For your beloved companion

As our pets become senior (7 years for dogs and 10 years for cats), we may not think about how fast they age and how quickly things can change. Many of us consider our pets like our children; we want to give them the best we possibly can. The Senior Preventive Care Plans are designed to proactively reveal emerging health issues, helping ensure your pets lead a long and healthy life.

Please speak to a receptionist or technician for more details or to activate a Senior Preventive Care Plan for your pet.

Our plans are offered as a package of services reflecting a 15% discount as compared to individual fees. Following the initial examination, additional procedures may be suggested to address potential health concerns. A fee reduction of 10% is offered for recommended surgical, dental, or diagnostic treatments that are performed within the Plan year.

To start your new puppy or kitten on the path to optimum health, Westside Animal Hospital offers a comprehensive Pediatric Program from babyhood through their first birthday. The Program includes recommended wellness exams, vaccinations and medical procedures along with nutritional, grooming, and behavioral education in a complete package.

The advantages of the Pediatric Program are:

• Ensures a good start to your puppy or kitten’s life
• Exams, vaccinations, and procedures are performed in a timely manner based on a veterinarian recommended schedule
• Pre-paid Program allows ease of budgeting
• 10% discount for the entire Program over the cost of all items individually

Pediatric Program Highlights:

• Program starts between the ages of seven and twelve weeks;
• Program includes FREE examinations should your puppy or kitten become ill; benefit expires on your pet’s first birthday. Treatments, medications, lab testing, surgeries, etc. are billed at customary fees; examinations are by appointment;
• Program fee can be divided into three (3) equal installments paid over three months or can be paid in full on the first visit for an additional 2% discount.

Puppy Program Includes:

• 2 – Deworming treatments
• 3 - Distemper/Parvo/Corona boosters
• 3 - Bordetella (kennel cough) boosters
• 2 - Leptospirosis boosters
• 1 - Rabies vaccine
• 5 – Wellness examinations
• 1 – Fecal screening
• 1 – Comprehensive blood panel screening
• Spay/Neuter procedure
• Puppy Handbook
• Clay Paw print
• Complimentary Birthday Gift

Kitten Program Includes:

• 2 – Deworming treatments
• 3 – Feline Distemper Combo boosters
• 2 – Feline Leukemia boosters
• 1 – Rabies vaccine
• 1 – Feline Leukemia/FIV blood test
• 5 – Wellness examinations
• 1 – Fecal screening
• 1 – Comprehensive blood panel screening
• Spay/Neuter procedure
• Kitten Handbook
• Clay Paw print
• Complimentary Birthday Gift

Pain Removed – Life Improved – Drug-Free!

The latest technology in healthcare for your pet, Therapeutic Laser is a remarkable treatment for many cases of acute and chronic pain, inflammation and wound healing. Used alone or in conjunction with other treatment modalities, Laser therapy has the benefit of being a drug-free, non-surgical, safe treatment that provides lasting pain relief at a very affordable price.

How it works….

Therapeutic laser is an FDA-cleared, deep-penetrating light allowing relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulating injured cells to heal at a faster rate.

What it does….

• Allows your pet to heal faster after surgery or traumatic injury;
• Eases pain and improves mobility without the use of pharmaceuticals and surgery in many cases;
• Provides senior pets relief from aches and pains which allows for more freedom of movement and improved quality of life;
• Everyday disorders such as lick granulomas and chronic ear infections that cause severe pain and discomfort are quickly relieved.

Disorders that respond best to Laser Therapy:

• Pain Relief
• Wound Healing
• Arthritic Conditions
• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Dermatological Conditions
• Post-Surgical Pain Relief
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Lick Granulomas
• Degloving Injuries
• Periodontal Disease/Gingivitis
• Otitis (ear infections)

Westside Animal Hospital offers a Cardio Health Screen, available at a special package price, to help identify existing and emerging heart disease. Our veterinarians can advise if a Cardio Health Screen will benefit your pet.

Your pet’s age and breed may influence his or her risk for developing heart disease so discuss risk with our veterinarian. You can help safeguard your pet’s health by watching for changes in behavior.

Signs
Your pet may show no signs of heart problems, or you may notice one or more of the following:

• Coughing
• Changes in breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Labored breathing
• Rapid or fast breathing
• Changes in behavior (more noticeable in dogs)
• Tiring easily
• Reluctance to exercise or not wanting to go for walks
• Less playfulness
• Slowing down or lack of energy
• Depression or withdrawn demeanor
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Fainting or collapsing (less common)
• Weakness
• Restlessness, especially at night
• Swollen abdomen

Don’t assume your pet’s behavior is simply a sign of aging. Contact our veterinarians immediately if you notice any of the behaviors indicated above.

Obesity is the most common, and often unrecognized, nutritional disorder of dogs and cats. It is estimated that 25 – 44 percent of dogs and up to 40% of cats seen by veterinarians are obese. Obesity is often associated with increased risk of adverse effects on health and longevity.

Diagnosing your Pet’s Condition
A dog or cat is considered over weight if it is 5% to 19% above ideal weight. An obese dog or cat is 20% or more above ideal weight. That means a dog that should weigh 35 pounds only needs to gain 7 extra pounds to be considered obese. As with people, it doesn’t take long for weight gain in dogs and cats; an extra 2 pounds gained each year can quickly add up to an unhealthy weight.

Health Concerns
Obesity is associated with many adverse health conditions. Some of these include heart conditions, respiratory problems, endocrine (hormone) imbalance, and muscular skeletal disorders.

Heart: Obesity increases the workload on the heart which can aggravate cardiovascular problems.

Respiratory: Obese dogs and cats may have shortness of breath, can be easily fatigued, and may have difficulty breathing after exercise.

Endocrine: Obesity may also be associated with diabetes mellitus, a problem characterized by a deficiency of insulin activity. Other endocrine disorders, such as Cushing’s syndrome and hypothyroidism may contribute to or be confused with obesity.

Musculoskeletal: Obesity increases the stress on joints and may lead to or aggravate musculoskeletal problems in dogs and cats. This in turn will make your pet even less active, reduce the use of calories, and increase the obesity.

Other Risks: Severely obese dogs and cats are also more prone to heat stress, gastrointestinal disorders, liver disease, skin conditions, infectious diseases and reproductive problems. In addition, obese animals are at greater risk during surgical procedures and anesthesia than are normal weight dogs and cats.

Our Weight Management Program, tailored to the individual pet, is a combination of exercise, reduction in caloric intake, and regular weight monitoring. Additionally, the veterinarian may prescribe Slentrol, the first FDA-approved weight loss medication made just for dogs.