessary, an intestinal parasite screening and a recommendation for an on-going wellness routine.
Diet and nutrition are also important to maintaining your pet’s health. Feeding your pet a specially formulated diet to meet the needs of adulthood helps encourage a long and healthy life. Please feel free to consult your veterinarian to help you find the right food to fit with your pet’s lifestyle, body condition and health needs.
We will assess your pet’s comfort level and address any concerns about pain. Even younger cats and dogs can experience chronic pain due to joint disease (osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, cruciate (ACL) disease) and dental disease.
Thanks to the advancements in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever. However with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the variety of conditions and diseases that they are susceptible to including osteoarthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, cancer and diabetes. And because pets age faster than we do, health problems can progress much more rapidly. We pay special attention to your senior pet’s comfort level and address any concerns about pain.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association, scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their pets healthy. AAHA recommends that healthy senior dogs and cats (age 7+) visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing.
Your senior pet’s wellness exam should include the following:
Health Consultation
Physical Examination
Pain assessment
Oral Exam
Nutritional Counseling
Diagnostic Tests
Intestinal Parasite Test
Overall Wellness Recommendation
Vaccinations (if necessary)
Blood Work
A visit to your veterinarian is imperative if you notice any of the following:
Changes in mobility: difficulty getting up from a down position, trouble with stairs, limping, decrease in ability to jump on furniture or jump into the car, decrease in play activity
Unexplained weight loss
Excessive drinking and/or urination
Loss of appetite or lethargy
Behavior changes
Diarrhea or vomiting
Skin lumps, bumps or irritation
Bad breath, plaque on teeth or bleeding gums
Ear odors, redness, scratching or head shaking
Unexplained weight gain
Surgery
Our clinic has a state-of-the-art surgical suite where our veterinarians perform all common procedures, including:
- Surgical Sterilization
- Surgical Tooth Extraction
- Spay and Neuter
- Soft Tissue Surgery
- Pathology
- Microchip Services
- Laser Surgical Services
- General Surgery
If surgery is recommended, you can feel comfortable knowing that our doctors will provide appropriate pain relief so that pain is identified and treated if present. Visual assessment and recording of vital signs is done by one of our trained veterinary surgical technicians. A technician is present during the entire surgery and recovery process to maintain the safety and comfort of your pet. We believe that keeping our patients safe and comfortable before, during and after surgery is of the greatest importance and an essential component of your pet's care.
Today’s modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. At our hospital, we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won’t be a problem.
Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Blood testing before surgery is recommended to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. We administer IV fluids to patients during most of our anesthetic procedures. This is a critical part to keep patients well hydrated throughout the procedure and provides us with an emergency access port if the need should arise.
If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well. It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 12 hours before surgery.
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don’t whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed. We include pain management with every surgical procedure for both the comfort of the patient, and to speed the recovery process. This may involve a postoperative injection which will ensure the patient is comfortable upon waking as well as a restful night’s sleep at home.
When deemed necessary by the doctor, medication for the next few days is also included. Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations. For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling. We use newer medications, which are less likely to cause stomach upset and can be given even the morning of surgery.
The cost of the medication will range depending on the size of your dog. Because cats do not tolerate standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, we are limited in what we can give them. Recent advances in pain medications have allowed for better pain control in cats than ever before. After surgery, pain medication is given on a case by case basis. Any animal that appears painful will receive additional pain medication.
At no time should you give your pet human medication unless directed by a veterinarian.
For some surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin stitches. With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for. If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet’s activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.
While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as ear cleaning or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet’s care.
Boarding
Even with the best care, boarding can be stressful because your pet is in a new environment and its routines and habits are interrupted. Stress is minimized by expert staff, attentiveness and proper handling, and strict cleanliness. Additionally, all boarding pets are current on required vaccinations, protecting your pet from sick pets. Yet it is still possible for problems to occur despite all precautions we take.
Pet Behavior
Our veterinarians will help you discover the steps and actions you can take to help your pet lead a happier, more balanced life. Click through the articles listed below to learn more about common behavioral issues your pet may be displaying.
Euthanasia
Spend time with your pet in the weeks or days leading up to the euthanasia. This will be a very special time for both of you. You will undoubtedly feel very emotional and sad but try to remain in control. Your pet will sense your feelings and you want this time to be as enjoyable as possible for them.
Difficult Decisions
Decide whether you would like to be there during the euthanasia. Some people wish to be with their pet and officially say goodbye during the final moments. Others feel that the experience would be too much to handle. Whether you choose to be with your pet or not, be reassured that you have given him a lifetime of love. Either decision you make is appropriate.
Arrange time to spend with your pet directly before the procedure. If you choose to be in the room, you can still have some private time with your pet beforehand.
It is sometimes helpful to say goodbye in this final setting.
Talk to your family about euthanasia. Everyone should be able to share their thoughts and feelings on the process, and ultimately decide if they would like to be present or not. It can be a traumatic experience, so fully consider the outcomes prior to deciding.
Vaccinations are vital to the health and protection of your pet and serve as a preventive measure to combating viral diseases like Parvovirus, Parainfluenza virus, Distemper, Lyme, Panleukopenia, Feline Leukemia Virus and Rabies. Vaccinations are accompanied by a veterinarian consultation and examination to make certain that your pet’s condition is stable enough to receive them.
Vaccinations help to combat diseases by exposing the pet’s immune system to inactive or small amount of a particular form of bacteria or virus. Our doctors will help you decide which vaccines are appropriate for your pet’s risk factors. The Proper and timely administration is paramount to ensure optimal protection. Vaccinations are particularly important to young animals that have immature immune systems. Vaccinations generally begin at 6-8 weeks of age and are given every three to four weeks until the series is completed.