Hilltop Pet Clinic

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We believe that special friends
deserve special care.

We know that our pets will give us a lifetime of unconditional love and companionship.
And in return, it is our responsibility to provide for them the best possible care throughout their lives.
And we know that your pets are an important part of your family, too, so we set our standards high.

We demonstrate our commitment to your pets, and to you, with our conscientious attention to

The gentle handling and well-being of each pet in our care
Compassionate and competent veterinary care focused on prevention
Emergency service, every hour, every day
The encouragement and promotion of responsible pet ownership, including socialization in Puppy Kindergarten and training at Hilltop Canine College
Participation in community activities which promote the human-animal bond, including the Animal Assisted Activity program at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Everyone on our team is a pet lover, and it shows! Our pets are our "kids." We share our thoughts with them; they understand. Some of them sleep with us. We send photos of them to our families. We celebrate their birthdays. Even the largest, at 160 pounds, is a lap dog!

And with you on our team,
     and with gentle works, capable hands, caring hearts...
          Hilltop Pet Clinic       Happy Tails Pet Lodge       Grooming at Happy Tails
          Puppy Kindergarten       Hilltop Canine College         Hilltop Pet Cemetery
            ... we pledge to give your pets the best possible care!

Together, we can make a difference...

Prevention
Annual wellness examinations help us to define baselines and detect diseases before symptoms appear. Vaccinations and regular dental care are critical for the lifelong health of your pet.

Communication
         The best Doctor in the world is a Veterinarian.
          He can't ask his patients what is the matter --
               he's got to just know.
                                               Will Rogers
     Will Rogers was right! That's why we rely on your to tell us what is happening with your pet -
             apathy    lumps    limping      marked weight gain or loss
             excessive drinking              bad breath                    licking
             scratching       difficulty moving       not using the litter box
             frequent vomiting or diarrhea        not coming when called...
     By sharing information and working together, we can make a difference in your pet's life.

Complete & Accurate Information
We hold your pet in our hearts, and sometimes their lives in our hands. In order to offer you the peace of mind you deserve, we will recommend the same type of test your Doctor gives you. Pre-anesthetic and diagnostic tests allow for safer anesthesia and provide crucial information as we evaluate your pet's treatment. A medical plan will help you to select the best option for your pet and for you.

Emergency Care Every Hour, Every Day
     Just call either of our office numbers: 309-236-5912 or 800-689-5912.
     If we are closed, our answering service will answer your call by saying, "Hilltop Pet Clinic Answering Service."
The Answering Service will ask you:
   ♦ What is the emergency?
   ♦ What kind of pet do you have?
   ♦ Your name?
   ♦ Your telephone number?

The Answering Service will then contact the Doctor on call. We will be here when you need us.

The most important ingredient
in your pet's prescription for a good life?
You!

Veterinary Medicine .... acupuncture .... allergy testing and treatment .... Animal Assisted Activity team .... arthritis .... behavioral counseling .... birds .... cardiology .... cats .... computer techs .... continuing education .... dentistry .... dermatology .... dogs .... Doctors of Veterinary Medicine .... emergency care .... gastroenterology .... groomers .... grooming ..... gynecology .... internal medicine .... laser therapy .... licensed Veterinary Technicians .... lodging .... nephrology (kidneys) .... neurology .... nutrition .... obstetrics .... oncology .... ophthalmology .... orthopedics .... pain management .... parasite control .... pediatrics .... pet care assistants .... pocket pets .... podiatry .... pre-anesthetic and diagnostic testing .... radiology .... receptionists ... reptiles .... senior care .... surgery .... ultrasound .... urology .... vaccinations .... veterinary assistants .... Veterinary Information Network .... wellness ....
at Hilltop Pet Clinic.

Until one has loved an animal,
a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France

Puppy Kindergarten
     You already know the importance of providing a loving home, food and shelter, and veterinary car for your puppy. Next on your list: Puppy Kindergarten.
      In its first months, your puppy will develop behavior patterns which will be a part of his life - and yours - forever!
     As a student in Puppy Kindergarten, your puppy will be exposed to other puppies, large and small, and to children and men and women. While your puppy is learning manners that will enable him to truly become a part of your family, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and share hints on housebreaking, crate training, biting, nutrition, veterinary care, obedience and more.

Puppy Kindergarten meets every Monday evening
at 6 pm at Hilltop Pet Clinic.
Bring your entire family for an hour of fun for you and your new puppy!

Hilltop Canine College
     We believe the primary purpose of dog obedience training is to assist you in working with your canine friend. And working with your dog on a regular basis establishes a bond of love and respect between you and your dog that will enrich both of your lives for a lifetime.
     Set your goals high! If you are willing to commit the time to regular work sessions, your best friend will perform beyond your highest expectations.
     Classes available include basic obedience, advanced obedience which focuses on the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program, and basic agility.
     All classes take place at our Training Center at Happy Tails Pet Lodge, located at 6920 30th Avenue in northwest Kearney.

Dentistry

"The single procedure having the greatest impact
on the length of a pet's life
is proper care of teeth and gums."

If only our pets could be taught to brush their teeth. Foul breath and yucky teeth are unpleasant enough, but the bacteria produced can lead to periodontal disease, a painful infection of the gums that will spread through the bloodstream to the heart,
liver and kidneys, contributing to major health problems and shortening the life of your pet.
Without proper dental care, including regular dental examinations,
ultrasonic scaling and polishing, and home care including
tooth brushing , proper diet and healthy treats,
80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats will show signs of oral disease by the age of three.

Oral disease is the number one health problem
diagnosed in dogs and cats.
Proper oral care can extend the life of your pet by 25%!

BEFORE

AFTER

Acupuncture

     Acupuncture, when administered by a properly trained Veterinarian, is one of the safest forms of complementary medical therapy for pets. Inserting very fine, sterile, disposable needles into specific points on the pet's body allows the Doctor to simulate the pet's nervous system in order to alter the pet's biochemical and physiological properties and improve the pet's natural defenses.
     We use acupuncture in combination with conventional approaches to healing, including thorough history taking, physical examination, diagnostic laboratory testing, ultrasound, radiography, surgery, medicine, and physical therapy and hydrotherapy.
     Conditions which my be treated with acupuncture include:

paralysis
hip dysphasia
asthma
pancreatitis
disc disease
diarrhea, vomiting
chronic constipation
urinary tract disorders

arthritis

chronic pain

seizures

lameness

nerve injuries

skin disorders

allergies

wound healing

cancer treatment support

anxiety

depressed immune function

dry eye

How do pets react to acupuncture? Most become very relaxed, even sleepy. You'll find that sharing this quiet time with your pet is very relaxing for you, too!

Pet Identification

"1 in 3 pets goes missing during its lifetime, and without proper ID, 90% never return home. A microchip for dogs & cats gives the best protection with permanent ID that can never be removed or become impossible to read."
homeagain.com

Microchipping is safe, and effective: HomeAgain reunites some 10.000 pets with their owners each month. We inject the microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, beneath the surface of your pet's skin. The process is similar to a routine shot and no anesthetic is required. With the microchip implanted, the final step is to register you pet's microchip with HomeAgain.
If your pet is lost and taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, they will scan your pet to read its unique ID code. The code is then used by HomeAgain to identify your pet and contact you.

Happy Tails Pet Lodge and Grooming at Happy Tails

Your special friends deserve a special place!

With spacious, secure and comfortable accommodations, lap times and tummy rubs, and Sunday morning pancakes, we'll do our best to make sure your pets enjoy their vacation as much as you enjoy yours.

For more information: www.happytailspetlodge.com

Hilltop Pet Cemetery

Our pets have a way of teaching us about
loving and loyalty and joy.
And what we have shared in their presence
can never be lost.

In recognition of this bond, and because our own pets have been a very special part of our lives, we established Hilltop Pet Cemetery in 1981.
You are invited to visit the Cemetery, which is located northwest of Kearney at 6880 30th Avenue. We provide 24-hour telephone service at 308-236-5912.

Our Animal Assisted Activity Team
    Interested in volunteering with your cat or dog? It's a great way to share time with your pet! Opportunities available include visiting at hospitals, care facilities, and schools, the Library's Paws to read program, parades, children's camp, and Kidz Explore.
     We can help you get started: puppy kindergarten, basic and advanced obedience classes, Canine Good Citizen testing - all offered at Hilltop Canine College - are the perfect first steps for preparing you and your dog to participate in animal assisted activity programs. (Cats are also invited to participate; they just don't need as much training!)
     Our team volunteers some 700 hours each year through the Animal Assisted Activity program at Good Samaritan Hospital. And two of our team members, Gordon, miniature poodle, and Franklin, the greatest Dane, have been honored as recipients of the Planetree Award at Good Samaritan Hospital for their contributions to patient-centered care.
     Want to know more? Ask Marla, Suz or Susan!

"Shhhh - don't tell the patients,
but this fun is actually therapy".
To read this Kearney Hub article
by Debbie Epping
in July, 2010
click here

     For more information: www.aaponline.org/training
                                            www.akc.org/events/cgc
                                            www.therapydogs.com
                                            www.deltasociety.org (Pet Partners Program)

Our Animal Assisted Activity Team
Yahu
Sundance Peanut Franklin
Gordon Annie

Gordon
charter member,
Funny Bones Caring Clowns
at
Good Samaritan Hospital

Our Consultants

Peanut                Brady
Fraser     Murphy     Yahu     Annie     Gordon               Pete
Fiona                                              Salty

Pete and Salty are our rescued Greyhounds, and our in-house blood donors. Before joining our family, Pet and Salty were evaluated at Colorado State University and identified as "universal blood donors." (Ask us about the world's fastest dachshund!)