At All Creatures Pet Hospital, our veterinarian understands that all pets in his care have their own unique needs and conditions that will ultimately change as they age. Whether you have a brand new puppy or kitten, or a senior companion animal, we will create a wellness program tailored to the individual requirements of your pet.

PUPPIES AND KITTENS

Very young animals have many of the same health concerns, most of which can be met as soon as they are old enough to be vaccinated. Vaccinations not only protect your pet from many common diseases, but certain inoculations such as rabies are required by law. Sterilization is another need for all puppies and kittens not used for breeding purposes. Spaying or neutering your pet will not only prevent unwanted litters, but it can also prevent certain disease states later in their lives. Microchipping is another part of the wellness program at All Creatures Pet Hospital. Microchips are a permanent form of identification which significantly increases the likelihood of having your pets returned in the event they become separated from you. Heartworm prevention in both puppies and kittens is crucial for their long-term health. In addition to heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks can all be prevented using products available at our hospital. Other considerations for young pets include getting your pet off on the right foot with nutritional and dental counseling. Finally, blood work also can be measured in puppies and kittens which provides a baseline of your pet's health that can be compared to blood tests when your pet is older.

ADULT PETS

As pets mature, many of their health needs begin to change. Keeping your pets up to date on vaccinations, heartworm preventative, intestinal parasite prevention and flea and tick products continues to be an important part of the wellness protocol at All Creatures Pet Hospital. Other health matters such as yearly dental cleanings become more important for adult dogs and cats. Studies indicate that pets as young as one year of age can begin to experience periodontal issues, and approximately 80% of pets over the age of three have some form of periodontal disease. Dental examinations and cleanings, as well as brushing and proper diet at home, are extremely important for adult pets. Maintaining a proper weight through a healthy and balanced diet will postpone and possibly prevent issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint problems as they age. Blood work continues to be an important part of the health of adult animals, as these values can help our doctors discover possible issues before the onset of disease.

SENIOR PETS

As your furry family member begins to age, Dr. Hankes will continue to care for their individual needs. Large-breed dogs may be considered "senior" at the age of five, while average and smaller breeds are considered "senior" at the age of seven. It is important to bring an older animal to All Creatures Pet Hospital more frequently, just as older humans see their doctor more often. Blood work becomes the cornerstone of disease diagnosis and prevention, as the tests can discover and track the early onset of issues facing older pets. As with people, age-related considerations for pets include osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart conditions, and certain types of cancer.

Contact the caring staff at All Creatures Pet Hospital to schedule a wellness visit for your pet. Regardless of the life stage of your pet, our experienced veterinarian and employees are ready to care for your pets, just as they care for their own!

All Creatures Pet Hospital offers veterinary surgical services to pet owners in Gardendale, Fultondale, and Birmingham, Alabama. Our state-of-the-art surgical suite is equipped with innovative tools that enable us to provide excellence in operating procedures for your pet. Dr. Hankes always recommends running blood work for each pet prior to undergoing surgery. Blood work can determine if the liver and kidneys of your pet are functioning properly so that anesthesia can be administered as safely as possible. During the pre-operative procedure, pain medication is given to keep your pet as comfortable as possible during surgery. Before and after the procedure, your pet's vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels are continuously monitored by our veterinarian. At the conclusion of the treatment, your pet will be kept warm and will continue to be monitored during the recovery period.

Dr. Hankes has more than 23 years of successful surgical experience, therefore you can rest assured that your pet will be in skilled hands.

Did you know that board-certified veterinary dentists state that pets can live 15-20% longer with regular dental care? That is a lot of additional time that you could spend with your healthy pet. Dr. Ted Hankes has many years of hands-on veterinary dental experience, ranging from healthy pet teeth cleanings, extractions, and oral surgery.

HOW DOES REGULAR VETERINARY DENTAL CARE HELP MY PET LIVE LONGER?

Dental disease in pets begins just as it does in humans, with bacteria in the mouth. Without brushing or professional cleaning, these bacteria will start to harden and form plaque and tartar. Continued neglect of your pet's teeth can lead to tooth and gum decay, leading to pain and difficulty eating. Even worse, constant swallowing of these bacteria can damage the liver, kidneys, and heart. Regular brushing and cleaning both at home and by veterinary professionals can neutralize this bacterial threat to the organs of the pet, thus increasing their life expectancy.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF ORAL DISEASE IN PETS?

Studies indicate that by three years of age, untreated dogs and cats will have symptoms of dental disease. Some of the most common signs of an unhealthy mouth include:

• Bad breath, Gingivitis, including redness and swelling at the gum level, Loss of appetite, or inability to eat crunchy food, Loose teeth, Bloody mouth or gums

If your pet companion exhibits any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment to have them examined at All Creatures Pet Hospital.

Whether you have a puppy or kitten that you would like to begin proper dental care or an older pet that has never had a cleaning or exam, it is never too late to start them on the road to oral health. Dr. Hankes and his compassionate staff will not only examine and clean the teeth of your pet, but he will also be happy to educate you on how to care for their teeth at home. Schedule a dental exam for your furry family member at All Creatures Pet Hospital today!

A standard issue with many pets in the Birmingham, Alabama area is allergies and skin conditions related to allergic reactions. Dr. Hankes has more than 23 years of experience diagnosing and treating skin conditions in both dogs and cats. There are many reasons for allergic reactions in our furry family members, including food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and contact allergens such as grass or pollen.

Treatment of dermatological issues in animals has improved dramatically in recent years, and your pet will be cared for in the safest and most effective manner available in veterinary medicine. In the past, steroids and antihistamines were the only products available for treatment of skin issues in pets. New treatments and medications such as sublingual immunotherapy have made allergic conditions in pets much more manageable and safer to control. Oral sublingual immunotherapy involves placing small amounts of allergens in the mouth of the pet to build up resistance when they encounter this particular substance. Additionally, there are now new oral allergy medications for dogs that are extremely safe and effective for both short and long-term use.

If your pet has itching that goes beyond normal scratching, and you notice skin abrasions and hair loss, they may be suffering from allergies. Set up an appointment with Dr. Hankes at All Creatures Pet Hospital and put an end to the discomfort associated with skin conditions in your pet family.

Pocket pets are becoming increasingly popular in the Birmingham, Gardendale, and Fultondale areas of Alabama. It’s no wonder, as pocket pets make excellent companions! Most first-time owners, however, need to understand that these animals have unique needs and health care requirements for their well-being. Fortunately, Dr. Hankes will provide your pocket pet with care, and he will also instruct you on how to meet their needs at your home.

Schedule a wellness visit at All Creatures Pet Hospital for your pocket pets! We treat ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Dr. Hankes will complete a physical examination, answer any questions you may have about your pet, and discuss whether any changes in diet or at-home care are recommended to help ensure your pet’s health and longevity.

All Creatures offers nail and beak trims and wing clipping. 

We do not typically treat exotic pets like reptiles.  

Dr. Hankes ensures that All Creatures Pet Hospital has the most advanced veterinary tools and technology, and our therapy laser is no exception. Lasers have been proven to be safe and effective in animal health, and are a drug-free alternative for many types of conditions. Examples of the benefits that therapy laser provides include:

Promotes faster healing of wounds, cuts, and abrasions, Relieves pain, Alleviates osteoarthritis and its associated symptoms, Assists in the control of neurological conditions, Mitigates dermatologic skin issues.

If you would like to know if your pet has a condition that may benefit from laser therapy, please schedule a consultation. One of our compassionate team members will be happy to help when you call All Creatures Pet Hospital at 205-631-6210.

Needing to leave your pet behind when you head out of town is normal. And so is leaving your pet home while you’re at work! But we all know that pets are social. So we’ve got the perfect solution for your pet while you’re gone: Doggie Daycare and 24/7 boarding services, both available year-round and for pets of all sizes.

Our facility proudly serves the pet boarding needs of the Gardendale, Birmingham, Tarrant, Fultondale and surrounding areas. Whether you are gone for the day or going out of town on business or vacation, our clean, climate-controlled boarding facilities are just right for your pet!

Our compassionate staff members have years of combined experience caring for boarding pets. All pets are continuously monitored by our compassionate and experienced staff during their stay with us. Boarders are provided with constant access to water and the proper amount of food, given exercise and attention, and medications are administered as needed. Boarding prices include bedding, food and other necessities but you are welcome to bring the food your pet likes best.

For the safety of your precious pet, as well as others under our care, all boarders must be current on their vaccination schedule to board. Required vaccinations for our canine companions include rabies, bordetella (kennel cough), distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. Our feline friends must be protected against rabies, feline leukemia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and chlamydia. If your pet is not up-to-date on vaccinations, or if you are unsure, please contact our clinic a few weeks in advance so we can administer protection to your pet.

The boarding facility at All Creatures Animal Hospital fills up quickly, especially during the summer and holiday seasons. Call us at 205-631-6210 to schedule your pet's stay with us today!

Are you searching for a groomer for your pet companion in the Gardendale, Fultondale, or Birmingham areas of Alabama? Our groomer Ellen has over 20 years of experience and is excited to meet you and your pet. We can provide grooming services tailored to your request, to keep your pets looking and feeling their best. Grooming appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis and are available Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Regular and medicated bathing is available to keep their coat and skin feeling and looking their best.

Our groomer is extremely popular with both pets and their owners, so please call to set an appointment in advance. One of our caring team members will be happy to assist you when you contact All Creatures Pet Hospital at 205-631-6210. Or you can reserve a spot online if you click below.

All Creatures Pet Hospital maintains a complete veterinary pharmacy at our facility to serve the medicinal needs of the pet companions in the Gardendale, Fultondale, and Birmingham areas of Alabama. Every product we carry is individually selected by Dr. Hankes for both safety and effectiveness. Our veterinary medical stock includes essentially everything your pet may need, ranging from antibiotics and dermatology products to flea, tick, heartworm preventatives, and pain relief.

There are numerous advantages to using our pharmacy at All Creatures Pet Hospital, including the following:

-Our products are available to your pet at the end of their visit so they can begin treatment right away, as opposed to having to wait for delivery from an online pharmacy or an additional trip to a retail store.

-We continually compare our prices to online pharmacies and big box stores, and our products often cost the same or less.

-The prices of our products do not include hidden shipping fees found at many online retailers.

-Our practice receives each product directly from the manufacturer or authorized distributor, meaning our medications are guaranteed to be safe and effective by the maker of the drug, unlike most online pharmacies and retail outlets.

-If your pet has a weight gain or loss, their medication levels must be adjusted accordingly. Our hospital makes these changes as needed for your pet.

-There have been recent cases of counterfeit veterinary products sold both online and to retail locations. The medications at All Creatures Pet Hospital have been purchased directly from the manufacturer or authorized distributor and are guaranteed to be authentic.

Regardless of the medical needs of your precious pet, you will find the proper medication at our practice. Please call one of our caring professionals at 205-631-6210 to become a part of the All Creatures Pet Hospital family today!

Just like people, our furry family members need dental care for their overall health. Without proper dental care at home and care from a veterinarian, bacteria can grow on our pet's teeth, causing tooth decay and gum damage. Over time, these bacteria may cause harm to organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys which can possibly shorten the life of your pet. Dr. Hankes recommends dental care as early as one year of age to best protect your pet from periodontal disease. Our caring doctor understands that maintaining your pet's dental health from an early age can result in better overall health and long-term savings for you by avoiding future corrective dental procedures. Contact one of our friendly staff professionals today at All Creatures Pet Hospital to set up your pet's dental appointment!

Proper nutrition and portion control are as important for our pet companions as it is for us as people. Overweight pets face the same conditions as people, including arthritis, joint pain, diabetes and heart disease for example. Dr. Hankes can evaluate your pet to determine their individual nutritional needs, as well as the proper portions to maintain a healthy body weight. Affordable prescription diets are available at our hospital for your convenience. Schedule an appointment for your furry friend regardless of their life stage or current health condition.

Dr. Ted Hankes recommends spaying or neutering all pets not being used for breeding purposes. Sterilization not only prevents unwanted litters, but it can also prevent certain reproductive cancers later in their lives.

Puppies and kittens can be spayed between four and six months of age. Our pets feel pain the same way that people do, therefore, we administer pain medication to keep them comfortable during and after the procedure. Additionally, blood work is needed to help determine if your puppy or kitten is healthy enough for the procedure. Please call All Creatures Pet Hospital to schedule your furry friend for a spay or neuter as soon as they are old enough for the surgery.

Heartworms have been diagnosed in all fifty states, and are especially prevalent in warmer climates found in Alabama. Heartworms can be transmitted to dogs and cats by the bite of a mosquito that is infected with immature heartworms. If the dog or cat is not protected by a heartworm preventative, the worms can mature, eventually damage the heart and lungs, and cause death if left untreated. Please remember that heartworm preventatives are always less expensive and more effective than heartworm treatments. Dr. Ted Hankes attends conferences and lectures throughout the country to stay up to date, and ensure that All Creatures Pet Hospital offers the safest and most effective products here at our pharmacy, including heartworm preventatives. Please call one of our caring team members at 205-631-6210 and schedule a heartworm preventative appointment for your companion.

Payment is due when services are rendered at All Creatures Pet Hospital. We accept all major credit cards, and we also are pleased to partner with Care Credit for the convenience of our clients. We understand that sometimes there are unexpected costs and emergency situations; Care Credit is similar to a credit card and can be applied to veterinary services. Care credit can be accessed here https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/ for more information on their services.