Quartet Veterinary Specialty Hospital

11/26/2025

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, Quartet will be closed Thursday, November 27th & Friday, November 28th. Our phones will be forwarded to VEG in Cary, should you have any urgent needs. 🐾
We will return to normal business hours on Monday, December 1st.

11/25/2025

The colder weather is approaching fast! ❄️
Keep cats & other small animals safe this winter — check under the hood and around your vehicle before starting the engine - tap on the hood, honk the horn, and check the engine bay!

By taking a few simple precautions, you can help prevent harm to both your vehicle and any curious cats trying to stay warm 🐱🐾

11/24/2025

To ensure Thanksgiving safety for pets, keep them away from toxic foods like onions, garlic, raisins, chocolate, raw dough and fatty scraps, and secure all trash. Also, create a quiet, safe space for pets to retreat to, secure your home to prevent them from escaping, and ensure their ID tags are up-to-date in case they do get out.

Quick action can save lives! If you believe your pet has been poisoned or has eaten something they shouldn’t have, immediately call your family veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic. You also can call the ASPCA Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661)—note that a fee may apply. Signs that something might be wrong with your pet include sudden behavior changes, depression, discomfort or pain, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Contact your local emergency veterinarian immediately if your pet shows any of these signs.

11/20/2025

11/19/2025

It’s called "counter surfing" when your dog jumps up on the kitchen counter and steals food (or other items). Agile dogs might jump up with all four paws on the counter while other dogs, those who are tall enough, prop just their front legs on the counter tops to reach items.

Cats and dogs are naturally curious and always looking for food and new places to explore. While this behavior comes form their natural survival instincts, it can be managed with consistent training.

Helpful Tips for Prevention of Counter Surfing:

1. Block access to places where food is left out by using baby gates or putting your dog in another room when you are cooking and/or you have company. This means there is no opportunity for your dog to fail.

2. If you are working in the kitchen and unable to use a baby gate, place a mat or dog bed on the floor and teach your dog to settle there or behind an imaginary line he cannot cross while you cook.

3. Give your dog something to do to help him settle. An enriching and interactive toy or chew will give your dog something to do and focus on rather than trying to get the food you're making from the counter or table.

4. Do not leave your dog in the kitchen unsupervised. Each time he is successful is another opportunity for reinforcement and makes counter surfing harder to stop. Ensuring all the food your dog gets comes from you or an enriching toy on the ground will keep his paws off the counters.

11/18/2025

We were so saddened to hear of our patient "Captain Jack Sparrow" passing over the rainbow bridge.

Unfortunately, after having a successful TPLO surgery with Dr. Gallagher, he grew to develop a neurological condition unrelated to his knee issue. His family elected palliative care at home, as his condition progressed quickly, and he experienced paresis in both hindlimbs.

We know Jack Sparrow was very loved and cared for, and he was able to live out his remainder of time home with his humans and furry siblings.

We thank Jack Sparrow's family for driving back to Quartet to let us know how grateful they were for the time they had with Jack, and of course for the delicious treats, and beautiful card. ❤️

In the words of Captain Jack Sparrow himself. "Not all treasure's silver and gold, mate." 🌈

11/17/2025

"Kalabar" is a very comely Main C**n cat! Unfortunately, he has fractured the growth plate in his right hip. Signs include:
* Limping or stiffness in the hind legs
* Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
* Pain when the hips are touched or manipulated
* Difficulty squatting or using the litter box
* Decreased activity levels

Hip dysplasia is a condition in cats where the hip joint is abnormally shaped or positioned. This can lead to pain, mobility issues, and long-term complications. However, they typically respond very well to an FHO surgery! 🐾🐱



**nCat

11/14/2025

"Mando" is a very handsome Doberman who was referred to Dr. Brinkley for repair of a primary perineal hernia. He is also a Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) patient.

(vWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects dogs. It is caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein that helps blood platelets stick together and form clots. vWD is common in certain dog breeds, including: Doberman Pinschers, Shetland Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

For this particular reason, Mando was scheduled for surgery on a day we had fresh frozen plasma on hand. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) can be used before surgery for dogs with Von Willebrand's disease (VWD) to increase von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels and reduce bleeding risk.

Primary perineal hernias are a weakening of the pelvic diaphragm that allows organs to bulge near the a**s, primarily affecting older, intact male dogs. Symptoms include straining to defecate, a swelling near the a**s, and constipation, though other issues like urinary problems can occur if the bladder is affected. Treatment typically involves surgical repair combined with castration to reduce prostate size and recurrence. 🐾

11/13/2025

"Kenzo", a 3yr old Labrador, was referred to Dr. Brinkley by Shiloh Animal Hospital, for a Salivary Mucocoele / Sialocoele.

This is a swelling caused by a buildup of saliva from a damaged salivary gland or duct, appearing as a soft, non-painful mass. Symptoms include swelling under the jaw, on the cheek, or under the tongue, and can lead to difficulty chewing, swallowing, or breathing. A mucocele can occur due to anything that causes injury to the head and neck, such as fighting or chewing on sticks.

Surgery is the most common and effective treatment. It involves surgically removing the affected salivary gland and duct. 🐾

11/12/2025

"Captain", a 3 month old Bernese Mountain Dog, was referred to Dr. Gallagher by Hill Creek Vet Hospital in Pittsboro for a consultation to evaluate congenital hip dysplasia. He is an excellent candidate for a JPS surgery (Juvenile P***c Symphysiodesis).

This is a preventative surgery for canine hip dysplasia performed on puppies between 12 and 20 weeks of age, ideally between 14 and 16 weeks. The procedure involves fusing the growth plate in the p***c bone, which redirects pelvic growth to allow the hip sockets to rotate over the femoral heads, improving joint coverage and stability. This minimally invasive surgery reduces the chance of painful arthritis and the need for more complex surgery later in life, such as a total hip replacement.

11/11/2025

Today we thank and honor ALL those who have served honorably in the military - in wartime or peace.

We gratefully honor our entire military community with a 5% discount off of our services 🇺🇸

We would also like to recognize all of our staff members who have children, spouses, parents and siblings who are currently serving or who have served our country. ❤️ day

11/10/2025

This week is Practice Manager Appreciation Week. It is a week that celebrates the integral role practice managers play in keeping operations smooth, supporting their teams, and ensuring excellent care for clients and patients.

Managing a busy veterinary hospital is no easy task, and we know how much dedication, compassion, and leadership it takes to keep everything running behind-the scenes here at Quartet. In her leadership role, Kathleen is often the unsung hero who empowers our surgeons and staff to devote their focus to patient treatment and outcomes. She achieves this by managing human resources, practice finances, organizational issues, customer relations and so much more.

We all appreciate everything you do for us Kathleen!! 💕