Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital

We brought our dog Solstice in after she had swallowed an acorn whole and couldn't pass it oct of 2024. To make all of this worse we were visiting family in the area from Maryland. Everyone from hickory made our extremely stressful situation that much easier. All the staff were friendly, happy, and kind. Everyone there truly made the best of our situation. Dr. Kent was the first doctor we saw and the one we had the most interaction with during the whole process. He was fantastic at making my wife and I comfortable. He was able to clearly communicate all of our options, exactly what was going on and what he would do in our situation. We cannot give him and the rest of the team of people who worked with sol through our the process. Thank you everyone! Sol has made a complete recovery and we were actually able to sprout her acorn.

My dog wasn't feeling well and being as though Cody was here before I decided it was best we go back. Although I felt like he was in the best care I believe when it's a dog last day with the dog parent money shouldn't be on the forefront. She walked in 3 times asking for payments as if we were going to leave although I let her know I'm waiting on other parties to arrive and asking when will they be here. For future reference just allow families to enjoy that last moment without the financial burden. Other than that Cody went painless. My heart is still broken and this holiday season has been tough. Thank you for the contribution you guys offer.

We brought our Mirabelle there on Sunday. The front desk staff (hi Wanda!) was so pleasant to speak with, and patient with our scheduling changes. Dr. Kent handled our appointment. We ended up making the toughest decision that a pet parent can make, but Dr. Kent made sure we were informed and educated about every step. He was so very kind to us and to our sweet Mirabelle. Before we went to Hickory, my husband and I prayed that God would guide us to the kindest Dr. who would provide the best care for Mirabelle. Our prayers were answered. Although our hearts are broken, we are so, so thankful that Mira received the best care possible. May God bless Dr. Kent and the Hickory staff. Thank you.

A few weeks ago, my dog woke in the early morning in clear discomfort and distress. I immediately called several local emergency vets and found Hickory to have the earliest estimate in treatment time. On my drive to the hospital, it was clear that my dog was nearing the end of his life. We have been together for many years and I knew that this dreaded day was coming soon. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was met by a nurse name Corinne. Corinne took charge of the situation and initiated immediate care for my dog, then guided us into an assessment room. After a few minutes, Dr. Mecca entered the room. She clearly and compassionately explained what I already knew, that his symptoms related to Internal bleeding. X-ray showed the cause of the damage, and I didn’t want to cause him any more suffering. I expressed my desire to make him comfortable and to proceed with euthanasia. Dr. Mecca clearly explained how the process would proceed. Soon my boy was rolled in on a gurney, wrapped in a blank looking much more comfortable. We were given as much time as we needed to say goodbye. When we were ready, Dr Mecca came back in and explained what injections he would be given what the process would look like. I was able to hold my boy and tell him how much I loved him as he comfortably drifted away. We spent some more time with him before we were ready to proceed. When we were ready, a woman named Crystal entered to take him from the assessment room. I wanted to bury him in my yard, and they prepared for us to take him home. We were gifted a paw print on a lovely card, and Dr Mecca gave us a little glass vile with a tuft of his fur as he keepsake. I was very grateful to have it. While this experience was extremely difficult, Corinne, Crystal, Dr. Mecca and the entire Hickory staff made it the best possible experience under the circumstances. I am extremely grateful to have had the care, compassion and expertise of the hospital staff. Im so glad that I chose to take my dog to Hickory veterinary hospital that day. A week or so later I received a lovely sympathy card in the mail from Hickory. When I eventually called my personal vet to tell them about my dog’s passing, I learned that Hickory had already contacted them with this information. It is truly amazing to have interacted with such compassionate animal lovers at Hickory Run Hospital.

Hickory is not my regular vet. However, my cat was sneezing for days and my regular vet was not available until next wk. I made an appointment online for her at Hickory for next day. Mind you there were plenty of appointment times to choose from. I was relieved to get in so quickly only to be shot down with a phone call that, because she had not been seen there before, I could only come in as an emergency (more money for them). They also insulted me by saying I could not "hop from vet to vet". I explained I was doing no such thing. I simply wanted my ill cat seen sooner than later. One would think compassionate animal lovers would appreciate that. They said the first visit would have to be a wellness visit and they'd need her past records. So I said, then the appropriate thing to do would have been to ask me for her records - not accuse me of vet hopping. They were rude, insulting, and clearly more interested in the additional ER charges than in the welfare of an animal. Note, I previously took my dog here and thought, if I'm satisfied with my cat's care, perhaps it's time to switch to Hickory. Needless to say, that will not be happening now.