Hollow Creek Animal Hospital

An annual blood panel is an important health matter for every pet. The importance of this is even greater for senior dogs. One of the tests included in the panel is CBC. The results of this test provide a complete picture of the cells present in your pet's body and their condition. Don't forget to schedule your pet's annual appointment by calling us at 803-226-0551.

It requires immediate medical attention if you notice your dog having difficulties urinating. Keep in mind that obstruction of the urinary tract can be life-threatening. Please contact us right away at 803-226-0551 if you notice this behavior. We're here to help your pets to always be in a healthy, safe and happy state!

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3rd at 8:00 AM. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Should you have an emergency, please call one of the emergency facilities listed below:

BluePearl Pet Hospital - (706) 733-7458
410 Topgolf Way, Augusta, GA 30909

CVETS - Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty - (803) 995-8913
1321 Oakcrest Drive, Columbia, SC 29223

Dog owners should be vigilant about checking what they give their dogs. It is possible for some ingredients to be remarketed under different names, which can lead to confusion. It is important to remember that xylitol poisoning can result in hypoglycemia, seizures, and even death in dogs. We urge you to contact us at 803-226-0551 right away if your pet ingested this ingredient by accident.

Do non-shedding dogs exist? Nope, not yet! There are some dogs that are more hypoallergenic than others; however, no pup is 100% free of shedding. On the bright side, the dog breeds available that minimally shed are very helpful for those who deal with allergies and require less grooming attention. For more helpful tips, contact us at 803-226-0551!

A lot of people think that begging at the dinner table is behavior that only dogs exhibit, but it’s actually very common for your feline to put on the kitty cat eyes too! Here are some human foods that are safe to feed your cat (in moderation). If you have any questions about what may or may not be toxic to your cat, give us a call at 803-226-0551!

German shepherds are an athletic and high-energy breed of dog that demand multiple hours of daily activity. It isn’t always easy to know when your pup needs some extra exercise, but keeping these behaviors in mind will provide some better insight into whether you’ll need to make some changes to their routine. Symptoms of a restless dog include destructive behavior, excessive barking, weight gain, lethargy, and depression. Are you searching for more information about how to properly care for your dogs? We'd love to help with that! Call us at 803-226-0551 for all your care questions.

Your furry friend’s health is just as important as yours. Making sure your pet gets the right nutrients is a step towards a complete healthy animal. Omega fatty acids assist in keeping joints healthy, improve cellular development and keeps pets active. We love your pets as much as you do and want to keep them as healthy as possible! Contact us at 803-226-0551 to schedule an appointment.

Dental health is just as important for dogs as it is for us. Without regular dental care, dogs can be prone to yellow or brown discolored teeth, bad breath, redness and swelling of the gums, eroded gums, and loose and missing teeth. The first tip for brushing your pup's teeth is using a soft-bristle brush or finger brush specifically designed for dogs and toothpaste made for dogs. Once you've gathered your supplies, it's time to get your pup situated.

Do you have questions about how to care for your pup? Give us a call at 803-226-0551 and we can provide you with more personalized care.

To prevent your pup from contracting parvo, it is essential to get them vaccinated. A puppy’s first set of vaccinations happen at 6 weeks old with another two at 9 and 12 weeks. When your dog is brought into our clinic, they will be assessed by us and we will advise you on all follow-up dates. Always look for clinical signs of parvo in your dog, and if you notice symptoms, contact us at 803-226-0551 to book an appointment for diagnosis. Don’t leave it until its too late!

This is so true! Does your pet like belly rubs? Where is your dog's favorite scratch pad? Share with us in the comments below!

Recently, Eucalyptus has become a trendy houseplant, but did you know that dried or fresh eucalyptus is dangerous for your cat? Your cat can experience salivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and other concerning symptoms after consuming this potent plant. Prior to making a houseplant purchase, make sure to research or call us at 803-226-0551 to ensure your addition is safe for your feline friend.

Its true! Yawning is contagious for dogs as well as humans. Studies have shown that a yawn from you can trigger one from your dog. Even more interesting is that it is four times more likely to happen when the yawn originates from a person your pet knows. Crazy, right? "Good dog" isn't good enough - let's keep them good and healthy! Contact us at 803-226-0551.

Just like us, vegetables play a key role in the overall health of your dog. Take a look at these beneficial veggies that can upgrade your pet’s nutritional value. Be sure to cook or cut these veggies as recommended. We love your dogs as much as you do and want to keep them as healthy as possible! Contact us at 803-226-0551 to schedule an appointment.

The puppy should be vaccinated for the first time between 6 and 8 weeks of age, followed by booster vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until he is 16 to 18 weeks old. Avoid bringing your dog out in public until his vaccination regimen is finished. Call us today at 803-226-0551 to learn more about parvo virus vaccine.

An accurate biochemistry profile reveals information about different organs and tissues, helping you understand conditions such as liver disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. Senior dogs often suffer complications as they age, so this is particularly helpful to them. Schedule your pet's annual exam by calling us at 803-226-0551.

Dogs devote lots of brain power to interpreting smells. They have more than 100 million sensory receptor sites in the nasal cavity compared to 6 million in people. Crazy right? Contact us today at 803-226-0551 to schedule an appointment for your pet!

If your dog ate candy and you act quickly, there is nothing to worry about. The first thing you need to do is keep your pup near you so you can monitor them in case of an emergency, even if they are not showing any symptoms. Signs of a major problem include choking, vomiting, tremors, or intestinal blockage, which isn’t noticeable at first. If you know what kind of candy your dog got into, you can look up any toxic ingredients in it to be aware of. If they ingested chocolate, call the poison control hotline or us immediately. Keep them hydrated with plenty of water only after talking with us. Be sure to bring them in to see us so we can check to make sure they are in top shape. Call us at 803-226-0551.

Puppies start teething anywhere between 3-4 months old and can last until the age of 6 to 7 months. You’ll notice an increase in biting and nipping as your puppy loses more baby teeth and adult teeth start to grow in. Most pups decrease their mouthing and biting by the time they are 8 to 10 months old, depending on the breed. To ensure this doesn’t turn into a lifelong bad habit, follow these helpful tips to stop puppy biting. Do you have questions about how to care for your pup? Give us a call at 803-226-0551 and we can provide you with more personalized care. 🐶

If you like dressing up your dog, remember that your dog will be easier to spot in bright clothing. So when you try to bring them out in a dog park, it's easier to find them in the crowd. Contact us today at 803-226-0551.

We all want our homes to smell nice and clean; however, as pet owners, we have to be extra careful that whatever we are using isn’t harmful to our fur babies. Incense is dangerous to cats as their sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of humans and the smell can be too intense for them to handle. It also produces smoke, which can be bad for their respiratory system and increase the risk of your cat developing asthma. Opt for cat-friendly methods of keeping your house smelling fresh and clean by dusting frequently, using baking soda to absorb odors, having fragrant plants such as rosemary or sage, or simmering a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, apples, or vanilla. Stay current with your cats' healthcare needs and schedule their appointment by calling 803-226-0551.

Pets carry more of their cholesterol in HDL (good cholesterol) vs. LDL (bad cholesterol), so saturated fats aren’t a problem and are actually a very good source of energy. We love your pets as much as you do and want to keep them as healthy as possible! Contact us at 803-226-0551 to schedule an appointment.

Just like kids, dogs can also deal with separation anxiety. This can cause changes in behavior such as pacing, loss of appetite, destroying furniture, and excessive drooling and/or whining. To prevent them from experiencing this, try not to let them be alone for a long period of time, do daily exercise, and give them toys they enjoy! In some cases, your pet may need prescription medication. Have questions? Contact us today at 803-226-0551.

Fish oil is one of the best supplements to add to your dog’s diet. Fish oil supports your canine companion’s heart health, promotes a silky coat, reduces itchy and flaky skin, and can help relieve allergies and joint pain. It can even help strengthen their immune system and could help them fight canine cancer. If you have questions about what supplements to use, give us a call at 803-226-0551 for guidance.

Cats are nimble, flexible, and quick due to the 230 bones in their body! Despite having an additional 24 bones to that of humans, who only have 206, the skeleton of a cat is very similar to ours. Cats have 13 ribs while humans have 12, and both have clavicles, but unlike humans, they are unattached to other bones. Stay current with your cats' healthcare needs and schedule their appointment by calling 803-226-0551.

Typically, puppies require about 6 to 10 hours of sleep daily. Every puppy is different, with some needing up to 20 hours a day to maintain their high levels of energy. However, by 16 weeks, most breeds will be able to sleep throughout the night. Daytime napping is perfectly healthy for your growing baby dog and is nothing to be concerned about. Sleep is essential for healthy development, and creating a schedule will help your pupper get the right balance of sleep and play time. New dog? 🐶 We can't wait to meet your furry family member! Schedule their visit today at 803-226-0551.

Research concludes that cats cannot have autism; however, there are many behavioral similarities between special-needs cats and humans with autism. Since autism is focused on human behavior, cats cannot be diagnosed, but they sometimes exhibit autism spectrum traits. Examples include becoming obsessed with hunting or chasing certain things, enjoying their alone time, being easily overstimulated, easily spooked by noises or bright lights, and even being overwhelmed by too much attention. If you notice any strange behavior in your kitty, bring them in for a check-up with us so that we can identify if there are any issues affecting your cat’s behavior. Give us a call at 803-226-0551 to schedule an appointment.

A little cat joke to brighten your day! We bet you're laughing right meow! Contact us today at 803-226-0551.

Any behavior or sleep position can stem from a variety of causes. Some may be more subtle reasons than others, but there are none to worry about regarding your pet’s health! In general, when a dog sleeps on its back, it is a good thing. It usually means they are cooling off, feel safe, are showing submission, or are seeking attention. Some will even do it purely out of comfort! If you’re worried about your dog’s sleeping positions, the main thing to keep an eye out for is any sudden changes that coincide with sudden changes in behavior. If you’re unsure, give us a call at 803-226-0551 where we can better approach the concern.

Did you know that kittens are born with blue eyes? Indeed! By the time you bring them home at 8 weeks; however, it is likely that they have already begun to transform into their adult color. Kittens’ eyes begin to change between 3 and 8 weeks of age. The most common cat eye colors are brown, yellow orange, green, and amber. You may still notice changes in their eye color up until their first birthday. Stay current with your cats' healthcare needs and schedule their appointment by calling 803-226-0551.