Urgent Care Services

For those sudden illnesses and injuries, we offer urgent care services.

When your pet suddenly becomes ill or injured in an accident, we are here to provide urgent care services. We’ve recently expanded this portion of our practice because we know that it’s important to maintain consistency of care with veterinarians and staff already familiar with your pet and their history.

In emergencies, we ask that you call (if you can do so safely) and let us know that you are on the way to the clinic with your pet. This will allow us to ask you a few pertinent questions about your emergency so that our staff can better prepare for your arrival.

Dr. Smith in Surgery

There for you when it counts

During such a stressful time, we want to help you in whatever way we can. We will meet you when you arrive and help transport your pet safely into an exam room, if needed. We will ask you to describe symptoms or injuries and as we evaluate your pet’s illness or injury, we will keep you abreast of the results of our examinations and tests.

We partner with two after-hours emergency vet hospitals

After business hours we will refer you to two Lexington emergency animal hospitals that we work with on a regular basis. Both are staffed with veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other support staff. Both are equipped to do tests, examinations, and surgery.

Bluegrass Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency
859-268-7604
1591 Winchester Road, Suite 106
Lexington, KY 40505

MedVet
859-276-2505
150 Dennis Drive
Lexington, KY 40503

Euthanasia Services

The decision to euthanize your pet is hard, and our staff is here to help you through it.

Our staff realizes the difficulty in making this decision. We understand the emotional toll it can take. We handle this procedure with the utmost respect and care, as if your pet was one of our own.

What can I expect during my pet's appointment?

We have set aside a quiet room for euthanasia, and we try to schedule these procedures for times when the clinic is less busy. Regardless, our veterinarians and staff will take all the time you need to explain the procedure, talk about your concerns and fears, help you decide whether you want to be present during the procedure and discuss options such as cremation. Our biggest concern is that you feel comfortable with your decision and with the procedure.

We provide you with the time you need to say a private goodbye to your pet.

Pain Management Services

Effective pain management enhances the quality of life for all types of animals.

Pain management is a cornerstone of our practice. By effectively managing pain of all types for pets, we enhance quality of life, improve recovery rates and times, and reduce disease and death. Our clinic follows recommendations of both the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association.

Our in-house pharmacy offers a variety of medications we regularly prescribe, and our veterinary staff study the effectiveness of nonsteroidal and steroidal drugs, always keeping abreast of research and reports on promising new medications.

Treating pain goes far beyond prescribing medications. We also turn to alternative treatments that have proved to be effective, depending on the cause of pain. For problems like joint pain, arthritis or hip dysplasia, all common in older pets, we might recommend prescription food if a pet’s weight is a contributing issue. Heat and cold therapy, physical therapy and exercise can also help relieve certain pain issues.

You are a key resource as we treat your pet’s pain

Because pets cannot tell us about their aches and pains, we will rely on you to describe your pet’s behaviors and any changes you notice that might indicate the presence of pain and help us determine the root of the problem.

When your pet requires surgery, we carefully map out a pain management plan to implement during and after the procedure so that your pet can recover as quickly and as comfortably as possible. Throughout care, we always have your pet’s comfort in mind, and in everything from examinations to boarding, we handle your pet with gentleness and care

Surgery Services

With a dedicated surgical suite, our vets can perform many surgeries in our own clinic.

Our veterinarians perform a variety of surgical procedures that your pet might require, and for those that require a specialist, we have strong alliances with specialty surgery centers and will assist with referrals. Our clinic’s dedicated surgical suite is outfitted with current equipment and our post-surgical recovery area is staffed with technicians specifically trained to work with pets who have had surgical procedures. Among the procedures our veterinarians perform include spaying and neutering, pyometra surgeries, removal of growths or foreign bodies, splenectomies, amputations, orthopedic surgeries such as: spinal (neck/back) surgery, ACL repairs and fractured/broken bone repairs. We also perform bladder cystotomies, anal sac removal, ectropion/entropion (eyelid surgery), third eyelid/cherry eye replacements, Perineal Urethrostomies (PU surgery), biopsies, caesarian sections, ear hematoma repairs, eye enucleations, and GDV (also known as twisted stomach or gastric torsion) procedures.

Entrance to Surgery Center

Tests are recommended before surgery

Before surgery, we will recommend doing blood tests, radiographs and an ECG/EKG on your pet. We will also discuss the risks of surgery, what the surgery will accomplish and any possible complications that could occur from the anesthesia or surgery. During all surgical procedures, your pet’s heart rate and rhythm, temperature, respiration rate and oxygen saturation will be closely monitored.

Our staff will let you know when surgery is completed and talk about how the procedure went. As your pet recovers, your pet’s doctor or technician will call you with updates on your pet’s recovery. We are happy to let you see your pet after surgery when it is safe to do so. When your pet is ready to go home, we will provide you with care instructions, and will let you know who you should call, during work hours and after, if you have any questions or concerns. Our veterinarians will check in with you regularly by phone to see how your pet’s recovery is progressing.