We are proud to be able to serve Tolland, CT and our surrounding communities to give your pet the best care that they deserve!
Our staff at Tolland Veterinary Hospital consists of a unique group of animal lovers who are here to help you and your pet!
They are highly trained and dedicated to making sure that your pets receive care and compassion every time they walk in the door!
We offer the following services to keep your pets healthy:
Dental Care
Even the most cooperative pet may not allow home tooth brushing and dental care, leaving their teeth at risk for decay. We perform dental cleanings under anesthesia. When a tooth is cavitated or decayed, extraction may be performed. We require your permission before any extractions are done (see Surgery Consent form). Your pet won't mind losing that infected tooth, they will feel better and eat better once a bad tooth is gone. They also will have much better breath, which every pet owner appreciates!
Surgery
We perform a wide selection of surgical procedures:
- Routine surgeries - Spay and Neuters.
- Skin/Integument surgeries - wound repair, growth removal, correction of excessive vaginal/facial folds, skin biopsy, and others.
- Abdominal surgeries - removal of urinary bladder stones (Cystotomy), removal of stomach/intestinal foreign body or masses (Gastrotomy/Enterotomy), spleen removal (Splenectomy), investigative/biopsy collection (Exploratory), Caesarian, and others.
- Orthopedic surgeries - ACL repair, FHO, Patella Luxation repair, and others.
- Others - prevention of urinary blockages (Urethrostomy) and others.
General Anesthesia
All surgeries are performed under the most modern anesthetic protocols. Your pet is closely monitored during anesthesia and surgery by a trained member of our staff, who is with your pet continuously from the beginning of anesthesia to recovery. All anesthetic procedures require the placement of an IV catheter and the use of IV fluids to prevent dehydration and provide support to the circulatory system.
Our anesthesia protocol consists of 3 steps:
- Pre-anesthetic - the patient receives a combination of drugs that reduces anxiety, controls pain, and causes sedation.
- Induction - the patient is injected with a drug that allows the placement of a tracheal tube.
- Maintenance - the patient is connected to an anesthesia machine that provides closely regulated anesthetic gas. A computerized monitor records pulse, heart rate, oxygen levels, respiration, ECG, and blood pressure.
It is of great importance to us that all patients are given appropriate pain medications to ensure that they are comfortable and free of pain throughout the procedure and recovery.
Emergency and Urgent/Critical Care
We see emergencies during working hours. If you feel that your pet is experiencing a medical condition that requires immediate attention, call the front desk (860-875-5748) and we will assess the urgency and will fit you in if warranted. We consider the following conditions as emergencies:
- Respiratory distress (difficulty breathing, labored breathing, severe persistent cough, etc)
- Fainting and seizures
- Severe uncontrolled vomiting and diarrhea
- Bleeding wound
- Toxin consumption
- Eye injury
- Sudden inability to get up
- Inability to urinate
We have a veterinarian and personnel on duty during regular office hours who are trained and equipped to handle any urgent care your pet might have. When you arrive, our technician will triage your pet and give you an estimate of how long you may have to wait in order to be seen. In case of a critical patient that requires overnight care, we will arrange for a transfer to a 24-hour emergency clinic after our regular hours
Ultrasound
Tolland Veterinary Hospital now offers a complete abdominal ultrasound scan on-site using our cutting-edge high-resolution ultrasound machine. This non-invasive diagnostic tool allows us to visualize internal organs and detect any abnormalities. We commonly use this outstanding tool to assess medical conditions associated with the liver, spleen, kidneys, urinary bladder, adrenal glands, stomach, small/large intestines, and pancreas. In emergency cases, we use the ultrasound machine to detect abdominal/chest free-fluid, and we can also confirm pregnancy and fetus viability.
Exotic and Pocket Pets
We are dedicated to providing exceptional care for all pets, including pocket pets such as rats, mice, hamsters, ferrets, and other small animals. Our experienced team understands the unique needs of these miniature companions and offers a full range of services tailored specifically for them. From routine health check-ups to nutritional counseling, and specialized treatments, we ensure your pocket pets receive the highest standard of care. We are committed to creating a comfortable and stress-free environment for your small pets, treating them with the same compassion and attention to detail as we do for larger animals.
Advanced Digital X-rays
At Tolland Veterinary Hospital in Tolland, CT , we are proud to be on the cutting edge of medical technology. Our DR X-ray machine allows us to obtain a non-invasive view of the various body parts (chest, abdomen, and skeletal). This is a valuable diagnostic tool that helps our veterinarians detect and prevent illness.
Spay and Neuter
Spaying and neutering are important and necessary medical procedures that enhance the quality of your pets' lives. Spaying and neutering have positive effects on your pets' health, but it's also vital to controlling the homeless pet population. Spaying and neutering can help reduce the risk of certain health issues, such as some cancers and infections, and can contribute to more balanced behavior by addressing aggression and preventing unintended pregnancies. Our skilled veterinary team is dedicated to performing these procedures with the utmost care and minimal discomfort for your pet. Choosing to spay or neuter your pet at our facility supports their long-term health and well-being and plays a role in managing the population of homeless animals. For female small animals (less than 30 pounds), spaying at less than 6 months of age and before the first heat cycle is recommended. For females above 30 pounds, we recommend spaying after completing their growth (i.e. Labrador Retrievers would be spayed at approx 1 year of age, and Great Danes would be spayed at 1.5 to 2 years of age).
Microchipping
At Tolland Veterinary Hospital, we are happy to offer microchipping. Every year, thousands and thousands of pets go missing. Not knowing where your pet is or how to bring them back can be a helpless, hopeless feeling. It’s a tragedy that happens all too often.
But there is a simple, safe, and effective way to ensure your pet's safety and retrieval should he or she ever become lost. Microchipping is a standard procedure that implants a tiny chip underneath your pet's fur. It is a painless and relatively fast procedure and is completely safe.
Vaccinations
At Tolland Veterinary Hospital, we believe that vaccination is one of the most important aspects of caring for your pet. Your pet may be exposed to a variety of diseases and proper vaccination protocol is imperative for your pet's health. There are two types of vaccines - The first is known as core-vaccine and should be administrated to every pet. The second type of vaccine is given based on the pet’s lifestyle and geographical place of living.
The following are vaccine guidelines for DOGS:
| Vaccine | Who needs it? |
| Rabies | Every dog (Core Vaccine) |
| DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) | Every dog (Core vaccine) |
| Lyme (Transferred by ticks) | All dogs in New England |
| Leptospirosis (Fatal infection transferred via contact with wild animal’s urine, Zoonotic) | Active dogs who go for walks in the woods, might drink from standing water or live in proximity to wild animals such as raccoons and rodents |
| Bordetella | Dogs that may come in contact with other dogs |
| Influenza | Dogs that may stay in kennels, boarding facilities or dog parks |
The following are vaccine guidelines for CATS:
| Vaccine | Who needs it? |
| Rabies | Every cat (Core Vaccine) |
| FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) | Every cat (Core vaccine) |
| FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) | Cats that spend time outside and may come in contact with other cats |
Wellness Exams
A comprehensive physical examination is an important tool in detecting early abnormalities and assuring a long and healthy life. This examination includes weight and vital signs gauging; Skin and hair-coat assessment; Eyes, ears, and nose evaluation; Oral examination; Heart and lung auscultation; Bones, joint, and muscle palpation; Abdomen and lymph nodes palpation. In addition, some pets may require anal gland expression and evaluation of lumps and bumps. This visit is also an opportunity to raise any issues your pet might have.
During this wellness visit, we will also ensure that your pet is protected against common diseases and will update vaccines as needed. To detect illnesses that cannot be discovered with a physical examination alone, we may collect blood and run essential blood tests.
There are two types of vaccines. The first is known as core-vaccines and should be administered to every pet; it includes Rabies and Distemper. The second type of vaccine is given based on the pet’s lifestyle and geographical place of living; it includes Lyme, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Influenza, and FelV (in cats).
When you arrive at your appointment, we will provide you with clear information regarding your pet's exact vaccination needs. See the "Wellness visit, Vaccinations, and Lab-work Guideline" forms, under "Client Center".
Nutritional Counseling
Tolland Veterinary Hospital offers nutritional counseling for pet owners of Tolland, CT and surrounding communities. If you have any questions about your pet's diet or would like more information about your pet's nutritional needs, please contact us today. We can set up a nutrition plan for your pet.
Obesity is a common problem among pets, as it can be easy to overfeed a cute dog or cat who knows how to beg. Being overweight is a serious problem for animals, and can cause real health problems. With proper diet and exercise, all pets should be able to meet their dietary needs and stay within a healthy weight range. With the right approach, all pets can achieve and maintain a healthy weight, leading to a longer, happier life. If you're concerned about your pet's weight or dietary habits, please contact us today to set up a consultation.
Behavior Management
We offer solutions for a variety of behavioral issues that pet owners are faced with. Behavioral problems can be challenging and frustrating for both pets and pet owners, so it is our goal to work with you towards a solution.
Many behaviors can be negative or destructive, and many pet owners feel helpless in bringing peace to their homes. We want you to know that we are here to help, and those undesirable behaviors can be corrected.
Parasite Prevention
The idea of your pet being infested with parasites is a disturbing thought, but it's also a medical issue that can have serious consequences if not properly dealt with or prevented. Parasites pose a variety of health issues for our pets, who can be very susceptible to certain parasites depending on age, region, and other factors.
At Tolland Veterinary Hospital, we emphasize the importance of preventing parasites. Through preventative measures, you can successfully protect your pet. Pets that are not protected often develop parasites, leading to serious problems for them and their owners.
Onsite Diagnostics Tests
We have comprehensive diagnostic tests including:
- In-house laboratory - for comprehensive blood, urine, and fecal tests. This allows us to obtain results within 30 minutes. Some of the specific tests we are capable of running in-house include:
- CBC
- Chemistry panel (Kidney values, Liver enzymes, Protein, Electrolytes, etc.)
- Tick Borne diseases (Lyme, Ehrlichia , Anaplasma)
- Heartworm test
- Feline viral infections (FIV, FeLV)
- Fecal parasites (Giardia, Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Coccidia etc.)
- Parvo test
- Thyroid hormone
- Urine Analysis
- External laboratory - for a wide range of additional tests.
- Digital X-ray - for chest, abdomen, head, back and limbs x-rays
- Ultrasound - for comprehensive abdominal scanning
Hospital Care for Sickness & Injury
Our hospital provides hospitalization for sick animals, however critically sick pets should be admitted to a 24/7 hospital. Our veterinarian will evaluate your pet's condition and will advise as to the appropriate hospitalization option.
Hospitalized patients are attended to by experienced staff and provided with IV fluids, injectable medications, close supervision, and appropriate monitoring tests.