One of the most beneficial services we offer is a thorough comprehensive Humane Society exam. This examination is performed by one of our experienced veterinarians. We recommend one annual examination per year for our adult companions. For our senior or compromised companions, we recommend every 6 months to stay on top of any changes. These examinations are essential for your companion and will enable us to diagnose health problems early, making treatment more effective, less involved, and ultimately less costly for you.

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.

Radiology

A radiograph (X-ray) is a type of photograph that looks inside the body and reveals information that may not be discernible from the outside. Radiography can be used to evaluate your pet’s internal organs like the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs, as well as bones. When it comes to accurately diagnose your pet, radiology can be an extremely valuable tool in our diagnostic arsenal.

Digital X-rays are routinely used to diagnose and examine broken bones, obstructions, arthritis, masses, and tumors. We use digital X-rays to also confirm pregnancies or detect ingested objects.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography, or ultrasound, is a diagnostic imaging technique similar to radiography (X-rays) and is often used in conjunction with radiography and other diagnostics. It allows us to visualize certain organs very thoroughly, including the heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, bladder, spleen, and intestines. It can also be useful to detect and monitor pregnancy. We work closely with specialists – people who have dedicated their entire lives to imaging – so you get the most out of this fantastic diagnostic tool.

Did you know that your pet can be obese or underweight, and these weight issues can be dangerous to the pet’s health? Here at Renton West Veterinary Hospital, we offer weight management and nutrition services. If you have a dog or cat and are concerned about their weight and nutritional intake we want to help you with professional veterinary care.

“BEG” boutique companies, exotic ingredients or grain-free diets & Heart Disease

FDA Investigation:

In an ongoing investigation conducted by the FDA, a correlation between grain-free dog foods and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has been found. The study began in November 2018, with an update in February 2019, and the latest update in June 2019. The latest update contained a list of pet food brands that were consumed by patients in the study.

Key Points:

• This study noted a correlation between diet and DCM, not causation
• More than 90% of DCM cases reported were eating grain-free food
• 93% of all reported diets contained peas and/or lentils
• No correlation was found regarding protein source
• General cardiac reports submitted to the FDA that did not have the diagnosis of DCM were not included in the study
• Brands listed in the latest update were associated with 10 or more cases of DCM and may represent a more widely distributed product
• Ingredients were more significant than the brand, and the FDA urges pet owners to work with their veterinarian to find the right food

What To Do:

If your pet is showing signs of early heart disease which can include weakness, shortness of breath, coughing, exercise intolerance, or severe lethargy please give us a call to schedule a comprehensive physical examination with the doctor.

Pet Obesity

One of the most common weight management issues we treat at our animal hospital is being overweight or obese. When a pet is overfed, fed a diet high in fat, or suffering from lack of activity or exercise, the animal’s weight can creep up. All too often pet owners find this to be a characteristic of their pet and not a health problem.

Unfortunately, pets that are overweight or obese can have just as many health issues as an overweight human. Health issues include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypothyroidism. Obese dogs, in particular, lose mobility, increase the risk of knee and hip issues, increase their risk of cancers, and have a decreased lifespan.

Underweight Pets and Weight Loss

On the other end of the weight management spectrum is weight loss. For pets that lose weight while suffering from lethargy, diarrhea, redness, or hair loss, this combination is a sign of chronic disease. Chronic diseases could be stomach ulcers, diabetes, infected teeth, heart disease, tumors, or neurological disorders. In other words, if your pet is losing weight unexplainably, then it is likely a symptom of a serious health condition.

Improved Pet Nutrition

Treating obesity or weight loss in pets begins with a proper diagnosis and veterinary care. We can help your pet achieve optimal weight through pet nutrition. This typically involves doing a blood screen panel to check for signs of nutritional deficiencies, as well as kidney, bladder, or other organ failures. Our veterinary clinic includes an onsite lab and diagnostic digital imaging to process any medical testing for expedient results.

From there we can provide your pet with a more beneficial diet plan and food source, such as supplements for a pet’s food. If your pet is suffering from a chronic disease, our veterinarians are fully equipped to provide treatment. Whether your pet needs surgery, dental care, or pet boarding, we are available to assist you and your pet.

There are many conditions an animal can be diagnosed with, which require a prescription diet. These can include but are not limited to food allergies, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney & liver disease, lower urinary tract disease, and obesity. We carry a wide variety of these prescription diets from Hill’s, Purina, and Royal Canin. If we do not carry or happen to be out of stock of a prescription diet, we are happy to special order it in for you with a few day’s notice.

Discount on veterinary services for senior citizens age 65 and up and for military personnel.

For more details, call us!

We understand the decision to allow your beloved companion to undergo surgery is never easy. We are experienced in small animal surgery, including both routine procedures such as spays, neuters, declaws, dental and growth removals, as well as more extensive soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. Our surgical suite is equipped with Isofluorane anesthesia, pulse oximetry, EKG, blood pressure monitoring, a water circulating heating unit, electrocautery, and a CO2 laser.

Any pet undergoing anesthesia are monitored by an experienced veterinary technician. These technicians are trained in veterinary anesthesia as well as other diagnostic, surgery, and dentistry-related skills. They remain with the patient during pre-op, surgery, and recovery, monitoring vital signs and anesthesia planes, and administering any needed medications. Every surgical patient has a multi-modal pain control protocol tailored to their needs.