- Dental CareOur veterinarians perform an oral examination on your pet as part of an annual physical. They assess your pet’s oral health based on the level of tarter, inflammation or disease and make recommendations regarding the oral care that you pet requires. For several reasons, dental prophylaxis procedures are done under general anesthesia. In addition to the benefit of being able to physically perform the procedures, this method of anesthesia protects your pet from inhaling aerosolized bacteria, which could cause pneumonia. While many owners have concerns of general anesthesia, the risk can be lower than that of progressive oral disease.
- VaccinationAn annual wellness exam, or bi-annual exam for senior pets, allows our veterinarians to examine your pet and assess their general health and potential risk of illness or disease. Medical treatment plans can then be developed based on your pet’s individual wellness needs, including vaccination schedules, heartworm disease, parasite control, dental health, proper nutrition, flea & tick preventatives or any other items that may have you concerned.
- Veterinary OphthalmologyPortland Veterinary Specialists – Our sister facility in Portland has an extensive library on specialty veterinary care from acupuncture to ophthalmology. A great source of up-to-date advanced medical information for your family pet.
- Nutritional CounselingInternists see patients with a variety of clinical signs including loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, anemia, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and seizures. Internal medicine emphasizes advanced treatment and comprehensive care that is noninvasive therefore diagnostics tools such as endoscopy is often utilized.
- Comprehensive ExaminationIn some cases a physical examination and bloodwork alone are not enough to diagnosis your pet’s illness. Your veterinarian may recommend advanced diagnostics such as an ultrasound to evaluate your pet’s internal organs.
- Parasites Treatment and ControlTo help ensure your pet is as protected as possible, we require all pets to be current on vaccines: Including Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella and a recent negative result for heartworm disease for canines and Rabies and Distemper for felines. As with all vaccines, manufacturers cannot guarantee 100% effectiveness.
- Pain ManagementLaser Therapy is a safe and effective modality that can provide your pet with pain relief and increase the speed of healing. They will feel a warm sensation in area that is being treated. Strict safety guidelines must be used when treating with a laser, and therefore, goggles for humans and “doggles” for pets must be worn. We find that most pets become completely accustomed to the “doggles” after just a couple of sessions. And they are so cute wearing them!
- Vomiting Treatment
- Diarrhea Treatment
- Skin Condition and Allergy TreatmentIs the veterinarian petting your pet? If so, they are probably evaluating the condition of your pet’s skin and coat. Is it dry, flaky or oily? Is there evidence of flea dirt (flea poop) or any attached ticks? They are also looking for any lumps, bumps (benign or cancerous) or warts that may have developed and need to be addressed.
- Upper Respiratory Illness TreatmentBronchoscopy is examination of the Respiratory system. This includes the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and bronchial tree. This is an outpatient procedure that allows our internist to take samples and bacterial cultures of the airways. It may be preceded by chest radiographs (x-rays), and certain blood tests. Common reasons for bronchoscopy are chronic cough, suspected pneumonia, allergy, or cancer.
- Injury Treatment
- Intestinal Foreign Object Removal
- Ear Infection Treatment
- Hip Dysplasia Treatment
- Diabetes Treatment
- Thyroid Disease Treatment
- Heart Disease Treatment
- Kidney Disease TreatmentAfter earning her science degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Gail Mason received a Master of Arts degree in Pharmacology from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University where she also completed a residency program. Dr. Mason is board certified in internal medicine with her veterinary interests including diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, immune diseases and especially, cancer treatment in companion animals. In her spare time Dr. Mason participates in clinical research including new product medication trials and testifies as a malpractice expert in veterinary cases. She is also an avid equine enthusiast and enjoys being in the show arena whenever she can.
- Periodontal Disease TreatmentDid you know that dogs and cats develop tartar and periodontal disease just like we do? According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, dental disease is the number 1 health issue seen in 70% of cats and 80% of dogs, over the age of three. Just like in humans, animals develop tartar and disease at different rates and because of this; some animals may need dental cleaning (dental prophylaxis) and/or extractions annually, while others may only require cleaning once or twice in their lifetimes. Brushing your pet’s teeth with pet specific formulated toothpastes, using preventatives such as water additives, feeding a special diet or giving your pet specially designed toys and chews are all ways to help reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
- Cancer TreatmentChemotherapy: is the use of certain drugs alone, or in combination to control tumor growth. All of the drugs currently given to animals are human anti-cancer drugs. Fortunately, many of the negative consequences of their use in human medicine are not experienced in veterinary medicine. Chemotherapy and/or surgery are the two most important treatment modalities in veterinary cancer medicine. A combination of therapies may also be indicated in certain cancers. Some cancers require a specific, brief number of treatments, while others requiring ongoing treatment to maintain remission. More recently we have access to “targeted” therapies which have the ability to use a pet’s own immune system to defend against certain types of cancer – with little or no side effects.
- Wound and Fracture CareWhile our pets cannot verbally communicate to tell us how they feel, the use of diagnostic tools can help your pet’s medical team piece that information together. Digital x-rays are helpful in identifying a number of different health conditions including musculoskeletal issues such as bone fractures, hip dysplasia or arthritis and can also be used to examine your pet’s internal organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys or intestines. These x-rays may help us identify abnormalities such as masses, fluid, or a “foreign body”, which is more commonly known as something your pet should not have eaten!
- Veterinary SurgeryAs in human medicine, there are two types of surgery in veterinary medicine, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Soft tissue surgery is a very broad category involving head and neck surgery, cardiovascular (heart), pulmonary (lung), gastrointestinal (stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas), and urogenital (kidneys and bladder). The conditions in each category may be either congenital (from birth) or acquired. Acquired disorders are those not related to hereditary or birth defects, and include traumas, infection and cancer.
- Spaying and NeuteringMost pet owners are aware that veterinarians and many animal advocates recommend spaying and neutering of domestic dogs and cats. Often times, however, many people are only aware of one reason to do so: population control. While this is one of the most important, your pet’s health is also another reason to do so.
- Laboratory ServicesThe word “ endoscopy ” denotes the use of fiber optic instruments to investigate and possibly biopsy certain areas inside the body. It is a “noninvasive” procedure which means no surgical incisions are required. For the patient, this means a short anesthetic period with a normally rapid recovery. All endoscopies in small animals require full, general anesthesia, and therefore may require pre-anesthetic evaluations such as blood tests, radiographs (x-rays), and/or ultrasound. Endoscopies are usually considered one of the lowest risk procedures in veterinary medicine.
- X-RayEchocardiograms, commonly knowns as “Echos” are ultrasounds of the heart and are used as a diagnostic tool in pets suspected of having heart disease. An echo may also be performed in pets with newly developed murmurs, pets with established murmurs that will be undergoing a surgical procedure, or pets with suspected congenital birth defects. As with other organs, the waves bounce off the heart allowing non-invasive visualization of the heart muscles, valves and arteries. The ultrasonographer will use the ultrasound to obtain measurements and can assess the structure and characteristics of the heart. Since the heart is beating, function can also be evaluated. Your veterinarian may order additional tests such as chest x-rays, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and analysis of any fluid present in the chest cavity. Patients with more severe heart disease may be referred to our board certified cardiologist at Portland Veterinary Specialists.
- Dental RadiologyBBVA is a 3-4 doctor practice providing advanced medical services such as ultrasonography, digital dental radiology, laser therapy, digital radiology, endoscopy and a full in-house IDEXX laboratory. BBVA also houses a large kennel offering grooming, daycare and overnight boarding.
- Boarding
- Grooming
- Senior Pet CareTalk to us today about our senior wellness package and the things you can do to help keep your senior pet at their healthy best.
- Dog TrainingDr. Charles C. Ellithorpe attended Texas A&M University for his undergraduate studies and received his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1991. Prior to arriving at Bath-Brunswick Veterinary Associates in November 2004, Dr. Ellithorpe had practiced in both Montana and Washington State. His veterinary interests include cardiology, surgery and dentistry. He also has advanced training in diagnostic ultrasound and orthopedic surgery. Additionally, he teaches first-aid to many of Maine’s police dog handlers to help ensure their canine partner’s safety in the event of an emergency. Dr. Ellithorpe’s enjoyment of animals extends into his personal interests through bird-dog training, wildlife rehabilitation and conservation efforts. He is also a wildlife artist and bronze sculptor. Dr. Ellithorpe shares his home with his wife Linda, their son Augustus, a dog, a cat and many chickens.