Wellness Services

Wellness Exams

A regular physical examination is just as important for your pet as it is for you. Dr. Byrd recommends a complete physical examination for your pet at least once a year, though more frequent exams are encouraged. During a physical examination, we will listen to your pet's heart and lungs, evaluate your pet's vision, look for any unusual lumps or swelling and check your pet's teeth and oral cavity, among other procedures.

Wellness exams at Madison Park Veterinary Hospital are a minimum of 30 minutes (though usually longer), and we love to take extra time to meet new puppies and kittens and help our clients learn more about their pets' healthcare needs.

Routine examinations give us an opportunity to develop a picture of your pet's overall mental, physical and behavioral health. Examinations are also essential in spotting problems before they become serious health issues. During your visit we will discuss the importance of certain vaccinations, such as the Lepto vaccine for dogs. We are strong advocates of doing the minimum required vaccines on your pet to ensure his or her optimum safety and health.

Microchipping

Each year, millions of pets go missing, and many never make it back to their homes. Implanting a microchip in your pet is a simple, relatively painless way to avoid this tragedy.

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 as fast 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 veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have electronic scanners for detecting and reading these implanted microchips. If a lost pet is found and a microchip is scanned, the registry is called and the owner can be contacted immediately.

Vaccinations

Due to the many recent discoveries and innovations in veterinary medicine, your pet can be protected against most major infectious diseases. Today, many immunizations and preventative treatments are available that did not exist a decade ago.

Vaccines are useful in preventing canine distemper, parvovirus, bordetella, rabies, leptospirosis and other diseases in your dog and feline leukemia, panleukopenia, rabies and upper-respiratory disease in cats. Our staff can assist you in deciding which preventative measures are necessary for your pet.

Up-to-date vaccinations play a large part in keeping your pet healthy and free from disease. However, not every pet requires the same series or frequency of vaccines. Dr. Byrd will tailor a vaccine protocol that's specific to your pet based on his or her lifestyle. Vaccine schedules are balanced to provide needed protection while not over-vaccinating your pet. We strive to vaccinate as little as possible and carry three-year vaccines for many diseases. Please ask Dr. Byrd and our staff for more information about a vaccine schedule that's right for your pet.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body. This stimulation produces physiologic changes through signaling the nervous system. Acupuncture points are chosen based upon the condition being treated and the desired physiological effects.

So how does acupuncture work? There are two different explanations. According to traditional Chinese medicine, disease is an imbalance in the flow of energy through channels in the body called meridians. Acupuncture is used to re-establish this balance of energy. Additionally, scientific research has proven that acupuncture points contain nerve bundles, clusters of blood vessel, and increased numbers of mast cells, which release histamine and other chemicals when stimulated. The stimulation of acupuncture points causes local irritation and inflammation resulting in the release of various chemicals in the body, including endorphins and encephalin, which help block the pain pathways.

Acupuncture is used to relieve the symptoms of a condition or reduce the dose of medications, as well as encourage the patient's body to heal itself, if it is able. Acupuncture can be used alone or in addition to conventional medical treatments. Many common conditions can be treated effectively with acupuncture, such as musculoskeletal pain, skin problems, neurological problems, epilepsy, stomach or intestinal problems. The length, number and frequency of treatments vary from pet to pet. This depends on the condition being treated, the age and health of the pet, and how he or she responds to acupuncture. Generally, acute problems require fewer treatments, whereas more chronic or severe ailments may require several, or even several dozen, treatments. Sequential treatments yield more benefits and a positive response is often seen in the first five treatments.

Dr. Reising is available for acupuncture appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can read more about Dr. Reising on our hospital staff page.

Emergency Care

If your pet requires emergency care outside of hospital hours, we refer clients to Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services in Seattle. When possible, please call ACCES before your arrival so they can prepare to treat your pet. Click here for driving directions to ACCES.

Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services
11536 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA 98125
206-364-1660

Madison Park Veterinary Hospital is located at 4016 East Madison St. The veterinary hospital is situated at the intersection of McGilvra Blvd. E. and E. Madison St. in Downtown Seattle. Madison Park Veterinary Hospital provides veterinary care for pets in the Montlake, Capital Hill, 1st Hill, Broadview, Broadmoor, Madison Valley, Leshi, University Village, Eastlake, Washington Park, Denny, Blaine, Laurenhurst, Seward Park, Beacon Hill, Central District and Downtown Seattle WA areas. Even if you don't have a pet, please stop by and say hi to Dr. Byrd and the friendly staff.