Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry

Because of the shorter lifespan of our pets (as compared to human), we stress the importance of an annual physical exam.  Thorough check-ups and preventive care can help alleviate serious health problems. We offer a wide range of veterinary services to keep your companions feeling their best:

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services:  Our hospital is equipped to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services to care for your pets’ complete health care needs.

Surgical Services:  Our state-of-the-art surgical suite provides for the performance of a wide variety of surgical procedures, including spay and neuter.

Anesthesia:  We utilize the safest available anesthetics to provide an extra margin of safety, especially for our older or high-risk patients. Using the most modern equipment, the patient’s vital signs are monitored by pulse oximetry and blood pressure by experienced personnel during all anesthetic procedures.

Individualized Patient Immunization Protocols:  Vaccination regimens revolve around core vaccinations and non-core vaccinations.  We custom-tailor your pet’s immunizations according to his or her lifestyle, and use three-year vaccinations upon request if applicable.

Heartworm Treatment:  We are well-known throughout the Upstate for our progressive approach to treating heartworm disease, which focuses on a the patient’s total well-being and safety.

Referrals:  We work closely with the team at Upstate Veterinary Specialists who perform ultrasounds, endoscopic procedures, C-T scans, MRI’s.  They are able to help us with the diagnosis and treatment of more complicated cases, and provide orthopedic and neurosurgery as well as a complete range of cancer treatment.

Diagnostic Imaging  Services:  Our on-site, modern X-ray equipment provides high quality digital radiographs to aid in the quick diagnosis of many disorders.   Dr. Burns will go over your pet’s x-rays with you and can email you digital copies if desired. 

Dentistry:  Our dental services include teeth cleaning and polishing, tooth extractions and minor oral surgery.

Laboratory:  Our in-house laboratory facilities provide for serum chemistry, hematology, serology, urinalysis and parasite testing. We also utilize Idexx Laboratories, a commercial veterinary laboratories for most advanced diagnostics.

Permanent identification: We offer Datamars microchip identification in affiliation with the  PetLink.net database.

Pharmacy:  We maintain a complete inventory of pharmaceuticals, vitamins, shampoos, flea and tick control products and heartworm preventatives to meet the needs of your pet. We also carry a full line of Purina Veterinary Diets prescription diets.  We also have our own Online Pharmacy.

Individualized Flea Control Programs:  We develop programs for the specific needs of your pet and your own particular environmental situation. We will review with you the best ways to control fleas in your house, in your yard and on your pet.

Dietary Counseling:  We will provide guidance regarding your pet’s nutritional needs for each life stage, including dietary requirements for growth, weight maintenance and performance.

Emergency Care:  We are equipped to handle emergencies during office hours.  Please call our main telephone number for instructions for after-hour emergencies.

Behavioral Counseling:  We can provide advice regarding the correction of problems such as excessive barking, chewing, spraying, scratching, digging, house soiling and aggression.  Keep in mind that some behavior products are best addressed with training, some with calming natural products and some with pharmaceuticals.  Some have to have a combination of behavior modification and meds.  We have a complete line of non-pharmaceutical Ceva products that address anxiety and problem behaviors, including Feliway, DAP, Urine Off and Senilife as well as anxiolytic medications.

Boarding:  We provide pet boarding as a service to our clients. All boarders receive personal attention from our caring staff. Pets may be dropped off and picked up during regular business hours Monday through Saturday.  Click here for more information.

Bathing and Grooming:  Routine and therapeutic bathing services are available.

Euthanasia and Final Arrangements:  We provide end-of-life assessments, care modeled on hospice for our patients and humane euthanasia.  Patients that pass away at home or that pass away here may have their final arrangements taken care of by Good Shepherd Pet Services.