Regular wellness and preventive healthcare visits with your veterinarian are an essential part of caring for a pet – they help to maintain your pet’s optimal health and happiness. At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we recommend twice-yearly wellness and preventive healthcare visits for all pets. Regular visits help our team detect early signs of disease, allowing for early treatment. Hawthorne Animal Hospital’s veterinarians perform standard tests with each wellness check. These include, ear and eye exams, rectal, dental, skeletal (bones, joints, and muscles), reproductive system, neurological, cardiovascular (heart and lungs), and internal health exams (palpating or feeling for abnormalities in the gastrointestinal system and other internal organs), as well as nutritional and behavioral counselling.

As your pet reaches certain life stages, Wellness Screening Tests will be recommended. Pets are very adept at hiding illness, and unfortunately, diseases may be present even if your pet does not appear to be ill. When diseases are detected early on, steps can often be taken to manage or even cure the disease before it gets out of hand, and permanent damage occurs. As your pet reaches certain milestones, our veterinarians will recommend screening tests to identify early signs of diseases that commonly affect senior pets, for example, diabetes, hyperthyroidism (cats), hypothyroidism (dogs), and kidney or heart disease. These tests may include urine and blood tests.

To help keep your pet at his or her optimal weight, we screen all pets to ensure they are at their ideal weight as part of our Wellness and Preventive Programs. We know that obesity leads to many health issues and a shorter life span. To complement our obesity screening program, we offer Nutritional Counselling to help address or prevent weight issues with your pet.

Genetic testing for your pet may be recommended by our team at Hawthorne Animal Hosptial if he or she is of a breed that is at higher risk for developing certain diseases such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), von Willebrand’s disease, multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1), progressive retinal atrophy, or collie eye anomaly. Genetic testing allows our veterinarians to be proactive in the approach to monitoring and treating your pet.

Because we know that every pet is different, at Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we tailor our Wellness and Preventive Programs for each pet based on his or her breed, life stage, health status, and lifestyle.

During wellness visits, our veterinarians will ensure that your pet has the vaccinations necessary to meet his or her lifestyle. “Core” vaccines are recommended for all pets, including the rabies vaccine, while other “non-core” vaccines are recommended based on your pet’s lifestyle. Your veterinarian will discuss these vaccines and make recommendations that will protect your pet.

Testing for internal parasites (e.g., fecal tests), heartworm, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses is part of regular preventive healthcare visits for our canine patients. Tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, all pose a danger to your pet in Johnson County. Testing for, and prevention of these diseases is a vital component of preventive healthcare to keep your pet healthy. Treatment will be provided based on the organism(s) present as each condition responds to specific deworming medication or antibiotics.

Internal parasite testing is recommended on a yearly basis for our feline patients. Viral testing for all new pet cats and kittens is important because feline leukemia virus (FELV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) impact your cat’s overall health and its ability to fight infections. Knowing if your cat is infected allows us to make recommendations regarding your cat’s healthcare and lifestyle.

Fleas are more than just a pest that causes your pet to scratch. Fleas can transmit harmful parasites such as tapeworms and murine typhus, in addition to causing dermatitis and anemia in the very young, or immune-compromised pets.

Hawthorne Animal Hospital’s Parasite Prevention Plan includes an examination of your pet, testing for parasites, a consultation regarding the best parasite control products for your pet, and the creation of an individualized flea, tick, heartworm, and internal parasite prevention program based on your pet’s lifestyle. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you suspect your pet has a parasite problem, schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians to have your pet screened, and we’ll create a treatment and prevention plan best suited for your pet.

Bathing your pet can be a challenge if you don’t have the right set-up in your home. For all your grooming needs, we have on-site professional grooming facilities, and our groomers provide exceptional full-service grooming for dogs and cats. We also offer sedation for nervous pets.

While no one expects their pet to become lost, the reality is pets sometimes do wander away from home. At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we recommend that all our patients be microchipped, even if your pet has a tattoo for the identification or wears a collar all the time, a microchip is a permanent method of identification.

A microchip is tiny, about the size of a grain of rice, and has a unique number. It is implanted in your pet just beneath the skin between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet’s neck. The unique number is registered with an international database and is associated with you, the pet owner. The registry stores information such as your name and contact information, along with information about your pet (e.g., breed, coat color, sex). The microchip is read with a small hand-held scanner that allows this information to be retrieved and immediately traces your pet back to you. Microchips greatly improve the chance of being reunited with your pet if he or she does happen to wander away from you.

With so many pet foods available, it can be overwhelming to choose a diet best suited for your pet – especially if your pet has underlying health conditions. Pets with health conditions (e.g., diabetes or periodontal, heart, or kidney disease), weight issues, allergies, or of a giant breed can present a challenge when trying to find an appealing, tasty diet that also meets their medical needs. Additionally, nutrient profiles and quantity of food required to vary by life stage (puppy/kitten, adult, and senior/geriatric), activity level (sedentary lap dog, or active, performance, or working dog), and the health of your pet.

Hawthorne Animal Hospital, our healthcare team is ready to assist you in choosing the best food that suits your pet’s specific needs. We carry many nutritionally balanced veterinary-approved diets, including diets specifically tailored for all life stages and for those pets with specific health issues or dietary needs such as diabetes, periodontal disease, kidney or heart disease, allergies, and pancreatitis. We can make dietary recommendations based on the health of your pet, as well as its life stage. We also will advise you on appropriate treats and supplements that will help keep your pet in top health. In conjunction with Nutritional Counseling, our healthcare team will assess your pet’s body condition score and screen for obesity as part of our Wellness and Preventive Programs.

We also carry supplements, herbs, and vitamins to enhance your pet’s diet. Speak to our veterinarians to see how these dietary supplements can be incorporated into your pet’s diet to benefit his or her health.

When your pet is ill or injured, it can be a very stressful time for both you and your pet. Rest assured, at Hawthorne Animal Hospital, our facilities are equipped with highly specialized diagnostic equipment allowing us to quickly perform tests in order to determine the cause of your pet’s signs, often without the need for referral to a specialist or waiting for results from a referral laboratory.

We perform a broad range of blood tests, urinalysis, cytology, skin scrapings, and fecal analysis in our in-house laboratory, allowing us to obtain fast and accurate results. We perform complete blood count (provides information about red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets), blood serum chemistry (a chemical analysis of substances in the serum including proteins, enzymes, sugars, minerals, electrolytes, and cholesterol), thyroid testing, glucose, fructosamine and A1C (used for monitoring pets with diabetes), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and feline leukemia virus (FELV). As the occurrence of tick-borne diseases continues to rise in Kansas, quick and accurate testing is essential – the sooner we know your pet has a tick-borne disease, the sooner we can begin treatment.

For more complex testing, such as extensive or specialized blood testing and bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, we send samples to an outside referral laboratory for veterinary specialists to review.

Digital radiographs (X-rays) are a type of imaging that our veterinarians use to diagnose broken bones, tumors, internal injuries, and infection. Digital radiographs provide the highest quality images, and we have the results within seconds, allowing our team to identify the problem sooner and provide treatment much more quickly than standard X-rays. Digital radiographs eliminate the need for repeat films if they are too dark or too light, saving our team valuable time in an emergency and reducing the length of time a pet is sedated or anesthetized. In order to achieve the best possible images and keep your pet calm, we may give your pet a sedative.

In addition to digital radiography, we perform ultrasonography (ultrasound), a type of imaging used to examine your pet’s soft tissues (muscles, internal organs, and surrounding tissues). Ultrasonography is quick and painless and allows our veterinarians to provide superior diagnoses, rather than relying on radiographs alone. Ultrasonography may be used in conjunction with another diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your pet’s symptoms.

Ophthalmoscopic examinations allow our veterinarians to view all parts of the eye. This exam is used when a pet presents to us with an eye problem and is critical in the assessment of vision changes, pupil irregularities, and also allows for the detection of foreign bodies in the cornea.

Fine needle aspiration, also called fine needle biopsy, is a technique most frequently used to collect cells from ‘lumps and bumps’ on the body. It is also sometimes used to evaluate internal organs (e.g., liver, lungs, lymph nodes, or kidneys) and body fluids (e.g., joint fluid). A fine-gauge needle is introduced into the tissue, and cells or fluid are aspirated or sucked into the syringe. Our veterinarians will examine these cells under a microscope to help make a diagnosis of your pet’s condition.

Poor oral health can lead to several issues for your pet, including pain, halitosis (bad breath), gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), and periodontal disease (inflammation or infection of the bones and ligaments that support the teeth). If left untreated, the disease can progress to abscesses, infection of the bone, and can even cause heart, liver, and kidney disease.

At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we provide comprehensive dental evaluations, including cleanings, extractions, and treatments for periodontal disease. For proper dental examinations and procedures, your pet will safely be placed under general anesthesia and be given a dental nerve block to reduce the amount of anesthetic required and help with post-operative pain management. 

At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we perform a full range of surgeries including spay, neuter, and other soft tissue surgeries. Regardless of the surgery required, your pet’s wellbeing is our top priority.

Soft tissue surgeries include spay, neuter, lump removal, bladder surgery, eye surgery, foreign body removal, and exploratory surgery.

Sometimes during examinations (e.g., testing of joints for injuries), diagnostic testing (e.g., X-rays, ultrasound, or urine sampling), and minor procedures (e.g., biopsies or skin scrapings), sedation is required to help keep your pet comfortable and relaxed. If sedation is required, our veterinary technicians will monitor your pet during the process while our veterinarians perform the necessary procedures. Most often, these are outpatient procedures and can be completed while you wait comfortably in our exam room or lobby.

During surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia, a sedative is administered first to calm your pet, followed by intravenous injection to start the anesthesia. Pre-anesthetic sedatives reduce the amount of anesthesia required and reduce the possibility of your pet developing an irregular heart rhythm.

Pain management is crucial for optimal recovery. We will administer pain medication throughout the procedure, so your pet is less likely to feel pain when the surgery is complete. Depending on the type of surgery being performed, a nerve block or epidural may be administered (e.g., during dental surgery). Nerve blocks reduce the amount of anesthetic required and help with post-operative pain management.

During surgical procedures, your pet will be closely monitored by the members of our veterinary healthcare team. Modern monitoring equipment is used to monitor your pet’s vital signs, including blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature. Monitoring allows our highly trained healthcare team to fine-tune the anesthesia, keeping your pet’s functions steady and stable.

Following surgery, your pet will be monitored until he or she has fully recovered from the anesthesia, and then placed into the ward where monitoring will continue.

In many cases, post-operative pain medication will be prescribed to help your pet heal and recover more.

Pets can experience the onset of illness, accidents, and other emergencies at any time. At such times, your pet needs immediate veterinary care to stabilize, diagnose, and treat the emergency – it’s critical to your pet’s health (and perhaps your pet’s life).

At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we provide treatment for emergencies, however outside of business hours we will refer to local emergency specialty hospitals.

If you need veterinary care outside of our regular business hours, please contact the emergency veterinary provider that is closest to you:

BluePearl Veterinary Partners
11950 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66210
913-642-9563

VCA Mission Animal Referral & Emergency Center
5914 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS 66202
913-722-5566

Gastrointestinal Issues. A bout of severe vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, weakness, and organ failure. Bloat, also know as gastric dilatation-volvulus, is a complex and surgical emergency requiring immediate care.

Trauma. Pets that have been hit by a car may sustain soft-tissue injuries, fractures, and damage to internal organs. Our diagnostic testing evaluates these injuries.

Urinary Difficulties. Cats often experience urinary blockages and kidney problems that cause physical distress and can threaten their lives. Our experienced veterinary healthcare team will determine the cause of your pet’s urinary issues and provide emergency treatment.

Seizures. Watching your pet have a seizure can be a frightening experience. At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we can provide immediate care to stabilize your pet and determine the source of the seizures.

Ingestion of Toxic Substances. Cats and dogs can ingest toxic substances (e.g., cleaners, toxic plants, foods, and pesticides) that make them ill. We provide immediate care for such situations to counteract toxic effects and provide supportive care while monitoring your pet’s organ function.

Intensive Care and Monitoring. At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we provide intensive care and specialized monitoring for ill and injured pets. We do not provide after hours care but can direct you to the nearest 24 hour facility.

We understand how worrisome it can be when your beloved pet is ill or injured, and we’re dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care to your pet.

Whether your pet has been hit by a car, attacked by an animal, eaten something he shouldn’t have, or developed an infection, he will be stabilized while undergoing a full medical assessment. Depending on the illness or injury, emergency stabilization may include oxygen supplementation, administration of intravenous (IV) fluids (saline, blood, or plasma), and pain management. Once your pet is stable, further diagnostic tests, including blood testing, urinalysis, and imaging (e.g., X-rays and ultrasound) – may be performed in order to determine the best treatment plan.

We will provide updates on your pet’s condition every step of the way as well as consult with you on the treatment recommendations. The plan of care will be made in consultation with you, providing you with the information you need to make fully informed decisions. We believe in working in partnership.

Life support and other essential aspects of care may include surgery, bandaging, splinting, or casting, ventilation, injectable medications, catheterization, warming blankets, and nutritional supplementation.

Just as with people, monitoring is a critical part of patient care, and in some ways, even more, critical as your pet cannot communicate his discomfort or concerns. It’s our job to monitor your pet’s vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, and rhythm, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygenation, and your pet’s mentation (attitude) and behavior, as well as for signs of pain. Ongoing monitoring ensures that we can respond promptly to any changes in your pet’s condition and fine-tune his treatment accordingly to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

When your pet is at Hawthorne Animal Hospital, you can rest assured that he is carefully monitored and cared for by a dedicated team of veterinary professionals.

While we all wish to have a perfectly behaved pet, sometimes our pets have some bad habits. Whether you have a puppy, kitten, or a senior pet, it’s not too late to teach your pet some manners and lose, or avoid developing bad habits. Our veterinarians at Hawthorne Animal Hospital will work with you and your pet to help with common behavioral issues such as anxiety, aggression, barking, destructive behaviors, house training issues, and scratching furniture. We will first rule out any medical reason for a change in behavior observed in your pet.

The goal of palliative care is to enhance the comfort and quality of life during the final phase of your pet’s life. At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we will compassionately care for all of your pet’s medical needs and attend to pain management to maximize wellbeing enabling your pet to live as comfortably as possible in your home or at our hospital. We will create a customized palliative care plan for your pet, including nutritional and fluid therapies, and pain relief to maximize your pet’s quality of life until it’s the right and best time to say ‘good-bye.’

While there are times when pets are welcome on holidays, there are times when pets just can’t come along! We are proud to offer boarding and daycare services in Johnson County. Our healthcare team knows how stressful it can be to leave your pet while on vacation, but rest assured a DVM is on call andwe are trained to provide the best care for your pet – remember, we all love pets and will treat them as if they were our own. To minimize stress, we will feed your pet according to your instructions and accommodate any special needs, including medications, to keep your pet healthy and happy. Schedule a visit to view our boarding facilities, and we will gladly give you a tour!

At Hawthorne Animal Hospital, we have a full In-House Pharmacy stocked with prescription medications for preventive care, treatment of illnesses, and pain relief. We ensure that the medications your pet needs are immediately available, including oral, topical, inhalant, and injectable medications. Our veterinarians are trained to compound formulations as needed for our patients.

We carry a full range of supplements, herbs, and vitamins specifically formulated for pets. Our veterinarians can advise you during your pet’s wellness and preventive healthcare visit on the supplements that would most benefit your pet.

You can also visit our online pharmacy.

Alternatively, we can sign you up for From Hills to Home to have the Hills pet nutrition essentials delivered to your door.