Dr. Barnes examining a cat in the cage feline friendly way

Does My Cat Really Need the Vet?

Does My Cat Really Need the Vet?

Some people believe that veterinary visits are too stressful or unnecessary for their cat.  Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Cats are secretive and masters of hiding disease.  It takes a trained eye, a thorough history, and maybe some lab tests to know for sure.  Nature teaches cats that the sick and the weak fall, for this reason, they will hide sickness until they are no longer physically able to do so.

Frequently, when owners are concerned about their cats because they’re acting ill, they have a very advanced disease process.  These cats were often acting perfectly normal even up to the day before they started acting sick.  Routine examination and blood work can detect minor changes in organ function. Therefore, treatment can be started early and prolong the life of the patient.

An annual examination allows the veterinarian to have a good baseline for your pet.  This will help them detect abnormalities or changes over time.  A good annual exam will cover all body parts of your cat from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

Eyes and Nose
The vet will check for clarity, basic vision, and signs of infection or inflammation. They may also ask you about your cats’ behavior at home.
Oral Cavity
The vet will examine the oral cavity for gum inflammation, oral masses, signs of excess tartar on the teeth, and tooth abnormalities or breakage.
Ears
The vet will examine your cat’s ears for signs of infection, debris, inflammation, redness, drainage around the ear canal, and mites.
Heart and Lungs
Your vet will listen to your kitty’s heart and lungs with a stethoscope, listening for any heart murmurs or any other abnormal sounds, such as respiratory congestion.
Fur
Your vet will examine your cat’s skin and hair coat, these can be indicative of certain disease processes, allergies, or flea infestation.
Paws and Legs
The vet will examine the legs and feet.  They will palpate to make sure your cat has a full range of motion and is not painful.
Abdomen
Your vet will palpate your kitty’s abdomen.  This is to feel for any apparent masses or any pain in the digestive tract.
Rectum
The anus will be checked for visual evidence of worms, and the anal glands for potential signs of infection or impaction.

All of these things will give your vet an idea of your cats’ health.  Additionally, your vet may request lab work. This could include blood work, urinalysis, and potentially radiographs or an ultrasound.  Certain values in the blood or urine will change as organ function begins to decline.  These blood values may remain the only symptom for an extended period of time.  Early detection will make treatment much more possible and manageable.

Your vet will use all of these clues to determine the health of your pet.  Continued care and monitoring are the only way to detect changes.  This is the reason that an annual examination is the standard of practice.  As your cat gets older your vet may opt to do twice yearly examinations.  Waiting until your cat shows signs of illness may be too late.

Yelp Reviews for Aldie Vet

Yelp!

Did you know that Aldie Vet has a business page on Yelp? If you have not had experience writing a review, here are the recommendations Yelp provides on their website:

What makes for a great review?

Yelp reviews are useful, funny and cool because people like you take the time to share thoughtful insights on local businesses and services. The best reviews are personal and experiential, and tend to offer helpful suggestions, perhaps even an insider tip or two. The most useful reviews sometimes make mention of unique qualities that make the business special or the type of person who might also like this business.

If you wish to write a review of your experience, please click on the link below. We love 5-star reviews from our Yelpers.

 

 

Aldie Vet Event Tent for Super Pet Expo

Aldie Vet in the Community

April 2018

Spring Festival – #southriding

May 6, 2018
1pm-6pm

South Riding Center
42420 Unicorn Drive
South Riding, VA

March 2018

Super Pet Expo – #superpetexpo

March 16-18, 2018
Fri: 3-8pm, Sat: 10am-7pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

Dulles Expo Center
4320 Chantilly Shopping Center
Chantilly, VA

For tickets and more information, visit their website at Super Pet Expo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#aldievet #dullesvets #vetsrus

 

Canine Physical Rehabilitation and Therapies for Sheltie

Physical Rehabilitation & Therapies

When your pet is in need of a physical fitness plan or is recovering from an injury or surgery, he or she will often benefit from a physical rehabilitation routine. The key to any successful rehabilitation plan is communication. Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners will work carefully with you and your primary care veterinarian to assess your pet and create a customized rehabilitation plan. We offer a complete array of rehabilitation services including hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill), laser therapy, hot and cold therapy, ultrasound, as well as massage and stretching techniques.

Acupuncture and eastern medicine can provide an excellent complement to modern western medicine. These methods are becoming frequently used to provide a more well-rounded approach to pet wellness. The most frequent reasons for acupuncture referral include; musculoskeletal problems (back pain, joint disease), neurologic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and other chronic conditions that are not responding to traditional therapies. Our certified veterinary acupuncturist will place small needles into strategic points to affect energy flow in the body and promote self-healing.

chihuahua having acupuncture

Veterinary Acupuncture

Today, the most frequent reasons for acupuncture referral among veterinarians are:

  • Musculoskeletal problems: back pain, arthritis/degenerative joint disease, muscle soreness
  • Neurological disorders: weakness and paralysis resulting from intervertebral disk trauma, spinal or nerve problems
  • Gastrointestinal conditions: diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease
  • Other chronic conditions not responding to conventional therapy, including (but by no means limited to): skin allergies and dermatitis, lick granulomas, epilepsy, respiratory conditions, hormonal imbalances, infertility, internal organ dysfunction
  • Prevention of disease and promotion of well-being, geriatric support, and performance enhancement.

Dr. Pattie will typically see patients for acupuncture with an initial workup as an hour-long appointment, which includes the first treatment.  This initial appointment is followed by a commitment to at least 3-5 once-weekly treatments which are 30-40 minutes long.  A single treatment may be enough for an acute condition.  A series of 3-10 treatments can resolve many chronic problems.  Some degenerative conditions may continue to need repeated treatments over time.  All acupuncture appointments are best seen on an outpatient basis with no other tests/grooming/etc. that same day.

If you are not sure if acupuncture is right for your pet, you can also schedule an abbreviated acupuncture consultation with Dr. Pattie to discuss the case, your goals, and suspected outcome specific to your pet.  If you decide to come back for the treatment series the cost of the consult will be deducted from the initial workup fee.

 FAQ:

  1. What is acupuncture?   The insertion of very fine needles into specific predetermined points on the body to produce physiologic responses. Modern research shows that acupoints are located where there is a high density of nerves, immune cells, and small blood and lymphatic vessels.  As more studies are conducted, the mechanism of this ancient therapy will be better understood.
  2. Does it hurt?  95% of animal patients are comfortable with acupuncture therapy.  Some animals will even fall asleep during treatment.
  3. Is it safe? Acupuncture is very safe when administered by a qualified and certified practitioner.  There are also no negative side effects, unlike many Western drugs.
  4. How do you know where to put the needles?  The points used vary according to the condition being treated.  Each point has specific actions when stimulated. When points are used in combination with other points, the results may be tailored to the specific problems being addressed.
  5. Are there other holistic modalities besides acupuncture?  Herbs, chiropractic, massage, diet, homeopathy, and various other forms of complementary medicine are available to veterinary patients.  Dr. Pattie is currently pursuing certification in herbology, but there are many other holistic veterinarians in our area to whom we can refer if indicated.

 

 

dulles south veterinary center facility

Other Services

Acupuncture

  • Musculoskeletal problems: back pain, arthritis/degenerative joint disease, muscle soreness
  • Neurological disorders: weakness and paralysis resulting from intervertebral disk trauma, spinal or nerve problems
  • Gastrointestinal conditions: diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease
  • Other chronic conditions not responding to conventional therapy, including but not limited to: skin allergies and dermatitis; lick granulomas; epilepsy; respiratory conditions; hormonal imbalances; infertility and internal organ dysfunction
  • Prevention of disease and promotion of well-being, geriatric support, and performance enhancement

Grooming

Let us pamper your pet at our Day Spa! We provide pet grooming for all breeds of dogs and cats. Our grooming services include:

  • Clipping and scissor cuts
  • Dematting
  • Flea Dips
  • Ear Cleaning
  • Toenail Clipping
  • Regular Baths
  • Medicated Baths
  • Fluff Drying

Boarding

We provide boarding services for our client’s dogs and cats. Our separate cat and dog wards ensure tranquility for the cats and companionship for the dogs. All of our cages and kennels are indoors and therefore, temperature controlled with installed smoke, heat, and motion detectors. Because boarding is supervised by a veterinarian, you can be comforted that all of your pet’s medications will be properly administered and he or she will receive prompt medical attention, if needed. 

Nutritional Counseling

Diet and nutrition are important to maintaining your pet’s health. Feeding your pet a specially formulated diet to meet the needs of adulthood helps encourage a long and healthy life. We will provide guidance regarding your pet’s nutritional needs for each life stage, including dietary requirements for growth, weight loss and maintenance, and performance. Please feel free to consult our veterinarians to help you find the right food to fit with your pet’s lifestyle, body condition, and health needs.

Hospice Care

If you choose, Aldie Vet will help you provide end-of-life comforting care, to your terminally ill or dying pet. This will allow you to spend quality time at home with your pet until such time as you decide to euthanize or until death occurs.  We will provide assistance, as requested, as it relates to pain and symptom control, wound care, problems with incontinence and other aesthetics, and changes in behavior patterns.

Euthanasia

When you have reached the extremely difficult decision that there is no quality of your pet’s life or that your pet is suffering, our veterinarians will be there to help you through the process of euthanasia. Please feel free to discuss the process and ask any questions to our veterinarians. They are very familiar with the experience and are able to talk with you about the process and feelings that go with it. Also, please click our Pet Bereavement link for additional information.

Lab sick at veterinary hospital

Sick Pet Care

Along with our knowledgeable staff, Aldie Vet is located in a premiere veterinary facility dedicated just to pets. This enables us to offer a diverse list of medical services, including pet emergency care for those unscheduled accidents and illnesses your pet may face.

Internal Medicine – Healthy functioning internal organs are critical to your pet’s health. Organs can become diseased or damaged.  Utilizing our lab and diagnostic equipment, we are able to diagnose and treat many diseases relating to your pet’s internal organs and systems.

Dermatology – Skin conditions are often the result of your pet’s body reacting to environmental and internal changes.

Capabilities:

  • Treatment of allergies due to food, parasites or environment
  • Ear disease
  • Skin issues (blistering, hair loss, scaling, crusty, greasy, bacterial or fungal infections)
  • Ectoparasites (mange mites, ear mites, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes)
  • Ringworm
  • Drug reactions
  • Mass removal
  • Nail and nail bed infections

Endocrinology – Our pet’s body is made up of complex systems. When these systems malfunction, disease or other health problems result. Diabetes is a common disease that results from the malfunction of your pet’s endocrine system. Other system disorders include Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism.

Gastroenterology – We are able to diagnosis and treat diseases involving the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine (colon), liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal ulcers, and cancer. Our veterinarians perform endoscopy (minimally invasive) procedures to visualize the gastrointestinal tract and to obtain biopsies, as well as retrieve foreign bodies.

Ophthalmology – Eye infections are usually treatable with medication. But, injuries from objects striking the eyes or chemicals coming in contact with your pet’s eyes should be taken seriously and should be seen by Aldie Vet immediately.

Capabilities:

  • Comprehensive eye exams including Schirmer Tear Test
  • Fluorescein staining
  • Rebound tonometry
  • Indirect ophthalmoscopy
  • Treatment of eye conditions and diseases (glaucoma)

Cardiology – Our veterinarians can discover many heart problems during a physical exam. In the event your pet needs additional testing, such as radiographs (x-rays) and ultrasounds, we are able to perform these tests on-site. For certain heart conditions, we will collaborate with a veterinary cardiologist to provide the best treatment plan for your pet.

Anesthesia – We utilize the safest available anesthetics to provide that extra margin of safety, especially for our high-risk patients. Using the most modern equipment, our patient’s vital signs are monitored at all times by one of our Licensed Veterinary Technicians, using ECG, Pulse Oximetry, as well as blood pressure monitoring before, during, and after all anesthetic procedures.

Pain Management – It is our utmost priority to ensure your pet is kept comfortable before, during, and after any procedure, whether it be routine or major. We start any anesthetic procedure by giving your pet an injection of pain medication to help alleviate any associated pain. While hospitalized, we monitor your pet closely to assure their pain is managed. When your pet goes home, if needed, oral pain medication may be prescribed to ensure your pet’s recovery is pain-free. Aldie Vet also offers acupuncture as a service to complement pain management. Ask our veterinarian trained in acupuncture to discuss your pet’s condition to determine if acupuncture is an option for pain management.

Critical and Urgent Pet Care – We are located in a 24 hour veterinary center for your convenience in the event your pet needs to be seen urgently or is recovering from a veterinary procedure and requires overnight observation and monitoring.

In the event of a pet emergency, please call 703-327-0871 for Dulles South Animal Emergency and Referral Hospital. They are located in the same building and we are one of the few veterinary hospitals that can provide that continuity of care.

Dr. Luce and Dr. George performing TPLO

Surgery (Routine & Advanced)

Spay/Neuter

Soft Tissue – Aldie Vet has the surgical expertise to treat animals with soft-tissue diseases. With the help of our diagnostic lab and imaging services, we’re able to diagnose your animal and offer state-of-the-art treatment options to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Capabilities:

  • Abdominal surgery
  • Oncologic (cancer) surgery, facial/oral, ear, bone, nasal, cervical, endocrine, thoracic, abdominal, skin
  • Ear, nose, and throat surgery
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Limb tumor removal
  • Preventative surgery (most commonly neutering and spay)

Oral Surgery – For the treatment of diseases in and around your pet’s mouth.

Capabilities:

  • Extractions, including simple, multirooted, and complicated surgical extractions
  • Routine and advanced periodontal therapies
  • Jaw fracture repair
  • Management for fractured/worn teeth (e.g., root canal, crowns)
  • Surgical treatment for oral tumors
  • Management of palatal defects
  • Management of unusual oral lesions

Orthopedic Surgery – Our orthopedic surgery team treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions.

Capabilities for Common Conditions:

  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Diseases of the elbow and shoulder
  • Angular limb deformities
  • Cranial cruciate rupture
  • Patella luxation (dislocated knee)

Special Capabilities:

  • Arthroscopic joint exploration
  • Locking plate fracture fixation

Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery

Capabilities:

  • Maxillofacial
  • Nasal
  • Ear reconstruction
  • Skin
  • Thoracic/abdominal wall
  • Esophageal
  • Muscle
  • Paw/pad
  • Simple/advanced flaps
  • Skin grafting
  • Skin stretching techniques
  • Management of non-healing wounds
On-Site Lab and Diagnostic Testing at veterinary hospital

On-Site Lab & Diagnostic Testing

Our veterinarians can provide immediate diagnostic services on-site. Our hospital medical and surgical equipment is considered the best in its class.

Digital Radiology – (x-rays) allows for easy dissemination of diagnostic information and reduced radiation exposure to patients.

Ultrasound – In humans, we think about an ultrasound for pregnancy. But, in veterinary medicine, ultrasound is a safe, repeatable way for our veterinarians to peek inside your pet’s body without having to make an incision.

Ultrasound exams are performed for many reasons and are a useful tool for many other situations, such as:

  • Abnormal bloodwork
  • Vomiting or diarrhea that has lasted for a long time
  • Weight loss with no change in eating habits
  • Chronic infections
  • Change in urinary habits
  • Baseline ultrasound for future examination (geriatric patients)
  • Recheck on previous problem
  • Cancer staging
  • Fluid in chest or abdomen
  • Pregnancy
  • Pre-surgical exam
  • Biopsies

ECG – An electrocardiogram is a non-invasive procedure that allows a veterinarian to check how your pet’s heart is performing. Since hearts of both dogs and cats have the same problems as human hearts, it is important to monitor and test them for signs of heart issues, especially during the senior years. An ECG measures the rate and regularity of heartbeats and size and position of the heart chambers. By revealing signs of any existing heart damage early, your pet has an increased opportunity for treatment of the heart condition to be successful.

Blood Pressure monitoring – This is a recommended service, especially for our senior pets. Some illnesses can be detected early because of high blood pressure, including chronic renal failure, Cushing’s disease, certain adrenal tumors and heart disease.