Hospital Services
Overview of Complete Health and Wellness Care
Everett Veterinary Hospital and Boarding House Inc. has devoted themselves to the care of your dogs, cats, birds, exotic companions and wildlife since 1992. Our doctors and our compassionate health care professionals work with you to provide the best veterinary care with personalized service.
We stress the importance of physical examinations a minimum of every 6 months as your pet’s health conditions can change quickly. This frequency allows us the familiarity with each individual pet enabling us to provide the best care for them.
Through these comprehensive physical examinations and preventive care, our goal is to eliminate or delay serious health issues and thus provide our beloved companions with a longer, healthier and happier life.
Medical care is not “one size fits all.” We therefore take the time to get to know both you and your pet in order to provide the most appropriate individual recommendations for their Wellness Program. The time, money and effort invested in a Wellness Program will have many positive rewards. Remember that prevention costs are much lower than treatment costs and there are still many diseases and disorders that have no cure.
The program includes comprehensive physical examinations, appropriate vaccines, internal and external parasite screening, heartworm control, spay/neuter when applicable, specialized blood tests for specific diseases and different life stages, as well as counseling for your pet’s nutritional, behavioral and exercise needs and much more.
Emergency / Critical Care
Urgent care is an important aspect of any veterinary hospital. We are experienced and dedicated in providing any necessary medical and/or surgical care. If your pet requires emergency care during our regular office hours, we will give your animal priority service as triage dictates.
If possible, please call us in advance or en route so we can prepare for your arrival. If your pet becomes sick or injured after regular business hours, care is provided by ourselves and other local veterinarians on a rotating schedule through the Animal Emergency Service (AES).
- You can call us at 541-884-2926 and our phone system will direct you to the Doctor on call.
- Or call Animal Emergency Service directly at 541-882-9005
Surgery / Anesthesia
Surgery
Our doctors perform a wide range of surgeries including but not limited to spays, neuters, tumor removals, laceration and other soft tissue repairs, oral, thoracic and abdominal surgeries, cystotomies, splenectomies and exploratories. We also offer specialty surgeries including ear crops, declaws (laser strongly recommended), debarks, orthopedic surgery including plating and pinning and many many more.
Attention is paid to every detail when your pet is undergoing anesthesia or any surgical procedure.
- Surgical services are performed using safe and patient-specific anesthesia.
- Our hospital has a well-equipped and separate surgery suite where sterile technique is carefully maintained.
- Surgeons prepare with disinfectant scrub and wear protective clothing.
- Instruments are sterilized in an autoclave and used for single procedures only.
- All vital signs are carefully monitored both visually by our trained team AND with several pieces of equipment. We utilize a Cardell heart monitor, Pulse oximeters, ECG unit, temperature probes, blood pressure machines and (of course) stethoscopes.
- Our patients are placed on a circulating warm water heating blanket during surgery and their temperature is carefully monitored pre, during and post operatively.
We will be happy to provide you with a treatment plan, prior to any surgery, so you can evaluate all of your options and plan your costs more accurately. And if you have ANY questions or concerns post-operatively, we will re examine, at NO CHARGE, any patient.
Anesthesia
Complete physical exams and pre-anesthetic blood work are performed and evaluated before any medication is given or anesthesia is induced.
The medication we use for sedation and to induce anesthesia is chosen based on each individual case. Their recent blood results, age, procedure to be performed, medical status, species, ECG results, body weight, body condition score compared to their ideal weight, breed sensitivities and cardiac function are just a few factors in this important decision.
We use Isoflurane gas to maintain our patients under anesthesia. Our anesthetic machines are also carefully inspected and calibrated annually by certified anesthetic specialists.
During anesthesia and through recovery, there is a trained and observant veterinary assistant monitoring your pet visually and with sophisticated monitoring equipment. The equipment is programmed with alarms to go off if any values fall out of the ideal range.
Laser (CO2) Surgery
Lasers have been used on humans for over 30 years and now this same technology is available for veterinary medicine. We were the first Veterinary Hospital in Klamath Falls to offer this innovative option.
The laser decreases pain by sealing nerve endings, minimizing bleeding and the risk of infections by killing bacteria. Since the laser beam of light does not crush or tear tissues, there is less swelling post operatively.
In addition to surgical cutting, it is used on chronic wounds, oral stomatitis and is ideal for cancer cases to help kill cancer cells deep in the tissues. Laser surgery is the preferred method for declaw surgeries in cats as it greatly minimizes bleeding, future phantom limb syndrome, and post operative pain.
This superior non-scalpel method of cutting the skin and tissues is available on most surgeries for an additional charge.
- For more information, visit the Cutting Edge Technologies website
- Watch video of a laser surgery
Laser (CO2) Surgery
Therapeutic laser treatments have been used for many years in humans, horses and small animals. We were the first Veterinary Hospital in Klamath Falls to offer this state-of-the-art technology.
This specially calibrated laser works to stimulate the blood flow, decrease inflammation, swelling and pain thus aiding in tissue healing. It can therefore be utilized safely and effectively after most surgeries.
This laser treatment is also extremely beneficial for many patients with acute to chronic conditions. For instance, an older pet that is slowing down, having trouble getting up or climbing stairs may be suffering from arthritis. It is used to treat arthritis plus a wide range of other painful conditions including back problems, chronic wounds by promoting healing, oral stomatitis, lick granulomas plus much more.
After the doctors prescribe a therapy course, trained technicians will provide the treatments. It only takes minutes and the warmth of the laser beam is soothing to our patients.
Ask us if you think your pet could benefit from this laser treatment.
- For more information see the Companion Therapy website.
Dentistry
Dental Care
Paying close attention to their oral health is one of the most important aspects in fostering a long life for your pet. 75% of our pets, over the age of three years, have some form of oral disease.
Dental infections are painful and the associated bacterial infections may spread to internal organs such as the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys therefore shortening your pet’s life span.
Decreasing dental disease can be accomplished with regular professional cleanings, home care such as brushing plus numerous dental products including OraVet Applications, CET chews, T/D Hills Science Tarter/Teeth Diet and various other chews and rinses.
We recommend a dental examination if your pet is exhibiting any of these problems; bad breath, chewing on one side of the mouth, reddened gums, dropping food when eating, drooling, pawing at the face, shying away when the face or head is petted, bleeding from the mouth, occasional unexplained behavioral changes, loss of appetite, refusing to chew on toys, drink cold water or eat hard food.
A routine dental cleaning includes complete dental charting, scaling with an ultrasonic cleaning and polishing to leave a smooth non-adherent surface to which a dental sealant is then applied. If necessary, extractions are performed at the same time and the dental socket may be closed with absorbable sutures. These procedures are best performed under general anesthesia to allow for a deep cleaning. It is a painless procedure however pain medication may still be recommended to minimize inflammation or eliminate pain post operatively.
Oral surgery may be necessary for procedures such as oral epulis or tumor removal, cleft palates or flaps for bone extractions.
The Stages of Dental Disease
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Stage 1. Early Gingivitis Inflammation |
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Stage 2. Advanced Gingivitis Inflammation and gingival swelling |
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Stage 3. Early Periodontitis Inflammation, gingival swelling, and beginning of bone loss |
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Stage 4. Established Periodontitis Inflammation, gingival swelling, purulent discharge, bone loss, and tooth instability |
Ellie's Dental Procedure
Use the arrows to follow Ellie through her dental procedure
Ellie is a very sweet five year old Maltese that needs to have her teeth cleaned. She has a heavy build up of calculus and severe gum disease. These factors can cause health problems beyond just dental disease. Dental tartar and gingivitis represents a chronic bacterial infection that can also lead to liver, heart and kidney problems.
Ellie arrives in our office at 7:30 A.M., fasted from the previous night. She receives a full physical examination including listening to her heart and lungs, a current body weight and taking her temperature.
Blood work is performed to evaluate Ellie's health before any medications are given. This helps to evaluate things that cannot be heard or seen on a physical exam such as as the health of her internal organs. Blood results are used to choose the appropriate medications to be used and it also serves as a baseline for future blood tests.
Sedative and pain medications are given to help Ellie get sleepy. During the dental cleaning, the bacteria in the mouth can transfer into the blood stream, so an antibiotic injection is given to kill the bacteria as it gets into the bloodstream.
An intravenous catheter (IV) is placed in Ellie's front leg and used for constant infusion of IV fluids that contain electrolytes and dextrose. The fluid rate given is altered to maintain blood pressure within normal ranges. These fluids also ensure good blood flow to her organs, ridding the body of anesthetic drugs more quickly and thus shortening the recovery period. The catheter is used to administer the anesthetic drugs and can also be used for any other IV medications that may be necessary.
The anesthetic given allows Ellie to become sleepy enough for us to place an endotracheal tube into her windpipe for breathing. Oxygen and Isoflo anesthetic gas are administered through the endotracheal tube during the entire procedure to keep her anesthetized.
Since the eyes stay open during anesthesia, eye lubricant is used in her eyes for moisture to prevent damage to the eye surface.
Several types of medical equipment are used to carefully monitor Ellie's vital signs.
Her heart rate (HR), EKG, temperature, blood pressure (BP) and blood oxygen levels (O2) are all monitored, evaluated and charted constantly. If there are any undesirable changes, the anesthetic gas and IV fluid rate can be altered and/or medications can be given to counteract these changes.
Since anesthesia can cause the body temperature to decrease over time, Ellie is placed on a circulating water warming blanket and placed between warm rice packs throughout the procedure. Her temperature is taken and documented repeatedly during the procedure and during recovery from anesthesia.
A complete oral exam is performed and charted.
The dental cleaning is performed using a Piezoelectric instrument. The scaling of the teeth is done on all sides of the tooth plus above and below the gum line.
A perio probe instrument is used to measure the dental pockets of all the teeth to evaluate gum disease, bone loss and the need for any extractions.
The teeth that require removal are elevated from the dental socket and extracted. A hemostatic sponge is packed into the socket to control hemorrhage and promote healing. The sockets are then sutured closed using absorbable suture.
Ellie unfortunately requires many extractions due to the severity of her dental disease.
The remaining healthy teeth are then polished using a mint flavored fluoride paste.
After rinsing well, the teeth are dried thoroughly and Oravet Barrier Sealant is applied to all surfaces of the teeth. This sealant helps to form a barrier against the reattachment of bacteria to the teeth.
A toe nail trim is performed at no charge.
An Avid Computer Microchip is implanted. This is a great time to do extra procedures while the pet is anesthetized.
Once all the procedures are completed, the Isoflo anesthetic gas is turned off and Ellie is maintained on oxygen for at least 5 minutes afterwards to ensure proper oxygenation of her tissues. This will also speed her recovery. Once awake, Ellie's endotracheal tube is removed and her vitals will continue to be monitored until she is fully recovered.
Ellie is now awake with cleaner teeth and fresher breath. She is also healthier now that the infection is gone. We know that Ellie and her owner are appreciative to the team that took care of her through the entire procedure. She went home to her family approximately 5 hours later. For her safety and comfort, pain medication and antibiotics are sent home. Her owner purchased an Oravet Dental Sealant kit and will apply it weekly to minimize bacterial accumulation on the teeth and thus minimize the severity of dental disease she could have at her next dental exam.
Oravet
After the dentistry, a dental sealant is applied to clean and dry teeth to form a colorless bacterial barrier. This barrier slows the reoccurrence of a plaque and calculus reaccumulation.
You can purchase the OraVet product and our team will demonstrate how to apply a layer weekly. It only takes about 30 seconds per week of your time and will help reduce dental disease in the future.
Preventive Care
Immunizations
Vaccines are a hallmark of preventive medicine and are selected and used carefully to prevent serious contagious and sometimes untreatable diseases. Vaccines should be started at 6 to 7 weeks of age , depending on the species. These include the core vaccines which should be done in all pets and elective vaccines which vary with individual exposures and needs.
To minimize problems from over vaccinating, we follow the recommended vaccine guidelines of the OVMA and AVMA and utilize the 3 year core vaccine program.
Cats
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Dogs
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Ferrets
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Parasite Control / Worming
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are several parasites from our pets that can be transmitted across the species lines to humans. This is especially true of children and immunocompromized people.
These parasites may cause serious health problems ranging from skin rashes to intestinal disease, blindness, seizures, encephalitis and meningitis.
- It is for this reason that we strongly recommend a minimum of an annual deworming for all adult pets.
- Puppies and kittens need to be wormed multiple times since they are more prone to carry and pass on these parasites.
Microchip
This incredible technology by Avid, offers a safe, reliable and permanent identification for all of your pets.
Your total cost is only $30.00, including the $18.50 lifetime registration fee (unlike some companies).
Even with the best care, statistics show that 1 out of 3 pets will get lost or stolen within their lifetime. Without identification, 9 out of 10 pets will never find their way back to their families. This tiny devise (about the size of a grain of rice) is implanted with a needle. It is a routine procedure that is performed quickly and may be done either during a regular office appointment or during an anesthetic procedure.
Now is the best time to microchip your pet but anytime is the right time as you never know when they might become lost or stolen. Feel free to ask for more information, a demo or schedule an appointment.
If your pet is microchipped, Klamath County Dog Control will also decrease your dog licensing fees by $5.00 per year.
Nutritional Counseling
As with people, the phrase "you are what you eat" pertains to pets as well. A premium balanced food using excellent quality ingredients is vital for their good health for today and the future. It can prevent medical problems and be used as medical therapy itself. It has been proven in multiple studies that pets that are kept at a healthy lean weight and fed a premium balanced diet, live an average of 2-4 years longer.
We also consult with Hills Science Diet Nutritional Specialists, at no extra charge, to help you choose the best food to keep your pet happy, active and in optimal health. To make the decision for your pet’s proper diet, we include the animal’s species, life stage, breed, activity level, body weight, body conditioning score, blood work results and medical condition.
Our Technology
- Laser Surgery
- Laser Therapy
- Laboratory
- Radiology / X-Rays
- ECG (Electrocardiogram)
- Tonopen (Glaucoma Diagnosis)
Laser (CO2) Surgery
Lasers have been used on humans for over 30 years and now this same technology can be used here. We are the ONLY veterinary hospital in Klamath Falls that offers this innovative option.
This superior non-scalpel method of cutting the skin and tissues is available on most surgeries for an additional charge. The laser decreases pain by sealing nerve endings, minimizes bleeding, reduces the risk of infections by killing bacteria and since the laser beam of light does not crush or tear tissues, there is less swelling post operatively.
In addition to surgical cutting purposes, it is used on chronic wounds, oral stomatitis cases and is ideal with cancer cases to help kill cancer cells deep in the tissues. Laser surgery is the preferred method for declaw surgeries in cats as it greatly minimizes bleeding and post operative pain.
- For more information, see the Cutting Edge Technologies Website
- Watch video of a laser surgery
Therapeutic Laser Therapy (K2)
Therapeutic laser treatments have been used for many years in humans, horses and small animals. We were the first Veterinary Hospital in Klamath Falls to offer this state-of-the-art technology.
Therapeutic laser treatments are safe and very effective and can be used to treat a wide range of painful conditions such as arthritis, back pain, chronic wounds to promote healing, oral stomatitis, lick granulomas plus much more.
Therapeutic laser treatments are safe and very effective. A specially calibrated laser works to stimulate the blood flow, decrease inflammation, swelling and pain thus aiding in tissue healing. After the doctors prescribe a therapy course, trained technicians will provide the treatments. It only takes minutes and the warmth of the laser beam is soothing to our patients.
This treatment can be extremely beneficial for many patients with acute to chronic conditions. For instance, an older pet that is slowing down, having trouble getting up or climbing stairs may be suffering from painful arthritis. Ask us if you think your pet could benefit from this laser treatment.
- For more information see the Companion Therapy website.
Laboratory
Laboratory testing is critical to the management of ill and injured patients, evaluation for preanesthesia and to establish normal baselines as a pet is aging. Because prompt results are extremely beneficial, we have a fully equipped state-of-the-art laboratory on our premises. This capability allows us to better diagnose and treat your pet accurately and expeditiously.
Complete blood counts, chemistry panels, electrolytes, urinalysis, heartworm tests and feline leukemia and aids tests are all run routinely. Also, cytology of ear swabs, fecals, skin scrapings, vaginal smears and urinalysis can all be processed and evaluated immediately.
More specialized testing such as potassium bromide, phenobarbital and cortisol blood levels, histopathology (biopsy of abnormal tissue) or body fluid cultures are processed and shipped to various specialty laboratories outside of the area.
Radiology / X-Rays
Our on-site X-Ray equipment provides high quality radiographs to aid in the quick diagnosis of many disorders. X-Rays are an important diagnostic tool for many conditions to evaluate the internal anatomy such as the muscular-skeletal, cardio-vascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, reproductive and urinary systems. We can also perform Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) radiographs for screening for breeding programs.
Our exam rooms are equipped with X-Ray viewers so you can view the X-Rays with your doctor. We can also transfer the radiographs to a board certified radiologist.
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
We provide ECG services on site and using our monitoring equipment, we can evaluate cardiac function before, during and after anesthesia.
For cardiac cases, we utilize equipment to transport the ECG readings over the telephone and consult with a board certified cardiologist for expert evaluation and advice. A second ECG can even be run within 24 hours at no additional charge.
Tonopen (For Glaucoma Diagnosis)
Our Tonopen instrument accurately evaluates the internal eye pressures and is used as a screening tool and diagnostic aid for glaucoma. Routine screening is recommended in certain breeds as they are predisposed to this painful and potentially blinding condition.
Some of the more common breeds affected are Beagles, Border Collies, Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Chow Chows, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, Springer Spaniels, Schnauzers, Great Danes, Maltese, Miniature Pinschers, Pembroke Corgis, Poodles, Scottish Terriers, Shih Tzus, Siberian Huskies, Fox Terriers, West Highland Terriers, and Whippets.
Additional Services
Pharmacy
We maintain a comprehensive pharmacy on our premises for the care of your dog, cat, birds and exotic pets.
Our inventory includes prescription medications such as antibiotics, anti-fungals, steroids, hormones, dewormers, sedatives, anesthetics, anti-inflammatories and several pain management choices.
We have dietary supplements like vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals such as glucosamines available without a prescription.
Flea and tick prevention and dental products are always stocked and our knowledgeable team can assist you in choosing the correct product for your situation.
There is also a nice selection of dog and bird training toys to keep our friends mentally stimulated, reducing behavioral problems.
We work with compounding pharmacies and can order your pets medications. They can also adjust the dosage, make certain prescriptions into a liquid form or simply change the flavor to make it more palatable. We buy our products from only reputable manufactures and distributors and check expiration dates diligently, abiding by all DEA regulations for controlled substances. Our inventory is maintained in a dry and temperature controlled area and never sell post expiration dates.
It is our policy and REQUIRED by Oregon State Licensing Boards, that all pets receive a complete physical exam every year in order to be prescribed medication and/or receive any type of treatment. Laboratory blood work may also be required for refills of some prescriptions.
Please call 24 hours in advance for prescription refills to allow us time to
review your records for any exams or blood work that may be necessary.
Pain Management
Recognizing and treating pain is a hallmark of good patient care and is the humane and caring thing to do. Since veterinary patients do feel pain and discomfort under the same circumstances as we do, we take measures to focus on their comfort.
Pain management helps expedite healing after surgery and also helps maintain a good quality of life with chronic arthritis. Pain can be managed in many ways including injections, oral medication, glucosamine supplements, exercise, weight management, laser therapy or a combination of treatments. We will design a protocol specific for your pet to address his/her needs.
Geriatric Medicine
When your pet becomes geriatric (this age varies with the species and breed), we recommend more frequent examinations and routine blood work. Pets age faster than we do so a health problem can become serious in a short time.
Diseases and various medical conditions are common as we get older and may be cured or at least stabilized if diagnosed early. We can recognize and treat conditions such as diabetes, cancer, thyroid and adrenal problems as well as kidney, liver and heart disease.
Call us if your pet has a change in their eating or drinking routine, increased urination or any respiratory or gastrointestinal problems.
Reproduction
We are here to help you from the planning of your pet’s pregnancy through to the birthing process. The planning process can include mate selection, OFA radiographs for genetic problems, Brucellosis screening, semen evaluation and nutritional counseling. If breeding needs some assistance, we can even help with that by performing an Artificial Insemination (AI). Once pregnant, we are here for all of your questions including how to prepare for the big day and how to recognize potential problems. We can determine a baby count, provide whelping assistance or perform a Caesarian surgery if needed.
Dermatology
Dermatology is the study of the skin and its associated structures. Skin is the body’s largest organ and can develop numerous disorders. Allergies, infections, parasites, cancer, auto-immune, and endocrine problems are just a few that we deal with.
If your pet is having problems with their skin, we can perform skin scrapings, blood work, histology, cultures, and allergy testing to help narrow down the diagnosis. Results will be evaluated and treatment options will be discussed with you.
Some of the treatments we may discuss are:
- Medications, which can be topical or oral.
- Diet can often affect a pet’s skin and may need to be adjusted.
- Laser therapy (both surgical and heat therapy) has a proven positive effect on many skin disorders.
Travel & Health Certificates
A health certificate is likely required if you are traveling between states or outside of the country with your pet(s). Health certificates are time sensitive and frequently need to be completed just days prior to your departure. It is important to know the requirements of your route and destination as well as the specifications for the airlines you are using if flying.
Depending on the country of your destination (or state in Hawaii’s or Alaska’s case), there may be numerous requirements to fulfill. These can include Rabies titer check, international microchip implantation, heartworm and other parasite control, and other special testing. A quarantine period is often required but you can often shorten this period and save yourself money by being prepared.
Most of the requirements are very time sensitive so we recommend starting the research about a year in advance when traveling outside of the lower 48 states.
A great place to start is PetRelocation.com. Keep in mind they state on their website that they may not have the up to date requirements listed. We will contact the proper authorities within your destinations state or country to obtain their most current requirements to minimize or eliminate a quarantine period at your end destination.
We deal with multiple, out of country, health certificates every year and are happy to have you contact us for assistance with this complicated process.
Behavioral Counseling
We can provide advice regarding the correction of many behavioral problems. Common issues include house soiling, aggression, separation anxiety, excessive chewing, barking, digging and car or thunderstorm phobias. A behavioral consultation begins with a thorough history and physical exam.
We can also be of assistance in helping you to select your next pet and how to introduce them to your household. A referral can also be made to a Licensed Animal Behaviorist if the problems are more serious.
Hospice / Euthanasia / Cremation
Pets give us unconditional love and share an intricate part of our daily lives. The unique bond that we form with our pets is what makes our interactions with them so rich and rewarding. Therefore, the loss of an animal can have an impact on us that is as great as the loss of a family member or friend. It leaves a great void in our lives and the grieving process can be very complicated.
When the time comes to say good-bye to your special friend, we are here to help you with your difficult decision and allow them to pass with comfort and dignity. You may or may not choose to stay with your pet during this procedure or we can even make a home visit. You decide.
We work with Tracks to Heaven for cremation and they offer several options for you to choose from as well as grief counseling groups.
Remember, you are not alone in your grief and you may find these links to be of some comfort.
Referrals
Our doctors treat a broad range of medical and surgical cases. When a health issue requires specialty care, our doctors work with several specialists for consultation and/or referral purposes. If a referral is being made, we can assist in scheduling an appointment and the transferring of records. Depending on the pet’s condition and your choices, we refer to various hospitals within and outside of Oregon.
Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center in Medford is a 24-hour Emergency Hospital with many board certified specialists that we work with routinely.