Services

Physical Examination: A careful, thorough physical examination is an essential element of your pet's medical care. When coupled with a detailed medical history, it can offer vital information about you pet's health, and can help detect early signs of disease. Dr. Tuzo takes the time to perform an in-depth examination of your animal, and to discuss the findings. All pets should have a yearly physical, even when they are not due for vaccines. Older pets may require twice yearly exams. Feel free to ask which would be best for your dog or cat.

Vaccinations: Vaccination is a medical procedure, with both risks and benefits. The goal of a good vaccine program is to protect against diseases that an animal might encounter in it's environment, without giving unecessary vaccines. Dr. Tuzo uses information provided by the pet's owner to make vaccine recommendations tailored to each individual pet, based on it's age, "lifestyle", and risk of infection. Though some vaccinations are considered optional, owners should be aware that all cats and dogs in Maryland are legally required to have a current rabies vaccination. For more information about vacccinations in cats and dogs, please follow the links below.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?=A&S=o&C=o&A=524

Parasite control: Even dogs and cats that are kept mostly indoors can be exposed to fleas, ticks, mosquitos and intestinal parasites. Some of these parasites, such as heartworms, can even cause life threatening diseases in your pet. A good parasite control program, developed specifically for your pet, will help protect both it's health, and that of it's human companions. Dr. Tuzo uses her medical and scientific knowledge of each parasite's geographic distribution, life cycle, and potential to cause disease when determining which control measures are most suitable for each animal. Any medications required to treat or prevent parasite infections can be dispensed or prescribed by Dr. Tuzo. Please read the resources listed below for more information on parasites that are common in cats and dogs in the Baltimore area.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com

then search heartworms, whipworms, roundworms, hookworms,coccidia, fleas, ticks,

Diagnostic services: By utilizing the services of two of the largest veterinary medical laboratories in the nation, Dr. Tuzo is able to offer a full range of diagnostic tests including bloodwork, urine analysis, fecal analysis, bacterial and fungal cultures, to name just a few. Samples for many of these tests can be gathered in the home during a physical examination. Dr. Tuzo will discuss which diagnostics she feels are necessary for your pet, and will personally review any laboratory findings and treatment options with you after she receives the results from the laboratory. If your pet needs x-rays, ultrasound, surgical biopsies, or other advanced diagnostics, she can refer you to either a general hospital or specialty center equipped to offer those services.

Management of chronic diseases: Some pets, especially older animals, have medical conditions such as kidney or liver disease, diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, or seizure disorders that require frequent monitoring to provide information about disease progression and treatment effectiveness. In-home monitoring of these patients is often less stressful for both the owner and the pet, and can help prevent the "setback" that some animals experience after a trip to the hospital. When hospitalization is necessary, however, Dr. Tuzo can guide you to a suitable treatment facility.

Pain management: Pain hurts and makes your pet feel miserable. Unfortunately, your pet cannot tell you about it's pain, so as a concerned owner you have to learn to detect the signs that indicate that your dog or cat is suffering. If an animal has arthritis, cancer, bladder disease, or one of many other painful conditions, it needs to be assessed and treated for pain. Dr. Tuzo, a member of the International Academy of Veterinary Pain Management, can guide you in your efforts to recognize pain in your pet, and in the selection of the best pain management strategies for each situation. For more information, please visit the sites listed below.

http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ivapm/animals/cats.htm

http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ivapm/animals/dogs.htm

End of Life care: For animals approaching the end of their life, medical care in the comfort of familiar surroundings can greatly improve the quality of their remaining days. Providing pain management and palliative care for dogs and cats with terminal diseases is an important aspect of Dr. Tuzo's practice.
When it becomes apparent that an owner may have to make the decision to euthanize a pet, she is also available to assist in this very emotional process.
In-home euthanasia allows the dying pet and it's family to share final moments in the privacy and familiarity of home, and provides a more peaceful and dignified end to life. Dr. Tuzo can also make all the necessary arrangements for owners who choose to have their pets cremated. Please call or e-mail for more information on hospice care, in-home euthanasia, and aftercare arrangenents.