Other Services
Pain Management
We do not want to suffer from pain, nor do we want our companion animals to suffer needlessly. Improved understanding in the mechanisms of pain production in the body, as well as advances in pain management, have given veterinarians and pet owners more choices when it comes to preventing or controlling pain.
Pets can suffer pain as a result of accidents, trauma, surgery, or chronic disease. It is our duty and obligation to relieve this suffering whenever possible, so that our pets have the best quality of life that is possible. Especially with chronic disease, many animals have adapted to hide the signs of pain, suffering in silence. In some cases, we only realize the extent of the pain after the fact, when the cause of the pain has been eliminated or treated appropriately.
As a rule, pain is caused by inflammation. Some of the more common causes of chronic pain in pets are osteoarthritis caused by degenerative joint disease, chronic, non-healing wounds, chronic skin disease due to allergic pyoderma, and dental disease. Many pet owners confuse the signs of chronic pain with inevitable aging changes – however, age is not a disease! Pets that are in chronic pain are often reluctant to move, may have a reduced appetite, and may no longer show that “joie de vivre” that they had as a youngster.
Effective pain management starts with the diagnosis and treatment of any inciting or underlying causes, such as tooth root abscesses, fractured teeth, skin infections, and identification and elimination of allergens (if possible). Although there is no cure for some of these conditions, such as degenerative joint disease, there are ways of treating the associated inflammation and pain. Drug treatment is often very effective, and in particular, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an appropriate choice. However, the specific choice of medication will be determined by the patient's health and any other underlying conditions. In addition, periodic testing will be required to monitor effectiveness of treatment and ensure that the pet's organ system function is maintained. As adjuncts to pain medications, other things can be done to help keep your pet comfortable and pain-free. These may include: weight loss or weight management, particularly when arthritis is of concern; nutritional supplements such as glucosamine, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, or other nutraceuticals; oral health management such as tooth brushing; physiotherapy or rehabilitation; regular, low-intensity exercise such as walking; acupuncture or other alternative treatments.
With chronic pain, the conditions often progress slowly and insidiously. However, over time the pain can become significant. Appropriate treatment and management of underlying pain and inflammation can dramatically improve the quality of life for our furry companion. For further information, including specific help in tailoring a program to your pet, do not hesitate to contact us at the Indian Tree Animal Hospital.
In-House Pharmacy
We maintain a complete inventory of pharmaceuticals, vitamins, shampoos, flea and tick control products and heartworm preventatives to meet the needs of your pet.
Home Delivery Pharmacy at Indian Tree Animal Hospital
We are really excited to introduce ProxyRx to Indian Tree Animal Hospital. ProxyRx is a home delivery pharmacy to make it more convenient for our clients to receive medications and food at their home!
We will begin using our home delivery system effectiveOctober 20, 2008.
What can clients order through our pharmacy?
Refill for chronic medications where blood work is not due,
Royal canin and Purina pet foods,
Heartworm prevention such as heartguard and revolution after a dog has been tested (if applicable),
Shampoos, and
Most retail items.
What are the benefits on home delivery?
Better customer service
More convenient for our clients
Ability to prescribe medications we do not normally carry
How does this work?
1. Call 303-420-4422 and ask our Client Care Representative for a refill. Our CCR will ask you a few questions.
2. Have your credit card ready for payment over the phone.
3. There is a delivery fee depending on what you purchase. Call for details.
4. Our home delivery pharmacy can deliver within 24-72 hours depending on your needs. If you want 24 hour delivery, you must place an order before 10am.
Can we order everything from ProxyRx?
No. We may not order certain medications and other products that are sold only through direct distributors.
Prescription Refills
The prescription refill must be approved by a doctor. Please allow 24 hours to process your request. (Note: Prescription refill requests received after 3pm on Friday, will be available for pick-up the following Monday.)
We will notify you via telephone if there are any problems with your prescription request. If you would prefer to have the prescription mailed to you, please mention this information to our Client Care Representative. We will require your credit card information before shipping the medication.
Anesthesia
We utilize the safest available anesthetics to provide an extra margin of safety, especially for our older or high-risk patients. Using the most modern equipment, the patient's vital signs are monitored during all anesthetic procedures.
