Richard E. Hoekstra, DVM
Services
Animal House Veterinary Service’s team of compassionate and knowledgeable staff offer a tailored approach to your pet’s wellness care by creating a unique treatment plan specific to your pet’s health. While we treat ailments, we place importance on preventative medicine and offer a variety of services.
Wellness
The wellness exam establishes a baseline of your pet's health, helping us identify any potential health issues early on. This proactive approach ensures we catch problems before they become serious and includes the following:
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Physical Exam and Vaccination Review: A thorough assessment of your pet's body systems to ensure overall health.
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Dental Check: A comprehensive oral exam to evaluate your pet’s dental health.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are key to keeping your pet healthy and preventing avoidable illnesses. During the wellness exam, we'll review and recommend the right vaccines for your pet based on their age and lifestyle. Some vaccines are required, while others may be suggested based on your pet’s needs.
Common Vaccines for Dogs Include:
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Rabies (required by law)
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Distemper/adenovirus/parvo/parainfluenza combination (DHPP)
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Bordetella (AKA Kennel Cough)
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Leptospirosis
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Lyme Disease
Common Vaccines for Cats Include:
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Rabies (required by law)
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Rhinotracheitis/calicivirus/panleukopenia/chlamydia psittaci combo (FVRCP)
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Feline leukemia
Laboratory
We offer on-site lab testing during wellness visits. This provides a baseline health profile, helping us diagnose issues quickly and accurately. Most tests are done while you are waiting. Common tests include:
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Complete blood cell count (CBC)
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Blood chemistry panel (including electrolytes and basic organ function)
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Thyroid function
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SDMA (kidney function)
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Urinalysis
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Heartworm testing
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Feline leukemia and AIDS test
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Parvovirus test
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Fecal (intestinal parasite examination)
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Giardia testing
Imaging
We offer digital x-rays and ultrasound to provide fast and accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition. Early detection is key to correcting problems before they become serious health threats.
In-house radiographs (X-rays) provide a rapid, clear image, which is captured while emitting a very low level of radiation. It is ideal for viewing:
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Spine, bones and joints
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Stomach, intestines and colon
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Heart and lungs
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Bladder and prostate
Ultrasound creates real-time image that is displayed instantly on a screen. It's commonly used for the following:
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Heart and lung function to check for murmurs and blood flow
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Pregnancy
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Tumors
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Liver, gall bladder and spleen
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Kidneys and bladder
Surgery
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Enucleation with or without prosthesis
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Dental surgery
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Splenectomy
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Cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal)
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Bladder stone removal
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Pyometra
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Hernia Repair
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Anal Sac Removal
Our experienced veterinarian performs many surgical procedures including but not limited to:
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Spay and neuter
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Cesarean section
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Dew claw removal
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Gastric Obstruction
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Exploratory
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Gastropexy
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Ear hematoma repair
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Tumor removal
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Wound repair
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Oronasal fistula
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Emergency surgery
We know that needing veterinary surgery can be stressful for both you and your pet. Our team takes every precaution to provide the highest quality care and keeps you informed at every step. We’ll review your pet’s surgical plan with you and address any questions or concerns you may have. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcome, and our customized surgical plan includes:
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Physical exam
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Pre-anesthetic blood testing
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Radiographs or ultrasound as needed
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Pain management for your pet before, during surgery, and in recovery
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Surgical team, monitoring and care of your pet during surgery and recovery
Dental Care
We provide dental care for dogs and cats. Because your pet’s oral health is closely tied to their overall well-being, we recommend annual dental exams as part of routine wellness care. Untreated dental disease can lead to serious issues, including heart, kidney, and metabolic problems.
Please call us if you notice any of the early signs of dental disease such as:
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Bad breath
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Being “mouth shy” when handled
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Spreading kibble when eating
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Visible brown or yellow buildup on the teeth
If your pet’s oral exam shows that professional dental cleaning is needed, our skilled team can perform this one-day procedure. Your pet’s safety and comfort is our priority. All cleanings are done under anesthesia following the latest medical standards, allowing for a thorough and comfortable cleaning. Before anesthesia, we perform blood work and a physical exam, and we take dental X-rays during the procedure to ensure healthy roots. During the cleaning, we remove tartar and perform any needed extractions. Our team monitors your pet closely throughout the procedure and recovery, keeps you updated, and lets you know as soon as your pet is ready to go home.
We also offer a variety of home dental care products to support healthy teeth and gums. With regular veterinary cleanings and a simple at-home routine, you can help keep your pet’s mouth healthy and their dental care easy and manageable. We provide many options to make this easy and comfortable for both you and your pet.
Before Cleaning
After Cleaning
Dermatology
Dermatology
Proper skin care is an important part of your pet’s health. We offer veterinary dermatology services to help with skin conditions, which can result from both chronic and acute factors, such as:
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Environmental and food allergies
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Fleas
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Food allergies
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Ringworm
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Scabies and demodectic mange
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Ticks
Our experienced veterinary team can identify the cause of your pet’s skin condition. With our in-house lab for blood work and skin tests and an onsite pharmacy with a wide range of dermatology treatments, we can provide comprehensive care.
Pet skin health is important for both your pet and your family, as some conditions can be contagious. Early diagnosis and treatment help keep everyone safe.
Please contact us if you notice any of these signs in your pet:
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Ear infections or foul-smelling ears
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Constant head shaking
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Rubbing the head on surfaces
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Hair loss (patchy or symmetrical)
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Redness or swelling on paws, legs, tail base, flank, neck, or armpits
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Scratching, licking, pawing, chewing, or biting the skin
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Skin changes such as redness, thickening, bumps, scaling, crusting, or sores
Pet Laser Therapy and Pain Management
At Animal House, we offer Class IV laser therapy. This non-invasive, drug-free treatment helps reduce pain, inflammation, and promotes healing. Laser therapy is painless and doesn't require anesthesia or shaving. The laser is applied through a hand-held device, delivering a beam of light deep into the tissue without damaging it. This stimulates a biological response called photo-bio-modulation, which reduces pain, inflammation, and speeds up healing. Depending on the condition, multiple sessions may be needed. Laser therapy has no post-treatment restrictions. Many pets show increased energy and activity as pain decreases, allowing them to enjoy their favorite activities. Some may also seem more relaxed, especially if pain has been disrupting their sleep.
Laser therapy can be effective for treating acute conditions, including:
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Wounds
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Infections
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Cuts and bites
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Inflammation
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Arthritis pain relief
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Tooth extraction pain relief
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Sprains, strains, and fractures
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Post-surgical healing and pain relief
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Nerve pain relief
Laser therapy can be effective for treating chronic conditions, including:
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Degenerative joint disease
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Degenerative spine disease
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Periodontal disease
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Lick granulomas
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Hip dysplasia
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Feline acne
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Tendonitis
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Arthritis
Pharmacy
We provide your pet’s medications quickly and conveniently to your doorstep. Our pharmacy offers a full range of medications and pet products, with most prescriptions filled within 48 hours and special orders ready within 3 business days. Our veterinary staff will review your pet’s prescriptions with you and offer tips to make giving medications easier.
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention are essential parts of keeping your pet healthy. Even the ingestion of a single flea can lead to tapeworms, one tick bite can transmit tick-borne diseases, and just one mosquito can spread heartworms, which may cause permanent cardiovascular damage. We offer a range of effective preventive products in our pharmacy and can help you choose the best option for your pet.
Pets with skin conditions may benefit from medicated shampoos or prescription diets. Our staff can help you choose the most suitable products for your pet’s needs.
Deworming helps protect both your pet and your family. We offer safe, effective treatments and are always available to answer questions about dosing and administration.
Euthanasia
Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy. Our in-home euthanasia service allows your pet to pass peacefully and comfortably in the familiarity of home, surrounded by the people they love most. We take the time to move at your pace, explain each step with care, and ensure your pet’s final moments are calm, dignified, and free from stress. Our goal is to support both you and your pet with compassion, respect, and kindness during this difficult time.
We also help arrange aftercare of your pet’s remains. We work with a licensed crematory that offers private cremation, ensuring that you receive only your pet’s ashes. You may alternatively choose communal cremation, meaning your pet is cremated with others, and their ashes are scattered on private property associated with the crematory. Depending on local regulations specific to your address, you may have the option of burying your pet at home. We do not assist with burial preparations.
To allow our team to focus fully on you and your pet during this emotional time, we ask that payment be completed ahead of the appointment. This helps ensure the visit is centered entirely on you without any added distractions.