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Our Services

Dental Care

According to the American Veterinary Dental College more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the age of 3. Dental disease can be very uncomfortable for pets and the longer it is left untreated, the more complicated and expensive it becomes to treat. Furthermore, improper care of your pet's teeth can often be the cause of serious illness. If left untreated, dental problems can lead to larger systemic problems in your pet due to oral bacteria entering the bloodstream and damaging the kidneys, heart and liver.

If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, please make an appointment immediately:
  • Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on the teeth
  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Bad breath
  • Excessive drooling
  • Changes in eating or chewing habits
  • Pawing at the face
  • Loose teeth
Oral Exams: Proper dental care is one of the easiest ways to protect your pet’s health and keep them pain free. During your pet’s oral exam, we will examine your pet’s mouth, gums, teeth, and jaw. We perform dental x-rays on all pets to assess the health of your pet’s tooth roots as well as looking for signs of other issues such as abscess, fractures, and root resorption. Regular oral exams help prevent irreversible dental disease, tooth loss, and possibly expensive oral surgery.

Teeth Cleanings: Your pet's dental cleaning will begin with a complete examination of all teeth so we can evaluate your pet's general oral health. After the oral exam, your pet will be given an anesthetic for a safe and painless teeth cleaning. The first part of dental cleaning requires the removal of tartar using a hand scaler. Next, an ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gum line while a curette cleans and smooths the teeth under the gum line and in the periodontal space between the teeth and gums. Then your pet's teeth are polished, and the gums are rinsed with an anti-bacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up.

Extractions and Advanced Procedures: Our veterinarians will only recommend tooth extractions if we believe it is necessary for your pet’s well-being. We usually recommend this when we identify that your pet has an infected or broken tooth that is likely causing them pain. In the case that we recommend a tooth extraction, we will discuss what this means for your pet and how to properly care for them while they’re healing. We are also capable of performing advanced procedures such as gingival tissue removal, cancer management and root canal procedures!

How To Prevent Dental Disease Before It Begins: Regular wellness visits allow us to check your pet’s mouth and teeth and identify issues before they progress. Additionally, at-home dental care, including regularly brushing your pet’s teeth and using teeth cleaning treats, can prevent plaque from building up. Lastly, avoid hard toys and bones that can potentially damage your pet’s teeth by causing fractures.

Wellness Care

At Crawford Road Animal Hospital, we recommend regular comprehensive wellness exams from the time pets are young. No matter their size, breed, or age, wellness exams are a critical part of your pet’s health care routine. Routine wellness exams are important to maintain your pet’s wellbeing and detect any medical issues before they progress. During your pet’s exam, we will assess their overall body condition, eyes, ears, mouth, internal organs and systems, skin, and much more. We will also discuss any other recommended services, such as dental cleanings or diagnostic testing. If any areas of concern are identified during your pet’s exam, we will develop a treatment plan together.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are an essential part of your pet’s health care plan from the time they are very young. Pets should begin their vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks of age and require boosters throughout their life. Many common diseases can easily be prevented by vaccinating your pet.

Core vaccines, or essential vaccines, for canines include rabies and DAPP. Core vaccines for felines include rabies and FVRCP. Depending on your geographical area and your pet’s exposure, you may also consider non-core vaccines. Non-core vaccines for canines include leptospirosis, bordetella, parainfluenza, and canine influenza. Non-core vaccines for felines include feline leukemia.

At Crawford Road Animal Hospital, we will help you create a vaccine schedule appropriate for your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and environment. We will also review any possible side effects of your pet’s vaccinations and how to address them.

Boarding

We know your pets are not always able to accompany you on your adventures, so we offer the comforts of home away from home. Our boarding facility accommodates dogs and cats of all sizes and ages. Cats are required to be currently vaccinated against rabies and FVRCP, and dogs are required to have a negative fecal exam and be currently vaccinated against rabies, bordetella, DAPP, and influenza. Please contact Paws to Relax at (334) 291-1857 to schedule your reservation.

Parasite Prevention and Control

Parasites can pose a variety of health concerns for your pets and your family, but we can help you develop a treatment and prevention plan to keep everyone safe. At Crawford Road Animal Hospital, we recommend keeping your pets on year-round prevention to stop pests before they become a problem.

Common parasites include fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms. During your pet’s annual exam, we will test your pet for parasites with a thorough physical exam, a fecal test, and a blood test. Even if your pet is on year-round prevention or you are not seeing any symptoms, annual tests are still extremely important to detect parasites.

Our knowledgeable healthcare team will help you develop a prevention plan that fits your lifestyle. You can keep your pets safe with either monthly oral medications, annual or semi-annual injections, or periodic topical treatments. We will discuss which method can most effectively address your family’s needs.

Puppy and Kitten Care

The dedicated team at Crawford Road Animal Hospital is here to help you ensure your puppy or kitten gets off to the best start possible. Make sure to schedule your new pet’s first appointment within the first days of bringing them home. The initial visit provides us an opportunity to evaluate your new pet for health concerns and offers you a chance to ask questions. We strive to address any concerns you may have about owning a puppy or kitten and teach you the best ways to care for your new family member. This is a special time for you and your pet, and we want to ensure you feel supported in this transition. Our comprehensive approach addresses your pet’s needs from vaccinations to a proper diet. During your pet’s first visit, we will conduct a physical exam, develop a vaccine schedule, discuss your pet’s diet, and develop a parasite prevention plan. We will also discuss the importance of getting your pet microchipped and address any questions you may have about spaying or neutering.

Senior Pet Care

As pets age, their needs change. Older pets are more susceptible to diseases and heal more slowly than their younger counterparts. However, with proper care, you can help your pet live a longer, happier life. Our team at Crawford Road Animal Hospital can help you navigate your pet’s senior years. We do recommend more frequent wellness exams, which will help us detect problems before they become advanced. Additionally, we may recommend changes to your pet’s diet, exercise, and other aspects of their healthcare as they mature. It can be very difficult to detect when your pet is in pain, but there are some signs that they may be experiencing discomfort in their older years. If you notice any of the following, your pet may be in pain:
  • Difficulty getting up, easing into a comfortable position, or limping.
  • Fatigue, including decreased stamina on walks.
  • Reluctance to be groomed, picked up, or touched in certain areas.
  • Urinary or fecal accidents
  • Poor self-grooming, especially in cats
If any of these behaviors begin to occur, visit us so a source of the pain can be identified, and treatment can begin.

We are proud to carry Solensia and Librela to help your pet manage osteoarthritis pain as well! Ask our team about these new options to learn more.

Surgical Services

Crawford Road Animal Hospital offers a wide range of basic surgical services, including spays and neuters, gastrointestinal surgery, tumor removal, bladder stone removal, and much more. During your pet’s procedure, safety and comfort are our top priority. We will develop a safe and effective anesthetic protocol for your pet to ensure they experience very little pain. Our state-of-the-art hospital is equipped with a CO2 surgical laser and the latest anesthetic and monitoring technology to ensure your pet is safe and comfortable throughout their surgery. We are here to answer any questions regarding your pet's specific surgery, and we offer a pre-surgical consultation and evaluation as an essential part of the process. Your veterinarian will also provide information on postoperative care to ensure your pet recovers quickly.

Surgical Laser

At Crawford Road Animal Hospital, we prioritize providing the highest quality care for your beloved pets. That's why we utilize our state-of-the-art surgical suite, where our experienced veterinarians perform a wide range of procedures. From routine spays and neuters to complex soft tissue surgeries, we are equipped to handle it all.

In our commitment to staying at the forefront of veterinary medicine, we are thrilled to offer laser surgery for pets. Our surgical laser harnesses a high-intensity beam of light, making it the most advanced tissue-cutting tool available today. This innovative technology replaces traditional instruments like scalpels and scissors for a variety of surgeries we perform. In fact, the surgical laser enables us to perform procedures that were previously deemed virtually impossible with any other tool.

One of the outstanding advantages of laser surgery is its ability to significantly minimize bleeding. This is particularly crucial for delicate operations and small patients, where a dry surgical field is essential. Additionally, as the laser cuts, it seals nerve endings, resulting in reduced post-operative pain for your pet. Furthermore, the laser effectively seals lymphatic vessels, which leads to less post-operative swelling.

If you have any inquiries regarding laser surgery or any other aspect of surgical care for your dog or cat, our dedicated team is here to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about how our advanced surgical suite and laser technology can benefit your pets.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic procedures are important tools and tests utilized by our doctors in order to properly treat your pet. At Crawford Road Animal Hospital we utilize state of the art hematology, blood chemistry, and urinalysis machines in order to analyze a patient’s blood and urine. We also utilize artificial intelligence scanning for certain tissue samples. Medical imaging is utilized in the diagnosis of many different conditions. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging are both painless and noninvasive ways to evaluate organs and bones, allowing us to better understand what is occurring in a pet’s body. In some cases, medical imaging can detect conditions and situations that may otherwise have gone undetected for months or years. Our diagnostic procedures are conducted by our trained and compassionate staff, making them both safe and effective.

Diet and Nutrition

Proper nutrition is one of the easiest ways to keep your pet healthy. At Crawford Road Animal Hospital, we offer individualized nutrition counseling and customize a recommendation for your unique pet. Our doctors will perform a thorough body-condition evaluation during every physical examination and can give nutritional recommendations based on what we see. We can also provide you with important information on proper serving size, nutrient needs, and feeding strategies for your individual pet.

Urgent Care

We focus on keeping your pet happy and healthy. Unfortunately, pets occasionally experience an illness or injury that requires urgent care. Our clinic is equipped to handle urgent care during hospital hours, schedule permitting. If your pet has an emergency outside of our hours, we encourage you to contact:

Auburn University Wilford & Kate Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital
1220 Wire Rd, Auburn, AL 36849
(334) 844-4690
Open 24/7

Rivertown Veterinary Emergency
4015 Veterans Ct H, Columbus, GA 31909
(706) 507-1707
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 pm-12 am
Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 am-12 am
Closed Wednesday

Carriage Hills Animal Hospital
3200 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36116
334-277-2867
Open 24/7

End of Life Care

We understand that regardless of the situation, saying good-bye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult situations a pet owner will ever face. Our staff of compassionate, caring professionals can help you through this painful experience. We will work with you to ensure your pet's comfort and dignity during their last days and final moments. We are happy to accommodate special requests and help you make arrangements for cremation or other options. Sedation will be administered prior to performing the euthanasia to ensure your pet is at ease. We are here to help you through this transition and make this process easier for you.

Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy is a drug-free, pain-free, surgery-free treatment option. Laser therapy utilizes specific wavelengths of light to create therapeutic effects such as, improved healing time, reduced pain, and decreased swelling. This option is available to treat many issues, including osteoarthritis, soft tissue injury, and acute or chronic wounds. Improvement is seen over a period of several treatments, although improvement seen with only one or two treatments is not unlikely. Patients typically express greater comfort and mobility within a day of receiving laser treatment.

Laser therapy requires requires no patient sedation or restraint, which creates a more relaxing treatment environment. Laser therapy is often used with other forms of therapy, including drug therapy and nutraceuticals. Ask us to recommend a treatment plan that fits your pet’s needs!

Laboratory

Our state-of-the art laboratory and diagnostic equipment allows us to do many lab tests onsite. Labs are essential to detect disease and underlying causes of illness in your pet. Some common tests that can be performed onsite include complete blood counts, urinalysis, blood and intestinal parasite screens, and chemistry panels. Our laboratory is staffed by experienced veterinary assistants who will ensure your pet’s tests are interpreted quickly and accurately by our doctors, allowing us to begin your pet's treatment immediately.

Microchipping

Microchipping is the most effective means of identification for your pet. Like vaccinations, microchipping is safe, quick, and causes little pain. We always recommend that an ID tag be attached to your pet's collar, but the microchip will serve as an extra layer of protection if an accident does occur. Most veterinary hospitals and shelters are equipped with a handheld microchip scanner that can be used to check for the presence of a microchip. If the pet has one, it will transmit its ID number to the scanner via a low-frequency radio wave. From there, they can retrieve the pet owner’s information from the manufacturer and contact the owner.

Pharmacy

We maintain a fully stocked pharmacy to fill your pet’s prescription needs quickly and conveniently. We also encourage you to browse our online pharmacy for convenient delivery and additional products.