Community Pet Hospital Services

Annual Wellness Exams:
The comprehensive physical exam is the most important service that we will provide for your pet because every diagnosis begins here. The doctor will check all aspects of your pet's health including eyes, ears, teeth, skin and coat condition, joint mobility, and behavioral issues. We have many other services at our disposal including the ability to perform blood analysis, ultrasound, radiographs, urinalysis etc. The physical exam allows the doctor the ability to determine which of the diagnostic tests would be most beneficial to further help with your pet's course of healthcare.

Vaccinations:
Along with the wellness exam, fecal testing for parasites and deworming, the doctor and staff will devise a vaccination plan to suit the individual needs of your pet.

Diagnostics:
Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic services including ultrasonography, echocaridiology, radiology, and in-house laboratory facilities. In clinic testing allows us to get answers in minutes not hours. Preanesthetic testing screens for undetected health problems. This helps limit the risk of anesthetic and is recommended for all surgical procedures. When an injury or illness strikes we can provide the information needed quickly, to make the appropriate healthcare decisions and improve chances of a positive outcome.

Surgical Services:
Our surgical services encompass a wide variety of procedures including but not limited to:
Orthopedic: cruciate ligament, patella luxation and fracture repair of all types.
Soft Tissue: foreign body removal, various cancer removals and biopsy, eyelid surgery, enuculation and prosthesis, resection and anastomsis, ear resection and ablation, hernia repair, bladder stone removal as well as OVH (spay) and neuter.
Our surgical patients are monitored by an anesthetic technician using the safest anesthetics available and digital equipment which allows us to maintain optimal sedation and address any changes in our patient's condition immediately. We provide aggressive pain management before, during and after surgery and antibiotics as necessary.

Pain Management:
This is a mandatory for all surgical procedures, except it could be optional for routine dental cleanings. Extractions dictate pain management. You may be contacted if the doctor feels additional pain medication is necessary. Pain management is tailored to your pet's individual needs and the procedure performed.

Dentistry:
Periodontal disease is the most common infection seen in veterinary medicine today. There are clear indications that oral health status has a profound effect on your pet's general health. Regular dental visits are strongly recommended to remove the plaque and tarter that cause bacteria. All dental procedures including ultrasonic scaling and polishing are done under general anesthesia. Extractions may be necessary if teeth are loose and painful. The adverse affects of bad teeth on the overall health of your pet greatly outweigh the anesthetic risk.

Dietary Recommendations:
We provide dietary counseling for each life stage including growth, maintenance, performance as well as weight management and reduction. We also carry a full line of prescription diets that provide the necessary nutritional requirements to benefit your pet for a variety of health conditions.

Microchip:
One in three pets will become lost in their lifetimes. According to the American Humane Association only 17% of dogs and 2% of cats will find their way home. That is why we strongly recommend that your pet be microchipped. Chips are inserted under the skin with a single use syringe much like a vaccination. These chips transmit your pets' unique number when scanned with a hand held microchip reader. When your number is related to AVID they can reunite you with your pet through either your veterinarian or PETtrac.

Heartworm:
A mosquito borne disease, heartworm does occur in the Billings area. It infects primarily dogs and rarely cats. Our clinic strongly recommends an annual test for this disease and with a negative result a preventative medication is prescribed. Out of state travel may make testing and preventative mandatory. Prevention is key as treatment can be life threatening and expensive.

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement:
Dr. Root is now equipped and trained to perform the TTA procedure for the surgical treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in the dog. This procedure improves the outcome and prognosis for those large breeds prone to this disease. The extracapsular stabilization technique continues to be an effective method for the smaller to medium breeds. For more information on the TTA procedure you may refer to the website of Dr. Jeff Mayo at www.jeffmayodvm.com