Dental special in October!

This month, we are offering a DENTAL SPECIAL!

We're giving 10% off each dental--that's EVERYTHING related to the dental procedure (anesthesia, monitoring, etc.), not just one aspect of it. Call to make an appointment!

Dental procedures are normally done on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We ask that you drop off your pet between 7:30-8am (fasting for 12 hours prior). Pick up will be later that day before closing hours, provided all goes well.

We aren't able to give dental quotes or estimate prices over the phone, however you can make an appointment for a 15 minute FREE dental exam. We'll give you as close an estimate as possible. It's not always easy to predict extractions ahead of time, but we'll do our best to be as accurate as possible.

Call today! 630-289-2288

Before photo of a small dog with dental disease:

After photo of the same dog following his dental cleaning:

World Rabies Day

274. 93. 42. That's how many rabies cases were reported in the US in 2007 in cats, dogs, and horses, respectively.

Yet the human figures around the world are staggeringly worse: more than 55,000 people die from rabies every year. Tools and technology are available to help prevent these deaths through canine rabies elimination and access to prompt medical care. Rabies is the most deadly disease known to mankind and there is no known cure. Most of the animals that die of rabies were either never vaccinated against rabies or they did not receive the appropriate booster dose of vaccine in a timely manner. Most humans that die of rabies did not understand the necessary steps required to prevent rabies and did not seek medical advice and appropriate medical treatment after they were exposed.

September 28 is World Rabies Day, a unified global effort to make history in the fight against rabies and teach others how easy it is to prevent rabies.

What can you do? Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines, including rabies. In Illinois, it's required by law in all counties that pets be vaccinated. You're doing your pet AND yourself a favor by vaccinating! More information can be found on the World Rabies Day website.

Oh, the fun we had!

On Friday June 5th, WVC (employees and relatives) took part in the Relay for Life, an overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. While it may seem strange to say we have fun, we really did! They make the event so interesting with lots of activities. There didn't seem to be as many people there as there were last year, but it was still a good crowd!

Here are some pictures from the event:

Our tent area.

The COOLEST spinning wheel! We charged $1 per spin (all proceeds going to the ACS) and had it filled with prizes like goodie bag treats, free nail trims, and 15% off dental procedures. Most of the kids preferred the goodie bag treats. ☺

Our theme this year: Polly Wanna CURE! We also hung a memorial poster for Dr. Lisa's mother, Carol, who passed away in 1992 from cancer.

Some of the beautiful luminarias that were purchased in memory or honor of those fighting cancer. It was an incredible site, highlighted with the playing of a bagpipe.

Relay for Life!

We're getting closer to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, taking place June 5-6th in Streamwood/Bartlett/Hanover Park. WVC will be there and this year's theme will be "Polly Wanna CURE!" There will be lots of bird-related paraphernalia in our area, so keep an eye out for us!

If you'd like to make a contribution, our team page can be viewed by clicking here. All donations--any amount--are welcome! Each penny earned goes to support a cure for cancer.

If you plan to go to the Relay, stop by and see us! We'll likely have a large tent with a lot of signs and a lot of people! Look for the bird stuff!

Happy Spring!

Spring is here—and so are the bugs! Parasite prevention is important all year round for pets, and even more so when the warmer weather arrives. Now is the time for us make sure we're doing all we should to protect your pet from these 'bugs'.

Fleas can transmit some pretty nasty diseases to your pet, such as tapeworm and cat scratch fever (Bartonellosis). For many pets, the itch is merely annoying. For others, just one bite can cause an allergic reaction and ongoing skin problems.

Ticks carry Lyme disease, as well as lesser known but serious diseases, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Many of these diseases can affect people as well as pets. That's why it's doubly important to protect your pet.

Heartworms are transmitted to dogs and cats through the bite of an infected mosquito. These parasites can live in your pet's lungs, blood vessels, and heart. Heartworm infection can be fatal in both dogs and cats, and since mosquitoes can survive quite well indoors, even completely indoor pets can be at risk.

Intestinal parasites, such as roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm, can infect both dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible, and some species can infect humans as well. These parasites can cause vomiting, gastric upset, and diarrhea in infected pets.

The good news is that all these internal and external parasites are easily preventable. The most effective parasite protection program is one designed around your pet's individual lifestyle and risk factors.

We carry a wide variety of products here at WVC. Contact us for more information on how to protest your pet from parasites!!

Earth Day!

Join us this Saturday, April 25, at the Bartlett Nature Center from 12-4pm for an afternoon of Earth Day celebrations!

2054 W. Stearns Rd., Bartlett, IL

(see below for directions)

WVC will be there with handouts and free goodies, along with lots of activities for kids. There is a huge list of participants who will be there to teach you all about everything GREEN!

There will be raffles, craft-making, bird-watching, free massages and spinal screenings, paper-making, and a host of other goodies for everyone.

Also expected is The Mix 101.9 Road Crew, who will be broadcasting from their music van from 1-4pm.

Hope to see you there!

The Bartlett Nature Center is located in the Visitor Center at the James "Pate" State Park, 2054 w. Stearns Rd., on the north side of Stearns Rd., east of Route 25, west of Powis Rd., when the road merges into one lane.

Relay for Life!

We hope everyone had a safe and happy Easter!

On June 5-6th, the WVC staff and doctor will be participating in the 2009 Relay for Life of Bartlett/Hanover Park/Streamwood. For those who don't know, the Relay for Life is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It's an overnight fundraiser where participants raise money for cancer awareness.

Each of the staff members, and the doctor herself, have all been affected by cancer in some way, mostly through people we know and love who have fought the beast. Some have won the fight, but many have not. We aren't going there to just promote our business, but in honor or memory of those near and dear to us who have fought the fight. Sadly, there have been many.

We have several cans set up in the clinic for donations. Any amount is welcome! We're also planning to do a clinic-wide fundraiser one weekend before the big event. We'll let you know more about that when it happens.

Hoppy Easter from WVC!

With Easter fast approaching, please remember that those yummy chocolate Easter bunnies in the baskets are TOXIC to dogs! Keep all candy and chocolate out of Rover's sight!

Enjoy a very HOPPY EASTER from all of us at WVC!

Chicagoland Family Pet Expo 2009

We're gearing up for this year's Pet Expo at the

Arlington Park Racecourse

in Arlington Heights, IL

March 20 (11a-6p), 21 (9a-6p), and 22 (9a-5p).

You can find us there on Saturday and Sunday,

sharing a booth with Bark Avenue Daycamp, a doggie day camp, training facility, boarding house, and grooming salon located in Bartlett.

There will be over 300 booths of pet products and services, along with a plethora of contests on Saturday and Sunday: WCFO Dancing with Dogs, CFA Cat Show, Sanctioned Parrot Show, Lovable Pooch Contest, and Household Cat Contest, among others.

The admissions cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids,

but if you stop into WVC, we have $1 off coupons for everyone!

You can read more about the Pet Expo, or get current information and a schedule of events, on their website. They ask that you leave your pet at home, but bring a photo of him/her! Many vendors can personalize items for you!

Video about Dental Cleanings

Ever wonder what a dental cleaning involves? We’ve created a video of an actual procedure done here at our clinic. It’s a long video–about 8-10 minutes–but it’s a detailed step-by-step account of what goes on. The best part is the music!! NB: the last 2 minutes or so of the video is blank, so it basically ends after the credits (about 8 and a half minutes).

Crank up the sound and enjoy the video!!

Dental Treatments

Here’s a dog with Stage 1 Periodontal Disease (gingivitis):








Here’s the same dog after a professional dental cleaning/treatment at our clinic:









The early stages of periodontal disease begin with a slight red line evident where the gingiva (gum tissue) meets the tooth. This is called gingivitis, which means that the gingiva/gum tissue is inflammed. If left untreated, this will progress and result in loosened periodontal ligaments and loose teeth, pain, infection, pus, worsening of breath, and even internal disease. It is well documented that chronic gingivitis and periodontal disease is associated with (results in or causes) heart, liver, and/or kidney disease in both pets and humans.

The only way to prevent periodontal disease from developing is to provide home care for your pet along with regular professional dental cleanings/treatments.

Prior to scheduling a dental treatment, we take time to educate our clients about what is involved in our dental treatment. Many people believe that a “dental” just involves scraping the visible tartar off of the teeth. Our dental treatments are actually MUCH MORE than that. Doing nothing more than scraping the tartar from a pet’s teeth does not do that pet justice and is actually what I consider a waste of money. Think of what is done to your teeth at your cleanings. Not only is the visible tartar removed from your teeth, but scaling (plaque and tartar removal) is performed BELOW the gumline as well. This is the area where accumulation of bacteria is most harmful.

Our dental treatments start with removal of visible plaque and tartar above the gumline. This is followed by scaling and removal of plaque, tartar, and other debris below the gumline. Once this is accomplished, we irrigate/rinse the gingival tissue with a dilute antiseptic solution to ward off bacteria.

After irrigation, we dry and apply fluoride to the teeth.

The fluoride is then rinsed, the teeth are dried again, and then polishing of the teeth is performed.

Again, the teeth are rinsed and dried.

Lastly, we apply a barrier gel called OraVet to the surfaces of the teeth. OraVet prevents further plaque attachment by 46%, when it is continued to be applied on a weekly basis at home.
If there are other dental problems present, additional procedures may be performed, including dental Xrays, local antibiotic application, dental nerve blocks with extraction of teeth, or other more advanced procedures.

As you can see, there is a lot involved in a dental treatment, and this cannot be done on a pet that is awake.

How often should your pet have a dental treatment? This depends on the age, breed, and amount of home care performed. After evaluation of your pet’s teeth, we can provide you with an estimate for a dental treatment and make recommendations about home care and the frequency of professional dental treatments.

Puppy and Kitten Clubs!

As us about our puppy and kitten club!

We offer discounted pricing for new puppy/kitten services.

Need more info? Call the office at 630-289-2288 or click here to email.

Posted by: Becky

Brand new blog!

Welcome to the new Westgate Veterinary blog! I say new because we had one before, but it just wasn't as good as this these are, so we changed it.

We'll be putting a bunch of new postings on here in the next few weeks so stayed tuned!

Posted by: Becky