MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE
Serving Iowa City, IA
319-341-7111
  Serving Iowa City, IA
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Medical Care

If you are concerned about your pet’s health, you can feel confident calling us for assistance. We are equipped to handle a wide variety of medical conditions. Because we can perform many diagnostic procedures in-house - in our clinic, we can often give you immediate answers and start treating your pet right away. In some cases, your pet may require hospitalization and further diagnostic tests.
 
To provide a proper diagnosis, we need to examine your pet. We begin with a physical exam including looking at your pet’s eyes, ears and skin. We check his or her cardiovascular (heart), respiratory (lungs and airways), neurological, gastrointestinal and skeletal systems for any abnormalities. Blood and/or urine tests will be performed as necessary to check your pet’s kidneys, liver and endocrine system, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Based on the results of these tests and your pet’s condition, we may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as radiography (X-rays), further blood or diagnostic tests sent out to a comprehensive laboratory, and if necessary referral to a specialist for ultrasound, endoscopy - internal scoping, biopsy, or other diagnostic tests or treatments.
 
If you are concerned that there may be something wrong with your pet, call us to schedule an exam as soon as possible. We'll do our best to see your pet as soon as possible, or if needed to refer you for urgent care. Call today to schedule an appointment.
Dental Care

Dental Care

We understand how important good dental care is to the life of your pet. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show some form of dental disease by the age of 3. Dental disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem in pets. Untreated, dental disease can lead to life-threatening organ damage and tooth loss.

Some common signs of dental disease to watch for in your pet include: 
  • Yellow or brown buildup, tartar, on the teeth
  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Bad breath - this is the most common symptom noticed by pet owners
  • Excessive drooling
  • Changes in eating habits - reluctance to eat hard food and treats, dropping food
  • Pawing at the face, or facial swelling, especially below the eye
  • Visibly loose teeth
  • Depression, hiding in cats, complete loss of appetite, fever, lethargy
We recommend having your pet’s teeth examined at least once a year during the annual exam, even if your pet does not have any of these symptoms. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left untreated, will lead to destruction of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. The resulting decay can lead to irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and possibly expensive oral surgery.
 
Dental disease can also affect many organs in the body: Bacteria in the mouth that gets into the bloodstream can cause serious infections in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart. If the infection isn’t caught and treated quickly enough, they can even result in death! We can determine if infection in the mouth has spread by performing a physical exam and blood work.
 
At Best Friends Veterinary care, we utilize state-of-the-art ultrasonic veterinary dental equipment to thoroughly clean your pet's teeth. Once the teeth are cleaned, we polish each tooth to create a smooth surface that is more resistant to plaque buildup and finally, we apply fluoride to strengthen the enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity.
 
We can show you how to brush your pet’s teeth, and discuss dental toys and treats to help you keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Keep your pets healthy and happy!
Call 319-341-7111

"...I am very happy with the service I received. They were so caring toward my new puppy. I am young and a first-time pet owner and they answered every single question I had. They also gave me a ton of helpful information and places that I can take my puppy to if I ever need it! Highly recommend!"

Sabrina Price, Facebook
Dental care

Euthanasia

We are here to help you with a quality of life and end of life decisions for your pet. Although it is never easy to make these decisions, the comfort and quality of your pet’s life is the primary concern.
 
One option for treating chronic or terminal illness is palliation of symptoms. This involves nursing care for your pet when they can no longer care for themselves. Providing appropriate nutrition, warmth/bedding, hydration, and skin care provides comfort to your ailing pet. Pain, nausea, elimination difficulties, respiratory difficulties, and mobility limitations should be medically treated. When proper care is given to your pet, the final days of life can provide solace to you as your pet’s caretaker.
 
Often there comes a point when medical treatment may not provide the level of comfort and quality of life that you consider acceptable for your pet. When this occurs, euthanasia is the most kind and loving choice you can make for your pet. We understand that the decision to euthanize your beloved pet is one of the most difficult choices you'll have to make, and we're here to help you make that decision and plan for how you wish to proceed.
 
Euthanasia is performed in a quiet and comfortable environment. Prior to the procedure, we'll give your pet an injectable sedative which consists of a pain medication, muscle relaxant and antianxiety medication and anesthetic. You'll have the opportunity to stay with your pet while he or she becomes sleepy. If you choose not to be present for the procedure, a member of our staff will stay with your pet at all times. The euthanasia itself is performed by the doctor with an injection of an anesthetic overdose directly into a vein. Because an anesthetic is used, no discomfort is felt by your pet, and he or she will pass quickly and painlessly. The doctor will confirm that the heart, pulses and breathing have stopped. You can spend as much or as little time as you wish with your pet.
 
Since we know that this is a difficult and stressful time for you, you should decide how you wish your pet’s body to be cared for after euthanasia. You may take your pet home for burial. We also offer general cremation and private (you'll receive your pet’s ashes back) cremation services. We do offer at home euthanasia services to our established clients. Please call us to make arrangements in advance.
 
Through consultation with the doctor and the hospital staff, the last days of your pet's life can be comfortable and can reflect the care and love that your pet has experienced throughout its entire life.
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