If dental problems are identified, either prior to anesthesia or while your pet is asleep, we can perform most oral surgeries in house, including major extractions.
Vaccination
We are able to check antibody titers to ensure immunity for the diseases covered by the DAP vaccination. This allows us to avoid overvaccination and limit potential adverse effects associated with vaccines. If immunity is deemed insufficient, then it will be recommended to boost their vaccine. Rabies vaccines are required to be given every 3 years by law. Ask us about having titers done rather than repeating the DAP vaccine every 3 years.
Nutritional Counseling
OA is a common disorder seen in older pets, which results from the progressive loss of joint cartilage, thickening of connective tissue around the joint, and the development of bony growths within the joint that cause pain with movement. Signs of OA include decreased activity, weight gain, stiffness on rising, lameness, reluctance to use stairs or jump, loss of stamina, muscle loss, house accidents, decreased grooming behavior (seen in cats), and irritability. If you feel that your dog or cat is suffering from OA, schedule a consult with our team so that we can develop a management plan to reduce discomfort and minimize further joint damage. A multi-modal treatment option is most effective, and may include a weight reduction plan, omega-3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatories and other pain medications, acupuncture, laser, and/or manual therapy.
Comprehensive Examination
Dr. Martin is able to provide care for your exotic pet, including annual examinations, sick exams, and diet/husbandry consultations. He is also able to perform surgeries on exotic animals (like the duck in the photo!).
We offer a variety of services for healthy pets, including wellness examinations, vaccinations and vaccination titers, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, diet consults, and routine bloodwork.
Pain Management
When a needle is inserted, it results in tissue relaxation and relief of muscle spasms. It also stimulates immune cells and blood flow, releasing cellular messengers (called cytokines) that improve overall immune function. The needle also stimulates the fast nerve fibers that are responsible for acute sensation, going to the spinal cord and blocking signals from the fibers associated with chronic pain. This response then travels to the brain, resulting in a release of endorphins, endogenous (meaning the body produces them) opioids, and serotonin. This results in pain relief, an improved mood, and improved immune function.
Vomiting Treatment
Diarrhea Treatment
Upper Respiratory Illness Treatment
There are various vaccinations on the market that are made available for dogs with lifestyles that make them a "higher risk." The more common lifestyle vaccines you may see include Leptospirosis, Influenza, Bordetella, Rattlesnake and Lyme. At MBVC, we offer Leptospirosis and Bordetella vaccinations for dogs at higher risk of contracting these diseases. Leptospirosis is a spirochete bacterium that can cause liver and kidney damage in all mammals, including humans. It is contracted by exposure to the urine of another infected animal, most often wildlife. Dogs that are higher risk for contracting this disease include hunting dogs and dogs that frequent areas with wildlife and/or standing water. Bordetella is a bacteria that is part of the Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (aka CIRDC, or Kennel Cough ), and is recommended for dogs that have exposure to other dogs, such as in boarding, grooming, or show situations. Talk with us about whether your dog is considered higher risk for these diseases and if vaccination is appropriate for them.
Core vaccinations for dogs include DAP (which stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus) and Rabies virus. Dogs should always be in optimal health at the time of each vaccination, and vaccines should never be given to a dog suffering from cancer or any other severe illness. We recommend core vaccinations be administered every three years, or a vaccine titer be checked to ensure immunity (these recommendations are according to AHAA Vaccination Guidelines ).
Feline Retro Virus Treatment
Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV) is a common infection of cats and is the cause of more cat deaths, directly or indirectly, than any other organism. Transmission occurs through close contact with infected cats, and for this reason is more common in feral cats or cats housed in large groups. Because cats are most vulnerable to the virus as kittens, we recommend testing to determine FeLV status, and discussion of your kitten's future lifestyle to determine if they will be at risk of contracting the disease, at which point vaccination for FeLV may be recommended.
Bacterial and Viral Infection Treatment
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has utilized herbal therapies for thousands of years. Laboratory and clinical research into the physiologic effects of herbal medicine is increasing exponentially, and revealing the ways in which these herbs cope with cancer, infection, and other disease processes. This research has been largely driven by Western medicine's desire for pharmaceuticals that resist bacterial and viral infection, resolve inflammation, counter tissue degeneration, and promote tumor cell death. Unfortunately, these drugs have not been invented yet in the Western world. Many practitioners that are wishing to surpass the limitations of pharmaceuticals are now reaching for these ancient medicines.
Ear Infection Treatment
Chronic ear infections, wound infections, and chronic skin cases often benefit from a bacterial and/or fungal culture. We submit these to our outside diagnostic laboratory to isolate the cause, and determine the best course of treatment.
Laser therapy can be used for a wide range of conditions, such as wounds, soft tissue injuries, osteoarthritis, tendon/ligament tears, nerve injuries, post-operative healing, and many more.
Hip Dysplasia Treatment
The extra pounds your pet is carrying around are not just more of them to love, unfortunately. Adipocytes, or fat cells, are pro-inflammatory, meaning they turn up inflammation everywhere within the body. This means if your pet has arthritis, not only are they having to carry additional weight, but the increase in fat cells also increases their joint pain by increasing the inflammation within the joint itself.
Obesity Treatment
Food Therapy is a great option for overweight pets as well, as it utilizes whole foods to speed their metabolism. Contact us today about scheduling a Food Therapy Consult!
Diabetes Treatment
Thyroid Disease Treatment
Parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, and parrots are some of the more common birds kept as pets. Chickens and ducks are becoming increasingly more popular as well. It is important to understand what your specific species of bird's requirements are for nutrition and environment, as well as what diseases they are predisposed to and signs to look out for at home. Common diseases seen in birds include bacterial and viral infections, parasites, hypothyroidism, and egg binding.
Knee Problems Treatment
Kidney Disease Treatment
Cats in the wild are carnivores that eat whole prey. Their prey is 70% water, meaning cats instinctively derive the majority of their water via the food they eat. This results in a lower thirst drive than what we see in dogs. We have brought cats indoors, altering both their lifestyle and their diets drastically. A decrease in physical activity, and the change in diet from whole prey to dry kibble, has largely contributed to the increased rate at which we see obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, urinary tract disorders, cancer, and other diseases in our feline friends.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Did you know, over 50% of all dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease by the time they three years old? Over time, periodontal disease can progress to painful bone loss (shown in the picture), and can even result in bacterial translocation (absorption into the bloodstream), which can affect important internal organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Cancer Treatment
Unfortunately, cancer is becoming increasingly common in not only humans, but our furry family members as well. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, and the third most common cause of death in cats. Signs that your pet may have cancer include lumps or bumps that do not go away, wounds that don't heal, limping or other signs of pain, unexplained weight loss, decreased energy or weakness, difficulty breathing, unexplained bleeding, bad odors from the mouth, ears, or anus, changes in urinary and bowl habits, such as straining or going too often, and/or the development of vomiting and diarrhea. Many of these signs are also seen with other diseases, and are not limited to cancer alone. If your pet is showing one or more of these signs, schedule an appointment to have them examined. We are able to perform diagnostics to help determine if your pet has cancer, including imaging (x-rays and ultrasound ), blood tests, and cytology/biopsy. While we do not offer chemotherapy at MBVC, we will create a specific plan for your pet that may include surgery, food therapy, Chinese herbal therapy, supplements, essential oils, mushroom therapy, and/or acupuncture. Diet is one of the most important aspects of cancer prevention and treatment, and poor diet has been linked to the development of cancer in humans. A 2005 study of Scottish Terriers suggested that the risk of developing transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was inversely associated with consumption of foods rich in glucosinolates, the compounds found in cruciferous vegetables. A clinical trial investigating an extract of the Turkey Tail mushroom has shown survival benefits for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen.
Dr. Martin performs routine procedures, but has also taken extensive continuing education courses on advanced surgical techniques. This allows him to perform more complicated procedures, such as fracture repairs, lateral suture placements, femoral head ostectomy, and repair of luxating patellas.
Dental care is vital to the overall health of any animal. 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over three years of age suffer from some form of dental disease, making it the most common pet health issue among our pet population. MBVC performs dental cleanings, as well as extractions and other oral surgeries.
Veterinary Surgery
AJ has a passion for surgery and has taken advanced courses on orthopedic surgery. These specialized procedures include fracture repairs using internal fixation methods, femoral head ostectomy, medial patellar luxation repair, and lateral suture placements. He is also skilled in soft tissue surgery, with the ability to perform cesareans, splenectomies, pyometra surgeries, soft and hard palate repairs, and other complicated procedures. Dr. Martin loves creating lasting relationships with his clients and aims to be a servant to his community.
Spaying and Neutering
Dr. Byrd is able to perform routine procedures, such as spay/neutering, mass removals, and laceration repairs. Dr. Byrd helps patients that have undergone orthopedic surgery with Dr. Martin to decrease their pain level and recovery times. She utilizes acupuncture, laser therapy, manual therapy, and at-home exercises to help them heal faster.
We are able to perform tests in house in emergent situations, or send in samples to our advanced outside diagnostic laboratory to receive results as soon as the next day. These tests allow us to check red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet numbers, as well as the chemistry of the blood, including proteins, electrolytes, liver values, kidney values, heartworm status, and much more.
X-Ray
Dental Radiology
We are excited to announce that we will soon offer dental x-rays to further assist in dental assessments and surgeries! In the meantime, depending on the type of surgery required, we may recommend referral to a facility that offers dental x-rays.
Microchipping
A microchip is a small device that can be easily inserted under your pet's skin. It is as quick and painless as a vaccine. The owner's information is registered on a national database and if a lost pet is found, the owner can be contacted. Most veterinarians and animal shelters have scanners that read the microchip number and allow the owner to be identified.
As our pets age, they require adjustments in their diets, lifestyle, and care. We are here to guide you as you care for your senior pet. We provide quality of life assessments, as well as tailored recommendations for their lifestyle, environment, diet, supplements, and ways to keep them pain-free. It is recommended to have your senior pet examined by your veterinarian more frequently (every six months for small breed dogs over ten years of age, large breed dogs over five years of age, and any cat over ten).