Gaston Veterinary Hospital & Carolina Cat Clinic

History of Gaston Veterinary Hospital

In 1945 Dr. Ben Dawsey, a recent graduate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University, saw a need for a full service veterinary hospital in his home town of Gastonia. Starting out as the first such facility in the county, Gaston Veterinary Hospital has grown from a 900 sq foot building to the 5000 sq foot building that it is today.

In 1991 a sister clinic Carolina Cat Clinic was founded to provide medical care exclusively for our feline friends, providing a dog-free environment that they and their owners can enjoy.

It has always been our goal, as well as our pleasure, to establish a personal relationship with our clients and their pets. We strive to meet everyone’s needs whether it is a well-pet visit, diagnosis and treatment of an illness, elective or emergency surgery, or client and pet education.

We look forward to enriching the lives of you and your special companions!

Hours
Gaston Veterinary Hospital
Monday	7:30 - 5:30
Tuesday	7:30 - 7:00
Wednesday	7:30 - 5:30
Thursday	7:30 - 7:00
Friday	7:30 - 5:30
Saturday	7:30 - 12:00 Noon
Sunday	Closed
Carolina Cat Clinic
Monday	7:30 - 5:30
Tuesday	7:30 - 7:00
Wednesday	7:30 - 5:30
Thursday	7:30 - 5:30
Friday	7:30 - 5:30
Saturday	7:30 - 12:00 Noon
Sunday	Closed

Yeti in his sunglasses

To See More Pet Friends Click HERE

Health Tip of the Month - Heartworm Disease

Heartworms are a very common blood parasite in both dogs and cats. Mosquitoes transfer tiny larvae from one animal to the next. As the worms mature, they damage the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

Symptoms include a soft moist cough, weight loss, lack of energy and intolerance of exercise. Cats may breathe rapidly, cough or vomit. Early in the disease there may be no signs at all.

Treatment in dogs consists of a period of hospitalization and several follow-up visits. Cats require long-term oral medications.

Prevention is much less traumatic and much less expensive than treatment. Since infected mosquitoes can be present indoors or out, even animals who live inside should receive monthly preventatives. In the South, year-long preventatives are necessary. There are some newer prescription flea preventatives which also protect against heartworms.

Preventatives should be started in puppies and kittens at a young age. Adults require a blood test before starting preventatives. Test once a year and give preventatives once a month. Doing that will help to ensure that your pet will not have to suffer from heartworm disease.

For More Pet Health Tips, click HERE