Pet Illness Care

Just like people, pets can get sick or injure themselves. Unlike people, they can be very good at hiding an illness until it becomes severe. At Highlands Veterinary Center, we are here to help. If your pet is showing signs of illness, such as lethargy, changes in personality, unexplained weight loss, or respiratory signs, please call us immediately.

We are here to diagnose and treat your pet, providing the best possible care to your pet in times of acute illness. We are also able to help your pet when injured, including X-rays of possible fractures, wound care, or laceration repair.

Diarrhea and/or Vomiting can quickly get out of control, causing severe dehydration in pets. They can also be symptoms of an underlying illness or problem.

If your pet is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, please give us a call or schedule an appointment. We may ask you to bring in a sample of your pet’s stool if diarrhea is present.

Ear infections in pets are more common than you might realize, afflicting 1 out of every 5 dogs and 1 out of every 15 cats seen in veterinary clinics. These painful diseases can be caused by a variety of pests, parasites, and microscopic intruders — and if left untreated, they can lead to ruptured eardrums and deafness. A pet with an ear infection may shake his head, hold his head at an angle, scratch or rub the affected ear, exhibit ear odor/discharge, or display obvious pain symptoms. The skin of the ear may also be red, have hair loss, or there may be swelling of the ear flap. Your pet may also seem to be having balance or hearing problems. Severe ear infections can cause nausea and vomiting. If your pet is showing signs of an ear infection, bring them to Highlands Veterinary Center for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Your pet will be required to have an ear cytology to determine the type of ear infection they have.

Even though it’s covered with fur, your pet’s skin is sensitive and capable of being irritated or infected.

Fungus, bacteria, allergies, and parasites all wreak havoc on your pet’s skin, causing unbearable itching and discomfort. Therefore, Poway Animal Hospital provides dermatology treatment for some of the most common pet allergies and troublesome skin conditions.

Allergies
One of the most common skin issues cats and dogs can face is allergies. Like humans, pets have allergies triggered by factors in their environment. However, unlike humans, most pets don’t suffer from respiratory problems when their allergies flare up. Instead, they get rashes and inflamed skin which can cause severe itching. This condition is known as allergic dermatitis.

Allergic itching is most often caused by fleas, but it can also be triggered by other factors, including:

• Food ingredients
• Dust
• Mold
• Household chemicals

If left untreated, pets may scratch excessively, causing other problems, including loss of fur and lacerations, which can become infected. If you notice your pet incessantly scratching or sneezing, bring them in for a dermatology exam. They may need treatment for allergies. Allergies have no permanent cure. However, there are many ways of controlling symptoms to make life easier for your pet and you.

Infections
Many pets suffering from skin allergies also have skin infections by the time they are being treated. These infections are caused by fungus or bacteria in open cuts, though they can usually be treated with antibiotics. Other common infections treated through pet dermatology include ear infections, or otitis, often caused by mites. So, pets constantly pawing or scratching at their ears could usually benefit from a dermatological exam. Other signs your pet may have a fungal or bacterial infection include dandruff, loss of fur, and red, oozing, or scaled skin. Call us immediately at  757-549-8609  if you notice any of these symptoms! Some skin infections, like mange and ringworm, are not only painful for your pet, they’re contagious to humans too.

The practice of high-quality veterinary medicine focuses on the entire patient – from medical issues that affect physical functioning to emotional and psychological issues that affect well-being. Experiencing pain can affect the body’s physical functioning and can negatively affect a patient’s well-being and state of mind. That’s why pain management is among our primary considerations when we are treating a pet for any medical condition.

Our approach to pain management involves anticipating potentially painful procedures and taking steps to manage pain from the outset, as well as continuing to manage pain throughout your pet’s treatment and recovery process. Did you know that various types of pain can look different in animals? For example, a dog with chronic arthritis may exhibit very subtle signs of pain that can go unnoticed unless you know what to look for. Fortunately, our staff of compassionate, caring professionals is skilled in recognizing signs of pain in animals and developing an individualized plan for managing pain in our patients.

From routine procedures (such as spays or dental cleanings) to more advanced medical treatments (such as bone surgeries or cancer treatments) to chronically painful conditions (such as arthritis or back pain), we are dedicated to providing safe and effective pain management to every patient. We will also help you recognize signs of pain in your pet so that we can modify his or her pain management plan when necessary.

Recognizing and alleviating pain in our patients is at the very heart of quality, compassionate patient care. We don’t take pain management for granted and will employ all our skills to help ensure your pet’s comfort, well-being, and full recovery. We are very excited about offering Therapy Laser as an alternative to drugs in managing acute and chronic pain. Please see the Laser Pain Management section of our services.