Birch Tree Animal Hospital

Veterinary Clinics & Hospitals, Pet Grooming, Veterinarian Emergency Services

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(970) 945-0125Call Visit WebsiteVisit Website Map & DirectionsDirections1602 Grand AveGlenwood Springs, CO 81601 Write a ReviewWrite Review

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Mon - Fri:	8:00 am - 5:30 pm

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Services/Products: Pharmaceutical
Payment method: master card, visa
Other Link: http://www.birchtreevet.com
Categories: Veterinary Clinics & Hospitals, Pet Grooming, Veterinarian Emergency Services, Veterinarians, Veterinary Labs, Veterinary Specialty Services

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Phone: (970) 945-0125

Address: 1602 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Website: http://www.birchtreevet.com

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Birch Tree Animal Hospital

Preventive Care

Dental Care
Birch Tree Animal Hospital is a full service facility that offers conventional medical, surgery, and dental services in conjunction with therapies like acupuncture, manual therapies, herbs, and nutritional supplements.
Vaccination
The body’s response to stress has survival advantages that benefit the body in the short term. With chronic stress, these beneficial responses can become damaging to health. For example, individuals with chronic stress may have reduced immune responses and be more susceptible to infections, impaired response to vaccination, and slowed wound healing. Interestingly, over time the ability of the body to respond to the stress signals can be reduced. The adrenals can become fatigued, the SAM and HPA coordination can become disconnected, and excess signaling to the adrenal cortex can result in intestinal inflammation and leaky gut type issues. Life span in dogs has been shown to be shortened by chronic stress.
Veterinary Ophthalmology
With the arrival of warm weather, pet companions are spending more time outdoors and having more opportunity for eye problems. The outer parts of the eye and associated tissues, like the eyelids, are susceptible to injury, inflammation and infections. Since many eye problems, even minor issues, can progress rapidly and can sometimes lead to severe problems, it is valuable to have an understanding of basic characteristics of the eye and the associated tissues. Recognizing the cause and contributing factors for eye issues is essential for effective management.
Behavioral Counseling
Aging results in changes in the brain that can lead to disorientation, alterations in personality, wandering and excessive meowing. It is important to note that not all behavior changes are the result of the aging brain. Some of the disease problems already mentioned can change behavior.
Nutritional Counseling
Measurement of blood levels of vitamin B12 is readily available and can be valuable in a range of health conditions or concerns including chronic digestive problems, weight loss and exocrine pancreas insufficiency (EPI). Supplementation can be done orally with vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) or by injection. Oral supplementation may not be as effective for certain problems as the injection is. For example, dogs or cats with disease of the ileum may not be able to absorb adequate amounts of vitamin B12.
Comprehensive Examination
An example of a simple diagnosis is a dog with a broken femur after an encounter with a car: The diagnosis is a fractured femur bone. The specific type and location of the fracture will be described as part of the diagnosis (i.e. a comminuted fracture). In this example, arriving at a diagnosis involves a stepwise process beginning with the history (dog was OK before the car), physical exam (swollen, unstable, painful leg) and radiographs of the leg (shows the broken bone). This stepwise assessment is important, because the radiograph shows the fracture but does not tell you that the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in the knee is also torn. Assessment of the CCL occurs during the physical exam.

Illness Treatment

Parasites Treatment and Control
Deworming medications can be important for controlling the allergic reaction. Nutritional support of the lung tissue can also be beneficial for long-term management.
Pain Management
In addition to benefits for the nervous system, ashwagandha can significantly increases muscle strength and muscle mass while resisting the damaging effects of intense exercise. Ashwagandha has also been shown to reduce discomfort in injured knees, improve mobility, and reduce the amount of pain medication needed.
Vomiting Treatment
Diarrhea Treatment
Indications that your dog is getting too hot include panting, drooling, reddened gums, rapid heart rate, stumbling gait and changes in mental status. As the heat increases vomiting and bloody diarrhea can occur along with collapse, seizures and breathing distress. These signs occur because too much heat damages the proteins and cells in the body potentially leading to shock and kidney, liver, stomach, intestine and heart damage.
Skin Condition and Allergy Treatment
A wide variety of skin lumps, bumps, and tags are encountered in dogs, especially as they age. They can arise from many different cells or structures in the skin like the oil glands and hair follicles. These skin changes range from mild concerns like simple skin tags to potentially serious health issues like cancer. Some lumps are more common in young dogs while other lumps are seen more frequently in older dogs. Fortunately benign (non-cancerous) lumps are more common than malignant (cancerous) lumps. When possible, determining the cause of the lump is important.
Upper Respiratory Illness Treatment
With this name and reputation, it is expected to have a wide range of health effects and benefits. These benefits include acting as an adaptogen, nervine, sedative, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, ashwagandha has ability to modulate the immune system, improve the thyroid hormone secretion, has value for the gastrointestinal system, and can benefit the heart and respiratory system.
Injury Treatment
Intestinal Foreign Object Removal
Obtaining a diagnosis for a sneezing problem can sometimes be challenging. Treatment and supportive care depend on the diagnosis. Unfortunately, some issues, like LPR, are prone to reoccurring. Definitive treatment should always be sought including: foreign body removal, infection treatment, tumor management, dental care, nasal mites treatment and allergy control based on the source of sneezing. Additional supportive care can focus on herbs like marshmallow root that can sooth the membranes lining the nasal cavity and boswellia that has anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamins like A and C can be beneficial for improving function of the nasal cavity lining.

Infection Treatment

Parvovirus Infection Treatment
A properly functioning immune system is critical for health. The immune system protects against infection by micro-organisms like viruses and bacteria. We generally think of immunity as a finely orchestrated interaction of immune cells like T cells and B cells along with their signaling molecules. This is the glamorous part of the immune system known as adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity is able to specifically target identified micro-organisms like the parvovirus that affects dogs.
Feline Retro Virus Treatment
Diseases such as diabetes, feline leukemia virus, and anemias can play a role in progression of periodontal disease. Treatment of periodontitis requires antibiotics, general anesthesia, a complete dental cleaning, and surgical correction of periodontal pockets. In addition to daily teeth brushing, use of dental diets, and appropriate oral rinses, long term management may be improved with the addition of foods that provide increased vitamins such as vitamin A and C that are supportive for the gums and connective tissues and immune system. Oral probiotics have potential benefits. Additionally, probiotics can be supportive of a healthy immune system and have benefits following antibiotic use.
Bacterial and Viral Infection Treatment
Many of the traditional uses for ginger have been verified with modern research including the warming effect, treatment for nausea, vomiting and stomach ulcers, lowering fasting blood glucose, improving cognitive function, blocking bacterial and fungal infections, antitumor effects, and reducing inflammation and pain.
Ear Infection Treatment
Some dogs that swim frequently have more problems with ear infections. This may be in part due to getting moisture in the ear canals. Using strategies to routinely inspect the ears and flush the ear canals can be valuable for preventing ongoing ear infections. Only flush the ears after consultation with your veterinarian.
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
Immune support has generally focused on support of adaptive immunity. However, some chronic infectious problems can be reduced or controlled by focusing supportive care on the innate immunity. For example, managing urinary tract infections has long been known to benefit by controlling urine pH. Additional urinary tract support would include nutrients like vitamin A and C for support of the tissue lining the urinary bladder and urethra. Nutriceuticals like chondroitin can be used to improve the protective layer inside the urinary bladder. Other support focuses on the kidney as a way to improve urine quality. Use of probiotics has also shown benefits.

Chronic Condition Treatment

Arthritis Treatment
Ashwagandha has benefits for pet companions in a range of situations including anxiety and chronic stress, when adrenal support is needed, low thyroid function (hypothyroid), immune imbalance issues, inflammatory conditions, and patients with cancer. It can also be beneficial in aging pets with cognitive declines, osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. An herb with extensive historical use and modern research support, ashwagandha can be an important addition to an integrative support plan for a range of health challenges.
Hip Dysplasia Treatment
Certain breeds are predisposed to joint disease; genetic factors can play a role in defective joint development as seen with hip dysplasia. Environmental factors like the amount of exercise, body weight and diet can affect the onset, severity and rate of progression. Overfeeding growing puppies can result in rapid growth that increases bone length and body weight. In addition, excess weight predisposes the aging dog to OA.
Diabetes Treatment
S for centuries and is gaining recognition for its health benefits in dogs and cats. Historically it has been used for inflammatory conditions including arthritis, intestinal problems, fevers, bronchitis, cancer, and liver disorders. Modern research methods are further defining its anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, role in diabetes management, action as an analgesic, and liver protective properties. The boswellia resin contains numerous compounds including boswellic acids.
Vestibular Disease Treatment
This group of signs makes sense when the function of the vestibular system is considered. The vestibular system provides important information from the inner ear about body position that is used to coordinate position of the head and body relative to gravity so that balance can be maintained.
Thyroid Disease Treatment
Even though certain problems are common and predictable in the aging cat, it is important to have a complete evaluation including blood and urine testing. In some situations X-rays and ultrasound are valuable parts of the assessment. These tests provide the basis for outlining a support plan for the aging cat. This support or therapy plan may include diet changes and alterations in feeding strategies, nutritional supplements, herbs, acupuncture, osteopathic and other manual therapies, and drugs for high blood pressure, thyroid problems and diabetes.
Epilepsy Treatment
Heart Disease Treatment
Sarcopenia affects us all including our pet companions. It is a part of aging that involves loss of muscle mass and strength. It contributes to reduced quality of life with aging, decline in mobility, and lowered activity levels. It can contribute to increased chronic inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease in humans and our pet companions.
Kidney Disease Treatment
Another important consideration is determining if the kidney problem is acute or chronic. Pets with chronic kidney disease have the opportunity to adapt to the worsening kidney function, so they can withstand higher numbers for SDMA, creatinine, and BUN (blood urea nitrogen). However, the chronic change in kidney function can lead to elevated phosphorus, anemia and problems with blood pressure. Each of these patterns of results have impacts on how the pet is managed.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
And periodontal disease. Models investigating the effect of calendula on stomach ulcers show a benefit. Calendula appears to have the ability to effect the rate of stomach emptying, lower blood sugar, and protect the liver and kidneys against toxic insults.
Cancer Treatment
Prognosis and therapy for each of these conditions depends on the diagnosis and may include approaches like surgery, cyrosurgery, abscess drainage, antibiotics, steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation. Integrative supportive therapies may include approaches like topical essential oils that have anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer effects (i.e. frankincense), oral herbs that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties (i.e. boswellia, astragalus), and immune supportive nutrients (i.e. vitamins A, C, D), mushrooms (i.e. turkey tail, reishi), herbs (i.e. echinacea, ashwagandha), probiotics, and glandular extracts.

Seizure Treatment
When a seizure occurs, remain calm and note the time that the seizure started. Make sure the pet is on the floor and away from water, stairs, other pets and children. Pets are not at risk of swallowing their tongue, so do not reach into their mouth during a seizure. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or there are multiple seizures in a day, contact your veterinarian. A single seizure that lasts only a few minutes is generally not dangerous. There is more concern when there are multiple seizures within a short period or if the seizures continue for longer than a few minutes. Prolonged seizures can result in elevated body temperature, which can lead to other problems.
Wound and Fracture Care
Coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid. It does not contain appreciable amounts of the n-6 or n-3 fatty acids. However, it does contain lauric acid which many believe has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties. Some feel that coconut oil has been useful for topical applications like wound management. Others feel that coconut oil has been helpful for chronic digestive problems and allergy issues. Research has not substantiated all of its potential uses and some research results are contradictory.
Poisoning Treatment
During the holidays, take time to recognize and celebrate the contribution that pet companions make to all our lives. Don’t forget that they need to be kept safe from holiday hazards like small toys they can ingest, foods that can be toxic to them, under-cooked foods that can lead to food poisoning, houseplants that can be toxic, salt on the sidewalks that can irritate feet, and the cold temperatures that can be problematic. Also remember that pets can become stressed by all the holiday activities that change schedules and bring people into our homes. Dogs need to stay on schedule with their normal exercise routines. Cats also benefit from exercise and play so take time for them. Ultimately these interactions will reduce your own holiday stress and improve the quality of your social interactions.

Veterinary Surgery
While this workup excludes the other causes of vomiting and diarrhea, conclusive diagnosis of IBD requires obtaining a biopsy of the affected portion of the digestive tract. Obtaining biopsies of the digestive tract is not appealing to everyone because it involves anesthesia and an endoscopic procedure or abdominal surgery. However, many feel that abdominal ultrasound can provide enough supportive evidence to conclude that the problem is IBD.

Laboratory Services
Diagnosing CIE requires ruling out other causes of chronic diarrhea. This process involves a range of blood tests and stool evaluation. Abdominal ultrasound and even biopsies of the intestines are valuable. Biopsies confirm the diagnosis and provide information about the inflammatory cells. Unfortunately, obtaining intestinal biopsies is invasive and not always done.
X-Ray
Mitral insufficiency can be detected by hearing a murmur over the mitral valve. However, it is important to have a full work-up completed to determine how severe the problem is. Tests often include chest X-rays to determine the heart size and changes in lung blood vessels, ECG to determine the presence of abnormal heart rhythms, blood pressure, and liver and kidney test values. Echocardiogram (ultrasound) of the heart provides an assessment of heart structure and function; however, it is not generally needed for mild mitral insufficiency.
Dental Radiology
Regular dental cleanings under anesthesia should be anticipated over the life time of all pets. Some pets like small breed dogs typically require more frequent cleanings than large breed dogs because of the structure of their mouths. Dental x-rays can be essential when assessing the overall health of the mouth. In some studies it has been found that almost 28% of dogs and 42% of cats had diseased teeth seen on x-ray of teeth that appeared normal above the gum line. In pets with teeth that appear abnormal above the gum line there was an additional 50% more teeth in dogs and 53% more teeth in cats that were found to be abnormal with x-ray.

General Pet Care

Grooming

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