Services

Convenience:
We fully understand the fact that you maintain a busy schedule and we make every effort to simplify your life as a pet owner. We are available for appointments and pet drop-offs as early as 8:00 am, Monday through Saturday.

Regular Health Examinations:
It is important to detect medical problems as early as possible, just as periodic checkups are reassuring, even if no problem exists. The preventative care that starts with a puppy or kitten will pay extra dividends once your companion becomes older.

Vaccination & Parasite Prevention:
Most pet owners already know that one of the most effective ways of protecting their pet's health is to provide immunization against many common, and potentionally harmful diseases. Ask us about the Lyme and FIV vaccines.

Another important part of pet health is the prevention of internal parasites. One of the most effective ways to protect your pet and your family is to use a parasite prevention product year round. Ask us about our wide selection of products such as Sentinel, Heartgard and Revolution.

Ultrasound & Radiographic Diagnostics:
These valuable, non-invasive and painless diagnostic tools enable us to study internal organs and skeletal systems without surgery. We can schedule cardiac or abdominal ultrasounds by appointment.

Laboratory Services:
We are equipped with an in-house laboratory that yields accurate and immediate results. Our capabilities include: complete blood counts, assorted chemistry panels, electrolyte panels, individual chemistry testing, urinalyses and cytology.

We also offer Giardia, Parvo, Heartworm, Felv/FIV, pancreatitis and parasite screening. For specialty tests or pathology, we are able to refer specimens to outside laboratories that often generate results the next day.

Laser Surgery:
We are one of the few veterinary hospitals that have laser surgery. Headed by Dr. Lenette Renier DiCiaula and Dr. Roger Schrock, laser surgery provides many benefits to our patients including less pain, less bleeding, and faster recovery periods. Ask our staff if laser surgery is appropriate for your pet.

Emergency Services:
We know that emergencies will occasionally happen. Therefore, if we are unavailable after hours, we recommend taking your pet to Chicago Veterinary Emergency Service, a state-of-the-art, full service emergency hospital.

The after hours number is 773-281-7110. For those of you living north of us, we also refer to Animal 911 at 847-328-9110.

Chiropractic Care:

We are pleased to offer chiropractic services at Portage Park Animal Hospital. Dr. Cynthia Olsen offers chiropractic care for dogs, cats and rabbits, and is certified through the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

Chiropractic care can assist with many conditions, such as arthritis, lameness, recurrent infections, and incontinence. It can also help to make geriatric patients more comfortable and keep young patients in prime condition.

Chiropractic care is a very specific and gentle treatment. The aim of the treatment is to correct the vertebral subluxations in the spine and joints to positively affect the nervous system. Unlike some other non-specific manipulation methods, chiropractic treatment does not overstretch ligaments; it works within the normal anatomical limits of the joint and it’s supporting structures.

Most animals show visible improvement after one to four treatments. Acute problems often respond quickly to the therapy, while chronic problems usually require more extensive treatments.

Patients with chronic conditions (such as arthrosis, hip dysplasia or spondylitis), where restricted joint movement appears as a result of the disease, respond very well to regular supportive treatments every 2 to 6 months.

Please call to schedule a consultation today. The initial session includes a complete physical exam, gait evaluation, and chiropractic adjustments as deemed necessary. Any other medical concerns and diagnostic procedures can be addressed during this visit as well.

Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is the stimulation of a point on the body that corresponds to accumulations of nerve endings, arterioles, veins, lymphatics or mast cells. There are hundreds of acupuncture points that correspond to certain meridians (channels named after organs such as the bladder meridian.)

 

Once a point is stimulated, nerve impulses travel up sensory nerves to the spinal cord. There is endorphin and hormonal release, which can lead to changes in blood flow (decreased pain and inflammation), changes with motility (ie GI tract), and effects within the immune system.

 

Acupuncture is good in treating:

    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • GI problems
    • Allergies
    • Neurologic issues
    • Cancer therapy
    • Incontinence/urologic problems
    • Prevention of disease/immune support 

 

The acupuncture session involves:

    • History: Tongue, Pulse, Five Elements, etc
    • Diagnosis: Western first, then Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
    • Acupuncture Prescription: Small amount of needles for older and deficient pets; more needles can be used with younger and excessive cases.
    • Placement of Points: Short duration with tonification techniques for deficient cases, and longer duration with sedation techniques for excess cases.
    • Frequency: Depends on each case and how the pet responds.
    • Other Factors: Diet, Nutritional Supplements, Western Meds, Herbal Recommendations, etc