Veterinary Technology at Patton Veterinary Hospital

Advanced Technology Used In Veterinary Care

            Just as in human medicine, there have been many technological advances in the veterinary field.  Patton Veterinary Hospital made the switch years ago from paper charts to computerized records, but there are lots of other cool techno-gadgets now available to us to make it easier to test, treat, and diagnose patients.  Here are a few that we use. 

            Digital radiographs or x-rays have been around for some time now.  They provide excellent images of the body and we also use a digital dental x-ray unit to image teeth.  There is much less waste and chemical use now that x-ray film and developing fluids are no longer needed.  PVH also has an ultrasound unit which is often a more sensitive but still non-invasive way to look at your pet’s internal organs. 

            We have both surgical and therapeutic lasers in use at PVH.  The surgical laser is used most commonly for declawing cats.  It is less painful than using a blade because it seals nerve endings and blood vessels as it cuts tissue.  The therapeutic laser uses light waves to decrease inflammation and is great for treating arthritis, wounds and surgical incisions.  Laser therapy may sound a little “out there” to some, but we have seen it work and it is a great alternative for patients who don’t tolerate traditional medications for arthritis.  We have also used the laser to improve wound healing.

            There are a multitude of veterinary apps for computers and smart phones that calculate drug doses, provide constantly updated drug information and allow us to consult with specialists like radiologists and cardiologists online. 

            The newest (and possibly coolest!) techno item we have is called the AliveCor veterinary heart monitor.  It allows us to take an ECG reading of a pet’s heart rate and rhythm using a smart phone!  There is a case with a sensor that fits the phone.  The sensor is placed on the pet’s chest and communicates with an app for the phone which records the pet’s heart rate and ECG reading.   This allows us to look for abnormal rhythms or changes associated with a heart murmur or other types of heart disease.  It is quick, accurate, and we don’t even have to shave the fur!  Pretty cool, huh? 

            Of course, nothing will ever replace the good old basic physical exam.  All the technology in the world is useless without touching, listening to and looking at our patients.  This is why yearly exams are so important.    We hope that we provide our patients and clients with a good balance of tried and true methods mixed with cutting edge diagnostics.  This is certainly an amazing time to be in the veterinary field!

            This blog brought to you by Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding areas.

Photo taken from www.medgadget.com