Ballston Animal Hospital

Pet Dental Care — Your First Defense Against Disease

Regular dental care is important to maintaining your pet’s teeth, as well as to support good general health, prevent infection, and avoid disease. At Ballston Animal Hospital, Pet Dental Health Month is Every Month! Schedule your cleaning within a month of your wellness visit for 10% off!

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Unfortunately, the negative consequences of ignoring dental hygiene in pets might be:

• Poor nutrition due to inability to grind or chew foods
• Weight loss
• Damage to heart, kidney, or liver from bacterial infections
• Chronic pain

You are your pet’s first defense in maintaining good oral health. Call us at once if you observe any of the following:

• Bad breath
• Broken or discolored teeth
• Refusal to eat, especially dry food
• Pawing the muzzle
• Refusal to play with chew toys
• Increased drooling
• Unusual discharge from the nose
• Swelling or sores on the face, jaw, in the mouth, or around eyes
• Sudden changes in behavior

Dental Cleaning

All dental procedures require general anesthesia and pre-anesthesia blood tests. We use modern and safe ultrasound to clean each tooth thoroughly, above and below the gum line. Dental technicians polish the teeth to create a smooth, lustrous surface more resistant to plaque build-up. Fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity.

Bringing your pet to us for periodic cleaning is only one part of a preventive dental plan. You play the most important role in your pet’s dental health through regular teeth brushing at home.

For information on implementing your home dental care regime, read this American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) teeth brushing article.

Oral Surgery

Diagnostic tools are important prior to a decision about oral surgery, and we use a state-of-the-art Digital Dental X-Ray Unit. Find out why this technology is important to you and your pet by reading our Radiology page. Our veterinarians perform extractions, when necessary. If advanced dental care is needed, we will refer your pet to a veterinary dentist, a veterinarian who specializes in such things as root canals, fillings, and oral surgery.

We encourage you to explore these websites offering in-depth information on veterinary dental care. The American Veterinary Dental College and the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry.

Laser Therapy

Ballston Animal Hospital is excited to offer the many benefits of Class IV Deep Tissue Laser Therapy to our patients. Laser therapy is a surgery-free, drug-free, non-invasive treatment that has been shown to reduce pain, inflammation and speed healing.

How It Works

Using a beam of laser light to deeply penetrate tissue without damage, laser energy induces a biological response in cells which increases blood flow to the targeted area, stimulating the release of pain-relieving hormones.

A non-invasive handpiece is used to deliver the laser light to the affected area. It works by delivering the laser light through a noninvasive handpiece to treat the affected area. Your pet may feel gentle and soothing warmth during the treatment, which can last 3-30 minutes depending on the size of the treatment area and the condition being treated.

Conditions Treated

Laser therapy has been scientifically proven to be successful in treating post-surgical pain and many acute and chronic conditions, including:

• Wounds, cuts, and bites
• Allergies
• Infections
• Inflammation
• Pain relief from surgery and tooth extractions
• Post-surgical healing
• Sprains, strains, and fractures
• Degenerative joint disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease,
• Periodontal disease
• Lick granulomas
• Geriatric issues
• Hip dysplasia
• Feline acne
• Tendonitis and arthritis
• Otitis (ear disorders)

To find out if laser therapy might help your pet, schedule a consultation online or by calling 703-528-2776.

Veterinary Acupuncture – An Alternative Approach to Alleviate Chronic Pain & Promote Healing for Your Pet

Acupuncture is the art of manipulating the body at specific points using needles to create therapeutic responses to disease conditions.

One of many holistic modalities, acupuncture is used to treat a variety of disease conditions, including:

• Arthritis pain
• Neurologic conditions
• Metabolic concerns
• Spinal difficulties

Acupuncture works by changing the signaling pathways of the body, promoting pain relief, healing, and immune system stimulation. In this way we “help the body to help itself.” Although acupuncture can be quite useful in treating many disease conditions, it is generally used as an adjunct to current treatments and can reduce side effects or lower dosages of medications.

Acupuncture is used successfully to help control pain. Arthritis pain is a good example, recommended frequently by specialists especially in the earlier course of this disease. Acupuncture treatment allows painful muscles to relax and modulates the pain signals from the brain. It is used to treat other painful musculoskeletal problems as well, such as strains, sprains, hip dysplasia, back disease, cruciate ligament tears, and muscle spasms. Acupuncture is also successfully used to treat diseases of the respiratory, reproductive, urinary, and digestive systems.

To find out if your animal may benefit from acupuncture, call Dr. Samantha Scher at Ballston Animal Hospital today.

Excellence in Veterinary Surgical Care & Service

Ballston Animal Hospital is proud to offer the most advanced surgical techniques and technology. Some surgical procedures that we commonly perform include, but are not limited to, spay and neuter, growth removal, oral surgery, cherry eye correction, entropion (eyelid surgery), splenectomy, abdominal exploratory surgery, and amputation.

Surgical services and facilities include:

• Fully trained veterinary and technical staff, ensuring the safest, most efficient, state-of-the-art procedures
• Comprehensive blood testing, both diagnostic and monitoring
• Advanced sterilization techniques
• Oxygen saturation and blood pressure monitors

A dedicated and fully trained surgical technician continuously monitors patients during anesthesia.

Surgical Admissions

Prior to surgery, typical instructions are as follows:

• No food after 10 p.m. the night before surgery (water is OK)
• Arrive at the hospital between 7:15 and 8:30 a.m. the morning of surgery
• Pre-surgical blood work is required for all patients at least several days prior to anesthesia
• Accurate contact information is obtained so that we may keep you informed of your pet’s progress
• At admission, we will discuss with you any questions you may have about your pet’s procedure (risks, possible complications, recovery)

The day of surgery, please note that:

• Your pet will be assigned a technician who can update you—feel free to call for a status report
• Your veterinarian will call you with a full report after the surgery

Post-surgical instructions:

• Always follow your pet’s discharge instructions
• Monitor the incision for swelling and redness
• Take note of your pet’s appetite and water intake
• Maintain bandages and administer medications as instructed
• Return for follow-up as directed

Call us at 703-528-2776 to schedule an appointment for a surgical consultation or book a visit online.

State-of-the-Art Digital Technology for Your Pet

Ballston Animal Hospital now offers digital whole-body and dental X-rays. Digital radiology (X-rays) helps us evaluate muscular-skeletal, cardiovascular (cardiopulmonary), gastrointestinal, reproductive, and urinary systems.

We chose this technology because it benefits both the patient and the owner by:

• Producing high-resolution, diagnostic-quality images
• Reducing radiation exposure to pets and technicians
• Enhancing communication between doctor and pet owner by offering photo-quality images to share and discuss

We receive a high-quality image in less time than with a film-based X-ray system. The digital X-ray captures high-resolution images of your pet, available for immediate analysis by your veterinarian. They also provide a fast and accurate way to share images with specialists and referral centers and are an environmentally friendly solution to film X-rays, which require the use of harsh chemicals.

If you are interested in seeing what digital X-rays look like, ask us at your next visit.

Added Protection for Your Pet

It is common knowledge that a secure collar with an ID tag is a good precaution, allowing for easy identification of a lost or runaway pet. Sadly, collars and tags can fall off. This is why we recommend the added protection of a microchip.

A microchip is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. This device is implanted by your veterinarian in a matter of seconds, placed under the skin just above the animal’s shoulder blades. A number is embedded in the chip and that number matches your contact information. Once inserted, the microchip is easily read with a hand-held scanner – fast and painless. Pets brought to shelters or veterinary hospitals are routinely scanned for the presence of microchips upon arrival if the owner is not known. A microchip immediately alerts animal care providers that this animal has an owner and provides information for a contact. Having a microchip may even help to save your pet’s life in overcrowded animal shelters or during emergency situations.

Microchips have helped reunite thousands of pets with their families. We offer the most widely used microchip products to increase the chances of a safe recovery. To learn more, visit the Avid Microchip website or contact our office. Call us at 703-528-2776 or book a visit online. 

Spay & Neuter for Improved Pet Health

If you do not plan on breeding your dog or cat, we recommend that you spay or neuter your pet.

The best time to do this is around 6 months of age. Spaying or neutering is important because it:

• Promotes health and lifespan
  This procedure is very safe and helps prevent cancer of the mammary and testicles, uterine infections, and prostate problems in animals
• Helps control overpopulation
  Many pets are euthanized simply because there is no room in shelters and no one wants to adopt them; spaying and neutering is the single most important thing you can do to change this situation
• Reduces many problem behaviors
  Such as urine marking, aggression, and wandering and roaming

An altered pet lives longer, and generally has fewer medical problems and a better temperament if this is done at an early age. Many unwanted animals are euthanized every year, so we encourage you to help reduce pet over-population.

FAQs

For some frequently asked questions on the issue of spaying and neutering, read this interesting and informative article
from the Humane Society of the United States.

Call us at 703-528-2776 to schedule an appointment or book a visit online.

Compassionate Care for Your Pet at Life’s End

Watching your aging pet decline in health is never easy. As your animal companion faces deterioration or a loss in quality of life, we are here to support and guide you.

We will assist you in making a plan addressing such issues as pain management, alternative therapies, diet, exercise, and environmental modifications for aging, ill, or suffering pets. Together, we will make decisions regarding types and lengths of treatment for your pet to preserve your pet’s comfort and dignity.

If the decision is made to euthanize, we offer a quiet space for your pet and you. Our services include taking care of the remains as you desire.

If you want to talk about your pet’s life’s end plan of care or make an appointment, call us at 703-528-2776.

Compassionate Care Minimizes Suffering

Veterinary patients feel pain and discomfort under the same circumstances as people do. We know that recognizing and alleviating pain in animals is the essence of good patient care. In that sense, the only medical or surgical procedures that can be called a success are those that control pain.

At Ballston Animal Hospital, all pets undergoing surgery receive medication to control pain. Pain medications will be administered at the hospital and will be sent home with the pet.

Anytime you feel your pet is experiencing pain at home, either by injury, illness, or unknown origin, contact us at once. As an important member of the team, your observations may be our first indication that a bigger health problem is present. It is interesting to note that animals naturally hide their pain, probably to protect themselves from predators. To help you detect signs that your pet is suffering, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) gives us these five clues:

Clue 1
Abnormal chewing habits are often an indicator of mouth or dental problems.

Clue 2
Drastic weight gain or loss; any pain might cause this but it is often associated with arthritis or other joint pain.

Clue 3
Avoiding affection or handling due to pain from being held may be an indication of a progressive disease such as osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease.

Clue 4
Decreased movement and exercise is usually an indicator of osteoarthritis or joint disease.

Clue 5
“Accidents;” urine or stool accidents may be indications of urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problems, or joint diseases.

Being aware of your pet’s habits can help you and your veterinarian assess and manage your pet’s pain.

Read more about this topic on the HealthyPet website.

Call us at 703-528-2776 to schedule an appointment for a surgical consultation or book a visit online.