Feline Services

At GAH, we believe preventive veterinary care is the cornerstone of keeping your cat happy, healthy, and by your side for a very long time. Since cats age more quickly than humans do, annual wellness exams are critical for early detection, recognition, and timely intervention of medical conditions. During a comprehensive physical exam, a GAH veterinarian will assess:

• Overall Body Condition
• Eyes
• Ears
• Nose
• Mouth
• Throat
• Heart and Lungs
• Abdominal Organs
• Musculoskeletal System
• Neurologic System
• Urogenital System
• Lymph Nodes
• Skin/Coat
• Which (if any) immunizations are needed. GAH follows American Veterinary Medical Association and American Animal Hospital Association recommended guidelines in the administration of vaccines.
• The need for parasite prevention, including heartworm, intestinal parasites, and ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, etc.).

If health problems are identified, the examining veterinarian will develop a treatment plan to address the conditions. Annual age-appropriate lab tests, testing for heartworm and/or tick-borne diseases, and fecal tests for parasites may also be recommended for your cat.

Finally, your cat’s nutrition, diet, and exercise routines can be assessed and optimized to help your cat be in best physical condition for their lifestyle and age. Remember, keeping up with preventive care is the best way to keep your cat happy and healthy for life.

Our veterinarians are licensed to complete documents and issue certificates necessary for international travel or relocation of pets.

When your cat is ill, a thorough physical examination is performed and a medical history, including symptoms you notice at home, is compiled by our veterinarians. If a diagnosis is not immediately evident upon initial assessment, your veterinarian will recommend specific diagnostic tests.

Diagnostic testing is an important step in the development of a treatment plan for your cat, allowing the veterinarians at GAH to most effectively target the underlying problem(s) and assess the probability of successful treatment. Our veterinarians can explain the purpose of each diagnostic test for your cat, and help prioritize which tests may be most helpful in determining the cause of your cat’s illness. At GAH, these tests may include:

• Laboratory testing for baseline blood counts and organ function tests, or infectious disease. Blood and/or urine samples may be collected from your cat for tests to be performed at GAH, or for tests to be sent to reference laboratories.
• Diagnostic imaging such as x-rays (digital radiography), contrast radiology studies, and ultrasound, using state-of-the-art equipment. These images or studies allow for accurate diagnosis of conditions of the heart and lungs, gastrointestinal obstruction, tumors of the internal organs or bones, fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity, urinary stones or gall stones, reproductive diseases, and bone/joint disorders. For most patients, gentle restraint can be used for these procedures, however in some cases sedation may be necessary. If additional interpretation of any diagnostic images is needed, our veterinarians are able to instantly send those to a board-certified radiologist.
• Microscopy for the evaluation of lab samples such as ear swabs, skin impressions and scrapes, and needle biopsies of tumors. These tests are helpful in diagnosis of dermatologic and otic (ear) conditions.
• Ocular evaluations to assess tear production (Schirmer Tear Test), corneal injuries (fluorescein stain), or abnormal intra-ocular pressures (Tonometry).

Following diagnosis of the health condition, your veterinarian will develop a treatment plan. Conditions and illnesses we diagnose and treat include:

• • Anemia and other blood-related illnesses
  • Cancer
  • Causes of diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems, including inflammatory bowel disease and protein-losing enteropathies in the digestive tract
  • Complications from aging
  • Fever
  • Hormone-related problems, such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease
  • Immune system problems
  • Infections and infectious diseases
  • Kidney failure and urinary problems
  • Liver, spleen and pancreas dysfunction
  • Lung and respiratory ailments, including asthma
  • Unexplained weight loss

Whether it is a routine procedure such as a neuter or spay, or a complicated orthopedic procedure such as an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) prosthetic repair, the doctors and nursing staff at GAH are always aware of the responsibility you, our client, have entrusted to us. We strive to ensure every aspect of our anesthesia protocol, surgical care, and post-surgical pain management meets the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Procedures routinely performed at GAH include, but are not limited to:

Abdominal Surgery

• Gastrointestinal surgery
• Urinary tract surgery
• Biopsy
• Tumor removal surgery
• Perineal Urethrostomy

Integument (skin)

• Laceration repair
• Excise skin tumors
• Dermal biopsies
• Anal sac extirpation
• Declawing
• Reconstructive Surgery

Orthopedic Surgery

• Fracture repair
• Reduction of dislocations
• Femoral head ostectomy
• Patellar luxation repair
• Prosthetic repair of ACL injury
• Limb amputation

Eye/Eyelid Surgery

• Superficial keratectomy
• Tarsorrhaphy
• Enucleation
• Entropion/ectropion eyelid plasty

Ear Surgery

• Surgical drainage of aural hematoma
• Reconstructive surgery
• Lateral ear canal resection (Zepp)
• Total ear canal ablation
• Excise aural tumors

Oral Surgery

• Excise oral tumors
• Repair jaw fracture

Scheduled surgeries are performed between 10am and 2pm daily, often allowing your cat to return to your care by 7pm. Some surgeries require an overnight stay.

We recommend pre-anesthesia blood screening for every cat that is to undergo surgery. An individualized anesthesia plan is formulated for each patient. Heart rate, respiration rate, ECG, temperature, and oxygen saturation monitors are utilized throughout complex surgeries. To facilitate patient comfort and recovery, our surgical protocol requires that every cat receive intravenous fluids during surgery, and pain relief following surgery.

After surgery, the veterinarian performing the surgery contacts the client to discuss the surgery and anticipated release. At the time of release, the veterinarian will discuss post-surgical care and follow-up visits with you. Any necessary post-surgical visits are included in the cost of surgery.

Any rare or complex surgeries for which our veterinarians have not established proficiency are referred to Blue Pearl Veterinary Medical Specialty Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas.

Regenerative Medicine is minimally invasive and highly effective at restoring your cat’s normal joint function. Services at GAH in Regenerative Medicine include:

• Adipose-derived stem cell therapy
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment
• Off-site cryo-banking of donor stem cells

Dr. Shipman is certified to perform regenerative stem cell therapy for orthopedic use from both Medi-Vet and Vet Stem, through their respective training programs.

How does Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Therapy work?

This technology utilizes stem cells isolated from your cat’s own adipose (fat) tissues and direct​s these cells to stimulate healing, provide natural pain relief, increase mobility and improve the quality of life for your cat.

Briefly described, within fat tissue there is a special subset of cells called adipose derived stem cells which we can collect in a simple surgical procedure requiring only 3 tablespoons of fat. These stem cells have the capability to migrate to the site of injury and to divide and turn into other cells such as bone cells, cartilage and skin during normal wound repair. By tricking the stem cells through exposing them to platelet rich plasma collected from a few milliliters of blood, we are able to amplify the wound healing process and then inject millions of these activated stem cells into the arthritic joint or site of injury to stimulate the repair and regrowth of healthy joint tissue.

The entire stem-cell recovery and treatment process, a six-hour procedure conveniently performed on-site at GAH, enables cats to return home the afternoon of their procedure.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy utilizes the natural healing properties of the body’s blood platelets. PRP therapy reduces inflammation and pain while simultaneously stimulating healing and rapidly restoring damaged tissue to a healthy state. PRP therapy is routinely incorporated into most orthopedic surgical procedures performed at GAH.

One of the most common but also frequently overlooked health problems for cats is dental disease. By age 3, most cats have some degree of periodontal disease. This occurs as a result of bacterial infection along the gum line, due to the formation of plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance containing millions of bacteria that forms along the tooth surface and gum line. Without frequent removal, plaque eventually hardens into tartar. Left untreated, this leads to gradual destruction of the gum tissue and supportive structures around the teeth, which can result in tooth loss. Not only is periodontal disease harmful and painful because it results in loss of teeth, but it can also cause damage to important vital organs such as the:

• Heart
• Liver
• Lungs
• Kidneys

When it comes to dental disease, most pet owners do not realize the extent of the problem until it is quite advanced; hence the importance of yearly to twice yearly dental examinations. In the early stages of dental disease, we can recommend home dental health care measures such as tooth brushing, dental treats and rinses, and dental diets. When professional dental care is needed for your cat, general anesthesia is necessary. Your veterinarian will discuss the procedures involved in a COHAT (comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment) plan with you when dental care is needed. Most often, this will involve a day at GAH to plan and perform the procedures, which will include:

• Pre-operative lab work – recommended for all cats, but required for those eight years or older
• IV catheterization
• General anesthesia
• Dental X-Rays (digital radiography)
• Teeth cleaning and polishing
• Dental charting
• Extractions, when indicated

Upon discharge, the veterinary team will review any instructions pertaining to post-dental medications, special feeding instructions, and when to resume home dental care. Your cat will thank you for remembering to take care of his or her mouth, and live a longer and happier life as a result.

Grooming services at GAH are for healthcare purposes only. These services include:

• Medicated shampoo baths with Allergroom, Keratolux, Epi-Soothe, Benzoyl Plus, Ecto-Soothe, or your own shampoo
• Basic shave-downs to preserve skin health
• Comb-outs of heavily matted fur, performed under anesthesia
• Pedicures
• Ear Cleaning
• Expression of anal glands
• Sedation offered for high-anxiety cats

GAH also provides basic grooming services for animals requiring sedation/anesthesia.

GAH does not perform cosmetic grooms and, therefore, does not have a professional groomer on staff.

Please note, grooming services are offered for pets of established clients only. “Established client” is defined as one that has visited GAH within the past year for, at minimum, a wellness exam and all recommended vaccinations.