Following the completion of a rigorous internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City it was very important for me to become a part of an animal hospital that both practices the highest quality of veterinary medicine and has access to advanced diagnostics. I found both at the Verona and Montclair Animal Hospitals. I was ecstatic to join a team that practiced superb veterinary medicine both with clinical illness, as well as wellness/preventative medicine. Moreover, these hospitals are equipped with digital radiology (x-rays), ultrasound, endoscopy, laparoscopy, fiber optic ear scopes, surgical lasers, surgical cautery, advanced vessel sealing systems (Ligasure), and work closely with board certified veterinary specialists.
 
Digital radiographs (x-rays) give the veterinarian the ability to manipulate the image to yield more accurate information for an appropriate diagnosis. In addition, it gives the veterinarian the ability to quickly send the images to a radiologist or surgeon for a specialist’s opinion.
 
Where “x-rays” give an excellent overview of what things look like inside your pet; ultrasound gives us the ability to not only see an organ’s surface but also to evaluate the architecture within.
 
Endoscopy allows the veterinarian to visualize of the stomach and intestinal tract, as well as take gastric (stomach) and intestinal biopsies without having to perform an invasive exploratory surgery. This is extremely helpful in getting an accurate diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, bleeding ulcers, strictures, and some forms of cancer. We are very fortunate to have this piece of equipment, as many gastrointestinal cases would need to be sent to referral hospitals to have the same diagnostic procedures performed. Without the aid of this remarkable tool certain disease processes could not actually ever be definitively diagnosed. Endoscopy also permits the veterinarian to remove foreign objects from the stomach before they move into the intestines and potentially cause an obstruction, all without ever picking up a scalpel.
 
Laparoscopy provides us with the ability to perform minimally invasive procedures, such as ovariohysterectomy (spays) and biopsies without having to completely open up the abdomen. Conversely to traditional abdominal surgery/procedures only two very small incisions are made to access the abdominal cavity. The benefits of minimally invasive procedures include decreased post-operative pain and dramatically reduced recovery time. Laparoscopy is used extensively in human medicine for a wide variety of minimally invasive procedures.
 
Surgical lasers, cautery, and vessel sealing systems like the Ligasure provide the veterinarian with the ability to both prevent bleeding, as well as quickly and effectively deal with any blood loss. Surgical lasers have the benefit of cauterizing as it cuts, thus rendering virtually no blood loss as it cuts. Cautery allows a doctor to quickly “zap” any vessel that is bleeding with very minimal damage to any surrounding tissues. The Ligasure is an advanced piece of equipment also used in the human surgery that not only cauterizes and cuts, but also alerts the user when a vessel is adequately sealed. This eliminates any guessing as to whether or not the vessels have been sufficiently sealed before cutting through them. These tools not only ensure minimal blood loss, but also help to keep the surgery site clean and visible.
 
Fiberoptic ear scopes give the ability to both safely and accurately assess the outer and middle ear, take cultures if needed, and perform deeper and more thorough ear cleanings. This piece of equipment is very helpful in dealing with recurrent or severely infected ears, helping to eliminate smoldering or rampant infections at the source of the problem.
 
Subsequently, I am extremely excited to be a part of this great team of doctors and technologically advanced hospital. These tools will allow me to perform the gold standard diagnostics and treatments that I am accustomed to.