El Centro Pet Medical Center

09/17/2024

Happy National Pet Bird Day!!!!
We would like to share some of Dr Matthew Davis' Pet Birds.
We would love to see if any of you have Birds for pets. Please share photos with us in the comments.
🦃🐦🐥🦆

09/13/2024

Happy Friday the 13th!!
Spooky season is approching us fast. We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. 🐾🎃

09/05/2024

Kidney (or renal) disease is very common in dogs and cats, and it may be reversible or permanent based on underlying causes. The disease could be a result of age-related changes to the kidneys, acute injury or toxin ingestion, congenital defects present from birth, or in rare cases, a side effect of some medications. To prevent kidney disease or slow its progression, it's vital to stay regular with wellness visits so that together, we can monitor renal levels with blood work and urinalysis and catch any changes ASAP.

To learn more, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/kidney-disease-in-cats

08/29/2024

We will be closed for Labor Day, Monday September 2nd.

08/27/2024

We loved seeing all your cute doggies yesterday for National Dog Day!! 🐾🐕
Thank you for sharing with us.

08/26/2024

Happy National Dog Day Again!! 🐾
This cutie Bingo came in for a Wellness Exam!
Call to schedule appointment with us. 254-699-2425

08/26/2024

HAPPY NATIONAL DOG DAY!!
We want to celebrate by sharing some of our staffs sweet babies! 🐾🐕🎉
We would love to see your PUPS. Share a photo in the comments!!

08/13/2024

We get it: when your pet is itchy, you start to scratch, too! The good news is your pet doesn’t have to live with incessant itchiness. Learn to spot the signs, then book a visit so that together, we can discover the cause and explore options for long-lasting relief, like:

Cyptopoint®: an injectable therapy that provides 4 to 8 weeks of allergy relief with a single in-office dose. ¹ Plus, for a limited time, get $25 off when you buy 2 doses of Cytopoint. ²

Or Apoquel®: an oral medicine that can be given at home for fast relief of allergic itch.³

To learn more about how allergic itch is diagnosed and treated, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

¹ Data on file, Study No. C863R-US-12-018, 2014, Zoetis Inc. Data on file, Study No. C166RUS-17-180, 2018, Zoetis Inc. ² Valid 7/15/24-9/30/24. Terms apply see thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion. ³ Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet) and Apoquel® Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablet) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not use Apoquel or Apoquel Chewable in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable may increase the chances of developing serious infections and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment in dogs with a history of recurrence of these conditions. New neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed in clinical studies and postapproval. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporines. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines. See full Prescribing Information at ApoquelPI.com and ApoquelChewablePI.com.

08/12/2024

August is National Immunization Awareness Month.
Vaccines are essential to preventive care and can increase the chances of a longer, happier life for pets. Ensuring that pets are consistently up to date with their vaccinations can help prevent contracting disease or help lessen the severity of symptoms if a disease is contracted.
Call us to book an appointment. 254-699-2425 🐾

07/30/2024

Happy International Day of Friendship!!🐾

07/15/2024

Your pet deserves all the love—and a big part of that love includes championing their health! Here at Thrive, we're passionate about helping pet owners learn how to give their pet the best care, whether it's providing an individualized diet, grooming and exercise advice, or screening for health concerns regularly. By working together, you and your vet can prevent illness down the road or manage an ongoing chronic condition today, ensuring your pet lives their best life at every stage. 💚

Learn more about how we can help you keep your pet thriving here: thrivepetcare.com/be-their-champion

07/03/2024

06/25/2024

Warning:️ this post is about p**p! 💩 If you’ve ever wondered why you’re asked to bring in a f***l sample as part of your pet’s annual wellness exam, the answer is to check for intestinal parasites.

There are a variety of parasites that thrive inside of otherwise healthy pets, so having them routinely tested is essential to their well-being. Your pet's p**p will be checked for evidence of hookworms, roundworms, giardia, and more. 🔬
These parasites can not only make pets uncomfortable and irritable but can also lead to many more serious issues if left untreated. Several parasites can even be transmitted to people, so by having your pet’s f***s examined, you are protecting humans in your household, too!

To learn more about what intestinal parasites we test for in f***l exams, visit:

06/17/2024

Check your pet for ticks every day, especially after they spend time outdoors. Run your fingers through your pet's fur with gentle pressure to feel for any small bumps. If you find a tick, it’s important to act quickly and safely. You can either try to remove the tick yourself or take your dog to your nearest pet urgent care or an emergency pet hospital for help.

If you choose to remove the tick from your dog, follow the steps below:

1) Use tweezers (or a tick remover instrument like a Tick Key) to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, removing the whole head and body.
2) Pull the tick straight out with slow and steady pressure. (If the head of the tick is left in the skin, it can cause an infection and still transmit disease, so make sure the whole body is removed!)
3) Once the tick is removed, you can place it in a sealed container in case your vet wants to test it for diseases.
4) Clean the area of your dog’s skin with soap and water then apply a pet-safe antiseptic.
5) Contact us for advice on next steps. We may ask you to bring the tick in for testing.

06/12/2024

Many of the diseases that parasites cause can spread from your pet to you and your family, too. Pests like and can crawl or hitch a ride into your home on shoes, clothing, or even on the fur of another pet. Itchy yet? Let’s talk pests:

🕷️ Ticks 🕷️
Not only are ticks a threat to our pets, but an estimated 476K Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year.* They aren’t just a warm weather issue, either: contrary to popular belief, ticks don’t die in the winter and do not hibernate, either. If you or your pet spend time in grassy or wooded areas, get in the habit of spot-checking yourself and them for these small, spider-like creatures after every outing. If you find one, pull it off carefully and intact, then call us.

🐜 Fleas 🐜
These teeny-tiny jumping parasites aren’t just annoying for the itchy rashes they cause in pets and people. Studies have shown that the plague is once again on the rise and that fleas are one of the culprits. Fleas can multiply and jump from host to host alarmingly fast, so if you catch your pet itching more than usual, have them checked for fleas ASAP.

To learn more about these pesky pests, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/protect-against-pests

*source: www.CDC.gov
**source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

05/26/2024

In observance of Memorial Day, we will be closed on Monday, May 27th.
If you are experiencing a pet emergency, please call:

Animal Emergency Center of Killeen
254-628-5017
2808 Illinois Ave

Thrive Pet Healthcare Urgent Care
Available from 1pm-10pm
512-960-2671
603 Louis Hanna Blvd,Ste 190
Round Rock, Tx 78664

05/21/2024

that ONE bite from an infected mosquito is all it takes to transmit to your dog or cat? Scary, but true. Mosquitoes thrive all over the US, and not just during summer: different breeds are active throughout the year. 🦟

Treating disease caused by parasites in dogs can be complex and costly, and options are limited for cats. But there is good news: oral, injectable, or topical preventive medications are effective ways to protect your pet and are much more affordable than treatment itself, but *only* if your pet receives the recommended dose on a monthly or yearly basis. We can help find the right preventative for your pet based on their lifestyle and health needs, so don’t delay: book a visit today!

To learn more about heartworm prevention, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/protect-against-pests

05/01/2024

While pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are tiny—they can cause BIG problems for our pets, and even our families. That’s why we’re sharing easy ways to save on preventive medications, which are essential to keeping your pet healthy:

🏥 Dog owners can visit us for 15% off ProHeart 12, which offers 1 year of continuous heartworm protection with just 1 dose.*

💛 Thrive Plus members can buy a 10-month supply of Simparica Trio and get 2 months FREE.**

💳 CareCredit cardholders can pay for preventative medications over time. Limited time offer for new cardholders. From May 1 – July 31, 2024, open a new CareCredit credit card account, spend $300 or more to earn a $50 statement credit or $1,000 or more to earn a $100 statement credit, and register for the offer with promo code OFFER2024 at: //carecredit.com/promotions. Visit: //carecredit.com/offer2024 for complete details.***

To learn more about why to protect against pests, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/protect-against-pests
*Valid 5/1/2024-6/30/2024. In-clinic purchase only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts except for Thrive Plus member discounts and other parasite treatment related offers and promotions. Discount applies to ProHeart 12 only. Availability of products may vary. The offer does not include the cost of additional services, such as exams or diagnostic tests, that may be needed to fulfill a parasiticide prescription.

**Valid 5/1/2024-6/30/2024 for Thrive Plus Members ONLY. See full prescribing Information SimparicaTrioPI.com and ProHeart12PI.com. In-clinic purchase only. Cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts except for other parasite treatment related offers and promotions. Discount applies to Simparica Trio only. Availability of products may vary. The offer does not include the cost of additional services, such as exams or diagnostic tests, that may be needed to fulfill a parasiticide prescription.

***Subject to credit approval. Between May 1 – July 31, 2024: (1) open a new CareCredit account, (2) use it to make qualifying purchase(s), and (3) register online at //carecredit.com/promotions to earn a statement credit. If earned, statement credit will post to account within 3 billing cycles of offer end date. Account must remain open, in good standing and not become delinquent. Limit one statement credit per account. Applications submitted during offer period but approved after July 31, 2024, are not eligible. Statement credit cannot be used to satisfy the required minimum monthly payment on your account and may not be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent.

03/25/2024

We’re excited to introduce our new veterinarian, Dr. Lee Davis, who has been practicing in Conroe for the past 14 years. Dr. Davis is passionate about treating animals of all kinds and is looking forward to cultivating new relationships with pets and their owners here at El Centro. When he's not at work, life on his family ranch keeps him busy, which is home to two dogs, emus, goats, cows, a cat and a ferret. Please join us in extending Dr. Davis a warm welcome to the El Centro team!

03/01/2024

Notice for 3/1/24
El Centro Pet Medical Center will be closed for the day on 3/1/24. We will resume our regular business hours on 3/5/24 at 8am.
If you are having a pet emergency, please call:
Thrive Pet Healthcare Urgent Care, available from 1pm-10pm.
512-960-2671
603 Louis Hanna Blvd, Ste 190
Round Rock, TX 78664

Animal Emergency Center of Killeen
254-628-5017
2808 Illinois Ave
Opens at 6pm

Thank you!

01/23/2024

We are delighted to inform you that El Centro Pet Medical Center is back and ready to serve you and your beloved pets!

We’re excited to introduce our new veterinarian, Dr. Michael Joyner, who brings a wealth of experience and passion for animal care. Dr. Joyner is committed to providing exceptional veterinary services and ensuring the well-being of your furry companions.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our clients who showed patience and understanding during our staffing transition. Your support means the world to us! We are now taking appointments. Please call or text us at 254-699-2425 to book your next visit. If we don’t answer, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call. If you’d prefer to send an email, you can reach us at [email protected]

01/16/2024

We are excited to reopen our doors in ONE WEEK on Tuesday, January 23 at 8 a.m. and welcome Dr. Michael Joyner to our El Centro Pet Medical Center team! Dr. Joyner's bio is below.

We are currently taking appointments for January 23 and beyond. Please call or text us at 254-699-2425 to make an appointment. Please leave a voicemail and we will return your call. If you’d prefer to send an email, you can reach us at [email protected].

Our hospital will remain closed until January 23 at 8 a.m. If your pet needs immediate medical treatment for a serious or life-threatening condition that may require hospitalization, we recommend you contact Animal Emergency Center of Killeen at 254-628-5017 located at 2808 Illinois Avenue.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this temporary closure may bring. We look forward to seeing you again later this month!

About Dr. Joyner:
Dr. Michael J. Joyner is a familiar face at El Centro Pet Medical Center, having previously supported the hospital as a relief doctor. Prior to that, he was in private practice for over 33 years including serving as a board of directors member for Killeen After Hours Veterinary Services and the Temple-Belton Animal Emergency Center.

Dr. Joyner remains committed to his profession having served in multiple roles with the Texas Veterinary Medical Association including treasurer, board chair and president. In addition, he was the Texas representative to the Southwest Veterinary Symposium and president of the North Central Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Joyner has also organized continuing education seminars for the North Central Texas district.

A New Castle, Indiana, native, Dr. Joyner received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. He also holds a degree from Purdue University’s Veterinary Management Institute. Dr. Joyner is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Texas, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri.

12/22/2023

Due to unexpected staffing changes, we will temporarily close our doors effective Friday, December 29th, 2023 and reopen on January 23rd, 2024.

In the meantime, if your pet needs immediate medical treatment for a serious or life-threatening condition that may require hospitalization, we recommend you contact: Animal Emergency Center of Killeen at 254-628-5017 located at 2808 Illinois Avenue.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this closure may bring. Please visit our website for more information:

11/22/2023

‘Tis the season for joy, but the decorations and merrymaking that make it a time we look forward to can also pose some risks to our pets! To ensure a happy holiday for all, here are some vet-approved safety tips as you prepare your home for the festivities to come. 🎄🕯️ ✨

For even more tips about navigating the holidays with pets, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/holidays-with-your-pets

11/19/2023

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving from the staff at El Centro Pat Medical Center!

Unfortunately we will be closed week of Thanksgiving due to staffing issues. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Please go to another area veterinary clinic if there is a need for your pet.
We will be open again on Tuesday November 28 at 8 am.

Enjoy the holiday with your families and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

11/15/2023

New and experienced pet owners alike often ask their vet, "Why does my healthy pet need an annual wellness exam?" While many of us have a good understanding of illness symptoms that signal a vet visit, routine checkups outside of sick visits are just as essential for helping your pet live a long and happy life with you.

To learn more about why annual wellness exams are important for your pet’s health, visit: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/thrive-guide/why-does-my-pet-need-an-annual-wellness-exam

11/08/2023

This holiday season, over 200 of our hospital teams are gifting over 10,000 KONG behavioral enrichment toys to local shelters. We welcome you to join us in supporting rescue animals in your community (each and every of them are on the nice list - we checked twice)! Commonly requested items include unopened and unexpired pet food, new pet toys, blankets, towels, and potty supplies. No matter how you choose to give back, it’s sure to make a difference in the lives of adoptable pets in your community!

Note: Some shelters may not accept certain items. It’s always best to check their website or contact them directly before purchasing any items you intend to donate.

11/01/2023

Pets bring their people joy year-round, and there’s no better way to give back to them than with the gift of wellness through routine exams and preventative care! To help make it easier, we’re gifting one FREE month of membership* when you sign up for our program offering worry-free vet visits and savings on everyday pet care costs. Membership can be combined with options like the CareCredit credit card** and pet insurance to help make caring for your pet easier than ever. Learn more and enroll today at: https://www.thrivepetcare.com/membership

Use promo code: GIFTSOFCARE.

*Offer valid for new members only at participating locations from 11/01/2023 to 12/31/2023. 12-month commitment required.
**Subject to credit approval.

10/31/2023

We have new office hours through the holidays. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Things will change at the first of the year!

10/13/2023

Update:
Our phones are down right now due to a power outage in our neighborhood.