Wellness Programs & Geriatric Care

With advances in medical care, disease detection and nutrition, our pets are living longer. Considering that aging occurs more rapidly in pets than humans, proactive and preventative medical care becomes even more imperative to the longevity of your loved ones.

Since your dog or cat is considered a young adult by 1 year, middle aged by 5 years, and a senior by the time they reach 9 or 10 years old, we recommend a minimum of one wellness exam per year for all of our patients and twice-a-year exams for our senior patients.

Vaccinations and Preventative Medical Protocols

Every pet has its own unique lifestyle and related health risks. Our knowledgeable staff will recommend appropriate vaccination and preventative health programs that will effectively address your pet’s individual needs, but also allow for time to answer and discuss any questions you may have.

Dental Examinations & Ultrasonic Cleaning

We have found that our most long-lived patients with the best quality of life have reached their senior age with appropriate dental care. Maintaining dental and periodontal (gingivitis) care throughout a pet’s lifetime minimizes bad breath, infected gums and teeth, as well as kidney, liver and heart disease.

At each wellness exam, we will always check your pet’s mouth and evaluate the need for appropriate dental treatments.

Behavioral Counseling & Nutritional Counseling

Through our years of experience, we’ve found that many of your pet’s medical problems are not metabolic abnormalities, but behavioral or compulsive disorders. Quite often, the most effective treatment for a disease or medical condition is found in dietary management or behavioral modification, not "pills."

Our staff prides itself in looking beyond the usual, and to determine if other diagnostic or treatment changes are necessary, yet still allotting needed time to share diagnostic and therapeutic information with you, the client.

In-House Laboratory

We know that time is of the essence when it comes to the health and wellbeing of your pet. That’s why at Hillmount Small Animal Hospital we have an Abaxis Lab Profiler on-site to evaluate your pet’s metabolic status within just minutes. Pre-procedure screening is recommended for all of our senior patients as well as at-risk pets before dental cleaning or other sedation/anesthetic procedures.

We also provide complete laboratory evaluation services through Antech and Iddex Diagnostic Laboratories with most results available within 24 hours.

EKG (Electrocardiogram)

Available at Hillmount Animal Hospital, our facility is well-equipped to handle any of your pet’s EKG needs. Both portable in-house EKG technology and a comprehensive Cardiopet unit are there when you need them, capable of providing quick pre-screenings or complete evaluations by a board certified cardiologist via a phone modem.

Digital Radiology

Three years ago, the Hillmount Animal Hospital added two new instruments that greatly improve our ability to provide technologically advanced diagnostics for our patients.

We installed a new Summit DXR digital radiology unit, which produces high quality contrasted radiographs in just 5 seconds. The Summit DXR enables our doctors to visualize orthopedic and soft tissue structures far greater than preexisting conventional radiograph units.

And since we have gone digital, it’s allowed Hillmount Animal Hospital to Go Green! Liquid x-ray processing is gone, which conserves water and eliminates chemical waste. In using digital radiography, it lowers our energy use and subsequently reduces radiation exposure for both our patients and our staff.

Additionally, our RadioVet PAC storage system archives over 3,000 patient radiographs, allowing our doctors to view x-rays and conduct radiograph consultations with clients using a computer monitor. No more conventional x-ray film or illuminated view boxes.

Surgical Care

Hillmount Animal Hospital provides a wide range of surgical services, from the minor to the more in-depth soft tissue and orthopedic procedures.

A CO2 laser surgery unit allows us to provide a surgical technology that minimizes hemorrhage during surgery as well as pain after the operation. It has allowed us to continually expand our services, including declaws, dermal masses, and procedures of the ear, eyelid and oral cavities.

Microchip ID

A popular and convenient option, we provide microchipping services that give you an opportunity to obtain lifetime county licensing for your pet. A peace of mind option, your pet’s microchip will provide nationwide tracking if they are ever lost or stolen.

Please contact us if you have questions about this service.

Boarding

Hillmount Animal Hospital offers boarding, nail trims, bathing, and comb outs as services for our clients. Our air-conditioned facility has seven indoor runs and 28 indoor kennels. Our visiting canines are walked twice daily by our staff. Owners may provide special diets if desired, and necessary medications can be administered for a nominal fee.

We know that your canine and feline friends may have some unique needs when boarding. We also know what it takes to make both you and your pet feel comfortable away from home.

While boarding, our feline guests stay in a separate area from our canines to avoid undue stress from the barking and the scent of dogs. However, our devoted kennel manager, Courtney, has a strong commitment to giving all our boarding guests her personal attention.

All boarding pets are fed Science Diet pet foods or owner provided diets and our staff can administer medications and/or monitor health conditions, as needed.

Pick-up/Drop-off hours are during regular business hours and on Sundays from 9-9:30 a.m. To minimize waiting and delay for our clients, we request that your check-in/check-out be completed 30 minutes before our hospital closes.

Emergency Services

We provide after hours emergency consultation and examinations at our hospital or through two 24 hour emergency hospitals. If you require after hour emergency care for your pet, our hospital telephone # (717-249-7272) will provide information regarding contacting Dr. Bowers or the recommended emergency facilities.

Referral Medical Services

As with human medicine, the diagnosis and treatment of a condition cannot always be accomplished in the general family practice environment and referral to a specialist is necessary.

At Hillmount, we completely evaluate your pet’s medical needs. If we feel a diagnosis or treatment for your pet is beyond the scope of our hospital, we will offer the option of care provided by a board specialist at one of several referral practices that work closely with us.