Dr. Ezra J. Ameis is revolutionizing veterinary medicine by prioritizing anxiety reduction for cats and dogs and their owners. (photo courtesy of Paw Priority)

When pets aren’t feeling well and need emergency attention, getting the right treatment and quality care is a top priority. In an emergency, it can be hard to know where to turn and who to trust when a furry friend’s well-being hangs in the balance.

To fill the need, Dr. Ezra J. Ameis at Paw Priority is revolutionizing veterinary medicine in a state-of-the-art animal clinic and care facility at 8020 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. From regular check-ups and general medicine for Fido and Fluffy to urgent care and treatment of serious health ailments, Paw Priority offers top dog “purr-fect” care for every pet owner.

Originally from Toronto, Ameis has more than a decade of veterinary experience. He relocated to Los Angeles four years ago and started Paw Priority as a mobile operation, visiting clients’ homes to offer medical care for pets. Ameis also filled in at animal hospitals throughout Los Angeles when staff veterinarians were away, all while his permanent brick-and-mortar office was being constructed. The clinic opened in January and has rapidly expanded with a loyal clientele. Ameis said it is an atypical animal care facility designed to be inviting and relaxing – all part of his innovative approach to veterinary medicine.

“It’s all about trying to minimize anxiety,” he said. “In a traditional hospital, some animals are so stressed, it’s actually making them worse at times. The owners are also stressed. There’s a lot of people who are not sure what’s going on, so they’re freaked out about their animals, and we’re responding to them too. We built this place from the ground up, and that’s always the way I wanted it to be, so we were able to do things that not a lot of other vet hospitals are able to do.”

Walking through the door at Paw Priority, it’s apparent it is not a typical vet’s office. Unlike a sterile hospital environment, pet owners relax in comfortable chairs surrounded by art and ample natural light. Ameis infuses the clinic with animal pheromones and special scents such as lavender that are proven to keep animals calm.

When it’s time for treatment, pet owners can accompany their four-legged friends in the examination and x-ray rooms, adding an extra level of comfort. Ameis and his highly trained staff explain everything going on to give owners confidence their beloved pets are in caring hands.

“Let me show you what I’m going to be doing. We’re going to go through this together,” Ameis said as described his approach.

A self-described tech enthusiast, Ameis incorporated the most up-to-date equipment and innovations at his clinic. Small touches such as having a scale built into the floor so animals do not have to be picked up to be weighed, to more high-tech devices like hand-held ultrasound machines, a medical instrument that rapidly analyzes biopsy samples and a machine that produces oxygen for intubated animals during surgery are utilized here.

Paw Priority offers animal acupuncture, which Ameis described as an unorthodox yet highly effective medical approach for pain reduction, particularly in older pets. While extensively trained in Western veterinary medicine, Ameis said there is much potential in a holistic approach that includes Eastern veterinary treatments.

“The idea behind acupuncture in general is that these little needles are increasing blood flow to spots that need it more. I started doing more stuff with geriatric animals, where they’re having trouble getting around. Oftentimes it’s bad hip issues, bad knee issues or back issues. It became fundamentally obvious to me that it was a useful modality for treatment,” Ameis said. “It’s helpful in many ways. One, people love it. And it reduces pain and inflammation in pets. Actually, people love sitting and doting on their animal and just talking, having a nice easy-going conversation, and the animal relaxes and it completely helps them.”

Ameis stressed the personal aspect of practicing veterinary medicine, something he said is disappearing as corporations edge out independent operators. When an animal is sick or injured, the last thing someone needs is a “cookie-cutter” approach where their pet is just another patient, he said.

“To me, the imperative thing is having independent hospitals, supporting independent clinics. I’m so concerned about a future where your only chance of seeing a veterinarian is through a corporation,” Ameis said. “I want people to have a place that they can go to for emergencies, but then they can come for wellness and acupuncture as well. We want people to feel comfortable, and that their pets are No. 1.”