General Practice
Wellness Exams: We recommend a complete physical exam for your pet twice a year. Lots of changes can occur in the span of 6 months, especially since pets age so much faster than humans. Preventative health care recommendations will be made based on your pet's examination findings.
Senior Pet Wellness: We believe in early detection and prevention. The most common diseases affecting pets over 7 years old include: Cancer, Kidney disease, Heart disease, Diabetes, Dental disease, Obesity, Liver disease, Arthritis and Thyroid disease. There are many options to screen your pet for most of these diseases, they include: Physical Exam, Blood work, X-rays and Urinalysis.
Surgery: We perform a variety of elective (such as spaying and neutering) and non-elective surgeries (like tumor removals and abdominal surgeries). All surgeries are done under sterile conditions and patient safety is of the utmost importance. We offer (and strongly recommend) blood tests prior to any anesthetic procedure to help us assess the benefits and risks of surgery. The blood work tests for abnormalities (such as kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, and diabetes) that may not be found during the pre-surgical exam. For cats that have not already been tested, we recommend screening for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). These diseases are highly contagious and when budgets are limited may be a more beneficial and prudent blood work option.
Patient Monitoring: All patients receiving anesthesia are monitored closely. A staff member is assigned to each case and provides dedicated, continuous observation until the patient is fully awake. We also utilize sophisticated monitoring equipment that keeps us informed of the patient's heart rate, oxygen level, blood pressure and other vital signs. Team members monitor patient comfort as well. All our patients are kept warm using water heated blankets and pain management is assessed throughout all procedures.
Pain Management: Pain has been linked to poor wound healing, immune suppression, poor appetite and other problems. Response to pain is individual for pets as well as people. We anticipate pain for surgical procedures and address and administer pain medications prior to anesthesia. We also aim to make our patients more comfortable in their every day activities and to prolong their quality of life. Our veterinarians assess and discuss pain management options with our clients and help choose the best approach to fit the needs of our patients.
Hospitalization: No one wants a prolonged absence from their loved-ones. We only hospitalize patients when it is absolutely necessary. Our hospitalized pets receive treatments (like intravenous fluids and medications) that cannot be given at home. Every effort is made to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible. In addition to our wonderful technicians and kennel staff, we have employees whose only duty is to care for our patients. They provide reiki treatments, as well as talk to and comfort your absent family member. We also feature separate dog and cat wards to help minimize stress during extended stays.
Radiology: Diagnostic imaging has become a vital part of veterinary medicine over the last decade. Our modern equipment ensures minimal exposure to radiation and provides us with clear films in a timely manner. Quality x-rays aid our doctors in quickly diagnosing many disorders.
Laboratory: Our in-house laboratory allows us to perform many diagnostic lab tests while you wait. We also work closely with several outside laboratories when more extensive diagnostic tests are warranted. Many blood tests are an integral part of diagnosing and determining the best treatment plan for your pet's medical condition.
Dentistry: Periodontal disease (gum disease) is one of the most common disease afflicting dogs and cats. Bacteria and plaque accumulate on the teeth and lead to the formation of tartar. As tartar deposits grow, gum disease and infection set in and eventually lead to tooth loss. Chronic infection in the mouth can be a predisposing factor for heart, kidney and liver disease. We offer professional ultrasonic cleaning, scaling, polishing and fluoride treatments. We also strongly recommend preventative measures like teeth brushing (using special enzymatic toothpaste), oral rinsing and special tartar-preventing diets.
Dermatology: Our doctors take special interest in skin issues of dogs and cats. The skin is the largest organ and even minor abnormalities can impact health and lead to discomfort. Some internal diseases will manifest as skin problems. We see a large number of dermatological cases including allergies, sarcoptic mange and ear complications. We use a variety of methods to diagnose and treat skin ailments. Most often we microscopically examine samples of tissue, exudates (pus) and discharge (ears). We understand that when a pet is uncomfortable the owner is too!
Pharmacy/ Pet Food / Over the Counter Products: We stock a full pharmacy for your pets' prescription needs. We offer Science Diet food and a selection of prescription veterinary diets. We also carry a variety of supplements, flea and tick products and shampoos.
Orthopedics: Many orthopedic issues can be helped or cured by the surgical services and expertise offered by Dr. Todd Gauger. Dr. Gauger performs a number of orthopedic procedures on a daily basis, including fracture repairs and joint repairs. In 2003 the Norway Veterinary Hospital became the first facility in Maine to offer the TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) an advanced technique commonly used to treat cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. In 2009, arthroscopy was introduced to assist in the treatment of joint diseases in dogs. Arthroscopy provides unparalleled visualization and greater accuracy in both the assessment and treatment of joint disease, while being much less invasive that traditional surgery. Joint conditions of dogs commonly treated with arthroscopy include cruciate and meniscal disease, elbow dysplasia, OCD and biceps tendon disease.
Immunizations: Protecting your pet from preventable diseases and viruses is an important part of pet ownership. We recommend vaccines based on the pets age, activity and environment. We follow the American Animal Hospital Association vaccine protocol guidelines.
Microchipping: Using the HomeAgain system we can implant a tiny chip that contains an identification number into your pet. Shelters and hospitals are equipped with scanners that can read the chip number. Should your pet become lost or stolen, the microchip will help identify and reunite you with your loved one.