Primary Care

Primary care services performed at our hospitals are the basic services every pet needs. These services include spays and neuters, health exams, laboratory and pharmacy services, and dental care. Please click on any of the subheadings listed below to learn more about all of the primary care services we offer your pets.
Available Services
  • Pets can suffer from allergies to elements in the environment around them, as well as certain ingredients in their foods, just like people can ... Read more

  • Anesthesia indicates the use of medication to block sensation, typically resulting in unconsciousness Anesthesia is induced using a variety of medications, both injectable and inhaled ... Read more


  • Our hospital is an Animal Quarantine Approved Hospital The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has strict regulations about the importation... Read more

  • Dogs and cats don't often get cavities But they do frequently suffer from other types of dental disease Periodontal or gum disease, in fact, is the number one illness found in both dogs and cats... Read more

  • Our hospital offers dental radiographs (x-rays) as part of our dental care services. In the course of dental treatment, specially designed dental radiology equipment allows your veterinarian to view structures that lie below the gum line. The location of tooth root infections, the extent of periodontal bone loss and the identification of bone cysts and tumors can be identified using dental x-rays.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers a variety of Dentistry Services. At your pet's yearly examination it may be determined that they require a dental cleaning. Routine veterinary dentistry involves prophylaxis (teeth cleaning), polishing and a full oral examination.... Read more

  • If you have ever wanted to know the exact DNA makeup of your mixed breed dog? We can help! The procedure is very simple, and only requires a small blood sample to be drawn from your dog by one of our veterinary technicians. This sample is then sent off to an outside laboratory where a complete analysis will reveal your pet’s heritage. Results are usually available within 3 to 4 weeks.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers thorough Ear Exams as one of our many services. Symptoms like head shaking, scratching and pawing at the ears, rubbing the ears on the floor or furniture, whining, and abnormal odors are common.

    Conditions of the ear occur frequently in dogs and cats and result from a variety of causes.... Read more

  • Our staff will help you cope with euthanasia and end of life decisions. Unfortunately, there comes a time in the life of all pets when the possibility of a recovery to a comfortable existence is highly unlikely. Caretakers of an animal must at this time consider all possibilities to relieve the pet's suffering.... Read more

  • Our hospital is proud to offer our clients a complete diagnostic laboratory. Our in clinic laboratory machines can perform complete blood cell counts, complete chemistry panels, including liver, kidney, and pancreatic enzyme function tests, glucose, and electrolytes. Additionally, our hospital can send samples out to a diagnostic laboratory ensuring that we have a wide range of dianstic capabilities.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers many General Surgery Services that include a variety of common and elective procedures performed under general anesthesia.

    Examples of common surgeries include: spay (ovariohysterectomy), neuter (castration), lump removal and biopsy, laceration repair, abscess and wound repair, exploratory surgery, removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies, enucleation (eye removal), cystotomy (removal of bladder stones), and skin biopsy.

    As these procedures usually require general anesthesia, please refer to our Anesthesia Services for a detailed description of our offerings.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers Geriatric (Senior Wellness) Medicine Services for your older pet.

    When your pet reaches his or her "golden years" they require special care and your veterinarian will recommend certain screening tests. The tests enable your veterinarian to provide an early diagnosis for some of the common diseases that affect older pets, so that they can manage those diseases more effectively.... Read more

  • There are two types of health certificates available, one which approves pets for travel within the continental United States, and another which approves them for international travel.

    Acquiring a health certificate will require you to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your pet will receive an overall exam during which the doctor will be able to certify that your pet is healthy and safe for travel.... Read more

  • Wellness Exams not only help flag any potential problems with your pet's health, but they are also important in creating an overall medical history for your pet. By meeting regularly with your pet, your veterinarian is able to become better acquainted with his or her personal history, and is able to offer more personalized care.

    For pets who are 6 years and younger, Wellness Exams are recommended at least once a year.... Read more

  • Our hospital staff specializes in hospice care for your pet. Hospice care describes the care of pets that have terminal illness, such as cancer or severe organ failure. Our veterinarians aim to keep suffering and pain to an absolute minimum, and try to maintain your pet's quality of life.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers hospitalization services. Hospitalization involves admitting your pet into the hospital for monitoring or necessary medical care. Your pet will have their own cage or kennel within the hospital building and will be monitored closely by technicians and veterinarians throughout their stay.... Read more

  • VCA Animal Care Center Chicago Laboratory

    Our hospital is equipped with an In-House Laboratory that enables our veterinarians to quickly perform diagnostic tests on a variety of body fluids (ear swabs, blood, urine, feces, etc. to achieve an accurate and rapid diagnosis.

    This is especially important in very ill animals and those requiring immediate or emergency treatment.... Read more

  • For your convenience, our hospital has an in-house pharmacy, enabling you to pick up your pet's medications at the time of your visit.

    While no hospital carries every medication, we keep the most commonly prescribed medications in stock. If your pet requires a medication that we do not carry, call ahead and we may be able to order it for you.... Read more

  • Our hospital features a dedicated surgical suite.

    Surgical suites are rooms designated for use during surgery only. These rooms are kept as clean as possible to minimize bacteria and other infectious organisms that would be capable of contaminating a surgical wound.... Read more

  • Hospital offers an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for treating your pet during times of critical need.

    Pets requiring ICU are often very ill and require specialized nursing staff and veterinarians to pull them through a crisis. The nursing staff are also often trained in advanced techniques and monitoring and may also have undergone additional certification.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers a variety of Internal Medicine Services.

    Internal Medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, management and nonsurgical treatment of disease affecting the lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, intestinal tract, urinary tract, endocrine system and neuromuscular systems. Management of these conditions is typically done with diet, exercise and medications.... Read more

  • Our hospital maintains an isolated area to prevent the spread of contagious disease from potentially infectious patients to others in the hospital.

    These procedures include the appropriate use of disinfectants, the proper disposal of infectious materials, and the wearing of disposable gloves, boots, masks and gowns while handling infectious patients.

    All these measures are meant to keep our patients and staff healthy.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers oxygen therapy for the treatment of many acute cardiac, respiratory and blood disorders. Oxygen may be provided to patients by a nasal catheter, oxygen cage, hood or mask. Close veterinary monitoring of these patients is required to maintain oxygen flow, avoid potential complications of oxygen usage and to insure that the expected therapeutic goals are met.... Read more

  • Keeping your pet pain-free is crucial to maintaining his or her quality of life. Our veterinarians use a multi-modal approach to pain management that includes anti-inflammatories, opioid drugs, local anesthetics, general anesthetics, and even epidural anesthesia to effectively combat pain at all levels. Some of our veterinarians even offer alternative services such as acupuncture or chiropractics for additional pain relief options.... Read more

  • Our veterinarians offer periodontic techniques to help slow periodontal disease and tooth loss.

    Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in dogs and cats. Periodontics involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the tissues that surround the teeth.... Read more

  • VCA Animal Care Center Chicago Radiology

    Our hospital offers routine radiology services. Radiology is the study and science of x-rays.

    X-rays are used to help your veterinarian diagnose a problem or a disease in your pet.... Read more

  • What is a root canal?

    The root canal is a tunnel in the center of the tooth holding the tooth's pulp (nerve, blood vessels and lymphatics). Root canal therapy is a treatment which involves removing infected contents from the center of the tooth, sterilizing the canal, and replacing the removed material with dental material which provides antibiotic action. The tooth is then restored to function.... Read more

  • In our continuing efforts to offer the highest quality veterinary medicine, we are pleased to provide a wide range of surgical services for our patients. From routine surgical procedures, such as spaying and neutering, to more complex surgeries, we look forward to the opportunity to care for your pet's surgical needs.

    Our staff is highly skilled in performing veterinary surgeries and will make every effort to ensure that your pet receives the very best care.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers Sevofluarne Anesthesia for your pet. Anesthesia is the use of medication to block sensation, typically resulting in unconsciousness.

    There are several forms of gas anesthesia available, however, a newer gas, called Sevoflurane, allows very precise control of a pet's anesthesia level.... Read more

  • Our hospital routinely performs spays and neuters, the surgical sterilization of female and male dogs and cats. Spaying involves removal of the uterus and ovaries of female dogs and cats and is called ovariohysterectomy. Neutering involves removal of the testicles of male dogs and cats and is called castration.... Read more

  • There are several problems that may affect your pet's urinary tract, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder crystals or bladder stones, kidney disease, incontinence, and even cancer. Finding a comprehensive solution to those problems, whether that be dietary changes, medications, or surgery, our team of veterinarians are here to help your pet with successful treatment.

    .... Read more