A Year in Review: Reflecting on Our First Year of “Helping Pets and Supporting Vets

We are proud to have been helping pets for the past year. We opened our doors at L&L Animal Urgent care on March 27, 2023. In the last 311 working days, we have helped so many dogs and cats, as well as their families and the local veterinarians that trust us with their referrals. 

In our first year, we have performed over 3,000 examinations on dogs and cats. Of those cases, 18 were cats that were unable to urinate and required emergency catheterization. We performed abdominal radiographs (x-rays) on 321 pets to look for intestinal blockages or other signs of disease. Our skilled doctors helped surgically repair lacerations in 40 pets. Using our in-house ultrasound machine, we identified concerning disease and fluid accumulation in the chest of 11 cats that required thoracocentesis, or careful drainage via needle. 

However, our care isn't limited to life-threatening conditions. We also help pets with painful or uncomfortable conditions. For example, we identified and treated ear infections in 202 pets and performed bacterial cultures on 187 pets to accurately diagnose their infections and ensure they received the right antibiotics.  

We strive to treat each patient like one of our own pets. We are so happy to see new breeds and learn the stories behind a chosen name. Every pet that we interact with is an opportunity to have a positive connection. One patient that stands out to us is Tulip. This lovely two-year-old black lab had a penchant for eating socks. Tulip’s family had been diligently watching her and became concerned when she began vomiting earlier in the day.  

When we met Tulip, she was very stable on her exam but was repeatedly stretching in a “downward dog” position, which can indicate abdominal discomfort. Tulip’s family immediately allowed us to take radiographs (also called x-rays) of her abdomen which confirmed that Tulip had been up to her old tricks; there was an object, likely a sock, in her digestive tract. Knowing that she may need surgery, an IV catheter was placed, and we performed blood work. Our in-house analyzers allowed us to obtain a complete blood count (CBC) and full chemistry within 30 minutes, giving us more information about Tulip’s condition. 

We called one of the local specialty hospitals and discussed the case with their admitted emergency veterinarian. They were happy to accept Tulip as a transfer to their facility and could perform surgery if needed. To ensure Tulip was as stable and well hydrated as possible, she received an anti-nausea medication and fluids prior to transfer. 

All of Tulip’s care and diagnostics were performed in about two hours from start to finish and then she was on her way to the specialty hospital. We were happy to have an update from the specialty hospital the next day: with IV fluids, Tulip ended up passing the sock on her own without surgery and was back home! 

We were so happy to be able to provide accurate and rapid diagnostics and then coordinate closely with one of our many local specialty hospitals to get Tulip the care she needed overnight. Tulip’s family was instrumental in a good outcome for Tulip; by having a clear history of her recent activity and acting quickly when they saw signs of concerns at home, early intervention helped her to avoid surgery. 

As we reflect on our first year at L&L Animal Urgent Care, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to care for so many beloved pets. Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to provide the best care possible, and we are excited to continue this journey. We look forward to helping even more pets and their families, just like Tulip, in the years to come. If you ever find yourself worried about your pet’s health, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’re here to ensure every pet receives the care and attention they deserve. Here’s to another year of making a diƯerence in the lives of our furry friends!

Written by: Cathy Pierce, DVM