Services

APPOINTMENT
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Your pet is an important part of your family, and when he or she is ill, you want the best medical care available.
The veterinarians and staff at Somers Animal Hospital are ready to provide your pet with compassionate and comprehensive veterinary medical care. From wellness exams and vaccines to advanced diagnostics and complex surgical procedures, your dog or cat will receive high-quality care at our hospital.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has a wealth of research supporting its benefits to patients and is recognized as an effective pain-relieving therapy in human medicine. Acupuncture compliments traditional medicine by creating another avenue to address painful, inflammatory and degenerative conditions in our pets. We take a western medicine approach to this therapy based on our understanding of the nervous system, and how it interacts with muscles and connective tissues, not invisible meridians or Chi in the body. Acupuncture relaxes muscles, stimulates nerves, increases blood flow, and triggers the release of natural endorphins in the body. The focus is to improve your pet’s quality of life using a natural approach, relieve pain and strive to reduce concurrent medications that have been prescribed while maintaining comfort. Each acupuncture session typically lasts 20-30 minutes and includes the use of dry needling, aquapuncture, and electroacupuncture techniques. Dr. Timothy Walker is certified in acupuncture for both canine and feline patients.

Arthroscopy
We are one of the few practices routinely performing arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique to fully examine and treat a joint through incisions which are hardly visible after the procedure. It is one of the most exciting advances in small animal orthopedics in decades. The tiny scopes allow better visualization of the inside of the joint while avoiding the trauma of an open joint surgery. We utilize arthroscopy as part of all knee surgeries as well as commonly in the shoulder and elbow as well as other joints. In the adjacent images, we see what the inside of the elbow looks like in a young dog with elbow dysplasia. The left elbow has already lost much of the smooth white cartilage that should be there, leaving the raw red deeper tissues you see. Dogs like this, treated with arthroscopy followed by physical rehabilitation, can go on to live comfortable lives with no loss of mobility.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed tomography, or CT, uses X-ray technology like traditional radiography. The difference is CT provides a 360-degree 3-dimensional view, with a much higher level of detail compared to a traditional 2D radiograph or “X-ray”.

Dental Care
Our dental services include teeth cleaning and polishing, digital dental radiography, tooth extractions, oral surgery and bonded sealants.  We distinguish ourselves from many animal hospitals in that only our veterinarians perform the oral surgery, including extractions.

Endoscopy
Although humans and animals are different in many ways, some advances in human medicine are also very useful in veterinary patients. One of these advances, endoscopy, has proven to be a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in veterinary medicine. As a practice, we consider it a goal to offer state-of-the-art medicine and diagnostic testing; so we are proud to offer endoscopy as a means of providing a higher level of quality care to our patients.

A fiberoptic endoscope is a long, narrow tube with a tiny camera at the tip. An endoscope can be rigid or very flexible, depending on what procedure it is used for. It can also be sterilized so that it can safely be inserted into the body. Endoscopic equipment can have many uses in veterinary medicine. For example, with a patient under anesthesia, an endoscope can be inserted into the mouth (to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine), nose (to examine the trachea [windpipe] and main airways), or anus (to examine the colon and lower intestine). An endoscope can be inserted through a small incision into a body cavity to permit us to examine the surface of organs, such as the liver or kidneys, or to look inside a joint, such as the knee. We can even use an endoscope to remove small objects that dogs and cats sometimes swallow or to perform biopsies of internal organs.

Endoscopy provides us with a full-color, magnified view of the area of interest. Additionally, endoscopic procedures are usually non-invasive or minimally invasive. We strive to offer our patients the highest level of medicine, and we are glad to be able to offer endoscopy as one of our diagnostic procedures.

Laparascopy
Laparoscopy is the endoscopic examination and surgery of the abdominal contents. Organs can be examined and biopsied and surgical procedures can be done in a minimally invasive manor. This leads to less patient discomfort and a quicker recovery. In a laparoscopic procedure the abdomen is distended with gas. Two or three ports, about the size of a sharpie marker, are placed in the abdomen. Through these ports a rigid scope with a camera is placed and surgical instruments are passed into the abdomen. The surgeon sees the inside of the abdomen on multiple monitors positioned around the patient. The image is magnified often allowing better visualization then would be possible in a traditional surgery where the whole abdominal cavity is opened. We commonly use laparoscopy for liver, pancreatic, intestinal, and lymph node biopsies. Biopsies of cancerous tumors can be taken to help stage them. There are also surgeries which are laparoscopic-assisted such as ovariectomies (spays) in dogs. With minimally invasive surgeries the patients go home the same day with much smaller incisions, less risk of complication, and less pain.

Pharmacy
We maintain an inventory of pharmaceuticals, supplements, shampoos, heartworm preventatives and parasite treatments to meet the needs of your pet. They have all been carefully selected by our Doctors. We will be happy to mail them to you at no additional charge!
Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelets are an amazing source of growth factors, which turn off inflammation and allow the body to heal. This treatment protocol is processed from the pets own blood. It can be used alone or in conjunction with stem cell therapy.

Puppy And Kitten Care
Do you have a new puppy or kitten? Congratulations on this addition to your family! One of the first things you should do when you bring your new pet home is to introduce him or her to us – your veterinary care team. Puppy and kitten visits offer a unique opportunity to get you and your new pet off on the right foot!
Your puppy or kitten visit will include a full “nose-to-tail” physical examination. We will look for any signs of illness and make sure that your new pet is in good health.

Do you have questions about nutrition, training, vaccinations, grooming, parasite protection, or overall health? What about tips for introducing your new pet to other pets and family members? Even if you are a very experienced pet owner and have had puppies or kittens before, each pet is unique and offers an opportunity to learn something new! We welcome your questions and look forward to addressing any concerns you may have. The more educated you are about your pet, the better you will be able to care for him or her, so we strive to offer you all the support you need.

Puppy and kitten wellness visits also present an opportunity to discuss your new pet’s recommended vaccine schedule and the best plan for parasite testing, treatment, and prevention. Our doctors and other staff members are well-educated about veterinary vaccines and parasite control, and our goal is to give you the best advice for your puppy or kitten. We will review your pet’s vaccine and deworming schedule and discuss the best way to continue, so don’t forget to bring any records that you have received.

We will work hard to help you understand your pet’s health considerations, and we encourage you to be involved in decisions regarding your puppy’s or kitten’s health care. Puppy and kitten visits are an excellent way to get your new pet started on the road to a happy and healthy life. Let’s take these important first steps together.

Please call today to schedule an appointment for us to meet your new pet!

Rhinoscopy
Discharge from the nose, excessive sneezing, reverse sneezing and bleeding from the nose are common symptoms seen in cats and dogs with various nasal and sinus problems. Diagnosing the cause of the problem can be difficult due to the inaccessibility of the nasal passages for direct examination. With rhinoscopy, we can gain direct access to the nasal cavity to visualize the problem and take biopsy samples. During the procedure, the patient is under anesthesia and a fiberoptic endoscope is passed up into the nose and through the nasal cavity. Below is an image of a normal nasal cavity.

Stem Cell Therapy

Mesenchymal stem cells are rich in substances called cytokines which promote healing and reduce inflammation. During a brief surgical procedure, the patient’s own stem cells are harvested from fat cells. They are then processed and later injected back into the patient, most commonly into a joint or tendon.

Therapeutic Laser
Therapeutic laser treatments aim to increase circulation and cell turn-over at the target area while decreasing any pain, inflammation, and swelling. As a result, healing and return to function are greatly accelerated.

Laser therapy is one of our most used physical rehabilitation modalities, suitable for wound care, arthritis management, acute injuries, post-surgical incision healing and treatment of dermatological issues, such as hot spots and lick granulomas.

Non-invasive and painless, treatments are well tolerated by patients.

Underwater Treadmill
Underwater treadmill therapy provides a safe, controlled environment for patient exercise. The buoyancy that the water provides reduces the amount of body weight that a patient is required to carry, thus lessening the impact on their joints with each step. The water’s resistance also plays a role in musculoskeletal conditioning and endurance training, for those participating in therapy.

Benefits of hydrotherapy include a more rapid return to function after orthopedic surgery, arthritis and neurological deficit management and maintenance of mobility in aging patients.

Anesthesia
We use various combinations of the safest injectable and inhalant anesthetics. Each protocol is tailored to the individual patient base on their size, age, and overall health. Patients are monitored by a licensed technician using modern equipment (vital signs monitor that includes blood pressure,  heart rate, CO2 and blood oxygen levels). Also, every anesthetized patient is maintained on IV fluids and is on a hot water circulating pad to maintain body temperature.

Behavioral Medicine
Your pet’s behavior affects every interaction you have with him or her on a daily basis. Behavior dictates everything from meal time, to exercise time, to downtime such as relaxing on the couch with other family members. When a pet has a behavior problem, the consequences are far-reaching. Behavior problems threaten the bond you have with your pet by damaging the loving relationship that should exist between you. In extreme situations, a serious behavior problem can lead to euthanasia or surrendering a pet to a shelter.

Pets can have a wide variety of behavioral issues, from simple housetraining problems to severe anxiety and aggression issues. We are well qualified and experienced in diagnosing and addressing behavior problems with an approach that combines skills from veterinary clinical medicine, behavioral medicine, and pet training. Our goals are to help pets and their owners live together comfortably and safely and to help restore the bond between pets and their families.

Dealing with behavior problems can be frustrating for pet owners. Some pet owners may even blame themselves because their pet seems to have an emotional issue. Although behavior problems can result from emotional trauma or physical mistreatment, in many cases the problem can arise from simple misunderstandings or learned associations that were inadvertently established during training. In addition, several medical conditions can manifest in ways that mimic behavior problems. Scheduling an evaluation with a professional skilled in diagnosing and managing behavioral issues in pets is the first step on the road to resolving the problem.

Cystoscopy
Allows the visualization of the urinary bladder and in female dogs the urethra and vaginal anatomy. Cystoscopy allows for better visualization of normal and abnormal structures while being less invasive than traditional surgery. During these procedures it is common to remove bladder stones or biopsy the urinary tract. Below is an image of a bladder with a small polyp.

Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Electrical nerve stimulation can reduce pain by releasing endogenous opioids (the body’s own pain relievers) or by creating a large amount of neural input to trick the brain into not noticing the pain as acutely. The latter is called gait theory. This theory explains why if you were to bump your elbow, rubbing it vigorously helps dull the brain’s perception of the resulting pain.

Nerve stimulation also helps to minimize muscle loss as a result of atrophy or injury by stimulating muscle contraction and maintaining nerve conduction pathways.

Laboratory
We know that being able to quickly process lab work can lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment for your pet.

Our in-house laboratory allows for rapid analysis of routine blood, urine, feces and cytology samples. Blood sample diagnostics evaluates the types and levels of various cells and proteins within the circulation. These results are instrumental in assessing organ function, response to medications and the overall health of your pet. Similarly, urine samples provided key insight into kidney function, possible infections, and progression of chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Fecal results can be screened in-house for signs of parasites or bacterial growth.

Our hospital is also equipped to perform basic in-house cytology, reviewed by our veterinarians.

For more specialized tests, we utilize various trusted external veterinary reference laboratories, ensuring that your pet receives a detailed diagnosis.

Pain Management
The practice of high-quality veterinary medicine focuses on the entire patient – from medical issues that affect physical functioning, to emotional and psychological issues that affect well-being. Experiencing pain can affect the body’s physical functioning and can have a detrimental effect on a patient’s well-being and state of mind. That’s why pain management is among our primary considerations when we are treating a pet for any medical condition.

Our approach to pain management involves anticipating potentially painful procedures and taking steps to manage pain from the outset as well as continuing to manage pain throughout your pet’s treatment and recovery process. Did you know that various types of pain can look different in animals? For example, a dog with chronic arthritis may exhibit very subtle signs of pain that can go unnoticed unless you know what to look for. Fortunately, our staff of compassionate, caring professionals is skilled in recognizing signs of pain in animals and developing an individualized plan for managing pain in our patients.

From routine procedures such as ovariectomies or dental cleanings to more advanced medical treatments such as orthopaedic surgeries or cancer patients to chronically painful conditions such as arthritis or back pain, we are dedicated to providing safe and effective pain management to every patient. We will also help you recognize signs of pain in your pet so that we can modify his or her pain management plan when necessary.

Recognizing and alleviating pain in our patients is at the very heart of quality, compassionate patient care. We don’t take pain management for granted and will employ all our skills to help ensure your pet’s comfort, well-being, and full recovery.

Physical Rehabilitation
Pets need physical rehabilitation just like people do! Click here to learn more about our physical rehabilitation services.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT)
This non-invasive therapy has been FDA approved in human medicine for years and has been used extensively in veterinary medicine. PEMFT produces an anabolic effect on important cells in the skeletal system (osteoblasts and chondrocytes). It also increases nitric oxide levels within the blood and accelerates healing by improving circulation, while decreasing inflammation and edema. This modality is commonly utilized after injury, surgery and in the management of osteoarthritis.
Radiology (X-Rays)

Our on-site, modern digital radiography equipment provides high-quality radiographs to aid in the diagnosis of many disorders and allows us to easily consult with a board certified radiologist via telemedicine. We are certified in PennHip which allows for the early detection of hip dysplasia. 

Senior Care
Did you know that pets age faster than people and can be considered “seniors” at around 7 years of age? Just as our health care needs change as we age, your pet’s health care needs also change. Nutritional needs, exercise habits, and many aspects of your pet’s daily routine can change as your pet ages. But how can you tell the difference between “normal” aging and a medical problem? As in humans, some health issues that affect older pets can begin with very subtle changes that may go unnoticed until the problem has become serious.

Regular wellness visits are important for every stage of your pet’s life. The best way to help protect your pet as he or she ages is to understand the aging process in pets. We understand that process and can help you help your pet. Even if your senior pet is already being treated for a medical condition, treatment recommendations can change as a condition progresses. Sometimes medication dosages need to be adjusted, or medication may need to be changed. Routine wellness blood work and other routine diagnostic testing are important for senior pets because these tests allow us to evaluate how your pet’s health is either responding to current management strategies or changing with age.

Your pet’s wellness examination is also your chance to have us address any of your questions or concerns about your pet. We welcome your questions and encourage you to be involved in decisions regarding your pet’s health care.

Older pets make wonderful companions, and thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever! You are an important ally in your pet’s health care. We are here to help ensure that your pet is safe and happy throughout the “golden years.”

Surgery
Our state-of-the-art surgical suite provides for the ability to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures. We offer conventional surgery as well as laser surgery and electrosurgery for specific procedures. Laparoscopic surgery (also called minimally invasive surgery) is available for select procedures.
Ultrasound
Although humans and animals are different in many ways, some advances in human medicine are also very useful for veterinary patients. One of these advances, diagnostic ultrasound, has proven to be a powerful tool in veterinary medicine. As a practice, one of our goals is to offer state-of-the-art medicine and diagnostic testing; so we are pleased to offer ultrasound services as a means of providing a higher level of quality care to our patients.

Ultrasonography is a type of diagnostic technique that uses ultrasound waves to produce an imaging study. This means that when we perform ultrasonography, we can see internal images of the patient’s body. Unlike some other imaging studies, like x-rays, ultrasonography does not use radiation. Instead, ultrasonography uses high-frequency sound (ultrasound) waves to create a picture of what is inside your pet’s body. Ultrasonography is a completely non-invasive, painless way to diagnose and evaluate many common diseases.

An ultrasound machine generates ultrasound waves. The machine is connected to a small probe that is held gently against your pet’s skin. The probe sends out painless ultrasound waves that bounce off of structures (for example, organs) in your pet’s body and return to a sensor inside the ultrasound machine. The ultrasound equipment collects these reflected “echoes” and uses them to generate images that are viewable on a screen. Ultrasound waves can generate excellent images of abdominal organs, including the liver, spleen, gallbladder, and kidneys. It is also useful for assessing fetal health and monitoring pregnancy in breeding animals, and it can help us diagnose and stage (determine the severity of) some forms of cancer.

Because ultrasound images are produced in real time, this technology can be used to evaluate the heart as it beats. This can help us detect abnormalities in the motion of heart valves, blood flow through the heart, and contractions of the heart muscle. It can also be used to assess the heart for defects. As we strive to provide our patients with the highest quality medicine and diagnostic testing, we are pleased to offer ultrasound as one of our diagnostic capabilities.

Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect the health of your pet. We use only well-tested combinations of vaccines to protect against the most serious diseases in our area. Each pet is evaluated for the appropriate vaccinations needed. After the routine puppy and kitten series of vaccinations and the one-year booster shots, we recommend vaccinating for distemper virus and parvovirus for dogs and panleukopenia and upper respiratory viruses for cats every three years.

Alternatively, we can periodically perform vaccine titers (blood tests) to assess your pet’s immune status and need for vaccine boosters. Many viral vaccines confer immunity for longer than 3 years. Bacterial vaccines such as bordetella (kennel cough ) and leptospirosis do not stimulate long-term immunity and need to be boostered every year. We will discuss your pet’s risk for these diseases and the need for vaccination.

We look forward to seeing you!
Our contact information is below. If you need anything at all, please let us know!

Address

352 Route 202
Somers, NY 10589
Click here for directions.

Using GPS? Enter "352 Somerstown Road"

Hours

Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Sun: Closed

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY after hours, please call 914-277-3686.

Contact Info

Call: 914-277-3686
Fax: 914-277-7126
Email: info@somersanimalhospital.com

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