FAQs

We see dogs and cats.

Our top priority is to ensure that your pet feels relaxed and comfortable during their visit to our hospital. That’s why we have carefully designed our hospital with this goal in mind. You’ll find cozy seating arrangements that your furry friend can snuggle up on and complimentary treats for your pet. We encourage you to play an active role in your pet’s care, providing moral support and bringing along their favorite toys, treats, or blankets to help them feel more at ease. Additionally, you may want to consider using calming treats, collars, or sprays to soothe your pet’s nerves further.

Yes, through the easy to access online member portal.

11725 Hambright Road
Huntersville, NC 28078

On the corner of Hambright Rd and Statesville Rd, also conveniently located near the Hambright exit on Interstate 77.

Our hospital is open from 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday – Friday.  After hours, we have a paid veterinary triage nurse service, which is always available so you can talk to a human being, just by calling our main number – (704) 912-5333

Debit cards, credit cards, CareCredit, Scratchpay, WellsFargoAdvantage. Learn more here: 

Payment is expected at the time of services.

We do, but usually you pay for services and the insurance company will reimburse you after you submit your claim. In some cases, you can be pre-approved with Trupanion. We can help you collect all the needed information to file your claim. Please visit Pawlicy Advisor if you are interested in learning more about pet insurance.

No, we do not offer grooming, but we can give you recommendations on area groomers and how frequently your fur-baby needs bathing.  We do offer MEDICAL removal of matted fur, or if sedation is needed, but we no longer have a groomer on staff.

No, we do not offer boarding or overnight stays but we can make recommendations for your pet’s needs.

To ensure we’re there for our members when they need us, kindly let us know at least 24 hours beforehand if you need to cancel your appointment. This will enable us to offer the slot to another member and spread the love!

We understand that things can happen. Please contact us as soon as possible and we will determine if we will be able to accommodate you.

Please contact us before your first visit and we will discuss what to bring.  We can also coordinate acquiring previous veterinary records for you so that we utilize your appointment time how you want.

Let us know who to contact, and we will do that for you (some veterinarians will require you to contact them to release records, but we can help you with that as well).

Come with all your concerns and questions- count on us to provide the answers you need.  To help ease your furry friend’s stress or anxiety, bring their beloved treats, toy, or blanket along with you.  Additionally, please provide a fecal sample for us to examine, as it will reduce your pet’s stress from us collecting one.  You can use a standard dog poop bag or any other sealed plastic bag or disposable container to transport the sample.

Each destination can require different certificates and testing.  We can help guide you through the process and our USDA-certified veterinarians will help with the required testing and paperwork.
To prepare for your visit for a travel certificate - Review the USDA APHIS website here for your destination - if you’re traveling to a second or third country with your pet on your trip, please review the site for each country.
You’ll need to provide us with the following veterinary information if it is not in our records:
• Your pet’s last two rabies certificates
• Your pet’s vaccine history and medical records (Dog- DA2PP, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Rabies, and Heartworm Test, Cat- FVRCP, Rabies, Feluk/ FIV status)
• Your pet’s microchip number
You’ll also need to provide us with the following travel details:
• Name of the person traveling with the pet (as it appears on your ID/Passport)
• US address & telephone number
• Destination address & telephone number
• Method of transport, whether in-cabin or in cargo
• Travel itinerary details (include flight confirmation email, seat confirmation email, etc)
• Date(s) of travel
• Your address — the paperwork will be sent from the USDA straight to you

Yes, your furry friends need regular wellness exams every 6-12 months as they age faster than humans, and frequent visits help detect emerging health issues early.  During each visit, we update lifestyle needs, adjust preventative care, give those necessary vaccine boosters, and catch developing issues before they become serious.  Your pet may be the master of disguise when it comes to hiding their illnesses, but we’ll be on the lookout for any sneaky health issues.

Yes, even though they don’t venture outside, cats can still suffer from issues like weight gain, dental disease, and arthritis.  We can catch these problems early on by taking them for regular check-ups before they become bigger issues.  Cats are notorious for hiding symptoms, so don’t be fooled by their nonchalant demeanor. Keep your indoor furballs happy and healthy with routine vet visits.

Not every pet needs every vaccine every year.  Our approach to pet vaccinations is individualized to your pet based on their health, age, and lifestyle.  Core vaccines are those vaccines that veterinarians feel all pets should have.  Lifestyle vaccines are based on your pet’s activities and environment.  We will work with you to ensure your pet is protected and equipped to fight everything from mild illnesses to more serious disease.

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Pet Loss Support Group
Agape Pet Compassion and Grieve Support

Contact us for the most up-to-date pricing, but we will always start with an exam and go from there based upon the recommendations of our veterinary team and your desires. We practice collaborative medicine with you involved and we will only proceed with our recommendations if you agree.  You will be given up-front financial information so there are no surprises.

There are a few things you can look out for to determine if your furry friend is feeling under the weather. Keep an eye out for changes in their behavior, appetite, and energy levels. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (704) 912-5333.

If it’s a quick and simple procedure, like getting their nails trimmed, you can probably stick around and provide some moral support.  But if it’s a longer treatment, like an IV fluid drip, it might be best for your pet to stay in our care, where we can monitor them closely, allow them to rest quietly, and make sure they’re comfortable.  Don’t worry; we’ll keep you updated on their progress every step of the way.

Once we have had time to diagnose your pet and develop a treatment plan, we will discuss this in detail and in its entirety with you.  Some treatments may need several days of care, and we will discuss the best options.  We may need to see your pet for consecutive days in our hospital, or we may recommend referral to an emergency veterinary hospital for ongoing continuous care.   We are not staffed after hours, so your pet will not stay overnight with us.  If our veterinary team feels your pet needs to be hospitalized overnight, we will work with an area emergency care facility to coordinate your pet’s care.  But no matter what, we will spoil them rotten.

A referral is when a primary care veterinarian refers a patient to a specialist or specialized facility for further evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. The referral may be necessary when a furry friend requires specialized expertise, equipment, or treatment options beyond the scope of the primary veterinarian’s expertise. A referral allows your pet to receive the best possible care from a specialist with advanced training and experience in a particular area of veterinary medicine.

Pets can be good at hiding their pain and discomfort. Some signs that your pet may be in pain include difficulty walking or rising, whining or crying, pacing, hesitancy to walk, use stairs or jump, decreased appetite, and lack of interest in people or favorite toys. It’s important to bring up any of these concerns with our Veterinary team to ensure your pet receives proper care and treatment.

There are many ways you can turn your home into a comfortable retirement villa for your elderly pet.
•    For vision issues- keep the lights on in dark hallways and stairs and resist the urge to move furniture around.
•    For ambulatory issues- keep them on one level without any stairs, use ramps when necessary, and utilize raised feeding bowls, and orthopedic beds with extra padding for all those achy joints.
•    Add non-slip throw rugs for slick hard surface floors and remove any tripping hazards.
•    Consider installing a doggy door so they can go out and take care of business whenever they please, as bladders become less patient with age.
Our veterinary team can advise on even more accommodations based on your pet’s specific needs.
Retirement living never sounded so good!

Hospice care for pets is a supportive approach to care for animals with terminal diseases, focusing on improving their quality of life during their remaining time. This type of care emphasizes comfort and avoids aggressive interventions, although all therapies are considered. Hospice care is a philosophy of caring, and our veterinary team can help you understand your treatment options, including palliative care, and what works best for you and your family.
Hospice care for pets is similar to that of humans, with your veterinary team coordinating medical procedures, prescribing medication, and providing comfort care.  However, day-to-day hospice care happens at home with you.  The biggest difference is that veterinarians can provide humane euthanasia if the quality of life for your pet becomes unacceptable.
When your pet enters hospice care, our veterinary team will establish benchmarks to measure their quality of life. You and your family will partner with us to determine when and how often to re-evaluate your pet’s condition.  If there are changes in your pet’s quality of life, we will work with you to determine the next steps.
Remember, you know your pet best, so don’t hesitate to ask questions to ensure you feel confident in the care you provide. Our goal is to provide your pet with a peaceful and comfortable quality of life at home, surrounded by loved ones.  With proper planning and communication with your Veterinary team, hospice care can help your pet transition with dignity and comfort.

Euthanasia can provide comfort and relief from pain and suffering for our beloved pets whose quality of life has been compromised. Our aim is to ensure that your pet’s last memory is one of peace and comfort, which is why we have designed a gentle and pain-free protocol to guide you through the process and help your pet in their final moments.
We offer euthanasia services in a comfortable setting in our hospital, but we also provide recommendations for local at-home euthanasia providers if that’s your preference.

Making the decision to euthanize a pet can be one of the most challenging things for any pet parent.  We understand this and are ready to provide assistance in any way we can. Our team is available to answer your inquiries about euthanasia, give you access to more resources, and discuss the alternatives that can help enhance your pet’s quality of life.  We aim to ensure that you feel knowledgeable, empowered, and comforted during this tough time, enabling you to make the most appropriate decision for yourself and your beloved pet. This provided link is also a valuable resource. We are also available to help with a Quality of Life exam and consult with one of our veterinarians, to help walk you through these challenging decisions.

Yes, it is entirely up to you if you want to stay.

We will ask a few things before beginning as we want to ensure we are accommodating all your needs at this sensitive time.
Do you want to be present? And this is entirely up to you.
What would you like to happen afterward- the options are cremation with remains returned, cremation with remains not returned, or taking your pet home for burial.
You will determine the pace.  When you are ready, we will place an IV catheter in your pet’s leg, which will give us access to their vein to deliver medications.  We will use a combination of sedatives and painkillers.  This is a painless procedure; your pet will pass away within a few minutes.  You can spend as much time as you like afterward, and we will handle all the arrangements for aftercare.

Yes, it is possible for pets to grieve the loss of their companion. Pets can form strong emotional bonds with each other, and the loss of one can affect the other.  It’s not uncommon for pets to display signs of mourning, and these may include vocalization, pacing, change in appetite and energy levels, seeking attention, or having elimination issues. However, the degree to which they grieve can vary based on the individual animal and their relationship with the pet that passed away.  Providing extra love, attention, and support to your remaining pets during this time can help them cope with the loss. Consider distracting your pet with walks, puzzle toys, or using calming collars or sprays.

Our veterinary team will only make recommendations for mass removals when they feel it is necessary and in your pet’s best interest.

Yes, before your furry friend has a surgical procedure or dental cleaning, we need to give them a once-over to make sure they’re fit as a fiddle, which can be done during their annual exam.  This ensures your pet is in good health and ready to undergo the anesthesia necessary for the procedure.  It also enables us to develop a specific treatment plan for your pet and address all of your concerns.

Once our veterinary team has examined your pet, they will discuss the best treatment plan with you.  With our transparent pricing, you will be given an estimate prior to surgery.

After being under anesthesia, most pets feel groggy, which is a typical reaction and often resolves within 24-48 hours. If you require assistance with moving your pet to the car, we would be delighted to assist.  It’s also common for some pets to have a soft stool or a change in their appetite for a few days, which is entirely normal.  Before taking your four-legged friend home, you will receive detailed post-operative instructions regarding medication, feeding, activity, and follow-up care.

Our veterinary team will evaluate the condition of your pet’s mouth and provide advice accordingly.  Although brushing your pet’s teeth at home regularly is advisable, it may not eliminate all the harmful tartar and plaque accumulation that could cause periodontal disease to worsen.  Similar to people, good preventative dental care, both at home, and seeing the dentist regularly, will help your pet maintain a comfortable, pain-free mouth!

Your pet’s health will be assessed prior to a dental cleaning with risks identified and addressed with you. During the dental cleaning, your pet will be under anesthesia and monitored closely. A thorough oral exam as well as full-mouth dental X-rays are performed, because pets cannot tell us how their mouth is feeling.  The teeth are scaled and polished, and we remove calculus from the tooth’s surface and under gum lines. Any areas of concern that we detect will be discussed with you along with our recommendations and updated treatment plan costs at the time of the procedure.

Your pet needs anesthesia during a dental cleaning because, unlike humans who can follow instructions and hold their mouth open, pets cannot cooperate in the same way. Without anesthesia, the process would be uncomfortable and frightening for them. Anesthesia enables the veterinary dental team to examine your pet’s mouth, clean all surfaces thoroughly, and polish the teeth. So, let your pet catch some Z’s while the dental team does their thing, and before you know it, your furry pal will have a clean and sparkling smile.

Tooth extractions involve the removal of one or more teeth during a dental procedure. This becomes necessary if a tooth is damaged, diseased, causing pain, or loose. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet’s mouth while under anesthesia, and if they determine that a tooth needs to be extracted, they will inform you. Dental X-rays assist in making this decision as we strive to extract as few teeth as possible.

While a dental cleaning will help eliminate some bad breath, it can also be caused by other things. If the bad breath persists after a dental cleaning, our veterinarian can make further recommendations.

A dental cleaning varies per pet and their situation. We will try our best to give you an accurate estimate but just like at your dentist, sometimes things are only obvious once dental X-rays are performed or tarter is removed from the tooth surface. We will work with you to come up with a great treatment plan to address all concerns.

Every pet is required to have a pre-op appointment which can be done during their Wellness Exam. This ensures your pet is in good health and ready to undergo the anesthesia necessary for the dental procedure.

Your veterinary team will help you determine this at your pet’s Wellness Exam. Every pet is unique, and the buildup of tartar and plaque can vary from one adorable furball to another.  In a perfect world, every pet should have their teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year and have daily at-home dental care to help prevent issues from developing. Let your veterinary team know if you notice anything like bad breath or if your pet is having trouble chewing food or dropping food from their mouth.

Brushing your furry family member’s teeth is important to their overall dental care.  Here are the steps you can follow to brush your pet’s teeth:
1.    Please choose the right toothbrush: Use a toothbrush specifically designed for pets, as their bristles are soft and gentle on their gums and teeth.  Alternatively, you can use a finger brush or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger.
2.    Please choose the right toothpaste: Never use human toothpaste on your pet, as it contains ingredients that can be harmful to them.  Instead, use toothpaste specifically designed for pets.  These kinds of toothpaste come in flavors that appeal to pets, such as chicken, beef, or fish.
3.    Get your pet comfortable: Before starting to brush, get your pet comfortable by letting them sniff the toothbrush and toothpaste.  Then, gently lift their lip and rub your finger along their teeth and gums to get them used to the sensation.
4.    Start brushing: Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush or your finger brush, and start brushing in circular motions along your pet’s teeth and gums.  Be gentle, and don’t forget to brush the back teeth that are most prone to plaque and tartar buildup.
5.    Reward your fluff-ball.  Once you’re done brushing, reward your pet with a treat or some praise.  This will help them associate teeth brushing with a positive experience.
It’s important to note that brushing your pet’s teeth should be done on a regular basis, ideally every day to several times a week.  If your pet is resistant to brushing, you can try using dental treats, water additives, or chews as alternative dental care options.

After assessing your pet’s health condition and lifestyle, we can provide recommendations on whether testing is necessary, even if your pet appears to be healthy. Pets may conceal symptoms, and testing can help detect potential health problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment. We want to make your pet as fit as a fiddle, even if they’re hiding their symptoms like a pro!

It really depends on your pet’s personality. And the situation. Some pets might be cool as cucumbers and not need any sedation, while others might appreciate a little extra help to keep their nerves at bay. Our fantastic veterinary team will work with you to figure out what works best for your furry friend.

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