Referral ServicesTribute to Dr. John Whitefield
SERVICES

Established in 1972, our full service veterinary hospital offers routine wellness examinations and immunizations, medical, surgical and dental services, hospitalization and diagnostic testing. We also provide veterinary supervised boarding and professional pet grooming, as well as nutritional and behavioral counseling.

Please visit the Referral Section of our website for information regarding our Referral and Specialty Practice.

Senior Pet Care and
Geriatric Pet Evaluations
Hours and Appointments Grooming
Medical Care Boarding
Hospitalization Dental Care
Surgery Pocket Pets & Exotic Animal Care
Radiology Pharmacy and Pet Supplies
Endoscopy Prescriptions Diets
Ultrasound Behavior Medicine
CT Diagnostic Imaging Weight Loss and Conditioning
Oncology & Cancer Treatment Pet Identification and
Microchip Systems

 

Wellness Exams and Preventative Vaccinations - The best medicine for your pet is preventative medicine. Since all aspects of your pet's life affect his or her health, we want to help you with more than vaccinations, tests for parasites, and the physical exam your pet needs at least once each year. We want to talk to you about your pet's dental needs, proper exercise and training, the best diet for your pet's age and condition, and various techniques for correcting his or her behavior problems. We encourage our pets' owners to participate in health care decisions.

 

Along with wellness examinations, preventive vaccinations are the cornerstone to good health. Due to the many recent discoveries and innovations in veterinary medicine, your pet can be protected from most major infectious diseases. Today, many immunizations and preventive treatments are available that did not exist just a few years ago. The veterinarians and staff at Hudson Highlands offer preventive care that is essential to the development and long-term health of your pet.

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Hours and Appointments - To allow ample time for all patients and scheduled surgical procedures we operate by appointment only. We have day, evening and weekend appointments in order to best accommodate your schedule. In addition, our staff is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day. For hospitalized patients you may speak to a doctor during the day or check on your pet's status at ANY time - day or night. Our technicians will be happy to speak with you.

Doctors are on call for Hudson Highlands General Practice patients 24 hours a day for emergencies. Specialty Practice patients who have been referred by another hospital will be seen only if the emergency is related to a recent surgery or visit (all others should call their referring veterinarian).

Hospital Hours of Operation:

Our Hopewell Junction Hospital is open 24 Hours a day to meet the needs of our clients and provide 24 hour care to our critically ill patients. Between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am it is requested that you call prior to arrival. Anyone with an emergency should call ahead in order to be sure the doctor is notified, and we are best prepared for your arrival. Our Beacon Office is open Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon.

Medical Care - If your pet is ill, we can generally arrange to see him or her the day that you call. If your pet is seriously ill, we will arrange to see your pet immediately.

Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Group is a well-equipped ultra-modern veterinary hospital. In order to diagnose your pet's illness, we have some of the finest and advanced instruments and techniques available. Our hospital is equipped with two modern state-of-the-art surgical suites, a radiography suite with both dental and full body capabilities, an ultrasound, endoscopy, an EKG apparatus, rehabilitation equipment (Ferno Underwater Treadmill) and several in-house blood and serum analyzers. Our in-house laboratory expedites diagnosis and treatment with a wide range of test results, including blood chemistry panels, blood cell counts fecal and urine analysis, Lyme disease testing, heartworm testing and antifreeze testing. Since your pets' blood test results are only minutes away, our doctors and staff can begin treatment as soon as your pet arrives at the hospital.

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Hospitalization - Treatment of most illnesses begins at the hospital. Follow up care is generally continued at home. Our doctors and staff are always available to help and support you during the home care portion of the treatment. For some illnesses, your pet needs to stay at the hospital for fluid therapy, metabolic stabilization, wound treatment, or other procedures that require direct veterinary supervision. Our hospital is equipped with cutting edge diagnostic and patient monitoring equipment necessary to handle the most critically ill patient. During the hospitalization period, the doctors speak with you daily about your pet's progress, and you may call at ANY time to check on them. If you are awake and worrying at 3:00 in the morning, we encourage you to call so we can put your mind at ease. At Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Group, the entire staff is dedicated to making you and your pet feel comfortable and secure during his or her hospital stay.

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Surgery - Surgery is performed using the most current and safest anesthetics available. Sophisticated monitors are used to help the surgeons and veterinary surgical technicians detect any irregularities before they become serious problems. An in-house laboratory allows us to evaluate the patient the same day prior to surgery. We view every surgical procedure as a major operation, from the more common spay to the complicated orthopedic case. Pain management is a priority in our surgical cases. In addition, our veterinarians remain current in the most recent advances in anesthesia and surgery by attending continuing education courses on a regular basis.


Our chief of surgery, Dr. Paul McNamara is board certified in veterinary surgery and a member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. McNamara is one of only approximately 400 board-certified veterinary surgeons in the world.

While our general practitioners provide for your pets' routine surgical needs (such as spays, neuters, declaws, growth removals etc.), our surgery department is able to offer advanced state-of-the-art procedures in soft tissue and orthopedics such as but not limited to:

Abdominal and Intestinal Surgery
Anal Sacculectomy
Cystotomy, Urethrostomy
Uterine Infections
(pyometra)
General Ophthalmic and Eyelid surgery
Stomach
- Tumor, Outflow Obstructions, Torsions
Ear Surgery - Ablations, ear canal resections, tumor removal, bulla osteotomies
Hernia Repair
Knee Surgery
- Cruciate Ligament Injuries (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy), luxating patellas
Fracture Repair and Growth Abnormalities
Reconstructive Surgery and skin grafting
Thyroid Surgery

We help your pet safely recover from surgery with our comprehensive Pain Management Program, careful nursing care by our trained staff, special diets, and most importantly, gentle individualized attention and encouragement.

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Radiology - We have a state-of-the-art X-ray machine that produces excellent quality radiographs. Radiographs are essential for diagnosing certain medical and surgical problems, and are performed routinely, with pets either being awake or anesthetized. We also are able to perform various types of diagnostic contrast studies, and can perform X-rays for evaluating hip dysplasia.

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CT Diagnostic Imaging - Our hospital has installed one of the most advanced CT scanners in the Hudson Valley including Orange, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland and Dutchess Counties. Our GE Hi-Speed Advantage RP 2X is state of the art and allows for quick scan times and 3D reconstruction.

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Oncology & Cancer Treatment - Hudson Highlands Veterinary Specialty Group’s Oncology Department is once again available to meet the growing need for advanced cancer care for companion pets. Through our association with the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Cancer Center based in Norwalk Connecticut, we are able to offer oncology consultations and a full range of diagnostic and chemotherapeutic options, including the melanoma vaccine.

Our goal is to educate pet owners about the options that are available, and, with compassion, guide them toward the best treatment option that meets the needs of both owner and patient.

Consultations with the Oncology Department are conveniently available every Saturday for both referral patients as well as regular patients of Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Group. For an appointment please call Tara, our referral coordinator, at 845-223-8682.

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Endoscopy - Endoscopy is derived from the Greek words "scopy", meaning "look", and "endo", meaning "within". Flexible and rigid endoscopes give the veterinarian the ability to examine the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, upper and lower respiratory tract, and other organs of the body in a noninvasive manner.

The use of grasping forceps, snares, and biopsy forceps allows the removal of foreign objects, collection of samples for biopsy and culture, and removal of small polyps or tumors.

Endoscopy is a diagnostic test that is used in conjunction with laboratory analysis, radiography, and ultrasonagraphy to assist in making a definitive diagnosis and formulating a therapeutic plan for a patient. General anesthesia is required to perform endoscopic procedures.

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Ultrasound is a non-invasive modern technique that produces a visual imprint of the interior of the body. Unlike conventional X-rays which can cause harm if used excessively, recent evidence shows that ultrasound is completely free from these side effects. In addition, ultrasound allows the doctor to achieve a depth of detail that is not possible with X-rays. At Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Group, we offer cardiac and abdominal ultrasound performed by a cardiologist and specialists with advanced training in veterinary clinical practice.

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Weight Loss and Conditioning - With the use of our underwater treadmill and nutritional counseling, we hope to help maintain your pet in optimum condition at an ideal weight. Studies have shown that maintaining an ideal weight in your pet can add years to their lives. Their quality of life is also improved by minimizing the effects of joint disease and respiratory diseases. Post operatively, utilization of the treadmill can lessen the recovery time by allowing low impact exercise to maintain muscle function.

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Behavior Medicine - If your cat or dog exhibits a behavior problem, our veterinary behavior specialist, Dr. Ellen Lindell, can assess the situation. A behavior modification program may be suggested in order to meet the needs of the individual pet and the situation of the client. Each client and concern is treated on an individual basis by our board certified veterinary specialist.

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Boarding - Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Group offers boarding for pets with special medical needs that require 24 hour monitoring at our Hopewell Junction Hospital. The same veterinary assistants who help care for the hospitalized animals also care for our boarding kennel guests. The assistants are trained to recognize changes in your pet's appetite and attitude, and they work hard to keep pets clean and comfortable. Our Beacon facility provides general pet boarding for both dogs and cats. Reservations for boarding should be made well in advance, especially if around major holidays.

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Grooming - Our professional groomers are trained to groom purebred and mixed-breed dogs and cats. They also work with the doctors to help treat skin diseases and external parasites. Please feel free to speak either of our groomers if a particular cut is required. Some Home Grooming Tips for your Dog.

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Senior Pet Care and Geriatric Pet Evaluations - Great strides have been made in addressing the needs of older pets. Veterinarians today are well equipped with knowledge, products, and diagnostic tools to identify age related problems and formulate realistic strategies to allow our pets to live longer and richer lives. Please consult us if you have questions regarding your senior pet, and feel free to ask about our Senior Care Program.

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Dental Care - Good dental care is as important for your pet as it is for you. Proper dental care not only prevents bad breath and periodontal disease, but also prevents infection spreading through the blood stream to your pet's liver, kidneys and heart.

Our Hospital provides extensive dental care services with the routine cleaning and extractions provided by our General Practitioners.

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Pharmacy and Pet Supplies - We stock an extensive in-house drug inventory. Medications can be conveniently dispensed before leaving the clinic and they can be purchased online. Visit our new Online Pet Supply Store for details. Some of the supplies that we offer include:

Exotic Pet Supplies
Prescription Medications
Heartworm Prevention
Nutritional Supplements
Routine Pet Care and Grooming Products

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Prescription Diets - We stock a very extensive range of Hills and Iams Prescription Diets and are happy to place special orders to assure that your pet is able to get the diet our veterinarians recommend. Over many years, our doctors have developed great confidence in these diets as an adjunct to the treatment of a variety of diseases including those affecting the kidney, heart and liver. Additionally, there are diets for obesity, allergy and cancer, geriatrics, joint disease and diabetes, all which have been conclusively shown to help the underlying disease process, and which we therefore utilize regularly.

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Pocket Pets and Exotic Animal Care - Several of our veterinarians have a special interest in exotic and pocket pets and are able to provide you with information regarding their care, handling and health. Our knowledgeable staff can provide nutritional and husbandry advice for your furry loved ones including hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, mice, rats and rabbits.

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Pet Identification and Microchip System - A microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size and shape of a grain of rice. It is implanted beneath a pet's skin between the shoulder blades, and stays there for the pet's entire life. This procedure is as easy and as painless as a vaccination.

Each microchip has a unique number. This number, along with information about the owner and pet, are added to a national pet registry. Most veterinarians and animal shelters have electronic scanners for detecting and reading these implanted microchips. If a lost pet is found, and the microchip is scanned, the registry is called and the owner is contacted. We use "Home Again" microchip system, which is recognized nationwide. For Complete Information on the HomeAgain Microchip System, Please Click Here.

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