OUR SERVICES
Annual and Bi-annual Wellness Exams
We value the importance of a thorough physical exam and listening to your concerns. It is our opportunity to discuss your concerns and any changes in your pet’s health, assess their nutrition, supplements, environment, and well-being. As our friend’s age, we recommend more frequent opportunities to discuss and make proactive decisions for your pets.
Blood Work
We utilize not only in-house lab testing for immediate concerns but our reference lab for early detection lab work, chronic disease monitoring, thyroid testing, infectious disease screening, and heartworm screening. While our physical exam is vital, we rely on lab work to tell us the things that we cannot see with our physical alone. We recommend screening all senior animals over 10 years old for common conditions on an annual and biannual basis and larger and giant breed dogs starting at 5-7 years old.
Vaccinations and Titers
We have a progressive and individualized approach to every pets vaccine and titer recommendations. We will discuss recommendations with you based on your pets lifestyle, focusing on the safety of your pet most of all.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used in veterinary medicine around the world in probably every species of animal. Clinical research has shown positive results in both animals and humans. Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles into specific points of the body to produce a healing response by stimulating that spot. It is most known to help with pain, but can be used to treat many disease conditions like allergies, anxiety, airway disease, and disk disease. Dr Hutchings is a certified acupuncturist though the Chi Institute and not only offers dry needling but also utilizes electroacupuncture, moxa treatment, and aquapuncture, which is the injection of things like Vitamin B, as indicated.
Laser Therapy
Cold laser is a safe, effective way to help with painful conditions and wound healing. It is well tolerated by animals and can help with conditions like disk disease, arthritis, lick granulomas, and other chronic conditions.
House Calls
We offer house call appointments for routine things like physical examinations, vaccinations, lab work, and blood pressures. It can be a more comfortable experience for cats, anxious dogs, or when it is physically challenging to get your pet into the car and to the clinic.
Radiographs
We are able to provide in-clinic digital x-rays capabilities and routinely have board certified radiologists give their expert review. We are able to offer abdominal ultrasounds through a traveling ultrasonographer and limited emergency ultrasound screenings.
International Health Certificates
Dr Hutchings is USDA certified to issue International Health Certificates as well as Domestic Health Certificates. Traveling Internationally with your pet can be a complex and time-consuming process. The process could take a few weeks to many months, depending on the requirements of the destination country. Please explore the USDA website to learn more about traveling with pets.
Nutritional Consults
We believe in the power of whole foods and quality diets. We are here to discuss nutritional options for your pets, including home cooked and therapeutic prescription diets to help achieve optimal wellness.
Senior Care
We love our senior dogs and cats. We offer extended consultations to discuss age related concerns and changes to help them age gracefully.
Senior Lab Tests for Dogs and Cats
As pets get older (usually 7 years and up), we recommend blood and urine tests. These tests help find health problems before your pet shows signs of illness.
Learn More About Senior Lab Tests for Dogs and Cats
As pets get older (usually 7 years and up), we recommend blood and urine tests. These tests help find health problems before your pet shows signs of illness.
BASIC SENIOR TESTS
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This blood test looks at your pet’s blood cells.
It helps find:
- Infection
- Anemia (low red blood cells)
- Inflammation
- Some blood diseases
Blood Chemistry Panel
This test checks how your pet’s organs are working.
It helps evaluate:
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Blood sugar (for diabetes)
- Body salts and minerals
- Protein levels
Thyroid Test
This checks thyroid hormone levels.
- Older cats often get an overactive thyroid.
- Some dogs develop a low thyroid.
Urine Test (Urinalysis)
This checks your pet’s urine.
It can show:
- Kidney problems
- Bladder infections
- Crystals or stones
- Diabetes
Heartworm Test (Dogs)
This yearly blood test checks for heartworm disease, which is spread by mosquitoes.
ADDITIONAL TESTING SOMETIMES RECOMMENDED FOR SENIOR PETS
Some older pets may benefit from extra tests to look deeper at their health.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
This vitamin is important for the digestive system and nerves.
Low levels may happen with:
- Chronic stomach or intestinal problems
- Poor nutrient absorption
- Some pancreas diseases
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps with:
- Bone health
- Immune system function
- Calcium balance
- Abnormal levels may occur with some kidney or hormonal diseases.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that helps with:
- Muscle and nerve function
- Heart rhythm
- Energy production
- Low or high levels can occur with kidney disease, digestive illness, or certain medications.
Inflammatory Markers
These tests look for inflammation in the body.
They may help detect:
- Ongoing infections
- Immune system diseases
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
- Examples include proteins that rise when the body is fighting disease or injury.
Pancreas Tests
Some tests check for pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can be common in older pets.
WHY THESE TESTS ARE HELPFUL
Senior pets can hide illness very well. Blood and urine tests help us:
- Detect problems earlier
- Start treatment sooner
- Monitor chronic diseases
- Help pets live longer, healthier lives
Many of these tests can be done using the same blood sample, so your pet usually only needs one quick blood draw.
Illness, Chronic Disease, and Emergency Care
We offer same day sick visits and stabilization of pets during emergencies prior to sending to a local 24 hour care facility. We ask if possible that you call ahead. Using an integrative approach, we can offer progressive diagnostics and treatments for chronic disease like skin allergies. Not only do we utilize modern treatments but can also offer supplement and herbal recommendations.
Palliative and Hospice Care
Every staff member at VWCP personally understands the importance of the time we have with our pets. Palliative care helps us give our best friends the best time as they begin to decline due to age or disease. This time is spent listening to your concerns, helping your family understand expected changes with certain diseases, and creating plans to help support your pet through this process.
End of Life Care
We believe that the final moments with your pet are your time comforting your friend and that the best transition is at home. We want your pet to fall asleep wrapped in their blankets, surrounded by their loved ones. Once asleep, they will be given the last medication to help them transition to the next place. We offer afterbody care through a local, compassionate, honest cremation facility.
ADDRESS
43 Race Point Rd. E-1
Provincetown, MA 02657
EMPLOYMENT
Current job openings
HOURS
Monday 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Friday 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED