Veterinary Services
Complete Physical Exam
The gradual onset of health problems in an apparently healthy pet often goes unnoticed. Once symptoms appear, the condition may be more difficult or costly to diagnose and treat. Although age itself is not a disease, it can bring many conditions that if diagnosed early can be completely reversed or controlled for extended periods of time.
For pets less than 7 years of age, our doctors recommend a complete physical exam at least once a year. For geriatric patients over the age of 7, we recommend semi-annual physical examinations. Remember, your pet's lifespan is shorter than a person's. Much can happen in 12 months, for pet's age much faster than we do!
Vaccination Against Preventable Diseases
Due to the many recent discoveries and innovations in veterinary medicine, your pet can be protected from most major diseases. Today, many immunizations and preventative treatments are available that did not exist just a few years ago. The staff at Sherwood South Animal Hospital can help you decide what preventative measures are necessary for your pet(s).
Sherwood South is pleased to offer our feline patients the only FDA approved, non-adjuvented Merial Rabies vaccine. Recent studies support the use of this vaccine to help prevent vaccine induced fibrosarcomas.
Vaccine protocols are continually updated and ever changing based upon advancements in veterinary research. Our doctors will guide you and recommend the appropriate vaccine regimen with your pet's best interest in mind.
Internal Medicine
Our state-of-the-art hospital and our highly trained staff allow us to perform most medical procedures and provide the necessary care for your pets. We pride ourselves on our devotion to high quality veterinary care and services. We have the most advanced diagnostic equipment including tonometry, video otoscope, laser, endoscopy, digital radiology, radiology, and ultrasound. Our hospital offers an intensive care facility which includes the use of IV pumps, oxygen therapy, and critical patient care and monitoring. We also have blood products and fresh frozen plasma on hand for emergency situations. Whether it's managing a chronic skin infection or dealing with an acute crisis, our doctors and staff are prepared to offer your pet(s) unsurpassed veterinary care and compassion.
Surgery / Laser Surgery
Our hospital is equipped to perform most surgical procedures, from spays and neuters to advanced soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. We offer the latest in anesthesia drug protocols in order to provide your pet with a safer and more pain-free surgical experience.
Pain control is one of our top priorities for your pet. The doctors and staff at Sherwood South Animal Hospital take all necessary steps to relieve any discomfort before, during, and after your pet's surgical or dental procedure.
We are pleased to offer laser surgical options for your pet(s). All cat declawing procedures are performed with a laser to significantly lessen intraoperative bleeding and help make recovery faster and less painful. Ask any of our doctors for more information about laser surgery options.
Radiology / Digital Radiology
We have a state-of-the-art X-ray machine that produces excellent quality radiographs. Radiographs are essential for diagnosing certain medical and surgical problems. Radiographs are performed routinely, with pets either awake or anesthetized. We are also able to perform different types of contrast studies, upper gastrointestinal Barium studies, as well as X-rays for the diagnosis of elbow and hip dysplasia.
We are pleased to offer digital dental radiography to all of our patients. Digital radiographs provide excellent resolution and detail, especially when used for dental x-rays. Digital radiographs allow for the most detailed, precise clinical picture of what is happening below the gums surface. This is the same kind of machine that is found in your dentist's office.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a non-invasive modern technique that produces a visual image of the interior of the body. Ultrasound is completely free from side effects. In addition, ultrasound allows the doctor to achieve a depth of detail that is not possible with x-rays. Ultrasound is particularly useful in diagnosing abdominal diseases, abdominal tumors, as well as diseases of the heart.
Our doctors are professionally trained and educated to perform ultrasound techniques as well as echocardiograms using the state of the art Logic 5 Pro.
Endoscopy
Sherwood South Animal Hospital is one of the select hospitals in south Louisiana pleased to offer your pet(s) endoscopy. Endoscopy is a less invasive means to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract for disease or obstruction. The endoscope can be used to retrieve foreign objects from the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. It can also be used to diagnose common intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease or cancer.
Laboratory Services
Laboratory testing plays an integral role in the early detection of changes in your pet's health. Diagnostic tests provide essential information by which our veterinarians can identify blood disorders, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, infection, cancer, thyroid disease, and other hormonal problems.
Our extensive laboratory provides fast and accurate information that is necessary for the well being of your pet. Owing to our modern in-house diagnostic equipment, animals can receive appropriate treatment immediately after arriving at the hospital.
A few of our specific laboratory services include:
Heartworm Testing: Heartworm disease is a major threat in Louisiana because of our mosquito population. A potentially fatal disease, we can test your pet for heartworm disease and provide him (or her) with an appropriate preventative medication. Remember, cats can get heartworms just like dogs, so make sure your cats are on heartworm preventative!
Fecal Examinations for Intestinal Parasites
Feline Leukemia/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Testing (FELV/FIV Combo test) These two diseases are major causes of illness and death in cats, and early detection is key. Both of these viruses are potentially contagious to other cats, so testing is important especially in multiple cat households. Ask any member of our staff for more information about testing.
Microscope Evaluation/Cytology/ Needle Biopsy: Cytology can be used to diagnose and treat various conditions including ear infections, skin infections, liver disease, skin tumors, and cancer.
Sherwood South Animal Hospital also has a veterinary reference lab (Antech Diagnostics) for more advanced laboratory testing. Ask any of our doctors for more information.
Veterinary Microchip
A microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size and shape of a grain of rice. It is implanted beneath a pet's skin between the shoulder blades, and stays there for the pet's entire life. This procedure is as easy and painless as a vaccination.
Each microchip has a unique number. This number, along with information about the owner and pet, are added to a national pet registry. Most veterinarians and animal shelters have electronic scanners for detecting and reading these implanted microchips. If a lost pet is found, and the microchip is scanned, the registry is called and the owner contacted.
We at Sherwood South recommend the HomeAgain microchip. Visit their website at www.HomeAgainID.com for more information.
Specialty Diets
We stock a very extensive range of prescription and specialty pet diets. Over many years our doctors have developed great confidence in these diets as an adjunct to the treatment of a variety of diseases including those affecting the kidney, heart, and liver. Additionally, there are diets for obesity, periodontal disease, and food allergies which have all been shown conclusively to help the healing process. Ask any member of our staff for more information and about the recommended food for your pet(s).
Pharmacy Including Specialty Compounded and Flavored Medications
We carry an extensive inventory of veterinary pharmaceutical items, supplies, and medications and are now able to provide many custom compounded pharmaceuticals such as flavored, chewable, and transdermal preparations. These special preparations are particularly useful for pets that are difficult to medicate! Ask any of our doctors for more information.
We also stock a variety of preventative medications including Heartguard Plus, Interceptor, Sentinel, Revolution, Advantage, and Frontline Plus. We also carry a variety of vitamins, joint supplements, and skin supplements. Ask any member of our staff for more information. We at Sherwood South Animal Hospital remind you that both dogs and cats need monthly heartworm and flea prevention.
Boarding
Sherwood South Animal Hospital is pleased to announce our new boarding resort. We offer an extensive variety of upscale boarding accommodations and several exercise areas. Please view our BOARDING RESORT page for more detailed information and to tour our facility.