Compassionate Health Care for Your Sick Pet
Illnesses and injuries can seem like they came on fast, but pets can’t tell us what’s wrong or how long they’ve been feeling bad. Animals actually hide illness very well, longer than you might think. Of course, a broken leg speaks for itself, but as your pet’s best health advocate, it’s important to always observe and share subtle behavioral changes or other clinical signs with us during your exam.
At Newport Animal Hospital we provide complete care for all illnesses and emergencies. Our priority is to make you and your pet comfortable, as we work together to solve the obvious problem while digging deeper for underlying issues. With our complete in-house laboratory, we can quickly diagnose and begin treatment. We want your pet feeling better and back by your side, happily wagging their tail, as soon as possible.
If you notice something wrong with your pet, come in right away. During the medical exam, our doctor inspects your pet from nose to tail and focuses on your presenting concern. However, with our comprehensive approach to your pet’s health, our doctors will always go over any other problems they may find. We’ll work together as a team, and our experienced staff will tailor a diagnostic and treatment plan for your pet’s unique needs.
These are the components of a focused exam for dog and cat illnesses:
Coughing – Listen to your pet’s heart and lungs and evaluate the windpipe to pinpoint the problem and make sure they don’t have any spreadable diseases.
Sneezing – Evaluate the nose and mouth. Surprisingly, sneezing can be an early indicator of dental disease!
Vomiting – Evaluate the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to stomach), stomach, intestines, colon, and blood. This can be a serious sign leading to dehydration. Further testing may be required to find the primary issue.
Diarrhea – Take a look at the stools. This is a similar body system as a vomiting concern. Sometimes upset stomachs with vomiting and diarrhea can be related. We want to make sure your pet does not have any contagious parasites.
Itching – Look at your pet’s ears, paws, and skin for signs of infection or allergies to provide itch relief. Itching can be frustrating for you and your pet and we’ll manage the symptoms together.
Anxiety – Discuss a thorough history of how your pet is acting at home and evaluate its biggest fears and stress triggers. Develop the best medication and behavior modification plan to put your pet at ease. Storm anxiety is one area that can be very terrifying for our pets!
Appetite – Another early indicator of a big problem. Evaluate the blood and whole body to pinpoint the issue. We want your pet back on schedule with a healthy appetite.
Limping – Evaluate muscles, joints, and long bones for pain or swelling. Discuss medical vs. surgical management depending on your pet’s needs. Our goal is to get your pet comfortable.
Lumps & Bumps – Thoroughly assess growth size and character. Most will need to be sampled and evaluated under the microscope for early stages of cancer.
Urination – Urinating in large amounts or straining frequently? Take a look at the urine to evaluate the bladder and kidneys. We want to make sure your pet does not have an uncomfortable infection.
Weight Management – Assess body condition when overweight. We create healthy programs for nutrition and exercise to avoid diabetes and other inflammatory conditions caused by excess fat.
Consulting – Talk with you about any of your pet’s health concerns. Your doctor will discuss all exam findings and prioritize treatment to get your pet feeling better.
A sick pet can be stressful, especially when figuring out the problem becomes a challenge. You can feel confident knowing we’re here for you and will work diligently to solve the problem. No matter what your dog or cat presents in our exam room, our team is always on the lookout for clues from your pet that may not be noticeable at home.
Once we have your furry friend on the road to recovery, follow up routine Wellness Exams are an effective way to catch problems early.