HEALTH CHECKLIST:
The most important annual health screenings for dogs and cats:
- Vaccination Status
- Worming Status
- Skin Health Status - Fleas and mange
- Heart check
- Dental health
Why should I get my pet checked?
Pets, on average, age five to eight times faster than humans. By age two, most pets have already reached adulthood.
Pets, on average, age five to eight times faster than humans. By age two, most pets have already reached adulthood.
At age four, many are entering middle age. By age seven, many dogs, particularly larger breeds, are entering their senior years.
Because pets age so rapidly, major health changes can occur in a short amount of time. The risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity,arthritis, heart disease and other serious conditions all increase with age.
At Central Vets we appreciate that today’s pets are living longer than ever, and there is a good chance that many may experience a potentially serious illness during their lifetime.
Annual health checks can help your veterinarian diagnose, treat or even prevent such problems before they become life-threatening. Some conditions that often go un-noticed by the owners that have significant health implications for your pet include arthritis, heart conditions, kidney and liver issues, obesity and dental problems.
These are readily identified during regular veterinary health check ups and can be rapidly and effectively treated for relatively little money. The best thing about these commonly occurring conditions is that when treated, the quality of life for your pet improves and they have the best final years getting the most out of life.
So often, from a relatively inexpensive blood test, we diagnose issues with older pets that were unknown to the owner and from this, our veterinary surgeons can prescribe a new course of treatment or diet and significantly increase the life span of your pet which is great.
Health checks are also a great opportunity for you to ask about any concerns you may have about your furry friend.
Call us today to book a health check for your pet with one of our vets, 06 350 3950, or e mail us and one of our team will be in touch.
Ultrasonography:
Central Vets undertakes ultrasound diagnostics for many of its clients.
Being able to ‘look’ into the abdomen or chest with this electronic device, provides our veterinary surgeons yet another diagnostic tool for helping your pet get better.
Ultrasound provides opportunity to identify organ structure such as liver and kidneys and determine whether masses, should be there or not. Kidney health and bladder stones are readily identified with this machine, enabling our surgeons to identify exactly what is occurring prior to any necessary operation.
At Central Vets, we have invested in state of the art technology allowing our veterinary team to access many different diagnostic machines such as the digital x-ray suite, in house blood analyser, and light endoscopes. The ultrasound unit is another investment for our clients to benefit from.
And all of this is under one roof at the same facility, with trained veterinary staff and veterinary technicians striving to help your pets, when in need.
What is an ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound scanning is a painless procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (inaudible to humans) to produce images of structures within the body. When sound waves are directed into the body, some are absorbed by body tissues and others bounce back. The sound waves that bounce back are measured by the ultrasound machine and are transformed into an image on a screen. The images can be printed or recorded. Extensive training is required in order to correctly use this equipment and interpret these images.
Ultrasound scans are most useful for looking at soft or fluid-filled organs; like the liver, kidney, bladder and heart. It is less effective for examining bones or air-filled organs, like the lungs.
What happens to my pet when it is booked in for an ultrasound scan?
We ask that you bring your pet in unfed on the morning of admission as they will require sedation or a general anaesthetic.
The area to be scanned will be shaved, so your pet may look different when they come home. No pain is felt during an ultrasound exam. During the scan a water-soluble gel is applied over the clipped area to be examined and a transducer (probe) is placed on the skin.
Once the scan has been done we will give you a call or book an appointment for our veterinarians to discuss their findings and suggested treatment plan for your pet.
What happens to my pet when it is booked in for an ultrasound scan?
We ask that you bring your pet in unfed on the morning of admission as they will require sedation or a general anaesthetic.
The area to be scanned will be shaved, so your pet may look different when they come home. No pain is felt during an ultrasound exam. During the scan a water-soluble gel is applied over the clipped area to be examined and a transducer (probe) is placed on the skin.
Once the scan has been done we will give you a call or book an appointment for our veterinarians to discuss their findings and suggested treatment plan for your pet.
Euthanasia:
Nothing can prepare you for losing a beloved family member. When that family member is your pet, though, there is a unique set of emotions you must deal with. These emotions are the natural way we grieve over losing a loved member of our family and staff at Central Vets & pets are there to help you through this difficult decision.
Putting an animal to sleep is often the final act of kindness that one can do for a pet and is something that all pet owners have to face.
At Central Vets we understand your feelings and those of your pet and provide a personalised service allowing you both to say goodbye in private and with dignity. When saying goodbye, we allow time for this process so you will never be rushed and we provide you with a private remembrance room to be with your pet throughout.
There are many decisions and choices that have to be made over this period in time and one of these is whether or not your pet truly is ready to go. There are many instances when we are asked to put an animal to sleep yet the owners have not considered that there may be other options that may prolong and enhance their quality of life. For example, animals with arthritis, kidney, liver or cardiac issues may seem tired and all is lost, but with certain cases, there are treatments available that certainly enhance the remaining quality of life for you and your pet.
Our veterinary surgeons evaluate each and every case and will inform you of the best option available. If this means there may be a treatment process to help then they will let you know at the time.
In cases where euthanasia is the only remaining option then further decisions need to be made by the owner in that is the pet being taken home for burial, or is it to be cremated and do the owners want the ashes returned and if so in a scatter box or in a Rimu wooden urn with a plaque.These decisions seem a little daunting at the time.
Central Vets staff are there to help you throughout this difficult period and help get the best for both you and your pet.
If you have any questions about making this decision please contact one of the veterinary surgeons at Central Vets to discuss what is the
best option for you both on 06 3503950 or e mail any queries to centralvetsandpets@gmail.com and one of our team will be in touch.