NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH! (Just joking).  Dr Hendrickson is going to perform a pet laser surgery demonstration on an………..apricot.

A Novapulse laser machine is today’s weapon of choice. It utilizes water, and an incision is made due to instantaneous vaporization of the tissue. A foot pedal activates the laser after the power settings are set. This laser apparatus comes equipped with a waveguide and laser tip for “incision precision”.

The power density of the laser can be adjusted in order to affect the depth of the incision. Heat generation reduction is possible with regards to minimizing the amount of charring and death of the tissue that is not associated with the incision. In addition, the laser energy seals the animal’s blood vessels, nerve endings, and lymphatics.

Benefits include the lack of your pet’s excessive bleeding, pain, and swelling.

Please contact us with any questions that you may have concerning the cost of Veterinary Laser Surgery.

Schedule an appointment online at www.HillchesterAH.com

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An in-house veterinary laboratory is crucial for the rapid need to diagnose conditions in your pet as opposed to sending out the materials for analysis.

Dr. Hendrickson uses a veterinary microscope and an incubator in order to process samples (blood, tissue, urine, fecal, etc.). This helps to detect the possible existence of veterinary parasites that may be found in your pet.

A CBC Analyzer can extend the process of your pet’s blood cell analysis by looking for problems such as feline leukemia and canine anemia.

Acute and chronic conditions involving veterinary blood chemistry can also be checked with different veterinary apparatus that looks at your pet’s kidney and liver functions. It can also be used to monitor protein levels in the blood as well as calcium levels in the blood.

Another veterinary machine performs blood gas analysis and determines electrolytes. Blood pH analysis as well as acid base analysis can be done using this particular veterinary device.

The supplemental procedure of staining blood films is also possible in our lab.

Please fill in the yellow form on the right for the cost of a heartworm test, the price of heartworm pills, and for the price of any other pet meds.

Schedule an appointment online at www.HillchesterAH.com

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Ultrasound machines have made their way into the list of important aspects of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Hendrickson is able to utilize this equipment for diagnosing conditions inside of a pet’s body. Abdomen and heart/cardiac explorations are examples of veterinary noninvasive evaluations that can be performed with ultrasound. He is also able to determine if discovered problems may require a biopsy for the pet.

The telemetry device comes in handy when there is a need to send images to specialists in the event of getting that all-important “second opinion”.

A video tape machine is used to record the procedures for future review.

Schedule an appointment online at www.HillchesterAH.com

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Pet Spay/Neutering via laser (using Hillchester Animal Hospital’s state-of-the-art Laser Technology) for surgery reduces the pain and trauma to your pet, improves recovery, and reduces the risk of infection.

5 Reasons To Spay/Neuter Your Pet:

1) Spay/Neutering may correct aggressive or bad behavior.

Dogs and cats are still wild animals at the DNA level. Evolution rewarded aggressive behavior by passing on that gene pool to the next generation. Therefore, the male of the species will instinctively mark its territory by urinating (usually on the new carpet). It will also fight anything that moves in order to mate. (I know that there is joke about men being like dogs in here somewhere, but Hillchester only does canine and feline neutering). Likewise, when your female canine or female feline goes into heat, you realize where the phrase “howling at the moon” came from.

2) Spay/Neutering may reduce the tendency for a pet to run away.

The “Call of the Wild” can have your pet looking for love in the wrong places. While this concept may make for great country western song lyrics, it can break your heart when a pet runs away. You may never see your pet again. You may never know what has happened to your pet.

3) Spay/Neutering eliminates certain cancers and diseases.

If the part is not there, it can’t get cancer. Ovarian and testicular cancer occurs in companion animals just like with humans.

4) Spay/Neutering prevents overpopulation & unwanted pets.

Unless you plan to go into the professional breeder business, there is no good business reason for allowing for the possibility of accidental pregnancies. The “Free Kittens to a Good Home” signs are cute, but the reality of where they end up can be very ugly.

5) Spay/Neutering enhances your pet’s good health.

Neutered pets are usually better companion animals, bond better with their owners, and have fewer injuries. Those “raging hormones” can cause a lot of pet health problems.

For the price of any Veterinary Medical Service, please submit the form to the right (including species and weight).

Schedule an appointment online at www.HillchesterAH.com

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Cat versus Favorite Chair

Cat versus Favorite Chair

Kittens and Cats scratch (period).  In a purrfect world  (pun intended) ,  kittens and cats would scratch a $10 Cat Scratching Post instead of a $400 Favorite  Chair.  Also, if your cat  comes in contact with children, the cat may scratch a child’s face or arms just because the cat does not want to play.  Often in order to keep peace in the family, the decision comes down to  having the cat de-clawed or getting rid of the cat.   If you decide to have the cat declawed,  Cat Declaw Laser Surgery is less painful and heals quicker than old fashioned scalpel surgery.

For information on when to declaw a kitten,  the average cost of  declawing a kitten,  the average cost of  declawing a adult cat, please fill in the yellow request form at the right.

Why does our Veterinary Practice use Laser Surgery?

A surgical laser can offer several advantages to a scalpel. As it cuts, the laser automatically seals small blood vessels and nerve endings around the cut, which means less bleeding and less pain. Patients typically  experience a quicker return to their normal activities.

What age should a cat be declawed?

It’s best to declaw cats at a young age, about two to five months old. Younger cats tend to recover more quickly and adapt more easily to the loss of their claws.  However, if the decision comes down to  having the older cat de-clawed or getting rid of the older cat,  we recommend declawing.

What happens after cat declawing ?

Most declawed cats will resume normal activities, including performing scratching motions.  However, in the “Cat versus the $400 Favorite  Chair” fight, the $400 Favorite Chair will walk away without a scratch.

Cat declawing Laser Surgery may be the best compromise for all involved.

Schedule an appointment online at www.HillchesterAH.com

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Ear cropping is "art"

For the price of ear cropping or tail docking from Hillchester Animal Hospital, please submit the form to the right (including age, breed, and weight).

You may find that your pure bred dog just does not look like a pure bred unless the dog’s ears are cropped and tail is docked to that “breed standard look”.  Ear cropping is an “art” and if you decide to have your dog’s ears cropped or tail docked, Hillchester Animal Hospital specializes in ear cropping using state-of-the-art laser surgery therapy for animals.

First, your puppy will have to undergo the ear cropping procedure sometime between nine and twelve weeks of age.

Second, be sure to follow the pre-operation instructions for your puppy concerning fasting.  Immediately after the laser surgery, your puppy will be required to stay a minimum of one night at Hillchester Animal Hospital.

Third, your post-operative puppy will need special veterinary care and monitoring to be sure that the ears heal properly .

Hillchester Animal Hospital has performed laser ear cropping on several different canine breeds: Boxer, Great Dane, all varieties of Schnauzer, Doberman Pincher, American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, Miniature Pinchers, Manchester Terrier, Bouvier des Flanders, and Affenpinschers.

Ear cropping is “art”.

Testimonial from Mike*****@yahoo.com

I recently had my dog SOX (6months) in for an ear cropping. I am VERY satisfied with the service and results. First they used state of the art laser technology for the cutting. Second they did the cropping at an older age(6 months). Other vets said it couldnt be done after 12 weeks. Third, the process helped my dog learn how to be cared for and handeled by caregivers at a young age and lastly. The finished job looks awsome. the ears stand straight up. Which is suprising because the dog had deformed cartilage on one ear. Thanks to the Doctor and Staff at Hillchester. Mike

Please call Hillchester Animal Hospital 708-449-6300 or schedule online at www.HillchesterAH.com.

Hillchester Animal Hospital has  Veterinary Specialists in the areas of  Animal Laser Surgery,   Ultra-Sound Diagnostics for Dogs and Cats, and Orthopedic Surgery for Pets.

Additionally,  our Veterinary Medical Practice offers pet wellness examinations (animal health checkups),  dog ear cropping,  female animal spaying and male animal neutering.

Also, we offer rabies vaccinations, puppy shots,  kitten shots,  heart worm tests.  Our Veterinary Pharmacy is stocked with   pet medications,  flea and tick preventatives,  and geriatric pet meds.

On the subject of  buying pet meds on the “gray market” , there are 3 things that the TV Peddlers of Pet Pills don’t mention:

1) Mail order pills do not qualify for guarantees from the drug company. That means that if your pet gets sick,  you pay for it out of your own pocket.   If your pet gets heartworm under our  direct Veterinary Supervision, the drug company pays for it.

2) You must come in and get your pet tested for  heartworm before giving your pet any pills (OR YOU COULD REALLY HARM YOUR  PET).

3) You may actually pay more in the long run for the health care of your pet. Medication sales defray other costs.  Your Pet’s Doctor has made a BIG investment in a local pet heath care facility ( instead of  noisy TV ads).

Schedule an appointment online at www.HillchesterAH.com

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