Heal House Call Veterinarian-Dr. April Ward

20/02/2026

We are celebrating National Love Your Pet Day (but isn't EVERY DAY LOVE YOUR PET DAY???!!!) Our favorite member of the Heal Care Team, Stitch, says to hug all of the wonderful pets who fill our lives with their antics and unconditional love. 🥰

01/02/2026

Two foods. Same protein percentage. Totally different results. Why?
It's called bioavailability - and it's the secret to understanding pet food quality beyond the label.
Dr. Streeter breaks down the science (in plain English) →https://bit.ly/4kjKbCc

Wake County vet Dr. Streeter explains bioavailability and why nutrient quality matters more than guaranteed analysis when choosing food for your dog or cat.

31/01/2026

Kibble? Wet food? Raw diet? Homemade?
The pet food aisle can feel like a battlefield of marketing claims.
Every bag says "best" - but best for WHO?
Heal's Dr. Shanda Streeter (Holly Springs, NC) breaks down the honest pros and cons of each feeding approach (including the one many vets are uncomfortable with). No judgment. Just facts.→https://bit.ly/4rrKZqR

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Holly Springs house call veterinarian Dr. Streeter explains kibble, wet food, homemade, and raw diets to help Wake County pet parents choose the best nutrition.

13/01/2026

We believe every pet deserves happy, individualized care!

Especially those who prefer to stay at home! Dr. April Ward loves connecting with her patients and clients, and discussing the optimal plan for their pets. She provides compassionate care in Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville, Louisburg, Oxford, and Franklinton, NC

Schedule a visit at https://healhousecall.com/award

03/01/2026

We believe every pet deserves happy, individualized care!

Especially those who struggle with clinic visits. Dr. Sharon Daley and Dr. April Ward love connecting with their patients and clients, providing stress-free, convenient care for pets who fear the clinic. 🥰

Schedule a visit at https://healhousecall.com/sdaley.

https://blog.healhousecall.com/prevent-holiday-pet-emergencies

Thanks to sponsors and for their support of Dr. Daley's access to care practice.

https://www.duffieldfoundation.org/

Petopia.org

31/12/2025

12 Days of Safety, Day 12: Safety Contacts On Display! 📞

You've made it! You've prepared your home and your pet for a safe, stress-free season.

Now for this final, crucial step: Post your regular veterinarian's number AND the emergency clinic number on the refrigerator!

In a moment of crisis, you don't want to waste precious seconds searching. Having these contacts posted prominently means anyone, a babysitter, family member, or even you, can act fast if needed.

While we're here for the routine, relationship-driven care in your home, we encourage you have a clear, proactive plan for every scenario. That's genuine commitment!

Happy New Year! 💙
Visit https://bit.ly/45lakdk for the whole holiday pet safety checklist (which will keep your pet safe all year long)!

30/12/2025

12 Days of Safety, Day 11: Pancreatitis. Know the Symptoms! 💡

The holidays were great, but the risk of rich, fatty food scraps causing serious illness is real. Today, we need to talk about Pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition, which is more common during the holiday season.

🔎 Know These Symptoms:

Vomiting & Diarrhea
Loss of Appetite
Hunched Posture
Lethargy

If you suspect your pet has indulged in too many scraps or is showing these signs, call your emergency vet immediately. In a crisis, time is everything!

We provide wellness care and checkups right in your home, but we empower you with the knowledge to handle emergencies.

Remember always to be prepared and safe! 💙

👉 https://blog.healhousecall.com/prevent-holiday-pet-emergencies

29/12/2025

12 Days of Safety, Day 10: Stock up on safe, pet-appropriate treats so your pets can "celebrate" too!

We're finishing the very last of our holiday leftovers, and we can almost see the shelves in our refrigerator again! We yearn to share the holiday joy, but those puppy dog eyes shouldn't win the battle for table scraps or the fruitcake no one finished!

Giving your companion their own special, approved treats means they feel included in the holiday excitement without any risk to their tummy or health.

Simple steps like this show your pet love while protecting their diet. Learn more at https://blog.healhousecall.com/prevent-holiday-pet-emergencies

Happy pets, happy holidays! 💙

28/12/2025

12 Days of Safety, Day 9: Remove or secure low-hanging Christmas tree ornaments and tinsel!

Christmas may be over, but holiday trimmings are everywhere, from drooping Christmas tree limbs to wrapping paper! Tinsel and garland are a major hazard. So keeping the tree area tidy is important. If ingested, tinsel acts as a linear foreign body, which can be life-threatening and often requires emergency surgery! 🤕 Low-hanging ornaments are also tempting to chew or swallow.

Try to spot those tempting, low-hanging hazards before the mischief happens. A safe tree means a happy pet! 💙

👉 https://blog.healhousecall.com/prevent-holiday-pet-emergencies

27/12/2025

12 Days of Safety, Day 8: Zip it Up! 🔒 Remind guests to keep luggage closed and in rooms with doors shut!

Guests' overnight bags are irresistible to curious pets, they're full of new smells and, unfortunately, often hold dangerous contraband like chocolate, prescription medications, or gum containing xylitol. Even the smallest amount of a toxin can lead to a tragic holiday emergency!

The solution is simple but requires communication! Most people are happy to comply once they understand the risk to your furry family member.

We know pets are nosy! A simple request protects your guests' belongings and your peace of mind.

Happy, safe holidays for everyone! 💙

Visit https://blog.healhousecall.com/prevent-holiday-pet-emergencies for more holiday pet safety!

26/12/2025

12 Days of Safety, Day 7: Remind all guests (especially the little ones) not to feed your pets table scraps, no matter how much those puppy dog eyes beg! 👀

Rich, fatty table foods can cause painful issues like pancreatitis, and even small amounts can lead to severe upset.

Pro Tip: Want to include your pet in the fun? Prepare a small, plain portion of unseasoned meat or pet-safe veggies just for their bowl. This way, they feel celebrated without the health risks! 🥳

👉 https://blog.healhousecall.com/prevent-holiday-pet-emergencies

25/12/2025

12 Days of Safety, Day 6: Lock Up the Holiday Feast! 🔒

Purchase secure trash cans with locking lids or identify a locked room for disposal!

Holiday food smells tempting, but those rich, fatty foods like turkey skin and gravy can trigger painful pancreatitis in dogs. Cooked bones splinter easily, causing choking or obstructions. And let's not forget the outright toxic foods like chocolate or xylitol!

We know the risks are real when a house is buzzing with distractions. Keeping trash cans secured or in cabinets that pets can’t access is the simplest way to prevent a holiday emergency!

https://bit.ly/45lakdk