cat examVeterinary Medical Care

Whether your cat has a simple issue or a complex problem, Our comprehensive medical evaluations, diagnostics and treatments can help. Our state-of-the-art equipment and facility allows us to diagnose and treat many conditions quickly and efficiently. Acquiring important diagnostic information quickly can be vital when your cat is ill or injured.

Out-Patient Appointments

Regular appointments are designed for routine preventative care and for taking care of life’s little illnesses encountered along the way. You also have the option of admitting your cat to our clinic for the day, so that we can address your cat’s needs while you are at work.

In-Depth Consultations

Consultations are available to discuss and evaluate pets with complex problems or for obtaining a second opinion.

In-Patient Hospitalization

Hospitalization for the treatment and monitoring of critical care patients that require surgical or medical treatment or ICU monitoring. Plus many services not listed here.

We use State-of-the-art Diagnostic Equipment

  • Digital X-rays
  • Tonometry (for Glaucoma)
  • EKG (for heart evaluation)
  • Blood Pressure Readings
  • In-House Laboratory

Don’t see what you are looking for? Contact us – we probably offer it!

kitty mirrorDental Care

Dental care for your pet is just as important as your dental hygiene. A pet with clean teeth and fresh breath is happier and nicer to be around. There are also good medical reasons for prophylactic dental care.

Most dental problems in animals occur UNDER the gum line and go unnoticed until severe dental decay, gum infections and jaw bone loss occur.

Oral disease can lead to infections and damage to organs far from the mouth (i.e. heart, liver and kidneys).

Home Dental Care

Home care of your pet’s teeth is not only very important, but is also easy and rewarding. A little time and patience is well worth it for removing dental plaque and tartar build-up.

Special pet toothbrushes and toothpastes are available that make home dental care easy. Oral rinses and dental chews are also available. It is important to remember that human toothpastes are not safe for pets because they can be toxic when swallowed.

Professional Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)

Veterinary dental care is a vital part of maintaining your pet’s dental health. At Countrycare Animal Complex, we use ultrasonic scalers for cleaning, record complete dental mapping and use high speed special hand pieces for polishing and dental procedures.

Advanced Dental Care

Besides plaque formation and periodontitis, what else can go wrong inside your pet’s mouth? A short list would include cavities, root abscesses, broken or chipped teeth, jaw fractures and oral tumors to name a few. Like a dentist, we can do a variety of restorative procedures. These procedures, although available, are not a substitute for a common sense approach to good oral hygiene, home care, and routine dental cleanings.

catbackCancer Treatments

How Often do Pets Get Cancer?

Unfortunately, cancer is common in pets and the incidence increases with age. Cancer accounts for almost 50% of deaths of pets over the age of 10!

The Categories of  Tumors

Tumors or masses can be ‘benign’ or ‘malignant’. Malignant tumors equals the term “cancer”. The definition of a tumor is the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells or tissues in the body. Benign tumors do not grow aggressively, do not invade surrounding tissues and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors tend to grow rapidly, invade local tissues and spread (or metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Types of Cancer

Under the general category of cancer, there are about a hundred specific types, each one involving different body parts and having its own name. Cancer can attack the skin or bones or liver etc. The name of the cancer is connected to the type of organ or cells that are involved.

How is Cancer Treated?

There is no single right answer to this question. Every dog and cat is unique and every kind of cancer is different. The types of treatment chosen will depend on the animal’s age, general health, type of cancer and other factors.

The three most common cancer treatments are:

  1. Surgery: Surgical removal of a tumor (when possible). Surgery can be a very effective method to remove or reduce tumors.
  2. Chemotherapy: Chemical medications are used to kill tumor cells.
  3. Radiation Therapy: High doses of radiation are aimed directly at the tumor site to shrink or stop its growth.

Holistic and Alternative Therapies for Cancer

There have been major advances in holistic therapies for cancer treatment. We offer several comprehensive alternative therapies for cancer. Relevant therapies for specific types of cancer are discussed on an individual patient basis. Click here for more information on holistic therapies.

Screening for Cancer

Is there a test to find out if my pet has cancer? Unfortunately, there is not a straightforward test that will screen for all types of cancer. Routine blood work and radiographs can help screen for certain cancers. Skin lumps & bumps should be evaluated & possibly removed.

Protecting Your Pet from Cancer

Identifying cancer early can greatly increase the chance of a full recovery. Here is a list of ways to keep your pet in good health.

  • Don’t smoke around your pet
  • Spay or neuter your pet at an early age
  • Feed high quality nutritious food
  • Keep your pet at a healthy weight
  • Go green-use non-toxic cleaners when possible
  • Keep track of lumps and growths and any changes in size or appearance
  • Watch for changes in eating and bowel habits
  • Schedule veterinary exams at least semi-annually

10 Common Signs of Cancer in Pets

  • Abnormal swellings that continue to grow
  • Sores that do not heal
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
  • Offensive odor
  • Difficulty eating / swallowing
  • Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
  • Persistent lameness / stiffness
  • Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating.

cat snowMicrochipping

Did you know that one in three pets will become lost in their lifetime?

What is a Microchip?

A microchip is a permanent pet ID designed to help your pet find his way home if he becomes lost. Even if your pet wears a collar and tag identification – they can come off and leave your pet unprotected.

Microchips are permanent ID’s place under the skin. A lost pet can be ‘scanned’ for their microchip and can be reunited with their owner.

A microchip is the only form of pet identification that is permanent, with a unique number that cannot be altered or removed.

The microchip itself has no internal energy source, so it will last the life of your pet. It is read by passing a microchip scanner over the pets shoulder blades. The scanner emits a low radio frequency that provides the power necessary to transmit the microchips unique cat or dog ID code and positively identify the pet.

We Recommend that All Pets be Microchipped

  • Microchips help to give your pet the best chance of being identified should they ever become lost
  • Although tags are important, they can tear or slip off
  • A microchip is placed under your pet’s skin
  • The microchip is scanned with a reader by animal clinics and humane societies
  • Microchips are convenient, safe and reliable
  • The procedure is simple and inexpensive

For more information about microchipping , please visit Home Again Microchips.

What to do if Your Pet is Lost

Click here to learn more on how to prevent losing a pet and what to do if your pet does become lost.

1 kitty look - CopyBody Condition & Obesity

Is My Pet Really Fat?

Do you know what your pet’s current weight is? Do you know what the ideal weight is for your pet? As important as your pet’s specific “weight number”, is his body condition. Body condition is determined from a visual and touch perspective. A pet with a healthy body condition should have:

  • A “waist” when viewed from above
  • A “tucked stomach” when viewed from the side
  • Ribs can be easily felt through a thin layer of body flesh

If any of these 3 items are absent your pet may be overweight. If all are missing and you notice fleshy deposits over the chest, spine, and tail base your pet is obese.

Obesity is a growing problem – up to 40% of pets in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is linked to dozens of serious and even life-threatening illnesses and medical conditions.

Medical Problems Associated with Obesity

  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Compromised Immune System
  • High Cholesterol
  • Heart Disease
  • Heart Failure
  • Hypertension (High blood pressure)
  • Breathing problems
  • Greater risk of Heat Stroke
  • Kidney Disease
  • Cancer
  • Pain / Orthopedic problems
  • Pancreatitis
  • Skin Conditions
  • Diminished Quality of Life
  • Premature Death

Lean Pets Live an Average of Two Years Longer than Overweight Pets!

What People
Have Said

"I loved that the assistant was so patient and thorough with the introduction to the clinic, as well as explaining everything so well. She also wrote up how to prepare the holistic food, so we could have that. I will always be thankful for the examination that found allergies and a pancreas issue, as our cat’s problem has been taken care of by changing his food. He has had this problem for years, and now we have the answer, thanks to Dr. Strickfaden! A job well done!"
- Eileen S., Valders