Expert Services

In veterinary medicine, just as in human medicine, there are certain situations in which a primary care doctor may suggest working with a specialist. In other cases, a diligent pet parent may feel compelled to seek a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment recommendation.

At Heron Lakes Animal Hospital, we are proud of our reputation as one of the area’s most trusted resources for expert services.

Dr. Lera is pleased to provide professional evaluations, second opinions and on-site services in a variety of specialties. He has a particular interest in the following:

CT Scans

CT Scans are effective in the diagnosis of a wide variety of problems that occur in companion animals. They are particularly ideal to view the internal structures of your pet, including:

• Lungs
• Nasal cavity
• Ear canal 
• Dental 
• Abdominal organs
• Orthopedic conditions
• Spine and spinal cord
• Soft tissue

Endoscopy

Veterinary endoscopy involves the use of a special camera to evaluate areas within the body in a way that is as minimally invasive as possible. In most cases, endoscopy is performed for diagnostic purposes, however, it can also be used for therapeutic purposes as well. The endoscope can be used to assess the:

• Respiratory tract
• Upper GI tract
• Lower GI tract
• Urinary and genital tract
• Abdominal area

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a telescope-like camera and special instruments to diagnosis and treat various conditions and diseases of the joint. In veterinary medicine, arthroscopy is most often used to examine the hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging technology provides a non-invasive way to learn what’s happening inside your pet’s body. This enables us to more accurately diagnose potential health concerns. Ultrasound imaging is safe, painless, and generates instant, digital images that allow us to determine how your pet’s body is functioning. Some of the many conditions ultrasound can be used to evaluate and diagnose include:

• Heart disease
• Tumors
• Bladder and/or kidney stones
• Diseases of the organs (liver, kidney, gall bladder, etc.)
• Gastrointestinal concerns

Oral Surgery

Oral surgery can be used to address a broad spectrum of conditions that affect the mouth, jaw and face in dogs and cats. Among the oral surgery procedures we perform include:

• Oral cancer surgery
• Oral and maxillofacial (relating to the jaws and face) tumors
• Palate surgery
• Jaw malocclusions
• Endodontics (standard root canal therapy, surgical root canal therapy, vital pulp therapy, etc.)

In addition to these primary focus areas, Dr. Lera can provide specialty service in the following areas:

• Laparoscopy
• Internal Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Cryogenic Surgery

Mobile Pet Imaging provides our patients with fast, painless, non-invasive and accurate images to assist with diagnosis.

Professional consultations are available either in-person or remotely. If you feel as though your animal family member would benefit from the services of an expert, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is ready and willing to assist you with all of your pet health care needs.