Care, The Right Way

The early phase of a serious condition can quietly develop inside a perfectly healthy-looking dog or cat. But remember: Dogs and cats age far more quickly than we do, becoming middle-aged by their 4th birthday. Their diseases can also advance quickly, so they require more frequent monitoring.

Once-a-year comprehensive physical exam and blood tests can spot a disease in its beginning stages before your dog or cat shows any obvious signs. Whenever possible we want to treat problems early when your pet is still feeling fine, before they experience any discomfort. Plus, detecting a problem early can help ensure a better prognosis, more simple treatment, an earlier recovery and reduced medical expenses.

• Ear Exam
• Eye Exam
• Rectal exam
• Dental exam
• Neurologic evaluation
• Cardiovascular evaluation
• Weight & nutrition counseling
• Coat & skin evaluation
• Abdominal palpation
• Urogenital evaluation
• Musculoskeletal evaluation
• Pulmonary/lung evaluation
• Behavioral counseling

• Allergy Testing
• Arthritis Management
• Behavioral Consultations
• Cold Laser Therapy
• Dentistry
  • Our dental services include teeth cleaning and polishing, dental X-rays, tooth extractions and minor oral surgery. We have state of the art xray and dental machinery.
• Digital Radiographs
• Oral Surgery or Extractions
• Dermatology
• Domestic and International Health and Travel Certificates
• End of Life Counseling and Euthanasia
• Imaging and Diagnostics
• Blood work and cultures
  • Our in-house laboratory facilities provide for serum chemistry, hematology, urinalysis and parasite testing. We also utilize commercial veterinary laboratories for specialized diagnostics and consultations.
• Digital Radiology
• ECG
• Ultrasound
• Microchipping
• Nutritional Counseling
• Physical Rehabilitation
• Senior Health Care
• Surgery
• Orthopedic Procedures
• Amputation
• FHO
• Soft Tissue Procedures
• Abdominal Procedures
• Bladder Stone Removal
• Growth/Mass Removal
• Spay and Neuter

Making the decision to have surgery for your pet can be tough and stressful. At Southkent Veterinary, we’re here to help you understand the benefits, risks, and options for your cat or dog. We use protocols to minimize stress, discomfort, and risk to your pet. Our team will guide you through the process and help you care for your pet before and after the procedure.

Pre-Surgical Instructions
While some procedures might need specific instructions, here are general guidelines for most surgeries:

• Feeding: Don’t feed your pet after midnight the night before surgery. A small treat is okay in the morning if needed for medication.
• Water: Your pet can drink water until you leave for the clinic.
• Medications: Continue giving your pet their prescribed medications unless we advise otherwise. Special instructions may apply for medications like insulin or pain relief.
• Check-in: Scheduled between 7:30 – 9:00 AM. All patients need to be here before surgery starts to receive pre-anesthetic medications.
• Contact Info: Leave us a phone number to reach you with any questions or updates.
• Post-Operative Care: We’ll provide written instructions on post-op care. Feel free to ask any questions.

Anesthesia
Southkent Veterinary is AAHA-accredited and follows strict guidelines for pre-surgical evaluation, anesthetic monitoring, recovery, and pain management. We do pre-anesthetic blood tests and may require other tests based on your pet’s age and condition to assess surgical risk.

Anesthesia is very safe with proper evaluation, treatment of any conditions, and careful monitoring. There’s always some risk, but our skilled surgery team takes every step to minimize it.

Recovery time varies based on anesthesia type, procedure length, and your pet’s condition. It’s normal for pets to be lethargic or disoriented after anesthesia. Keep them safe from stairs, furniture, and water.

Post-Surgical Care
You’ll get detailed, tailored post-op instructions for your pet’s specific needs. Here are general guidelines:

• Hospitalization: Discharge time depends on the surgery and your pet’s condition. We’ll let you know when to pick up your pet. High-risk or critical patients may be transferred to a 24-hour care facility.
• Monitoring: Keep an eye on your pet for the first 24 hours. They might be disoriented from anesthesia and pain meds.
• Food & Water: Offer a small amount of food (25% of normal) and water once your pet settles. Wait 20-30 minutes to ensure no nausea or vomiting before feeding more. Normal feeding usually resumes the next morning.
• Activity: Limit running, jumping, and playing. Keep outdoor activity to necessary leash-controlled time for bathroom breaks.
• Incisions: Prevent licking or scratching at the incision. Check for redness, bruising, swelling, or discharge. Use a bandage or Elizabethan collar if needed.