The Tribune

PALMDALE Veterinary Group have opened the Caves Village Veterinary Hospital in western New Providence offering a complete service from routine examinations, vaccinations, advanced diagnostics, pet medications and specialised food supplies.

Designed to be a “one-stop-shop” for pet care the multi-purpose space boasts two dental and examination rooms, boarding equipment for overnight stays, a shaded exercise and play area, grooming facilities and a walk-up bath tub to accommodate four-legged pets of all sizes. It also features ultra-modern equipment and progressive technologies.

The dedicated surgical suite is outfitted with medical-grade surgery lights, advanced anaesthesiology monitoring equipment and digital x-ray. The on-site laboratory cuts diagnostic time drastically. The new hospital replaces a smaller satellite clinic opened in Caves Village in 2007 and it is hoped that the expansion and equipment upgrades will now meet the growing demand.

Dr Peter Bizzell, who with his wife, Sylvia, purchased Palmdale Veterinary Clinic from Dr Gary Cash 15 years ago, said that the new facility – the sister practice to Palmdale Veterinary Hospital – aims to bring greater convenience to western clients and a higher level of pet care. “This new facility provides clients in the west with all of the amenities that they have been looking for,” said Dr Bizzell at an open house ‘Mix ‘n’ Mingle Pet Affair’ to mark the opening.

“This practice is as good as you would see in any first world country, fully equipped with everything to evaluate and treat a sick animal on site so we can provide greater immediacy to our patients. We hope that the facility contributes not only to the long term success of the practice but also to the overall wellbeing of clients and patients.”

Dr Valentino Grant, Surgical Consultant to Palmdale Veterinary Group, is excited about the new technology’s ability to cut diagnostic times and save lives.

“For a while we’ve been aware that more can be done in terms of diagnosing, treating and resolving pet issues,” said Dr Grant. “Many cases have to be flown to the United States to specialty clinics to get care. By having this equipment in-house we can alleviate this. It is better for the animals and, of course, more cost-efficient for pet owners.

“With our lab equipment, we can tell if an animal is anaemic, has an infection or is poisoned in under three minutes. Our digital x-ray gives us detailed resolution, close to that of a CT Scan. Only five were on the market this year and Caves Village procured one of them. Time is precious when it comes to saving an animal’s life and we know that for pet-parents, pets are a part of the family.”

The Palmdale Vet Group is one of the longest established private veterinary practices in the Bahamas, founded by Dr Cash in 1977. The practice also serves Bimini and three locations in Eleuthera and has a 24-hour emergency service. Between its four veterinarians, Dr Bizzell, Dr Grant, Dr Italia Sands-Johnson and Dr Jade Greensword, the practice has a combined total of 75 years of experience in veterinary medicine.