Services

Wellness Exams

A regular physical examination is just as important for your pet as it is for you. Our veterinarians recommend a complete physical examination for your pet at least once, and perhaps twice a year. Exams for dogs and cats typically include a thorough physical exam, heartworm blood test, blood profile to check internal organ function and a microscopic fecal examination to check for intestinal parasites. Before vaccinations are given, blood is drawn to determine your pet's current immune status to specific contagious diseases. If antibody titers are low, certain vaccinations are strongly recommended.

Routine examinations give your veterinarian an opportunity to develop a picture of your pet's overall health. Examinations are also essential in spotting problems before they become serious health issues. During an exam, your veterinarian may also talk to you about home healthcare for your pet. An examination is also a good time for your pet to get up-to-date on his or her vaccinations. Ask your veterinarian about scheduling an examination today.

Dental Procedures

Your pet's teeth and mouth are prone to disease and decay just like yours. If your pet has a bad tooth or infected gums, the pain can lead to lack of appetite, and infection can erode the immune system to allow for secondary, more serious infections.

All animals undergoing dental procedures are treated with the same care as animals undergoing surgery. To guarantee the safest outcome, Heart of Chelsea requires all patients undergoing an anesthetic procedure have a pre-operative health exam, a diagnostic blood panel, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to make sure they will be able to process the anesthetic. Since animals cannot sit still for a thorough dental evaluation, teeth cleaning and other dental work, general anesthesia with precise patient monitoring is necessary. Our patients' respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen level within the blood are constantly monitored throughout the procedure to ensure the safest, consistent use of the minimum level of anesthetic necessary.

As an AAHA-accredited animal hospital, our facility has incorporated digital dental radiography to ensure we are providing your pet the absolute highest-quality dentistry assisted by the latest diagnostic imaging technology. We take full mouth x-rays to determine the condition of your pet's teeth and roots. These images allow our doctors to assess the integrity of a tooth diagnostically to make sure we provide accurate diagnoses of the health of your pet's teeth and roots. These images give us a look inside so we can easily determine if a specific area of your pet's mouth is causing them any pain or discomfort. Statistically, periodontal disease is quite prevalent, and with this technology we're able to pinpoint various trouble zones in very little time.

The following are reasons why anesthesia or deep sedation is necessary for oral examination and dental procedures:

• Humans cooperate during dental procedures; however, without anesthesia or deep sedation, dogs and cats do not.
• Dental tartar is firmly attached to the surface of teeth and needs to be removed.
• Scaling above the gum line offers nothing but cosmetic results. Scaling must be done below the gum line.
• Scaling by ultrasonic scalers and sharp hand instruments are necessary in order to remove the dental tartar.
• Any sudden movement can cause injury to the animal or individual performing the dental procedure.
• Dental scaling is performed above and below the gum line. Scaling the teeth above the gum line usually does not cause discomfort; however, scaling below the gum line (or under the gums) can cause discomfort. The area below the gum line, or sub gingival space, is the most important area to clean as periodontal disease begins here.

Animals that have dental work done feel and act healthier. With the cause for their pain or infection gone, their breath will smell fresh again and their immune systems will strengthen. All animals undergoing dental procedures are generally admitted and released from the hospital the same day.

Diagnostic Laboratory

If your pet requires blood or fluid analysis, Heart Of Chelsea Animal Hospital can provide you with this service. We maintain a fully-equipped laboratory with trained and gentle technicians who acquire samples with a minimal amount of discomfort and stress to your pet. In most cases, results are returned within 24 hours (limited by the time of the actual test itself). Once the results are available, we provide you with an opportunity to discuss them with one of our veterinarians so that you understand what they mean and what needs to be done.

In addition to blood and fluid analysis, we are equipped to perform fecal examinations, cytology, and external parasite evaluation and bacteriological analysis from skin and ear scrapings.

Radiology

Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital provides in-house, state-of-the-art digital radiography, with results within minutes. Radiography is highly effective in aiding the doctor with arriving at a diagnosis. Our digital equipment boasts the most advanced technology available to provide you and your pet with the most advanced diagnostic imaging solution. This technology produces high-resolution images in seconds. The software system associated with this technology allows the operator to view and manipulate your pet's images in a variety of ways. The quality of the images produced is unrivaled, and is an invaluable diagnostic tool. You can even take a CD of your radiographs with you if you need to go to a specialist. The efficiency of this system allows us to work quickly, therefore minimizing stress caused to you and your pet.

Vaccinations

Vaccines create antibodies which protect your pet from disease. Up-to-date vaccinations play a large part in keeping your pet healthy and free from disease. However, not every pet requires the same series or frequency of vaccines. Current research in veterinary medicine has linked over-vaccination in senior and geriatric pets with certain immune-related conditions. Our veterinarians tailor a vaccine protocol that is specific to your pet based on his or her lifestyle and immune status. Before vaccinating your pet, blood samples are taken in order to measure his or her immune status to specific contagious diseases.

Since vaccine schedules are subject to change based on the most current information available, we recommend that you call our hospital for information about our vaccine protocols. Rabies vaccination is required by New York State law for both cats and dogs.

Surgery

Surgical procedures are a serious undertaking for your pet. If your pet requires surgery, Heart Of Chelsea Animal Hospital's state-of-the-art technology and professional surgical team are ready for any emergency!

Pets brought to Heart Of Chelsea for surgery are given a clean and sanitized kennel with their own blanket before being administered a preoperative sedative to reduce pre-surgical anxiety. Before surgery, an intravenous catheter is taped into place. This allows the doctor to administer medications in a safe and expedient manner. Once the IV catheter is intact, a sedative that is formulated for your pet's weight, medical condition and breed is administered.

With your pet safely asleep, the surgery team works quickly to install a breathing tube and monitoring devices. This takes place while the veterinary surgeon scrubs and dresses in sterile surgical gown, cap, gloves and mask.

During surgery, human-grade gas-inhalent anesthesia is used. We are very conscientious in providing pain medication before, during and after surgery. During all surgical procedures, our patients are monitored using an EKG and pulse oximeter. When the surgery is completed, a technician remains with your pet until your pet is completely awake, making sure that all vital signs remain healthy and strong. Depending on the type of surgery, your pet may need to spend a night in recovery at the hospital. The recovery kennels are sanitized after each use and the complete post-surgery area is scrubbed daily with an antiseptic. After the office is closed, all patients are monitored on a regular basis by a veterinarian and qualified technicians and are fed and walked as instructed. Providing that you call ahead, you are welcome to visit your pet.

Radiosurgery

To better care for your pet, our hospital has invested in a new radiosurgery unit. Radiosurgery uses radiowaves to make incisions and coagulate bleeding tissues. According to some researchers, radiosurgery is superior to laser surgery in minimizing tissue damage, alleviating pain and controlling bleeding.

Radiosurgery has the advantage in that the electrodes remain cold. Very high frequency radio-waves are transmitted between a plastic-coated antenna and a small needle electrode held by the surgeon. Heat is induced only in the cells that are in contact with the needle electrode. The small amount of heat that is generated gives the surgeon the ability to cut with simultaneous coagulation.

Radiosurgery has many Veterinary applications, including skin incisions, tumor dissection, organ biopsy, gingivectomy and epilation. Veterinary Radiosurgery is safe, straightforward and highly effective.