Conventional Services
All of our doctors here at AACC are trained in conventional, or Western medicine, which consists of evidence-based medical procedures and treatments based on modern Western-style scientific study. Designed for pet parents seeking standard medical care and diagnostic evaluations for their animals, our conventional services help identify, manage, and treat various pet illnesses. Some of our doctors also practice Eastern or alternative medicine and integrate this with Western techniques if you are interested in both modalities.
Western medicine is defined as “evidence-based” and is the product of controlled, scientific studies. It is the type of health care you yourself will have experienced in human doctors’ offices and hospitals in the United States. It is generally broken down into body-system categories such as Dermatology (skin diseases), Oncology (cancer), Ophthalmology (eye diseases), Dentistry (diseases of the teeth and oral cavity), and Gastroenterology (stomach and intestinal diseases).
We use the hands-on physical exam and various tests to help diagnose what is causing your pet’s illness. Since your pet cannot talk, we rely on you, the pet parent, to help us decide what is normal or abnormal for your pet based on his/her behavior, eating and eliminating habits, and vocalizations, among other things to determine which tests are most likely to give us useful information. We have a full in-house laboratory and are able to perform blood tests, microscopic tests, radiographs (x-rays), basic ultrasound, and surgical biopsies in our hospital. In the case that more advanced testing or surgery is needed, we can provide advanced ultrasound, echocardiograms (heart ultrasound) and advanced surgery in our hospital by bringing in veterinary specialists who will perform the tests or surgery right here at AACC. In the event that your pet needs 24-hour care, CT, MRI testing, or critical care, we have great relationships with the surrounding specialty hospitals that can help. We can also refer you and your pet for specialty consults as needed, and are able to work closely with board-certified specialists to continue your pet’s care between their hospital and ours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is conventional or Western veterinary medicine?
Western medicine is defined as “evidence-based” care that relies on controlled, scientific studies and systematic physical examinations to diagnose and treat diseases across specific body systems, such as dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology, dentistry, and gastroenterology.
What in-house diagnostic tests do you offer?
Our hospital features a full in-house laboratory where we can perform blood tests, microscopic evaluations, radiographs (x-rays), basic ultrasound imaging, and surgical biopsies.
What happens if my pet needs specialized testing or surgery?
If your pet requires advanced ultrasounds, echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds), or specialized surgery, we bring veterinary specialists directly into our hospital to perform these tests and procedures.
Can you handle advanced care or imaging like CT scans and MRIs?
While CT scans, MRIs, and 24-hour critical care are handled outside our facility, we maintain strong relationships with surrounding specialty hospitals and work closely with board-certified specialists to ensure continuous, coordinated care for your pet.
How do you determine which diagnostic tests my pet needs?
Since pets cannot speak for themselves, our doctors rely on hands-on physical exams combined with information provided by you—such as changes in your pet’s behavior, eating habits, vocalizations, and elimination patterns—to select the most useful tests.