Advanced Care

Advanced care services go above and beyond a general hospital visit for pets. Advanced services may be items such as specialized surgeries, eye treatment, diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, or therapies. Please click on any of the subheadings listed below to learn more about our services in advanced care.

Available Services
  • Our hospital offers a number of diagnostic imaging services Diagnostic imaging refers to the techniques and processes used to create images of your pet's body or body parts for medical purposes ... Read more

  • Veterinarian and technician with dog looking at digital x-ray at VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz

    Our hospital is proud to offer state-of-the-art digital radiology services. Digital x-rays are essentially film-less x-rays. Traditional x-rays use photographic film to capture images whereas digital x-rays use a digital image capture device (computer) to record the x-ray image.... Read more

  • Our hospital routinely performs electrocardiograms as part of our cardiology services. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a readout of the electrical activity of the heart. If your veterinarian hears a heart rhythm abnormality (called an arrhythmia) in your pet's heartbeat, they will recommend an ECG.... Read more

  • Our hospital offers OFA x-rays for identification of hip dysplasia in dogs. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) is an organization that was created to aid breeders in helping reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia. Dogs must be over 2 years of age and the x-rays must be taken using general anesthesia for accurate diagnosis.... Read more

  • Veterinarian performing an ultrasound on a dog at VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz

    Our hospital offers ultrasound (sonogram) examinations as a non-invasive diagnostic procedure to evaluate your pet's internal organs. Ultrasound can be used to examine the abdominal organs, reproductive organs, eyes, and heart. Ultrasound is non-invasive and well-tolerated by most pets.... Read more