Our Services
Wellness Care & Vaccines
We recommend regular comprehensive wellness exams from the time pets are young. Routine exams, bloodwork, and vaccinations are a critical part of maintaining our patients’ health and wellbeing regardless of species, breed, or age.
Your pet’s annual visit will include a comprehensive exam, where the veterinarian will assess the overall body condition and review any changes to the pet’s weight or muscle mass. She will also assess the skin, coat, ears, eyes, and oral cavity for any swelling, irritation, discharge, or trauma. The abdomen is palpated to check for any discomfort or enlargement of internal organs, and the heart and lungs are auscultated to listen for any signs of disease.
Your pet’s wellness exam is the perfect time to discuss health, nutritional, or behavioral concerns, and gives us the opportunity to update vaccines and run routine blood, fecal, and urine tests. Vaccines must be administered on a regular schedule to remain effective. Ideally, dogs and cats should receive their first vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks old.
Your pet’s annual visit will include a comprehensive exam, where the veterinarian will assess the overall body condition and review any changes to the pet’s weight or muscle mass. She will also assess the skin, coat, ears, eyes, and oral cavity for any swelling, irritation, discharge, or trauma. The abdomen is palpated to check for any discomfort or enlargement of internal organs, and the heart and lungs are auscultated to listen for any signs of disease.
Your pet’s wellness exam is the perfect time to discuss health, nutritional, or behavioral concerns, and gives us the opportunity to update vaccines and run routine blood, fecal, and urine tests. Vaccines must be administered on a regular schedule to remain effective. Ideally, dogs and cats should receive their first vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks old.
Dental Care
According to the American Veterinary Dental College, by 3-years-old, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats already have Periodontal Disease (also known as Dental Disease). Dental disease can be very uncomfortable for pets and the longer it is left unmanaged, the more complicated and expensive it becomes to correct. Left untreated, Periodontal Disease can lead to larger systemic problems in your pet due to oral bacteria entering the bloodstream and damaging the kidneys, heart, and liver.
We recommend dental assessments and cleanings for all of our patients annually, but especially for those who are already showing signs of Periodontal Disease or other dental complications.
If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, please make an appointment as soon as possible:
We recommend dental assessments and cleanings for all of our patients annually, but especially for those who are already showing signs of Periodontal Disease or other dental complications.
If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, please make an appointment as soon as possible:
- Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on the teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling
- Changes in appetite or chewing habits
- Pawing at the face
- Loose or broken teeth
- Swelling around the mouth or eyes
Home Visits
Whether you have kids at home, a pet that really doesn’t want to get in their carrier, or simply don’t want to make the trek to our office — you can now avoid the hassle and have us come to you!
Wellness exams? Litter exams? Bloodwork, Heartworm tests, microchipping? We can do it in the comfort of your own home! We’ll even trim their nails and shave out any mats while we’re there.
In the unfortunate situation where you need to discuss quality of life, or put your pet to sleep, we’ll be there, too.
Because we cannot bring all of our diagnostic equipment with us, we sadly cannot address sick or injured pets during a house call at this time.
Wellness exams? Litter exams? Bloodwork, Heartworm tests, microchipping? We can do it in the comfort of your own home! We’ll even trim their nails and shave out any mats while we’re there.
In the unfortunate situation where you need to discuss quality of life, or put your pet to sleep, we’ll be there, too.
Because we cannot bring all of our diagnostic equipment with us, we sadly cannot address sick or injured pets during a house call at this time.
Surgical Services
At River Road Animal Hospital, we offer a wide range of basic surgical services, from spaying and neutering to soft tissue surgery. All surgical patients must be seen for an exam and bloodwork within 3 months before the procedure to ensure that they are a good surgical candidate and so that our doctors may develop the safest anesthetic protocol specifically tailored to your pet.
Imaging and Laboratory Services
Our state-of-the-art laboratory and imaging equipment allows us to perform many important diagnostic tests on-site, including:
Imaging and laboratory tests are an essential part of detecting underlying disease or trauma so that our veterinary team can make the most appropriate treatment plan for your pet, but they are also useful for evaluating healthy pets. Because symptoms often don't start until significant organ function has already been lost, we recommend yearly bloodwork for all our patients to make sure that we can catch problems early when they are most responsive to treatment.
- Complete Blood Count and Chemistry Evaluation
- Heartworm and Tick-borne Disease Testing
- FIV and Feline Leukemia Testing
- Packed Cell Volume and Blood Film Analysis
- Urinalysis and Cytology Interpretation
- Radiology and Ultrasonography
Imaging and laboratory tests are an essential part of detecting underlying disease or trauma so that our veterinary team can make the most appropriate treatment plan for your pet, but they are also useful for evaluating healthy pets. Because symptoms often don't start until significant organ function has already been lost, we recommend yearly bloodwork for all our patients to make sure that we can catch problems early when they are most responsive to treatment.
End of Life Care
We understand that regardless of the situation, saying good-bye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult situations a pet owner will ever make. Our staff of compassionate, caring professionals can help you through this painful experience. We will work with you to ensure your pet's comfort and dignity during their last days and final moments. We are happy to accommodate special requests and help you make arrangements for cremation or other options. Sedation will be administered prior to performing the euthanasia to ensure your pet is at ease. We are here to help you through this transition and make this process easier for you.
Pharmacy
We maintain a fully stocked pharmacy to fill your pet’s prescription needs quickly and conveniently. We also encourage you to browse our online pharmacy for convenient delivery and additional products.
Additional Services
Our technicians are trained in a variety of “grooming” services, including nail trims, anal gland expressions, and ear cleanings.
We ask that when scheduling these services that you keep in mind that licensed medical professionals are performing them, and the cost for these services reflects that. We understand that sometimes these procedures may be done more inexpensively at your local grooming salon, and encourage you to make use of that avenue if it is more convenient for your family. Please call our office for pricing.
We ask that when scheduling these services that you keep in mind that licensed medical professionals are performing them, and the cost for these services reflects that. We understand that sometimes these procedures may be done more inexpensively at your local grooming salon, and encourage you to make use of that avenue if it is more convenient for your family. Please call our office for pricing.
