Diagnostics

Alta Rancho Pet & Bird Hospital is a full service veterinary facility with high-tech diagnostic imaging capabilities available for pets in Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Ontario, Claremont, Fontana, and the entire Inland Empire. The combination of the different diagnostic modalities available to us here, allows for prompt and accurate diagnosis of your pet’s medical problem without leaving Rancho Cucamonga.

Radiology

We have a cutting edge 600-milliampere digital X-ray machine that is capable of taking radiographs of even the largest dog with a minimum of radiation exposure. Being digital, images are available in seconds and can be viewed throughout the hospital.

Ultrasound

When we need more detailed information about particular organ systems we turn to diagnostic ultrasound. This machine allows us to detect abnormalities inside soft tissue organs such as the liver, kidneys, bladder, intestines and spleen. Ultrasound is also invaluable for the diagnosis of heart problems, as this modality allows us to measure both the shape and function of the heart muscle.

Ultrasound can also be used to help obtain biopsies of diseased tissue. With ultrasound guidance, we can be certain that our biopsy instrument is located in the appropriate place and is not causing any damage to nearby tissues.

Videoscoping

We have two video-arthroscopes that are used to visualize areas of the body normally inaccessible to us. We routinely use these scopes during physical exams to examine the inner recesses of the ear canals. They are also used to look down the trachea, as well as in the vagina and rectum. With the aid of working sheaths, we can use these instruments to guide biopsy instruments when we are trying to obtain samples for analysis.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Just about everyone has heard of MRI imaging. This technology is routinely used for humans when doctors need the most detailed information about the deep recesses of the body. It is particularly helpful in locating lesions within the central nervous system. With the aid of MRI, we can locate ruptured inter-vertebral disks or tumors in the spinal canal or skull and direct our surgeons to the appropriate location for excision of the problem.

We now have the availability of doing MRI scans right here at our facility in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. A mobile MRI scanner can be brought to our parking lot and our patients are anesthetized and scanned without the need for travel to a referral center. Call (909) 980-3575 for more information.

Microchipping

At Alta Rancho Pet & Bird Hospital, we’re concerned about the millions of pets that go missing each year. If your pet runs away or gets stolen, there’s only one way for shelters and law enforcement to identify it and get it back to you. Pet microchipping at Alta Rancho Pet & Bird Hospital is like an insurance policy on your dog or cat, giving others the necessary information to return your pet to you. It’s a simple, inexpensive procedure that only takes a few minutes, but one that can save endless hours of worry about your furry family member.

Our Rancho Cucamonga Veterinarian Supports Pet Microchipping

Our veterinarians recommend that all pets be microchipped during their first year of age. The microchipping process is safe, simple, and only takes a few moments–but it lasts for the life of your dog or cat.

The microchip itself is about the size of a grain of rice. Our veterinarian injects the microchip beneath your pet’s skin. It’s very similar to vaccinating your pet, and it shouldn’t create any more reaction than drawing blood would. The injection site may be sore for a few hours, but your pet shouldn’t notice the microchip at all after that short amount of time.

Our Rancho Cucamonga Veterinarian Explains How Microchipping Works

Once a microchip is injected into your pet, our veterinarian will help you to upload your contact information onto the database. It’s important that you keep this information up to date.

There’s no energy source in a microchip, but just a passive display like the page in a digital book. Once someone passes a scanner over a microchip, the contact information connected to it will pop up on a display on a computer. This unique ID number will positively identify your dog or cat.

If your pet gets lost and is turned into an animal shelter, or if it’s stolen and recovered by the police or animal control, the people in charge will use the scanner to look for a microchip. Once they find your contact information, it will be used to reunite you with your pet. In Rancho Cucamonga pet microchipping is fast becoming a standard part of first-year puppy wellness exams, just like vaccinations.

Schedule a Microchipping Appointment with Our Veterinarian in Rancho Cucamonga

If you have any more questions about pet microchipping, or if you’re simply looking for a professional, caring vet in Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Rancho Pet & Bird Hospital can be the answer to all your animal care questions. Call our office at (909) 980-3575 and make an appointment today.

Nutritional Counseling

Nutrition is one of the most important factors in maintaining good health for the pets in Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Ontario, Claremont, Fontana, and the Inland Empire. Proper nutrients are necessary for every organ system in the body to function properly. Nutritional deficiencies–as well as excesses–are a major problem for today’s pets.

Did you know…

  • over 60% of the pets we see over the age of 3 are overweight?
  • maintaining a pet at his/her ideal body weight can improve life expectancy by up to 20%? That means a fit 10-year-old dog could live an extra 2 years at the right weight!
  • most skin problems have a nutritional component to them?
  • pets can become hypersensitive (allergic) to feeds with too much waste product or additives?
  • many gastrointestinal disturbances can be linked in inappropriate diet?
  • nutritional issues are the number one cause of medical problems in captive birds?

When we examine your pet, we will evaluate its nutritional status and make specific recommendations regarding proper nutrition for your pet. We have a variety of prescription diets for each life stage and medical condition.

When we start your pet on a nutrition program, we encourage monthly counseling sessions with our trained nutritional counselors. They can help your pet achieve their ideal weight and condition. In addition, We have a number of aides available to help you keep the nutritional goals in the forefront of your mind.

We recommend Hill’s Prescription Diets. They have the most research and quality control behind them. Click the Hill’s image below for a $7.00 coupon towards any prescription diet purchase.

Dermatology

When you bring a pet into your home, you want to ensure that you provide appropriate care in different situations. At the Alta Rancho Pet & Bird Hospital, we provide appropriate dermatology treatments for dogs, cats, birds, pocket pets. Depending on the needs of your pet, our veterinarians provide appropriate tools to address the underlying skin concerns that develop from different situations.

Identifying External Parasites

External parasites that infect and harm the health of pets you bring into your home raise concerns about their long-term health. At our clinic, we offer treatments in Rancho Cucamonga that identify common external parasites that cause a reaction on the skin of your pets. For example, we identify fleas, ticks, maggots or other parasites that harm pets from the outside.

Allergy Testing and Treatment

Allergies cause a reaction on the skin of your pets and cause concerns about the well-being of a pet. Allergies that impact the health of your pets cause a rash, itchy skin and swelling that requires appropriate treatment to address the situation. Depending on the symptoms, veterinarians offer different treatment solutions to address the allergic reaction and encourage the healing process.

Diagnosing Skin Cancer

Skin cancer impacts the health of pets in a severe and potentially deadly way. Cancer is a problem that spreads over time and requires immediate treatment when you notice something odd about your pets. Ideally, you want to point out any potential concerns when you visit our clinic so that we can evaluate potential sources of cancer. Our diagnostic services focus on identifying cancer in the early stages so that we provide appropriate treatment before it spreads to other areas of the body.

Identifying Ringworm

Ringworm is a common problem in Rancho Cucamonga that impacts the health of pets and individuals. Generally, you will notice an odd round shape, or a ring, under the fur or skin of your pets. At our clinic, we look for signs of ringworm that an owner can overlook during a routine exam and check-up, so you can feel confident that your pets have appropriate care when you seek treatment. By treating the parasite with appropriate medication, it kills the worm and provides an opportunity for your pets to heal from the parasite.

Recognizing Ear Infections

Ear infections can be painful and harm dogs, cats and other pets, so you want to seek treatment for any signs of an ear infection. Generally, you will notice that your pets scratch or bite their ears. The ears may also swell, develop redness, have an odd or unpleasant odor, and have some discharge. Hair loss around the ears is also common as a result of an infection. Seek treatment as early as possible to ensure that your dog or cat does not develop more severe health concerns. In some cases, an untreated ear infection can cause hearing loss or other health problems.

Dermatology Therapeutic Treatment Solutions for Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Ontario, Claremont, Fontana, and the Inland Empire

At our clinic, we offer a variety of therapeutic treatment options to address the dermatological needs of your pets. Our treatment options include:

  • Therapeutic bathing and dips
  • Appropriate options for parasite control, including medications or preventative care
  • Laser therapy for specific dermatological concerns like lick granulomas
  • Tumor removal
  • Ear drainage surgery when pets have chronic infections
  • Allergy treatments that help desensitize pets to a specific allergen

Pets require appropriate therapy based on the symptoms they develop and the underlying dermatological health concern. At our clinic, we offer a variety of tools to address potential health concerns by using laser treatments, appropriate medications and surgical procedures to alleviate and treat the underlying causes of the health problems of Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Ontario, Claremont, Fontana, and the Inland Empire. We evaluate the needs of your pets and provide appropriate care based on their specific situation and the symptoms that develop.

Bringing pets into your home provides an opportunity to enjoy the company of an animal. By providing appropriate care to your pets through dermatological treatments at our clinic, you can focus on creating memories and enjoying your time with your pets. For more information about the ways that dermatological solutions help maintain the health of your pets, contact us today at (909) 980-3575.

Ophthalmology Services

Many veterinary hospitals in Alta Loma, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Ontario, Claremont, Fontana, and the Inland Empire are not prepared to deal with eye problems on a regular basis. Fortunately, Dr. Shufer has a keen interest in eye problems and can treat all but the most technically demanding ocular problems right here in Rancho Cucamonga. Contact us at (909) 980-3575 to schedule an appointment.

Our ophthalmologic services include diagnosis and treatment of:

  • Abnormal eyelashes (laser epilation)
  • Clogged tear duct flushing
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Corneal ulcers
  • Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Everted third eyelids (Cherry Eye)
  • Entropion and Ectropion surgery
  • Glaucoma
  • Eyelid Tumors
  • Enucleation (removal of the eye) surgery