We know that by diagnosing a problem early, we can often save the pet pain and suffering and reduce long-term treatment expenses later. The doctors and staff at Blue Diamond Animal Hospital take pride in the compassionate, high-quality care that we provide for your pet.

What exactly does a physical exam include? Some things you can’t see, feel, touch, or hear without special tests and equipment, but many times, you can gain a lot of information about your pet through simple observation. In a physical exam, your veterinarian looks for anything abnormal. Every pet is a little bit different, just like every human is different. Once your veterinarian does the general physical exam, any areas of concern will be given more attention.

The most important part of your pet’s visit to our hospital is a comprehensive physical examination. During the wellness exam, our doctors spend time checking your pet’s major systems, including heart, ears, eyes, lungs, skin, and teeth, for evidence of problems or signs of discomfort. Part of the assessment will include your pet’s breed, age, lifestyle, and health status to determine the appropriate vaccine schedule for your pet. Based on the wellness exam findings, the doctor will create an individualized preventive care plan for your pet that may include parasite control, heartworm prevention, routine dental cleanings, and nutrition recommendations.

Did you know that dogs and cats age seven times faster on average than people do and that significant health changes can occur in a short amount of time?

Plus, the risks of cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart disease, metabolic problems, and other serious conditions increase with age. These are the reasons why we recommend wellness exams for all pets twice a year.

Dental care for pets is a critical part of your pet’s well-being, but it is a commonly overlooked component of pet health care. In fact, 85% of dogs and 70% of cats over three years of age have dental disease.

Dental disease is more than just bad breath. It can cause infections that pass through the bloodstream and affect the lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart.

Blue Diamond Animal Hospital has veterinarians that have specialized training in dentistry. They perform routine cleanings, and with the help of dental X-rays, they can determine how healthy your pet’s teeth and gums are.

Just like you, pets need routine dental care, both at home and with professional cleanings.

Below is an outline of the steps involved with professional cleaning.

• Pre-dental exam: Every patient is examined by our veterinarians performing the dental cleaning the morning of the procedure. They also listen to the heart and lungs, check the pulse, and takes the patient’s temperature. These things help ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.
• Pre-anesthetic blood work: Patients undergoing anesthesia are required to have pre-anesthetic blood work performed. These tests show the doctor how the kidneys and liver are functioning, since these organs are responsible for processing the anesthesia your pet receives.
• IV catheter and fluids: During your pet’s teeth cleaning, we will place an intravenous (IV) catheter and administer fluids. This will help your pet maintain normal blood pressure while anesthetized.
• Teeth scaling and polishing: There are several steps involved in the scaling and polishing process. Scaling is the process in which plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth. An ultrasonic scaler uses vibration to do this. Once the teeth appear to be free of plaque and tartar, a disclosing solution is applied to the teeth to show if any areas were missed. After all the plaque and tartar are removed, a periodontal probe is used to check each tooth for pockets. A pocket is formed when the gum tissue has become unattached to the tooth. Pockets can collect food and bacteria and lead to an abscess. After all teeth have been checked for pockets, the teeth are polished using a high-speed polisher. Next, fluoride is applied to each tooth. In animals, fluoride has been shown to aid in plaque prevention.
• OraVet: The last step of your pet’s teeth cleaning is the application of OraVet. This is a short-acting tooth sealant that forms a protective barrier against plaque buildup.
• Dental radiographs (X-rays): Just like your own dentist, we take full-mouth digital dental radiographs so we can see what is going on below the gumline in your pet’s mouth.

An ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure used to evaluate the internal organs in dogs and other animals. Ultrasound examinations can be used to examine the abdominal organs, heart, eyes, and reproductive organs. Abdominal ultrasound helps in the evaluation of abdominal organs, including the liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, kidneys, bladder, uterus, and prostate gland. This test can be extremely useful for detecting changes in the shape, size, tissue density, internal structure, and position of organs. The exam also can identify most abdominal masses or tumors, abdominal fluid, and abnormal lymph nodes.

Health certificates for pets are required for travel within the United States (regardless of crossing state lines by car or by plane), as well as for international travel.

Whether for domestic or international travel, we will be happy to help you with your pet’s health certificate. Like visas, however, we need several weeks to process the paperwork.

There are certain countries that require unusual procedures. We will determine the proper requirements and find out exactly what is needed to ensure a happy trip for both you and your pet.

Make sure to let us know when booking the appointment if you are planning domestic or international travel so we make sure that you are scheduled for an appointment with the right staff veterinarian for your needs.

**Only veterinarians approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) can issue an international health certificate. Blue Diamond Animal Hospital currently has veterinarians on staff that are approved to issue certificates for international travel.**

Helpful Resources

USDA: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

The decision to euthanize your pet will be one of the most emotionally difficult and stressful decisions you will ever make regarding your pet’s care. When your pet’s death is inevitable, euthanasia may provide a compassionate end to your pet’s suffering and preserve his or her dignity at the end of life. Our doctors and staff acknowledge the graveness of this situation and will be available to help your pet family during this difficult time. We are able to make cremation arrangements and take care of needed expenses ahead of time so your pet family is able to spend your time together without any interruptions. Please contact us at (702) 944-8440 to make arrangements.

Our doctors and staff are dedicated to ensuring that your pet leads a happy and healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition is a common concern for many of the patients we evaluate. During an exam, your pet’s body condition score is evaluated. Obesity is a serious disease that can lead to complications that can jeopardize your pet’s overall health and wellness. In some circumstances, our veterinarians may recommend potential diagnostic testing to rule out any underlying problems. Personalized weight management programs may include special therapeutic diets and exercise plans. We carry food and treats that are tailored to accommodate your pet’s medical and dietary needs. When scheduling your next appointment, please mention you would like to discuss your pet’s nutritional needs.

We believe that one of the most important aspects of caring for your pet’s health is vaccinating them against potential diseases. Vaccinations offer protection against major viral and bacterial diseases that cats and dogs may be exposed to, most of which are preventable. Traveling with pets, interacting at dog parks, boarding pets, and even the occasional backyard gathering all pose potential risks for your pets. It is our goal to provide the highest level of care for your pet, and vaccinations are an integral part of your pet’s overall health. Pets at any age are susceptible to disease but are particularly vulnerable at their younger life stages.

While rabies is a legal requirement, there are numerous diseases that can negatively impact the health of your pet. In fact, there are areas within our city that make it a requirement to license your pet. Pet licensing helps prevent the spreading of rabies (which is 100% fatal for humans if not treated properly), promotes responsible pet ownership, and reduces the tragedies associated with lost pets and pet overpopulation.

Following a proper vaccination schedule will help to ensure that you are doing your part to keep your pet healthy and free from any potential risks. Additionally, we recommend that all cats and dogs be placed on monthly parasite prevention and be tested bi-annually for parasites.

For more information regarding licensing, please contact us at (702) 944-8440, or you can learn more at lasvegasnevada.gov and search pet licenses.