Veterinary Services

In a laparoscopic procedure, a small incision (~2 cm) is placed into the skin and abdomen, which allows for the insertion of a fiberoptic camera. The reproductive structures are identified and controlled cuts in the tissues are made. There are many benefits to laproscopic spays but the most important for your pet include:

• The small incision size decreases tissue trauma and pain.
• Better visualization of surgical procedure, minimizing complications.
• Your pet is back to normal much more quickly.

• Arthritis
• Dental Disease
• Heart Disease
• Liver Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Endocrine Disorders

These conditions will start to become more prevalent as your pet gets older. For this reason, we recommend twice-yearly veterinary visits for pets over 7 years of age. Performing annual or biannual screening lab work is also recommended on your older pet to help identify early stages of medical problems that might go unrecognized and can progress significantly without treatment. Our veterinarians will work with you and your pets to form a long-term plan to keep them healthy and comfortable.

Local Parasite Concerns

We are fortunate that the Colorado climate doesn’t encourage pet parasites as much as climates in the south, but it is still important to protect your dog and cat from intestinal and external parasites. Cats and dogs in our area are at risk for heartworm, intestinal parasites, ticks, and fleas—just like pets in other areas of the country.

Common parasites found locally include Giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, mange, mites, toxoplasma gondii, and coccidia. While heartworm exposure, fleas, and some ticks are more common in the summer, your pet can come in contact with some parasites, such as roundworms, year-round.

Risk of Infection

Pets can spread some of the parasites to each other and to human members of your family. If your pet interacts with other dogs outside your household (dog parks, daycare, boarding, hiking, etc.), you will want to factor that additional exposure in. Some of the effects of these parasites in humans can be very severe, such as abdominal inflammation or even blindness. Because of this and the effect of parasites on your pet, it is important to keep your pet on year-round prevention.

Heartworm is transmitted to dogs and cats by mosquitoes. It can lead to permanent damage to your pet’s heart and lungs. It can be fatal, particularly to cats, for which there are no products in the United States approved for the treatment of feline heartworm infection. It is important to have all your pets tested for heartworm with a blood test, and then place your canine companions on heartworm prevention. We encourage year-round heartworm prevention in dogs for it helps prevent against many GI parasites as well.

Prevention of Parasites

At each wellness exam, we will screen for parasites. Please bring a stool sample to each visit for a fecal test.

The staff of Inspire Animal Hospital will help you establish a safe and effective parasite prevention plan for your pet. There are a number of excellent products on the market today that if used properly can potentially eradicate concern about parasites.

• Inspire has a complete on site diagnostic lab, which includes complete blood counts, chemistry profiles, electrolytes, urinalysis, clotting times, fecal exam and other tests for quick and accurate results.
• We have the ability to perform microscopic exams on ear swabs, skin impressions and scrapes, and needle biopsies of tumors.
• We also utilize a send-out lab for more in depth chemistry profiles, gastrointestinal panels, endocrine panels, and other specialty testing such as biopsies, bladder stone analysis and infectious disease screenings.
• We offer OFA hip and elbow xray screenings, thyroid panels to MSU, and dentition evaluation
• Diagnostic testing is an important step, which allows our veterinarians to effectively target the underlying problem(s) and develop an effective treatment plan. Our veterinarians can explain the purpose of each diagnostic test for your pet and help prioritize which tests may be most helpful in determining the cause of your pet’s illness.

Digital X-ray

Inspire Animal Hospital uses the full body and dental digital x-ray. Digital x-ray is more efficient than traditional x-rays, minimizes anesthesia, and provides for enhancement of images. Our veterinarians will evaluate all of the X-rays taken. In addition, we will have a board-certified radiologist review and interpret the images. Digital x-ray:

• Increases patient comfort because it takes less time
• Reduces exposure to radiation
• Environmentally friendly (no x-ray film or chemicals are used)

X-rays help us in detecting arthritis, fractures, bony tumors and other bone abnormalities; heart enlargement and fluid in or around the lungs, bladder and kidney stones; stomach or intestinal foreign bodies; pneumonia and other lung diseases and much more.

Ultasound

Ultrasound is another noninvasive diagnostic tool that we have at our animal hospital. We perform abdominal ultrasound as well as heart ultrasounds (echocardiograms). Many problems that cannot be diagnosed by x-ray can be picked up on ultrasound. It is useful in imaging the heart and organs in the abdomen (such as the liver, spleen, and bladder). Ultrasound allows us to look at the actual architecture of each organ, which ultimately helps us identify many abnormalities and disease processes.

• One of the most common but also frequently overlooked health problems for companion animals is dental disease. By age two, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease. This occurs as a result of bacterial infection along the gum line, due to the formation of plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance containing millions of bacteria that form along the tooth surface and gum line. Without frequent removal, plaque eventually hardens into tartar. Left untreated, this leads to the gradual destruction of the gum tissue and supportive structures around the teeth, which can result in mouth pain and tooth loss.
• In the early stages of dental disease, your veterinarian can recommend home dental health care measures such as tooth brushing, dental treats and rinses, and dental diets.
• When dental disease has progressed, our veterinarians will discuss the procedures involved in a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment (COHAT) plan. Most often, this will involve a day at the veterinary hospital to plan and perform the procedures, which will include:
• Thorough physical exam
• Pre-Operative Lab Work evaluation
• IV Catheterization used for fluids and any necessary medication
• General Anesthesia with monitoring of heart rate, heart rhythm (ECG), blood pressure, body temperature ETCO2 (end title CO2) and
• SpO2 (oxygen saturation)
• Teeth Cleaning with hand scaling and ultrasonic cleaning
• Teeth polishing
• Dental X-Rays and oral exams, Checking for fractured teeth, discolored teeth, wear patterns of the teeth, and oral cancer.
• Dental Charting
• Extractions when indicated

Upon discharge, the veterinary team will review any instructions pertaining to post-dental medications, special feeding instructions, and when to resume home dental care. Your pet will thank you for remembering to take care of his or her mouth and live a longer and happier life as a result.

We offer:

• Neuters and laproscopic spays
• Minimally invasive biopsies
• Growth and mass removals
• Eye and ear surgery
• Abdominal and soft tissue procedures
• Urogenital surgery
• Other Laparoscopic surgery including gastropexies, liver biopsies, cryptorchid neuter and bladder stone removal (cystoscopy).

In the best interests of our pet, we require a physical examination appointment with one of our doctors prior to scheduling procedures. At that time, our staff will explain the process including:

• Any pre-surgical testing that is recommended
• Food and water intake restrictions prior to surgery – a period of fasting may be necessary prior to your pet’s procedure.
• Discharge and aftercare for your pet – some patients may be able to go home the same day as their procedure, whereas others may need a referral to a 24-hour care facility for overnight monitoring. The veterinary team will advise you as to what is best for your pet.

What Constitutes a Pet Emergency?

• Bleeding
• Trouble breathing
• Inability to put weight on leg
• Laceration
• Hit by a car
• Fall from a tall height
• Unconscious condition
• Repeated vomiting or dry heaves
• Bloated or distended abdomen
• Consumption of poison or chewing something dangerous
• Eye injury
• Inability to urinate or pass stool
• Hard labor, lasting longer than an hour

Placing an IV catheter and administering IV fluids, giving oxygen supplementation, and pain relief medications may be elements of the initial stabilization of your pet. As your pet is stabilized, your veterinarian will review a diagnostic plan, which may include imaging (radiographs, ultrasound) and laboratory evaluation (blood and/or urine tests) to ascertain the severity of the situation and tailor treatment for your pet.

At times, your pet may need advanced care or 24hour care at a referral or specialty center. When this is the case, our staff will discuss options for transfer and referral. Our veterinarians will stay abreast of your pet’s status at the emergency facility.