Health Maintenance Services

While regular preventive care is the foundation of your pet's good health, the veterinarians and medical team at South Fork Animal Hospital are also skilled providers of a full range of healthcare services, including allergy and dermatology treatment, glaucoma prevention, nutrition counseling and prescription diets, and more.

Internal Medicine for Wainscott PetsInternal Medicine

Despite the best preventive care, your pet can become sick. For that reason, an important part of our practice is also the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of diseases that affect your pet's internal organs and body systems.

Our veterinarians, supported by our skilled medical team and advanced diagnostic technology, have expertise in many areas of internal medicine and all our doctors work together to discuss each case, giving you and your pet the benefit of our collective knowledge.

Allergies and Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats

Allergies and skin problems are common in dogs and cats of all breeds and backgrounds. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

  • Red, raised, scaly areas on the skin
  • Bumps, crusts or pus filled vesicles on the skin
  • Increased skin pigmentation
  • Thickened skin
  • Loss of hair
  • Salivary staining
  • Head shaking

If your pet exhibits any of the symptoms listed, please make an appointment at our animal hospital. Many types of allergies can be diagnosed with hypoallergenic diet trials and blood tests at our hospital in Wainscott. If left untreated, allergic reactions and skin conditions can become serious medical concerns.

Pet Vision ProblemsGlaucoma Prevention

Glaucoma is a common condition in which the fluid pressure inside your pet's eye increases, resulting in damage to the optic nerve, followed by loss of vision and blindness. There are two types of glaucoma. Primary or chronic glaucoma is hereditary or develops as your pet ages. Secondary or acute glaucoma develops as the result of an injury or illness. Because secondary glaucoma can progress rapidly, it is considered an emergency situation.

Symptoms of glaucoma include:

  • Redness in the eye
  • Tearing or discharge
  • Eye sensitivity to light
  • Pain
  • Cloudy-looking eye
  • Bulging eyeball

Your veterinarian at South Fork Animal Hospital recommends a routine glaucoma exam as part of your pet's regular wellness care. The exam is not only an effective screening measure for chronic and acute glaucoma - it can also help set a baseline measurement of your pet's normal intraocular pressure (IOP). Establishing an IOP baseline is important because the normal measurement can vary between species, breeds, and even individual pets.

This is a noninvasive, simple procedure that should not cause your pet any pain or discomfort. We apply a mild anesthetic eye-drop to ensure your pet is comfortable during the exam.

Treating Your Pet's Cancer

At South Fork Animal Hospital, the standard treatment for almost all pet cancers is surgical removal of the mass. Surgery is also the best treatment for both accessible benign cancers and the majority of malignant cancers that have not yet spread. Your pet's recovery from surgery is usually rapid and post-surgical pain can be controlled using appropriate medications.

Should it be in the best interest of your pet, we can also offer chemotherapy or referral to a veterinary oncologist.

Before making the decision on the appropriate course of action for your pet, please discuss all of the relevant factors with your veterinarian so you can make an informed choice. Our understanding of cancer is increasing all the time, leading to better treatment approaches, preserved quality of life and an improved outcome for your pet.

Pet NutritionYour Pet's Nutrition

Proper nutrition and a balanced diet, along with fresh, clean water, are essential ingredients for your pet's overall good health. As your pet's caregiver, nutrition is the most significant health variable you control. Making the best nutritional choices for your dog or cat not only affects general health, but will improve the quality and length of your pet's life.

To support your efforts, your South Fork veterinarian will perform a thorough body condition evaluation during every physical examination and offer weight loss counseling if needed. We can also provide you with important information on proper serving size, nutrient needs, and feeding strategies for your individual pet and help you navigate pet food claims so you can make the most informed choices.

Prescription Diets

Some pets have serious nutritional challenges or chronic conditions that benefit from a special prescription diet. Making this change can have a significant positive impact on your pet's overall health and well-being.

Prescription diets benefit medical conditions such as liver disease, bladder and kidney disease, digestive problems, renal failure, food allergies, diabetes and more. South Fork Animal Hospital carries a selection of high-quality prescription pet foods, including Royal Canin, Iams, Science Diet, IVD and Purina. Your veterinarian can recommend one that will best meet your pet's needs.

Counseling for Your Dog's BehaviorBehavior Counseling

As doctors, we recognize behavioral issues can threaten the human-animal bond as much as any medical condition, and we're committed to working with you and your pet to a find solution.

Even with the right training and lots of attention and love, your dog or cat may develop bad habits or unwanted behaviors. South Fork Animal Hospital offers behavior counseling for many of your pet's problems, including inappropriate urination or defecation, urine marking, aggression, separation anxiety, destructiveness, thunderstorm anxiety and other phobias, and cognitive dysfunction.

Our assessment begins with your pet's clinical history and a thorough medical examination. Before beginning behavior therapy, any medical problems that have been diagnosed will be treated. Many problems are easily solved, and our experienced doctors can often provide helpful solutions during regular appointments. Together, we can help your pet become a happy, well-adjusted part of your household.

Reproductive Medicine

Whether you are an experienced breeder or are breeding your pet for the first time, the veterinarians at South Fork Animal Hospital can help. We offer the following services:

To learn more about all the ways the medical team at our animal hospital in South Fork can help guide you through this exciting process, please give us a call today.