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Like your physician does for you, we recommend, a routine annual wellness exam for our patients but, keep in mind … your pet’s lifespan is much shorter than yours and thus, they age faster than we do.

​​​​​​​In general, cats and dogs age an average of seven years for every one of ours (the ratio is close to ten to one for the first year and five to one for the geriatric years.) So having an annual physical exam for your pet equates to your seeing your doctor once every seven years. Of course, when we think of it this way, we realize that much can change in seven years. We recommend an annual physical exam for all our patients with the goal of preventing disease above all, and early diagnosis of illness and proper treatment to restore your pet to health. During the yearly wellness examination our veterinarians will discuss the patient’s diet and will print for you, if you wish, a graph of his or her weight from previous visits. We will then evaluate your pet’s individual risk assessment including such factors as your pet’s exercise level, contact with or exposure to other pets and wildlife, your home environment, emerging diseases in your area, possible travel plans and any other lifestyle situations.

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Canine Vaccine Protocol

Vaccinations are divided into core and noncore. Core vaccinations are vaccinations recommended for all patients regardless of lifestyle, unless there is a medical contraindication or exemption. Non- core vaccinations are recommended based on lifestyle and geographical location.

Core Vaccinations:

1. Distemper –component of the Da2pp Vaccination

Canine Distemper virus can infect and be carried by many wildlife including dogs, fox, coyote, wolves, skunk and raccoon. It is spread by aerosolized droplets and bodily fluids. Once a patient is infected it can affect the skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems and can be fatal.

2. Parvovirus –component of the Da2pp Vaccination

Canine parvovirus is a ubiquitous, sturdy virus in the environment. Once infected, the virus attacks the rapidly dividing cells of the tonsil, lymphocytes (white blood cell), bone marrow and intestine. The symptoms most seen are lethargy, fever, vomiting and diarrhea (often bloody diarrhea).

3. Adenovirus –component of the Da2pp Vaccination

Canine adenovirus type 2 can cause tracheobronchitis and is a part of the canine infectious respiratory disease complex. This vaccination also cross protects against Canine Anenovirus type 1 which is the cause of the often fatal canine infectious hepatitis.

4. Rabies Virus

Rabies virus is transmitted through saliva, most commonly though a bite with an infected animal. Rabies virus affects the neurologic system and is almost always fatal. Due to the high fatality rate of Rabies and public health risks, the vaccination is legally mandated.

5. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that can be found across the United States. In 2024 guidelines were updated to make Leptospirosis a core vaccination. The most common route of infection is though ingestion of stagnant water with contaminated urine. Once infected the bacteria attaches to the endothelial cells lining blood vessels making it hard for the blood to clot. Ultimately, the bacteria will affect other organs such as the liver and kidney. Most common symptoms include lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and increase in thirst and urination. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic pathogen meaning it can be transmitted to people.

Noncore vaccinations:

1. Lyme vaccination

Lyme is a bacteria that is endemic in this area which is transmitted by a tick bite. Less than 10% of patients infected with the bacteria develop symptoms. Most common symptoms include lethargy, lameness, swollen lymph nodes and decrease in appetite. Rarely serious kidney complications can occur as well. For most dogs in this area the vaccination is recommended.

2. Bordetella Vaccination

Bordetella is a bacterial infection that can cause and contribute to canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), more familiarly known as “kennel cough.” Symptoms include a frequent gagging or retching cough. Occasionally, this can progress into pneumonia. The vaccination is recommended for patients that are frequently around other dogs for boarding, grooming, daycare, dog shows etc.

3. Influenza

Influenza, just like in people, tends to be prevalent in canine population and are non-sustaining. Therefore, it is not recommended for every patient, just those at high risk. The canine influenza vaccination is recommended for patients that travel, go to dog shows and agility events, and are boarded or groomed regularly.

4. Parainfluenza – this is a component of the Da2pp vaccination

Parainfuenza is a viral infection that is a component of the canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), more familiarly known as “kennel cough. Symptoms include a frequent gagging or retching cough. The vaccination is recommended for patients that are frequently around other dogs for boarding, grooming, daycare, dog shows etc.

Adverse reactions:

After any vaccination, it is not uncommon for patients to experience mild symptoms such as lethargy, discomfort at the vaccination site, reduced appetite and mild fever. Concern should arise with the following symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing or collapse. If you notice any of these symptoms seek emergency medical attention ASAP.

Feline Vaccine Protocol

Vaccinations are divided into core and noncore. Core vaccinations are vaccinations recommended for all patients regardless of lifestyle, unless there is a medical contraindication or exemption. Non- core vaccinations are recommended based on lifestyle and geographical location.

Core vaccines

1. Panleukopenia (feline distemper) – component of the FVRCP vaccination

Panleukopenia is a highly contagious virus that causes fever, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases, sudden death. Kittens are particularly susceptible.

2. Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis) – component of the FVRCP vaccination

Feline herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infection with fever, sneezing, conjunctivitis and lethargy. Kittens have an increased risk of infection.

3. Calicivirus – component of the FVRCP vaccination

Calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause upper respiratory symptoms in cats. In some cases, affected kittens may develop pneumonia. In rare cases, a much more aggressive strain of this virus can cause inflammation of the liver, intestines, pancreas, and cells that line the blood vessels. This severe form of calicivirus can be deadly in up to half of affected cats.

4. Rabies Virus

Rabies virus is transmitted through saliva, most commonly though a bite with an infected animal. Rabies virus affects the neurologic system and is almost always fatal. Due to the high fatality rate of Rabies and public health risks, the vaccination is legally mandated

5. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

FeLV spreads through the saliva, nasal secretions, feces, urine, and milk of infected cats. Roughly 50 % of cats diagnosed with FeLV succumb to the disease within two and a half years. FeLV vaccination is considered a core vaccine for all cats less than one year of age and a non-core vaccine for cats one year of age and older that have no potential for exposure to FeLV.

Non-core vaccines

Examples of non-core vaccinations in cats are: Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydia felis, Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Dermatophytosis.

Risks vs benefits of these vaccinations should be discussed with your veterinarian based on lifestyle and potential exposure. Most of these vaccinations are typically not recommended.
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Adverse Reactions:

After any vaccination, it is not uncommon for patients to experience mild symptoms such as lethargy, discomfort at the vaccination site, reduced appetite and mild fever. Concern should arise with the following symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing or collapse. If you notice any of these symptoms seek emergency medical attention ASAP. In cats, swelling at the vaccination site that remains present for more than 3 months, is larger than 2 cm in diameter or is increasing in size 1 month following vaccination should be biopsied.

Aging actually begins at birth, but its signs are not noticeable to us or our pets for several years. The aging process varies with body size for dogs and cats. Small breed dogs are considered seniors when they are 10 years old, medium breed dogs at 9 and giant breed dogs, sadly at 7 years. Thin, fit cats are considered seniors at 10 but overweight cats at 7-8 years. The first sign of aging is a general decrease in activity level, including a tendency to sleep longer and more soundly, a waning of enthusiasm for play time, and a general loss of interest in the activities around them. As aging advances, the heart, liver, and kidneys lose their functional efficiency, and the immune system is less able to fight off attacks by bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Bladder control may be affected, and all of the muscles decrease in size and strength although this aspect is reversible at any age with the addition of exercise. In general our pets experience the same issues with age that we do, including hearing loss, decreased night vision, arthritic pain, and even dementia.

To help keep your pet as healthy and comfortable as possible during his or her senior years, we provide a comprehensive geriatric wellness program that includes complete physical exams, periodic blood tests, nutritional counseling, monitoring and discussion of behavioral changes and evaluation of cognitive functions. Early detection and diagnosis of abnormal changes are critical in maintaining and optimizing your pet’s overall health as she/he ages.

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We offer two very effective methods to identify your pet. The rabies tags that we attach to the patients collar after a vaccination are excellent ID tags. We register the unique tag number in the patients medical record. These tags are color- and shape-coordinated nationally so that anyone in law enforcement or animal control can see from a distance if and when a pet has been vaccinated. The tag also has our contact information and 24-hour phone number so that, should your pet get lost and found, we can quickly access our laptop computer medical records, day or night, and look up the owner and pet corresponding to the tag number.

Microchip implantation is another more permanent means of identifying your pet. The chips are approximately the size and shape of a grain of rice. We implant them by giving an injection under the skin between the shoulder blades on the upper back. You then must register the chip’s unique identification number with a national database with both your and our contact information. REMEMBER TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION EVERY TIME YOU MOVE! Virtually every shelter in the nation has universal scanners. Thousands of lost dogs and cats are returned home every year because they are identified with a microchip or rabies tag.

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Most of us know someone who has undergone a laparoscopic procedure. It is the standard in human medicine and is well documented to have a much smaller incision, less pain and a greater margin of safety. We use the exact same instrumentation in our patients. This system allows us to view abdominal organs magnified on a flat screen color high definition monitor. Applications are as numerous in veterinary medicine as in human medicine, the most recent being the use of laparoscopy for performing an ovarectomy / ovariohysterectomy (spay) or retained testicle neuter. The most common indication for diagnostic laparoscopy is to visually inspect and biopsy abdominal organs or masses. The liver, pancreas, spleen, lymph nodes, adrenal glands, kidneys and abdominal masses are all amenable to laparoscopic biopsy. Because we are actually visualizing the organs, we can evaluate neoplastic processes (cancer) more accurately so that appropriate treatment plans can be implemented.

There is mounting evidence that excess tartar build up with age can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. If this infection goes untreated, the bacteria in the oral cavity can enter the bloodstream and possibly harm the heart or other organs. We offer full dental services including ultrasonic cleaning, polishing and full dental radiographs (x-rays). The dental radiographs enable us to visualize the root of the tooth and the surrounding bone to identify the potential for issues that could be occurring below the gumline. If a problem is identified, our veterinarians can perform endodontic repairs or perform surgical extractions if necessary.

​​​​​​​Our surgical suite is fully equipped for most common soft tissue procedures such as ovarohysterectomies, neuters, hernia repairs, laceration repairs, tumor removal, exploratory surgery, intestinal anastomosis, intestinal foreign body removal, bladder stone removal and organ biopsies. We do not perform “cosmetic” surgery such as canine ear crops and tail docking as we feel these procedures have questionable ethics.

Prior to surgery, each patient receives a thorough physical examination to identify any existing medical conditions that might endanger his or her health. Because not all problems can be detected on examination, all surgery patients undergo pre-anesthetic blood testing. These tests give us a more complete picture of your pet’s health and allow us to tailor an anesthetic regimen that is specific for each patient.
All patients receive an intravenous catheter to allow us to give iv fluids if necessary, as well as pain medication.

During surgery, your pet’s vital signs are monitored through a state-of-the-art surgical monitoring system called Life Window and he or she will also be observed closely by one of our registered veterinary technicians. Life Window is a computer that tracks blood pressure, oxygen content of the blood, core temperature, EKG heart tracings, and carbon dioxide levels in the exhaled air. After surgery, this information is added electronically to the patient’s medical records.

​​​​​​​An electrocardiogram or EKG (ECG), is a noninvasive painless diagnostic test used for recording the heart’s electrical activity. This is useful in diagnosing many cardiac diseases such as arrhythmias, valvular heart disease and heart block as well as changes in the shape and rotational axis of the heart. Our electrocardiograph is networked allowing us to seamlessly incorporate these data into your pets permanent electronic medical record. If your pet proves to be a difficult or unusual case, we will, with your permission, send the history, and all pertinent laboratory test results including digital radiographs via the internet to a board certified veterinary cardiologist for a second opinion. We often obtain a report back within hours or by the next day.

We are proud of our True Direct Digital Radiography system by Sound/Eklin of California. Over 80% of all US Veterinary Colleges have this same system, confirming it’s quality and unsurpassed performance.

This noninvasive diagnostic procedure produces images in 4 seconds often without the need for tranquilization, sedation or anesthesia. This equates to less time on the xray table and therefore less stress for the patient. When complete muscle relaxation is required (hip x-rays) or when the patient is uncomfortable (traumatic injury such as a bone fracture), short-acting sedation may be required. In addition to standard views, we perform many specialized procedures such as GI series and contrast studies of the kidneys and urinary bladder. All these images can then be instantly reviewed on any of our 26 workstations throughout the hospital. These digital images are then seamlessly stored as part of your pet’s permanent medical record.

Just like in human medicine, all of our radiographs are reviewed by board certified veterinary radiologist.

There are three sample radiographs below: the left one shows a dog with two round bladder stones, the middle is a turtle with a radio transmitter implant, and right is a fractured tibia leg bone. Can you identify each?

At The Animal Hospital, we utilize digital dental X-rays to get a view below the gumline to fully evaluate the tooth roots and surrounding bone structure. X-rays help us find disease such as broken roots, periodontal disease, bone loss, resorptive lesions, and tooth root abscesses. Dental X-rays lead to a better diagnosis of pathology(disease), which leads to a healthier mouth and a happier patient!

Abdominal ultrasound is an invaluable tool that allows us to visualize the structures and organs in the abdomen. This safe, painless diagnostic procedure is performed in a few minutes, generally without anesthesia or sedation. Many of our patients benefit from brief ultrasound examinations called Point of Care Ultrasound or “POCUS.” This allows for focused evaluation of organs such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, intestine, stomach and bladder. In addition, we utilize our ultrasound machine to obtain sterile urine samples in a procedure called cystocentesis. In trauma or emergent cases we perform a “Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma or FAST scan” to evaluate for the presence of fluid in the abdominal or chest cavity.

We all know how easy it is to take our blood pressure with a cuff. It is not so simple when you add fur and a moving patient. The instrument you see at right is especially designed for veterinary use. It uses a doppler sound technique to measure arterial blood flow, enabling us to accurately measure the patients systolic and diastolic pressures.

There is a powerful instinct in all animals to “act normal” even in the face of serious illness. Thus, a complete physical exam is often not enough to diagnose the problem. In addition to imaging modalities, our hospital is equipped with an extensive in-house laboratory that permits us to find abnormalities in your pet’s organ functions or blood cells that were not evident from the physical evaluation. We utilize our in-house laboratory when time is of the essence in the case of a serious illness. For an ill patient, hours or even minutes can make the difference of life and death. When time is not a factor such as for routine follow-up bloodwork to check up on existing illness or senior screening tests, we currier your pet’s blood work to a national laboratory which is a much more cost effective option for our clients.

Our Complete in-house diagnostic laboratory provides:

· Blood chemistry, electrolytes, thyroid and adrenal screening with Idexx Laboratory Equipment

· Heartworm, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis testing

· Giardia, Parvo virus and CPL Pancreas SNAP testing

· Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Viral testing

· Urinalysis

· Urine cortisol/creatinine ratio

· Fecal ova exam

· Various microscopic cytology evaluations

· Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity

· Fungal culture

We also send out samples for more comprehensive analysis when required such as a comprehensive thyroid hormone assay, and anaerobic bacterial sensitivity testing

Dogs, cats, and most other species can develop glaucoma, a serious and painful condition in which the pressure inside the eye is elevated. The aqueous humor or fluid inside the eye normally maintains its proper pressure but when glaucoma occurs, there is too much fluid and therefore too much pressure inside the eye. This can occur gradually over time with age or acutely due to trauma or injury. It is important to diagnose this condition very quickly, because increased intraocular pressure can lead to permanent blindness. We use a hand-held electronic instrument, called a Tonopen, to determine the pressure inside the eye. It is similar to the instrument your ophthalmologist uses to test your eyes. This is a painless procedure that we often perform in an exam room after applying a few drops of a topical anesthetic.

In case of after-hours emergencies, we refer our clients to the CDVRH (Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital) or UVS (Upstate Veterinary Specialties). Both emergency facilities are level one trauma centers staffed by experienced veterinarians who have post doctoral training in emergency medicine.

The Animal Hospital will receive a detailed report regarding your pet’s visit upon discharge. This will be imported into your pet’s electronic medical record.

Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital

Phone: (518)785-1094

CDVRH is located at 222 Rt. 2 in Latham, NY.

CDVRH Directions and Hours.

Upstate Veterinary Specialities

Phone: (518)783-3198

UVS is located at 152 Sparrowbush Road in Latham, NY.

UVS Directions and Hours.

Your pet, our patient, is never more than a phone call away from help when needed in an emergency.

​​​​​We are available for emergencies during regular business hours. Please always call first so we can assess the situation and be prepared if an emergency exists. The Animal Hospital has two intensive care/oxygen units, one for dogs and cats and one for birds and “pocket” pets. These specialized systems maintain oxygen levels, humidity and temperature for the critical patient. Our professional staff is trained and practiced to function as a team and to act swiftly and decisively in an emergency. We utilize a “crash cart” that has all the medications, catheters, syringes and instruments that are needed at our fingertips in an emergency.

After hours when we are closed, you will be directed to the Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital or Upstate Veterinary Specialties.

Our pets have become increasingly regarded as members of the family at the same time that our lifestyles have changed to include more 2-career families; therefore, pets spend more time indoors and more time alone, receiving less exercise and attention than previously when one family member was available to supervise and interact with them. The result has been an increase in negative behaviors on the part of our cats and dogs. In fact, whereas the animal shelters across the country used to struggle to find spaces for the young cats and dogs resulting from overpopulation, nowadays they find that their cages are full of older, healthy animals who have been relinquished by once-doting owners due to negative behavior traits that developed over time. For that reason, the number of veterinarians specializing in behavior has increased exponentially.

We recognize that negative behaviors—incessant barking, house soiling, separation anxiety, and aggression for dogs; destroying furniture and avoiding the litter box for cats,–can rupture the human-animal bond and lead quickly to frustration and finally to anger, and perhaps to the ultimate sad fate of relinquishment. We do not want to see this happen to our patients! Therefore, our wellness examinations include inquiries into your pet’s behavior in order to determine if there are any developing problems, with the aim to eliminate the causes and find remedies as early as possible before negative behaviors become entrenched. We stress the use of positive training philosophies rather than the use of punishment. We find that if we are notified of these problems early, we can help the frustrated client reduce or eliminate the negative behaviors. If there is an issue that, by its nature, requires more aggressive remediation, we have a list of experienced trainers as well as access by referral to veterinary behaviorists and to Cornell Veterinary School’s Animal Behavior Clinic for the more challenging cases.

In addition to this, Tufts Veterinary College has a new behavior referral service where you fill out an extensive online questionnaire and we provide them with your pets complete electronic medical records. This less expensive option has been very successful.
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At every wellness visit, we follow the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) guidelines to perform a complete nutritional assessment for your pet. This includes evaluating body condition, muscle mass, diet history, and lifestyle factors to ensure their food meets both daily needs and long-term health goals. We then create a personalized nutrition plan—whether it’s for maintaining a healthy weight, supporting growth, managing a medical condition, or enhancing overall vitality. Our team also provides clear, practical counseling so you can confidently make the best feeding choices at home, helping your pet live a longer, healthier, and happier life.

If individual assessment warrants it, we will also recommend “nutraceutical” supplements that are not “medicine,” but rather nutritional elements added to the diet to prevent cartilage deterioration, dull coats and seborrhea, and premature weakening of the immune system. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to discuss your pet’s diet.

If needed, we may suggest supplements to help prevent cartilage issues, dull coats, seborrhea, or early immune decline.

Additionally, if your pet has specific medical conditions such as, kidney disease, food allergies or Inflammatory Bowel Disease we may recommend a specific prescription diet.

We believe every creature deserves a chance to heal. That’s why we proudly offer free medical treatment and rehabilitation for injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife. From tiny songbirds to majestic raptors, our dedicated team provides expert care with the goal of returning each animal to its natural habitat. We also work closely with wildlife rescue organizations and educate the community on how to protect and coexist with local species. Together, we can give wildlife the second chance they deserve.

Our hospital uses secure, state-of-the-art digital medical records to ensure your pet’s health information is always accurate, accessible, and up to date. From vaccination history, examination notes, lab results, diagnostic imaging studies and treatment plans, every detail is stored in one centralized system. This allows our veterinary team to provide faster, more informed care. Because we rely so heavily on our computer network and sophisticated electronic diagnostic equipment, we are equipped with a full-service automatic generator system.

This hospital is a member of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). This aids our team in providing the best current healthcare available for your pet. We live in a rapidly changing world: Like all health care professionals, we face rapid change – new diseases, new technologies, new drugs, and new treatments emerge every month. Remaining up to date with these changes is important. As a member of VIN, we have constant access to a vast veterinary medical “library” and access to an online worldwide community of thousands of veterinarians and specialists.

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest moments we face as pet parents. At our hospital, we provide gentle, dignified end-of-life care focused on comfort, compassion, and respect for your pet’s needs. Whether through quality of life assessment, hospice support, pain management, or peaceful euthanasia, our team will guide you through every step with empathy and understanding. When the time comes to say goodbye our caring team will take the time to listen to your wishes, answer your questions, and create an environment where you can share quiet moments and express your love in your own way. We are committed to honoring your pet’s life and providing the emotional support you need.

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