Pet Services

Acupuncture, in its simplest sense, is the treatment of conditions or symptoms by the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to produce a response. Acupuncture stimulates healing of some conditions, and provides effective pain relief in others. If properly applied, it may eliminate the need for surgery in certain conditions. Following surgery, it can improve the patient’s comfort level and speed up the post-operative recovery period. In some cases, it may reduce or eliminate the need for chronic medication.

Dr. Darlene Berkovitz completed her training in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute. She complements conventional Western Medicine with traditional veterinary acupuncture to offer your pet the best treatment plan. Acupuncture is very safe and there are no negative side effects when administered by a trained professional. Please call us at (608) 222-8387 to discuss if acupuncture can benefit your furry friend.

Skin problems are common in dogs and cats and can be caused by hormonal disorders, allergies, infections, or parasites such as fleas and mites. These issues can be difficult to treat and should be addressed promptly.

We can often diagnose a skin problem by simply examining your pet. Some dermatologic diseases or conditions do require additional diagnostic procedures to ensure a correct diagnosis. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and the results of our physical exam, we may run blood work or perform a urinalysis, skin scraping, or biopsies.

Contact us if you notice your dog or cat scratching excessively or if he or she develops any bare patches, scabs, scaling, redness, inflammation, lumps, or bumps.

During the first months of your pet’s life, he or she requires a lot of veterinary care because their immune systems are still developing. They require regular vaccinations to help prevent disease and to develop into a strong and healthy dog or cat. These regular visits enable us to answer all your questions and bond with your pet.

Although the age at which dogs and cats are considered seniors varies by breed and species, we like to start seeing pets for bi-annual exams around age ten. Like people, older pets have an increased risk of kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, senility, and general weakness. Staying on top of these issues help improve the quality of life for your pet in their senior years. Mobility challenges and behavior changes are also more common with older pets.

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) of female animals is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs. It is a routine procedure performed while under anesthesia.

Neutering (castration) of male animals is the surgical removal of the testicles. It is a routine veterinary procedure performed while under anesthesia.

A mass removal is the surgical removal of a growth or lump on the body. Some lumps are cancerous and some are not. In many cases, surgical removal and biopsy is the only way to distinguish between the two. Cancerous lumps must be removed. Non-cancerous lumps may occasionally ulcerate and bleed, in which case they should also be removed.

Imagine what your mouth would feel like if you never brushed your teeth or went to the dentist. For many dogs and cats, this is a painful reality. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of 3. Dental (or periodontal) disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets.

Common signs of dental disease include:

• Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on the teeth
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Changes in eating or chewing habits
• Pawing at the face
• Loose teeth
• Depression

Even if your dog or cat doesn’t have these symptoms, we recommend that you have a veterinarian evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and possibly expensive oral surgery.

Dental disease can also affect other organs in the body: Bacteria in the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause serious infections in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. If these problems aren’t caught and treated quickly enough, they can result in death. A physical exam combined with appropriate laboratory work can determine if infection in the mouth has spread.

Schedule your pet’s dental exam today! We can also show you how to brush your pet’s teeth and recommend foods and treats that will help combat plaque and tartar buildup.

We perform many types of soft tissue surgeries at our clinic. Soft tissue surgeries are those that are not associated with bone. These surgeries can provide many benefits to pets.

Probably the most common soft tissue surgery performed on pets is the removal of masses, or lumps. Most of these masses, once removed and tested, are found to be benign (nonharmful); however, occasionally they are more serious. Early removal and accurate diagnosis of a lump is necessary to improve the outcome in your pet if the mass is cancerous.

If your dog suffers from frequent ear infections, surgical intervention can reduce their occurrence by improving airflow into the ear canal.

Surgery can also help resolve several problems related to the eyes. Tearing in your pet’s eyes can mean an infection is present or may be a sign that the cornea (outer layer of the eye) has been damaged. Surgery may allow the cornea to heal faster with less scarring, improving your pet’s ability to see. In some pets, the eyelashes may actually damage the cornea. Surgical intervention improves comfort in these pets, reduces the chances of corneal scarring, and enhances the pet’s vision in the long term.

Please contact us if you’d like to discuss how soft tissue surgery might be able to help your pet.

What we feed our companions is an important part of maintaining good health. We help assess your pet’s nutritional needs based on lifestyle, health needs and age. Additionally, we help determine how much you should be feeding to help achieve optimal body weight and muscle mass. We encourage weight checks at regular intervals for certain patients at no cost to our clients.

“Eyes are the windows to the soul.” We do everything we can to help keep your companion’s eyes healthy, from infection to trauma, cataracts or glaucoma. Our team can help in diagnosing and treating vision losses your pet may be experiencing.

At Citywide Pet Clinic we pride ourselves as skillful diagnosticians. We work hard to diagnose any illness your pet may have and work with you to come up with the treatment plan that best meets the needs of you and your companion. Internal medicine deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that don’t need surgery.

Many dogs and cats suffer from frequent ear infections. Due to the difference in anatomy, cats and dogs get external ear infections and they are commonly associated with underlying allergies. Chronic ear infections can become resistant to treatment and can lead to deafness. Ear pain and infections can be very traumatic for pets, and diagnosis of the root causes are very important.

When we need to figure out what’s wrong with your pet, we routinely use x-rays to help identify the cause of the problem, rule out possible problems, or provide a list of possible causes. We may also use x-rays during a wellness exam to diagnose potential problems before they become serious.

X-rays provide valuable information about a pet’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, and genitourinary system (bladder, prostate). We use radiology alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian.

We offer digital radiology (x-rays that are captured digitally rather than on film). This technology allows us to provide you with a quicker diagnosis for your pet. Plus, it uses less radiation than traditional x-rays.

To avoid a blurry image, pets need to remain completely still while an x-ray is taken. In some cases, we may need to sedate your pet or use short-acting general anesthesia.

If you have any questions about our radiology service or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.

If you’re concerned about or bothered by an aspect of your pet’s behavior, we can help. Our expert can work with you and your pet to stop or change the behavior. Many aggressive, fearful, or inappropriate behaviors in dogs and cats can be modified through a combination of desensitization and counter-conditioning. These techniques can have dramatic results when applied properly. In some cases, medication can also help. Contact us for an appointment if you’d like to consult with our expert.

When we study cells under a microscope, we’re able to identify sources of infection, parasites which may be impacting your pet’s health, and even to identify types of cells within a mass or growth on your pet. Analysis of these cells helps us to form an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for pet health conditions.

Blood tests can be one of the most informative and non-invasive way of diagnosing illness or infection. We also utilize blood testing to ensure your companion is safe to undergo anesthesia prior to such a procedure. We look at cell counts (red and white blood cells and platelets) and a chemistry panel to evaluate liver, kidney, electrolytes, etc.

Imagine if your dog or cat got lost. You’d want to give him or her the best chance of getting home. With microchipping, you can.

Microchipping is a safe, permanent way to identify your pet in case he or she becomes lost. A microchip, which is a tiny device about the size and shape of a grain of rice, is placed just under the loose skin at the back of the neck. When a lost dog or cat without an ID tag is found, a veterinarian or veterinary technician will use a handheld microchip scanner to check for a chip. If the pet has one, it will transmit its ID number to the scanner via a low-frequency radio wave. The veterinary hospital or shelter then calls the chip manufacturer, retrieves the pet owner’s contact information, and calls the owner.

Even the most responsible pet owners can’t always guarantee their pet won’t get lost. A leash could break or slip out of your hand, a pet could push through a screen door or window, or a contractor or friend might accidentally leave a door or gate open.

We recommend that you use a microchip, along with a collar and ID tag, to identify your pet. An ID tag is still a reliable identification method. Pets that have tags with current contact information are more likely to not end up in shelters and tend to get home faster than those without tags. However, collars and ID tags aren’t permanent and can be removed (overnight or for grooming); pets can also lose them. With a microchip, your pet will have a much better chance of being identified and returned to you. Pets without microchips that end up in shelters may be adopted out to another family or even euthanized.

Please contact us to schedule an appointment to microchip your pet. Although we hope your pet never becomes lost, we want you to be prepared. We can also suggest a plan to have in place so if your pet does go missing, you’ll be able to act quickly.

For your convenience, we have an in-house pharmacy which carries commonly prescribed medications. You’ll be able to take your pet’s medications home with you after your visit. You may also shop online via our website to have products delivered directly to your door.

Urgent care is a good alternative to seek if your pet is experiencing a sudden illness or emergency. Reasons to visit us include seizures, sudden inability to walk, ingestion of toxic substance, hives from a recent insect bite, vomiting, shallow breathing,or injuries.

This important laboratory test helps provide information about infections or diseases which may be impacting your pet’s kidneys and urinary system. Based on the results of this, we may conduct additional tests or prescribe medication for a particular diagnosis.