In a large city, pet identification is a must. A sturdy collar and identification tags are a great way to identify your pet and keep him or her safe, but sometimes, these items are not enough. Microchipping your pet is a safe, easy way to identify your pet and help ensure he or she returns home safely. About the size and shape of a grain of rice, a microchip is implanted under your pet’s skin in a procedure similar to a vaccination. Information about your pet is encoded into the microchip and veterinary hospitals and animal shelters across the country are equipped with scanners capable of detecting and reading microchips. If your pet is lost, his or her microchip is scanned and the information is used to reunite you and your pet.

Harbor View Veterinary Hospital uses the HomeAgain microchip system. Please ask a staff member for more information about microchipping your pet.

Regular examinations keep your pet healthy. The Harbor View Veterinary Hospital medical team recommends that all pets undergo a complete wellness exam at least once a year. However, the more frequently your pet sees us for exams, the better – routine exams help us identify and treat diseases quickly.

Most importantly, a complete “nose-to-tail” examination allows us to develop a comprehensive health profile for your pet. This information aids us in future treatment of your pet and helps us identify medical problems at an early stage before they develop into serious conditions that are difficult and expensive to treat.

We believe that your pet is healthier when you know more about his or her health care plan. Exams are a great time to share information with you about your pet’s health. We may ask you questions about your pet’s diet and lifestyle and we encourage you to ask any questions you may have about your pet’s health. During an exam, we discuss vaccinations, nutrition, behavior and other topics that are important for maintaining the health and well-being of your pet.

Harbor View Veterinary Hospital partners with local veterinary specialty centers to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic services for your pet. Whether your pet requires an ultrasound or an advanced endoscopic procedure, Harbor View Veterinary Hospital will refer you and your pet to a local, caring veterinary specialist.

We also use it postoperatively to control and alleviate pain, to treat contaminated wounds such as hot spots and ear infections, and many other conditions. Laser therapy has no side effects and is a cost-effective and convenient way to treat your pet’s medical needs.

Your pet’s dental health is extremely important! Veterinary dental care is about more than just preventing “doggy breath” – regular dental care can help prevent periodontal disease, which can lead to serious bacterial infections in your dog or cat’s liver, kidneys, and other organs. Our staff recommends dental cleanings if indicated as part of your pet’s overall health care plan. In an effort to keep your pet’s dental health affordable, we have bundled dental service packages available based on the severity of problems in the pet’s mouth. Please ask a staff member for updated pricing information.

Why Dental Care Is Important
Plaque and tartar build-up on your pet’s teeth can lead to gingivitis. Reddened, bleeding gums, difficulty chewing and bad breath are all signs of gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can progress to a more advanced form of periodontal disease, a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can cause the loss of teeth.

The same bacteria causing gingivitis and periodontal disease can be carried into the bloodstream and cause damage to your pet’s kidneys, heart, liver and other organs. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar and prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Your Pet’s Dental Cleaning
Your dog or cat’s dental cleaning is far different than the same procedure you undergo each year at your dentist’s office. Because anesthesia is required to keep your pet safe and still during the cleaning, we perform a thorough physical exam and blood tests to ensure that your pet is healthy enough for this procedure. These tests also help us develop an individualized anesthetic protocol that is specific for your pet.

Once anesthesia is administered, the cleaning begins. We use modern and safe ultrasonic equipment to clean each tooth thoroughly, both above and below the gum line. Our specially trained dental technicians polish your pet’s teeth, which creates a smooth, lustrous surface that is more resistant to plaque build-up. Finally, a fluoride treatment is used to help strengthen the enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity.

Cleaning Your Pet’s Teeth At Home
Your pet’s dental care doesn’t end after he or she leaves the hospital. Our staff can show you how to brush your pet’s teeth at home. This is an excellent way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up, promote good oral hygiene and, most of all, bond with your pet.