Referral Services

Surgical Referrals:

The Animal Emergency Clinic is well equipped to offer a wide variety of surgical procedures that your primary care veterinarian may be unable to provide. Complicated or very advanced surgical procedures may still need to be referred to a specialist in Hickory, Greensboro, Charlotte or N.C. State University in Raleigh. However, our hospital can perform many of the same procedures here in Boone at less cost to the owner and reducing the need to travel outside of the area.

Your family veterinarian is aware of the many procedures that can be performed at the Animal Emergency Clinic. If you are interested in discussing a surgical case with us, please call our office to schedule a consultation. Bloodwork, x-rays and any other diagnostic testing results performed by your veterinarian will be helpful in preparing for your pet's surgery. Owners or their veterinarian can leave a message on our answering machine during daytime hours or can contact us during our regular hours of operation weeknights or on weekends.

Surgical consultation: (828) 268-2833



Ophthalmology Service:

OPHTHALMOLOGY SERVICES TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

Dr. Kelly Sigle, of Carolina Veterinary Specialists Medical Center in Greensboro, will be providing a local ophthalmology referral service beginning in May, 2007. She will spend one weekday each month seeing ophthalmology cases at the Animal Emergency Clinic in Boone. Dr. Sigle received her veterinary degree from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, completed a residency program at Iowa State University and recently joined Dr. Mark Nasisse and the ophthalmology staff at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Greensboro. She is board certified with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

If your family veterinarian feels that your pet would benefit from being examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist, please call the CVS office in Greensboro to schedule the next available appointment. Please request that your pet be scheduled to be seen in the Boone office. Your veterinarian can provide any additional information that Dr. Sigle may need in preparing to examine your pet. Major ophthalmic procedures and surgeries will still be performed at the main office in Greensboro, but diagnostic tests, post-surgical rechecks and minor procedures can be performed during these monthly visits.

Ophthalmology consultation: www.carolinavet.com or (336) 632-0605


Ultrasonography:

Our hospital houses a MyLab 50 BioSound ultrasound machine capable of providing state-of-the-art imaging with countless applications (including Doppler and color-flow analysis with the capability to digitally send images to referral hospitals or specialists). The unit will be available for use on emergency cases as well as referral cases sent to us by primary care facilities. Dr. Sarah Cooper will be offering referral ultrasonography services on an as-needed basis. Referring veterinarians will be provided with a CD containing the saved images and a printed report detailing pertinent findings.

Ultrasonography applications:

- abdominal / thoracic masses
- metastasis checks for diagnosed neoplasia
- abdominal, pleural, pericardial effusions
- investigation of kidney, liver or pancreatic enzymes
- lower urinary tract disease
- prostatic disease
- reproductive tract evaluations and pregnancy checks
- GI foreign bodies
- inflammatory bowel disease
- adrenal measurements for Cushing's Disease
- ultrasound-guided needle aspirates / tru-cut biopsies

If an owner or veterinarian has a patient who would benefit from an ultrasound procedure, please have the owner call our office and leave a message on our answering machine during the day or speak with one of our staff members during our regular hours of operation for scheduling information. Any pertinent medical records, radiographs, etc. can be sent with the owner. Additional history and medical information can be obtained via phone consult with the referring veterinarian.

Ultrasound referral: (828) 268-2833


Laser Therapy:

Dr. Maggie Federhart is currently offering laser therapy services on a referral basis through our office. She has seen beneficial results in a variety of cases including post-op orthopedic surgeries, arthritis, injuries and wound healing. Therapeutic effects of laser therapy include improved healing time, pain reduction, increased tissue circulation and decreased swelling.

Dr. Federhart will be offering laser therapy at AECHC on alternating Wednesdays - referring veterinarians or clients should call to schedule an appointment. Referring veterinarians or clients with any questions concerning this procedure can contact Dr. Federhart for more information.

Laser Therapy Referral: (828) 264-8077