Additional Pet Services
Specialist Referrals
If your pet’s best interest is served by referral to a specialist for care, our veterinarian will make that recommendation. We will also work with you to ensure that your animal receives the services it needs in a timely manner as well as that there are open lines of communication between Animal Hospital North, the specialist and you. Not only is it important that they receive necessary medical information from us before your pet is treated, but we must receive test results, diagnoses, and recommendations from the specialist in order to ensure continuity of care.
Microchip Identification
This unique form of identification is an easy, yet permanent way to bring your pet home quickly should he / she become lost. The microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size and shape of a grain of rice. It is implanted beneath your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades, and stays there for his / her entire life. This procedure is as easy and as painless as a vaccination.
Each microchip has a unique number. This number, along with information about the owner and pet, are added to a national pet registry. Most veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have electronic scanners for detecting and reading these implanted microchips. If a lost pet is found and a microchip is scanned it is easy for you to be contacted.
Traveling/Health Certificates
If you are thinking about traveling with your pet, there are several things to consider. Pet care can differ from state to state and country to country.
Domestic Air Travel Health Certificates
Vaccinations should be current and you should obtain a pet health certificate that is dated no more than 10 days prior to departure. Verify rabies vaccination requirements with the state or country that you are traveling to and be sure to get a copy of your up-to-date rabies certificate which is required if traveling by air. Rabies certificates are not required for ground travel, but are highly recommended as you may have to unexpectedly board your animal in a kennel.
International Health Certificates
- International health certificates for pets are only accepted by foreign countries if they have been filled out by a nationally accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA veterinary office in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Research what specific tests and vaccinations are required by the country you will be visiting. These requirements are usually listed on the country’s website and we also recommend contacting the USDA office. The veterinarian will then record the test results on the international certificate which should be dated no more than ten days prior to the date of your departure.
- Our office will overnight the completed forms to the USDA office in Raleigh, North Carolina for approval.
- Be sure to bring your international health certificate with you to the airport to present to airline personnel.
Pharmacy
We maintain a comprehensive inventory of pharmaceuticals, monthly oral prescription heartworm prevention (Iverhart and Trifexis) and flea/tick topical applications (Advantage Multi for felines and Advantix for canines). We also carry the monthly oral flea pill Comfortis. We are proud to also offer the 8-month Seresto Collar from Bayer for prevention of fleas and ticks. *Prescription medications require the examination of your pet. Please call ahead for an appointment or for an established patient’s refill. Please visit our online pharmacy to have your prescriptions conveniently delivered to your home.
Bath, Nail Trims and Anal Gland Expression
Hygiene is important. We gladly offer baths and nail trims to our patients. We also provide complete grooming services certain days of the week. We also are able to offer sedation to nervous pets if necessary. Please call our clinic to schedule an appointment!
Boarding
Our indoor facilities at Animal Hospital North provide a “home away from home” for your fur-loved ones. The dogs are walked a minimum of 3 times daily while they are boarding. Blankets and food are provided for our boarders, but you are always welcome to bring your own. For the health and safety of all animals in our care, we require boarding patients to be current on their vaccinations as appropriate (including the Bordetella vaccine), unless their current health status precludes certain immunizations.
Drop off and pick up times are Monday-Friday from 8am-5:30pm.
Euthanasia and Cremation Service
When is it time? Am I doing the right thing? How does one know how to make this decision? These are questions EVERY pet owner faces, even veterinary professionals. We are here to help you in any way that we can, to answer any questions and we will try to meet any expectations you have surrounding this process. We are even here to share our personal stories of loss and what brought us to the same decision of humane euthanasia for our pets. We are here for you and we are here for your beloved pet.
We offer cremation provided by Western Piedmont Pet Services, a highly reputable local pet cremation service. It is a good idea to consider if you would like to have your pet’s ashes returned to you or not, or if you are considering handling the burial arrangements yourself. Consulting friends and family may help you to make this decision.