The Pet Hospitals Poplar At Massey

As pet parents, we dread the thought of our fur-children ever getting sick enough to require emergency care. Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses do occur, so our exceptional emergency care teams are here to help in your time of need.   

Regular wellness exams allow us to catch underlying health problems early, provide consistent preventative care, and support your pet’s overall health and well-being. 

Vaccines are essential for preventive care and can increase the chances of a longer, happier life for pets. Ensuring that pets are consistently up to date with their vaccinations can help prevent contracting disease or help lessen the severity of symptoms if a disease is contracted.

From routine cleanings to tooth extractions, the Thrive Pet Healthcare network of Primary Care veterinarians and Dental Specialists is here to keep your pet's smile fresh! Our general practices can take care of everyday dental maintenance with outstanding regular check-ins, cleanings, and basic surgeries.

Meanwhile, our specialty veterinarians are prepared to handle more complex or chronic dental cases like a root abscess, jaw fracture, abnormal tooth formation, or advanced periodontal disease. These doctors are highly trained within the field of veterinary dentistry and have access to specialized equipment, typically unavailable at primary care clinics. 

A professional teeth cleaning is one of the most impactful ways to support your dog’s or cat’s long-term health and comfort. While at-home brushing and dental chews can help slow plaque buildup, professional veterinary dental care is the only way to remove hardened tartar and evaluate what’s happening below the gumline, where most dental disease starts. Over time, plaque bacteria can lead to inflamed gums (gingivitis), and without treatment, that inflammation can progress to periodontal disease, which damages the structures supporting the teeth and can cause chronic pain.

At The Pet Hospitals, a professional dental cleaning typically includes a thorough oral evaluation, scaling to remove plaque and tartar, and polishing to smooth the tooth surface and help slow future buildup. The veterinary team may also recommend dental X-rays when indicated, because many painful problems—like root infection, bone loss, or tooth resorption—can be hidden beneath the gumline. If your pet needs additional treatment (such as extractions or advanced periodontal therapy), we’ll explain why and talk through options with you.

A common question is: “Does my pet really need anesthesia for a dental cleaning?” For safe, thorough, and humane dental care, anesthesia matters because it allows the team to clean below the gumline, check each tooth properly, and protect your pet from stress and discomfort during the procedure. Dental cleanings performed without anesthesia may improve the look of visible tooth surfaces, but they do not allow effective cleaning and assessment below the gumline (where disease often lives) so they are not a substitute for professional veterinary dentistry.

Wondering whether it’s time to schedule? Signs of dental disease can be subtle. Look for persistent bad breath (often the first clue), yellow-brown tartar buildup, red or bleeding gums, drooling, pawing at the mouth, dropping food, chewing on one side, or avoiding crunchy treats. Many pets continue eating even with painful mouths, so routine dental exams are a big deal. Some pets benefit from professional cleanings every 1–2 years, while others (especially small dogs and many cats) may need them more frequently.

Dental surgery is advanced oral care designed to treat painful disease, infection, or injury in the mouth, especially when a routine dental cleaning isn’t enough. While professional cleanings focus on removing plaque and tartar and assessing overall oral health, dental surgery addresses bigger problems like damaged teeth, severe periodontal disease, and extractions needed to relieve pain and restore function. Many dogs and cats hide oral discomfort surprisingly well, so dental disease can progress quietly. That’s why timely treatment matters: the goal is a healthier mouth, more comfortable eating, and better overall well-being.

So what counts as dental surgery? Depending on your pet’s needs, it may include tooth extractions (simple or surgical), treatment for advanced periodontal disease, or care for fractured teeth and tooth-root infection. Periodontal disease involves infection and inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth, and once it progresses to deeper structures (periodontitis), it can lead to loose, painful teeth and ongoing infection without appropriate therapy. Cats can also experience significant dental conditions that require more than a cleaning, and guidelines continue to emphasize earlier recognition and intervention for feline oral pain.

How do you know when dental surgery may be recommended? Watch for persistent bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth, reluctance to chew (especially crunchy food), dropping food, chewing on one side, visible tartar plus red gums, broken or discolored teeth, or facial swelling. Some pets become quieter or irritable, not because they’re “moody,” but because their mouth hurts. A thorough exam helps your veterinarian determine whether your pet needs a cleaning, surgical treatment, or a combination of both.

Dental surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia so your veterinary team can fully evaluate the mouth (including below the gumline), take dental X-rays when needed, and provide humane, effective treatment. Anesthesia allows a complete oral assessment and treatment while protecting your pet from pain and stress during delicate procedures. Your veterinarian will talk through pre-anesthetic testing, monitoring, and a pain-control plan.

Unless you intend to breed, we recommend having pets spayed or neutered. Pets that have been spayed or neutered tend to live longer and have healthier lives.

A selection of routine surgeries can be performed as outpatient procedures by your Primary Care veterinarian, while pets requiring more complex procedures and specialized surgical techniques can be tended to at our Specialty Care hospitals.    

Our Primary Care clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art surgical suites and veterinarians who are heavily skilled at performing general routine surgeries like mass-removals, tooth extractions, fracture repair, and foreign-body removals. Thrive’s Specialty Hospitals have board-certified veterinary surgeons ready to tackle your pet’s advanced surgical needs. 

When your dog or cat has ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight loss, or other digestive issues, getting clear answers is the first step toward feeling better. Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows veterinarians to look inside parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using a small camera on a flexible tube. This can help identify inflammation, ulcers, abnormal tissue, foreign material, and other concerns (often without the larger incisions required for exploratory surgery).

Gastrointestinal endoscopy may be used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine (gastroduodenoscopy), and in some cases the colon (colonoscopy), depending on where symptoms suggest a problem may be occurring. One major advantage of endoscopy is the ability to collect small tissue samples (biopsies) to help reach a more specific diagnosis, particularly in pets with chronic or recurring GI signs. Endoscopy may also allow for removal of certain foreign objects in the esophagus or stomach, which can reduce the need for more invasive surgical procedures in appropriate cases.

When might your veterinarian recommend endoscopy? It’s commonly considered when GI signs persist, return frequently, or don’t fully resolve with initial testing or treatment. Symptoms that may prompt a discussion include vomiting or regurgitation, chronic diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, reduced appetite, blood in vomit or stool, suspected GI inflammation, or concern for a foreign body or obstruction. Endoscopy can also be useful when imaging suggests a problem but doesn’t provide enough detail to guide next steps.

What should you expect? Most pets need to fast before an endoscopy so the GI tract can be evaluated safely and clearly. The procedure is performed under anesthesia to keep your pet comfortable and still while the scope is guided into the appropriate areas. Afterward, many pets go home the same day, depending on what was found and whether biopsies or foreign-body removal were performed. Your veterinary team will explain results, what they mean, and the next best steps, whether that’s diet support, medication, or additional diagnostics.

At The Pet Hospitals, we focus on compassionate handling and clear communication. Digestive issues can be stressful, but you won’t be left guessing what’s happening or why a test is recommended.

Ultrasound is one of the most common diagnostic imaging procedures used to detect and monitor disease in pets. Ultrasound uses sound waves at different frequencies to produce detailed images of the heart and other internal organs.

This non-invasive diagnostic method does not utilize radiation and in many cases does not require sedation, limiting adverse effects on the patient and allowing us to conduct scans on an outpatient-basis.

When a dog or cat can’t stop scratching, licking, chewing paws, or dealing with recurring ear or skin issues, allergies are often part of the story. Allergy testing helps your veterinary team identify what may be triggering those uncomfortable flare-ups so we can create a plan aimed at real, lasting relief—not just a temporary fix. Allergies in pets can be caused by multiple factors (like flea allergies, environmental allergens, or food sensitivities), and the signs can overlap with skin infections or parasites. That’s why we start with a thoughtful, step-by-step approach that prioritizes your pet’s comfort and your peace of mind.

At The Pet Hospitals, allergy testing typically begins with a comprehensive physical exam and a close look at the skin, coat, and ears. From there, your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostic steps based on your pet’s symptoms and history. For pets with suspected food-related reactions, an elimination diet trial may be recommended because it’s considered the most reliable way to confirm a food allergy in dogs and cats. For pets with suspected environmental allergies, your veterinarian may discuss allergy testing options that can help guide treatment, including desensitization protocols (often called allergen-specific immunotherapy) for appropriate cases.

So, when should you reach out? Consider booking a visit if you notice itching or scratching that doesn’t let up, hair loss or thinning, frequent paw-licking, red or inflamed skin, “hot spots,” recurring ear infections, head shaking, or a persistent odor from the skin or ears. Allergies can also contribute to secondary infections, so addressing the underlying trigger is often a key part of keeping symptoms from coming right back. Once we narrow down likely causes, we’ll build a plan tailored to your pet—this may include targeted parasite control, skin and coat care, diet support, or longer-term allergy management strategies designed to reduce flare-ups and improve day-to-day comfort.

Most importantly, you’ll have a team that listens. Skin and ear problems can be frustrating (and messy), but you don’t have to guess your way through them. We’ll explain what we’re seeing, what it likely means, and what next steps make the most sense for your dog or cat.

Good behavior is about helping your dog or cat feel safe, confident, and successful in daily life. Behavioral training and support at The Pet Hospitals is designed to help pet owners understand what’s driving a behavior, learn realistic strategies that fit their routine, and strengthen day-to-day communication with their pet. It’s also important to know that behavior changes can sometimes be connected to medical issues (especially pain), so a veterinary-guided approach can be a smart first step when something feels “off.”

Behavior support often starts with a conversation and a behavior history (what you’re seeing, when it happens, and what seems to trigger it). Many veterinary teams use behavior screening questions as part of routine care to catch concerns early and guide next steps. Depending on the situation, your veterinarian may recommend a physical exam or diagnostics to rule out underlying contributors. For example, sudden aggression can be linked to pain or injury, and new house-soiling can sometimes reflect urinary or GI concerns rather than “stubbornness.”

Common concerns we can help address include excessive barking or vocalizing, chewing, digging, begging, potty training issues, fear or anxiety, litter box challenges, resource guarding, and aggressive behaviors like growling, snapping, or biting. Resource guarding, which is when a dog protects food, toys, bedding, or other items, can be especially stressful, but it’s also a well-recognized behavior concern that responds best to structured, reward-based approaches rather than punishment. In general, modern veterinary behavior guidance emphasizes low-stress, humane handling and training methods that focus on changing emotions first (fear, anxiety, frustration), then building new habits.

Your plan may include practical at-home changes (like managing triggers and setting up the environment for success), clear training steps, and follow-up support to keep momentum going. Some pets benefit from additional resources—like trainer referrals or more advanced behavior consultation, based on the situation and safety needs.

Behavior challenges are common, and early help can prevent them from becoming bigger, more stressful problems over time.

Grooming has hygienic and health benefits for pets. We offer safe, quality pet grooming ranging from nail trims and baths to more specific grooming services.