Services
APPOINTMENTAnesthesia and Sedation
Anesthesia and sedation are required for surgical procedures, dental procedures, and some painful medical procedures. Some x-rays also require sedation to limit movement while a specific view is achieved. In-depth ultrasound exams can take upwards of an hour to complete and sedation is often times used to keep the patient calm and comfortable. Sometimes sedation is also used for routine procedures such as exams and grooming for patients that are fractious or aggressive but only as a last resort.
All patients undergoing anesthesia or sedation will receive a full exam from a veterinarian the day of the procedure. Recent pre-anesthetic lab work is also required to ensure a safe outcome for all our anesthetized patients. Your vet will then customize an anesthetic protocol specific to your pet’s age, size, and medical condition.
During the procedure, modern anesthetic monitoring equipment is employed to continuously measure our patient’s blood oxygen levels, heart rate and rhythm (EKG), blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate.
All anesthesia carries an inherent risk for complication but at AMC of Garner, we take all necessary steps to ensure a safe outcome for our patients.
Dentistry
Dental health is becoming increasingly recognized as an important factor in the health of both animals and people. Dental disease has been shown to spread inflammatory molecules through the body causing damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Severe periodontal disease is also painful but most pets will show no or only very subtle signs that they are uncomfortable. Of course, dental disease is also unpleasant for the family because it causes halitosis (bad breath) which can negatively affect your relationship with your pet.
At AMC of Garner, we take the dental health of your pet very seriously. All patients receive an oral exam at every visit to check for signs of periodontal disease. If those signs are present your doctor will grade the disease on a scale of 1 to 4 and make appropriate recommendations for treatment.
Most dental procedures your pet would need can be performed in-house. All patients presenting for dental treatment receive an ultrasonic scaling and polishing, very similar to what you would receive from a dental hygienist. If an advanced infection in the gums (gingivitis) is present your vet may elect to use an antibiotic during the procedure and may send you home with additional antibiotics to give orally. If extractions are needed, your vet can perform these as well using high tech dental tools to safely remove diseased dentition.
Most pets receiving extractions do wonderfully at home, have no problem continuing their current diet, and actually begin eating better following the procedure.
Emergency Services
While we are not a critical care center, AMC of Garner is prepared to handle a wide array of medical emergencies. Often times emergent conditions require ongoing care, in which case your pet may be triaged, stabilized and then transferred to another facility for more appropriate care and treatment.
If you believe your pet is having a medical emergency you should call the hospital at 919-779-8887 and speak to one of our employees who can help guide you forward. If there are no available appointments or the visit occurs after normal business hours an emergency visit fee will be applied. In some instances, after discussing the case with you, one of our doctor’s may recommend you proceed directly to a critical care center instead of being seen at AMC. This is done for serious conditions where time to treatment is critical or when we are not equipped to deal with a specific emergency condition.
In the event of an emergency outside of business hours, please contact the Veterinary Specialty Hospital (VSH).
Telephone: 919-233-4911
Veterinary Specialty Hospital
6405-100 Tryon Rd.
Cary, NC 27511
Internal Medicine
When our pets get sick it can be a scary and frustrating time. Often their signs are vague and they can’t tell us where they feel bad. Luckily, your vets at AMC of Garner are fully prepared to help.
Using a full physical exam, extensive in-house laboratory testing, a full outside reference laboratory, and on-site imaging such as x-ray and ultrasound, your vet can diagnose and start treatment on a myriad of conditions.
Sometimes diseases are simple and treatment can be started in the hospital immediately. Other times disease require multiple tests to reach a true diagnosis. Some of our patients are best managed in the comfort of their home with conservative treatments, others require hospitalization and intensive care and supervision, while others may benefit most from a referral to a veterinary specialist. Either way, your vet will take the time to explain to you all the testing and treatments needed and then work with you to figure out the best treatment plan for you and your pet.
Pain Management
The doctors and staff at AMC of Garner take pain management very seriously. We believe that we have an obligation to provide our patients with a pain-free experience in the hospital and recovery at home. This is not only beneficial to their health by ensuring appropriate healing but provides our patients with a much better quality of life.
Our commitment to pain control also extends to chronic, painful conditions such as spinal disease and arthritis. Most pets show subtle signs of pain that can often be missed. This is especially true for our feline patients and patients with slowly progressive pain such as older arthritic animals. During the routine examination, your veterinarian will examine your pet for mild signs of pain and discuss appropriate treatment if needed.
As we learn more and more about pain control in both humans and animals it has become more clear that aggressive pain management often leads to the best long term comfort. The longer the pain is present, the harder it is to eliminate. This is because as nerves sense pain over time they become more sensitive to painful stimuli in the future. This means that for our patients pain today will be significantly easier to treat today than it will be a year from now.
Senior Care
Our pet’s age differently than we do and as a result, they can spend up to half of their life being considered a senior pet. For most dogs and cats this phase in their life begins at age 7 but can begin earlier for giant breed dogs (a Great Dane’s senior years begin around age 5!).
Their senior years are a time in their life when diseases of old age become more prevalent and they require more frequent and in-depth veterinary care to keep them healthy. Once they are considered seniors, your vet will start recommending exams every 6 months as well as yearly comprehensive lab testing with the goal of identifying common diseases and initiating treatment before they begin to negatively affect your pet’s health.
Being proactive in our care of our senior pet’s means that we can optimize their health and ensure they can age gracefully for years to come.
POSH (Pets Over Seven Healthcare) Program:
“What is the POSH Program”
The POSH Program was created to reward our clients for following the senior preventative care program recommended by our veterinarians. There is no fee to join and no effort on your part to receive the benefits of the program. All you have to do is continue with the recommended twice yearly (every 6 months) senior examinations and once yearly comprehensive blood work to stay enrolled.
“What are the benefits?”
By staying enrolled in the POSH program you will receive a percentage off of your POSH pet’s invoice that is equal to their age at the time of the treatment. This discount is applicable to POSH qualifying services (2 yearly senior exams, once yearly comprehensive blood work). So, for example, if your pet is 11 years old you will receive an 11% discount off of your total bill for those services!
“What if I don’t want to continue with the program?”
If you do not wish to stay enrolled in the program you don’t have to do anything. Your discount will continue to be in effect until either the senior exam or senior lab work is passed due, at which time the discount will stop.
“What if I am dropped from the program and want to restart?”
That’s easy, too! As soon as the lab work and exam are current again you will automatically be re-enrolled.
“Why is senior preventative care important?”
A pet’s senior years begin around 7 years of age on average and during these years our animal companions are more susceptible to age-related diseases. Most of the disease that will affect them as they age are slow and progressive, meaning the signs are very mild and hard to detect. By bringing your pet in for twice-yearly exams and once yearly lab work you are increasing the likelihood that we will find subtle signs of chronic disease early in the disease process. By finding them early we are in a better position to treat them quickly with goals of slowing down the progression of the disease. This ensures that your pet can have the best quality of life for the longest time possible.
Vaccines
Feline Vaccines:
- Rabies – Rabies vaccine is required for all cats whether they live an outdoor lifestyle or as completely indoor pets. AMC of Garner carries two different Rabies vaccines for cats. The Merial Purevax vaccine lasts one year and has a significantly lower vaccine reaction rate than a traditional feline Rabies vaccine. A 3-year vaccine is also available but only recommended in specific instances.
- Distemper (FVRCP) – protects against a group of three highly contagious viruses and should be kept up-to-date in all cats regardless of their lifestyle. This means vaccination boosters every 1 to 3 years based on your pet’s age and vaccination history
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – protects against a highly contagious virus spread in the saliva of cats. Once contracted this virus can lead to leukemia for which there is no effective treatment. FeLV vaccination is recommended for cats that go outside or are in contact with cats that go outside and is boostered yearly.
Canine Vaccines:
- Rabies – Rabies vaccination is not only important to protect your pet but is required by law. It should be updated every 1 to 3 years based on your pet’s age and vaccination history.
- Distemper (DHPP) – Protects against four highly contagious and deadly viruses that can be spread between dogs. DHPP is a “core” vaccine and should be kept up-to-date in all dogs. This means vaccination boosters every 1 to 3 years based on your pet’s age and vaccination history
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – A highly contagious respiratory disease that causes coughing and can progress to pneumonia in some cases. This vaccine is given every 6 months as a liquid in the nose or as an injection if your pet is head shy. It is recommended for any pet that goes to a boarding facility, groomer, doggy daycare, training classes or dog parks.
- Leptospirosis – a bacteria spread in the urine of numerous wild animals that causes severe kidney and liver disease. This bacteria will accumulate in bodies of water lake creeks, ponds, and long-standing puddles. We recommend Leptospirosis vaccination for dogs with an active outdoor lifestyle, those that go swimming often, or with access to large areas frequented by wildlife. Leptospirosis can be given as a solo vaccination or in combination with a Distemper vaccine and is boostered annually
- Lyme – a bacterial disease spread by ticks which are becoming increasingly common in Garner and the surrounding region. Lyme disease can cause pain, arthritis, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. In some cases, it can also lead to fatal kidney disease and neurologic disease. Lyme vaccination is recommended for dogs with active outdoor lifestyles, those with high tick exposure, and those who don’t receive consistent flea and tick preventative
- Influenza – a highly contagious respiratory disease which can progress to pneumonia. Canine influenza outbreaks are becoming more common and the most recent outbreak has made its way into Wake County. The current influenza vaccine does not prevent the new strain of the disease but has been shown to decrease the duration and severity of the symptoms. It is recommended to any dog that would also be a candidate for the Bordetella vaccine.
Diagnostics
AMC uses on-site, modern diagnostic equipment and techniques to ensure a timely and accurate diagnosis of your pet’s ailments.
Ultrasound:
Our in-house ultrasound equipment provides us with the ability to diagnose a myriad of conditions that we would otherwise miss with radiographs only. Unlike radiographs, which can only show the general shape and density of internal structures, ultrasound is able to penetrate the inside of organs and tissue so we can better evaluate its composition. With the ultrasound, we are better able to evaluate your pet for conditions like effusion (fluid in a body cavity or around the heart), masses (both cancerous and benign), urinary bladder stones and crystals, gall bladder disease and many more. The ultrasound is also used for the collection of diagnostic samples including urine, free fluids, and mass aspirates.
Digital Radiology:
Our digital radiology (x-ray) system is a great tool to aid in the diagnosis of a wide variety of conditions affecting your pet. Radiographs can help identify musculoskeletal injury, intestinal obstructions, bladder stones, heart disease, lung disease, and many other illnesses. We use digital x-rays for all dental procedures and diagnostics as well. Our digital system captures images without the need for traditional film and processing. This allows us to instantly review the images, adjust them for better diagnosis, and retake them quickly if needed. Since they are digital, we can also quickly save them to a disc for you to take home or send them off electronically for review by a board-certified radiologist.
In-House Laboratory:
Our brand new in-house lab machines allow for rapid, onsite diagnosis of many conditions which previously had to be sent to a lab to be analyzed. While it once took 24 hours to get results as to what was affecting your pet, we can now have answers in as little as 5 minutes. Whether it is pre-surgical blood work to make sure our patients are healthy enough for anesthesia or comprehensive blood panels to help diagnose insidious diseases, AMC Garner is prepared to quickly help your pet.
Euthanasia
Euthanasia is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make as a pet owner as well as one of the most difficult parts of our job as animal caregivers. However, it is also one of the greatest gifts we can give our pets. By sparing them pain and stress we ensure that our pets suffering is as minimal as possible.
The right time to say goodbye is always hard to know. Our veterinarians are always willing to discuss your pet’s quality of life to determine what is best for your family. If the decision is made to let your pet go, our staff is committed to making the process as painless and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.
Grief Counseling:
Losing a pet can be extremely upsetting, sometimes even more so than you might expect. We have such a close bond with our pets, so letting go is never easy and is often filled with pain, sadness, depression—even anger. Our team understands these feelings, as many of us have also lost pets of our own. The emotions we go through are real and nothing to be ashamed of.
Whether your loss is recent or you’ve been grieving for weeks, we are here to help you through this sad transition. We can also help your children understand and cope with their feelings. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Nutritional Counseling
You know the old saying, “You are what you eat”? Well there is definitely something to that.
Many conditions we treat have a nutritional component that, when corrected, can help prevent and correct the disease. AMC of Garner provides a wide variety of prescription diets that are specifically formulated to help prevent and treat certain conditions. Since these diets may have a significantly different composition than standard pet food, it is not always appropriate for healthy animals. For that same reason, there is often no over-the-counter equivalent to prescription diets.
However, there are other ways that nutrition can be used to benefit our patients. Nutritional supplements can also be useful in treating diseases by slowing down their progression and lessening the need for chronic medications.
Some of the nutritional supplements AMC of Garner routinely uses are:
- Nordic Naturals Fish Oil – a high potency fatty acid supplement used to treat osteoarthritis, allergies and heart disease
- Dasuquin – a glucosamine supplement formulated for pets to help treat and prevent osteoarthritis
- Enisyl-F Lysine Chews – a high potency lysine supplement that has anti-viral properties helpful for treating chronic upper respiratory tract in infections in cats caused by feline herpesvirus infection
- Denamarin – a combination of nutraceuticals clinically proven to help detoxify the liver
Parasite Prevention
Flea Prevention and Control:
Fleas can cause problems for pets ranging from minor to life-threatening. Not only can these parasites cause severe itching, irritation, and allergies, but they can also transmit tapeworms and diseases. Fleas can infest dogs, cats, ferrets, mice, and rats. And fleas don’t just stay on pets; they can bite people, too. For more information, contact us or see the flea article in the Pet Health Library on our site.
You don’t want these blood-sucking parasites on your pet or in your home. We can help keep them away or help you get rid of them if they’ve already found their way inside. Call us to find out how to eliminate and control fleas or to start your pet on a preventive today.
Heartworm Prevention:
When they bite, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm infection. And those heartworms can wreak havoc on your dog or cat. These parasites can severely and sometimes fatally damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some pets may not show any signs of infection; in those that do, symptoms can vary widely.
In dogs, signs of heartworm disease can range from coughing, fatigue, and weight loss to difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen (caused by fluid accumulation from heart failure). Canine heartworm infection can also lead to a life-threatening complication called “caval syndrome” (a form of liver failure); without prompt surgical intervention, this condition usually causes death.
Although often thought to not be susceptible to heartworm infection, cats can indeed get heartworms. Cats can suffer from a syndrome referred to as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD); the symptoms can be subtle and may mimic those of asthma or allergic bronchitis. Signs of respiratory distress, such as rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, and panting, are common. Other symptoms include coughing, vomiting (typically unrelated to eating), and loss of appetite or weight. Heartworm infection is more difficult to diagnose in cats than it is in dogs.
Treatment for heartworm infection is far more expensive than prevention—and it can actually kill your dog. There is no approved treatment for cats. Some cats spontaneously rid themselves of the infection; others might not survive it. And even one or two adult heartworms in a cat can cause serious problems.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to keep your dog or cat safe: by administering monthly heartworm preventives. Most heartworm medications also protect your pet against other parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites, fleas, and ticks. We can recommend the best regimen of prevention for your pet.
Tick Prevention:
Ticks are becoming more and more prevalent in North America, and they’re now being found in areas where people and pets didn’t previously encounter ticks. These parasites aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis. Contact us immediately if your pet starts coughing or has joint pain, trouble breathing, fever, weakness, or loss of appetite, weight, energy, or coordination.
The best method for keeping ticks off your pet is by keeping your dog or cat on a tick preventive. Even indoor-only pets are at risk because ticks can hitch a ride inside on your clothing or shoes. Tick preventives are safe and highly effective at controlling ticks and the diseases they carry. Call us to get your pet protected today!
Don’t panic if you find a tick on your dog or cat, even if your pet is on a preventive. Some preventives kill ticks after they’ve come in contact with your pet. Ticks can hide easily under your pet’s fur, so as an added measure of protection, we recommend checking your pet for ticks every time your pet comes in from outside. And don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you might have.
Surgery
At AMC of Garner, we are prepared for a wide variety of surgical procedures, from routine spays and neuters to more complicated surgeries like abdominal exploratory surgery and foreign body removal.
Safety is our number one priority and we go to extra lengths to ensure a successful surgical outcome. Our dedicated surgical suite is outfitted with modern anesthetic monitoring equipment which continuously measures our patient’s blood oxygen levels, heart rate and rhythm (EKG), blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate. In addition, pre-surgical blood work is required for all surgical patients and can often times be done in-house the morning of the procedure. This allows us to check for asymptomatic medical conditions that may negatively affect a patient under anesthesia.
All of our surgical patients receive an intravenous catheter to allow for easy venous access for medications. Anesthetized patients also receive intravenous fluids throughout the procedure to help maintain good levels of hydration and blood pressure.
Most patient’s undergoing surgery will stay with us for the day only, dropping off in the early morning and going home in the evening. However, more extensive and complicated procedures may require overnight monitoring at a 24-hour critical care facility. Still, other patients will require the services of a board certified surgeon and referral to a specialty hospital. Either way, your doctors at AMC of Garner will work with to make the best plan for your pet and your family.
Wellness Care
Wellness care is the key to keeping your pet healthy and the backbone of effective veterinary medicine. Some of the most common ailments in pets are easy to prevent but difficult to treat. At AMC of Garner, our ultimate goal is a lifetime of health for your pet and that begins with excellent and consistent preventative care.
This starts with a yearly examination for adult animals and twice yearly exams for senior animals. Our veterinarians will conduct a full physical exam to check for subtle signs of disease which will often go unnoticed at home. At that time your vet can also make recommendations on how to keep your pet healthy based on their breed, age, and lifestyle.
Routine vaccination is also an important part of preventative care. Some vaccines are considered “core”, meaning they are recommended for all animals and should always be kept up-to-date. Other vaccines may be needed to fully protect your pet based on their age and lifestyle. Your veterinarian will create a vaccine protocol specifically for your pet based on their specific risks.
Preventative care also comes home in the form of heartworm and flea/tick preventative. Monthly use of preventatives is encouraged year around to prevent serious disease spread by mosquitos, fleas, and ticks. AMC of Garner offers several different products and your vet will work with you to determine which is the best fit for your pet.
Wellness Programs
Puppy & Kitten Plans:
AMC Garner’s puppy and kitten plans are customized to your new pet and their specific needs. During your first visit, your doctor will work with you to determine the ideal vaccine schedule based on your pet’s vaccine history, lifestyle and exposure risks. Appropriate intestinal deworming and fecal testing will also be discussed.
In addition, your doctor will take the time to answer any questions you have about how to raise and care for your new fur baby. Typical things we discuss are appropriate diet and feeding, house training, behavior modification, and preventative medications. If you think of a question that was not addressed during your appointment do not hesitate to call the clinic at any time to discuss the issue with your vet.
At the end of your visit, your doctor will send you home with your pet’s customized vaccine schedule. As a reward for keeping up the prescribed schedule you will receive a special package of discounts that include:
- The first doses of heartworm and flea and tick preventatives FREE
- 10% off of all routine puppy/kitten visits
- 5% off all sick visits prior to 6 months of age
- 10% off the spay or neuter of your pet if the procedure is performed before 8 months old
Remember, the doctors and staff of AMC of Garner are always here for you as you begin on your new adventure into pet parenthood.
Dental Discount Program:
Why should the incentive to provide optimal dental health to our patients only last one month a year? While other hospitals offer discounts in February for Pet Dental Health Month, at AMC Garner we believe that dental health is a year-round issue for our patients.
It’s for that reason that we offer the Dental Discount Program. During every appointment, an AMC Garner veterinarian will perform an oral health exam on your pet. If your veterinarian recommends a dental procedure during that appointment you have the opportunity to take advantage of our discount program. Schedule the recommended dental cleaning for within 30 days of the appointment and you will receive a 10% discount off of the entire procedure. This discount applies to all dental procedures from routine cleaning to extensive tooth extractions.
Please take a moment to visit our Dentistry page to learn more about dental procedures and the wide-ranging impact that dental disease can have on your pet’s health.
POSH (Pets Over Seven Healthcare) Program:
“What is the POSH Program”
The POSH Program was created to reward our clients for following the senior preventative care program recommended by our veterinarians. There is no fee to join and no effort on your part to receive the benefits of the program. All you have to do is continue with the recommended twice yearly (every 6 months) senior examinations and once yearly comprehensive blood work to stay enrolled.
“What are the benefits?”
By staying enrolled in the POSH program you will receive a percentage off of your POSH pet’s invoice that is equal to their age at the time of the treatment. This discount is applicable to POSH qualifying services (2 yearly senior exams, once yearly comprehensive blood work). So, for example, if your pet is 11 years old you will receive an 11% discount off of your total bill for those services!
“What if I don’t want to continue with the program?”
If you do not wish to stay enrolled in the program you don’t have to do anything. Your discount will continue to be in effect until either the senior exam or senior lab work is passed due, at which time the discount will stop.
“What if I am dropped from the program and want to restart?”
That’s easy, too! As soon as the lab work and exam are current again you will automatically be re-enrolled.
“Why is senior preventative care important?”
A pet’s senior years begin around 7 years of age on average and during these years our animal companions are more susceptible to age-related diseases. Most of the disease that will affect them as they age are slow and progressive, meaning the signs are very mild and hard to detect. By bringing your pet in for twice-yearly exams and once yearly lab work you are increasing the likelihood that we will find subtle signs of chronic disease early in the disease process. By finding them early we are in a better position to treat them quickly with goals of slowing down the progression of the disease. This ensures that your pet can have the best quality of life for the longest time possible.
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Hours
Monday-Friday: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Contact Info
Phone: (919) 779-8887 (Call or Text)
Email: reception@amcofgarner.com
Have a question?
Our team is here to help.
