Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency

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Hickory, NC
Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency

Your partner for patient care. We help veterinarians by providing specialized care to pets.

Whether you need help managing pet emergencies when a neighborhood veterinarian is closed, or you’re looking for advanced diagnostics, evaluations, and care, CASE offers state-of-the-art veterinary care in an environment rooted in comfort & compassion. We also help pets facing emergencies when their go-to veterinarian isn’t available. If a veterinarian needs a specialist’s help with a patient case

, we have the resources to help support the patient’s case. We’re proud to be trusted by veterinarians and pet owners throughout North Carolina, and we take that trust seriously. It’s a big part of why we’re open 24/7 for emergency walk-ins and immediate referrals. When it comes to caring for pets, we recognize that time is of the essence. No matter the time of day, our hospital always has an on-site critical care veterinarian, backed by a full support team, to provide exceptional support for pets in need of care.

12/18/2025

**❤️🐾 Carlach’s Tummy Troubles Turned Around! 🐾❤️**

Meet **Carlach**, the sweetest little pup who came to CASE feeling *far* from her best. She was dealing with an upset tummy, along with frequent **vomiting and diarrhea** — something that can make any pet feel miserable. 💔

With some gentle **GI supportive care** from our team, Carlach started feeling much better — and before long, she was back to being her **happy, needy, loving puppy self**! 🌟🐶

We’re so glad to see her tail wagging again and her playful personality shining through. Healing hugs to you, Carlach! ❤️

**

12/16/2025

**💛 A Heartfelt Thank You from Bella’s Family 💛**

We were touched by a wonderful surprise from **Bella's family**, who stopped by to show their appreciation for **Dr. Derek Lindstrom** and every team member who helped care for Bella during her stay at CASE. 💐🐾

They shared so many kind words about every person they interacted with — expressing their gratitude for the compassion, communication, and dedication shown throughout Bella’s treatment.

Moments like these mean the world to our team. 💙
Thank you, Bella’s family, for your thoughtfulness and trust. And **great job, Dr. Lindstrom & team**, for providing such exceptional care!

**

12/15/2025

**😎🐾 Laser Therapy in Style! 🐾😎**

Our patients are *rocking their doggles* during laser therapy, and honestly… we think they make the look iconic. 💁‍♀️💛

But behind the cool shades is a powerful treatment doing incredible work!

**Therapeutic laser therapy** is used to help treat a wide range of conditions, including:
• osteoarthritis
• lick granulomas
• cellulitis
• soft tissue injuries
• and so many other ailments

Laser therapy helps **reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and speed up healing** in tissues throughout the body — including skin, ears, gums, muscles, and tendons.

While often known for treating musculoskeletal pain, laser therapy can also support:
• post-surgical and soft tissue trauma
• muscle, ligament, & tendon injuries
• back pain
• traumatic wound healing
• arthritis / hip dysplasia
• improved metabolism of targeted tissues
• reduced scar tissue formation
• enhanced nerve function & regeneration
• release of painful trigger points

Whether they’re healing from injury, surgery, or chronic pain, our patients get the relief they need — and look stylish doing it. 😎✨

**

12/12/2025

**💖 Sweet Stella’s Road to Healing 💖**

Meet **Stella**, a brave and incredibly loving girl who recently came to CASE after being hit by a car. She arrived with a **traumatic hemoabdomen** and a **dislocated hip** — serious injuries that can be life-threatening without immediate care.

Despite everything she’s been through, Stella has shown nothing but **gentleness, resilience, and a whole lot of love**. Even while feeling her worst, all she wants is **cuddles and comfort**. 💕

Our Emergency and Surgery teams are working closely to manage her injuries, stabilize her condition, and support her through every step of her recovery. Stella has already won the hearts of everyone here — and we’re cheering her on as she continues to heal.

Please keep this sweet girl in your thoughts as she works her way back to feeling her best. 💛🐾

** **

12/11/2025

**🐾✨ Helping Pets Stay Moving: Wheelchair Fittings at CASE! ✨🐾**

Did you know that **CASE offers custom fittings for pet wheelchairs**? 🐶🐱💙
We’re here to support you and your pet every step of the way — including taking the **proper, precise measurements** to ensure their wheelchair fits comfortably and safely.

A well-fitted pet wheelchair can make an incredible difference for pets experiencing:
• hind-leg weakness
• mobility limitations
• chronic pain
• paralysis
• recovery after injury or surgery

These mobility devices help pets regain independence by allowing them to **walk, exercise, and participate in daily activities** they love. Beyond the physical benefits, wheelchairs can also improve **mental well-being**, reduce frustration, and boost confidence.

Additional benefits include:
✔️ reduced stress on joints
✔️ enhanced quality of life
✔️ support during rehabilitation
✔️ the ability to build muscle safely without pressure on injured areas

If you think your pet may benefit from a wheelchair, our team is here to help guide you through every step of the process. 💛🐾

**

12/10/2025

**🩺✨ Always Learning, Always Improving at CASE ✨🩺**

At CASE, we believe that exceptional patient care starts with a team that’s always growing, learning, and refining their skills. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on **Grace, RVT**, from our Surgery Department! 🌟

Grace has been hard at work practicing advanced suturing techniques — including **purse-string sutures** and **Chinese finger-trap sutures** — which play an important role in securing tubes, drains, and catheters for some of our most critical patients.

These specialized skills help ensure:
✔️ safer procedures
✔️ more secure placements
✔️ smoother recoveries
✔️ better outcomes for the pets who rely on us most

We’re incredibly proud of Grace’s dedication to mastering these techniques and her commitment to delivering the highest standard of care for every patient who comes through our doors. 💙🐾

Here’s to continuous learning and the amazing team members who make it all possible! 🙌

**

12/09/2025

**💛 Patient Progress Update: Finn 💛**

We’re thrilled to share a happy update on one of our recent patients, **Finn**! 🐾✨

Finn was hospitalized with us at CASE from **11/1–11/2** and again from **11/3–11/5** after experiencing serious complications from a **turpentine exposure**. This type of toxicity can be very dangerous, and Finn was one brave cat throughout his stay.

Thanks to the combined efforts of our **Emergency** and **Internal Medicine** teams — and the dedicated support of his family — Finn made steady progress during his time with us. 💙

His dad shared how grateful he was for the care and compassion Finn received, and we’re just as grateful for the trust his family placed in us.

We’re so happy to report that Finn is now **back home and recovering smoothly and steadily**. Keep healing, sweet boy — we’re all cheering you on! 🐶💛

12/04/2025

**What Is a Veterinary Specialist—and Why Might Your Pet Need One?**
A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who completes **3–5 additional years** of advanced internships, residencies, and hands-on clinical training. Afterward, they undergo rigorous testing to become **board-certified experts** in their specialty field.

These specialists work alongside your family veterinarian to treat complex medical and surgical conditions. Their advanced training also includes the use of specialized diagnostic tools such as **Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography (CT)** to provide deeper insight into your pet’s health.

At **Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE)**, we offer advanced specialty care, including:
🔹 **Surgery** (orthopedic & soft tissue)
🔹 **Internal Medicine**
🔹 **Radioactive Iodine Therapy** for hyperthyroid cats
🔹 **Rehabilitation**
🔹 **Dermatology** (visiting veterinarian)
🔹 **Behavior** (visiting veterinarian specialist)

Our board-certified specialists help manage a wide range of chronic and serious conditions — including diabetes, heart disease, liver and kidney disease, adrenal disorders, respiratory disease, cancerous conditions, infectious diseases, dermatologic issues, and behavior concerns.

If your pet may benefit from specialized care, please talk with your family veterinarian about a referral.
💙 Visit our website to learn more about Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency
https://ncvetspecialists.com

12/02/2025

🎄🐾 Join Us This Saturday! 🐾🎄

Your furry friends like to celebrate the holidays, too! Bring your pup to Bruce Meisner Park on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this year’s Dog Walk & Pictures with Santa — a festive, family-friendly event complete with dog treats, squeaky toys, and plenty of belly rubs to go around.

CASE will be on-site with a table full of info and fun swag! Stop by and say hello while enjoying the festivities and helping support the Catawba County Animal Services Pet Food Bank Drive.

🎁 This is a free community event, but attendees are encouraged to bring a donation of pet food to support local pets in need.

📣 Don’t forget to tag City of Hickory and Catawba County Animal Services when sharing your photos!

11/27/2025

**🦃🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at CASE🍁🦃**

This Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for our amazing clients, our dedicated team, and the wonderful pets we care for every day. We are also deeply thankful for our trusted **referring hospitals** — your partnership allows us to work together to provide the highest level of care for the pets in our community.

As always, **CASE is open 24/7** throughout the holiday for any urgent or emergency pet needs. If your pet requires immediate care, we’re here whenever you need us.

Wishing you and your pets a warm, joyful, and safe Thanksgiving!

❤️🐾

11/26/2025

**🍁🐾 Thanksgiving Pet Safety Alert! 🐾🍁**

Our friend Izzy is checking in with a friendly reminder to keep your furry family members safe this Thanksgiving! 🐶💛

While the holiday table is full of tempting treats, some foods can be dangerous for pets. Here are **common hazards** your pets should *never* eat:

🚫 **Turkey bones** – Can splinter and cause choking or internal injury
🚫 **Fatty foods (skin, gravy, buttered dishes)** – May trigger pancreatitis
🚫 **Onions, garlic, leeks, chives** – Toxic to dogs and cats
🚫 **Chocolate & desserts with xylitol** – Highly dangerous and potentially life-threatening
🚫 **Grapes & raisins** – Can cause kidney failure
🚫 **Alcohol** – Very toxic, even in small amounts
🚫 **Bread dough** – Expands in the stomach and can cause serious complications
🚫 **Seasoned stuffing** – Often contains onions, garlic, and excess fats

✔️ **Izzy-approved pet-safe treats:** A little plain turkey (no skin or bones), plain pumpkin, or simple steamed veggies like green beans or carrots.

If your pet gets into something they shouldn’t, Izzy wants you to know that **Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE) is open 24/7** — including all Thanksgiving weekend — for any pet emergencies.

Stay safe, stay thankful, and give those furry friends an extra snuggle from Izzy! 🦃❤️🐾

** **

Address

1050 US Highway 321 NW
Hickory, NC
28601

Telephone

+18283286697

Website

http://ncvetspecialists.com/

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