Our Services

Just as a person would have a yearly exam at their own doctor’s office, we recommend yearly physicals for all patients.

Routine health exams are one of the most important steps you can take in order to maintain your cat or dog’s health. At Dr. Bob Irelan’s Veterinary Services, we recommend that your cat or dog has a routine wellness check-up once a year to ensure your pet is happy and healthy.

Our wellness check-ups are a simple and effective way of monitoring your cat or dog’s health. In addition to a full snout to tail exam, we may customarily recommend the following for your pet:

• Fecal parasite testing
• Vaccinations
  • Rabies (Canines and Felines)
  • Feline/Canine Distemper (Canines and Felines)
  • Canine Parvovirus (Canines only)
  • Canine Hepatitis (Canines only)
  • Feline Calicivirus (Felines only)
  • Feline Rhinotracheitis (Felines only)
• Baseline bloodwork and/or urine screening
• Heartworm and tick panel screening tests
• Preventative medicine
  • Flea and tick topicals or oral medication
  • Monthly heartworm medication

Cats and dogs age seven years for every one human year. This means that even being seen once yearly would be like a human getting a check-up every seven years. Our pets often can’t express when they are suffering from an illness or disease and may not present symptoms with the onset of an illness or disease. These routine check-ups may in some cases allow the doctor to recognize early signs of illness that would otherwise not necessarily be noted at home. Remember, for an owner that sees the pet every day, gradual changes aren’t as easily noticeable. We may recommend biannual exams for senior pets and pets with chronic disease.

Some signs that your pet may be suffering from an illness or disease include:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Decreased activity or lack of appetite
• More or less frequent urination
• Coughing
• Hair Loss / Itchy Skin
• Difficulty moving – stiffness or lameness

Did you know that many of the diseases and illnesses that can affect dogs and cats are preventable through proper pet vaccinations? There are a variety of diseases that can affect cats and dogs, but most pets can be protected from the worst of them if they are vaccinated properly. We will vaccinate your cat or dog against all preventable diseases to keep them safe and healthy. We also vaccinate against K9 Influenza.

When your pet needs medication, you won’t have to go far! We keep our in-house pharmacy fully stocked so that your pet doesn’t have to wait to get what they need to feel better.

Periodontal disease is the most common illness in dogs and cats over three years of age. Bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue, leading to infection and loss of bone surrounding the teeth.

“Bad breath” is the first sign owners often notice at home. Inflamed gums are painful, but cats and dogs are very stoic and will not show dental pain. Meanwhile, bacteria below the gum line can enter the bloodstream, and studies have proven that pets with severe periodontal disease sustain microscopic damage to kidneys, liver, and heart muscle.

Prevention is the key to management of periodontal disease: daily oral hygiene at home combined with periodic professional cleaning, and, when necessary, extraction of diseased teeth will keep your cat or dog’s mouth clean and healthy.

At Dr. Bob Irelan’s Veterinary Services, we are trained and equipped to provide the best dental care to your pet. A complete oral health assessment is begun in the office as part of a physical exam. Teeth are ultrasonically scaled both above and below the gum line, followed by polishing. The goal is to protect and save healthy teeth, and when necessary remove diseased, painful teeth. In cats, tooth resorption causes painful teeth that must be extracted for comfort. Your pet will have local nerve blocks and go home with oral pain medication. Most cats and dogs are eating within 24 hours and will eat even dry food following multiple dental extractions.

How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Dental disease (especially periodontal disease) is the most common disease in pet dogs and cats. It is also one of the most preventable or reducible diseases in our pets by feeding a crunchy diet, providing appropriate chew treats and toys and daily tooth brushing.

• The first step is to start with a clean, healthy mouth, such as with a young pet with healthy new teeth and gums or after your pet had had a professional dental cleaning.
• You will need a soft-bristled toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste. Human toothpastes and baking soda may cause problems with dogs and cats. Veterinary toothpastes have flavors that are appealing to dogs and cats. Anything other than a bristled toothbrush will not get below the gum line (the most important area to brush).
• There are several important facts about our pets’ mouths that tell us when, where, and how to brush. Periodontal disease in dogs and cats usually affects the upper back teeth first and worst. Plaque builds up on the tooth surface daily, especially just under the gum line. It takes less than 36 hours for this plaque to become mineralized and harden into “tartar” (calculus) that cannot be removed with a brush. Because of this progression, brushing should be done daily, with a brush to remove the plaque from under the gum line.
• Pick a time of day that will conveniently become part of your pet’s and your daily routine. For dogs, just before a walk and for both dogs and cats, before a daily treat can help your pet actually look forward to brushing time. Take a few days to let both of you get used to the process. Follow with praise and a walk or treat each time. Start by offering them a taste of the veterinary toothpaste. The next time, let them taste the toothpaste and then run your finger along the gums of the upper teeth. Repeat the process with the toothbrush. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum from back to front, making small circles along the gum lines. It should take you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet’s teeth. Do not try to brush the entire mouth at first. If all that your pet lets you brush is the outside of the upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important area of periodontal disease prevention. If your pet eventually allows you to brush most of their teeth, so much the better.
• Even with the best tooth brushing, some dogs and cats may still need occasional professional cleaning, just like humans. By brushing your pet’s teeth daily, curtailing the amount of periodontal disease, you may reduce the frequency and involvement of dental cleanings and provide your pet with a healthier, sweeter smile

What is my pet’s quality of life? When will I know it’s time? What happens during this process? Will my pet feel pain? These are all questions we get on a regular basis, and we’re here to help. Dr. Bob Irelan’s Veterinary Services will be here to provide compassionate guidance and support during the difficult end-of-life decisions you have to make. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

Sometimes the golden years aren’t so golden.

As your pet ages, it’s important to pay special attention to their overall health and happiness. For some pets, this means just occasional blood screenings, but for others there may be the necessity for more frequent visits to Dr. Bob Irelan’s Veterinary Services. Most older cats or dogs can be helped with pain medications alone or in conjunction with natural supplements.

Some common ailments that we screen for include:

• Heart issues
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Dental concerns
• Hearing and vision loss
• Major organ functions

How do you know if your pet is a senior?
Often cats are considered mature at ages 7-10 years and seniors from 11 years of age and older. Most dogs are considered to be seniors once they reach 8 years of age. Some larger breeds like Great Danes are considered seniors around 6 or 7 years of age.

Does my senior pet require extra tests?
Once your pet is 8 years of age or older, we recommend getting baseline bloodwork and urine in order to screen for underlying conditions that may not be noticeable at home yet. Many slow to progress issues are hard to recognize at home since owners see their pets every day.

Are there symptoms and changes I should look for in my senior pet?
If your senior pet develops any of these symptoms, you should call us at 863-859-9485 to schedule an appointment:

• Extreme weight loss
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Loss of house training
• Changes in activity level
• Loss of hearing or vision
• Increase in thirst /urination