Quarterly Newsletter

Winter 2002-2003

New Facility Completed

VCA Asher Animal Hospital has been in the same location on Hilltop Drive for over 40 years. Unfortunately, our building and equipment was beginning to show the signs of 40 years of regular use. In late 2000, we began a remodeling project on the old hospital. The new facility was completed in July, 2001, and we have been very pleased with the new hospital and the additional capabilities the new space has given us.

We now have a veterinarian on the premises 24 hours a day. This allows us to have a doctor available for your pet at any time, should the need arise.

We also have on-site ultrasound, endoscopy, and radiology equipment, as well as a full-service laboratory.

The project included expansion of our boarding facilities, with over 50 spacious runs and a ward dedicated exclusively to our feline boarders.

Laboratory Joins Hospital

Their dedicated staff of California licensed clinical laboratory scientists are highly skilled in analyzing blood and body fluids to assist your veterinarian in making an accurate diagnosis of your pet's illness.

Our on-site facility also allows us to get rapid results on pre-operative bloodwork, wellness panels and routine heartworm testing.

New Diagnostic Equipment

As part of our remodel, we have acquired some new capabilities and equipment. We have a GE 500 ultrasound with color-flow Doppler, both rigid and flexible endoscopy equipment, and telemedicine capabilities.

This equipment offers us less invasive methods to help diagnose internal problems such as tumors, heart disease, and bladder stones. Our telemedicine equipment gives us the ability to send images or even scanned x-rays to specialists who examine them and provide additional diagnostic information based on their specialized training.

We also have a new monitoring unit which allows us to measure EKG, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and core body temperature. This unit increases the safety of surgical procedures of prolonged length and those performed on high-risk patients. Continual monitoring of vital signs, allows the doctor and surgical assistants to be alerted at the first sign of any potential trouble.

Internship Program Instituted

For the past two years our practice has been building extern and internship programs. Senior-year veterinary students spend 2-to-3 weeks at our hospital as externs in a "real world" setting.

The internship program allows newly graduated veterinarians to enhance their education in a one-year program of intensive study and practice. Both programs promote high-quality accelerated learning through mentoring by experienced professionals in a great hospital environment.

Did you know ...

Heartworm Disease

Even though the weather has turned colder, that doesn't mean it's time to give up on your pets' preventative medications. Heartworm disease is endemic in Shasta County, and for your pets' protection, we recommend you continue their preventive year-round.

Emergencies

During regular office hours, please bring your pet in. If time permits, please call ahead so the staff can be prepared for your arrival. In case of poison ingestion, please bring the container with you. You will need to alert the reception staff when arriving or calling that you have an emergency.

After hours, please call ahead so that the staff can be prepared for your arrival.

Elective Surgery and Dentals

Surgeries are performed Monday through Friday, beginning at 10:00 AM. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment. Surgery check-in time is from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM the morning of surgery.

No food should be given after 10:00 PM the night before, but water is okay up until the time of admission. Please plan on 20-30 minutes at check in for paperwork and the pre-surgical exam. Wednesdays, all spays, neuters and dentals are 10% off of our regular price.