Veterinary Care

Compassionate Care.

At Firehall 4, compassion and sensitivity are at the very heart of how we operate. We believe in the benefits of educating pet owners on how best to ensure a healthy, long life for their beloved pet.  It is also our goal to remain up-to-date with the latest technology and improvements in medicine and we make it a point to constantly learn how we can better take care of your four-legged family members.

We know that you love your pet and consider them a part of your family, so we treat them like nothing less. In fact, we have a hallway of photos of our patients hanging on the walls as a reminder of why we do what we do.  

Whether it’s surgery, dental work, or a routine check-up, you’ll see the difference in how we practice.

Compassionate Care.

At Firehall 4, compassion and sensitivity are at the very heart of how we operate. We believe in the benefits of educating pet owners on how best to ensure a healthy, long life for their beloved pet.  It is also our goal to remain up-to-date with the latest technology and improvements in medicine and we make it a point to constantly learn how we can better take care of your four-legged family members.

We know that you love your pet and consider them a part of your family, so we treat them like nothing less. In fact, we have a hallway of photos of our patients hanging on the walls as a reminder of why we do what we do.

Whether it’s surgery, dental work, or a routine check-up, you’ll see the difference in how we practice.

Services

Services

PREVENTIVE CARE

We always want to see your pet happy and healthy. We know how much they mean to you, and that’s one of the reasons we place the utmost importance on preventative care. This makes it easier for us to catch diseases earlier and make recommendations based on your pet’s unique lifestyle. We follow AAHA guidelines and adhere to the strictest standards for pet healthcare.

 

PUPPIES & KITTENS

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is truly an exciting time. To make sure that your new family member gets their very best start, we recommend wellness visits every three to four weeks until they reach four months of age. During these check-ups common topics will include diet, proper training and socialization techniques, spaying and neutering, and which vaccines are right for your new friend. We know how special our pets are to us and we want your new pet to stay as healthy and have as smooth of a transition to its new home as possible.

 

ADULTS (1 -8 YEARS OLD)

After your pet’s first birthday and up until eight years of age, we recommend annual wellness visits. These visits will include a complete physical examination and routine bloodwork in order to check for any abnormalities. Recommended vaccines will be discussed at each of these visits and given according to their individual needs. Any abnormalities found during your pet’s visit or on their bloodwork results will be discussed with you in detail to allow you to make the best decisions regarding their ongoing health and care.

 

SENIORS (8+ YEARS OLD)

As your pets age they can develop the same problems that can be seen in older people. Heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, and arthritis are just a few of the common conditions pets experience. We recommend senior pets have semi-annual veterinary visits instead of annual visits so that signs of illness, pain, or other problems can be detected early and treated. Senior pet exams are similar to those for younger pets, but are more in depth. Common topics of discussion include diet and nutrition, dental care, mobility, and mental health. We want to make sure your pets are happy and healthy for as long as possible so they can continue to enrich your lives.

VACCINATIONS

We know how important vaccines are to protect our pets. We also understand the risks of vaccination and believe that every pet is different making the vaccine protocol they require different. Because of this, we discuss vaccines at each of our patient’s wellness appointments to determine which vaccines are right for them based on their individual health, physical needs, and lifestyle.

In addition, we take every effort to make sure we are offering only the safest vaccines. As a proud member of the American Animal Hospital Association, we follow vaccine guidelines which allow us to vaccinate every one to three years depending on the vaccine. We also offer vaccine titers in the event that a patient has had a previous reaction or has a disease that could be exacerbated by any stimulation of the immune-system.

We are proud to offer non-adjuvanted vaccines for our feline patients. These vaccines are generally accepted as safer and less likely to cause fibrosarcomas in cats. You can find more information on injection site sarcomas in cats here.

URGENT CARE

We know how scary emergencies can be for you and your pet. At Firehall 4, we are fully equipped to handle emergencies. Common reasons for emergency visits include snake bites, allergic reactions, toxin ingestion, and trauma. If your pet is experiencing an emergency during our business hours, please call ahead so we know to expect you. For after hours emergency care we recommend the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Their contact information can be found here.

SURGERY & ANESTHESIA

At Firehall 4 Animal Hospital your pet’s safety is our top priority. When we place your pet under anesthesia every precaution is taken to make it the safest experience possible.

Every pet receives an examination by the veterinarian performing the surgery the morning of the procedure.  Anesthetic medications are determined on an individual basis and take into account any underlying disease or concerns that may be present. An IV catheter is placed on each patient prior to anesthesia and the patient is maintained on a balanced electrolyte solution throughout the procedure. A warming device is also used to maintain an ideal body temperature during the procedure. A monitor is used to measure heart rate, ECG, blood pressure, temperature, C02 level and oxygenation level. Each patient has a dedicated veterinary technician monitoring anesthesia, assessing the status of the patient, and recording vital measurements continuously throughout the procedure and recovery.

In addition to safety, it is very important to us that our patients are as comfortable and pain-free as possible. To ensure their comfort, our patients are kept warm throughout their surgery with a bear hugger, socks, and blankets. Post-operatively, we offer a wide array of pain control options including state-of-the-art laser therapy to decrease inflammation and stimulate faster healing.

We offer a wide array of surgical options for your pet. The following list contains just a few of the procedures that we offer.

  • Canine and feline spay and neuter
  • Intestinal foreign body removal
  • Bladder stone removal
  • Mass removal
  • Wound management and repair
  • Cherry eye correction
  • Entropion correction
  • Enucleation
  • Cesarean section
  • Limb amputation
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

Raised on a farm and ranch in southern New Mexico, Dr. Laas studied animal science at New Mexico State University. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University in May 2005. After completing a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Dr. Laas developed a special interest in diagnostic imaging. He remained at the University of Georgia for a three-year radiology residency and was recognized with the “Outstanding House Officer” award the last year of his residency. Dr. Laas became a diplomate of the ACVR in 2009. For the last ten years, Dr. Laas has worked in referral specialty hospitals and as an international online consultant. Dr. Laas will perform imaging diagnostics, including but not limited to abdominal, thoracic, and musculoskeletal ultrasounds, radiology consults, as well as fine needle aspirates and biopsies at Firehall 4 Animal Hospital. During his free time, Dr. Laas enjoys spending time with his family, working on his hobby farm, and going to the gym.

LASER THERAPY

     

Here at Firehall 4, we strive to find alternative methods to help your pet, including laser therapy.

Veterinary laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free and drug-free treatment that is used to treat a variety of conditions, and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatments. Laser treatment for dogs and cats employs deep-penetrating light to promote a chain of chemical reactions known as photobiostimulation. This process helps relieve pain through the release of endorphins, decreases inflammation and swelling, and it stimulates injured cells to heal at an accelerated pace.

See below for a list of conditions that can benefit from laser treatment:

  • Post-operative pain
  • Arthritis/hip dysplasia
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Soft tissue trauma
  • Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries
  • Hot spots & open wounds
  • Ear infections

Our skilled technicians have undergone extensive Continuing Education training with the K-Laser in order to safely treat patients with these conditions and more. Team members will place goggles on your pet (called Doggles) to protect their eyes from the laser beam.  The laser beam itself has a slight warming sensation, but is not painful.

Treatment plans vary depending on the condition being addressed. Treatments vary in length, but typically run between 3-8 minutes per site.  Each additional treatment facilitates a greater improvement in your pet’s condition.  The length and frequency in treatments also vary by your pet’s condition.  We recommend a pre-laser visit with one of our trained laser technicians to create a personalized treatment plan for your pet.

Call us today to set up an appointment.  Your pet will thank you for it!

ONLINE PHARMACY

We love to see our clients and patients; however, we understand that sometimes our lives get busy and it’s just not convenient to stop by and pick up your pet’s special diet or necessary medications. To help make your life easier we now have an online pharmacy! With our online pharmacy it is easy to request refills of certain medications and special diets and have them delivered to your door. Some items can even be delivered with no shipping cost! Click the link below to get started!

 

Preventative Care

We always want to see your pet happy and healthy. We know how much they mean to you, and that’s one of the reasons we place the utmost importance on preventative care. This makes it easier for us to catch diseases earlier and make recommendations based on your pet’s unique lifestyle. We follow AAHA guidelines and adhere to the strictest standards for pet healthcare.

 

PUPPIES & KITTENS

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is truly an exciting time. To make sure that your new family member gets their very best start, we recommend wellness visits every three to four weeks until they reach four months of age. During these check-ups common topics will include diet, proper training and socialization techniques, spaying and neutering, and which vaccines are right for your new friend. We know how special our pets are to us and we want your new pet to stay as healthy and have as smooth of a transition to its new home as possible.

 

ADULTS (1 -8 YEARS OLD)

After your pet’s first birthday and up until eight years of age, we recommend annual wellness visits. These visits will include a complete physical examination and routine bloodwork in order to check for any abnormalities. Recommended vaccines will be discussed at each of these visits and given according to their individual needs. Any abnormalities found during your pet’s visit or on their bloodwork results will be discussed with you in detail to allow you to make the best decisions regarding their ongoing health and care.

 

SENIORS (8+ YEARS OLD)

As your pets age they can develop the same problems that can be seen in older people. Heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, and arthritis are just a few of the common conditions pets experience. We recommend senior pets have semi-annual veterinary visits instead of annual visits so that signs of illness, pain, or other problems can be detected early and treated. Senior pet exams are similar to those for younger pets, but are more in depth. Common topics of discussion include diet and nutrition, dental care, mobility, and mental health. We want to make sure your pets are happy and healthy for as long as possible so they can continue to enrich your lives.

Vaccinations

We know how important vaccines are to protect our pets. We also understand the risks of vaccination and believe that every pet is different making the vaccine protocol they require different. Because of this, we discuss vaccines at each of our patient’s wellness appointments to determine which vaccines are right for them based on their individual health, physical needs, and lifestyle.

In addition, we take every effort to make sure we are offering only the safest vaccines. As a proud member of the American Animal Hospital Association, we follow vaccine guidelines which allow us to vaccinate every one to three years depending on the vaccine. We also offer vaccine titers in the event that a patient has had a previous reaction or has a disease that could be exacerbated by any stimulation of the immune-system.

We are proud to offer non-adjuvanted vaccines for our feline patients. These vaccines are generally accepted as safer and less likely to cause fibrosarcomas in cats. You can find more information on injection site sarcomas in cats here.

Urgent Care

We know how scary emergencies can be for you and your pet. At Firehall 4, we are fully equipped to handle emergencies. Common reasons for emergency visits include snake bites, allergic reactions, toxin ingestion, and trauma. If your pet is experiencing an emergency during our business hours, please call ahead so we know to expect you. For after hours emergency care we recommend the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Their contact information can be found here.

Surgery & Anesthesia

At Firehall 4 Animal Hospital your pet’s safety is our top priority. When we place your pet under anesthesia every precaution is taken to make it the safest experience possible.

Every pet receives an examination by the veterinarian performing the surgery the morning of the procedure.  Anesthetic medications are determined on an individual basis and take into account any underlying disease or concerns that may be present. An IV catheter is placed on each patient prior to anesthesia and the patient is maintained on a balanced electrolyte solution throughout the procedure. A warming device is also used to maintain an ideal body temperature during the procedure. A monitor is used to measure heart rate, ECG, blood pressure, temperature, C02 level and oxygenation level. Each patient has a dedicated veterinary technician monitoring anesthesia, assessing the status of the patient, and recording vital measurements continuously throughout the procedure and recovery.

In addition to safety, it is very important to us that our patients are as comfortable and pain-free as possible. To ensure their comfort, our patients are kept warm throughout their surgery with a bear hugger, socks, and blankets. Post-operatively, we offer a wide array of pain control options including state-of-the-art laser therapy to decrease inflammation and stimulate faster healing.

We offer a wide array of surgical options for your pet. The following list contains just a few of the procedures that we offer.

  • Canine and feline spay and neuter
  • Intestinal foreign body removal
  • Bladder stone removal
  • Mass removal
  • Wound management and repair
  • Cherry eye correction
  • Entropion correction
  • Enucleation
  • Cesarean section
  • Limb amputation
Diagnostic Imaging


Raised on a farm and ranch in southern New Mexico, Dr. Laas studied animal science at New Mexico State University. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University in May 2005. After completing a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Dr. Laas developed a special interest in diagnostic imaging. He remained at the University of Georgia for a three-year radiology residency and was recognized with the “Outstanding House Officer” award the last year of his residency. Dr. Laas became a diplomate of the ACVR in 2009. For the last ten years, Dr. Laas has worked in referral specialty hospitals and as an international online consultant. Dr. Laas will perform imaging diagnostics, including but not limited to abdominal, thoracic, and musculoskeletal ultrasounds, radiology consults, as well as fine needle aspirates and biopsies at Firehall 4 Animal Hospital. During his free time, Dr. Laas enjoys spending time with his family, working on his hobby farm, and going to the gym.

Laser Therapy

     

Here at Firehall 4, we strive to find alternative methods to help your pet, including laser therapy.

Veterinary laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free and drug-free treatment that is used to treat a variety of conditions, and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatments. Laser treatment for dogs and cats employs deep-penetrating light to promote a chain of chemical reactions known as photobiostimulation. This process helps relieve pain through the release of endorphins, decreases inflammation and swelling, and it stimulates injured cells to heal at an accelerated pace.

See below for a list of conditions that can benefit from laser treatment:

  • Post-operative pain
  • Arthritis/hip dysplasia
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Soft tissue trauma
  • Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries
  • Hot spots & open wounds
  • Ear infections

Our skilled technicians have undergone extensive Continuing Education training with the K-Laser in order to safely treat patients with these conditions and more. Team members will place goggles on your pet (called Doggles) to protect their eyes from the laser beam.  The laser beam itself has a slight warming sensation, but is not painful.

Treatment plans vary depending on the condition being addressed. Treatments vary in length, but typically run between 3-8 minutes per site.  Each additional treatment facilitates a greater improvement in your pet’s condition.  The length and frequency in treatments also vary by your pet’s condition.  We recommend a pre-laser visit with one of our trained laser technicians to create a personalized treatment plan for your pet.

Call us today to set up an appointment.  Your pet will thank you for it!

Online Pharmacy

We love to see our clients and patients; however, we understand that sometimes our lives get busy and it’s just not convenient to stop by and pick up your pet’s special diet or necessary medications. To help make your life easier we now have an online pharmacy! With our online pharmacy it is easy to request refills of certain medications and special diets and have them delivered to your door. Some items can even be delivered with no shipping cost! Click the link below to get started!

“It’s the best clinic I’ve ever taken any of my animals to. The staff is wonderful, and my vet is awesome. They go the extra mile to help you and your furry babies in a multitude of ways.”

– Jessica R.

“At Firehall 4 Animal Hospital, we are a family and we treat our patients like an extension of that family.”

Veterinary Partner

Whether you’re looking for information on a specific diagnosis or general information about animal health, we trust the experts at VeterinaryPartner.com. We want to be sure that our clients are getting the most accurate information possible, we are always happy to communicate with you about your pet’s health, and we encourage you to use this resource as needed.

Companies we trust.

We are proud to work with a variety of national and local businesses to enhance our services. Partnering with these businesses allows us to provide and recommend a healthier, more holistic plan for your pet. Here are some of the partners we work with most.

Where knowledge
meets compassion.

Hours:

Mon - Fri: 7:30a - 6:00p
Sat: 8:00a - 12:00p

Location:

815 Hawthorne Avenue
Athens, GA 30606

Contact Us:

Follow Us:

 

  

© Firehall 4 Animal Hospital Privacy Policy | Designed by REVER

Contact Us:

706-583-9191

info@firehall4.com

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday: 7:30a - 6:00p
Saturday: 8:00a - 12:00p

Location:

815 Hawthorne Avenue
Athens, GA 30606

Follow Us:

 

© Firehall 4 Animal Hospital
Privacy Policy
Designed by REVER

Hours of Operation:

M-F: 7:30a - 6:00p
Sat.: 8:00a - 12:00p

Location:

815 Hawthorne Avenue
Athens, GA 30606

Contact Us:

706-583-9191

info@firehall4.com

Follow Us:

 

© Firehall 4 Animal Hospital | Privacy Policy | Designed by REVER