September Animal Pain Awareness Month

🐾 October is Pet Wellness Month at Animal Care Veterinary Hospital! 🐾 Let’s build healthy habits for a longer, happier life—for your pets and your family. At Animal Care Center, we’re dedicating this October to celebrating Pet Wellness Month—a time to focus on the habits and care routines that keep our beloved companions happy, active, and thriving. Whether it's scheduling a wellness exam, updating vaccines, getting more walks in, or giving back to animals in need—every small step counts. 🩺 Why Pet Wellness Matters As a pet parent, you want to give your furry friend the best life possible—and that starts with regular care. Here's why investing in wellness today leads to a healthier tomorrow: Early detection saves lives – Annual wellness exams catch health issues before they become serious. Better quality of life – Preventive care keeps pets comfortable, playful, and active. Strengthen your bond – Routine care builds trust and deepens your connection. Lower long-term costs – Prevention is often far less expensive than emergency treatments. Happier homes – A healthy pet brings joy to the whole family! 🐶 4 Ways to Celebrate Pet Wellness Month 1. Schedule a Wellness Exam Just like people, pets need regular check-ups—even when they seem healthy. A wellness exam at Animal Care Center includes: Vaccine updates Dental checkup Weight & nutrition guidance Screenings for age- or breed-specific risks Parasite prevention review 📞 Call (252) 636-5040 to book your pet’s exam today! Senior pets or those with chronic conditions may need more frequent visits—ask us for personalized care recommendations. 2. Stay on Top of Vaccines & Parasite Prevention Vaccines protect against serious, preventable diseases like parvo, distemper, lepto, and rabies. Plus, parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworms are more than just annoying—they pose real health risks. ✨ We now carry NexGard PLUS for dogs and NexGard COMBO for cats—monthly, all-in-one preventatives. As well as, ProHeart and Bravecto Quantum injectables for dogs for year around protection. 💸 Enjoy same-day instant rebates when purchasing 6–12 months of coverage of NexGard Plus or Nexgard COMBO! Need your pet’s vaccine records or want to order parasite prevention? Just give us a call! 3. Prioritize Nutrition & Exercise A healthy diet and regular activity are essential to your pet’s well-being. Good nutrition and exercise: Prevent obesity Improve joint health Increase energy and mental stimulation 🏃‍♀️ Easy ways to stay active: Take a daily walk Try interactive toys or puzzle feeders Schedule routine grooming Play fetch or tug indoors on rainy days Remember: An active pet is a happy pet—and a healthier one, too! 4. Plan Ahead with Pet Insurance or an Emergency Fund Unexpected vet visits can be stressful. Protect your peace of mind by preparing ahead: Research pet insurance options (coverage varies!) We have payment plans through Cherry Consider a dedicated savings account for pet emergencies We also use CareCredit Not sure which route is best for you? We’re happy to provide guidance—every pet and family is different. Let’s Make October Count! Pet Wellness Month is the perfect time to recommit to your pet’s health and happiness. Whether you're starting a new routine or just need a little support getting back on track, we’re here to help every step of the way. 📞 Call us at (252) 636-5040 to schedule your pet’s appointment or speak with a team member today. Animal Care Center Veterinary Hospital Caring for pets. Supporting families. Building healthy futures—one paw at a time. 🐾

May is upon us and it is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It may be hard to spot signs and symptoms of allergies and asthma in our pets because they differ from humans in many ways. Allergies affect both cats and dogs whereas asthma is a lot more common in cats. Allergies are a little bit easier to spot than asthma, but can be very tricky to treat so catching it early can help keep our pets from being too uncomfortable. Just like in humans, there is no cure for allergies but tons of options to keep our pets from suffering. A good rule of thumb (especially in North Carolina) is to keep your pet on consistent flea prevention. Signs and Symptoms of Allergies Shedding Excessive licking and chewing Scooting their butt on the floor Chronic ear infections Respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing Red, itchy, inflamed or infected skin Excessive biting or scratching Bad smell on their coat, smelly feet and ears Allergy Triggers Flea/insect allergies Food allergies Environmental allergies Pollens Grasses Mold Dust Contact allergies with any chemicals, pesticides or other irritants If you notice any of the above signs or symptoms don’t wait until your pet is miserable, your primary care vet can help! There are tons of treatments for all different types of allergies and your pet can get back to their normal in no time. Sometimes all it takes is over the counter allergy medications but always remember to check with your doctor before administering any medications to your pet. From Above & Beyond Veterinary Hospital