RESOURCES

Bringing your Cat to MIVH!

Vet Holding a Puppy and a Kitten — Murrells Inlet, SC — Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital

We understand that your cat's anxiety may begin when they hear you call and schedule their veterinary appointment! Often, cats do not like to get in their carriers, travel, experience the sights, sounds and smells at the veterinary hospital ~ much less the thermometer! Good news! We are here to help! We want to help keep your cat happy and healthy and stress-free. Our team is involved in extensive, ongoing training to become better cat whisperers! 

We are currently working on our Cat Friendly Practice certification through the American Association of Feline Practitioners. We have had Dr. Rachael Abrams, a veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim come and teach us about "Catitude" and are focusing several of our monthly MIVH STAR Team Trainings this on all areas where we can make modifications and improve each cat's experience here at MIVH. Our goal is to have completed our hospital certification this year! 



Our hospital already meets the medical and hospital requirements for certification, but the program will help us focus more on issues really affecting the cat population, such as nutrition, obesity, issues specific to senior cats and behavioral problems. Our team is also focusing on reducing your cat's anxiety during their visit. We offer Feliway spray on towels to cover your carrier upon arrival, which helps to decrease stimulation from the sights, sounds and smells in the reception area. We work to get your kitty in an exam room as quickly as possible, where we have sound machines to decrease other noises, Feliway diffusers for calming, warm towels sprayed with Feliway for comfort, toys for fun, a brush (if your kitty likes to be brushed) and brochures with information for you to help make your cat's visit the best it can be!

  • Preventive Care ~ LifeStages

    Comprehensive Preventive Care for all Life Stages


    We focus equally on keeping pets healthy with our strong belief in preventive care and we work diligently to diagnose and treat pets should they become ill or injured - all within a caring environment that nurtures pets. Clients repeatedly tell our team that there is nowhere else they would bring their pets because they know how they will be well-cared for, loved and in the best hands possible! We are proactive about preventive care. Our team is well-trained in life-stage issues for dogs and cats and we develop and individualized plan for each patient dependent upon their needs. We provide puppy/kitten packages, complete adult preventive care and senior health packages to ensure that dogs and cats receive a lifetime of care in order to stay healthy and happy! For further information, please download our Lifetime of Wellness form by clicking the link below:


    A Lifetime Of Wellness - Preventive Care Plan (downloadable document)

  • New Preventive Care Plans!

    Preventive Care Plans


    What are Petly Preventive Care Plans?

    Petly Health Care Plans were created by veterinarians specifically for pet owners and their pets. A Petly Plan provides you an opportunity to manage the expenses of your pet's preventive care visits with easy and affordable monthly payment options. 


    Why should I want a Petly Preventive Care Plan?

    With a set monthly payment and terrific savings, you can be confident your pet is getting the services they need, when they need them, to stay happy and healthy. Plans are comprehensive and include bi-annual physical examinations (4 for puppies and kittens), required vaccines, diagnostics and lab testing important for the prevention of insect and parasite diseases. Plus, Gold Plan Clients receive a 10% discount on all other products and medications in addition to the services on your Petly Preventivie Care Plan.


    How Do I enroll in Petly Plans?

    Please click here to see details about the available plans. Enroll by calling or stopping in to sign up with a member of our front desk team!

  • Puppy Care at MIVH!

    Puppies require special care and they receive it here at Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital! Our team takes pride in providing new puppy owners with all of the information that they need to help them take care of their new pup! From their first visit, in addition to a comprehensive physical examination, necessary laboratory tests, dewormers, heartworm and flea preventives and vaccinations, our veterinary team takes the time to provide vital client education on topics such as: nutrition, crate training, potty training, chewing, manners, nail trimming, microchipping, pet insurance, dental care and the importance of spaying and neutering. We try hard not to overwhelm new puppy owners with all of this information at once, so we break it up into manageable sections and go over different topics during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd visits. Please review the downloadable form (top of page) for details as to our recommended puppy series. We have also developed a 

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  • Kitten Care at MIVH!

    Kittens require special care and they receive it here at Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital! Our team takes pride in providing new kitten owners with all of the information that they need to help them take care of their new kitten! From their first visit, in addition to a comprehensive physical examination, necessary laboratory tests, dewormers, heartworm and flea preventives and vaccinations, our veterinary team takes the time to provide vital client education on topics such as: nutrition, litterbox training, scratching, manners, nail trimming, microchipping, pet insurance, dental care and the importance of spaying and neutering. We try hard not to overwhelm new kitten owners with all of this information at once, so we break it up into manageable sections and go over different topics during the1st, 2nd and 3rd visits. Please review the downloadable form (top of page) for details as to our recommended kitten series. We have also developed a <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.murrellsinletvethospital.com/id-4173"" href="http://www.murrellsinletvethospital.com/id-4173"" ;jsessionid="155F67C13C31B3913B19BC006B5DDC23" "="" target="_blank">Preventive Healthcare Plan to help pet owners manage the initial expenses of kittenhood!

  • Adult Dog/Cat Care

    Adult Dog Recommended Preventive Care (downloadable document)


    Adult Cat Recommended Preventive Care (downloadable document)


    At MIVH, we are proactive about preventive care for our adult patients (approximately 1-6 years of age depending on size/breed). Our doctors and veterinary team will work with you to develop an individualized plan for preventive care to help keep your adult pet healthy and happy. We are also proud to offer Preventive Healthcare Plans for our adult patients. They include all of our recommended preventive care for each year, with automated, convenient monthly payments.


    Our doctors recommend preventive care physical exams every 6 months throughout your adult pet's life in order to detect any disease or illness in its earliest stages. In addition to comprehensive physical examinations, our doctors recommend bi-annual heartworm (dogs) and fecal (stool) tests because parasites are so prevalent in our area - and again, early detection is key. Monthly heartworm and flea prevention is highly recommended. In our southern, coastal environment, parasites thrive - so we must stay on top of prevention.


    Vaccinations are tailored to your pet's needs and lifestyle. We recognize that there are differences in vaccine quality and in order to only offer the best for our patients, our doctors research vaccinations regularly and choose the safest vaccinations available. We currently use Pfizer/Zoetis and Merial vaccinations.


    In order to really know what is going on inside your pet, our team will also recommend what we call "Wellness Bloodwork". This panel includes a Blood Chemistry Profile, CBC, Thyroid Level Test, Urinalysis and Heartworm Test. Our doctors will note your pet's "normals" and compare results from year to year to detect early onset of any problems. For example, we often detect early stage kidney or thyroid disease and are then able to manage these issues via nutrition, medications or other procedures before they cause further damage to a pet's body. Pet's then have the chance to live longer, healthier, happier lives!


    Our team is also passionate about pet nutrition. So, when it comes to preventive medicine, we know that the adage "you are what you eat" also rings true for pets. We love to help our clients select diets that will make a positive difference in their pets' lives. Science and quality ingredients make all the difference when it comes to pet nutrition. Our entire team has been extensively trained about pet nutrition and we are happy to help you or answer any questions you may have about your pet's diet.


    For more information, including pricing, please click on the downloadable forms at the top of this article.

  • Senior Cat Care Packages

    Senior pets require special care ~ And they get it at MIVH!


    We are fully-equipped to provide the specialized level of care that your senior pet requires. Our doctors work to keep healthy pets happy and diagnose and treat senior pet illnesses every day. As advocates for your pet, our entire healthcare team is trained to help you care for your pet as he/she ages. We are experts in helping your pet and helping you adjust to your senior pet's needs including: preventive care, disease/illness diagnoses and treatment, nutritional counseling, oral health evaluation and treatment, behavioral and environmental counseling and mobility evaluations, assistance and treatment.


    Physical Examinations are the cornerstone to helping your pet remain healthy, happy and as comfortable as possible during their senior years. We recommend bi-annual examinations for healthy pets and create a specialized examination schedule for pets that are living with chronic disease.


    We have created a Senior Preventive Healthcare Packages (with convenient monthly payments) to help keep your pet healthy. We believe in regular preventive care such as vaccinations, heartworm and fecal testing, and parasite control. We also strongly recommend being proactive and testing for diseases and problems that may decrease your pet's quality of life or even shorten their life if undetected. There are many tests and procedures that we can do in order to provide that early detection. Our Senior Preventive Health Care Package is the starting point to help ensure that your pet's golden years are the best they can be! From the results of your pet's physical examination and the results of the tests, your pet's doctor will provide a comprehensive treatment plan designed especially for your senior pet based on their needs.


    For package details, please click on the downloadable form:

    Feline Senior Care Package (downloadable document)

  • Canine Senior Care Packages

    Senior pets require special care ~ And they get it at MIVH!


    We are fully-equipped to provide the specialized level of care that your senior pet requires. Our doctors work to keep healthy pets happy and diagnose and treat senior pet illnesses every day. As advocates for your pet, our entire healthcare team is trained to help you care for your pet as he/she ages. We are experts in helping your pet and helping you adjust to your senior pet's needs including: preventive care, disease/illness diagnoses and treatment, nutritional counseling, oral health evaluation and treatment, behavioral and environmental counseling and mobility evaluations, assistance and treatment.


    Physical Examinations are the cornerstone to helping your pet remain healthy, happy and as comfortable as possible during their senior years. We recommend bi-annual examinations for healthy pets and create a specialized examination schedule for pets that are living with chronic disease.


    We have created a Senior Preventive Healthcare Plans (with convenient monthly payments) to help keep your pet healthy. We believe in regular preventive care such as vaccinations, heartworm and fecal testing, and parasite control. We also strongly recommend being proactive and testing for diseases and problems that may decrease your pet's quality of life or even shorten their life if undetected. There are many tests and procedures that we can do in order to provide that early detection. Our Senior Preventive Health Care Package is the starting point to help ensure that your pet's golden years are the best they can be! From the results of your pet's physical examination and the results of the tests, your pet's doctor will provide a comprehensive treatment plan designed especially for your senior pet based on their needs.


    For package details, please click on the downloadable form below:

    Canine Senior Care Package (downloadable document)

  • Spays and Neuters

    Our veterinary team believes that if you are not planning to breed your pet in order to better the bloodlines of your pet's particular breed, it is best to spay or neuter them. Spaying/Neutering not only keeps your pet healthier, but also helps to cut down on the millions of homeless pets that end up in shelters and rescues across our nation. Please download the forms below for specific information about the spaying and neutering process at MIVH. We perform our surgeries with your pets comfort and safety foremost in our mind. At MIVH, you will never hear, "No big deal, it's just a spay / neuter." Every surgery, no matter how routine it is perceived to be by society, is taken seriously by our entire team. We understand that no surgery is "just a.... anything." Every one of our patients is somebody's baby and we treat them as such, taking every precaution and safety measure seriously. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. A member of our professinal veterinary team will be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have about these surgeries.


    What is a Spay?  What is a Neuter? (downloadable document)

    MIVH Spay and Neuter Surgical Information (downloadable document)

    Surgical Care Packages - What Are They? (downloadable document)

    Pre-Anesthetic Profile, CBC and ECG Screening (downloadable document)

    Surgery - Why We Do What We Do! (downloadable document)

  • K-Laser Therapeutic Laser

    Our patients benefit so much from their therapeutic laser treatments. We provide a quiet and comfortable room so that your pet can relax and receive his/her treatment to relieve pain and inflammation. The K Laser has proven to be remarkable. Our patients benefit everyday from this technology. If your pet suffers from arthritis or other type of chronic pain, consider K Laser therapy to provide pain relief. It is amazing and affordable.


    The K-Laser helps our patients everyday. You can visit www.k-laserusa.com for further information. We love the K-Laser, because it provides pain relief and decreases inflammation for a variety of issues:


    • Arthritic Patients
    • Post-Surgical Patients
    • Ear Infections
    • Hot Spots
    • Wound Healing (if a pet has been injured)
  • Feline Hyperthyroid Trmt

    As a veterinary team, we are dedicated to both our patients and their owners. We strive to be as thorough as possible for only your cat's medical care but also to ensure that you are fully informed of the options available to you as a pet owner. We are proud to offer Radioactive Iodine or I-131 Therapy for the treatment of Feline Hyperthyroidism. It is considered to be the "gold standard" of the available treatments. The other forms of treatment include daily medication administration, surgical removal of the affected tissue and nutritional management (Hill's Prescription Diet Y/D). Each of the treatments have their pros and cons, but radioactive iodine therapy is considered the preferred method of treament in most cases in terms of both effectiveness and overall safety.


    Feline Hyperthyroidism is a disease of the endocrine system. It is the most common endocrine disorder that affects cats and one of the most common disease of middle-aged and senior cats. It is caused when the thyroid gland produces excess amount of the thyroid hormones. This excess production is found in tumor-like cells on the thyroid. Ninety-eight to ninety-nine percent of these are benign tumors, with only 1-2% of the cases being cancerous. Hyperthyroidism typically appears in cats 9-13 years of age.


    The thyroid gland virtually affects every system in the body, therefore symptoms can be wide-ranging. Cats may demonstrate: weight loss, increased appetite, changes in hair coat (alopecia, excessive grooming behavior), vomiting, diarrhea, increased activity or restlessness, increased thirst and urination, panting or respiratory distress, heat intolerance, stress intolerance, increased heart rate and/or heart murmur, increased blood pressure and occasionally, depression or weakness may be observed. Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed with a physical examination, including a thorough history and blood testing.


    Radioactive Iodine or I-131 Therapy is typically a one-time treatment that is sufficient to normalize thyroid function in 98% of cases. This highly effective treatment utilizes radioactive iodine to selectively destroy the malfunctioning thyroid tissues. Healthy thyroid tissues are not affected by the treatment. It si considered the safest method of treatment and cats usually have normal thyroid function within 4-6 weeks following radioactive iodine therapy. This treatment is cost effective over time versus daily medication regimins and save cat owners from having to administer medications 1-2 times per day for the lifetime of their cat.


    Our team of doctors and veterinary technicians have undergone special training in bothe care care of the hyperthyroid patient and how to safely manage the rradioactive materials utilized in the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. We are committed to helping cats lead normal, healthy lives! We are dedicated and here to help you. If you have any questions, or would like further information, please inquire with a member of our front desk team.


    For further information, please go to our Feline Hyperthyroid Clinic website: www.scthyroidcat.com

  • Ultrasound

    Our doctors utilize our ultrasound machine everyday. They not only use it to diagnose illness and disease, but also use it in practicing preventive medicine. They perform both abdominal and cardiac ultrasounds. Our doctors perform physical exams, during which they can often detect abnormalities by feel or by listening to your pet's heart. They also recommend periodic bloodwork that will tell them how your pet's organs are functioning, but an ultrasound allows the doctors to get a good image of what your pet's organs look like on the inside! Ultrasound is used as a tool to help diagnose different diseases or conditions. At MIVH, our doctors perform ultrasounds of the abdomen (liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, adrenal glands, intestines, stomach, etc.) and cardiac ultrasounds (heart). Utilizing this equipment, our doctors have saved countless lives at MIVH!

  • Chemotherapy/Cancer Services

    Our team of doctors diagnose and treat cancer patients every week. There are many treatment options, depending upon the type of cancer. If your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, our doctors really go the extra mile in order to provide the best available care for them. We also utilize the expertise of Board Certified Veterinary Oncologists, Internal Medicine Specialists and Surgeons in Mt. Pleasant, Charleston and at NC State University.

  • Stem Cell Therapy

    Our team at Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital is thrilled to be able to offer this cutting-edge technology to our patients. It is truly a breakthrough in the treatment of arthritis, immune mediated joint disease, and tendon and ligament injuries. The results after treatment are most astounding for owners and their pets. Vet-Stem has helped veterinarians around the country treat thousands of dogs and cats.


    Voluntary responses from pet owners and veterinarians report 83-90% of patients had improved quality of life with treatment, and 85% of owners would recommend stem cell therapy to others! Stem Cell Therapy has been used since 2004 in equine patients. There have been hundreds of studies and case reports investigating adult stem cells as therapy for joint and musculoskeletal disease, as well as other diseases.


    What are stem cells?

    Stem cells are the cells present in your body that are responsible for replacing other cells throughout the body that have died or have been injured. They are present in almost every tissue that you have in your body. Anytime an injury occurs your body sends signals to these cells to help repair the damage that has been done. Osteoarthritis is basically damaged cartilage and bone within a joint. Under normal circumstances, an injury or damage occurs and your body responds with inflammation and then repair. Eventually those processes result in scarring as a quick fix but, just as with our skin when it scars, a scarred tissue is never as good as the real thing. By injecting stem cells into the affected area, the reparative process in healing is prolonged, which results in less scarring and the development of more healthy tissue.


    How do you get the stem cells from my pet?

    Initially scientists and doctors thought that in order to get adequate numbers of stem cells we would have harvest these cells from bone marrow. This process is painful and difficult. Through research, scientists have discovered that fat contains these same stem cells in even more abundant numbers and can be harvested via a less invasive process. Even though these cells come from fat they have the ability to turn into many different tissue cells including cartilage, bone, muscle, tendon, and ligament. We use stem cells that have been extracted from fat tissues. In order to extract stem cells from your pet, we have to surgically remove a small amount of fat. A moderate size surgical incision is made at the dermis typically behind the tricep/shoulder area to facilitate the removal of a portion of subcutaneous tissue. This incision will be closed with sutures and/or staples and will heal within 7-10 days.


    How do you extract stem cells from the fat tissue?

    After we remove the fat tissue from your pet, the tissue is handled in a sterile manner, prepared for shipment and is immediately sent overnight to the Vet-Stem Laboratory, where they separate and analyze the stem cells; then prepare the stem cells for treatment in your pet. Vet-Stem's laboratory is a controlled sterile environment with highly trained personnel that are experts at isolating stem cells, preparing the cells for treatment and storing extra cells for future use. Commercially, Vet-Stem was the first to offer this technology for veterinary applications and they are still the leaders in research in this area of veterinary medicine. They continue to look at more uses for this treatment with exciting prospects of treating and even curing other diseases in the future. There are other companies that offer varying methods of stem cell extraction and preparation, but through our research and experience, we feel that the Vet-Stem process is the best and most reputable.


    How are the prepared stem cells put into my pet?

    Vet-Stem ships the stem cells to us in sterile, specially prepared, individually-packaged syringes. They ship them overnight and we receive them the next morning. The cells arrive ready to be injected into your pet. Injecting into a pet's joint or specific point of injury is a delicate procedure, so your pet will be sedated for their safety and comfort. The stem cells are then injected into the affected joints or soft tissues. Your pet's sedative is reversed and they are ready to go home after a short monitoring period! The whole process involves 3 days. The first day is the surgical procedure to remove the fat tissue, the second is the laboratory work to obtain and prepare the stem cells and the third is the day that the stem cells are injected into the affected joints or site of injury.


    How long after the injections are given does it take for my pet to start feeling better and how long do results last?

    It varies from pet to pet. We have witnessed marked improvement after just a few days, but typically noticeable results are seen within 1-4 weeks. Regarding longevity -pet owners have reported results that have last 3-4 or more years! Retreatment is also an option if cells are stored for future use or if the harvesting procedure is repeated.


    Please contact us or visit the VetStem website at www.Vet-Stem.com for further information.

  • Pain Prevention

    Pain Recognition, Treatment and Prevention:

    Our veterinary team is highly trained in the areas of pain recognition, pain treatment and pain prevention. We often use a multi-modal approach to prevent our patients, your pets, from experiencing pain or to relieve pain in those pets that suffer from painful conditions. If your pet does suffer from a painful condition, we have many options to help them, including: Medications, Nutrition, Supplements, Mobility Exercises and K Laser Therapy. If you have a pet that suffers from osteoarthritis, or own a breed that is prone to osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia, Hill's J/D diet works wonders! K Laser Therapy has proven to be extremely helpful in relieving pain and promoting healing for a wide-range of conditions. This therapeutic laser is a highly effective, non-invasive and economical option for pain relief. Dr. Jessica Cantrell is certified to perform Stem Cell Therapy to treat Osteoarthrits and other chronic conditions. Our patients have greatly benefited from this procedure! Our team of doctors have met with an anesthesologist and pain management specialist from Zoetis (formerly Pfizer). The Zoetis specialist and team members presented the latest research on different anesthetics and pain relievers - and we found that we were already utilizing most of them to keep our patients as comfortable as possible before, during and after surgical procedures! You will find that we are proactive in preventing and treating pain in our patients. We utilize the best anesthetics, injectable pain relievers and medications available to ensure that your pet feels as good as possible at all times. We also perform a therapeutic laser session on every eligible surgical patient to help with healing and pain relief. As a team, pain prevention and pain relief is one of our highest priorities. Our team focuses on further education regarding pain relief. In addition to the specialist from Zoetis, we also had representatives from Boehringer Ingleheim and Hill's come in to do seminars for our team. We have also done an in-house STAR Team Training meeting focusing on Pain Recognition, Pain Relief and Pain Prevention.

  • Wag Watchers - Weight Mgmt

    It is estimated that over 50% of our nation's pets are overweight or obese. This is a major issue that most importantly, decreases a pet's lifespan. We all want our pet's to live happy and healthy lives, for as long as possible! Keeping your pet at a healthy weight will help you reach this goal. For pet's that need to lose weight (which is probably at least half of our patients!) we have an incredible new tool. It is a food that is designed to change a pet's metabolism so that they lose weight and then maintain that healthy weight. In real-life feeding trials, owners were not given any specific feeding instructions and over 80% of the patients lost weight. We measure your pet and along with those measurements, enter your pet's weight, age and breed into a computer program and get specific weight loss and feeding recommendations. Our patients have experienced great success so far! One of our technician's dogs lost 6lbs in about 5 weeks. We are very hopeful for the possibilities that this pet food, Hill's Metabolic Diet, offers our patients. Please feel free to come in and have your pet measured to see where they stand and what weight loss would be recommended in order to keep them as healthy as possible. There is no charge to have your pet measured and receive a feeding evaluation and recommendation by one of our veterinary technicians!


    Please visit www.HillsPet.com or click Hill's Metabolic Diet for more information.

  • Digital Radiology / X-Ray

    Digital x-rays are beneficial to you, your pet and our hospital in many ways! First, digital x-rays allow our doctors to better diagnose your pet. They are more clear and detailed. Our doctors can also have a better view of your pet's organs and skeletal system because digital images can be enhanced. For example, if your pet is experiencing back problems, the doctor can zoom in on specific areas of your pet's back and see very small details that would not have been visible on traditional x-rays. Digital radiography also allows us to be more efficient. It is time-saving. Our technicians can take the x-rays in our DHEC approved x-ray room and within minutes, the x-rays are available for your pet's doctor to review on any computer in our hospital. The doctor will then review the x-rays with you in the exam room on the large computer screens. Conveniently, digital images can also easily be emailed to you or other veterinarians if requested! Digital x-ray also saves energy. We also appreciate not having to deal with the chemicals associated with developing traditional x-rays. All-in-all, digital x-rays are incredible and we are so happy to have them available for our patients!

  • Pet Pharmacy

    For your convenience, we have a pharmacy in our hospital. We are able to fill most of your pet's prescriptions at the time of your appointment. You can also request refills by phone or via your pet's personal health page on Petly - just click the green button at the top of the page! We have dedicated Pharmacy Technicians that have received specialized training and work hard to ensure that your pet's medications are properly dispensed.

  • Pet Adoption in our Area

    There are many great organizations in our community that help people find their next perfect (or, purrfect!) furry friend!  Click on their name to go directly to their website.

    St. Frances Animal Center ~ (843) 546--3355

    Grand Strand Humane Society ~ (843) 918-4910

    PetFinder

  • Home Delivery Service!

    We are happy to offer home delivery for the majority of your pet's food, medications and supply needs. Our home delivery service, VetSource is a division of the same top-quality veterinary distributor from which we order the majority of our hospital supplies. All of the products are guaranteed by their manufacturer. Click on the Home Delivery box on our home page, or click here VetSource, to access our home delivery service.

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