Veterinary Services
At Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital we provide a wide array of health care services, including those listed below. In addition to diagnostic testing and treating illness and disease, we have a strong commitment to preventative medicine. We recommend regular complete physical exams for all patients. This should occur yearly for younger pets and more frequently as they age.This examination aids in the early detection of potential health problems and allows us to assess and manage any risk factors for your pet.
In the event that your pet needs examination or treatment by a specialist, we will gladly provide a referral to one of the numerous specialists with whom we work.
Acupuncture
Dr Gearhart is fully certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) to provide acupuncture treatments for both musculoskeletal problems such as back or joint pain due to injuries or to advancing age as well as for internal medicine problems such as non-healing eye or skin injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic or recurring infections. Read more about Acupuncture for Pets here.
Adopting a Pet
Things to consider before adopting a pet: Is a pet the right pet for you? Your pet will depend on you throughout its life, and with proper care, may live 10 years or more. Are you willing and able to care properly for it and provide it a stable home for that long? Don’t get a pet without considering and planning for the costs for such a responsibility. Normal veterinary care includes spaying or neutering, yearly shots and boosters, licenses and examinations for typical diseases. Keep in mind that while you have several options as to where to get a pet, animal shelters are a great place to start. You will be saving a new best friend that really needs you.
To find out more about adopting a pet in your area visit your local area shelters web site: www.pant.org, and www.dcaspca.com
Bereavement – Loss of a Pet
Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend. We provide answers to questions that address coping with grief and the difficult decisions one faces upon the loss of a pet.
Boarding
Our boarding services are limited to patients of Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital, providing peace of mind for our clients as they can be sure their pet will receive the medical care they’ve come to trust, should it be necessary, while they are out of town. Additionally, pets receiving medication will be able to have their treatment continued during their stay since they will be under the care of our knowledgeable hospital staff.
Please note that any dog that is boarding at this facility must have a current exam as well as be current on Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella (Kennel Cough) vaccines. We also highly recommend that all dogs be vaccinated against the Canine Influenza.
Cats and ferrets must be current on their Distemper and Rabies vaccines.
Behavioral Guidance
At Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital, we can assist pet owners with any behavioral issues or problems they may be encountering. We understand that a well-behaved pet is an important factor in the development of a long, happy relationship. Additionally, we work closely with a board certified veterinary behaviorist when the severity of the problem necessitates a specialist.
Cardiology
From early detection of cardiac disease to ongoing monitoring of your pets heart condition, we help to keep the circulatory system functioning as well as possible. Among the tools we use to achieve this goal are radiographs (x-rays), electrocardiograms (EKG), echocardiograms (ultrasound), and therapeutic drug monitoring.
Cancer Chemotherapy
Most pet owners will never be faced with the heartbreak and challenges associated with a pet with cancer. But, unfortunately, some pets will develop cancer during their lifetime and owners may turn to chemotherapy to palliate or even cure their pets. At Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital we can administer chemotherapy to treat numerous types of cancer. Should your pet need the additional treatment of an oncologist, we can refer you to a qualified specialist. Read/download Caring for Cats – Caring for Dogs with Cancer whitepapers here.
Critical Care
Utilizing newer technologies and skills, we are able to monitor, diagnose, and provide superior patient care to animals with acute or chronic illnesses.
Dentistry
Through regular oral exams and cleaning, we can help you prevent dental disease in your dog or cat. Dental disease can lead to bad breath, bleeding gums, loose teeth, painful eating, or even more severe problems like cardiac or kidney disease. If your pet already has dental or periodontal disease we can provide treatment, which will help prevent further complications and make your pet more comfortable.
Dermatology
Did you know that the skin is the largest organ of dogs and cats? As such, most pets will experience some degree of skin disease during their lifetime. We are experienced in treating skin disorders ranging from parasite infestation to allergies to auto-immune disorders.
Diagnostic Laboratory Evaluations
Our in-house laboratory provides analyses of blood, urine and stool for diseases as diverse as diabetes, Lyme Disease, Feline Leukemia, and intestinal worms. These results are often available within the space of an office visit. Additionally, the services of an accredited commercial laboratory for biopsies and other tests are also available. These results are routinely faxed to us the next day, or within a week for more involved procedures.
General Medicine
It’s important to detect medical problems as early as possible, just as periodic checkups are wonderfully reassuring if no problem exists. The care which starts with a puppy or a kitten can pay extra dividends once your companion becomes geriatric. We also provide health care for pocket pets and small animals.
House Calls
Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital provides in-home veterinary care for all stages of your pet’s life. House calls include primary veterinary care and acupuncture for your pet in the comfort of your home.
In- home services include complete physical examinations, routine and preventative healthcare, domestic and international health certificates for travel, micro-chipping,vaccinations, consultations, blood work assessment, urinalysis, fecal parasite evaluations, biopsy and cytology testing with interpretations and a complete discussions of the results.
At home euthanasia is also available when needed.
While it is not possible to provide this service on a daily basis, Dr. Gearhart has continued her enjoyment of caring for pets in their own homes by going on the road at least once a month.
House calls are only done by appointment. Please call our office at (845) 635-2110 if you would like to schedule an appointment for an in-home.
Microchipping
The safest, simplest, and most permanent form of pet identification is a microchip placed under the pets skin. Should the animal ever be lost, the unique ID code on the microchip can be traced to the pets owner. Well over 100,000 animals have been reunited with their owners using the Microchip Identification System, available at Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital.
Nutritional Guidance
Every day researchers are learning more about the integral link between nutrition and health. We can help you utilize that information to achieve longevity and health in your pet. As pets move through various life stages from puppies to seniors, their nutritional needs change. Those needs also change with the development of medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, or allergies. We can counsel you on how to best meet those changing needs as well as provide the prescription diet indicated for your pet’s condition.
Pharmacy
Most medications, vitamins, and supplements, as well as all flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives that your pet will ever need are available from our pharmacy. We can assure our clients that all products have been received from manufacturers and then handled and stored appropriately. Should any question or concern ever arise about the quality, condition, or dating of any product purchased at our hospital, this should be brought immediately to a doctors attention. Similarly, our doctors welcome any questions about dosing directions if these are unclear.
Physical Rehabilitation
In humans, physical therapy is widely used to help people recover from trauma, surgeries, illnesses, arthritis, obesity and other problems. We use similar techniques to help animals recover from many of the same conditions. There are a number of therapies that can be used.
Radiology and Ultrasonography
If your pet needs radiographs (x-rays), we can take the films and develop them in-house within minutes with our automatic film processing equipment. We send films to a board-certified radiologist only when a second opinion is necessary. This same radiologist also provides ultrasound services to our clinic on a weekly, as-needed basis. Ultrasounds can actually look inside organs, while radiographs are essentially silhouettes of organs. Consequently, some patients, such as pets with heart disease or gall stones, may need both procedures performed for a complete diagnosis.
Surgery
From fractures to cruciate ligament repair to neuter procedures to tumor removals, our doctors perform surgery to treat a variety of diseases and conditions. In addition to inhalant gas anesthesia, we use a wide array of anesthetic and analgesic drugs. These are not only among the safest drugs available, they are also designed to eliminate pain during procedures as well as minimize discomfort during recovery. Medications for discomfort during recuperation at home are also dispensed. In addition to the attendance of our licensed Veterinary Technician, equipment used to monitor patients during surgery includes a pulse oximeter which measures heart rate as well as the oxygen level in the blood.
