Frequently Asked Questions at Caring Hearts Animal Hospital
Pets are important members of your family, so when it comes to questions about their care, we know you want accurate answers from a trusted source. We’ve created this page with frequently asked questions from loving pet owners just like you to help educate and provide guidance so you can learn more about our hospital and how best to care for your pet. Still have questions? Give us a call at (704) 893-2799 and a member of our team will be happy to help.
General / Practice Info
Monday – Friday 7 am to 6 pm
We are located at 7850-A Stevens Mill Road, Matthews, NC beside Hair Artistry and State Farm
You can request an appointment by calling 704-893-2799 or requesting an appointment through our website at www.caringheartsanimalhospital.com
Yes, we accept new patients. Simply call our office to schedule an appointment. We will need to request copies of your pet’s record from your current veterinarian so please share their contact information when you call.
We accept all major credit cards, CareCredit and have Cherry as payment options.
Yes, we can help you navigate your pet insurance claim.
Please bring your pet either on a leash or in a carrier for their safety. Ideally, copies of your pet’s records if they have been to another provider. Bring any documents you have from the shelter, rescue or breeder. Bring a fresh stool sample about the size of a soda bottle cap for parasite testing if visiting for annual preventive care.
We block same day urgent care appointments. Please call before 9 am for the best chances to book these limited slots. For major emergencies we refer to local emergency hospitals.
Yes, we hold several same day appointments every day to be available for our patients who need urgent care.
Our practice sees only dogs and cats.
Services & Care
We have a "services" section located in our menu.
Our annual preventive care exams include a nose to tail hands on examination by our doctors. We exam the eyes for excessive tears or cloudiness, the ears for odor or excessive discharge,the nose for discharge or crusting, the skin for redness, itching, flacks or excessive oiliness, haircoat is examined for mats and in cats selfgrooming issues, joints are tested for reflexes, the abdomen is felt for pain or masses, we listen to heart and lungs and gut sounds to determine all is normal. We exam the feet, nails, anus and genitals for abnormalities. Finally, we flip the lip to examine the status of the teeth.
Yes, preventive care is a big part of caring for your pet. We focus our vaccination and parasite recommendations on lifestyle needs.
Our team is blessed to have highly trained, licensed veterinary technicians on staff who are experienced in performing dental cleanings, similar to how your hygienist cleans your teeth. Then our doctors examine the mouth for cancer, infected or damaged teeth. If needed they perform extractions and more complex dental procedures.
Yes, we love our senior patients and want them to enjoy their golden years in comfort. We encourage more frequent exams, diagnostic tests and nutritional evaluations to keep them in peak health and to catch any illness in early stages. Controlling the pain of arthritis, chronic illnesses is a priority.
Yes, we have lab analysors in house and also digital dental and whole body X-ray machines.
Pet Symptom-Related Questions
(Common Health Concerns)
Occasional vomiting can happen for many reasons, but it becomes more concerning when it’s repeated, your pet seems painful or distressed, or you notice other warning signs (like weakness, collapse, or a swollen belly). If you’re unsure, especially if vomiting is more than a couple episodes in a day—call our veterinary team for guidance. Try to note the contents of the vomit. Is it food? Plant material? Yellow bile? Each is a warning of different problems.
Diarrhea can range from mild irritation from eating something inappropriate, to something more serious like a virus. Blood in the stool (either bright red streaks or darker/tarry-looking stool) is a reason to contact your veterinary team, particularly if it’s paired with ongoing diarrhea or your pet seems unwell. AVMA guidance includes severe or ongoing vomiting/diarrhea among signs that prompt immediate veterinary attention.
Changes in appetite or weight can happen for many different reasons from an infected tooth to gastrointestinal diseases. In general, noticeable weight loss, reduced appetite, or a sudden change from your pet’s normal eating habits is a good reason to schedule a veterinary visit—especially if it persists or comes with other changes (energy, vomiting/diarrhea, drinking/urinating habits).
“Lethargic” means your pet is much less active than normal (not just sleepy after a busy day). If your pet is hard to wake, weak, collapses, seems painful, or lethargy is paired with other symptoms (vomiting/diarrhea, breathing changes, not eating/drinking), it’s wise to call our veterinary team and describe what you’re seeing.
Breathing trouble is one of the clearest “don’t wait” signs. If your pet is working hard to breathe, seems panicked, or can’t get comfortable, it’s safest to seek veterinary care right away. Keep your pet calm and avoid exertion on the way to care, because stress can worsen breathing distress.
A sustained increase in drinking or urination can be linked to several medical conditions. AVMA information (for example, on diabetes) lists excessive thirst and increased urination as signs that merit veterinary attention. If you notice a clear change from normal, it’s a good idea to schedule an exam and share any patterns you’ve noticed. You may want to measure water intake over several days to confirm an increase in consumption.
Itching and rashes can have several causes. Common categories such as parasites (fleas/mites), skin infections, and allergies can all create skin issues—If your pet is intensely itchy, losing hair, developing sores, or the skin looks infected (odor, oozing, scabs), schedule a visit so your veterinary team can sort out the likely cause.
Limping can come from things like a sprain/strain, a sore paw, overgrown or torn nails, arthritis, or other injuries. Limping, stiffness, or difficulty getting up/down are signs it is time to consult your veterinarian. If your pet won’t bear weight, cries out, the limb looks swollen, or the limp doesn’t quickly improve, contact our clinic.
Many lumps are benign, but some are not—so it’s best to have new or changing lumps checked. AVMA guidance notes concern for lumps/bumps that grow or change and unexplained swelling. Take note of when you first noticed it, whether it’s changing, and whether your pet seems bothered by it, then schedule an exam.
Eye issues can worsen quickly, so it’s smart to be cautious. AVMA first-aid guidance suggests that if you see a small irritant (like dirt/grass), you may gently flush with saline—but avoid trying to grab anything from the eye. If there’s squinting, swelling, obvious pain, thick discharge, or a sudden change in appearance, contact your veterinarian promptly
If you suspect your pet ate something harmful, call your veterinarian right away. AVMA also advises contacting an animal poison resource (such as ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline) (855) 764-7661 and having details ready: what was eaten, how much, when, your pet’s approximate weight, and the packaging if available. Do not induce vomiting or give medication unless specifically directed by a veterinarian or poison control.
Seek urgent care if any of the following occur:
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea (especially multiple episodes in a day)
- Blood in vomit or stool, or black/tarry stool (possible digested blood)
- Signs of weakness, collapse, severe pain, extreme anxiety, or your pet seems “not themselves” in a major way
- Acute abdominal swelling- especially in large dogs (could indicate bloat)
- Any concern for severe bleeding
When in doubt, calling our veterinary clinic (or an emergency hospital after hours) is the safest move—especially because pets can become dehydrated and weaker faster than people often expect.
Visit & Hospital Policies
Yes. Even friendly pets can be nervous when coming to the doctor or when meeting strange animals. For your pet’s safety, a leash or carrier is a wise decision.
Some symptoms can be obvious – like a severely squinting eye – that we know needs urgent care. Other symptoms are just one sign of illness. Our well trained veterinary team can offer guidance over the phone but only a physical examination can tell the real story.
Our practice employs many highly trained and licensed Registered Veterinary Technicians who monitor our patient’s vital signs before and during surgery. We take great precautions by performing a presurgical examination and blood work to determine if the pet is healthy and has no unseen underlying conditions. Our surgical suite is a sterile environment stocked with any equipment and medications needed in case of emergency. We also advocate for our patients by using appropriate pain control.
Dr. White has advanced surgical training and many years of experience. Your pet is as safe as we can possibly make them before, during and after their procedure. Please remember to follow presurgical instructions closely. Take up all food and water as directed and come to the practice as scheduled.
Yes. The wrong medication can not only waste your money but can be ineffective, causing your pet to suffer unnecessarily. The hands-on physical exam is the only way to accurately prescribe medications. Often a lab test is needed to confirm your pet is negative for heartworms or parasites before dispensing medications. Of course, refills are available when appropriate, with doctor approval.
Yes, we love our senior patients and want them to enjoy their golden years in comfort. We encourage more frequent exams, diagnostic tests and nutritional evaluations to keep them in peak health and to catch any illness in early stages. Controlling the pain of arthritis, chronic illnesses is a priority.
Yes, we have lab analysors in house and also digital dental and whole body X-ray machines.
