Dancing Cats Feline Health Center - Services

We value your pet’s health. Addressing health concerns before they become serious health risks is the basis behind wellness exams. Many conditions that may occur during the normal aging process can be diagnosed early through thorough physical examinations and routine laboratory testing. We recommend young cats be seen at least one time per year and older cats be seen at least every six months.

During your pet’s annual exam Dr. Larsen will discuss appropriate vaccine protocols. Vaccine recommendations are based on several variables including your cats exposure to the outdoors, exposure to free roaming cats, spay and neuter status, exposure to other household cats, age and health status, and county laws governing rabies vaccination.

Our in-house laboratory features state-of-the-art equipment. Within minutes we can look at your cat’s complete blood cell count, chemistry and electrolyte profile, critical care profile, and viral status. Our microscopic equipment allows us to determine such things as; parasite eggs, ear mites, abnormal blood cells, urinary crystals, or a bacterial urinary tract infection. Some lab tests are more complex and need to be sent to a reputable outside lab. Turn around time is quick and Dr. Larsen will call you with the results as soon as possible.

X-Ray services are performed in the clinic and Dr. Larsen will thoroughly discuss the findings with you. If further diagnostics are needed, ultrasonography is available through an internal medicine specialist. This procedure is scheduled with an appointment, and in most cases, can be performed at the clinic.

Healthy teeth play a major role in the well being of your cat. Bad breath may be a sign of dental disease. Gingivitis, tartar, and periodontal disease can release bacteria into the bloodstream resulting in internal organ damage and disease. Our dental procedures are performed with your pet’s comfort and safety in mind. Dr. Larsen performs all extractions and the majority of cleaning and scaling treatments with a piezoelectric scaler. Minor scaling is done by trained veterinary nurses under the direct supervision of Dr. Larsen. Dr. Larsen remains with your cat, from the moment it is placed under anesthesia until the time it awakens.

During recovery your cat is cuddled by a veterinary nurse who talks softly to your cat making recovery more comfortable and less stressful. Soft music in the background also contributes to a gentle recovery.

Sterilization procedures, such as spays and neuters, are routinely performed. It is wise before any surgical procedure to run preanesthetic blood tests on your feline friend. This ensures anesthetic risks are minimized. Again, your cat’s safety is paramount. General surgical patients are entubated and maintained on isoflurane gas. Strict sanitary protocols are followed.  Both the doctor and trained technicians constantly monitor anesthesia and vital signs. Following surgery either Dr Larsen or a staff member will contact you and let you know how your feline friend is doing.

Dr. Larsen practices western medicine but some alternative therapies are available such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and Reiki. Acupuncture is an approved form of therapy by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Acupuncture is safe and does not pose the harmful side effects seen with some western drug therapies. It can be used as a primary form of therapy or as a beneficial adjunct to western medicine. It has many efficacies from spondylosis and osteoarthritis to renal disease. Homeopathy, flower essences, and Reiki address the body’s ability to heal at an energetic level. Nutrition, exercise, security, and love also play an important part in healing.

“I have lived, looked for you, and loved you for so long” We value our senior feline population and are committed to providing exemplary care to promote as long a quality of life as possible. Our veterinary nurses are compassionate and gentle as they participate in the care of these feline friends. As these special patients enter into the twilight of their lives, hospice measures are recommended to keep them comfortable and dignified.

We carry a variety of Science Diet and Royal Canin Prescription Diets. We also carry healthy maintenance diets such as Innova and California Natural. Other products include nutritional supplements such as omega fatty acids, osteoarthritic products, hairball formulas, kitten formulas, vitamins, and rehabilitation products. We carry ear, skin, and eye products, dental products, nail clippers, and allergy products. For that special scent, we carry Urine Off. And for the cat that craves a massage – the Atom Massager. We do not declaw our feline friends at Dancing Cats and offer other alternatives such as Soft Paws. You can purchase Soft Paws at the clinic or bring your cat in and have our technicians apply them for you at a reasonable cost.

Microchips can help return your cat safely to you if it becomes lost. We use Avid Microchips and implantation is quick and inexpensive.

We contract cremations through Family Animal Services. Communal, individual and private cremations are available. Your loved one will be handled with the utmost respect and individual and private cremations are performed quickly so your loved one can return home within a few days.

Nothing quite prepares us for the passing of our beloved friends. For many, our companion animals have become cherished family members and they are treated as our children. It’s never wrong to feel grief and anguish over a loved one’s passing. It takes time to heal the scars left on your heart. Our staff understands your feelings, we have been there ourselves and offer you our support in your time of loss. There are several grief support hotlines and support groups including: Cornell University, Colorado State University, …

 

 

The following links are not a part of the Dancing Cats Feline Health Center website and open in a new window.

The Rainbow Bridge - A comforting Poem    Pet Loss Grief Support Website