First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center

Hello, Maine pet parents! When it comes to the health and well-being of our beloved animal companions, finding a veterinary practice that combines unparalleled expertise with genuine compassion and a truly practical approach is a rare and invaluable gem. For those of us in Windham and the surrounding communities, First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center stands as an exceptional destination for comprehensive veterinary care. This center, led by the highly esteemed Dr. Douglas Kern, DVM, MS, is more than just a clinic; it's a place where dedicated professionals treat your pets with the same care and consideration they would their own, offering everything from routine wellness to highly specialized surgical interventions. Their commitment to honesty, practical recommendations, and exceptional care has earned them a reputation as a trusted partner in pet health for countless local families.

First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center is conveniently located at 5 Storm Drive, Windham, ME 04062, USA. This accessible location in Windham makes it a prime choice for pet owners throughout Cumberland County and beyond, including those in nearby communities such as Raymond, Gorham, Standish, Gray, and Casco. Storm Drive offers straightforward access, ensuring that your journey to the clinic is as smooth as possible, whether you're coming from home, work, or running other errands. The ease of access, combined with ample parking often available at such facilities, contributes to a stress-free experience from the moment you arrive. This thoughtful accessibility is particularly beneficial when transporting a pet who might be anxious, ill, or recovering, making First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center a practical and reliable choice for comprehensive veterinary services in the heart of Maine.

First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center offers an extensive and advanced range of veterinary services, demonstrating their commitment to providing top-tier medical care for dogs and cats. Their comprehensive offerings ensure that your pet's health needs, from the most basic to the highly complex, can be met with expertise.

• Primary Care & Wellness: This foundational service includes thorough annual wellness exams, tailored vaccination protocols, and effective parasite prevention. They emphasize regular checkups as critical for early disease detection and maintaining overall health.
• Advanced Surgery: A significant highlight of the center, they provide advanced veterinary surgical procedures, including both soft tissue and orthopedic procedures. Dr. Kern is a board-certified surgeon, capable of performing over 600 different types of surgeries, including complex cases like fracture repair (external fixation and IM pins), luxating patella, femoral head and neck osteotomy (FHO), and even limited neurosurgery cases. They provide proper care before, during, and after all surgeries.
• Dentistry: Comprehensive dental care is vital for overall health. Services include professional cleanings and examinations, including digital dental X-rays.
• Diagnostic Imaging: Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, they offer X-rays (radiography) and ultrasound, which provide non-invasive, painless, and radiation-free methods for imaging internal organs and diagnosing various conditions.
• Onsite Diagnostics & In-House Laboratory: The hospital provides a wide variety of in-house diagnostic testing with advanced technology, including complete blood cell counts, biochemical analysis (thyroid, kidney function), and tests for Heartworm, Feline Leukemia, and Feline Immunodeficiency virus. Results for some tests, like progesterone testing for reproduction, are often ready within 30 minutes.
• Reproduction Services: They offer specialized reproductive services, including same-day progesterone testing and artificial insemination (specifically surgical inseminations). They also regularly perform Cesarean sections and offer consultations for novice breeders.
• Microchipping: A simple yet vital service for permanent pet identification, greatly increasing the chances of reuniting lost pets with their families.
• Nutritional Counseling: Providing guidance to pet owners on appropriate diets to support their pet's health and specific needs.
• Behavior Management: Offering support and advice for managing various pet behavioral issues, contributing to a harmonious human-animal bond.
• Dermatology: Expertise in diagnosing and treating pet skin issues, helping owners navigate the complexities of dermatological conditions.
• Eye Exams: Providing advanced intraocular pressure testing, especially important for breeds prone to glaucoma, to help preserve vision.

First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center is highly regarded in the Maine community for several outstanding features and highlights, as consistently praised by their loyal clientele.

• Exceptional Leadership by Dr. Douglas Kern: Dr. Kern is a board-certified surgeon (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons), a rare and significant distinction in veterinary medicine. His extensive experience (practicing for 36 years, specializing in surgery since 1996) and diverse training (including Angell Animal Medical Center, Tufts, North Carolina State) make him a phenomenal asset. Clients consistently praise him as "simply the best," "informative, knowledgeable, explains things well," and always having the "pets best interest in mind."
• Practical and Honest Approach: A frequently highlighted feature is their "practical" and honest recommendations. Unlike other clinics that might suggest "expensive unrequired procedures," First Choice Animal Care is praised for being the "opposite," only recommending "what is really needed." This transparency and ethical practice foster deep trust, making clients feel their pet is being treated "exactly as they would their own."
• Compassionate and Understanding Team: The entire staff, including Dr. Kern, is described as "compassionate, knowledgeable, understanding," and "wonderful." They are noted for their kindness, gentleness, and for being truly "amazing." This creates a welcoming and supportive environment, even for anxious pets or in challenging health situations.
• Emergency Responsiveness and Dedication: In cases of emergencies, Dr. Kern has been known to answer text messages "at all hours of the day, night and weekend" and prioritize urgent cases, even performing life-saving surgeries. This level of dedication goes above and beyond, providing immense comfort to pet owners in crisis.
• Building Long-Term Relationships: The strong sentiment of loyalty from clients, some having brought pets for years and planning to bring new ones, highlights their success in nurturing the human-pet bond and providing consistent, trusted care over time.
• Comprehensive Care Beyond Surgery: While initially a surgery center, Dr. Kern diversified the practice to include primary care services, allowing for continuity of care from routine wellness to complex surgical needs under one roof.

For those in Maine seeking expert, compassionate, and practical veterinary care from First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center, here is their contact information:

Address: 5 Storm Dr, Windham, ME 04062, USA

Phone: (207) 893-8134

Fax: (207) 893-8136

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Please note, hours may vary and it's always best to confirm directly).

In conclusion, for Maine locals, particularly those in Windham and the surrounding communities, First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center offers an exceptional and highly recommended veterinary experience. Its accessible location on Storm Drive ensures convenience for all pet owners. The breadth of services, from thorough primary and wellness care to advanced diagnostics and highly specialized surgery performed by a board-certified expert like Dr. Kern, means your pet receives top-tier medical attention for any need. However, what truly distinguishes this practice, as passionately conveyed by long-term clients, is their profound commitment to practical, honest, and deeply compassionate care. Their refusal to recommend unnecessary procedures, their transparent communication, and the evident dedication of Dr. Kern and his entire team, who treat every pet "exactly as they would their own," foster unparalleled trust. For Maine families seeking a veterinary partner who combines world-class medical expertise with the heartfelt integrity and genuine care of a true country vet, ensuring their beloved companions are always in the best possible hands, First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center is an undeniable and highly suitable choice.

First Choice Animal Care and Surgery Center

5 Storm Dr, Windham, ME 04062, USA