Services

PennHIP Scoring

2016-01-05T23:10:00+00:00

Pennhip measures hip laxity and allows exact prediction of Hip Displasia in dogs, starting from 16 weeks of age. Hip Dysplasia can be prevented if hip laxity is diagnosed and treated early.

The Problem:

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)

• Is the most commonly inherited orthopedic disease

• Leads to hip arthritis causing pain, stiffness, and diminished quality of life

• Has no medical or surgical cure

• Afflicts more than 50% of the dogs within some breeds

• Clinically affects large breed dogs more severely than smaller breed dogs

The Key Factor:

Hip Laxity

In the 1980’s, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine pioneered a better diagnostic method to assess hip laxity—the key factor in the development of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD).

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, with the ball of the femur (femoral head) fitting into the hip socket (acetabulum). Hip laxity refers to the degree of “looseness” of the ball in the hip socket. All dogs are born with good hip joints. It is joint laxity that is responsible for development of Hip Dysplasia to due the increased wear and tear that loose hip joints are subjected too.

The Solution:

AIS PennHIP Hip Improvement Program

The research-based hip-screening procedure known as PennHIP has proven to be the most accurate and precise method to measure hip laxity. It can identify (as early as 16 weeks of age) dogs that are susceptible to developing hip dysplasia.

This offers breeders the opportunity to make early decisions on breeding stock, and allows veterinarians to advise pet owners on lifestyle adjustments and preventive strategies to minimize the pain and progression of the disease.

PennHIP Radiographs:

PennHIP screening includes three separate radiographs (x-rays) of the hips.

Hip Scoring and Result Interpretation:

We then will submit the three PennHIP radiographs to ANTECH Imaging Services for specialised evaluation.

A confidential report comprised of the following key parts will be sent back to us where we will then bring you back to the clnic to explain the results and give any appropriate strategies (diet, medications, and/or activities) to delay or diminish the ultimate course of the disease.

Prevention and Treatment of hip displasia:

There is no cure for hip dysplasia, but it can be prevented to a good degree. In order to prevent hip Hip Dysplasia (a form of arthritis) is vital to address loose hip joints early. Any surgical treament is aimed at changing the angle of the socket (relative to the pelvis), so that the body weight keeps pushing the hip joint tight. In a mature animal that means an operation which is called Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, which is a difficult, invasive and expensive procedure.

However, in a young, growing dog this can be achieved by applying heat to the growth plate of the symphysis of the pelvis, a procedure we offer in-house. The growth plate will then fuse early and stop this part of the pelvis to grow, resulting in a change of the shape of the pelvis as the puppy continues to grow.

Who will benefit from PennHip hip scoring?:

Any young dog will benefit from having it's hip scored. You find out exactly where you dog stands within the range of it's breed and how likely it is that you dog develops hip dysplasia later on in life. This is particularly important in dogs you want to breed from, especially large breeds. Detection of hip laxity in puppies allows us to perform a simple procedure to prevent the onset of hip dysplasia later on.

Vetcare Finance

2016-01-01T01:24:00+00:00

VetCare Finance provides fast loans and flexible repayment options, so your furry friend can get the health care they need.

Here are just a few more benefits they offer
Loans available throughout New Zealand
Swift approval for emergency veterinary care
No deposit with 6-24 month terms
Your choice of payments options
Affordable credit rates at just 19%
Low application and booking fees

VetCare Finance can approve loans of up to $5,000.

www.vetcarefinance.co.nz

Emergency and Critical Care

2016-01-04T01:02:00+00:00

We are open 7 days and provide a comprehensive 24/7 ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE with direct access via phone to a qualified staff member to assist you.

0800VETCALL or (07) 572 4200

Soft Tissue Surgery

2016-01-30T00:28:00+00:00

At Mount Vets our Soft tissue surgical procedures are performed by Joerg Thamm, the Director, who has a special interest in Small Animal Orthopaedics and Soft Tissue surgery. Joerg has over 18 years experience developing this interest working for the PDSA, the UK's leading Veterinary charity, and further advancing his skills and training running a busy London branches of a large corporate Veterinary chain.

Commonly performed procedures:

diaphragmatic hernia repair
wound care and reconstruction
gastrointestinal obstructions
anal sacculectomy ( anal gland removal)
ear canal ablation
perineal hernia
perineal urethrostomy
enterectomy

Orthopaedics

2016-01-05T23:36:00+00:00

At Mount Vet Hospital our orthopaedic procedures are performed by Joerg Thamm, the Director, who has a special interest in Small Animal Orthopaedics and Soft Tissue surgery.

Joerg has over 18 years experience developing this interest working for the PDSA, the UK's leading Veterinary charity, and further advancing his skills and training running an internal orthopaedic referral service for the London branches of a large corporate Veterinary chain.

Commonly performed procedures:

simple and complex fracture repair
dislocated joints
repair damaged ligaments and tendons
rutured or torn cruciate ligaments
patellar luxation
repair of angular limb deformities

Veterinary Referals

2016-01-04T23:31:00+00:00

At Mount Vet Hospital we are able to refer our patients to Veterinary Specialists when they require veterinary care that necessitates skills and equipment that is beyond our function as a primary veterinary caregiver.

Refered Services:

Advanced Diagnostic Imaging

Radiology
Ultrasound
CT & MRI interpretation and reporting

Behavioural and Obedience training

Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery

Dermatology

Internal medicine

Oncology

Ophthamology

Orthopaedic surgery

Physiotherapy

Soft tissue Surgery

Microchipping

2016-01-06T23:08:00+00:00

Microchips are a small device about the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is implanted in the soft scruff of the neck. Each microchip has a unique number that can be read by a special reader, similar to a barcode reader.

Placing a microchip is a common procedure and safe for your animal.

Every dog registered for the first time after July 2006 must be microchipped.

The only exemptions are working dogs that are kept solely for herding or stock driving.

If Council finds your dog and you have recorded your microchip with the Council, in most instances they can immediately notify you. A collar or tag can sometimes be lost but a microchip is always there.

The number is stored on the National Dog Database (NDD), along with information gathered by the Council relating to your dog. This information can only be accessed by Council staff.

The New Zealand Companion Animal Register is an option to consider when microchipping your dog and essential for cats.

There is a one off charge for registering with this service.

www.animalregister.co.nz

The New Zealand Companion Animal Register was designed specifically to make the recovery of lost pets easier. Established by organisations deeply interested in Animal Welfare, funds received from your registration fee will be used and reinvested in projects to help animals particularly in the area of animal welfare.

The microchip number of your pet is stored in the register with your contact details. The web site is available 24/7 and this allows authorised agents to search and recover owner details at any time, as well as allowing owners to update details online at any time as well.

There is also a 0800 LOST PET support number which is manned 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). Messages can be left on the 0800 number outside of these hours. You can also email Animal Register Limited atinfo@animalregister.co.nz and will receive a reply within 1 working day.

Euthanasia & Cremation

2016-01-03T22:28:00+00:00

At Mount Vet Hospital we offer the services of Euthanasia and Cremation with trusted Pet Cremations Ltd (over 25 years of service ), a sensitive and tasteful way to remember your pet.

www.petcremations.co.nz

Special/Private Cremation

With this service, pets are placed in individual positions within the cremation chamber, the individual cremains are processed and returned to the owner in a receptacle of their choice.

Communal Cremation

This is a cost effective option provided as a humane means of final disposal. Pets are cremated together in groups. This service caters to pet owners who do not wish to retain the cremains of their loyal friend but still wish for their pet to have the highest duty of care.

Note:
Cremation is the process of reducing the body of a pet by exposing it to intense heat. Through high heat and evaporation, the body is reduced to its basic mineral form. Although the remains are commonly called "ashes", the correct term is "cremains". Humane and safe, cremation is the accepted manner of disposition, endorsed by animal lovers and doctors.

Container Options

Ashes Only (Scatterbox)

White cardboard box wrapped in tissue paper with ribbon and rose. By far our most preferred option, your pet is elegantly presented to you in one of four sizes (for a small, medium, large or extra large pet), and caters to those who wish to retain their beloved pet's cremains for burial or dispersal.

Wooden Casket

Ashes returned in a wooden casket available in a selection of sizes with engraved plaque for remembrance or burial.
Note:
Many items can be personalised to best represent how your pet impacted you and your family's life. We offer engravings on gold plate and/or photo plaque that can be attached to the the wooden casket.

Pet Rock

Remember your pet forever with this lovely pet cremation rock. This rock is made from High Strength TuffCrete and comes with colour fast, non-fading plaque. Available in black, white and natural grey.

Engravings

Gold Plate

Different fonts and styles are available with wording to your wishes (size permitting). We have an 80mm x 40mm size for most

of the engravings, a much bigger size of 120mm x 80mm is also available for those with long messages.

Photo Plaque

The photo of your pet is transferred to this metal plaque. This photo plaque is mounted on top of the wooden casket

Rhinoscopy & Otoscopy

2016-01-11T01:13:00+00:00

Rhinoscopy is a procedure used to examine the entire nasal cavity with a small flexible endoscope.

Flexible rhinoscopy is a useful addition to the physical examination that allows direct visualisation of structures within the nasal cavities that may not be visible by the physical examination alone.

Rhinoscopy may be recommended if your pet has:

Chronic nasal discharge
Chronic sneezing
Nasal bleeding
Nasal congestion
Decreased nasal airflow
Suspicion of nasal foreign body

Your pet would need to be anaesthetised or sedated for this procedure.

Otoscopy is an examination that involves looking into the ear with an instrument called an otoscope (or auriscope). This is performed in order to examine the 'external auditory canal' – the tunnel that leads from the outer ear (pinna) to the eardrum.

The use of video otoscopy provides the best view and examination of the ear canal. It has a strong light without increased heat and it has a magnified view. This allows us to best evaluate the health of the ear and for any abnormalities that require attention.

We can check for:

masses
structural abnormalities
foreign material
ear mites
bacterial or fungal infections
the general health of the ear canal
evaluate the tympanic membrane (ear drum).

Normal ear canal and view of ear drum

Abnormal ear canal

Video otoscopy also works under water so that we can flush the debris as we are viewing the canal. This means video otoscopy is involved in both diagnosing and treatment.

In some circumstances your pet may need to be sedated or anaesthetised for this procedure.

Golden Oldies Pet Care

2016-01-06T00:42:00+00:00

Here at Mount Vet Hospital we love the “Golden Oldies”, those loyal, loving older pets that have been in the family for awhile and have created a raft of memories

We feel that age is not a disease but just another life stage we all have to go through but it does bring with it some challenges.

We offer special healthcare plans to closely monitor your pet as they age to make sure they have the potential for a long and healthy retirement.

We look at and give advice on:

Diet and Nutrition

Digestibility, caloric content, quality of ingredients
Discussion of any new developments in the use of stage-of-life diets, food supplements, or food additives (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids, nutraceuticals)
Attention to ingredients that might affect disease in older pets

Dental/Oral care

Weight control

Maintaining mobility via exercise or therapeutic intervention

Pain management

Mental health and cognitive function

importance of routine and predictable environment;
environmental enrichment;
companion pets and social interaction;
discussion of brain aging;
monitoring signs of cognitive decline

Preventative medicine

as pets age their immune system is not as effective so regular worming, flea treatment and vaccinations are essential

Diagnostic tests

to check internal organ function and pick up on any issues early
examples of common conditions in ageing pets are hormonal disorders, kidney disease, cancers, diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis etc