Lincoln County Veterinary Services

05/22/2026

04/17/2026

Please vaccinate all your cats and dogs. This exposure was only a few counties away

Officials said the dog tested positive on Wednesday.

04/11/2026

🚫 CBD, THC, and Dogs/Cats — What Every Pet Owner Should Know 🐾

We’ve been seeing recent post in our community regarding stores selling CBD product for pets and some pet owners asking about CBD products—and while they’re often marketed as “natural” and “safe,” there are some very real concerns when it comes to our dogs.

Here’s a clear, honest breakdown 👇

⚠️ 1. Not FDA-approved or regulated for pets
Most CBD products for animals are not approved or regulated. This means:
- No guarantee of safety
- No standardized dosing
- No consistent manufacturing quality

What’s on the label isn’t always what’s in the bottle.

⚠️ 2. THC exposure is a real risk
Even products labeled “CBD only” may contain THC (the psychoactive component of ma*****na).

🚨 Important:
- THC is toxic to dogs/cats
- Dogs are much more sensitive to THC than humans
- Even small amounts can cause serious symptoms

Signs of THC toxicity include:
- Lethargy or extreme sedation
- Stumbling or inability to walk
- Urinary incontinence
- Vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Agitation or, in severe cases, seizures

⚠️ 3. Hidden toxins and contaminants
Some CBD products may contain:
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Residual solvents
- Synthetic additives

❗ These may not be listed on the label, even in products marketed as “natural” or “organic.”

⚠️ 4. No proven safe or effective dosing
There is currently no universally accepted, evidence-based dosing for most conditions in dogs.

This means:
- Underdosing → no benefit
- Overdosing → potential harm

⚠️ 5. Potential side effects & drug interactions
CBD can affect the liver and may interfere with how your dog processes other medications.

Possible side effects:
- Sedation
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Changes in liver enzymes

🐶 So what should you do?

✔️ Always talk to your veterinarian before starting ANY supplement
✔️ Use only products that are veterinarian-recommended and quality-tested
✔️ Monitor closely for any abnormal signs

💬 Our goal isn’t to scare you—it’s to keep your pet safe.
There may be situations where certain products are used carefully under veterinary guidance, but they are not risk-free and should never be started blindly.

📍 Lincoln County Veterinary Service
685 Elm Street, Lincolnton, GA 30817
📞 706-359-2929
📧 [email protected]

📞 Have questions? Call us—we’re happy to help you make the safest decision for your pet.

04/03/2026

🐾 PET NUTRITION GUIDE: FRESH DIETS VS. VETERINARY-RECOMMENDED DIETS 🐾

We get a lot of questions about pet food—especially when it comes to “fresh” diets vs. traditional veterinary-recommended foods. With so many options out there, it can be confusing to know what’s truly best for your pet. Here’s a breakdown to help you make an informed decision 👇

🥩 WHAT ARE “FRESH” PET FOODS?
Fresh pet foods (like refrigerated or lightly cooked diets) are made with whole ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and grains. They’re often marketed as more “natural” and less processed.

🥣 WHAT ARE VETERINARY-RECOMMENDED DIETS?
These include brands like Hill’s, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan. They are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and undergo extensive research, feeding trials, and quality control testing.

✅ PROS OF FRESH PET FOOD
• Very palatable (great for picky eaters)
• Made with whole, recognizable ingredients
• Helpful for appetite stimulation
• Can benefit some pets with sensitivities

⚠️ CONS OF FRESH PET FOOD
• Less long-term scientific research
• More expensive
• Requires refrigeration
• Shorter shelf life
• Easier to overfeed (important for weight management!)
• Not all formulas are equally tested

✅ PROS OF VETERINARY DIETS
• Backed by decades of research
• Formulated by veterinary nutritionists
• Consistent and quality-controlled
• Proven for long-term health
• Offer prescription/therapeutic options (kidney, weight loss, GI, etc.)

⚠️ CONS OF VETERINARY DIETS
• May seem “processed”
• Some pets find them less tasty
• Ingredient lists can be confusing

💡 IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS
• “Fresh” does NOT automatically mean healthier
• “Processed” does NOT mean lower quality
• The most important factor = COMPLETE AND BALANCED nutrition
• Diets should meet AAFCO standards

👩‍⚕️ WHAT DO VETERINARIANS RECOMMEND?
Most veterinarians recommend diets that are:
✔️ Balanced
✔️ Consistent
✔️ Backed by research

👉 For most pets, this means veterinary-recommended diets are the safest long-term option.

🐶 WHEN ARE FRESH DIETS A GOOD OPTION?
• Picky eaters
• Appetite stimulation
• Owners who prefer whole-food feeding

👉 Many vets use fresh diets as a topper rather than the main diet.

🏥 OUR APPROACH
At Lincoln County Veterinary Service, we typically recommend:
• A balanced veterinary diet as the foundation
• Fresh food as an optional supplement
• Avoiding unbalanced homemade or raw diets

❤️ FINAL THOUGHT
There’s no one-size-fits-all diet. The best food is one that is:
✔️ Safe
✔️ Balanced
✔️ Consistent
✔️ Appropriate for your pet

📞 Have questions about your pet’s diet?
Call us at 706-359-2929 or email [email protected] if you would like to set up an appointment for a dietary consult with one of our doctors.

Thank you for trusting Lincoln County Veterinary Service with your

04/01/2026

Call to schedule your pet’s appointment today!!!

03/11/2026

Please remember to vaccinate all your pets, inside and out. There is no cure once clinical signs develop and will result in death 100% of the time for both your pets and people.

RABIES ALERT: On Sunday, March 8, 2026, an ACCGov Animal Services Department officer responded to a call of a cat that was behaving aggressively in the area of Westwood Avenue in Bogart off Atlanta Highway near the Athens-Clarke County/Oconee County line.

The officer captured a domestic shorthair breed community cat that was white with tabby spots. After further evaluation based on its behavior, Animal Services staff sent the cat for rabies testing to the University of Georgia. Testing has confirmed that the cat was rabies positive.

Rabies is primarily spread to humans or animals through bites and scratches of an infected animal. Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, and/or other atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals emerging during the daytime. The disease is nearly always fatal to humans if they are infected and do not receive prompt post-exposure treatment.

Any persons who interacted with a white cat with brown tabby spots in the Westwood Avenue and might have been exposed to the rabies virus should contact a healthcare provider for guidance. Owners of pets that had any similar interactions should contact their veterinarian for further guidance.

Pet owners should be sure that their pets are current on rabies vaccinations. Residents who ever observe stray animals or wildlife acting in an aggressive, sick, or unusual manner should report it to the Animal Services Department at 706-613-3540 or call 911 in an emergency situation.

For more information about rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/rabies or the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website at dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/rabies.

The Georgia Poison Center is also available for rabies consultation 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-282-5846 statewide. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies

02/01/2026

Make sure to keep pets indoors tonight and tomorrow. It’s going to be too cold for our furry friends! Hope everyone had fun and stayed safe!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our LCVS family to yours! Thank you for trusting us with your furry loved ones. A special thank you to all our wonderful clients that sent gifts/treats to our staff! (Note: several treats not pictured due to already been enjoyed by us)

12/22/2025

Reminder we will be closed Wednesday through Sunday for the Christmas Holiday. (Please call prior if you need any prescriptions refilled) We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas with their loved ones both 2 & 4 legged

11/24/2025

Reminder we will be closed from Wednesday 12pm through Sunday for the Thanksgiving Holiday. (Please call prior if you need any prescriptions refilled) We hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving with their loved ones both 2 & 4 legged