Hickory Tree Veterinary Hospital

Call Directions Website
You won Lilliayn Arnette, come get your prize. ( Bella’s Prize 🙂 )
10/13/2026

You won Lilliayn Arnette, come get your prize. ( Bella’s Prize 🙂 )

🦷 Your pet’s dental health doesn’t stop at the veterinary office! 🐶🐱Regular professional dental cleanings are an importa...
10/12/2026

🦷 Your pet’s dental health doesn’t stop at the veterinary office!

🐶🐱Regular professional dental cleanings are an important part of your pet’s oral health, but what you do at home between cleanings matters, too.

❤️Plaque can begin building up on your pet’s teeth every day, so having a consistent home dental routine can help support healthier teeth and gums.

🐾 Some ways to help maintain your pet’s dental health at home:

🪥 Brush their teeth - Daily brushing is one of the best ways to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar.
🦴 Try a dental chew - For dogs, OraVet® Dental Hygiene Chews can be a convenient addition to your home dental routine and carry the VOHC Seal of Acceptance for tartar control.
🥣 Consider a dental supplement - VetriScience Dental Care is a powder designed for both dogs and cats that can be added to their food to help support healthy teeth and gums between professional cleanings.
🔎 Look for the VOHC Seal of Acceptance - When choosing dental treats, chews, powders, water additives, or other dental products, look for products recognized by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). The seal indicates that the product has met established standards for helping control plaque and/or tartar.

❤️ Remember: Home dental care doesn't replace professional dental cleanings when they're needed - but combining regular at-home care with routine veterinary dental evaluations can help keep your pet's mouth healthier between visits.

🐶🐱 Healthy teeth. Healthy gums. Happier pets! 🦷✨

🐶 A tired dog isn't always a happy dog - but an enriched dog is a fulfilled dog! 🧠🐾Dogs need more than physical exercise...
10/08/2026

🐶 A tired dog isn't always a happy dog - but an enriched dog is a fulfilled dog! 🧠

🐾Dogs need more than physical exercise to stay happy and healthy. Mental stimulation is just as important as a good walk!

❤️Try adding some enrichment into your dog's daily routine:
👃 Let them sniff! Give your dog time to explore and sniff on walks. It's a great way to engage their brain.
🧩 Puzzle toys - Make mealtime more exciting with food puzzles or interactive feeders.
👀 Hide & seek - Hide treats or toys around the house and let your dog use their nose to find them.
🍖 Frozen treats - Stuff a KONG® or another enrichment toy with a pet-safe filling and freeze it for a longer-lasting activity.
🎓 Teach something new - Short training sessions are a great way to challenge your dog's brain while strengthening your bond.
🚶 Change up the routine - Try a new walking route or explore a new pet-friendly environment.

Remember, enrichment doesn't have to be complicated or expensive! Even 10–15 minutes of intentional mental stimulation can make a difference in your dog's day.🐾 Happy brain = happy dog! 🐶💙

🐱 A happy cat needs more than a full food bowl! 🧠🐾Cats are natural hunters, climbers, explorers, and problem-solvers. Pr...
10/05/2026

🐱 A happy cat needs more than a full food bowl! 🧠🐾

Cats are natural hunters, climbers, explorers, and problem-solvers. Providing daily enrichment helps satisfy those natural instincts and can keep your cat mentally stimulated, active, and engaged. ❤️

Try adding some of these activities to your cat’s routine:
🪶 Interactive toys - Wand toys and toys that mimic prey can encourage your cat to stalk, chase, and pounce.
🧩 Food puzzles - Turn mealtime into a mental workout with puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys.
👃 Let them hunt - Hide small amounts of their regular food or treats around the house and let them search for their “prey.”
📦 Boxes & hiding spots - Sometimes the simplest enrichment is the best! Cardboard boxes, tunnels, and cozy hiding places give cats opportunities to explore and feel secure.
🌳 Go vertical - Cat trees, shelves, and window perches give cats opportunities to climb, observe, and explore their environment.
🪟 Window watching - A safe window perch can provide hours of entertainment from birds, squirrels, and the world outside!
🔄 Rotate their toys - Instead of leaving everything out at once, rotate toys every few days to keep them interesting.
🎓 Try training - Yes, cats can learn tricks! Short, positive training sessions can provide excellent mental stimulation.

🐾 Enrichment doesn't have to be complicated. A few minutes of play, a new box, or a food puzzle can turn an ordinary day into an adventure.❤️ A busy brain makes for a happier, healthier cat! 🐱✨

🍂🐾 HELLO, OCTOBER! 🐾🍂October is officially Pet Wellness Month, and we're celebrating all month long! 🐶🐱❤️Wellness is abo...
10/01/2026

🍂🐾 HELLO, OCTOBER! 🐾🍂
October is officially Pet Wellness Month, and we're celebrating all month long! 🐶🐱
❤️Wellness is about more than just an annual checkup - it’s about the everyday choices we make to help our pets live longer, healthier, happier lives.

Throughout October, we'll be sharing helpful tips and information covering everything from nutrition and weight management to dental health, enrichment, preventive care, and more! 🩺🦷🥕🧠

✨ AND WE WANT YOU TO JOIN IN! ✨
📱 Save this post and show it to our team at your pet's visit this month to receive a FREE Pet Wellness Goodie Bag! 🎁
🐾Whether you have a playful puppy, a curious kitten, a couch-loving adult, or a distinguished senior, there's always something we can do to help support their health and wellbeing.❤️
Because a little prevention today can make a BIG difference in their tomorrow.
Follow along this month for all things Pet Wellness! 🐶🐱🐾

🎁 Goodie bags are limited to one per client and are available while supplies last.

Protect. Prevent. Vaccinate. 🐾Call our office today to make sure your pet is up to date on their rabies vaccine!
09/29/2026

Protect. Prevent. Vaccinate. 🐾
Call our office today to make sure your pet is up to date on their rabies vaccine!

🚫💊 WAIT BEFORE YOU MEDICATE! 🐾Before you reach for the medicine cabinet, remember: Many over-the-counter (OTC) human pai...
09/24/2026

🚫💊 WAIT BEFORE YOU MEDICATE! 🐾
Before you reach for the medicine cabinet, remember: Many over-the-counter (OTC) human pain medications are extremely dangerous - even fatal - for dogs and cats. Never give your pet human medications unless your veterinarian has specifically instructed you to do so.
⚠️ Common OTC medications that are toxic to pets include:
• Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) – Can cause stomach ulcers, vomiting, kidney failure, and even death.
• Naproxen (Aleve®) – Highly toxic and can lead to severe gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, and neurological signs.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) – Especially dangerous for cats, causing liver failure and damage to red blood cells. Dogs can also suffer severe liver injury.
• Aspirin – Can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, and toxicity.
🐶🐱 Signs of medication toxicity may include:
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or weakness
• Black or bloody stool
• Difficulty breathing
• Tremors or seizures
• Pale or brown-colored gums
🚨 If you believe your pet has ingested a human medication, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Contact the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately. Prompt treatment can make all the difference.

🐾💙 Beyond Medication: Supporting Pets with Pain & Arthritis 💙🐾Pain management isn’t just about medications. For many pet...
09/21/2026

🐾💙 Beyond Medication: Supporting Pets with Pain & Arthritis 💙🐾Pain management isn’t just about medications. For many pets, a multimodal approach - using a combination of therapies, lifestyle changes, and supportive care - can provide the best results and help improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
🐶🐱 Additional options that may help support pets with pain or arthritis include:
🦴 Joint Supplements
• Supplements containing ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, and other joint-supporting nutrients may help support joint health and mobility.
✨ Laser Therapy
• Therapeutic laser treatments use light energy to help support tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and promote comfort in pets experiencing pain or recovering from injury.
🪡 Acupuncture
• Acupuncture may help support pain relief, improve mobility, and promote overall wellness by stimulating specific points throughout the body.
🏃 Physical Rehabilitation & Exercise Therapy
• Controlled exercise, stretching, strengthening activities, and rehabilitation plans can help maintain muscle strength, improve mobility, and support joint function.
⚖️ Weight Management
• Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on joints and can make a significant difference for pets with arthritis or mobility challenges.
🏡 Environmental Support
• Adding ramps, non-slip flooring, supportive bedding, and other home modifications can help pets move more comfortably and safely.
❤️ Every pet is unique, and the best pain management plan often combines multiple approaches tailored to your pet’s needs, lifestyle, and health history.Helping pets stay comfortable means helping them continue to enjoy the activities they love most. 🐾

🐾💙 Home Modifications for Pets with Pain & Arthritis 💙🐾When pets experience arthritis or chronic pain, small changes aro...
09/17/2026

🐾💙 Home Modifications for Pets with Pain & Arthritis 💙🐾
When pets experience arthritis or chronic pain, small changes around the home can make a big difference in their comfort, mobility, and confidence.
🐶🐱 Simple ways to create a more comfortable space for your pet:
🛏️ Provide supportive bedding
• Use orthopedic or memory foam beds to cushion sore joints
• Place beds in warm, quiet areas that are easy to access
🧼 Improve traction around the home
• Add rugs, runners, or non-slip mats on slippery floors
• Help pets avoid slipping and reduce strain on painful joints
🪜 Make daily activities easier
• Use ramps or pet steps to help with furniture, vehicles, or stairs
• Consider raising food and water bowls if bending is uncomfortable
• Keep frequently used items in easy-to-reach areas
🌡️ Keep your pet comfortable
• Provide warm resting areas, especially during colder months
• Avoid placing beds in drafts or areas that are difficult to access
✂️ Help with grooming and hygiene
• Keep nails trimmed to improve traction and stability
• Use rugs or mats near food, water, and litter boxes
• For cats, consider low-entry litter boxes if getting in and out has become difficult
❤️ Watch for changes in mobility. Difficulty getting up, avoiding stairs, reluctance to jump, or changes in daily habits may be signs that your pet needs extra support.
Pain management isn’t just about medication - creating a pet-friendly environment can help your dog or cat stay comfortable and maintain a better quality of life.

🐾💙 How Do Veterinarians Measure Pain in Pets? 💙🐾Dogs and cats can’t tell us when they’re hurting, so veterinarians use v...
09/15/2026

🐾💙 How Do Veterinarians Measure Pain in Pets? 💙🐾
Dogs and cats can’t tell us when they’re hurting, so veterinarians use validated pain assessment tools to help identify discomfort and determine the best treatment plan.
🐶 Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale
One of the tools commonly used in veterinary medicine is the Colorado State University (CSU) Canine Acute Pain Scale.
This scale helps evaluate a dog’s comfort level by looking at:
• Attitude and interaction with people
• Body posture and comfort while resting
• Willingness to move and walk
• Response to touch around a painful area
• Vocalization and overall behaviorDogs are then assigned a pain score, which helps the veterinary team decide whether additional pain management is needed and monitor how well treatment is working.
🐱 The Feline Grimace Scale
Cats are especially good at hiding pain, which is why veterinarians may use the Feline Grimace Scale. This tool evaluates subtle changes in a cat’s facial expression, including:
👂 Ear position
👁️ Eye narrowing
😺 Muzzle tension
🐱 Whisker position
⬇️ Head position
Even small changes in these facial features can indicate that a cat is experiencing pain.
❤️ Pain assessment is an important part of every veterinary visit. By combining these evidence-based tools with a physical exam and the changes you notice at home, we can better recognize discomfort and help keep your pet comfortable.

Address

118 S Village Drive
Winston-Salem, NC
27127

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+13367752303

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hickory Tree Veterinary Hospital posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category