Advanced Surgical Treatment for Pets in The Main Line

Just as humans now have access to medical techniques that earlier generations would never have imagined, today’s pets can benefit from advances in veterinary medicine unavailable to pets thirty years ago. Laser technology, for instance, now offers surgery patients less invasive incisions, reduced inflammation, and faster healing times compared to traditional surgery. Our animal hospital provides this remarkable technology for Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne and Radnor pets. Ardmore Animal Hospital is one of the first veterinary facilities in the country ever to offer laser technology in veterinary care.

What makes lasers so remarkable? Depending on what type of beam is used, our Ardmore veterinarian can use laser technology either for surgery or, at lower intensities, for rehabilitation and pain relief. In surgery the laser plays the role of a scalpel, allowing for extraordinarily precise cutting. The ability to target the exact injury site causes less damage to surrounding tissues. The laser also seals nerve endings and blood vessels instantly, leaving your pet with a smaller wound, less post-operative pain and minimal swelling. Laser surgery is gentle enough to allow us to avoid the extra risks of general anesthesia -- a local or regional anesthetic can often suffice.

Laser Surgery at Our Veterinary Hospital

What do our Ardmore veterinarians treat with laser surgery? We have found it ideal for a great many procedures, including such common one as spaying or neutering, tumor or anal gland removal, dental surgery and declawing. Less routine procedures such as eye or ear surgery also benefit greatly from the precision of the laser. Our veterinary hospital even uses lasers to modify the soft palates of brachycephalic animals such as Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs and other snub-nosed pets who might otherwise have trouble breathing properly. Of course we also offer traditional surgery as an option as well -- we are happy to provide whatever care works best for your pet’s needs. Contact us to learn more.

Have you ever experienced laser surgery yourself, or had it done on one of your pets? Tell us your story!

New Year's Resolution: Schedule a Wellness Exam for Your Pet

Preventative care and wellness examinations are as important for pets as they are for people. An annual wellness examination at Ardmore Animal Hospital allows our vet to detect any health issues in your pet before they become large problems. Regular check-ups also keep your pet up-to-date on his vaccinations. During a check-up, you can discuss any concerns about your pet's diet or behavior with our veterinarian.

Schedule a Check-Up at Our Veterinary Hospital

If you haven't made a New Year's resolution yet, make one to bring your pet in for an examination at our veterinary hospital. Our animal hospital serves pets in the Main Line, PA areas, including Bryn Mawr, Radnor, Haverford, and Gladwyne. Ardmore pet wellness examinations include inspecting your pet's mouth for any dental problems and listening to his heartbeat and his breathing. Our vet will check your pet's skin for any lumps or signs of parasites or fleas. Your pet will also receive any vaccines he may need during his check-up. In some cases, our veterinarian will administer a titer test to determine whether or not your dog needs to be vaccinated against certain diseases. If your dog has a strong immune response, he may not need vaccination against diseases such as canine distemper.

Communication is essential to the health of your pet. If you have any concerns about your pet's behavior, the check-up is the time to discuss them with our veterinarian. Our staff only sees your pet briefly during the exam, it is up to you to fill us in on his behavior during the rest of time so that we can properly treat him.

If you are concerned about your pet's weight gain or diet, part of the wellness exam can also include nutritional counseling. Your pet's dietary needs will change as he grows older. Our staff can put together a diet plan for your pet that makes sure he gets the vitamins and nutrients he needs.

Have you scheduled your pet's wellness exam for the New Year yet?

Are you a new pet owner in the Main Line area? Or, perhaps you're new to greater Philadelphia and are searching for a quality veterinary hospital to help you take care of your cat or dog? Choosing an animal hospital that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is one way to tell that you're taking your beloved pet to an experienced, quality veterinarian.

What is the AAHA?

The AAHA gives their stamp of approval--or accreditation--to veterinary clinics that meet the association's stringent guidelines about preventative health care for pets, use of anesthesia, pet dental care and dog and cat vaccinations, just to name a few areas. More than 3,200 animal hospitals in the United States are currently accredited by the AAHA. This is just a select few of the more than 20,000 veterinary hospitals currently operating in the US.

Why is it important to visit a veterinary hospital with an AAHA accreditation? You know that a veterinarian that seeks out and qualifies for the AAHA program is committed to offering quality and compassionate care. It's just one more way that you can compare animal hospitals

Ardmore Animal Hospital serves pets and their caregivers throughout the Main Line area, including residents of Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne and Radnor. We offer a full range of veterinary services, including pet wellness care, pet dental care, emergency care, spay and neutering procedures, pet vaccinations and even cat boarding. We are open seven days a week and offer evening hours during the week to help fit into your busy schedule. Keeping our AAHA accreditation helps us show you that we care about your pets like they were our own.

Do you have questions or comments about AAHA accreditation? Share your thoughts with our readers by leaving a comment below.

* Although we are booked for the holidays we can help you with some great last minute recommendations.

Pet Boarding at Ardmore Animal Hospital this Holiday Season

The holidays can be a hectic time for you and your pet. If having a pet underfoot while entertaining is tricky, consider letting her board at Ardmore Animal Hospital during the holidays. The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, so if you decide to let your cat board with us during the season, now is the time to get the ball rolling.

Benefits of Pet Boarding

While pet boarding may mean you miss your cat while she's staying at our veterinary hospital, keep in mind that she's in a safe and loving environment. Between fatty and sweet treats, colorful decorations and lots of strangers in your house, the holidays at home can be a stressful and dangerous time for your pets. Avoid any potential trouble and an unwanted trip to the veterinarian by letting us take care of your cat.

The staff at our vet office is trained to handle cats in a loving and tender way. During your cat's stay here, she will get plenty of exercise and affection. We'll feed her a healthy diet that ensures your cat gets the nutrients she needs. We are also able to accommodate any special dietary needs for your feline friend.

You don't have to live in Ardmore, Pennsylvania to board your cat with us during the holidays. We takes pets from the surrounding areas, including Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne and Radnor, as well.

What About Other Pets?

While our veterinary hospital only boards cats at the moment, we can make recommendations on where to send your dogs or other pets during the holidays. If you have any questions about boarding a dog or other pet, give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss boarding options with you.

Spaces fill up quickly, so you need to act fast if you want your cat to stay with us during the holidays. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you have.

What are your holiday plans? Have you used our pet boarding service before?

Keep your pets safe and healthy this holiday season by following these tips from Ardmore Animal Hospital, a clinic serving the mainline area, including Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne and Radnor. We want to see your pets live a long and healthy life, so keep all treats designed for people out of the reach of your pet during the holidays. Be careful when wrapping gifts for both people and pets. Your dog or cat may want to chew through the paper, which can be potentially harmful. A dog or cat can also get tangled in ribbons and bows, leading to a holiday trip to the vet.

Don't Share Table Scraps

You may be tempted to feed table scraps to your pet during the holiday season or during a holiday party. Doing so can result in an unplanned visit to our veterinary clinic.

A lot of foods that are tasty to both pets and people can harm your pets. If you do not want your pet to have a stomachache or worse, avoid feeding him cookies and chocolates or any food with a lot of fat in it.

Meat that has bones in it presents a choking hazard and should never be given to pets.

Keep Plants and Decorations Out of Reach

While festive, plants such as poinsettias are poisonous to cats. If you have a pet, your best bet is to skip the live plants. If you must have them, keep them in an area off limits to cats and other pets.

Your cat or dog may also want to take a bite out of a shiny holiday ornament or play with a string of lights. A lot of dogs and cats spend their holidays at the vet after breaking glass ornaments or shocking themselves trying to chew through lights. If you use glass ornaments, hang them on a steady branch or wall, well out of the reach of your pets.

If you have questions or concerns about safety proofing your house this holiday season, please give us a call. Any member of our staff is happy to answer questions you may have.

What steps do you take to keep your pets safe during the holidays?