Our Services
Cookie gets her wings and nails trimmed by Dr. Ellinger, Tara, and Julie.
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Marco munches on a clementine for lunch.
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 How does my heart sound, doc? |
Technician Kelly looking for bugs under the microscope.
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NEW Online Pharmacy!
Through MyVetDirect you can easily purchase your pet's supplies
and have them delivered directly to your home.
Don't see the product or prescription item you're looking for?
Just ask! We would be happy to set up a custom order to meet your pet's needs.
Your referral is the highest compliment we can receive. Refer a friend to us, and we'll send you a great Homestead t-shirt (while they last)!
We offer nutrition programs and support for your pet's specific dietary needs.
Veterinary prescription diets are commonly used to support pets with Food Allergies, Kidney Disease, Bladder Stones/Urinary health, Diabetes, Gastroenteritis, Weight Management, and more.
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Microchip Identification Available!
Understanding Your Pet's Blood Work
What does it mean when your veterinarian says they need to run some blood work on your pet? Blood work, pre-surgical or otherwise, is usually a combination of a complete blood count (CBC) and a blood chemical analysis. Blood work is a basic evaluation tool. The following is a brief explanation of the tests run and their meaning.
Other recommendations: All of these blood tests are more accurate when your pet has not eaten for 12 hours before the blood is drawn (water consumption is okay). We can draw the blood for these tests the morning of your pet's surgery, and have the results within an hour, as we have the laboratory equipment needed to run the tests right here in our hospital.
Alternatively, if you don't mind bringing your pet to the hospital a few days prior to surgery, we can take the blood sample and send the tests to an outside laboratory. We usually have those results by the next day. Doing the lab-work in this way is a bit less expensive, it just requires a bit of advanced planning and one extra quick visit to the hospital.
These panels are also helpful for those pets on lifelong medications. We recommend blood screening on a yearly basis for pet's on anti-inflammatory drugs, heart medications, and any other lifelong drug therapies.
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC)
A CBC measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen. The CBC also measures hemoglobin, which is the part of the red blood cell that carries the oxygen. Most white blood cells fight infection; if an animal has a high white cell count, the pet may have an infection. The platelet count is important because platelets help make the blood clot properly.
PRE-OPERATIVE BLOOD SCREEN
This useful panel checks the primary organs involved in metabolism of anesthetic drugs, and alerts us to any problems that a pet may have that would put him or her at increased anesthetic risk.
Other recommendations: All of these blood tests are more accurate when your pet has not eaten for 12 hours before the blood is drawn (water consumption is okay). We can draw the blood for these tests the morning of your pet's surgery, and have the results within an hour, as we have the laboratory equipment needed to run the tests right here in our hospital.
Alternatively, if you don't mind bringing your pet to the hospital a few days prior to surgery, we can take the blood sample and send the tests to an outside laboratory. We usually have those results by the next day. Doing the lab-work in this way is a bit less expensive, it just requires a bit of advanced planning and one extra quick visit to the hospital.
These panels are also helpful for those pets on lifelong medications. We recommend blood screening on a yearly basis for pet's on anti-inflammatory drugs, heart medications, and any other lifelong drug therapies.
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC)
A CBC measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen. The CBC also measures hemoglobin, which is the part of the red blood cell that carries the oxygen. Most white blood cells fight infection; if an animal has a high white cell count, the pet may have an infection. The platelet count is important because platelets help make the blood clot properly.
PRE-OPERATIVE BLOOD SCREEN
This useful panel checks the primary organs involved in metabolism of anesthetic drugs, and alerts us to any problems that a pet may have that would put him or her at increased anesthetic risk.
BLOOD CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
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Albumin - A protein created in the liver. Abnormally low ranges are seen with diseased livers, gastrointestinal disease, etc. The only time ALB is increased is when the animal is dehydrated. It helps to keep the liquid part of the blood (plasma) from migrating out of the blood vessels and into surrounding tissues, which would cause edema and other problems.
Alkaline Phosphate - AlkPhos forms in body tissue. Increased levels in dogs typically indicate liver or bone disease, or that the dog is taking Prednisone. Liver and bone disease are the most common causes for increased values in cats. ALT - ALT is an enzyme produced in the liver, and values found in the bloodstream increase with a diseased or damaged liver. Amylase and Lipase - Amylase is an enzyme that is produced by the pancreas and the intestinal tract. It helps break down fats. Pancreatitis or cancer of the liver can raise both values. Bilirubin - In the liver, bilirubin is created from old red blood cells. It leaves the body in urine and stool. Values can be elevated in pets with liver or gallbladder disease, or in those animals whose red blood cells are being destroyed faster than normal. Pets with elevated Bili. can appear jaundiced (yellow in color). BUN - BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicated kidney function. An increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver, and heart disease, urethreal obstruction, shock and dehydration. Calcium - Typically, high calcium is associated with cancer, but there are other causes, such as kidney failure, bone disease, or poisoning from rodent bait. Low blood calcium can mean problems with the parathyroid gland, or poisoning from antifreeze. |
Cholesterol - As it is in people, cholesterol is a fat. Unlike in people, it doesn't contribute to heart disease in dogs and cats. Increased cholesterol is less common in cats than in dogs. Several diseases (diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing's, or kidney disease) can elevate cholesterol levels.
Creatinine - Creatinine is produced in the muscles and leaves the body in the urine. Elevated values indicate kidney disease or dehydration. Glucose - Diabetes is a typical cause of elevated glucose, which is blood sugar. Dogs with Cushing's disease may also have elevated levels. If the glucose has been high for a while, it can be found both in the blood and the urine. Low glucose levels may indicate a body-wide infection (sepsis) or pancreatic cancer; seizures are sometimes seen with low glucose. Phosphorus - Phosphorus may be high in pets that have chronic, serious kidney disease. Potassium - Acute kidney failure can increase levels of potassium in the blood stream. Sodium - Low sodium levels are commonly seen Addison's disease. Dehydration can cause slightly elevated levels as well. Total Protein - Total protein is a value that includes albumin plus larger proteins (globulins). Total protein can be increased from dehydration or activity of the immune system; like albumin, values can decrease due to liver disease. |
We are a fully accredited veterinary facility by the
New York State Veterinary Medical Society!
We are proud to report that we were accredited for another three years through the New York State Veterinary Medical Society Veterinary Facility Accreditation Program! This program evaluates veterinary facilities and their compliance with acceptable standards of practice, as well as State and Federal laws and regulations.
Membership in the NYSVMS Veterinary Facility Accreditation Program signifies a commitment to excellence in facility professionalism, appearance, maintenance, and quality patient care. Evidence of adherence to these standards is determined through on-site evaluations by VFAP Committee evaluators every one to three years.
Our inspection included all aspects of our hospital. The exterior of our facility was checked for lighting, grounds, safety and general appearance. The Interior of Facility was inspected for: Medical record keeping, ensuring that meticulous records are kept in accordance to NYS Laws; The pharmacy in compliance with NYS Controlled Substance Laws; Laboratory equipment inspected for quality control; Imaging - Film quality, identification, Public Health Laws, Inspections, Safety, & Developing; Surgery - Anesthetic technique, sterile equipment, monitoring equipment, patient accommodations, aseptic operating room, and surgical record keeping. The hospital was also evaluated for it's overall Safety & OSHA Compliance. We are proud to hold to a higher standard of care and are always looking to improve and exceed expectations!
Membership in the NYSVMS Veterinary Facility Accreditation Program signifies a commitment to excellence in facility professionalism, appearance, maintenance, and quality patient care. Evidence of adherence to these standards is determined through on-site evaluations by VFAP Committee evaluators every one to three years.
Our inspection included all aspects of our hospital. The exterior of our facility was checked for lighting, grounds, safety and general appearance. The Interior of Facility was inspected for: Medical record keeping, ensuring that meticulous records are kept in accordance to NYS Laws; The pharmacy in compliance with NYS Controlled Substance Laws; Laboratory equipment inspected for quality control; Imaging - Film quality, identification, Public Health Laws, Inspections, Safety, & Developing; Surgery - Anesthetic technique, sterile equipment, monitoring equipment, patient accommodations, aseptic operating room, and surgical record keeping. The hospital was also evaluated for it's overall Safety & OSHA Compliance. We are proud to hold to a higher standard of care and are always looking to improve and exceed expectations!
