Preventive Care

• Dental Care
  Senior wellness is very important at Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital. Blood work is recommended yearly after your pet reaches five to seven years of age. Dental care is continued at this time to keep their mouth, as well as their heart, liver and kidneys healthy.
• Vaccination
  All of our short-term residents must be current with their vaccination schedule. If your canine or feline needs vaccinating or if you are unsure of their vaccination status, please call ahead and they can be vaccinated by Dr. Sandifar if necessary. This policy is set for the safety of not only our other boarders, but your pet as well.
• Nutritional Counseling
  Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital’s main goal when it comes to serving the animal community is to always bring comfort and compassion to all hurt and ailing animals. Pain is a very hard symptom to treat, as most of the time it is subjective and not objective. What one pet may feel is a terrible injury, another may never let on that it is hurt. Dogs in general will not let on that they are in any type of pain because of an instinct to protect themselves from predators who prey on the weak. The best way to tell if a pet is in pain is to take your cues from them: poor mobility; slight whining when laying down or sitting up; decreased appetite; even snapping at their owners.
• Comprehensive Examination
  Blood chemistries can tell our doctor important information regarding an animal’s organ function. Liver, and kidney function can accurately be determined with a blood draw. Blood chemistries are recommended prior to any surgery to help detect underlying conditions which may not be found on a physical exam alone. Blood chemistry values are also important whenever a pet may be sick to insure the liver and kidney are functioning properly.

Illness Treatment

• Parasites Treatment and Control
  Heartworms are a parasite found in all 50 states, but most prevalent in the Deep South states. It is transferred from animal to animal through infected mosquitoes. In order to keep your pet from getting very ill with heartworm disease, we recommend a preventative medicine such as a monthly chewy tablet. You may purchase these at our clinic at any time.
• Behavioral Disorder Treatment
  Puppies and kittens receive all of our core vaccinations and need to be spayed or neutered, unless they are to be used for breeding. All dogs are vaccinated against rabies, canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and lepstospirosis. Felines are vaccinated against rabies, rhinotracheitis virus, panleukopenia virus and feline leukemia. We will instruct you how to care for your pet’s teeth at home, as well as determine the proper food and portions for your furry family member.
• Pain Management

Infection Treatment

• Parvovirus Infection Treatment

Chronic Condition Treatment

• Diabetes Treatment
• Thyroid Disease Treatment
• Heart Disease Treatment
  The type of foods your pet eats is important, as is the quantity they consume. Pets that overeat face many of the same issues as overweight people, including stress on joints, diabetes and heart disease.
• Kidney Disease Treatment
  Electrolyte values in an animal’s blood can indicate dehydration and whether or not the administration of fluids is necessary. They are also important in diagnosing kidney disease.
• Periodontal Disease Treatment
  Remember that periodontal disease can still exist even if you do not notice these signs in your pet. To insure proper oral health, brushing at home combined with regular cleaning by a veterinarian must be done on a regular basis.
• Cancer Treatment
  Dr. Sandifar has the tools to diagnose cancer here in the hospital. The advanced blood work analyzers used in our practice enable her to make a determination of whether or not a pet may be facing cancer. If cancer is found, your pet can bet treated with chemotherapy right here at our hospital.

Surgery

• Laser Surgery
  There are many ways that veterinary medicine is similar to human medicine, and the benefit of laser surgery is no exception. A laser is a surgical tool that uses highly-concentrated light to make an incision, as opposed to a traditional scalpel. A surgical procedure performed with a laser is normally much less painful than a scalpel, as the heat from the laser seals nerve endings as the opening is made. There is also less bleeding when using a laser, as blood vessels are cauterized instead of cut, eliminating much of the blood loss associated with surgery. Finally, there is a reduced risk of infection when performing laser surgery, as the heat from the laser eliminates bacteria it encounters.
• Spaying and Neutering
  Our clinic will not perform sterilization procedures on pets until they reach 6 months of age. This is to allow your pet to mature enough to withstand surgery and any post-op complications. It is important to remember that a spay procedure on a female is the equivalent of a total hysterectomy in a human female.

Lab and X-Rays

• Laboratory Services
  One of the most important resources for a veterinarian is access to accurate and rapid blood work results. Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital is pleased to offer the most advanced and accurate blood work diagnostic system available in veterinary medicine. The analyzers at Gulf Coast provide Dr. Sandifar critical information including blood chemistries, complete blood counts (CBCs), thyroid levels, and electrolyte values in less than twenty minutes.
• X-Ray
• Microchipping

General Pet Care

• Senior Pet Care
  Acute pain is a recent onset of pain most likely due to an injury. In this case, our doctors will examine the animal, use x-rays and ultrasound where needed, and make a treatment plan based on their impression of the injury. Whether or not this includes surgery, keeping your pet comfortable throughout the process is our first priority. Chronic pain is usually seen in adult and senior pets that suffer from joint disease, arthritis and even some cancers. Usually a continuous low dose of pain medication is used to keep the discomfort at bay.