Pet Care
Standards of Care
The field of veterinary medicine is seeing constant changes, advances and improvements. The doctors and staff at West Kootenay Animal Hospital are committed to staying informed and up to date on the new advancements and changes in the profession by attending lectures and conferences and subscribing to several journals and online resources. We know you rely on us to offer the most current and comprehensive care for your valued pet, and we take this responsibility seriously.
The “Standards of Care” at West Kootenay Animal Hospital is a constantly evolving document that we are continually changing and improving as new information and research in the profession becomes available. These “Standards of Care” guide our daily recommendations and help ensure that your pet receives the best care possible while at our hospital.
Annual Physical Examinations
All adult dogs and cats should receive a comprehensive physical exam at least once a year. The West Kootenay Animal Hospital doctors will check all body systems and clearly communicate their findings and concerns to the pet owner. Recommendations and a treatment plan will be documented.
Vaccinations
While vaccinations have drastically reduced the incidence of deadly viral diseases in our animals, new protocols have changed how we vaccinate our pets. We believe in responsible vaccination programs based on the risk factors in our community and your pet’s lifestyle.
Senior Pets
All senior pets should receive a complete physical exam every six months, a full blood panel, and a urinalysis yearly. More frequent examinations and regular blood work help detect disease earlier and improve the comfort and longevity of your companion in their senior years. The age at which your pet is considered a senior varies based on size and breed. Generally, dogs over eight years and cats over ten years are considered seniors.
Anesthesia
It is strongly recommended that all animals undergoing general anesthesia undergo baseline blood testing before anesthesia. This includes a complete blood count and serum chemistry test for liver, kidney, blood sugar, protein levels and electrolytes.
All patients under prolonged general anesthesia:
Pain Management
Pain management alleviates your pets discomfort and improves their quality of life. It also speeds up and reduces the recovery period following surgery. At West Kootenay Animal Hospital, every patient experiencing pain should receive adequate medication to alleviate that pain.
All surgical patients will receive pain control medication before and after surgery to improve comfort during recovery. Any surgery, even elective surgery, has the potential to be painful, and we do not ignore pain management just because a procedure is deemed elective. Pain management is not a function of economics and should not be forgone because of economics or to reduce the cost of a procedure.
Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are commonly used in veterinary medicine to help control chronic, painful conditions such as osteoarthritis. However, these medications are very beneficial in chronic, painful conditions and can improve your pet’s quality of life. It is essential to ensure they are not causing problems with the internal organs. At West Kootenay Animal Hospital, patients prescribed long-term NSAIDs require a baseline blood panel (NSAID screen) before prescribing these drugs. Blood parameters will be re-evaluated in 1 to 4 months, depending on the results of the baseline testing, and then once a year for the duration the pet is on NSAID medication.