Midtown Veterinary Medical Center offers a wide range of veterinary services for our patients. Just a few of our wellness and preventive care services are listed below. For more information on these or other services, please contact us.
Services
Advanced Diagnostic Testing
Some of the most common reasons pets visit the vet are for vomiting and diarrhea. While common, there are myriad causes for these symptoms some benign and some life-threatening. Advanced diagnostic testing can lead to an accurate assessment of the cause. These tools can help identify cancer, tumors, foreign bodies, arthritis, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia Advanced Diagnostic Tests are not available at all hospitals, but at Midtown Veterinary Medical Center, we offer:
Digital radiography (x-rays)
Ultrasound
Echocardiography
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Pancreatic lipase test for pancreatitis
Feline leukemia detection test
Glucometer to test blood sugar levels
Fluorescent eye stain test to detect corneal scratches and ulcers
Endoscopy
Rhinoscopy
Cytology and histopathology to detect and grade tumors
Ultrasound-guided biopsies
And more
Advanced Veterinary Care Services
Midtown Veterinary Medical Center partners with board certified veterinary specialists to provide in-clinic advanced veterinary care for patients. These experts aid our veterinarians in providing the best care needed for more difficult cases.
Learn MoreBehavior Management
Unless you have the perfect dog or cat, at some point you may find yourself struggling with some of your pet’s behavior. Anxiety? Inappropriate urination? Fear aggression? Destructive behavior?
Talk to us, we can offer strategies to help you and your pet live a happier life. With behavior modification and possibly medication or diet changes, we’ll help you through these stages of your pet’s life.
When a professional trainer is the best recommendation, we’ll be happy to provide a referral. Some of the local trainers we know and respect are:
Cancer Treatment
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating for anyone. Fortunately new treatments are available which offer hope for pet owners. One of the more common types of cancer in dogs is Mast Cell Tumor (MCT). Traditionally, these tumors are removed surgically, however, a new non-surgical treatment option called Stelfonta is now available through our office. Stelfonta is FDA approved to treat all grades of MCT, and may be an option for those dogs who are not candidates for surgery.
The injection destroys MCT in one or two treatments about 87% of the time, and a year after treatment nearly 90% of all treated dogs remain cancer free. When treated, the MCT will necrose within hours and eventually the tumor will fall off leaving an open wound that will heal naturally with time.
To learn more about your dog’s MCT and treatment with Stelfonta, contact us to set up a consultation with one of our veterinarians.
Dental Care
The importance of a healthy mouth cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that more than 2/3 of pets have periodontal disease by the time they are two years old. A diseased mouth causes a cascade of health problems including kidney, liver and heart disease.
A painful mouth affects your pet’s appetite and behavior. We place a heavy emphasis on dental care for all pets from their first exam through their senior years. So often we find that pets have a noticeable change in their attitude and health after their dental disease is addressed.
We recommend annual dental exams, and they are a key part of your pet’s wellness exam. If you notice any of the following symptoms, we recommend consulting our veterinarian:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Broken, cracked or loose teeth
- Lack of appetite or refusal to eat
- Mouth pain or swelling
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Retained baby teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Excessive drooling, abnormal chewing
- Growths in the mouth
- Red gums
Dental x-rays and cleaning under anesthesia are recommended for treating periodontal disease. These procedures must be done under anesthesia in order to provide the best care as well as to protect our staff from injury. To keep your pet’s mouth healthy, we’ll provide training on how best to brush your pet’s teeth, and recommend other products to provide good oral hygiene, such as dental chews, water additive or wipes. Ask us about toys that are safe for your pet’s teeth!
Before
After
Dermatology Allergy Testing & Treatment
Pets commonly develop skin conditions that can cause itching, irritation, inflammation, biting, hair loss, and other side effects. The cause is generally allergies, parasites, bacteria, or fungus, but can also be related to hormones or auto-immune issues. If your pet is experiencing any skin reaction, we are here to help.
Whether caused by food or environmental allergies, or from parasites like ringworm, fleas or mange, our experienced veterinarians are able to diagnose, treat and manage diseases of the skin, coat, ear, and nails, and bring relief to your pet.
Dogs with allergies are miserable, itchy, and painful. There is relief! Prescriptions, including oral medications or Cytopoint injections, can be quick acting. Food allergies may be relieved with careful food trials, that may take longer.
For those wishing to pursue immunotherapy, we offer HESKA Allercept testing for environmental and food allergies. Allercept provides a customized report of your pet’s exact allergies, and a formulation specific to your dog. These subcutaneous injections for administration in clinic or at home. Most animals have relief within 3-6 months of beginning immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is designed for the life of your pet. Follow this link to learn more about allergies in pets.
Diagnostic Imaging
Properly evaluating injuries and medical conditions often requires the use of diagnostic imaging. X-rays help our veterinarians determine if pets have broken bones or sprains, pneumonia, an enlarged heart, or other conditions. Our state-of-the-art hospital includes digital radiography capabilities for full body as well as dental x-rays and ultrasound.
These invaluable tools allow us to “peek inside” your pet non-invasively, to get a clearer image of the inside of your pet. We use digital x-rays for all dental procedures. This allows us to detect any disease that may be hidden below the gum line, as well as impacted teeth, resorptive lesions, or mouth tumors.
In many cases, imaging procedures can be done without sedation. If sedation or anesthesia is required, our veterinarians will discuss this with you prior to the appointment and provide an estimate.
End of Life Care and Euthanasia
One of the most difficult, but most loving, choices we can make for our pets when they are severely injured or gravely ill, is to have them humanely euthanized by a veterinarian. We understand this can be a tremendously difficult decision and for most of us it feels like our pets are leaving us far too soon.
We are here to support you during this difficult time. We are able to help with guidance in evaluating your pet’s quality of life and assisting with body care. We will supply specifics on body care options so you can choose what’s best for your family.
Body Care
If you pet dies at home and you need assistance with body care, we’re here to help you. You are welcome to bring your pet to our office and we’ll make arrangements for your pet to be cremated. If you are unable to come to the clinic and need assistance with transporting your pet for body care, one of these private companies may be able to assist.
Grief Support
The loss of a pet can trigger waves of grief that wax and wane unpredictably. There are resources available to help navigate this difficult time. We’re fortunate in northern Colorado to be in proximity to the Argus Institute at Colorado State University, which provides free grief counseling and support. Learn more about Argus Institute through this link or by reaching out to their office.
Laboratory Testing
Our clinic’s in-hospital laboratory is a powerful tool that allows us to run tests in-house to get same-day results and begin an appropriate course of treatment. Quick results can be lifesaving in emergency situations. Our hospital is equipped with microscopes, blood machines, and urine analyzers. With these we can perform complete blood counts, urinalysis, heartworm tests, fecal tests for parasites, and evaluate skin scrapings and ear swabs.
While we can run certain tests within the clinic, there are many specialized reference labs across the country that we have access to for advanced testing. We send samples to these labs and receive results back within a few days, generally speaking. We use reference laboratories for cytology and histopathology to detect and grade tumors, immune-mediated disease testing, checking therapeutic drug levels, PCR testing to identify pathogens and treat infections, urine culture and sensitivities, analysis of bladder stones, and much, much more.
Microchipping
One of the best ways for lost pets to be reunited with their family is a small chip, about the size of grain of rice, imbedded in your pet – a registered microchip. Studies have shown that about a third of pets will be lost at some point in their lives.
Having them microchipped, and registering the microchip, exponentially increases the odds those lost pets be reunited with their family. Even if your pet wears a collar with ID tags, we also recommend microchipping your pets for added security. Collars and tags can become lost. Microchips are permanent.
Microchips are tiny transponders that carry a unique code for your pet. The microchip is injected under the loose skin between your pet’s shoulder blades. It’s no more invasive than a vaccination. Veterinary clinics and shelters have readers that can scan the chips to read the ID number. Through a database, registered numbers then provide contact information for the pet’s owner.
Nutrition Counseling and Prescription Diets
Nutrition is a key component to pet health, and is often an integral part of treatment plans for sick animals. Your pet’s overall health depends on good nutrition and weight management. An important part of your pet’s exam is a Body Condition Score (BCS), which indicates if your pet is underweight, overweight, or at an ideal body weight. Our veterinarian will also assess if your pet has any disease processes that may be related to their diet and discuss all this information with you.
We carry a variety of special prescription diets and some supplements for dogs and cats, and can order others that your pet may need. Advances in pet nutrition have led to the creation of special diets to manage heart disease, kidney disease, allergies, obesity, urinary tract disorders, diabetes, GI disorders, and to help prevent tartar on teeth. Prescription diets are only available through veterinarians or with a prescription from a veterinarian.
Pain Management
Any pet owner will be stressed to find their beloved pet in pain. It’s not always easy to tell if they are in pain, since dogs and cats are pretty good at hiding it. Sometimes you may have a hint, they may be less active or there may be a hitch in their step.
Oftentimes what is first noticed is a mobility issue. Without a doubt, if you think your pet is in pain, it’s best to have them evaluated as quickly as possible. Veterinarians have an array of tools in their kit to alleviate pain in animals from medications and supplements to therapy and body work.
Though not an inclusive list, here are potential symptoms of pain in dogs and cats:
Anxiety
Whimpering
Howling
Guarding behavior
Hiding
Hunching
Unusual submissive behavior
Irritability
Self-mutilation
Refusal to move
Decreased appetite
Dilated pupils
Unusual gait
Tail flicking
Aggression
Limping/lameness
Decreased interest in playing
Reluctance to jump
One of the best preventions for pain is to keep your pets at their ideal weight. Weight management can ward off a number of maladies.
Parasite Prevention and Treatment
Parasites are an ongoing threat to pets. Depending on the parasite, your pet may be infected through a mosquito, fleas and ticks, feces and other modes. Because parasites can wreak havoc to your pet’s health whether they are indoor or spend time inside and outside, we recommend annual testing and year-round prevention.
We recommend a fecal test at least once a year to screen for intestinal parasites. We also recommend dogs and cats stay on year-round heatworm preventative medication. A heatworm test is required prior to starting heartworm medication and annually thereafter. We carry both chewable heartworm preventatives for dogs and cats, as well as ProHeart 12 for dogs, a single dose injection that provides protection year-round.
There are approximately 80 species of fleas in Colorado, among the highest found in any state, and fleas thrive in cooler temperatures. The best way to avoid a flea infestation is prevention. Here are a few suggestions to lessen the risk:
- keep your pets on their flea and tick medication (the most effective means of prevention!)
- frequently mow the lawn (fleas congregate in tall grass)
- vacuum floors regularly (fleas hide in carpets to avoid light)
- wash pet bedding in hot water regularly
In Colorado, there are about 30 species of ticks and they can be found at elevations up to around 10,000 feet above sea level. The most common ones are the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. Ticks can cause a number of tick-borne diseases, but in our region Colorado tick fever is most common in dogs and people. Peak season for ticks is spring and summer, but they pose a threat all year long. If you’ve been hiking with your dog, we recommend checking thoroughly for ticks. If you find a tick on your pet, grasp it with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Talk to your veterinarian today if you need flea and tick preventatives for your pets.
To learn more about parasite prevention, visit the AVMA’s website:
Pharmacy
Our hospital includes a full compendium of medications for treating our patients, allowing us to treat patients immediately as needed. For an even wider array of pet medications, we partner with VetSource for our online pharmacy. VetSource ships directly to your home and can provide auto-shipping and compounded medications made specifically for your pet. VetSource offers competitive pricing and special promotions for medications as well. All medications sold by Midtown Veterinary Medical Center and VetSource are 100% guaranteed.
Our pharmacy includes: oral and injectable heartworm preventatives, flea & tick preventatives, pain medications, antibiotics, allergy medications, anti-inflammatory medications, anti-anxiety medications, gastro-protectants, antifungals, topical ointments and creams, joint supplements, CBD supplements, medicated shampoos, dental chews, prescriptions diets, and more.
Visit our online store to refill your pet’s medications here:
Online PharmacyHUMAN MEDICATIONS FOR PETS
Before giving your pet any over-the-counter medication, or one sold for humans, it’s imperative to check with your veterinarian first. While some medications are safe for humans and pets, many are not! For example, ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin, Mucinex, NyQuil) can cause severe illness or even death in dogs and cats. And while some medications are safe for pets and people, a pet may need a much smaller dose that must be compounded and therefore not available at any pharmacy.
Surgery
Our team of veterinarians are able to provide a wide array of elective and emergency surgeries for your pet, and we partner with board-certified mobile surgeons, who provide more advanced orthopedic and soft tissue procedures on-site. Our hospital is equipped with a sterile, dedicated surgical suite and electronic monitoring equipment. One or more veterinary technicians assist with each surgery, monitoring anesthesia and vital signs. Pain management is a key component to every surgery. As your pet recovers in-hospital from their procedure, our veterinary team will closely monitor vital signs and assess pain. Our doctor will provide written aftercare instructions for at-home care, which will include when and how to administer medications, what to expect as your pet recovers at home, and any recommended follow-up care.
Our veterinarians are available to address your concerns regarding your pet’s procedure. We recommend keeping a list of questions as you think of them to help you remember what to ask. We understand the prospect of anesthesia and surgery is daunting. Our surgical protocols are meticulously followed to provide your pet with optimal care. Prior to surgery, our veterinarian will examine your pet, discuss her findings and treatment recommendations, and answer any questions you may have. An estimate will be provided so there will be no surprises, and care will commence once the estimate is approved. We do require pre-operative bloodwork, and for some a heart evaluation (ECG), to ensure your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia. In some cases, radiographs (x-rays) and/or ultrasound may also be performed prior to surgical procedures. We may recommend you bring your pet back to the clinic for a recheck exam and suture removal 7-14 days after surgery. These specifics will be spelled out in written discharge instructions provided by our veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet’s recovery, you are welcome to call or come in for our veterinarian to check on your pet.
Surgical Procedures:
- Spay and neuter
- Gastropexy
- Skin abscess
- Laceration repairs
- Intestinal obstruction (foreign body)
- Mass removal
- Bladder stones or urethral blockage (cystotomy)
- Limb amputation
- Caesarian section
- Dental extractions
- Abdominal exploratory
- Enucleation
- Hernia repair
- Soft palate
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway repair
- Anal sacculectomy
- Internal bleeding
- TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy)
- Torn cruciate repair
- FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy)
- Fracture repair
- Intestinal resection/anastomosis
- Cholecystectomy
- Splenectomy
Urgent Same Day Veterinary Care
MVMC offers same day appointments for urgent care during our office hours. ANY concern you have about your pet’s health warrants, at minimum, a call to your veterinarian.
Learn MoreWellness Care for Dogs and Cats
Our veterinarians are here to guide you through each period of development so your pet can live a happy and healthy life. Adapting recommendations to best fit your lifestyle and needs, we are invested in your pets living their best lives. We understand that a dog veterinarian is only as good as his or her ability to successfully prevent, diagnose and treat whatever ailment a dog may be facing. Equally as important is our ability to listen and communicate well with owners to make sure they understand their dog’s health concerns and how to make the best choices for their dog.
Preventative Care
Kitten Care
Puppy Care
Senior Care
Vaccinations
Learn More
