WesVet Animal Hospital

08/21/2024

🦝This the pros at have some seriously smart Raccoon Tips! We’re so thankful to work with and learn from their amazing team! 🫶
From Walden’s Puddle:
“If you have a raccoon in or around your house, it's best to assume there are babies too!
📣 Raccoons like dark, quiet locations to raise their young, so make your attic/crawl space the opposite! 🫨

💡Light it up! Spotlights, flashlights, strobe lights, work lights, use whatever you have! Set them up by the entrance/exit point or throughout your attic to ensure maximum annoyance.
📻Crank it up! Place a speaker or radio in or near the attic and turn it on as loud as you (and your neighbors) can tolerate. Rock music, talk radio, anything loud or with human voices will work.
⏳If the mom is successfully annoyed, she will carry her babies one by one to a new location. It will probably take a full night or two, but she should come back for them all.
🔨 When you're sure they have completely vacated, put up some hardware cloth or chicken wire to cover the entrance/exit hole until you can arrange a more permanent fix.
🗞️ If you're unsure if they've left, stuff some newspaper into the entrance/exit hole. Alternatively, tape one or two layers of paper covering it. If a few nights go by and it's undisturbed, then congrats!”

08/21/2024

From vegan to grain-free diets, the pet food market is saturated with “the best” diets. However, many pet foods marketed as the most nutritious may not be. Check out our latest blog post where we debunk pet food myths so you can be informed about what to feed your furry friend.

Pet nutrition supports your furry friend's health, vibrancy, and well-being. However, with the misleading pet nutrition information circulating online, you may have trouble distinguishing the truth behind common myths. Our WesVet Animal Hospital team debunks common myths and provides accurate inform...

08/19/2024

We had to say “see ya later” to one of our own, our amazing assistant Karla. Dr. Wes was honored to attend and participate in her white coat ceremony as she starts her journey to become a doctor of veterinary medicine at UT.

If you’ve been lucky enough to see Karla when you’ve been at WesVet, then you know how truly special she is. We wish her all the best in this new beginning, but don’t worry because we’ve already scheduled the first recruiting trip to get her back to WesVet once she’s done. Karla, you always have a home at WesVet! Now get to class and crush it!

💙💛🐶🐱

08/17/2024

👸🏽Serving Royal Vibes👑 This we want to shout out 💚Emerald💚 the Selfie Queen of WesVet!!! And, of course, her adorable kitten Princess of the Day! 👑 Hope your day is as purrfect as theirs! 🐾

08/16/2024

🎉 We're thrilled to announce that WesVet Animal Hospital has been nominated for the Nashville Parent 2024 Best of Parenting Awards! 🏆 Your support means the world to us, and we need your votes to bring this award home! 🐾 Click the link in our bio to cast your vote and help us continue providing top-notch care for your furry family members! ❤️

08/08/2024

👍Happy from the WesVet Surgical Suite! Dr. Hays is performing a life saving spay on a patient suffering from a Pyometra😟 Thanks to early intervention and her excellent care team (lookin’ at you and .hardin 😘), she’ll be feeling MUCH better VERY soon!🫶
Pyometra is a life-threatening infection of the uterus in dogs and cats that requires immediate medical intervention! Most common in older, unspayed females, this condition can be deadly if left untreated. Signs to watch for in unspayed females include:
⁃ vaginal discharge
⁃ lethargy
⁃ vomiting
⁃ increased thirst
🐶🐱 Early detection and rapid intervention are key! Spaying your pet is the best prevention. 🩺❤️

08/04/2024

📖BLOG POST: Itchy and Scratchy - Common Skin Conditions in Pets📓
Pets’ skin conditions can occur at any time but are often more common during the warmer months. Skin issues have many different underlying causes:
⁃ Flea allergy dermatitis: intense itching, redness, oozing sores, hair loss (especially over the rump)
⁃ Atopic dermatitis: environmental allergies - mold/dust/grass/food proteins/etc… - itching, general discomfort
⁃ Bacterial infections: broken skin from intense itching allows bacterial populations to overgrow - oozing/redness/odor
⁃ Hot Spots: “acute moist dermatitis” - inflammation/oozing/painful area
⁃ Ringworm: fungal infection - ring-shaped hairless area, not necessarily itchy
⁃ Mange: a parasitic mite infection - Sarcoptes is intensely itchy and very contagious. Demodex is found mostly in immune compromised patients
⁃ Yeast Infections: caused by a yeast overgrowth on a pet’s skin. Often in warm, moist skin areas such as inside the ears, on the groin, or in between toes.
⁃ Chin Acne in Cats: thick, red, and crusty lesions on their chin and lip margins, with blocked hair follicles sometimes visible. Cats can develop secondary infections if feline chin acne is left untreated.
📖 For a more detailed discussion on Pet Skin Conditions check out our for our 🔗

07/31/2024

🐿️Happy Wildlife Wednesday, Nashville! This week, our friends at are helping us learn how to better care for our 🏞️
How to reunite a baby squirrel with it’s momma:
🌡️Be aware of temperature! Don’t place the baby in direct sunlight
📥Place baby in a container that the momma can get into easily on the ground and where you found the baby
🤳Pull up a video of baby squirrels crying on your phone (there is an hour long video on YouTube!) Leave your phone on the ground next to the box
👀 Watch from a distance! The momma will *not* come back if you are near. Keep an eye out for predators (cats, dogs, etc…)
🕰️ Wait 2-3 hours for momma to return - if no sign of mom, contact Walden’s puddle and leave a voicemail (do NOT try to give baby food or water! It often does more harm than good!)
Walden’s recommends trying to reunite baby squirrels with their moms UNLESS:
1. It has been in a predator's mouth (ex: dog or cat)
2. It is clearly injured (ex: bleeding or wounds)
3. It is covered with fly eggs and/or maggots
4. It approaches/ follows you unafraid and crying nonstop, sometimes even attempting to climb your legs
In any of those cases, please give Waldens a call and leave a voicemail at (615) 559-9453.

07/30/2024

👀 Is that a underbite or is Casper just happy to see us?!SWIPE for a better look! 🤭
🧐Did you know???
- An “underbite” is a class of dental malocclusion called Mandibular prognathism.
- This type of malocclusion is often seen in breeds that are considered Brachycephalic like Pugs, Shih Tzus and English Bulldogs.
- Dog’s with underbites often need more individualized dental care throughout their life.

07/29/2024

🎩 We’re pleased to introduce you to a very distinguished gentleman…Meet Gilbert! He’s one of the newest and maybe one of the most handsome too! 😍

07/28/2024

Is your furry friend scratching more than usual? By learning to recognize pets’ common skin conditions, you can provide your four-legged friend with the best care. Read our latest blog post, where we share tips for identifying and treating these pesky skin issues.

Pets’ skin conditions can occur at any time but are often more common during the warmer months, usually causing them intense itching and discomfort. You know what we mean if you’ve ever been woken up in the middle of the night by a fiercely jangling collar caused by your pet’s constant scratch...

07/25/2024

🤔Pet Anesthesia FAQs!!!🙋‍♀️
Q: When do I need to take my pet’s food up before anesthesia?
A: For most sedated/anesthetized procedures, it’s recommended pet’s not have any food 6-8 hours before their appointment time. Or as instructed by your pet’s care team! Withholding food helps prevent vomiting and aspiration during anesthesia. 🥣
Q: How can I help my pet at home after anesthesia?
A: Set up a “safe space” for your pet! Make sure to keep them somewhere warm and calm. It’s important to keep pets calm after anesthesia to prevent injury and stress. Setting up a squishy kennel or setting up a walk-in closet with everything your pet may need close by can help them rest more comfortably 🥰
Q: When can my pet eat after anesthesia?
A: Most pet’s can eat a small portion of a meal 6-8 hours after anesthesia. Or as instructed by your pet’s care team! It’s recommended to offer 1/4-1/2 of your pet’s normal meal in small bites to prevent nausea.

07/22/2024

🎙️Introducing a country music LEGEND…and a very cute puppy🐶 Meet our girl REBA! She came in for her and earned her spot in WesVet’s Country Music Hall of Fame🌟

07/21/2024

📖Blog Post! - A Pet Owner’s Guide to Pet Insurance🧭
We all want our pets to live long, healthy lives. Health insurance helps you cover your medical costs, and pet insurance can do the same for your furry friend. However, pet insurance is different from health insurance for people, and to choose the right insurance provider and policy, you need to have a basic understanding of the differences.
👍Benefits of pet insurance 
Pet insurance can be a valuable investment. Enrolling your pet in an insurance plan can be beneficial for the following reasons, including:
• Financial Security/Budget Management
• Access to Quality Medical Care
• Peace of Mind
• Customizable Coverage: Accident-Only, Illness and Accident, Wellness, etc…
❎Pet insurance exclusions
All insurance providers have limitations and exclude coverage for some conditions. 
Limitations and coverage exclusions may include:
• Breed — Pet insurance providers may limit coverage based on breed-specific genetic predispositions. 
• Age — Most pet insurance providers have minimum and maximum age limits for enrollment.
• Pre-existing conditions — Most pet insurance providers do not cover health-related disorders diagnosed before your pet’s health insurance coverage takes effect. 
💵Cost of pet insurance 
The cost of your pet insurance premium (i.e., the fee you pay for coverage each month or year) is influenced by multiple factors, including:
• Deductible
• Reimbursement rate
• Payout limits
The financial protection and peace of mind that pet insurance provides make policy enrollment a worthwhile investment. Before you choose a plan for your pet, carefully review your options, and feel free to contact our WesVet Animal Hospital team for support!
📖 For a more detailed discussion on Pet Insurance check out our for our 🔗

07/18/2024

🍰We think it’s pretty SWEET Dr. Hays is now scheduling appointments!!! Welcome to the we’re so excited to have you!!! 🤗

07/17/2024

👕Want to help out our friends at - but also want a tshirt? Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center is having a tshirt fundraiser for their turtle hospital! 100% of the profits go to the turtles!🐢🏥 Check out their profile or our to get your own Turtle Rescuer Tee!

07/16/2024

🥪Get a load of Bologna!!! He’s one of the newest members of the club! And he’s definitely got one of the most unique names we’ve ever heard!!! 😹

07/11/2024

👋Please give a warm WesVet welcome to Taylor Hays, DVM!!!👨‍⚕️ 
We are thrilled to share the news that Dr. Taylor Hays is joining the WesVet Animal Hospital family, and will be accepting new patients starting July 17th! Dr. Hays has been a close friend to Dr. Wes for over 14 years, and we know you’ll love him too!
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Dr. Hays is originally from Atlanta and he graduated from The University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 2009. He was especially inspired by a study abroad in the South African bush. After graduation, he worked as a giraffe and elephant keeper at the Jacksonville Zoo before attending The University of Georgia (again) for vet school in 2010. He met Dr. Wes in freshman orientation that year and they have been friends ever since! For the past 10 years he has honed his skills in surgery, medicine, and especially dentistry--one of his main passions.
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Dr. Hays can’t wait to meet you and care for your pets!

07/06/2024

📖BLOG POST: When to Say Goodbye: A Pet-Owner’s Guide to End of Life Decisions🫶
Saying goodbye to a pet is one of the most difficult decisions a pet owner will face. Understanding when it’s time can help ensure a peaceful transition, which is the greatest gift you can offer your beloved pet. The WesVet team knows how difficult it is to lose your best friend, so we are sharing how to know when to bid farewell, options for end-of-life care, and how we can help you navigate the journey.
Assessing your pet’s quality of life
Quality of life is crucial in determining your pet’s treatment and when they’re ready to say goodbye. We recommend assessing quality of life by checking “good versus bad days” on a calendar or using a tracking app. Assessing things like pain level, appetite, mobility, behavior/activity, social interactions and cognitive abilities.
End-of-life pet care options
At WesVet, we are pet owners and pet lovers first, and we understand what you’re going through. Our team can provide honest assessments of your pet’s condition and discuss treatment options and their likelihood of success. We’re here to partner with you to help you make the right decision for you, your family, and your pet. We will support you through the entire process, from diagnosis to peaceful passing.
Ideas to honor your pet’s memory
As you prepare to say “Goodbye,” look back and celebrate the life you’ve shared. If time allows, create a bucket list for your pet and let them spend their final days doing their favorite activities and eating their favorite foods. You might also consider creating a pet keepsake, such as nose print jewelry, a clay paw print, a memory book, or a session with a local photographer. Or, consider memorializing your pet’s legacy by donating to animal charities or planting a tree in their honor.
For a more detailed discussion on End of Life Pet Care, check out our for our 🔗

07/03/2024

🇺🇸WesVet will be closed Thursday July 4th, 2024 - we will re-open Friday July 5th at 7:30am🎇
If you have a Veterinary emergency, contact Nashville Veterinary Specialists at (615) 386-0107

07/01/2024

Knowing when to say “Goodbye” is likely a pet owner’s most challenging decision. Preparing in advance can make the process easier, and learning to recognize signs indicating the time has come can help you feel more confident in your end-of-life plan. Read our latest blog post for help with planning for your aging pet’s future and learning how to determine when to say “Goodbye.”

Saying “Goodbye” to a cherished pet is one of the most difficult decisions a pet owner will likely face. Understanding when it’s time can help ensure a peaceful transition, which is the greatest gift you can offer your furry pal. The WesVet team knows how difficult it is

07/01/2024

🥱Wake up, sleepy head! Get out there and give this some of that energy! 💪😹

06/29/2024

☀️Kitties deserve too!!! Visit the link in our bio for our Amazon List with our Summer Kitty must haves!!!🛍️

06/27/2024

👍Happy from your friendly neighborhood vet techs and - they may take silly pics but they go above and beyond to make sure their patients get the best care possible! ❤️‍🩹

06/24/2024

🌞Here’s a little sunshine for your - say hello to Zoey the Aussiedoodle! She stopped by to meet her care team and get started on 🐾

06/22/2024

🪒Swipe to see the progress on this clip and clean on a tiny kitten who was found at an auto shop! Aaaand maybe a bonus silly shot of 🤭

06/21/2024

🪧BLOG POST: 10 Pet Health Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore📖
A pet who is happy and feeling good is likely obvious—their tail wags or purrs usually give them away. However, when your pet is ill, they may not show obvious signs of distress. Here are some common pet health signs that could indicate an emergency or underlying illness that needs veterinary attention.
1. Your pet’s appetite has changed
2. Your pet excessively drinks and urinates
3. Your pet is unusually lethargic
4. Your pet is vomiting or has persistent diarrhea
5. Your pet has difficulty breathing (this in an EMERGENCY🚑)
6. Your pet’s demeanor or behavior has changed
7. Your pet is limping or has difficulty moving
8. Your pet has visible signs of pain or discomfort
9. Your pet has a dull or oily coat
10. Your pet has lumps, bumps, or new wounds
Catching and treating health issues early can prevent them from escalating into more serious problems. If you notice any concerning signs in your pet, especially signs that they are in pain, don’t hesitate to call your pet’s care team at WesVet Animal Hospital 🏥🐾
📖 For a more detailed discussion on Pet Health Warning Signs, check out our for our 🔗

06/20/2024

🤠Help us wish Emerald a she’s the rootin’ tootin’est in the wild WesVet! And if she’s going to take photos in silly hats, we’re going to post them! 🤭

06/19/2024

🐢Did you know??? Wild Turtles can live very functional lives with only 3 legs! A common injury, 3 legged turtles can quickly adapt their techniques for swimming and climbing! Talk about resiliency! 🤯

06/17/2024

🍎Say hello to Jabklo! She’s a rescued girly and the apple of her owners eye! 😘