Services

Preventive Medical Health Care

Many infectious diseases can be prevented by appropriate routine vaccinations. Strategic monthly deworming and fecal exams will control internal parasites and easy to use, once a month topical treatments will control fleas and ticks. The physical examination is a major component of the preventive medicine approach to health care. Physical exams frequently reveal minor problems before they develop into serious illnesses. It is far less costly to you and your pet to prevent diseases than to treat them.

Complete Medical Services
  • Dental Services
Dental Health Care is extremely important. The number one cause of heart disease and kidney disease in the dog (number three in the cat) is dental tartar and periodontal disease. Millions of bacteria live in tartar and enter the blood stream from the gums and spread directly to the major organ of the body. Regular brushing with dog or cat tooth paste and regular dental care will help prevent periodontal disease and heart and kidney disease and improve the quality of your pet's life.

We are well equipped for your pet's dental care. We have a well-trained staff and the finest veterinary equipment, including: a Piazzo scaler, High Speed Rotary drill, Low Speed Dental Polisher, and many other modern and sophisticated equipment.
Our Laser Surgical Unit allows us remove gum tumors, perform gingivectomies, and treat many serious oral lesions that are beyond the capabilities of many veterinary hospitals.
  • Surgery - Traditional, Laser and CryProbe
We perform routine (Spay / Neuter) veterinary surgeries. We also perform  surgeries for fractured bones, tumor removals, eyelid deformities, ear flap and ear canal conditions, oral diseases and many more. We have an excellent surgery room equipped with a heart and blood oxygen monitor, EKG monitor, and a Blood pressure monitor to ensure the safety of our surgical patients.
 
We are strong proponents of pain management. We will do every thing possible to ensure minimal pain and discomfort for all patients.
 
Laser Surgery For Your Pet
The use of the Carbon Dioxide Laser has largely replaced the scalpel in our office. We take great pride in being the first veterinary practice in Prince George’s County to offer laser surgery.
Laser
What is laser and how does it work?
Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation. A laser is a device which generates an intense beam of light. The Carbon Dioxide Laser produces an invisible beam, which heats and vaporizes tissue almost instantaneously. This is done so precisely that normal surrounding tissues are hardly affected.
What is a laser used for?
There are many uses for lasers. Several routine surgeries, including spays and neuters can be performed with the laser. The laser works extremely well for declawing and removal of many tumors by reducing swelling, bleeding and pain. Because of the precise control of the laser, tumors of the eyelids can be removed completely with minimal discomfort while preserving much more of the eyelid than possible with traditional surgery.
Advantages of the laser
* Less pain: The laser seals nerve endings, reducing postoperative pain. The laser also seals lymphatic tissue, which reduces swelling. The healing is more comfortable.
*  Less bleeding: The laser shrinks small blood vessels, considerably reducing bleeding
*  Reduces infections: The laser sterilizes as it cuts, and does not touch the tissue.
*  Saves time & money: The laser allows many procedures to be performed under local anesthesia. This may reduce the use of a general anesthesia, thus reducing risk and possibly an overnight stay.
 
CryoProbe
The Cryoprobe is the perfect combination of accuracy, ultra cod freezing power (N2O) and pressure.  These qualities make the Cryoporbe the perfect choice for the removal of skin tags, warts and other skin masses.  This is a non painful treatment with little preparation, no anesthesia and little to no follow up required. 
  • Comprehensive In-House Laboratory
Appropriate use of diagnostic services is extremely important to the medical care of your pet. The sooner we have the results, the sooner we can begin medical therapy. Our "In House" diagnostic lab is excellent. We have the Idexx Lasercyte CBC Machine and the Idexx Veterinary Computer that allows us to perform complete blood counts and almost all veterinary chemistry and electrolytes in our hospital. Most lab results are ready within minutes.

We perform most routine veterinary tests in house including: fecal exams, urinalysis and microscopic evaluations of urine sediment, heartworm tests, Lyme disease tests, Ehrlichia tests, feline leukemia and feline aids tests, blood smears, skin scrapings, ear slides and many more.
  • Nationally Accredited Reference Laboratories
We work with several nationally accredited veterinary laboratories to obtain the most accurate diagnostic results for your pet; including Antech Diagnostic, Idexx, Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, University of Minnesota Urolith Center, and Kansas State Rabies Laboratory, to name a few.
  • All Radiographs evaluated by a Veterinary Radiologist
A Veterinary Radiologist evaluates all radiographs once a week. We have top of the line new Digital Radiology Unit  to assure the highest quality and most diagnostic radiographs.
We are also capable of performing complete studies for the Orthopedic Foundations for Animals (OFA) , including studies for Hip and Elbow dysplasia.
  • Blood Pressure and Electrocardiograms
We have full capabilities to obtain blood pressure readings on you pet and to perform complete EKG’s.  In addition, we work closely with Cardiologists and other specialist to make sure your pet stays healthy.
  • Sonograms & Endoscopy available on Fridays
Performed on Fridays by Dr. Micheal Wise.
  • Extensive Client Information Material
We are strong advocates for client education and client-doctor communication. Intelligent medical decisions can only be made if our clients are well informed of the problem and the medical options available to them.
We have many educational pamphlets concerning most surgical and medical procedures: laser surgery, spay and neuter, declawing, hypothyroidism in the dog, hematoma repair, cancer, diabetes, asthma, and many more. Request for information is always welcome.
  • Excellent relationships with Veterinary Specialists.
We have been around for over 50 years!   Over time we have been able to develop strong relationships with area Veterinary Specialists.
  • Boarding and Grooming
We have limited space so boarding is for clients of Indian Head Animal Hospital only.
Indian Head Animal Hospital does bathing and combing of cats and dogs.
Additionally, we have a professional groomer, Gil Champ, affiliated with the hospital who has over 30 years experience grooming dogs and cats.


 

Therapeutic Laser (NEW)

Therapeutic Laser (New Service)

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Laser therapy provides a  drug-free, pain-free, surgery- free treatment which is used to treat a variety of injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions, numerous dermatological problems, and pain. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, your companion will benefit from this revolutionary new approach to Veterinary medicine. 
 
Laser therapy is the only course of treatment that actually stimulates the body to heal from within. Non-thermal photons of light are administered to the body and absorbed by the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher rate of metabolism. This results in increased circulation in the body, an anti-inflammatory reaction, relief from pain and an acceleration of the healing process.
This new class IV Therapeutic Laser is the most advanced small animal laser on the market.  The breakthrough of the multiwave system offers greater benefit to the patient that any one wavelength alone.  Our new laser service has been FDA approved!
 
The actual treatment is prescribed by the veterinarian after a physical exam and consultation with the owner. A  veterinary technician will carry out the treatment, with the owner present. The treatment takes 10 – 20 minutes and requires no sedation.  Several sessions may be needed to obtained the desired results. 
 
 
Some of the Conditions that benefit:
 
Arthritis
Acute & Chronic Pain
Back Injuries
Sprains & Strains
Inflammation & Edema
Wound healing
Sprain/ Strain
Post-surgery
Bruises
 

More about the Science behind the laser.....

Until now, the challenge with Laser Therapy has been its inability to treat deep-seeded problems, since it is used with low to medium power.   The new Class IV laser therapy was developed to overcome the limits of traditional Laser therapy, based on the use of diode lasers.  Currently, no diode laser is able to induce strong anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and analgesic effects simultaneously and within a short period of time.  Continuous Laser emissions act fast on inflammation, stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation and inducing fast re-absorption of fluid build-ups; however, they only have a secondary effect on pain, which is diminished after reducing the inflammatory process.  Pulsed Laser emissions, on the other hand, have an immediate effect on pain, since they are able to produce analgesia, interfering with the very transmission of the pain impulse to the higher brain centers, but they are less effective at treating inflammation and edema, only achieving results after a long period of application. New class IV Lasers are able to overcome the limits imposed by selecting one of the two emission types, since it is based on the characteristic therapeutic properties of a new Laser pulse.  It combines and synchronizes emission of continuous and pulsed Laser emissions with different infared wavelengths and synchronizes the two emissions.
 
Geriatric (Senior) Health Care Program

Some people are unaware that pets over the age of 7 years are prone to age-related diseases. With changing activity levels and metabolism, older dogs and cats may experience weight problems, heart disease, poorly functioning kidneys, dental problems and cancer.

By detecting problems when they begin, we have a better opportunity to eliminate or slow their development, ensuring additional healthy, happy years for your pet. The Senior Health Care Work-Up will allow us to determine a baseline blood and biochemical levels for your pet.

Our Senior Health Care Work-up includes: Physical Exam, Complete blood Count, Superchem blood profile, T4 analysis (feline only), complete urinalysis, fecal analysis, EKG, blood pressure, thoracic and abdominal radiographs, radiologist consultation, nail trim and the follow up visits to discuss results with the doctor.  By performing all the tests included in the Comprehensive Senior Work-up together we are able to give our clients a 15% discount on the services.

Senior Health Care for Dogs

Senior Health Care for Cats