Gainesville Florida professional veterinary services

The staff of Oaks Veterinary Hospital and Northwood Oaks Veterinary Hospital strive to give personalized service to best meet the needs of you and your pets. Using a team approach, our doctors and animal care nurses work with you to provide state-of-the-art veterinary care. The following services are available.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE

Health maintenance is the application of preventative medicine to keep our patients well. Regular physical examination is of the utmost importance - often problems are detected that, if untreated, would progress to serious illness. A complete physical examination is done routinely and involves assessment of all body systems. The doctor uses visual observation, stethoscope (to listen to heart, lungs, GI sounds), otoscope (to look in ear canals), ophthalmascope (to look in eyes), and palpation of lymph nodes, joints, and abdominal organs.

Routine laboratory testing such as fecal flotations and heartworm tests diagnose internal parasites. Vaccinations, a hallmark of preventative medicine, are used carefully and selectively to prevent serious contagious diseases.

Our doctors recommend a series of visits for puppies and kittens, and twice yearly visits for adult cats and dogs. Health maintenance packages with discounted prices are available, with variable options to individualize your needs.

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS

Laboratory testing is critically important to the management of ill and injured patients, as well as prophylactic preanesthetic evaluations. Because prompt results are extremely beneficial, sophisticated equipment is maintained on the premises. Complete blood counts, chemistry panels, electrolytes, urinalyses, canine occult heartworm tests and feline leukemia and aids tests are all run routinely. In addition, cortisol tests, feline thyroid levels, and cytology of ear swabs, feces, skin scrapes, and fine needle aspirates of growths can all be processed and evaluated immediately. More specialized testing such as histopathology or biopsy of abnormal tissue and body fluid cultures are run in Gainesville at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Hospital. Canine thyroid levels and feline heartworm tests are sent to specialty laboratories.

RADIOLOGY AND ULTRASOUND

Radiographs have always been an important diagnostic tool. These images represent comparative densities and shapes of internal structures, which help our veterinarians evaluate bones and internal cavities and organs. Ultrasound - another form of non-invasive imaging - is available at Oaks. This technology uses sound waves to examine internal organs and their motility, including fetuses during pregnancy.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Diagnosis and treatment of disease is an important aspect of veterinary medicine. Our doctors treat a broad range of medical problems, including those of the skin (dermatology), eyes (ophthalmology), ears, heart (cardiology), respiratory system, GI (gastroentology), neurology, tumors (oncology)...in other words, most of the body.

When a problem requires specialty care, our doctors will advise you about referral services and help with scheduling and transfer of records.

SURGERY

Surgical services are performed daily using safe and patient-specific anesthesia. Each hospital has a well-equipped and separate surgery where sterile technique is carefully utilized. Surgeons prepare with disinfectant scrubbing, and wear protective caps, masks and gowns. Instruments are sterilized in an autoclave and used for single procedures.

Anesthetic choices are made by the doctor, based on the species, breed, age and physical condition of each patient. Both injectable and gas anesthesia, usually in combination, are used. Surgical procedures vary from ovariohysterectomy (spay) and castration, to tumor excision, cystotomy (bladder surgery), gastrotomy (stomach surgery), splenectomy (removal of spleen), and many more procedures.

DENTISTRY

Dentistry has become one of the most common anesthetic procedures performed. It is enormously important to the health of our patients - dental infections are painful, and associated bacterial infection may spread to internal organs such as the heart and kidneys. Dental prophylaxis and extractions are performed under general anesthesia. A routine dental cleaning includes scaling with an ultrasonic device, application of a revealing stain to identify residual tartar - which is subsequently removed, polishing to leave a smooth non-adherent surface, and a fluoride treatment.

NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING

We are what we eat - this applies to our pets, too! Many advances have been made in companion animal nutrition. Balanced diets using excellent quality ingredients are vital to good health and can help prevent medical problems. Species, breed, age, activity and medical conditions determine individual nutritional needs. Prescription diets can be used as an adjunct to medical treatment, from the more obvious weight management issues to control of kidney or heart disease.

BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING

Cats and dogs frequently have behavioral problems. In cats, failure to use the litter box - termed inappropriate elimination - is a common and distressing situation. Dogs are often seen for thunderstorm phobias, separation anxiety or aggression. By consultation and medical testing, we can determine a specific diagnosis and initiate treatment with medication and behavioral conditioning. Many behavior problems can be controlled or cured.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Veterinary patients feel pain and discomfort under much the same circumstances as people. Arthritis, injury, disease and surgery can all require pain management. Recognizing and treating pain is a hallmark of good patient care.

MICROCHIPS

This incredible technology by avid microchip offers a safe and reliable permanent identification for all companion animals. Even with the best care, pets may be lost. Microchips have helped reunite thousands of pets with their families. This routine procedure is performed quickly, and may be done in an office appointment or when anesthetic procedures are performed.

PHARMACY

A comprehensive pharmacy is maintained on the premises for client convenience, with a complete inventory of canine and feline heartworm preventatives, flea and tick control products, and prescription medications. Medication is kept in a dry and temperature controlled environment. Expiration dates are checked carefully and routinely, and never exceeded during the course the product is to be used. Only high quality medicinals from reputable manufacturers and distributors are stocked. All prescription refill requests are reviewed at no additional fee by a doctor to ensure safe administration.

COMMUNICATION

Successful patient care requires team work. The doctors, nurses and pet owners all play important roles. The doctors want to thoroughly address the needs of their clients and patients. If your pet received in-hospital care, you will meet with the doctor on discharge to discuss findings and recommendations. After initial assessment, follow-up communication is needed. Laboratory results are reported promptly, and inquiries are made concerning the patient's response to treatment or post-operative condition. Clients are encouraged to call with any questions or concerns, and are responded to as soon as possible.

BATHING AND GROOMING

Our deluxe bath can be scheduled Monday through Saturday, and can be done prior to a scheduled surgical procedure and before discharge from boarding. This service includes cleansing with a high quality shampoo, nail trim, ear cleaning, anal gland expression, drying and brushing. Your pet will leave revitalized! Grooming - where hair is trimmed or shaved - is performed by a professional groomer. This service is offered Monday at our Northwood Oaks Veterinary Hospital and Friday the Oaks Veterinary Hospital.

BOARDING

The safe and comfortable care of our pets when we travel from home is an important aspect of their care. Boarding services are available for cats, dogs and exotics at both facilities. We are proud of the care that is offered by our staff. Cats and exotics are housed separately from dogs in a quieter environment.

The Feline Center at Oaks offers large condo-style cages for additional comfort. Each cat has an individual clean cage with litter box, food and water bowl - multiple cats from the same household may share a condo with plenty of space for privacy and socialization.

At Oaks, large and medium-sized dogs board in spacious exercise runs, with hygienic grids for additional cleanliness. Extra-large stainless steel cages are available at Northwood for larger dogs. Small dogs are housed in stainless steel cages at both facilities. All dogs are exercised outside twice a day, with options for additional playtime offered. Fresh water is always available and high quality food is provided. ALL SPECIAL NEEDS are carefully met, and all care is documented on individual medical records. Doctors are alerted and available to treat any abnormalities, 7 days a week.