Oldtown Veterinary Hospital

Oldtown Veterinary Hospital, located at 3744 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA, has been a long-standing institution in the Winston-Salem community, serving pets and their owners since 1966. As a full-service veterinary hospital, it aims to provide comprehensive medical care for companion animals, encompassing a broad spectrum of services designed to support pets through every stage of their lives. The hospital prides itself on being an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited facility, a distinction it has held continuously since 1969, signifying a commitment to meeting the highest standards in veterinary medicine.

The environment at Oldtown Veterinary Hospital is described in positive reviews as having "Great staff with unmatched knowledge and bedside manner for the fur babies and the parents." This suggests a welcoming and caring atmosphere where clients feel that their pets are genuinely valued. The hospital's mission emphasizes delivering "cutting edge, collaborative medicine, serving them with empathy and compassion and fostering an environment of education and growth," aiming to partner with clients to "preserve and nurture the human-animal bond." This indicates a focus on client education and a supportive experience. As a well-equipped small animal hospital, it would typically feature multiple examination rooms, diagnostic areas, surgical suites, and potentially dedicated spaces for therapies and boarding, all maintained to AAHA standards of cleanliness and organization.

Oldtown Veterinary Hospital offers an extensive array of services, covering almost every aspect of veterinary care. Their General Wellness program includes:

• Wellness & Preventive Care: Routine nose-to-tail wellness exams to detect problems early and ensure long, healthy lives.
• PAW Plans: Pet Annual Wellness Plans designed to manage preventative care and mitigate unexpected costs.
• Vaccinations: Proper vaccination protocols tailored to protect pets against harmful diseases.
• Parasite Control: Year-round preventive measures against fleas, ticks, and heartworms.
• Diet & Nutrition: Counseling to help pets maintain proper weight, fight disease, and promote overall well-being.
• Microchipping: Reliable identification to reunite lost pets with their owners.
• Puppy & Kitten Care: Initial exams and guidance on spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and nutrition for new family members.
• Senior Pet Care: Specialized care and age-specific testing for older pets to maintain health and extend longevity.

Their Diagnostic Services are robust, featuring:

• Laboratory Services: In-house diagnostic testing to identify problems quickly.
• Radiography: X-ray services to identify injuries or illnesses.
• Diagnostic Ultrasounds: Useful for evaluating heart conditions, internal organs, cysts, and tumors.
• Endoscopy: Medical imaging to examine internal organs or obtain biopsies without invasive surgery.
• EKG: To measure and evaluate the electrical activity of the heart for diagnosing potential heart conditions.
• Allergies & Dermatology: Testing and treatment for skin-related problems including parasites, allergies, rashes, infections, and hair loss.

For pets requiring surgical intervention, the hospital provides Surgery Services including:

• Spay & Neuter: To promote longer, healthier lives and control pet populations.
• Soft Tissue Surgery: For non-joint or bone-related medical reasons.
• Orthopedic Surgery: To help pets suffering from joint problems, torn ligaments, broken bones, and congenital issues.

Oldtown Veterinary Hospital also offers Holistic & Therapy Services, indicating a modern and comprehensive approach to pet rehabilitation and pain management:

• Rehabilitation for Dogs, Cats & Pets: For injuries or illnesses related to neurologic and musculoskeletal systems.
• Physical Therapy: To extend quality of life, mobility, and comfort.
• Laser Therapy: A non-invasive, drug-free treatment to reduce pain, inflammation, and speed healing.
• Stem Cell Therapy: Using cells extracted from the pet's body to replace damaged cells, combating various issues and diseases.

Beyond these, they also provide Pet Grooming services, and have an on-site pharmacy for convenient access to medications and food. They are federally accredited to issue international travel and acclimation certificates for healthy pets, and offer End of Life Care, including humane euthanasia, with support for grieving pet owners. The hospital also has a strong team including veterinarians such as Dr. Tim Strickland, Dr. Beth Gates, and Dr. Shannon Jarvis (Medical Director & CCRP), along with a hospital manager, Sandy, and a dedicated client services, tech, and kennel staff.

Features of Oldtown Veterinary Hospital, as highlighted by client feedback and their stated mission, include a commitment to continuous learning and growth, maintaining AAHA accreditation for over 50 years (since 1969), and fostering a collaborative environment. They aim to deliver "cutting edge" medicine and provide "extraordinary pet care." The positive reviews commend the staff's "unmatched knowledge and bedside manner" and emphasize doctors who "actually listen and are just as concerned as you are about what the health of your precious one is." This indicates a strong focus on empathetic communication and client partnership.

However, it is important to present an objective view, and some reviews articulate significant concerns. One particularly detailed negative review describes a tragic outcome for a 4-year-old pitbull named Mac, alleging a "complete lack of empathy and compassion" and a "completely off-base" initial diagnosis of lymphoma that was misattributed to allergies. The client claims unnecessary treatments were insisted upon, phone calls were unanswered during a critical time, and a payment plan was refused, leading them to travel 10 hours to another vet who immediately diagnosed Lymphoma. This review explicitly states the clinic "didn’t give a damn" and is "more concerned with financial gain than the health and welfare of their patients," strongly urging others to "look elsewhere." This starkly contrasts with the positive experiences and indicates a potential inconsistency in care or communication, especially in high-stress, complex cases. The client specifically calls out Dr. Strickland and Sandy, the office manager, for a lack of responsiveness and care. While one review expresses extreme dissatisfaction, other reviews highlight positive long-term relationships, with one stating, "Always feel welcome and like my pets are family here," and praising Dr. Gates for her excellent communication and surgical skills.

In terms of promotional information, Oldtown Veterinary Hospital actively offers several incentives. They have a New Client Special offering a free first wellness exam (terms apply, cannot be combined with other offers). They also provide discounts for various community groups: a 10% OFF Senior Discount on exams, a 10% OFF Military and First Responders Discount on exams, and a 10% OFF Student Discount on exams. Additionally, pets utilizing their boarding services receive a 50% OFF Bath Special. They also promote their PAW Plans as a way to manage preventive care costs. They frequently update their website with these specials, encouraging clients to check for the latest offers. They also have an online pharmacy for convenient access to medications and food, often at competitive prices.

In conclusion, Oldtown Veterinary Hospital has a long history in Winston-Salem as an AAHA accredited facility offering a broad array of veterinary services, from routine wellness and advanced diagnostics to complex surgeries and holistic therapies. Positive reviews emphasize a compassionate and knowledgeable staff who build strong relationships with clients. However, critical feedback highlights serious concerns regarding diagnostic accuracy, communication during emergencies, and perceived financial motivations over patient welfare. Prospective clients should consider this varied feedback, review the extensive services offered, and potentially schedule a consultation to assess if the hospital's approach aligns with their expectations for their beloved pets' care. For inquiries, clients can contact them at (336) 924-4176. Their operating hours are Mon-Fri: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm, Sat: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm, and Sun: Closed, with referrals for after-hours emergencies.