Pet Care

To give your puppy or kitten the best start, it is best to schedule an examination as soon as they join your family. This provides you an opportunity for your pet to establish a positive experience in a veterinary clinic, and most importantly establish a baseline of health to track your new pet's growth and development.

Lobby

For a special treat to your pet, visit our retail shop and pick out a new collar, leash or healthy treat! We carry a full line of veterinary approved dietary supplements, shampoos, home dental care products and behavior modification aids (Feliway, Adaptil). A staff favorite, the pet odor eliminating candle, is also available in many scents.

Exam Rooms

Our recently renovated exam rooms are cleaned and disinfected between each visit. We also offer a cat-friendly exam room with a Feliway pheromone diffuser and in-room scale away from loud noise.

We strive for a client-centric experience by performing as much as possible in the room; once your visit is completed, a copy of your exam & discharge instructions will be waiting for you at checkout.

Vaccinations will help keep your pet healthy and happy. Forest Acres Animal Hospital follows the guidelines set by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) for the most current vaccine recommendations. We tailor your pet's vaccinations on an individual basis, depending on your pet's age, lifestyle, breed, size, and environment. Some vaccines are administered annually, while others are recommended every six months or every three years, depending on the vaccine type. Please call us today to learn more about our vaccine packages and to set up an individualized vaccination schedule for your pet.

Vaccinations

We typically recommend these types of vaccines and preventatives:

Dogs

  • Distemper / Adenovirus / Parainfluenza / Parvovirus
  • These diseases are not only common, but they also represent a serious threat to your dog's life. Most dogs will encounter these diseases at some point in their lives, making this vaccination extremely important. A combination vaccination for all four diseases is recommended every three years after the puppy boosters.
  • Rabies
  • This fatal viral disease affects all warm-blooded animals, posing a risk to humans as well as to dogs and cats. Puppies should receive their first Rabies vaccination between 12-16 weeks of age, with a booster administered at one year of age. Dogs should receive an additional vaccination every three years after the first year.
  • Leptospirosis
  • This is a bacterial infection that attacks the kidneys, and is transmitted through the urine of wild animals such as raccoons and rodents. Dogs may contract this disease through contaminated puddles or outdoor water bowls. Leptospirosis is becoming a more common disease and can present a serious threat to your pet's health. Dogs at risk of being exposed should be vaccinated annually.
  • Bordetella Bronchiseptica
  • This disease is commonly known as kennel cough. Symptoms include a dry hacking cough that may last six weeks or longer. This disease is caused by a highly contagious bacterium. Dogs are commonly exposed to the disease in boarding kennels, obedience schools, public dog parks, grooming facilities, and veterinary hospitals. Dogs at risk of exposure should be vaccinated yearly.
  • Heartworm
  • Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting heartworms, making exposure very likely, especially in South Carolina. Your dog's monthly heartworm prevention also protects him or her against intestinal parasites that can be transmitted to humans. Heartworms can cause heart and lung disease, which can be fatal. Puppies should begin heartworm medication at eight weeks of age and should continue monthly treatment for the rest of their lives. Heartworm medication also serves as a monthly parasite control.
New Puppy Vet Care

Cats

  • FVRCP
  • This is a combination vaccination administered every two to three weeks between 8¬ and 16 weeks of age. Cats receive a booster at one year, with additional boosters every three years. This vaccine helps to safeguard your cat against three viral diseases: Rhinotracheitis, a herpes virus; Calici virus, which causes upper respiratory infection; and Panleukopenia, also known as distemper. These potentially fatal viruses are all easily transmitted between cats.
  • Rabies
  • This fatal disease affects cats in the same way it affects dogs and humans. The initial vaccination should be given at 12-16 weeks of age, with non-adjuvanted Purevax boosters administered annually. Some evidence shows that these one-year vaccines are less likely to cause tumors than adjuvanted three-year vaccines, therefore decreasing your cat's risk of developing sarcomas at the injection site.
  • Feline Leukemia
  • This is an often fatal viral disease that suppresses the normal functions of the feline immune system and inhibits an afflicted cat's ability to fight off disease and infection. Transmission typically occurs through grooming, sharing water bowls, breeding, fighting, and contact with saliva. It is recommended that cats receive the first vaccination at nine weeks with a booster at 12 weeks, and a booster once a year thereafter.
New Kitten Vet Care

Treatment Area

Our treatment area has many uses. We perform all dental cleanings in this area, as well as attend to emergencies, perform treatments and drop-off examinations.

Dentistry

Good oral health is important to your pet's general health! Just as your dentist recommends routine dental cleanings to prevent disease of your teeth, it is also highly recommended for your pet to have routine dental exams and cleanings. According to the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), by the age of 3 years old, most pets will have some degree of periodontal disease.

Signs of oral and dental diseases in dogs and cats:
  • Bad breath.
  • Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar.
  • Your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area.
  • Drooling or dropping food from the mouth.
  • Bleeding from the mouth.
  • Loss of appetite or loss of weight (this combination can result from diseases of many organs, and early veterinary examination is important).

Most commonly, the only sign of periodontal disease that an owner recognizes is "bad breath". As a result, periodontal disease is often diagnosed late in the course of disease and may cause multiple problems in the oral cavity and may be associated with damage to internal organs in some patients as they age. Studies in humans have linked periodontal disease to a variety of health problems.

Because our pets can't tell us when their teeth hurt or when there is a problem, it is important that they have yearly dental exams. All of our routine exams include a dental exam. If our veterinarians notice periodontal disease or have concerns, it is important to do a complete dental exam under anesthesia. Similar to a human dentist, your pet's teeth will be probed and evaluated to check for periodontal pockets, gum erosion, root exposure, and fractures, which may lead to tooth extractions. Anesthesia is necessary for all dental cleanings and so-called "anesthesia-free" dental scaling is not recommended by AVDC. When our own teeth are cleaned, we calmly sit in the chair, open our mouth when requested, and know to spit excess fluid to prevent from choking. We also understand why the cleaning is important and rarely need sedation or restraint. This is not true for our pets. Additionally, we are able to tell the dentist which teeth or areas are painful. Our pets are not able to understand the exam and cleaning process and cannot communicate their aches and pains. For these reasons, it is important that proper anesthesia is performed so as not to miss anything and to protect the pet from inhaling fluid from the cleaning process.

When necessary, in-house digital x-rays can be taken and reviewed instantly. These images can be very useful to detect fractures, infected pockets or root abscesses, broken roots left below the surface of the gum line, amognst other things.

Statistics show that preventing diseases with regular dental checkups can extend your pet's life expectancy by two to four years.

Hospitalized Ward

When pets need hospitalization or continuous monitoring, they are kept in the wards adjacent to the treatment area where our technicians and doctors can see them at all times.

Laboratory

Our fully equipped in-house laboratory allows us to run blood, urine and fecal tests immediately, giving you an answer about your pet's health within minutes.

Euthanasias

The loss of a pet is a tragic and emotional time for any family. A dog or cat that is suffering from disease or injury may need euthanasia services. We will assess your pet’s situation and help you gain a thorough understanding of what your pet is experiencing. When euthanasia is required, we will work with you to help you say goodbye and be with your pet to the full level of your comfort.

Pet Comfort

Mild sedation will be administered to ease any discomfort your pet is experiencing. This gives you extra time to say goodbye to your pet while keeping your pet from suffering.

Humane Euthanasia

When it is time, we will administer the euthanasia medication that will allow your pet to gently fall asleep and peacefully pass.

After Care

If you desire a home burial for your pet, we will provide guidance on local regulations and guidelines and help with preparation for burial. If you desire cremation, we offer transportation for your pet to the crematorium.

Forest Acres Animal Hospital

Phone: (803) 738-1515

Text: (844) 971-3588

Email: info@forestacresanimalhospital.com

Forest Acres Animal Hospital
3327 Forest Drive
Columbia, SC 29204


Do you need a home visit to care for your pets? Contact Graham Vet to Pet to schedule a home vet visit.

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