Education Materials
Laparoscopic Ovariectomy: A Less Painful Alternative
Laparoscopic ovariectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to remove the ovaries in female dogs. An ovariectomy differs from an ovariohysterectomy (spay) in that only the ovaries are removed, leaving the uterus in place. Both surgeries accomplish the...
Endoscopic Procedures at LVC
As pet owners, we want to provide the best medical care we can for our pets and minimize the discomfort of testing. Our pets can’t tell us when they are in pain so often they need more diagnostics when they are “not right”. Endoscopic procedures provide a safe, less...
Tick Transmitted Diseases
Lyme disease is contracted from the bite of a deer tick infected with a spirochete organism named Borrelia burgdorferi. The majority of dogs infected with the Lyme organism do not feel sick or have any clinical signs. Clinical signs include lameness, stiffness,...
Shockwave Therapy
It is the time of year when the clinic starts to see an increase in the number of tendon and ligament injuries due to horses fresh from the winter. The show season is getting heavy for many clients and their horse is unable to compete due to a tendon/ligament injury....
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a genetic malformation of the hip joint that is found most often in large breed dogs. The hip is a ball and socket joint. Hip dysplasia can be caused either by having a very shallow acetabulum (socket) or having a flattened or shortened femoral head...
Slow Feeders and Interactive Toys
Increased speed of eating can predispose our pets to: Excessive food intake resulting in obesity Poor digestion and vomiting Increased risk of swallowing air leading to bloating and abdominal discomfort Increased risk of GDV in dogs (gastric dilatation and volvulus:...
Giardia Parasite
Giardia is a protozoa parasite that can affect both pets and humans resulting in diarrhea. It is passed on by fecal oral transmission. This can occur indirectly by drinking from contaminated lakes, streams, puddles, and shallow wells or directly from the ingestion of...
How-To: Collecting Urine from a Dog
It takes about 1-2 teaspoons of urine to run a urinalysis. Even obtaining that small amount may seem like a monumental task for some owners. To aid in this adventure, we have put together some suggestions to help make this process easier for you. Please feel free to...
Ball Therapy
A malocclusion is the abnormal alignment of teeth. One particular type of malocclusion that can be seen in puppies is base narrow k9 teeth. This is when the k9 teeth on the lower jaw are too close together, or the lower jaw is too short causing the k9 to contact the...
Canine Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a common problem in dogs. Caring for a diabetic animal requires some effort, but most pets remain happy and comfortable. Successful patient management requires a team effort between you and our veterinary care team. What is diabetes mellitus?...
Cataracts
A cataract is an opacity (cloudy area) within the lens of the eye. Cataract size can range from small to large. Small cataracts minimally alter vision, whereas larger cataracts can result in blindness. Cataracts are very common and can occur for a variety of reasons,...
Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
The adrenal glands are a pair of small glands located just in front of the kidneys. They make cortisol (a corticosteroid hormone), which helps the body adapt to stress. Cortisol helps the body prepare for a “fight or flight response” by preparing the body’s resources...
Feline Asthma
Asthma is a recurrent respiratory condition caused by inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Symptoms include wheezing, airway spasms, coughing, exercise intolerance and open mouthed or labored breathing. Approximately one out of every 100 cats will develop...
Salmonella and Reptiles
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause disease in humans, and can be particularly dangerous to young children and infants, the elderly, and adults with immune system problems. Healthy reptiles may host a variety of Salmonella species of bacteria in their...