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Clinical Services

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Dec 23
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Euthanasia

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Euthanasia is the humane termination of an animal’s life. It can be a very painful decision for an owner to make. Your vet will be able to help and guide you during this difficult time.

At Beechwood Animal Hospital, we take euthanasia seriously and with respect. Euthanasia may be considered in the following situations :

1. Your pet has reached old age, and his or her quality of life is poor and cannot be adequately improved with veterinary intervention.

2. Your pet is suffering from a medical or surgical disease that seriously impacts on his or her quality of life and cannot be treated (either because of finances or the constraints of medicine), and makes the pet unsuitable for re-homing.

3. Your pet has developed an unacceptable behaviour problem, which is not responding to behaviour modification therapy.  Referral to a veterinary behavioural therapist would be strongly advised before euthanasia.

4. By order of the federal government, humane society, municipal by-law officers, or police. These orders are usually in response to serious or repeated aggression from an animal, but can also be in response to unacceptable human actions (physical abuse, overcrowding, hoarding, puppy mills), and rarely, in disease outbreak situations.

We do not euthanize healthy pets for the sake of convenience or because of reasonably manageable behavioural problems.

May 16
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Radiology (X-rays)

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When we need to figure out what’s wrong with your pet, we routinely use x-rays to help identify the cause of the problem, rule out possible problems, or provide a list of possible causes. We may also use x-rays during a wellness exam to diagnose potential problems before they become serious.

X-rays provide valuable information about a pet’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, and genitourinary system (bladder, prostate). We use radiology alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian.

To avoid a blurry image, pets need to remain completely still while an x-ray is taken. In some cases, we may need to sedate your pet or use short-acting general anesthesia.

If you have any questions about our radiology service or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.

May 16
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Ultrasonography

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Ultrasonography (also called ultrasound or sonography) is a noninvasive, pain-free procedure that uses sound waves to examine a pet’s internal organs and other structures inside the body. It can be used to evaluate the animal’s heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, and bladder; to detect fluid, cysts, tumors, or abscesses; and to confirm pregnancy or monitor an ongoing pregnancy.

We may use this imaging technique in conjunction with radiography (x-rays) and other diagnostic methods to ensure a proper diagnosis. Interpretation of ultrasound images requires great skill on the part of the clinician.

The ultrasonographer applies gel to the surface of the body and then methodically moves a transducer (a small handheld tool) across the skin to record images of the area of interest. The gel helps the transducer slide more easily and create a more accurate visual image.

The transducer emits ultrasonic sound waves, which are directed into the body toward the structures to be examined. The waves create echoes of varying degrees depending on the density of the tissue and amount of fluid present. Those waves create detailed images of the structures, which are shown on a monitor and recorded for evaluation.

Ultrasound does not involve radiation, has no known side effects, and doesn’t typically require pets to be sedated or anesthetized. The hair in the area to be examined usually needs to be shaved so the ultrasonographer can obtain the best result.

If you have any questions about our ultrasonography service or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.