Other Veterinary Services You May Have Never Heard of

Being a pet owner has its shares of delights and responsibilities; you’ve known that for years. In caring for your pets, just as your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist when you need advanced or specialty care, your regular vet may refer your animal to a specialist.

You might be familiar with your primary care vet and other specialists. However, veterinary medicine is so extensive that this article aims to present other services you probably know little about. The following is an overview of the many different specialty care available.

Dentistry

Animals might not be concerned with the appearance of their teeth. However, they do require good chompers to live. Dental concerns can cause malnutrition and overall pain. Veterinary dentists are trained to clean, fix, and remove teeth and carry out any oral surgery that may be required. Dental hygiene is a crucial aspect of your pet’s overall wellness.

Dermatology

There’s a lot more to veterinary dermatology than just treating a rash. Skin specialists must be well-versed in a wide range of therapies. Most skin-related illnesses require long-term treatment. Working with your primary care veterinarian is the key to properly managing your pet’s skin.

Emergency Care

Emergency veterinary care concerns severe injuries or diseases requiring immediate attention. Physical trauma, shock, respiratory difficulties, heart issues, neurological disorders, and other severe injuries requiring prompt and extensive veterinary treatment are all common conditions that board-certified urgent vet care professionals deal with regularly. To arrange continued medical treatment, they frequently collaborate with primary care veterinarians.

Hospice

The objectives of hospice services are to alleviate pain, regulate nausea, avoid dehydration, and offer nutrition to dogs and cats. When pets strain to breathe, altering medication or veterinarian assistance is essential to comfort care. Some measures, such as putting a feeding tube, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, or receiving supplemental oxygen, necessitate a visit to a veterinary hospital. 

The main difference between human and veterinary hospice care is that they may give your pets gentle euthanasia when all efforts to keep them comfortable and happy have failed. This link will direct you to a reputable hospice service.

Ophthalmology

A vet ophthalmologist is a veterinarian who treats animals’ eyes. Specialists must go through years of training to become board certified. Eye exams and consultations with other veterinarians are done to prevent problems from occurring on your pets.

Surgery

Spays and neuters are common surgical procedures carried out by vets. Veterinary surgery service specialists are typically required for complex or intricate surgery. Veterinary surgeons can access equipment, facilities, and support personnel that ordinary practice veterinarians may not have.

Conclusion

When treatment options and medical diagnoses go beyond the boundaries of general practice, your veterinarian may refer you to a specialist or specialty services discussed above. You can decide whether you proceed or not to seek specialized help at this point.

Your general practice veterinarian will benefit from the experience of a specialist. A specialist may continue to collaborate with your general practice veterinarian, but you and your pet should return to your veterinarian for follow-up on a specific diagnosis.