Services

Valley Veterinary Clinic would like to be your partner in veterinary health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment your pet needs.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for your pet.

Valley Veterinary Clinic provides a full range of veterinary services including the following:

Arthritis

Arthritis is as common in animals as it is in humans. Also known as degenerative joint disease, arthritis involves the loss of the cartilage that coats and protects the end of the bones in movable joints. When the uncoated nerve ends on the bones touch, the result is pain and inflammation. This most often occurs as a result of wear and tear, but the animal may have an underlying hereditary predisposition to the problem. ...

Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is even more common in dogs and cats than in humans. As in humans, it may occur for a number of reasons. In order to successfully treat the condition, the underlying cause must be addressed.

Causes of Bad Breath

The most common cause of halitosis in dogs and cats is a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. This may be the result of a lack of dental hygiene, or, if the condition has progressed, gingivitis or periodontal disease. If left untreated, excessive plaque buildup not only causes halitosis, but can lead to much more serious consequences, such as gum or bone infection and tooth loss. When bacterial buildup is the cause of bad breath, the situation can be remedied by veterinary care, including a thorough dental cleaning, and the maintenance of a regimen of toothbrushing and regular veterinary dental care. ...

Bloat and Torsion

Bloat and torsion, also known as gastric dilation and volvulus, or GDV, is a life-threatening condition involving distension and abnormal rotation of the stomach. It occurs most often in large animals like horses and in certain large breeds of dogs, but can also occur in smaller dogs and in cats. Bloat and torsion usually manifests in healthy animals in their prime, frequently when they have engaged in vigorous exercise immediately after eating. ...

Brachycephalic Syndrome

Brachycephalic syndrome is a respiratory condition found in breeds of dogs and cats whose faces have a pushed-in appearance. Bred to conform to certain facial standards, these animals have shortened heads, which is the meaning of "brachycephalic."

Dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese and Boston terriers, and cats such as Persian, Himalayan and Burmese, often suffer some degree of airway obstruction because of their anatomy. Respiratory problems in animals with brachycephalic syndrome are worsened by heat, humidity, exercise and obesity. In most cases the syndrome does not result in acute respiratory distress. ...

Cancer Care in Dogs and Cats

Cancer is a serious illness in animals, more common in dogs than in cats. It is important that any malignancy be diagnosed as early as possible by a veterinarian and treated promptly, often with the assistance of a veterinary oncologist.

Causes of Cancer

There are differences between the causes of cancer in dogs and in cats. While the illness occurs much more frequently in dogs, when it occurs in cats it tends to be more aggressive. ...

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza, or dog flu, is a respiratory disease that came into evidence about a decade ago. Contagious only among dogs, this virus originated in horses as H3N8 equine influenza and transformed into a canine disease in 2004 when it was originally identified in greyhounds. ...

Cesarean Section

A Cesarean section, or hysterotomy, is the surgical operation for delivering young by cutting through the abdominal wall of the mother. Cesareans sections are often performed on an emergency basis, but may sometimes be scheduled if the female has undergone a previous Cesarean or if there is a foreseeable problem with the birth. ...

Cruciate Ligament Injury and Repair

The cruciate ligaments are ligaments that cross, or cruciate, the knee, joining the femur and the tibia, and are prone to injury. Such damage is common in dogs, but rarely occurs in cats.

The knee is a complex and relatively unstable joint. The cruciate ligaments, both anterior and posterior, help to maintain the knee's stability during a wide range of motion, letting it work as a hinge, but restricting its side to side movement. When these ligaments are torn or ruptured, the animal becomes unstable and possibly lame, and eventually, particularly if the condition is not treated properly, arthritis sets in. ...

Cystotomy

A cystotomy is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made into the bladder through the abdomen. This surgery is performed in order to investigate and treat bladder and urinary tract problems in pets as well as in people.

Reasons for a Cystotomy

There are several reasons a cystotomy may be performed, the most common of which is to remove stones in the urethra or bladder. Other reasons for a cystotomy may include: ...

Dental Care for Pets

Dental care for pets is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. Dental disease is a common problem for pets, with the majority of pets over the age of five suffering from some form of dental disease. Dental disease does not just affect the mouth of a pet. Left untreated, it can also lead to more serious health problems, including heart, lung, and kidney disease. It is therefore very important for pet owners to make sure that their pets receive proper dental care. ...

Ear Infections

Ear infections, medically known as otitis externa, are one of the most common medical conditions seen in pets. An ear infection involves the inflammation of the outer or inner ear canal. An ear infection may cause various symptoms including inflammation, pain, or behavioral changes in a pet. Left untreated, an ear infection may lead to hearing problems, permanent damage to the inner or middle ear, or other health problems. Fortunately, most pet ear infections can be successfully treated. ...

Exploratory Surgery in Pets

Exploratory surgery in pets can be helpful in both diagnosing and treating health conditions. This procedure may be performed on pets who exhibit symptoms or problems with no reasonable explanation. In many cases, when blood tests, urine tests and other diagnostic tests fail to provide any information about the cause of a pet's condition, exploratory surgery may performed. Certain abnormalities also may not show up on X-rays, ultrasound or other imaging tests but can be found through exploratory surgery. ...

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy

The cruciate ligaments are ligaments that cross, or cruciate, the knee, joining the femur and the tibia, and are prone to injury. Such damage is common in dogs, but rarely occurs in cats. The knee is a complex and relatively unstable joint. The cruciate ligaments, both anterior and posterior, help to maintain the knee's stability during a wide range of motion, letting it work as a hinge, but restricting its side to side movement. When these ligaments are torn or ruptured, the animal becomes unstable and possibly lame, and eventually arthritis sets in. Usually, the injury, although it may appear to occur suddenly, has been coming on for some time. Breeds commonly affected include labrador retrievers, rottweilers, akitas, border collies, huskies, german shepherds, and mastiffs. ...

Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid lobes. Overactive thyroid hormone production, known as hyperthyroidism, is a common condition in older cats that causes an increase in metabolic function throughout the body. An overactive thyroid is often caused by an adenoma, which causes the thyroid gland to enlarge. If left untreated, this condition can lead to kidney problems or extreme stress on vital organs. ...

Conjunctivitis in Dogs and Cats

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the tissues in the white portion of the eye and inside the eyelids, an area known as the conjunctiva. Sometimes associated with respiratory infections, it can also result from other illnesses, injuries to the eye or exposure to airborne irritants. Conjunctivitis can range in degree from mild to severe, sometimes resulting in minimal irritation and on rare occasions resulting in blindness. ...