Preventive Care

• Vaccination
  Donor dogs must weigh more than 50 pounds and be between the ages of 1 year and 8 years old. Donors must have a good overall temperament, be in good health, and up to date on vaccines (although they cannot donate within the month after vaccination). Dogs should be currently maintained on heartworm prevention and should not be on any other medications other than flea and tick products. Females cannot donate if they have ever been pregnant as this makes their blood undesirable for transfusion to another dog.
• Veterinary Ophthalmology
  Veterinary ophthalmology is a highly specialized discipline, requiring diagnostic and surgical instrumentation not usually available in a general practice setting. Our ophthalmologist, Dr. Marcia Aubin, is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ACVO).
• Nutritional Counseling
  The evaluation of other species (small mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.) can be difficult, and sometimes what may seem like a small change can indicate a serious illness. Generally speaking, any change in basic behavior, such as increased breathing effort, loss of appetite, or lethargy/decreased movement, should prompt a call to the emergency service.
• Comprehensive Examination
  Many of our staff have graduated from AVMA technician programs or hold degrees in animal science from various universities and colleges. Many of our nurses are Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs), credentialed through the Rhode Island Veterinary Technician Association ( RIVTA.org ). To become certified, technicians must achieve specific levels of experience and education, and pass a comprehensive examination. CVTs are required to attend 12 hours of continuing education and recertify every year through the RIVTA.

Illness Treatment

• Parasites Treatment and Control
• Pain Management
  OSVS patients are often recovering from surgical procedures or medical illnesses or are suffering from injuries that may be causing some pain. Numerous medications are available for the treatment of post-operative and acute pain. A multi-modal strategy directed both at pain perception and inflammation is often involved in effective pain management.
• Vomiting Treatment
• Diarrhea Treatment
• Skin Condition and Allergy Treatment
• Upper Respiratory Illness Treatment
  Dr. LaFountain grew up in Massachusetts. She earned her undergraduate degree in veterinary science and veterinary technology from Becker College in Worcester, MA. She then went on to explore the world and received her veterinary degree from Ross University. She completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists and stayed on as an emergency clinician. Her professional interests include toxicities, respiratory disease and communication.
• Intestinal Foreign Object Removal

Infection Treatment

• Ear Infection Treatment

Chronic Condition Treatment

• Hip Dysplasia Treatment
  Specialized radiographic procedures for hip dysplasia (OFA) are available as direct appointments. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and CT scanning are available on site Monday through Saturday. View a gallery of images from select cases diagnosed with advanced imaging.
• Diabetes Treatment
• Thyroid Disease Treatment
• Heart Disease Treatment
  Criticalists are specialists trained to work with the most seriously ill or injured pets. Criticalists are board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) and serve to oversee the emergency service and provide support for the emergency clinicians and other specialists. Together with a team of highly skilled emergency doctors, they manage patients with severe, life-threatening diseases including heart failure, respiratory distress, metabolic disease and trauma. The doctors work closely with patients’ families and their primary care veterinarian, providing ongoing guidance and information to help families make the best decisions for their beloved pets.
• Kidney Disease Treatment
  The most common reasons that a pet may require plasma include bleeding disorders (coagulopathies) such as occur with rat poison ingestion, liver failure, or some hemophilias, low blood protein conditions such as occur in inflammatory bowel disease or kidney disease, as well as several other serious conditions.
• Cancer Treatment
  Our oncologist, Dr. Caleb Alexander, is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in the subspecialty of veterinary oncology. The main role of a veterinary oncologist is to develop appropriate treatment strategies for the cancer patient, which may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of these.

Emergency Care

• Seizure Treatment
  Dr. Marini received her veterinary degree from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She then moved to Washington State University for her internship and on to Phoenix, Arizona, for a neurology residency at the Veterinary Neurological Center. She completed her residency in 2010 and achieved board certification in neurology with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2012. Her special interests within neurology include diagnosing and treating encephalitis, refractory seizure treatment, and the role of physical therapy in recovery from neurological diseases.
• Wound and Fracture Care
  Dr. Lavin started her small animal surgical residency at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in 2021. She enjoys soft tissue and orthopedic surgery but is particularly interested in emergency abdominal/thoracic procedures, wound management, and reconstructive surgery.

Surgery

• Ophthalmic Surgery
  Ophthalmic surgeries require general anesthesia, and our anesthesia technicians are well trained and experienced in the unique requirements these patients have. Most pets undergoing eye surgery go home the same day, but for patients experiencing any concerns during recovery or post-operative discomfort, we have the facility and staff available to provide 24-hour monitoring and care. Ocean State Veterinary Specialists works with referring veterinarians to provide specialized and emergency care. If you believe your pet would benefit from the ophthalmology services provided at OSVS, please speak to your family vet about a referral.
• Veterinary Surgery
  The Cardiovascular system both supplies and is affected by all other body systems, so having a pet with a healthy heart is important. Our cardiologist, Dr. Adam Kane, is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACIVM) in the subspecialty of veterinary cardiology. Dr. Kane specializes in diagnostic imaging, minimally invasive surgery and medical management to provide your pet with the optimum care it needs to live a healthy life. Patients are commonly referred for cardiac evaluation due to such issues as heart murmurs, abnormal heart rhythms, adverse respiratory signs (coughing, trouble breathing), and collapsing fainting. The other doctors in the hospital also internally refer patients if they detect a new heart murmur or rhythm disturbance, especially if the patient is going to be undergoing anesthesia for a procedure. This team approach ensures the best possible care for every patient that comes to OSVS.
• Small Animal Surgery
  Dr. Coronado completed his veterinary degree at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. He then completed an internship at Purdue University in 1995. He obtained his residency training in small animal surgery at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he completed a master’s degree in 2000. He then worked as the staff neurosurgeon at the University of Wisconsin until joining the staff of OSVS in 2002. Dr. Coronado became board certified in small animal surgery in 2004. His surgical interests include surgical oncology and reconstruction, neurosurgery, and laparoscopic/thoracoscopic procedures. He is a member of the Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery, Veterinary Endoscopy Society and the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology, and he serves in committees through the American College of Veterinary Specialists.

Lab and X-Rays

• Laboratory Services
  Internal medicine specialists (internists) are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Because of their advanced training and experience managing complicated medical conditions, patients with uncommon, difficult to manage, or multiple coexisting medical problems benefit from the care of an internist. Internists utilize specialized diagnostics, including advanced imaging (endoscopy, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI) and extensive laboratory testing to diagnose complex medical conditions.
• X-Ray
  Ocean State Veterinary Specialists is a large and busy 24-hour emergency and specialty referral center located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The hospital is a 26,000 sq. ft. facility offering referral and emergency services to the RI, eastern CT, and southern MA areas. We are in the process of expanding and adding 10,000 additional square footage to the hospital. There is no general practice associated with the hospital. Equipment includes digital radiography, ultrasound, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, laparoscopy, mechanical ventilation, telemetry, and state-of the-art monitoring equipment. There are twenty specialists currently on staff in the disciplines of surgery, medicine, critical care, cardiology, neurology, radiology, ophthalmology, oncology and exotics. The emergency clinicians are all internship-trained and experienced. There are residents and interns in Emergency/Critical care and Surgery.

General Pet Care

• Boarding