Our Services

Regular physical exams play an important role in health maintenance, prevention, and early recognition of potential larger problems. Since our pets cannot talk to us, they are often unable to communicate an issue before it becomes a major concern and possible threat to their well being. Also, our animal companions have a shorter lifespan than we do, so their health can change significantly, relatively quickly. For these reasons, we recommend regular wellness exams; yearly for young, healthy pets; biannually for our senior patients.

During a wellness exam, you can expect an animal technician to determine your pet’s weight and temperature, and collect specimens for any routine yearly testing. Dr Johnson will then obtain a thorough history from you regarding your pet’s habits and any important observations you have made since your pet’s last visit. At the same time we will make a general assessment of your pet’s body condition score (BCS), body language, and demeanor before proceeding with a more detailed exam.

Next comes the “hands on” portion of the exam. This is when we thoroughly check your pet’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, as well as palpate the lymph nodes. It’s not uncommon for us to detect abnormalities that were not previously noticeable by pet owners. Next, the chest will be auscultated for abnormal heart or lung sounds and we will take note of any increase in the rate or effort of respiration. The abdomen will be palpated to check for pain, masses, and proper size and position of the organs. A rectal exam will be done (in most cases) to evaluate the colon, rectum, anal glands, and perianal region.

Once we have thoroughly inspected our animal’s “insides” we will move on to the musculoskeletal system.  This is where we determine normality of gait and palpate for any joint or back pain, swelling, or decreased range of motion. Lastly, inspection of the skin and haircoat evaluates an important aspect of your pet’s well being. Here we look for signs of infection, inflammation, hair loss, ectoparasites, and any new lumps or bumps.

As you can see, the services provided during a physical exam is unquestionably our greatest tool in determining your pet’s overall health.

Welcoming a new “family member” into your home is a fun and exciting time! You will want your new baby to be thoroughly checked out and protected during those first few vulnerable months. We recommend keeping your new pet away from public places and unknown animals until its vaccination series is complete.

We offer a complete well-pet program to address the vaccination and preventative care needs of your puppy or kitten, at a discounted package price. These packages are well-pet programs. If your pet becomes ill or requires additional treatment during the program there will be additional fees for additional services rendered.

Puppy Care Package includes:

• 3 examinations/consultations with the veterinarian
• 3 DAP vaccines to protect against distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus
• 2 Leptospirosis vaccines if your pup is deemed at risk
• Rabies vaccine and certificate
• 2 strategic oral dewormings to treat and prevent the spread of common parasites
• Fecal examination to screen for additional hazardous intestinal parasites
• First dose for flea prevention
• First Heartguard dose for heartworm prevention
• Home Again microchip implantation and registration
• Puppy Care information kit
• Secured online access to your puppy’s records

Welcoming a new “family member” into your home is a fun and exciting time! Without a doubt you will want your new baby to be thoroughly checked out and protected during those first few vulnerable months. We recommend keeping your new pet away from public places and unknown animals until its vaccination series is complete.

We offer a complete well-pet program to address the vaccination and preventative care needs of your puppy or kitten, at a discounted package price. These packages are well-pet programs. If your pet becomes ill or requires additional treatment during the program there will be additional fees for additional services rendered.

Kitten Care Package includes:

• 3 examinations/consultations with the veterinarian
• 2 feline distemper vaccines (FVRCP)
• 2 feline leukemia vaccines (FELV)
• Rabies vaccine and certificate
• 1 FELV/FIV/HW test to screen for feline leukemia, FIV virus, and feline heartworm disease
• 2 strategic dewormings to treat and prevent spread of common intestinal parasites
• Fecal examination to screen for additional hazardous intestinal parasites
• First Revolution dose for flea and heartworm prevention
• Home Again microchip implantation and registration
• Kitten Care information kit
• Secured online access to your kitten’s records

Most pets lucky enough to be newly adopted from the Petaluma Animal Services Foundation or another rescue organization have already received some early veterinary care. Our Shelter Package services cover any remaining vaccine and diagnostic needs to assure your new family member is fully protected.

As part of your pet’s annual assessment, we recommend these two tests:

• Heartworm 4Dx: a simple blood test that screens your dog for heartworm disease as well as the common tick-borne illnesses (Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis)
• Fecal Examination: a small stool sample enables us to check for intestinal parasites. These bugs not only affect your pet’s health, but represent a potential hazard to you and your family. Even pets with no visible symptoms can harbor parasites which are shed into your home as microscopic organisms.

Vaccinations provide our pets with very important immunity against certain viruses and bacteria but there is no one series that is correct for all pets. With this is mind, we discuss your pet’s individual risk factors to come up with a sensible, customized vaccine protocol. As new research information becomes available, we will consider it carefully. This may result in an adjustment of our recommendations over time, with your pet’s best interest always the most important factor. While it may be possible to save some money at Big Box providers or through vaccine clinics, confirm their practices and services have your pet’s best interest in mind.

Washington Square Vet Clinic utilizes the rice grain-sized HomeAgain microchip which provides lifetime identification using a 134 kHz ISO compatible chip. In addition to identification in case your pet becomes lost, yearly registration of your pet’s microchip number gives you access to:

• Rapid Lost Pet Alerts: this professional service is available 24/7 to send out alerts to veterinarians, shelters, and pet locator volunteers within a 25 mile radius
• ASPCA Poison Control: an emergency veterinary medical hotline to advise you in case of accidental ingestion or exposure to toxins
• Medical Insurance for Lost Pets: covers medical treatment costs for injuries suffered while your pet is lost
• Travel Assistance: up to $500 towards transportation costs to reunite you with your pet

Almost all animals in the Petaluma area require year-round protection from these pervasive pests. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so it’s important to discuss this regularly with either Dr Johnson or Dr Boutilier. Our pets and their human friends may have certain preferences based on tolerance, environment, and other factors. We offer a variety of high quality products in an effort to meet the individual needs of our patients effectively. If you are unhappy with your current method of prevention, or just have questions about what options are available, please ask one of our staff members so we can help you find the product that is right for you and your pet.

At WSVC, we are trained and equipped to provide your pet with superior dental care. To some, dental care for your pet might seem unnecessary, but your pet’s teeth are just like yours so regular care is needed to avoid decay, pain, and extractions. Can you imagine not seeing a dentist for several years?

Why do pets need dental cleaning (prophylaxis)?

Dental disease affects 70-80% of our pet population by age 3. Not only does this result in bad breath (halitosis), if left untreated it leads to pain, infection, tooth loss, and in the worst cases, systemic organ disease.

Why is general anesthesia necessary?

Regular dental care reduces future problems in performing a dental prophylaxis.  We not only clean the visible portion of the teeth, but we address the region under the gumline.  This region, also called the subgingival region, is the area most likely to lead to periodontal disease if not treated properly. Humans are able to sit still while the dentist works on our teeth, but animal are not.  Subgingival cleaning and a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity is just not possible without the use of general anesthesia. Harmful bacteria are mobilized during the cleaning, and the use of anesthesia provides a means to place a protective endotracheal tube and to control pain. It is also impossible to adequately polish the teeth without anesthesia. Left unpolished, the tooth surface is rough, increasing the adherence of plaque-causing bacteria in the future. For all of these reasons, non-anesthetic cleanings are not a viable option for the best dental care for your pet.

What is involved in a dental cleaning?

1. Supragingival cleaning: the removal of gross calculus above the gumline, accomplished with hand or mechanical scalers.
2. Subgingival cleaning: one of the most vital steps for our animal patients. The subgingival plaque is what leads to periodontal disease.
3. Polishing: removal of plaque causes microscopic etching of the tooth surface, which increases future build up of plaque and calculus. Polishing smoothes the enamel surfaces, making it more difficult for bacteria to adhere.
4. Sulcal Levage: this involves irrigation below the gumline to remove debris that loosens and accumulates during the procedure
5. Fluoride treatment: provides an extra barrier against plaque bonding, decreases tooth sensitivity, and can retard the formation of feline oral resorptive lesions.
6. Treatment planning: the entire mouth is evaluated and a periodontal probe is used to determine pocket formation. An individualized plan is developed to help insure better oral health for the future.
7. Dental charting: all findings and treatments are recorded for future reference as comparison for progress or regression

In order to maximize the safety and comfort of any procedure requiring general anesthesia, we provide the following:

• Pre-anesthetic exam and blood testing: helps us to identify any inherent risk factors ahead of time, and tailor your pet’s anesthetic protocol accordingly
• IV catheterization: allows us to support your pet with IV fluids and provide an immediate route for introducing emergency IV medications in case the situation requires them
• Anesthetic monitoring: your pet’s vital signs, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and blood pressure are all continually monitored, allowing us to address any potential problems in the earliest stage to avoid compounding problems if not caught until a few minutes later
• Analgesia: we believe in an aggressive, proactive, and multimodal approach to pain management. Medication will be administered before, during, and after surgery if your pet is undergoing a painful procedure. We also utilize local anesthetic agents, and send home oral analgesics, if warranted.

At Washington Square Veterinary Clinic we understand that one of the toughest things you do is dropping off your pet for a surgical procedure. We strive to give you as much information as possible to alleviate some of your anxiety about potential risks. We also take every step available to maximize the safety of the procedures we perform. Please be sure to leave the best contact number for you when you drop off your pet for surgery.

General Surgery: Our doctors are skill and experienced surgeons, capable of performing a wide range of general surgery your pet might need. We have state-of-the-art equipment in a dedicated surgical suite, and we utilize the assistance of a surgical nurse to monitor your pet with individual attention for the duration of the patient’s preparation, surgery, and recover period.

These surgeries are routine procedures our doctors have performed thousands of times. Still, they involve general anesthesia and in many cases exploration of the abdominal cavity. At Washington Square Veterinary Clinic we treat these surgeries with the same perisurgical care as any other general surgery, including pre-operative bloodwork, IV catheterization, close patient monitoring, and perioperative pain control. This provides the safest and most comfortable experience for your healthy, young pets.

We offer CO2 laser surgery which provides reduced pain and inflammation as well as increased accessibility in appropriate cases.

All patients are examined and screened just prior to their procedure to help identify any additional risk factors. This allows us to choose an anesthetic protocol tailored to your pet’s specific needs, thus providing an extra margin of safety for a quick and full recovery. In addition, an IV catheter is placed which is used for perioperative fluid administration.  It also facilitates quick access for any further IV medications that might be required. All surgery cases are monitored by a dedicated surgery nurse, using state-of-the-art equipment so we can keep track of your pet’s blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and CO2 levels. Your pet will be continually monitored, even after the procedure, until fully awake and stable. Some clinics cut corners when monitoring so ask about this before proceeding with your veterinarian.  Our surgical nurse will contact you after the procedure to let you know as soon as possible that everything has gone well.

Laser therapy reduces pain and speeds healing with non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment.  It treats a variety of conditions and is also performed in conjunction with existing treatment protocols.  Relief and/or improvement is often noticed within hours depending on the condition and your pet’s unique health status.  Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, your companion can benefit from this innovative approach to treating pain.

Our on-site state-of-the-art x-ray equipment allows us to obtain high quality digital radiographs in seconds, which facilitate the evaluation of musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and many other organ systems. Our x-rays are regularly reviewed by a board certified veterinary radiologist.

Full In-House Laboratory – Our well-equipped lab allows us to make timely decisions by providing quick and accurate test results in the following areas:

• Preoperative and full diagnostic blood panels
• Screening tests for common pet illnesses such as Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline and Canine Heartworm Diseases, Lyme Disease, and other tick-borne disease
• Electrocardiograms for diagnostic and anesthetic monitoring purposes
• Blood Pressure Analysis: diagnostic and monitoring
• Tonometry
• Glaucoma screening test
• Urinalysis
• Microscopic cytology
• Fungal culture for ringworm

In addition to our in-house lab testing, we utilize a professional veterinary laboratory service for more advanced diagnostic testing.

Ultrasound and Endoscopy: Specialists are available to perform ultrasound and endoscopy which aide in the diagnosis and treatment of more complicated cases.

From time to time situations arise that are best handled with a visit to your home. Dr Johnson will make every effort to help out in these circumstances within the confines of the daily schedule. In the event that we are unable to accommodate your needs we will do our best to assist you in finding an alternative solution.