Skip to main content

Move to new side of building

We are excited to announce that Phase 1 of construction will be completed in early March. We will start seeing patients on that side of the clinic the week of March 4th. Monday, March 4th will be a moving day. If you have a scheduled appointment on March 4th you will enter the clinic through our normal front doors. We will have reduced appointments on that day. We will be exclusively in Phase 1 from March through June while the remainder of the clinic undergoes a full renovation.

Here are some changes that will occur from March to June:

• We will be implementing curbside for all appointments and medication or food pick-up. Please call from the parking lot to check in and we will call when a room is ready for you to enter.

• You will enter through a new front entrance into a small makeshift reception area and a staff member will meet you to usher you into an exam room

• Our surgical appointments will be limited for those 3 months. We will still be able to do surgery but have a limited number of cages and recovery areas. Surgical drop-off and pick-up will also be curbside.

• If you purchase food from the clinic, please plan as we will be carrying a reduced volume of food due to lack of storage. You can also visit our online pharmacy and order your food from our online store https://springhillvet.vetsfirstchoice.com/.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Home » Interactive Animal » Canine » Musculoskeletal » Hips » Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis (OA) develops in joints as a result of an underlying condition such as trauma, injury, developmental abnormalities, such as hip and elbow dysplasia; infection (e.g.: Lyme’s disease); and obesity. Older patients with osteoarthritis may seem to be slowing down: slow to rise, low energy level, accidents in the house, stiff after exercise, and they may limp on affected limbs. Diagnosis of OA is based on history, physical examination findings, and x-rays. Some patients with more complicated OA may require more extensive testing to rule out other arthritic conditions (e.g.: Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis). One of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis is maintaining a healthy body weight. Excess body weight exacerbates the joint inflammation. Medical therapy of osteoarthritis requires a combination of therapies to address pain and decrease inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications relieve acute painful episodes. Long term nutritional supplements, such as glucosamine products and omega-3 fatty acids, have been proven to decrease the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs needed to keep a patient with OA comfortable. Developing a physical therapy and weight loss program for patients with OA is essential to keep the joints mobile and supporting muscles strong.