News & Events

Select Category

Resources

VRC works with many types of organizations. Following is a list of our preferred partners to help you with your clients’ needs.

View Resources

FAQS

Here you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions from pet owners. Additional FAQ can be found on our Referring Veterinarians page

View FAQS

News and Events

Jun-06

Category
Frequently Asked Questions
Share

Frequently Asked Questions: Dentistry and Oral Surgery

Dentistry and Oral Surgery

 

What is Dental Radiography and is it necessary?

Dental radiographs, more commonly referred to as x-rays, are necessary to see what lies under the gums and within the teeth and bone. Obtaining good quality dental radiographs and properly interpreting them requires advanced training. Clinical examination of each tooth with dental instruments is also essential, since not all dental lesions are visible radiographically. With dental radiographs, we are able to get a comprehensive look at everything in your pet’s mouth, and address any issues accordingly.

What kinds of oral diseases and injuries can be detected and treated by a specialist at VRC?

  • Malocclusion
  • Tooth-to-soft tissue trauma
  • Ulcers/ excessive redness
  • Missing teeth
  • Crowded or extra teeth
  • Growths or swellings
  • Discolored, non-vital teeth
  • Fractured or chipped teeth
  • Open pulp chambers
  • Draining tracts
  • Caries (“cavities”)
  • Loose teeth
  • Gum recession
  • Deep periodontal pockets
  • Hair entrapment
  • Calculus

Why is anesthesia necessary for my pet’s dental evaluation?

It is impossible to see the entire mouth while your pet is awake as many pets are uncooperative during an oral examination, especially if they are experiencing pain. A thorough evaluation requires dental radiography, a trained eye, and plenty of examination time spent with complete visibility of the entire mouth to spot hidden problems. Our dental specialty service can offer the same thorough evaluation for your pet that you expect from your own dentist.

What are the some consequences and side effects of oral disease?

Pain

Pets will suffer silently with tooth infections rather than appear weak. Dogs or cats that have fractured teeth with exposed pulp will develop pain, even if their behavior does not reflect this. Periodontal disease can also lead to painful abscesses. Studies show that 27% of dogs have fractured teeth, and 9% of these teeth have pulp exposure. Early infections can only be prevented or identified early with a thorough evaluation of the mouth and dental radiographs.

Unhealthy chewing habits are a common cause of broken teeth. Never provide chew toys that you cannot break with your hands, or that you cannot dent with your finger nail. If your dog is prone to aggressive chewing, check frequently for broken teeth.

Systemic Disease Associations

In humans, periodontal disease is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and low birth weight babies. Similar links between poor oral health and more serious diseases also exist for our pets. Gum infection and inflammation by-products seep into the blood stream where it negatively affects the liver, kidneys, and heart muscle. The more oral infection is present, the worse the effects.  This is why it is so important to have your pet’s mouth regularly evaluated.

Tumors

Oral growths in pets are not uncommon. If seen in time, the treatment prognosis is good. The longer they persist and the larger they become, the more difficult they are to treat.

Bone Loss

In small dogs, the teeth are disproportionately larger for their mouths compared to big dogs. The resulting dental crowding leads to tooth overlap, rotations, and the creation of havens for trapped infection that fosters periodontal disease (the loss of tooth-supporting bone). This bone loss can cause problems such as spontaneous jaw fractures in pets of any age. Simply looking at the front teeth in an awake pet will give very few clues as to the advanced periodontal disease developing under the gums in the back of the mouth. The dental x-rays  that we use can give us insight into the areas of the mouth that we cannot see.

Behavior Changes

Owners frequently remark how playfulness returned to their older pets after the treatment of painful dental disease. If just one bad tooth can ruin your mood, just imagine having numerous painful teeth!

What signs might my pet show if they are having a problem with his/her teeth/mouth that requires medical attention?

Pets will conceal oral pain as much as possible, so their dental disease may be very advanced before it is noticeable. Eventually, signs such as bad breath, dropping food, jaw or face swelling, loose teeth, pus, gum recession, very red and inflamed tissues, and bleeding can be a clue that they are experiencing pain in their mouth.

Are dental procedures painful? Safe?

It is impossible to perform necessary gingival probing and dental radiographs without anesthesia. Anesthesia, local nerve blocks, pain medication, and meticulous surgery all are part of minimizing discomfort. Properly performed and monitored anesthesia with intravenous fluids and body temperature support is extremely safe. At VRC, we have extensive experience performing dental procedures with anesthesia on pets from all walks of life. Ultimately, your pet’s long term health and comfort is greatly enhanced by eliminating dental disease.

How long do these procedures last?

The one bad tooth you’ve noticed in your pet’s mouth is often the tip of the iceberg in terms of what dental disease is present. After the oral assessment and dental x-rays, the findings are discussed with you (while your pet is under anesthesia) before any surgery. Please keep in mind that it may require several hours to correct a lifetime of progressing disease. That is why safe anesthesia is our highest and first priority, and why we are so often entrusted by referring veterinarians to handle their older, smaller, and medically frail patients.

Share

Jun-02

Category
Veterinarians
Share

Digital Transmission of Diagnostic Imagery

Help us to improve efficiency and communication throughout the referral process!

 

To our Referral Community,

We are always looking for ways to improve the interchange of patient information with our referral community. VRC now offers the ability to send and receive any diagnostic image virtually diagnosticimageincluding CT, X-ray, and MRI scans for practices that currently utilize digital radiography machines.

Digital transmission allows for seamless and timely transfers of data between your practice and VRC, which will result in improved efficiency and communication at the benefit of your patients. This process preserves original quality and eliminates the possibility of lost records as they journey as they journey between our offices. Digital transfer of diagnostic imagery facilitates a faster and more accurate diagnosis in a field where time is often of the essence.

Digital transmission requires a simple 10-15 minute procedure performed remotely by one of our experienced IT professionals. If interested, contact Sandy Kush at (610)647-2950 to register or to request further information.

Share

Jun-01

Category
Frequently Asked Questions Miscellaneous
Share

Frequently Asked Questions: Emergency Services

Emergency Services

 

Do you close on holidays?

VRC is open 24/7, 365 days a year; rain or shine. Our doors never close and you can always count on us to be available for your pet’s needs at all times!

Does it cost more to bring my pet through the ER?

The ER consultation fee is no more expensive than consultation fees of other departments within VRC. Fees associated with a given category are equal across all departments (e.g. hospitalization, medications, and diagnostics).

How does the process work when I arrive?

When you arrive you will be directed to speak with one of our emergency nurses. They will first ask you a few questions about your pet and will later bring him/her to the back for our doctors to perform a physical exam.

Will there be a long wait in the ER?

When the ER is busy, your pet will be seen on the basis of need. A triage nurse and ER doctor will make an initial assessment of your pet’s needs within minutes of your arrival. Pets that are experiencing emergencies and need immediate attention will take priority.  If all of our current patients are equally stable, they are seen in order of arrival. If other pets are being seen before yours, this is good news as it means your pet is not as sick as some of our other patients.

Who will be seeing my pet?

Our excellent and experienced emergency doctors or critical care specialists will personally perform a physical exam on your pet. They will also be sure to come out and speak with you afterwards with an initial diagnosis.

Is anyone caring for my pet during the night?

We have veterinarians and nurses available in the hospital 24/7, 365 days a year. Your pets are always being looked after and cared for while they are in our care.

How often will my dog get walked while (s)he is in the hospital?

Our patients are walked regularly. We have areas surrounding the hospital that allow for seamless transition from inside care to bathroom breaks and appropriate exercise outside. Typically, our patients on IV fluids are walked at least every 4 hours.

Can I visit my pet if he/she has to stay in the hospital?

We encourage visiting with your pet while (s)he is in the hospital and always do our best to accommodate those who wish to do so. Your pet misses you as much as you miss him/her! We do ask that you discuss a visit with your doctor or call ahead to arrange a time so that we can best accommodate you.

Should I bring my pet’s own food, medicine or blankets/personal items?

It is helpful to bring your pet’s food and medicine while (s)he is in the hospital.  If you do choose to bring personal items, we recommend not bringing anything of sentimental value.  We have plenty of comfortable bedding here, so there is no need to bring your own.  Please understand that if any items become soiled, they will go into our laundry and we cannot guarantee their return to you. We also suggest asking your veterinarian prior to bringing any toys to make sure that they won’t interfere with your pet’s treatment.

Will my veterinarian be kept updated on my pet’s care?

Your veterinarian receives regular updates from our emergency/critical care doctors during hospitalization. Our goal is to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure seamless care for your pets while they are at VRC. Your primary veterinarian will receive the details regarding our physical exam, any diagnostic tests performed with the results, and the recommended treatment plan. If your pet is admitted to stay overnight, then your primary veterinarian will receive twice daily updates.

What if I cannot afford my pet’s care?

Here at VRC, we understand that medical costs can be extremely difficult, especially when they are unexpected. Should you choose to do so, you may apply for CareCredit. This is a healthcare credit card designed for payment of your veterinary needs. It’s a way to pay for the costs of treatments and procedures in manageable monthly increments. Please talk to your doctor or a member of our client services team at reception to learn more.

Share

May-20

Category
Emergency Pet Care Miscellaneous Pet Owner Tips
Share

What Should I do When My Dog Has Been Bitten by Another Animal?

One of the best things about having a dog is the way they get you outside. It can be easy to spend too much time indoors these days, but when you have a dog you always have a good excuse to take walks through the city streets or down country roads. You make time for play dates in the park, or for a little trail running through the wilderness. But while spending time in the great outdoors can be a tremendous benefit to you and your dog’s health, it’s important to remain aware that other animals, wild and domesticated, are also out and about—and sometimes those animals may be inclined to bite your dog. It’s not particularly likely to happen, but one should be realistic about these things. A little preparedness can go a long way when it comes to protecting your dog from animal bites—and a little information can help you to avoid panicking if your dog is bitten.

Most animals your dog will meet outside, like other people’s dogs, are perfectly friendly. Others, such as neighborhood cats and wildlife such as squirrels, rabbits, and foxes, will want to get away from your dog. It’s not always easy to know what other animals will do, however—especially animals such as raccoons, which are prevalent in most parts of the country. So, the best way you can prevent the risk of your dog being bitten by unfamiliar animals is to always walk your dog on a leash. A leashed dog can’t run off to engage with animals that may or may not be aggressive.

Even if you do everything right, however, your dog might someday receive an animal bite. And most animal bites are rarely lethal—though if your dog is bitten by a snake, seek help immediately.

If your dog is bitten by a cat, dog, or member of an urban wildlife population, here’s what to do:
  • Stop the bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a clean washcloth or towel.
  • Go to the vet. Make an immediate appointment to see your primary veterinarian so he or she can look at the wound and prescribe care for it. They will definitely clean it, and will typically either prescribe antibiotics (if small) or a surgical drain (if large).
  • Home care. Usually, your vet will give you aftercare instructions for your dog. Continuing oral antibiotics until they’re finished, gently cleaning the wound, and monitoring your dog for signs of infection are common recommendations. You may also be required to restrict your dog’s activity level until the wound is healed.

Animal bites aren’t necessarily the worst injury your pet can sustain, but neither should they be taken lightly. Don’t assume you can treat even a small bite at home—animal mouths contain bacteria that can cause infection. It’s like the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” So, take your animal into the vet first thing if they are bitten. They will know if it’s something they can take care of easily, or whether you should seek out the care of a veterinary specialist near Philadelphia.

VRC is a veterinary hospital in Malvern, PA. If you suspect your dog has been bitten, or you see another animal bite your dog, contact your primary veterinarian to see if a visit to a specialist at VRC veterinary hospital is a good idea.

Share