Small Animal Services at Poultney Veterinary Hospital
Comprehensive Physical Exams
Comprehensive physical exams are the foundation of your pet’s health care program. During your pet’s visit, we will review ongoing health issues, current medications, weight management, nutrition, dental health care and behavioral concerns to optimize your pet’s health program. The interval between examinations will vary based on life stage and your pet’s health issues.
Preventative Medicine and Vaccinations
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We customize vaccination schedules based on the age and lifestyle of your pet, and our protocols evolve as new research emerges. The “core vaccines” are recommended for all dogs and cats and include the distemper combination vaccine and Rabies vaccination. These vaccinations are given annually when the animals are young, then less often as they increase in age. We also recommend vaccinating dogs against Lyme disease, Bordetella (“kennel cough”) and Canine Influenza (bivalent) based on individual lifestyles. Cats that go outdoors or to boarding kennels should be vaccinated against the feline Leukemia virus, in addition to their core vaccines.
Pharmacy Services
Most of your prescriptions can be filled at our pharmacy during your appointment. We offer competitive pricing for many maintenance health products, including heartworm and flea & tick preventatives. We also utilize the services of veterinary compounding pharmacies or local human pharmacies.
Referral Services
For advanced diagnostics, we are fortunate to have several excellent options. Digital radiography, ultrasonography, internal medicine consultations, and surgery as well as some advanced surgical procedures can be provided at Poultney Veterinary Hospital. When a referral is necessary, we work closely with several hospitals within a 2-hour drive with veterinary specialists including veterinary cardiologists, oncologists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, surgeons and internal medicine specialists to provide the most progressive care possible for your pet.
Surgical Services
We offer a full range of soft-tissue and dental surgical services. Our focus is on patient safety using the most current surgical practices and optimal pain management. Patients requiring more specialized surgical procedures may be referred to a surgical facility.
Reproductive Services
We are pleased to offer several options to dog breeders in the field of assisted canine reproduction. Please visit our Reproductive Services page for details.
Dentistry
Dental care is one of the most important aspects of your pets overall health. Unfortunately, we are rarely able to fully assess all the teeth in dogs and cats with them awake.
Complete oral assessment and treatment includes an anesthetized complete oral exam, prophylactic treatment (routine dental cleaning), nerve blocks and oral surgery when necessary. To ensure the safest anesthesia, all animals have pre-anesthetic blood work, are constantly monitored and warmed while under anesthesia, and receive fluids through an IV catheter to maintain blood pressure.
Behavior Counseling for Dogs
Behavior problems are the number one reason dogs are relinquished to animal shelters or euthanized each year in this country. We discuss exercises to promote proper socialization and behavior beginning with the first puppy visit.
We are happy to discuss training methods and offer behavior counseling in private sessions at the clinic or in your home.
Pain Management
Pain management is a key aspect of patient care and is of utmost importance to us. We offer the latest pain management strategies for both acute and chronic conditions. Pain medications are given with all surgeries.
We can discuss your pet’s specific issues and devise a plan to best meet his or her needs.
Diagnostic Laboratory Services
Our in-house laboratory is equipped to perform CBCs, biochemical profiles and electrolyte analysis. We also perform some cytology and urinalyses. We recommend annual testing for heartworm and tick-borne diseases in dogs. Cats should be tested at least once for feline leukemia and immunodeficiency viruses. For more advanced testing, including cultures, hormonal assays and histology, we utilize national and local veterinary laboratory services.
Digital Radiography
Digital radiography is a form of X-ray imaging but with digital X-ray, sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Digital enhancement dramatically improves image quality and greatly reduces exposure to radiation for both pets and technicians. Digital technology also makes it easy to share images with owners and referral hospitals.
Our on-site radiology services are used to perform bone and soft tissue studies. When extra information is necessary, contrast studies may also be performed. The advent of digital radiography has greatly improved the diagnostic capability of a simple radiograph. In addition to our in-house radiology services, we have board-certified radiologists available via a tele-radiology service.
Microchip ID
Unfortunately, many pets are lost each year when they “slip out” through an open gate or door, or get scared and bolt during holidays or vacations.
If a pet is stolen, a microchip is the only way to prove ownership. Placing a microchip in your cat or dog is easily done during an office visit and is by far the most effective way to hasten the recovery of a lost pet. Our clinic utilizes the Home Again® microchip system for pet recovery and lifetime registration is included with all microchips.
