Here are some of the services we provide. Just click on a topic for more information.

• Thorough Physical Examinations


• Vaccinations


• Affordable vaccination and spay/neuter packages for kittens and puppies.


• Wellness Plans for adult Cats and Dogs: Our affordable prepaid health packages include the essential annual health exam, vaccinations, heartworm testing and intestinal parasite screening, and four additional examinations if needed.


• Senior Care: Senior pets are of special interest of Dr. Yavitz. Learn how you can help your pet live a longer, healthier life.


• Dental Care: Your pet's dental health has always been a prime concern of Dr. Yavitz.


• EKG and Radiographic (X-ray) Diagnostics


• Ultrasound Evaluations


• Sevoflurane and Isoflurane Gas Anesthesia: Because safety is paramount.


• Surgery with EKG/Vital Signs Monitoring: High-tech devices help to avert potential problems during anesthesia.


• Nutritional Planning and Specialty Diets: We stock the full line of Hill's Prescription Diets and Purina Veterinary Diets™.  We also carry high quality nutraceuticals and dietary supplements including The Missing Link^®, SynoviG3^®, Cosequin^®, Visorbits^®, Denamarin^®, and Prozyme^®.
  
  
• Flea Control Solutions: We utilize Frontline Plus^®, Revolution^® and other high quality products obtained directly from the manufacturer.
  
  
• House Calls: Always an option for that large pet family or those difficult travelers.
  
  
• Cat Boarding, Grooming, and Bathing

Thorough Physical Examinations

The current standard of care in veterinary medicine calls for physical examinations every 6 months for healthy adult pets. However, this schedule may vary due to your pet's age, current health status, potential exposure to parasites and other animals, and amount of time spent outdoors.  For kittens and puppies, routine checkups are recommended every three to four weeks up to sixteen weeks of age, and thereafter every 6 months. According to current guidelines set forth by the Companion Animal Parasite Council, adult pets should be screened for intestinal parasites at least once yearly while kittens and puppies may require more frequent testing. Dogs are tested annually for heartworms. Cats are also tested for heartworms and, like dogs, should receive monthly preventive medication for this potentially deadly parasitic disease. Here is a general outline of what Dr. Yavitz does during the course of your pet's physical examination:

First, your pet's health history will be discussed:

• What does your pet eat?
• Where does your pet live: indoors, outdoors, or both?
• What kind of exercise does your pet get? Does your pet experience any problems after these activities such as weakness, lameness, difficulty breathing, or coughing?
• Have you noticed your pet limping? Does your pet display any stiffness or pain in the morning or after a period of inactivity? Does your pet have difficulty climbing stairs or jumping up?
• Has your pet had any significant weight change?
• Has your pet experienced any episodes of vomiting or diarrhea? Has your pet exhibited any loss or alteration of appetite?
• Has coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge or eye discharge been a problem?
• Have there been any recent changes in of the amount water consumption and/or frequency of drinking?
• Has there been any change in the amount of and/or frequency of urination?
• Have there been any changes in the amount or frequency of your pet's bowel movements?
• Have you noticed any changes or problems with your pet's skin or hair coat including hair loss, itching, unusual lumps or bumps?
• Has your pet shown any significant change in behavior or activity level?
• What medications or supplements is your pet currently taking?

After obtaining your pet's medical history, Dr. Yavitz performs the physical examination.

• Check the skin for fleas, ticks, infections, self-inflicted trauma, inflammation, or tumors.
• Is the hair coat healthy and well groomed or is it dry, scaly and brittle? The nails are trimmed if needed.
• Check the eyes for infection, inflammation, cataracts, ulcers, or other abnormalities.
• Check the ears for evidence of infection, inflammation or ear mites.
• Evaluate the condition of the teeth. Check the gums for signs of infection or tumors. Gum tissue is also used to evaluate blood circulation and to screen for possible anemia.
• Check the nose for abnormal discharge and throat for inflammation or other abnormalities.
• Check the lymph nodes for abnormal size, a condition which can occur with infections or tumors.
• Assess the condition of the joints, muscles, legs, and spine.
• Listen to the heart for evidence of murmurs and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
• Listen to the lungs for evidence of abnormal sounds. 
• Examine (palpate) the abdomen for abnormal masses, excessive gas, or tenderness.
• Check for testicular or mammary tumors.
• Check the anal sacs for presence of infection.
• Evaluate the nervous system for abnormalities.

Finally, laboratory testing completes the examination process.

When necessary, a blood sample is obtained and a heartworm test is performed. This same blood sample is used to screen dogs for exposure to tick transmitted diseases including Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. Additionally, a complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry panel (to check the kidneys, liver and to screen numerous other abnormalities) and a urinalysis can be performed.  We will call you with the results within 24 hours.

These tests are important because:

1. Early detection of problems gives your pet a head start on treatment of potentially serious ailments.
2. It is important to establish normal (baseline) values to which future tests results may be compared should the need arise.

Dr. Yavitz strongly endorses and recommends these blood screens.

When the entire examination process is completed, your pet will be well positioned for obtaining appropriate (evidence-based) treatment for any problems that are discovered. A checkup that reveals a healthy pet can be equally significant.

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Vaccinations
Vaccinations can help to prevent many diseases that can result in serious illness and even death. However, there are some vaccines that are not medically appropriate or sufficiently effective, and, as such, cannot be recommended.  Core vaccines, on the other hand, are administered to most healthy patients regardless of lifestyle.  The risk of clinically significant disease is key to determining whether or not a vaccine is indicated; Dr. Yavitz will develop a vaccination protocol that incorporates the specific needs of your pet.  Our computer will help us to keep your pet on schedule for needed checkups, tests, and vaccinations. We will call you and mail reminders when your pet is due for preventive care.

Vaccination Schedules
New KITTENS should receive an initial physical examination as soon as possible by Dr. Yavitz to confirm that there are no health problems needing attention.  All kittens should be tested for Bartonella, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Your healthy kitten should receive the first inoculation at 6-8 weeks of age for feline panleukopenia and respiratory diseases including rhinotracheitis and calicivirus (FVRCP).  A booster is given at 3-4 week intervals until age 12–14 weeks. Feline leukemia vaccine is given in two doses three weeks apart to kittens 9 weeks of age or older. Rabies vaccine is given at three months of age. We use only Merial® non-adjuvanted feline products, including the PUREVAX® Recombinant Leukemia and rabies vaccines. In adult cats (over one year of age), booster inoculations for feline leukemia (if needed) and rabies are given yearly while the FVRCP booster is given once every three years.

PUPPIES are given a thorough physical examination before administering their first vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age. Core vaccines for the dog provide protection against canine distemper virus, adenovirus/type-2, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and rabies. All of the core vaccines (with the exception of rabies) are combined as a single injection (DA2PCPV), and given at 3-4 week intervals until 15-16 weeks of age. If needed, vaccinations for Bordetella and leptospirosis are given twice, 3 weeks apart. A rabies vaccination is given at 3 months of age. We currently recommend triennial revaccination of adult dogs for rabies and DA2PCPV starting after one year and two years of age, respectively.  Bordetella and leptospirosis boosters are given annually, if needed.

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