Companion Animal Services

Annual Core Immunizations:

 Along with annual comprehensive physical exams, we also recommend annual vaccinations.  

• For dogs we recommend Distemper, Hepatitis (adenovirus), Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis (4 different types). 

  • dog diseases. See our vaccination schedule here

• For cats we recommend distemper (Panleukopenia), Calicivirus, Hemorrhagic Calicivirus, Chlamidia & Rhinotracheitis (herpes). 

  • cat diseases

Puppies and Kittens

Puppies and Kittens require a little more help than one vaccination.  We start puppies and kittens between 6-8 weeks of age with a physical examination, a stool exam for parasite screening, deworming based on the stool exam and give them a series of 3 vaccinations 3 weeks apart.  Nebraska state law requires all companion animals over 12 weeks of age be vaccinated for rabies.  

• We have a prepaid discount program which saves you 30% off of paying as you go.  You can call us or send us an e-mail for current prices.

Rabies Vaccine

Nebraska State law requires all companion animals maintain a current rabies vaccine, even if your cat is only indoors, but there are other vaccinations available to your pet as well.  After their second rabies vaccination, Nebraska state law allows for rabies to be given every 3 years. A veterinarian is required to give rabies vaccine to dogs and cats. 

Microchipping

Tags and collars can get lost but microchips are permanent. We use Petlink microchips which have a lifetime registration with purchase and automatically register with our veterinary software. You will receive an email confirmation a few days after having your pet microchipped. Remember if you move or change your phone number to contact Petlink to update your contact information.

Non-Core immunizations 

Depending on their risk, we can also protect your dog from Lyme, Kennel Cough (bordetella) and Rattlesnake.  Rattlesnake vaccine helps your dog produce his/her own antivenin and is far less expensive; although should you dog be bitten, he/she should still be seen by a veterinarian.  To determine your pets potential risks visit this page. 

Outside Cats

Cats who live outside or frequent the outdoors should also be screened and protected for feline leukemia virus and feline aids aka feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

For both dogs and cats we offer microchipping with Petlink that can be done at any time. Once your pet is chipped we register your pet for you. If your pet is ever lost and found, he/she can be tracked back and returned to you. For owners interested in pet insurance, we suggest Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) as we believe they are a reliable and responsible insurance company.

 Spaying and Neutering

We recommend dogs and cats be spayed (female) or neutered (male) from 6 months of age onward , 18 months for giant breeds.  Mostly to prevent overpopulation, aggression, wandering pets leading to hit by cars and being exposed to wildlife, pyometra (infected uterus), mammary cancer, prostate infections & cancer, and testicular cancer.  All surgeries go under general anesthesia and are monitored by a trained technician and state of the art equipment (heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, blood pressure). Spays and Neuters are kept overnight to ensure that there are no after surgery complications and is completely awake and eating normally the next day. Some pets have a rough night after surgery but are perfectly fine the next day.

Video Otoscope

The video otoscope in our exam room and treatment area can give you a clear view inside your pets ears and mouth, so you can follow along and understand what we see and our recommendations. The video otoscope is also a wonderful tool to help pets with chronic or extreme ear infections, permitting us to look all the way to the eardrum while under anesthesia to pass instruments to flush out the infection where it is rooted and removal of foreign material, improving the speed and effectiveness when treating the problem.

Boarders

All boarders are to be current on vaccinations and parasite free. Canine boarders are kept inside at night and during inclement weather and extremes in temperature in a climate controlled environment.  They go outside when the weather is nice.  Feline boarders are kept in cages with fresh food and water, are played with and have ample space to stretch. We feed Science Diet Adult unless you bring in your own food.  You are also welcome to bring in any blankets, pillows or toys but keep in mind we may not get them back to you.  If you are missing something, stop by, we have a lost & found box we can look through.  

• If you are new to us, please fill out our New Client form  and before you arrive.  Also, bring a copy or your pets records from your previous veterinarian and/or breeder.

Emergencies 

Emergencies can be seen anytime day or night. Our hospital is equipped with state of the art equipment to help us care for your pet more completely. Modern advances in medicine have made it possible for us to run some of your pet's blood work in-house, giving us, and you answers within minutes! An in-house digital x-ray  allow us a chance to diagnose broken bones, blockages, and other emergencies quickly so we can begin necessary treatment the same day.

Pain Management

We have many options for pain management:

• Medications

• Supplements

• Therapeutic Laser- Laser light aids in healing, reducing inflammation and all without the side effects of medications. We've been using the laser to treat arthritis, skin and ear conditions, contaminated wounds, gingivitis, and healing broken bones.

Because animals don’t have the same language skills as their human counterparts, they show their pain differently.

Signs that your pet is experiencing pain may include:

• Decreased appetite

• Lack of energy, disinterest in play 

• Restlessness, inability to “settle down” and sleep

• Inappropriate elimination

• Displaying aggression or tenseness when petted or touched

• Cats may stop grooming themselves

• Cats may also hide and stop socializing

When our pets experience pain, it can slow their healing process. If you notice any of these behaviors in your pet it is important that you call us and make an appointment with one of our veterinarians to evaluate your pet’s health.