Dr. Timothy Hodge of the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. checks up on Yoda after a neutering procedure performed the same day with a laser.
Dr. Timothy Hodge of the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. checks up on Yoda after a neutering procedure performed the same day with a laser.

By Celeste McLaughlin

When Helaine Lewis’s cat, Ashley, was having trouble getting around due to arthritis, her veterinarian recommended an innovative treatment: laser therapy.

The recommendation came from Timothy D. Hodge, DVM, a 1995 honored graduate of Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Starkville, MS. He and his team at the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre in the Cory Lake isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. used a non-surgical laser to penetrate into Ashley’s tissues, to stimulate cellular activity.

“This speeds healing, increases blood flow, is a natural painkiller, and releases the pet’s endorphins,” Dr. Hodge explains, saying that laser therapy can be a good option to treat arthritis, as well as infections of the bladder, skin, and ear. It also can reduce the amount drugs given to a pet and mitigate side effects.

“I could see a big difference in Ashley right away,” says Helaine, who lives in Cross Creek. “She could even jump again, which she couldn’t do before.”

Dr. Hodge explains that laser therapy is just one way that he and his staff emphasize a holistic approach to pet health care. They offer the highest standard of western medicine, plus traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal therapies. In fact, the laser sometimes serves as a combination of the two. It can be used for acupuncture, where acupressure points are stimulated using the laser in place of a needle.

In addition to laser therapy, Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre offers more services than you might expect at your typical neighborhood veterinarian.

The clinic recently expanded its offerings by adding Board-certified specialist veterinarians to its team in the areas of internal medicine and surgery.

“So now, when pets need specialized care, we don’t have to refer them out,” says Dr. Hodge, who explains the specialists are available by appointment. “We’re happy to offer these services in our office, so that we can be your one point of contact, where the doctor is involved in the pet’s care, and serves as a liaison between the pet and the specialist.” A list of the general practitioners and specialists who provide care at Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre is available at CrossCreekVet.com.

The clinic also uses digital radiology, providing amazing detail very quickly. Every image that is taken in the office is reviewed by a Board-certified radiologist. With digital imaging, radiology reports are usually back in the office within hours, speeding and streamlining the process from diagnostics to treatment.

Dr. Hodge stresses that his office offers the highest quality equipment, meds and supplies. “When it comes to vaccines, drugs and other medications, it’s been my experience that lesser quality may invite setbacks, complications, or reactions,” he says. “So, for example, if a pet needs an antibiotic, we’ll give them the best available antibiotic to treat that condition. Sometimes the generic medication is the best option, but I have seen cases where generics just don’t work.”

Dr. Hodge also emphasizes that an often overlooked area of health for pets is dental care. If a pet has bad breath, red gums, a change of eating habits or doesn’t want to play with toys, a dental exam and cleaning is a good idea.

“Oral health can impact a pet’s lifespan,” says Dr. Hodge, explaining that gingivitis (or periodontal disease) is an infection that can spread to the bloodstream and potentially cause heart disease, stroke, or kidney infection. He says health issues lie below the gum line, so a proper cleaning for health benefits must include anesthesia.

Making Pet Care Affordable

The cost of veterinary care for unexpected issues, and even routine wellness, can sometimes take pet owners by surprise. Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre recommends several ways to manage your pet’s health care expenses.

If you don’t already own a pet, be sure to research the breed you’re interested in. Certain breeds are more prone to health problems such as skin and heart issues, or even arthritis. Dr. Hodge says that rescued animals are often the healthiest, because they are not prone to breed-specific problems.

Once you’re a pet owner, try to budget for your pet’s care. Your pet should see the veterinarian twice a year for well checkups. This allows the doctor to examine your pet and detect subtle changes that could grow into problems if a pet is not seen more often. And, more frequent visits build the relationship between doctor, pet and family.

Pet insurance is growing in popularity and several companies are recommended by Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre. Pet insurance works much like medical insurance for people, with pet owners purchasing a policy that will help pay for accidents, illnesses and even routine wellness, depending upon the policy you choose. The Centre also offers wellness plans that provide a 20-35 percent discount over the cost of purchasing services a la carte. Wellness plans are purchased up front and are valid for one year. The cost of the wellness plans, along with other expenses at the clinic, can even be financed to allow clients to pay their pet’s bills over time.

 

‘State Of The Heart Care, State Of The Art Technology’

Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre has been open on Cross Creek Blvd. since 2003, including four years at its current location. In addition, Dr. Hodge and hospital administrator Edwin Martinez have recently opened a second clinic, Harbourside Animal Hospital, in South Tampa.

“We treat pets like family,” says Dr. Hodge, explaining his clinic’s philosophy. For more than 10 years, the clinic has operated with this motto as its guiding principal: “State of the heart care, with state of the art technology.”

Helaine Lewis says she appreciates that Dr. Hodge and his team are “very thorough and explore all possibilities. If a treatment doesn’t work, they’ll try something else.”

She says she has been taking her pets to Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre since moving to New Tampa in 2005. At the time, she was the owner of 10 rescued animals. Dr. Hodge cared for her three dogs, five cats and two birds. Although all of those pets have since passed away, Helaine recently rescued a kitten named Capone, who is now one of Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre’s newest patients.

Dr. Hodge is concerned about all pets, and values giving back to the community. Recently, the Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre donated $16,000 worth of preventive medications to Hillsborough County Animal Services. The drugs, which were nearing expiration, could be used quickly at the animal shelter, providing necessary medications for many animals.

Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre is located at 10323 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite H. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., and from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday. For more info or to make an appointment, call 994-6929 or visit CrossCreekVet.com.

 

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