Services
Medical and Surgical
Medical Care
If your pet is not feeling well, the veterinarians at Randolph Animal Hospital will perform a complete "nose-to-tail" examination. During this examination, we will look at, listen to, and palpate (or touch) your pet in order to find abnormalities. We will check the nose, perform a dental exam of the mouth and teeth, and then we will look closely at the face, eyes and ears. The skin will be thoroughly examined for signs of allergy or infection. Along the neck we will palpate for abnormalities associated with the thyroid gland and lymph nodes. Since there are many lymph nodes in the neck, shoulder, and armpit areas, we will spend a good deal of time here as swelling in this area can indicate a nearby infection or problem.
Throughout the examination, we will also palpate muscles and bones, squeeze and bend joints, checking for abnormalities and testing for reflexes and pain. When we get to the chest area, we will listen to the heart and take a pulse in one of the hind legs. Heart problems, such as murmurs or irregular beats, can sometimes be heard through a stethoscope. We will also listen to the lungs for any abnormal sounds or breathing irregularities.
We will palpate abdominal organs such as kidneys, liver, and intestines, checking for irregularities, lumps and areas of pain or tenderness. Any one of these could indicate a problem.
Both male and female dogs often get rectal exams in order to rule out prostate disease in males and rectal disease in both sexes. Along with the rectal exam, a rectal temperature of your pet is also recorded.
Following the physical exam, we may order a laboratory evaluation that includes a fecal exam, urinalysis, complete blood cell count and blood chemistry profile. These tests are often needed in order to confirm a possible diagnosis or to continue with the initial diagnostic workup.
If we suspect abnormalities or signs of disease, we may investigate further by using diagnostic tests such as X-rays and / or ultrasound. Whatever problem your pet might have, you can be sure that he / she will receive the best possible care by the veterinarians and staff at Randolph Animal Hospital.
Surgery
Our hospital is well-equipped to perform most minor and major surgical procedures from spays and neuters to more complicated emergency, orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries.
Prior to surgery, each patient receives a thorough physical examination to identify any existing medical conditions that might endanger your pet's health. Because not all problems can be detected on examination, we also require pre-anesthetic blood testing. These tests not only give us a more complete picture of your pet's health but also allow us to tailor an anesthetic regime that is specific for your pet.
We offer a wide variety of anesthetic protocols tailored to your individual pet's needs. We are equipped with state-of-the-art anesthetic machines that provide patients with isoflurane or sevoflurane gas anesthesia. We utilize extensive anesthetic monitoring devices including Doppler blood pressure, pulse oximetry and other cardiac monitoring devices.
Pain management is a part of our pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative anesthetic and medical protocol. We urge you to discuss operative pain management options with our staff.
All of our surgical patients are intubated and maintained under general anesthesia with isoflurane or sevoflurane, which are safe inhalant gas anesthetic agents. This ensures that the doctor and surgical technician can hear (as well as see) that the surgical patient is stable.
We also use a pulse oximeter to monitor heart rate and tissue oxygenation. This helps assure us that our patient is receiving exactly the right amount of anesthesia.
Laboratory Testing
By performing some basic blood tests, the veterinarian can gather information concerning the health and well being of your pet. Two common blood tests performed are the complete blood count and blood chemistry profile. The complete blood count consists of several tests that evaluate the number and type of blood cells in the circulation. The blood chemistry test surveys many of the organ systems of the body and provides information on how they are functioning. Most blood tests are performed on site at Randolph Animal Hospital using their new blood analyzers. Tests that cannot be performed at the hospital are sent out to veterinary diagnostic laboratories throughout the country. We are able to get laboratory test results in as little as 20 minutes when urgent situations arise. We are also able to monitor our patients with chronic problems and cancers more efficiently, often times even while you wait.
Digital Radiology
X-ray has been one of the key diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine since the 1930s. Our x-ray unit is calibrated and tested regularly in order to meet standards set by the Department of Health.
For excellent x-ray image quality, we have converted to digital radiology. Digital radiology is a new technology and produces better diagnostic images than the traditional film and plate radiographs.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure similar to x-ray. Specially generated sound waves are focused towards the chest, heart, abdominal organs or other tissues of the body. The returning "echoes" give us information about changes in the size, shape, density, and disease patterns in those organs and tissues. When appropriate, a biopsy can be taken during the ultrasound procedure.
At Randolph Animal Hospital, ultrasound is used most commonly to evaluate diseases of the heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, intestine, spleen, prostrate, uterus, adrenal glands, and urinary bladder. It is also used to evaluate and perform biopsy growths in the chest and abdomen. Sedation is sometimes required and most pets undergoing biopsy procedures go home the same day.
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