Services

Starting your pet off with proper preventive measures will ensure a long, happy life! Community Veterinary Medicine focuses on getting your pet on the right track with vaccinations, diet, and preventive medicine! We’ll also talk about lifestyle, dental care, and other medical issues to consider as your pet enters different stages of its life.

Annual Examinations

Examinations are critical to helping veterinarians find diseases early before they become too advanced and more difficult to treat or control. We offer a comprehensive physical exam that helps to evaluate the overall health of your pet and to detect any problems that may have the potential to become serious illnesses.

Vaccinations

Vaccinating your dog or cat protects him or her against a wide variety of infectious diseases. At Community Veterinary Medicine, we do not believe that one vaccination program is correct for all pets. Therefore, our vaccine protocols are as individual as your pet itself. During your exam, our veterinarian will discuss with you a vaccination program that is based on the particular lifestyle of your pet.

Heartworm and Parasite Prevention

All dogs in the state of New York should be on an effective heartworm preventive year-round. The administration is easier than ever with once-a-month tasty chews. Cats should be treated for heartworm, internal, and external parasites on a regular basis. Up to 85% of animals that go outdoors will become heartworm positive if they are not on prevention. The heartworm medication recommended at Community Veterinary Medicine is also effective in preventing other parasites such as hookworms and roundworms, so each month you are protecting your pet against multiple parasitic infections.

Companion animals can suffer from many of the same dermatological problems that we humans can, including allergies to food and other environmental factors, as well as infections and skin diseases. If you’ve ever experienced a skin problem, you know all too well how these small issues can impact your whole life, causing itching, pain, and overall reduced quality of life. It’s the same for our pets.

If your companion is experiencing a problem with his or her skin, ears, or feet, help is just a phone call away! Community Veterinary Medicine offers professional pet dermatology services, including allergy management. We are trained and experienced in identifying, diagnosing, and treating a broad range of skin problems, including but not limited to:

• Allergies

• Skin and ear infections

• Parasites

• Dermatitis

• Diseases of the feet and footpads

• Autoimmune disorders

• Tumors

• Skin cancers
  
  

Symptoms

Common symptoms of skin disease:

• Does your pet constantly lick, chew, bite, scratch, or shake his or her head?

• Is there hair loss, scabs, or dandruff?

• Do you notice a change in the skin or coat’s color or texture?

• Is there a bad odor from the pet’s skin or ears?
  
  

Causes

Common skin diseases are caused by and include the following:

• Allergies

• Environmental contaminants

• Fleas

• Mites (i.e. sarcoptic mange, demodicosis)

• Autoimmune skin diseases

• Superficial and deep skin infections

• Skin masses
  
  

Tests

Common tests used to assure an accurate diagnosis include:

• Intradermal allergy testing

• Blood tests

• Skin biopsies
  
  

Treatments

Treatment depends on the diagnosis but may include:

• Food allergy trial diets

• Hypo-sensitization

• Special shampoos

• Immune therapy

• Compounded medications (i.e. transdermal medication)

It is difficult to see your pet in pain or suffering and not know what’s wrong. Our team provides state-of-the-art in-house diagnostics to help us learn what’s wrong and provide an accurate diagnosis. A quicker diagnosis leads to quicker treatment! We do diagnostic testing both in-house and with an outside lab so we can provide results quickly and accurately.

Key laboratory tests are recommended during your pet’s annual wellness exam. In addition to detecting health issues, diagnostic testing performed on a healthy pet establishes a baseline of health characteristics. The results can be compared over time and can detect subtle changes that may not be noticeable with observation alone.

We provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures such as bloodwork, urinalysis, cultures, cytology, biopsies, and fecal testing via our in-house and send-out labs. We tailor our diagnostic approaches to meet the needs of each pet.

When the results are available, our veterinarians will review and discuss them with you. We will make recommendations to improve your pet’s test results or develop an individualized medical treatment plan for your pet, if necessary. If medication is prescribed for your pet, it can be filled at our onsite veterinary pharmacy.

Your pet’s health is very important to us. We take pride in providing the latest in veterinary laboratory diagnostics and working with you to provide high-quality pet health care. We also strive to provide the ultimate client and patient experience.

According to PetFinder, over 10 million pets go missing every year, and one in three pets will go missing at some point in their life. An estimated 9 million pets without permanent pet identification are turned into animal shelters each year in the United States. Tragically, only 15% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats are ever returned to their owners. The remainder of these pets are either adopted out to new owners or are euthanized.

The team at Community Veterinary Medicine recommends pet microchipping as a permanent means of pet identification. The microchip, the size of a grain of rice, is injected between the shoulder blades of your dog or cat using a needle with minimal pain or discomfort. This can be done during the time of spaying or neutering your puppy or kitten, or it can be done at the time of a wellness exam. The microchip lasts your pet’s lifetime but must be updated with your contact information as it changes to ensure your pet can be returned to you in the case of an emergency.

How does it work?

Each microchip has a unique code that is associated with the pet owner’s contact information as well as the pet’s profile. This chip can be scanned by veterinary offices, animal shelters, and other animal services in your city. So it is imperative that you not only microchip your pet but also follow through with the registration of that microchip and remember to update the microchip company if you move or change phone numbers.

Why is this important?

Pet collars and stamped ID tags can fall off, but microchipping your pet is an efficient means of permanent pet identification that cannot fall off, be removed, or become impossible to read. Microchips have allowed thousands of lost pets to find their way back home each year.

We routinely perform a wide variety of soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. Our hospital features a fully equipped surgical suite with gas anesthesia machines and top-quality patient monitoring that includes EKG, pulse oximeter, and blood pressure monitoring. After each animal has recovered from anesthesia, we call the pet owners to let them know how to procedure went, and we schedule a discharge at the end of the day when we discuss and send home specific post-operative instructions.

A few surgical procedures we offer are:

• Dog and cat spay and neuter

• Dog and cat mass removal

• Dog ACL repair

• Dog gastropexy

• Dog and cat amputation

• Dog and cat oral surgery

• Explorator Laporotomy

• Cystotomy

​​​​​​​Spay & Neuter

Spaying and neutering ensure that your pet cannot reproduce. Spaying or neutering your pet is an essential decision for pet owners. As animal lovers who value our pets, it is important to understand the impact of this decision.

Male dogs are usually better pets if they are neutered. They may have less desire to roam, to mark territory (including furniture), and, if neutered before sexual maturity, they may be less likely to exert dominance over family members. They may also be healthier pets; no testicles means no testicular cancer.

Females also tend to be better pets if they do not experience heat every six to nine months. Heat cycles bring hormonal changes that can lead to personality changes, and females in heat must be confined to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Repeated heat cycles may subject the reproductive systems of female pets to uterine and mammary cancers as these animals age. Some females experience false pregnancies that can be a bother to deal with and uterine infections that can be fatal.

Mass Removal

Tumors can range from harmless growths to aggressive, life-threatening lumps that seed cancer cells to other parts of the body. Depending on our tests, we’ll have a clear idea of how to proceed. Once we have the results, our options will include surgical removal, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. Of these, surgical removal is by far the most widely performed and common in first opinion practice. Chemotherapy is also an option. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs or chemical agents to kill cancer. This treatment works by attacking rapidly growing cancerous cells in the body. Each individual chemotherapy drug works through different mechanisms and has different potential side effects. Chemotherapy is typically administered by injection into veins, under the skin, or into the tumor. Some chemotherapy is also given in pill form.

ACL Repair

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament that connects the bone above the knee (femur) to the bone below (tibia). Due to injury, age, or being overweight, the ACL can rupture or tear. When this happens, the knee becomes unstable. Left untreated, the injury causes pain and results in irreversible joint damage and arthritis, as well as lameness. However, with surgery, most dogs have a full recovery and can go back to having a happy life.

Procedures offered, depending on the patient, to address an ACL tear include:

• Nylon sutures (lateral suture or Fabello-tibial sutures)

• TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy)

• CBLO (CORA-based leveling osteotomy)

• TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement)
  
  

Gastropexy

Gastric dilatation is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach fills with air and twists upon itself. GDV occurs most commonly occurs in large breed, deep-chested dogs, although all dogs are at risk. The procedure involves attaching the stomach to the body wall, thus preventing the twist.

Please click here to complete a surgery inquiry form.

Nutrition plays a critical role in the overall health and well-being of your pet. Your pet’s nutritional needs change with age and activity level. Specially formulated diets can assist in the management of various medical conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Work closely with your veterinarian to find the right food and the right intake amount for your pet. Our hospital is stocked with a variety of foods that fit the needs of all pets. When looking for specialty pet food in New York, we’re stocked and have what your pet needs.

With so many foods on the market and various nutritional requirements depending on the age and health of your pet companion, we are here to help you make the right choices. The team at Community Veterinary Medicine is ready to serve up the right food recommendations to tackle those stubborn feline urinary problems, overweight dogs, or relentless diarrhea. Our team has specific recommendations to help guide you in choosing well-balanced and safe foods for your healthy puppy, adult, or senior pet.

Radiography is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine. As we continually strive to offer the highest quality medicine and diagnostic testing, we are pleased to offer radiology services as a means of providing excellent care to our patients.

A radiograph (sometimes called an X-ray) is a type of photograph that can look inside the body and reveal information that may not be discernible from the outside. Radiography can be used to evaluate almost any organ in the body, including the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs, as well as the bones.

Radiography is painless, safe, and completely non-invasive, and it uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure needed to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo radiography. Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones as well as the size, shape, and position of many of the body’s organs. The size of organs is important because some medical conditions—such as kidney, heart, or liver disease—can alter the size of these organs. The shape and position of organs can be altered or distorted by certain medical conditions, including intestinal blockage or cancer. Tumors, depending on their size and location, can also sometimes be detected using radiography. Radiography can also be used to diagnose bladder stones, broken bones, chronic arthritis, certain spinal cord diseases, and a variety of other conditions.

Radiographs are an important tool that can help us make a correct diagnosis for your pet. Our radiology service is staffed by caring, skilled professionals who will provide state-of-the-art care with compassion and expertise.

Vaccinations are designed to protect your dog against an array of illnesses. Vaccinations work by injecting your dog with a small number of infectious organisms. The organisms are placed under your dog’s skin, and as your dog’s immune system recognizes them as foreign bodies, it begins to fight them. After being exposed to a specific infectious agent, your dog’s body will be able to identify these agents and release antibodies more quickly in the future. Below are the mandatory, or core, vaccinations that your pet needs.

The canine distemper vaccination often called the DHPP or DHLPP protects against Distemper, Adenovirus (Hepatitis), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. Because Leptospirosis is a “non-core” vaccination, it is sometimes left out of this vaccination, making it only DHPP. Puppies are supposed to receive a vaccination against canine distemper at 6 to 8 weeks, 10 to 12 weeks, and then again at 14 to 16 weeks. A booster shot against canine distemper is then provided at 12 months and then every three years.

Rabies Vaccination

While puppies generally receive the rabies vaccine at 12 weeks, this may vary from place to place depending on local laws. Your puppy will then need a second rabies shot within one year after the first shot. Boosters for the rabies vaccination are usually given once every one or three years, depending on the vaccination used and local laws.

Lyme Disease Vaccination

Many dogs are not at high risk for contact with Lyme Disease, so this vaccination is usually only given to dogs in areas where Lyme disease is a concern. The vaccine can be given to your puppy as early as eight weeks, and a second dose is given two to four weeks later. A booster shot for this vaccine is given one year following the second dose and then annually.

Bordetella Vaccination

The Bordetella vaccination can be administered to your canine in a variety of ways. It can be given as a traditional vaccination, as an inhaled nasal mist, or even orally. After the administration of this vaccination, it will take 48 hours for your dog to develop immunity to the disease. Because of the importance of the Bordetella vaccination, most kennels require dogs to have this vaccine before they allow boarding. This vaccination is generally given once every 12 months.

Did you know that pets are considered senior at seven years old? The needs of dogs and cats change as they grow older. We understand these changes and will cater to your dog or cat’s health plan to meet their needs. With the increased risk of different health issues, our vets recommend that senior pets have physical exams every six months. Blood work should continue to be checked once a year, and regular teeth cleanings should continue. Your vet will watch for changes in behaviors you are seeing at home and will be mindful of possible disease processes. We will look for things like:

• Cataracts

• Dental disease

• Changes in drinking habits

• Changes in urination habits

• Weight gain

• Changes in appetite

• Changes in mood

• Increased difficulty moving around

Our pets cannot tell us what’s wrong, and that’s why laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging are so important. But we do more than just offer you state-of-the-art diagnostic tests—we choose the tests that will guide us toward the perfect, tailor-made solution for your pet’s needs.

Our pet hospital is equipped with in-house laboratory testing. Our Lasercyte and Catalyst equipment is state-of-the-art for evaluating blood panels. We can also perform urine and fecal tests, obtain various cytology or biopsy samples, and we utilize multiple reference laboratories for more specialized testing. We can also perform in-hospital testing for canine parvovirus, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia (FeLV), pancreatitis, heartworm testing, and tick-borne diseases.

We are committed to providing accurate and timely lab results for the benefit of your pet, thanks to our extensive in-house laboratory capabilities.

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is an exciting time for your family. Our team can help you start your new puppy or kitten off right!.

First Vet Visit

Our vets recommend that you set up your pet’s first visit with us soon after adoption. It’s important to get your new pet set up with a good parasite and vaccination program, as well as a thorough examination to assure your puppy or kitten is healthy and prepared to stay that way.

Vaccinations

Starting puppy and kitten vaccinations and keeping them on a schedule is critical to protecting their fragile systems from the most common diseases.

Parasite Screening

Puppies and kittens eat or sniff at many things that can carry the eggs for internal parasites. Checking yearly for intestinal worms and administering necessary treatments is an important means for assuring your puppy or kitten will be able to absorb nutrients and grow from the food you provide.

Spay/Neuter

Our team usually recommends spaying or neutering at six months of age to both prevent unwanted pregnancies and to reduce the risk of other health problems. There are, of course, exceptions to that rule, and our veterinarians will have an open discussion with you to decide on the best time to spay or neuter your particular dog or cat.

Ultrasonography (also called ultrasound or sonography) is a non-invasive, pain-free procedure that uses sound waves to examine a pet’s internal organs and other structures inside the body. It can be used to evaluate the animal’s heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, and bladder; to detect fluid, cysts, tumors, or abscesses; and to confirm pregnancy or monitor an ongoing pregnancy.

We may use this imaging technique in conjunction with radiography (X-rays) and other diagnostic methods to ensure a proper diagnosis. Interpretation of ultrasound images requires great skill on the part of the clinician.

The ultrasonographer applies gel to the surface of the body and then methodically moves a transducer (a small handheld tool) across the skin to record images of the area of interest. The gel helps the transducer slide more easily and create a more accurate visual image.

The transducer emits ultrasonic sound waves, which are directed into the body toward the structures to be examined. The waves create echoes of varying degrees depending on the density of the tissue and the amount of fluid present. Those waves create detailed images of the structures, which are shown on a monitor and recorded for evaluation.

Ultrasound does not involve radiation, has no known side effects, and doesn’t typically require pets to be sedated or anesthetized. The hair in the area to be examined usually needs to be shaved so the ultrasonographer can obtain a good result.

Performing routine dental prophylactic cleanings help prevent the development of dental diseases that can lead to pain and affect overall health. This consists of placing the pet under general anesthesia and using an ultrasonic scaler to clean the teeth and then polish them. During a dental cleaning, a full evaluation of the mouth is performed, which includes the measurement of pockets developing around the roots of all teeth.

To ensure maximum oral health, we also recommend you begin one or more of the following:

• Brushing with soft bristle toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste every one to two days.

• Oral rinsing with Chlorhexidine solutions (C.E.T. Rinse) is acceptable, although not as effective as brushing.

• CET Aquadent added to the drinking water daily is formulated to freshen your pet’s breath and prevent plaque accumulation when used in conjunction with a regular home dental care program.

• CET dental chews have been formulated and tested to help decrease the accumulation of plaque on your pet’s teeth.
  
  

How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth:

Buy a dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste and a soft-bristle, long-handled toothbrush.

• STEP 1: Put the toothpaste on your finger and allow your dog to lick it, then rub it over the gums and teeth to get them used to the sensation.

• STEP 2: Put the toothpaste on the toothbrush and allow your dog to lick it, then begin to brush their teeth. If your pet pulls away, let them settle and provide treats to keep the experience positive. Continue brushing, using circular motions with minimal pressure.

• STEP 3: Wipe off their mouth from any excess toothpaste and provide treats as a reward for your pet after toothbrushing.
  
  

Levels of Dental Disease

Dental disease is graded from 1 through 4; the higher the number, the worse it is. Grade 1 indicates mild plaque and tartar buildup, and grade 4 is the worst that usually involves the extraction of teeth. Continual accumulation of plaque and tartar causes pressure and inflammation of the gum tissue, and the mouth becomes a source of infection for other body tissues.

• Grade 1 – mild plaque and tartar, easily cleaned off during a dental prophylaxis

• Grade 2 – mild to moderate plaque and tartar, gingivitis can occur

• Grade 3 – moderate tartar, may begin to see signs of tooth mobility and pocketing, extractions may be recommended

• Grade 4 – severe tartar, teeth may fall out due to loss of bony attachment, can see tooth root abscesses, may see pus/infection, inflammation, and pain; extractions likely recommended
  
  

Other Types of Dental Disease

• Tooth root abscess – Infections can develop at the base of a tooth with dental disease. These infections, if left to progress, can eventually form draining tracts around the mouth and sometimes near the eyes.

• Attrition/Abrasion – Teeth that appear worn down can be due to inappropriate tooth on tooth wear or toys. Tennis balls present a common cause for worn down teeth as the surface is coarse like sandpaper. Slowly worn down teeth can develop a protective layer over the pulp cavity called tertiary dentin that is brown in appearance. If wear is extensive or the pulp cavity is exposed, extractions may be recommended.

• Tooth fractures – If a tooth is fractured to the point that the pulp cavity is exposed, it is recommended to remove the tooth as the pulp cavity exposure can predispose it to pain and infection.

• Retained Deciduous (Baby) Teeth – Puppies can sometimes retain their puppy teeth. If these do not fall out they can lead to the build-up of dental tartar and cause dental disease. Our doctors normally recommend extraction of the retained puppy teeth at the time of spay or neuter.
  
  

Click here to learn why pet dental care is so important.

Our veterinary staff is skilled in diagnosing and treating veterinary internal medicine cases. In the event your pet becomes ill, your pet will receive a thorough exam, including key areas such as:

• Bladder

• Ear canals

• Eyes

• Gastrointestinal tract

• Heart

• Kidneys

• Liver

• Respiratory tract

• Spleen

• Thyroid
  
  

The signs of illness are often subtle, as pets tend to hide their illness from their owners. Please contact us if your dog or cat shows signs of illness, such as:

• Acting “out of character”

• Changes in eating or drinking habits

• Changes in grooming habits

• Increased urination

• Sleeping more or becoming hyperactive

• Weight changes
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After the diagnosis has been made, we will discuss all of your treatment options and determine the proper protocol for your pet.