Over 70% of United States households or 90.5 million families own a pet in 2021-2022. This is according to a National pet Survey that was conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

Of the family pet owners, 95% of Americans consider their pet to be a family member. Pets are important to us because:

  • They teach us responsibility.
  • Are important stress and anxiety relievers.
  • Help lower heart disease and depression rates.

We understand your pet is part of your family. Whether you have a dog, cat, or another type of pet, it is our goal to provide caring and knowledgeable treatment. Preventative services or treating sickness, we are here for you and your beloved pet to enjoy a happy, healthy life together.

Services

Vaccinations

Preventing disease and protecting your pet from preventable diseases is the primary goal at our clinic. Vaccines help your pet live longer and healthier lives by preventing your pet from deadly infectious diseases. There are many vaccines available for use in dogs and cats. Rabies vaccines are available in 1 year or 3-year options. If you miss the renewal date for your dog’s vaccine he will receive a 1 year and then be able to receive the 3 year on his next visit if it is before the renewal date, according to Iowa law.

Some vaccines are considered core vaccines and should be administered to all pets and other vaccines are optional and may be recommended based on your pet’s risk of exposure to certain diseases. Our doctors and staff can recommend what vaccines may be the best option for your pets.


Puppy & Kitten Care

One of the first things you should do after getting a new pet is to bring them in for one of our veterinarians to check over. Puppy and kitten visits offer a unique opportunity to make sure your new pet is in good health.

Our staff can answer any questions about nutrition, training, vaccinations, grooming, parasite protection, and overall health. Even if you are a very experienced pet owner and have owned puppies or kittens before, each pet is unique and offers an opportunity to learn something new. The more educated you are about your pet, the better you will be able to care for him or her.

During your animals first examination we will recommend the best parasite prevention options for your pet and give you samples to make sure it is the best product for them. If your new puppy or kitten has had vaccines at a shelter or from the breeder, we will review their vaccine and deworming history. We will then discuss the best way to continue, so don’t forget to bring along any records you have received.

Some vaccines are considered core vaccines and should be administered to all pets and other vaccines are optional and may be recommended based on your pet’s risk of exposure to certain diseases. Our doctors and staff can recommend what vaccines may be the best option for your pets.


Wellness Exams and Routine Care

Wellness exams for your pets are highly recommended. This is an opportunity for you and your pet to visit one on one with our skilled veterinarians. During the exam your pet will be checked from head to tail! This gives you a chance to ask many questions about your pet’s behavior, appetite, exercise habits, and regular activities at home.

We offer routine services for our small animal clients to help them care for their pets. Regular toe nail trimming and anal sac expressions may help when your pet becomes uncomfortable. Some pets are hard to handle for groomers. If this occurs for your pet, we can assist by performing a sedated shearing. Keeping your pets comfortable is important for us.


Nutritional Counseling

Did you know your pet’s nutritional needs change based on their age and activity level? There are so many different types of dog and cat food out there it can be overwhelming to try and decide which may be the best option for your pet.

Call, email or ask at your pets next wellness visit for our advice on what to try for your pet.

There may also come a time when we recommend your pet be placed on a prescription diet to assist in managing diseases like diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, or for prevention of bladder stones and allergies.

We carry Hills Science Prescription foods. If you don’t see it on our shelf, we can order what size or flavor you need. If a time comes when your pet is in need of a special diet, we will help you decide what is best for them. You can sign up for Hills to Home pet food delivery under our Resources Tab.


Behavior Counseling

Our pets are part of the family and are impacted by everything we do on a daily basis as well as the environment we live in with them. Unfortunately, our pets do not always adjust to our lifestyles as easily as we do. This can result in aggression, barking, destruction of household items, and lapses in potty training.

Many things can contribute to these behaviors and anxieties. The number one reason our pets are relinquished to shelters is due to behavior issues.

If you feel you do not understand why your pet is exhibiting certain behaviors and need help, we are here to assist you. There are professional trainers available who may be able to assist you with your pets’ behavior.


Pain Management

Many times, there are reasons we need to make sure an animal is provided with pain management whether for a lameness, illness, or end of life care. Every situation will be evaluated on an individual basis and medication prescribed that will adhere to proper withdrawal times.


Microchipping

Looking for another way to make sure your pet makes it safely back to you in case it gets lost? It is highly recommended that all pets be microchipped. Collars can get lost and tags can break off. A microchip is a safe way to identify your pet and the best part is, it can’t get lost.

Application of microchips is very safe and very quick. They are the size and shape of a grain of rice and they are placed underneath your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. Each microchip contains a code that is linked to your name, address, and phone number.

Once you have registered through our office it is up to you to update any change in your contact information with the microchip company and with our office. Registering the number on the microchip includes your pet in a national pet recovery database.

Many veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and animal control offices across the country have electronic scanners that can read the microchip number. As long as there is current contact information on file with the national database the pet owner can then be contacted and reunited with his or her pet!

There is no wrong age to microchip your pet. Even indoor pets can accidentally get outside and not know how to find their way home. At our clinic we provide microchips made by. Home Again.

Here are some common questions and misconceptions about microchips.

Q: Will it hurt my pet when he gets the microchip implanted?
A: It won’t hurt any more than a routine vaccination. The procedure can be performed during your pet’s regular wellness visit.

Q: Will a microchip last for my pet’s entire life?
A: Since there’s no battery and no moving parts, there’s nothing to keep charged, wear out, or replace. The microchip should last your pet’s lifetime.

Q: Isn’t microchipping only for dogs?
A: Both cats and dogs need to be microchipped.

Cats often do not wear collars, and may not have any other form of ID. A recent study showed less than 2% of cats without microchips were returned home. However, if a cat is microchipped, the return-to-owner rate is 20 times higher than if the cat was not microchipped.

**It is vital to keep your contact information up to date with your veterinarian and with the microchip company so you can be reached. **


Surgery

From routine surgical procedures, such as spaying and neutering, to more complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries such as small to medium sized masses on or under the skin, eyelid tumors and oral masses, skin biopsies, we look forward to the opportunity to care for your pet’s surgical needs.

We focus on patient safety and pain management. Our staff carefully monitors your pet before, during, and after your pet’s procedure to ensure they recover properly. We will also address any questions or concerns you may have about the surgery, including concerns about anesthesia, pain management, or postoperative care.

After your pet’s surgery our doctor will call you to review the surgery, go over postoperative care and explain any medication instructions there may be.

If you have any questions or concerns following your pet’s procedure we are here to help.


Dental Care

If your dog or cat has foul odor coming from their mouth it may be a sign of issues caused by bacteria. Bacteria can lead to reddened gums as well as plaque and tartar buildup. Thus, resulting in bad breath.

As tartar continues to build up you may notice excess drooling, dropping food while chewing or refusal to eat hard food, and loose or missing teeth. Even if you’re using treats and chews to help control tartar, these are frequently not enough to keep dental disease in check.

Checking your pet’s teeth is a normal part of their yearly wellness exam. If you feel in between exams your pet is exhibiting signs of dental disease let us examine your pet’s teeth and gums.

After a brief visual examination, we may recommend a dental cleaning. Dental cleanings in animals are similar to how a dentist cleans our teeth however, we have to have your pet under anesthesia so that we can take a closer look.

Call today to discuss your pet’s dental care needs and how we can help!


Parasite Prevention and Control

Parasites are not only a nuisance in our pets, they can cause serious illness and even death in pets. For example, ticks can transmit infections like Lyme disease, and fleas can transmit tapeworms and Bartonella – the bacteria that causes “cat-scratch fever” in humans.

Another type of parasite, called a heartworm, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworms live in your pet’s lungs and heart, causing congestive heart failure and eventually death. Intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, also threaten pets and are even transmissible to humans.

You may not always be able to tell if your pet has parasites. Fleas can hide under your pet’s fur, and some ticks are very tiny. Intestinal parasites like roundworms can cause diarrhea and other problems, but many infected pets don’t show any signs of illness at all.

Our staff and doctors can recommend tests to tell if your pet has parasites or is at risk. We can also examine your pet for evidence of fleas, ticks, or other external parasites. Our expert staff can recommend medications to help control and even prevent fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites as well as what signs to look for.

Parasites are not just a nuisance. They can carry serious diseases that affect your pet’s overall health and longevity. Let us help you protect your pet.


Sick Animal Care

Have you noticed your pet has not been as active or is not wanting to eat or drink as well lately?

Because animals cannot tell us what they are thinking or feeling there are some subtle changes which may indicate your pet needs to be seen by one of our veterinarians.

Some diseases can be diagnosed with an examination and simple diagnostic tools like bloodwork. If you feel your pet is feeling under the weather please call and talk to our staff.

We can help you make the decision on what may be the next best step for your pet.


Reproduction

Canine breeders look to our veterinarians for help in examining and evaluating their animals for breeding soundness. We offer Artificial Insemination, soundness exams, in-house progesterone testing, and cesarian sections.
Using our in-house ultrasound equipment, we can confirm pregnancy and with digital x-ray we can help determine how many pups may be delivered when that special time begins for your dog.


Digital Radiology, Ultrasonography and Laboratory

X-Ray is an important tool to help us make a correct diagnosis for your pet. X-rays allow us to look inside the animal body and search for blockages before an exploratory surgery. We are also able to gain information that we may not have been able to see on the outside. For complex cases we will take x-rays in office and send them off to Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, where a specialist will evaluate them.

Ultrasonography equipment is used for diagnosis and assessment. We use ultrasounds to examine organs, identify masses and collect samples. Our veterinarians also use ultrasounds during the obstetrics stages of animals.

Our in-house laboratory allows us to run tests to determine if there are any concerns with blood, fecal, and urinary health issues. We utilize the SNAP 4Dx Plus Test
to help prevent the spread of heartworm disease, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis while increasing awareness of these vector-transmitted infections


Senior Care

Yearly veterinary examinations are important for every stage of your pet’s life. Just as our health care needs change as we age, your pet’s health care needs also change.

The best way to help protect your pets as they age is to let us examine your animals yearly and to ask questions about any changes you have noticed in your aging pet.

Even if your senior pet is already being treated for a medical condition, treatment recommendations can change as a condition progresses or as other diseases present themselves.

Our doctors may recommend your pet have routine wellness blood work and other routine diagnostic testing that may be important for senior pets because these tests allow us to evaluate how your pet’s health is either responding to current management strategies or changing with age.

Many diseases or illnesses can be diagnosed early with these routine diagnostics and therefore are allowing your pet to live longer.

We welcome your questions and concerns about your pet and encourage you to be involved in decisions regarding your pet’s health care.


End of Life Care

Our clinic strives to provide compassionate and loving care at the end of your pet’s life. Passing of any family pet is always very difficult to handle. We promise to provide timely support during the decision-making process.
In the event when an owner and veterinarian decide your pet has reached enough suffering or is unlikely to make a recovery, euthanasia offers a way to end a pet’s pain. The decision is extremely difficult for both the owner and the veterinarian, but we should recognize that sometimes this is the kindest thing we can do in the final stage of a pet’s life.