River Road Animal Hospital Introduce
Introduction / Overview
For pet owners across North Carolina, finding a trusted partner in their animal's health journey is a top priority. In the Southport and greater Brunswick County area, one name consistently stands out for its compassionate and comprehensive approach to veterinary medicine: River Road Animal Hospital. This dedicated facility has built a reputation not only for its wide range of services but for the genuine care and support its team provides to every animal and their human family. Serving the community with a commitment to well-being, River Road Animal Hospital offers a friendly, professional environment where pets can receive everything from routine check-ups and preventative care to advanced surgical procedures and emergency attention. The hospital’s philosophy is centered on building lasting relationships, ensuring that each pet's unique needs are met with personalized attention and the highest standards of medical practice. Whether it's a routine vaccination or a complex medical issue, the staff at River Road are dedicated to providing thorough, thoughtful, and expert care. The team understands that pets are cherished members of the family, and they treat them as such, always prioritizing comfort and a positive experience during every visit. This approach is what makes them a go-to choice for pet owners who want the very best for their furry, feathered, or scaled companions. They also offer a variety of services for a wide range of animals, including exotic pets and wildlife, demonstrating their commitment to the entire animal community in the region.
Location and Accessibility
Conveniently located at 8593 River Rd SE, Southport, NC 28461, USA, River Road Animal Hospital is easily accessible for residents throughout Brunswick County and the surrounding communities. The hospital’s location on River Road makes it a straightforward destination, avoiding the complexities of city traffic and providing easy access from major roadways. For the convenience of all visitors, the facility is designed with accessibility in mind. This includes a wheelchair-accessible car park, ensuring that mobility is not an issue for pet owners. The commitment to accessibility extends to the interior, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible toilet, creating a welcoming and comfortable experience for everyone who walks through the doors. Pet owners will find the location practical for both scheduled appointments and in the event of an urgent need. Its position within the community makes it a central hub for animal health, providing peace of mind to local residents that expert veterinary care is always close by. The staff are also readily available to provide directions or assistance, should it be needed, further enhancing the welcoming atmosphere. The ease of access, combined with the thoughtful amenities, reflects the hospital's dedication to providing a stress-free experience for both pets and their owners. The serene, natural surroundings of the area also contribute to a calming environment, which can be beneficial for anxious pets.
Services Offered
- Annual Exams and Vaccinations: Comprehensive physicals and routine vaccinations to keep pets healthy and protected.
- Animal Emergency: Urgent medical attention for unexpected injuries or illnesses.
- Spay / Neuter: Crucial surgical procedures for population control and long-term health benefits.
- Surgical Procedures: A wide range of surgical services, including routine and complex operations.
- Dental Health: Professional dental cleanings and oral health assessments to prevent disease.
- Digital X-Rays and Ultrasound: Advanced diagnostic imaging for accurate and timely diagnoses.
- Geriatric Medicine and Senior Care: Specialized care plans for aging pets to manage age-related conditions.
- Pain Management: Effective strategies to alleviate chronic and acute pain.
- Acupuncture / Therapeutic Laser: Alternative and complementary therapies for pain relief and healing.
- Boarding: Safe and comfortable boarding services for both dogs and other pets.
- Dog Training and Obedience Training: Professional guidance to help pets become well-behaved members of the family.
- Flea/Tick and Heartworm Prevention: Essential preventative care to protect pets from common parasites.
- Exotic Pets: Specialized care and expertise for a variety of non-traditional pets.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation: Assistance and care for injured or orphaned local wildlife.
Features / Highlights
- Highly Compassionate and Skilled Team: The hospital is home to a team of dedicated veterinarians, including Dr. Travis and Dr. Steelman, who are known for their thorough, compassionate, and personalized approach to care. As noted in multiple reviews, the vets and their support staff take the time to truly engage with both the animals and their owners.
- Patient-Centric Approach: The hospital’s philosophy prioritizes the well-being of the pet above all else, with a focus on comprehensive diagnostics, proactive care, and gentle handling, which is especially beneficial for pets with anxiety.
- Accessible Facilities: The hospital is fully equipped with wheelchair-accessible amenities, including a car park, entrance, and toilet, ensuring a comfortable experience for all clients.
- Wide Range of Expertise: The staff possesses a broad knowledge base, capable of treating not only dogs and cats but also exotic pets and local wildlife, making it a versatile resource for the community.
- Emphasis on Proactive Health: River Road Animal Hospital strongly recommends appointments to ensure timely and thorough care, and they are committed to preventative services like annual exams, vaccinations, and dental check-ups.
Contact Information
Address: 8593 River Rd SE, Southport, NC 28461, USA
Phone: (910) 454-8910
What is worth choosing
Choosing a veterinary care provider is a deeply personal decision, and for many in North Carolina, the choice is clear: River Road Animal Hospital. The facility's standing in the community is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and compassionate care. The glowing testimonials from real customers highlight the hospital's core strengths. One reviewer noted how the vets, like Dr. Travis and Dr. Steelman, are not only great but also caring and supportive, taking the time to truly engage with their "fur babies" and their owners. This level of personal connection is invaluable and distinguishes the hospital from many others. The ability to get a "sick visit" on the same or next day demonstrates a flexibility and dedication that is essential for worried pet owners. Another client praised the team's thoroughness, especially with a "medical problem child," and their ability to help shape an anxiety dog into a "much more relaxed, pleasant member of the family." This speaks volumes about their diagnostic skills and empathetic approach. The fact that a doctor came in on their day off to see patients, as mentioned in a review, underscores an extraordinary level of dedication that is rare and deeply appreciated. The practice's focus on building rapport with both the pets and their owners, and not just rushing through appointments, creates a sense of trust and security. This is not just a place for medical procedures; it's a place where pets and their families feel seen, heard, and cared for. The comprehensive list of services, from preventative medicine to advanced surgical and therapeutic options like acupuncture, means that River Road can be a pet’s medical home for life. The accessibility features also make it a welcoming place for everyone, further solidifying its role as a key community resource. For residents of North Carolina, particularly in the Southport area, River Road Animal Hospital is not just a service provider; it's a true partner in the long-term health and happiness of their beloved pets, and that is what makes it a truly exceptional choice.
River Road Animal Hospital Services
Animal Hospital
- Acupuncture
Medical acupuncture is a therapeutic method that usually involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles. Medical acupuncture emphasizes the importance of a type of physical examination called “myofascial palpation” that allows us to determine the location and sources of discomfort and dysfunction.
- Acupuncture / Therapeutic Laser
River Road offers these complementary therapies as part of progressive, holistic care.
- Animal Emergency
We provide urgent veterinary attention during business hours with prompt evaluation of sudden illness or injury, ensuring rapid access to care or referral when needed.
- Annual Exams
- Annual Testing
- Annual Vaccination
Vaccines tailored for dogs and cats are offered as part of standard wellness care, protecting your pet from preventable diseases.
- Blood Work
In-house labs support annual screenings like CBC and blood chemistry, enabling early detection and personalized care planning.
- Boarding
Is our facility as cushy and pretty as a bed and breakfast? Nope. Do we have acres of dog park and multi-dog play time? Nope. So what do we have? We have a small, nice, clean dog boarding room. We can only board about 8 dogs. That means they get very individualized attention.
- Dental Health
Sometimes when we're trying to get a diseased tooth out of a dog with a tiny, short face or a teeny cat mouth we feel that love dwindle... Maybe there's a better way to say it: We LOVE how much better we can make any animal feel by fixing what is wrong with their mouth. It's amazing!
- Digital X-Rays
Digital radiographic imaging eliminates the need for film and creates digital images that are viewed on a computer. This allows us to change the x-ray image (contrast, brightness, magnify, etc) to maximize the information available.
- Dog Training
- Dogs Boarding
- Exotic Pets
We admit it. We love the weird and wonderful. Our nurses sometimes re-enact Fight Club to determine who gets to see the ferret or the pot-bellied pig or the iguana patient coming in this afternoon. "Exotics" means anything that isn't a dog or cat in companion medicine.
- Flea/Tick Prevention
Year-round protection against external parasites is built into standard care packages for both dogs and cats.
- Geriatric Medicine
- Heartworm Prevention
We provide heartworm prevention as part of our core preventive protocol, included in routine wellness or annual exam packages.
- Hip Dysplasia
- Medical Acupuncture
- Obedience Training
- Pain Management
- Penn Hip
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) afflicts millions of dogs each year and can result in debilitating osteoarthritis (OA). It is estimated that more than 50% of the most popular large breed dogs will show evidence of hip dysplasia through x-rays.
- Routine Vaccination
- Senior Care
- Spay / Neuter
- Surgery
We get it. Surgery is scary. Anesthesia and putting a pet "under" is really scary. But we'll make it as safe as possible.
- Surgical Procedures
- Therapeutic Laser
Don't be confused, this isn't laser surgery. This is therapy. You may have heard it called "cold laser" or something like that. It's sometimes called cold laser since it doesn't cut. We've had laser therapy here since 2008.
- Ultrasound
Veterinary medical ultrasonography uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) to visualize soft tissue structures in the body in real time. Ultrasound is super safe and (usually) require no sedation. Your pet will, however, get a funny haircut!
- Wildlife Rehabilitation
- X-Rays
River Road Animal Hospital Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Toilet
Planning
- Appointments recommended
River Road Animal Hospital Photos










River Road Animal Hospital Location
River Road Animal Hospital
8593 River Rd SE, Southport, NC 28461, USA
River Road Animal Hospital Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I cannot say enough wonderful things about River Road Animal Hospital - from the 3 amazing vets, to the great vet techs and the fantastic support staff. I have worked with all 3 vets over the last 3 years and they are so caring and supportive to all my fur babies. Anytime we need a “sick visit” they usually manage to get us in that day or at least the next day. Dr. Travis even came in on her day off yesterday to see patients (including one of my dogs). They always take the time to talk and really engage with my dogs (and me!) during exams - never rushing to get to the next patient. I truly cannot recommend them enough and thank them enough for taking such great care of my dogs.
July 22 · Tracey MrozekWe absolutely love River Road. Everyone there is so friendly and compassionate. Dr. Travis has been wonderful with our medical problem child, and is always so thorough. She always keeps our pets' wellbeing at the forefront of everything she does. And Dr. Steelman is fantastic with our anxiety dog; her diagnostics and referral have helped shape our dog into a much more relaxed, pleasant member of the family.I dont have a single bad thing to say about River Road, and I recommend them every chance I get.
April 24 · Megan BoydI live closer to other animal hospitals but I make the trip to Southport because it is worth it. The front office staff are kind, informative, communicative and overall just good people. The doctor was great with our cat and explained all of the treatment options thoroughly. I recommend River Road to everybody I know.
May 30 · Jake KidwellI cannot say enough about how much I love River Road Animal Hospital. My dog was stung by a bee and it rapidly became life threatening. They were waiting at the door when we arrived. The kindness we were shown and care he was given was more than I could hope for. You are in good hands at River Road.
June 25 · Betsie MarksFirst time dog owner, and our first visit was a success. I had a ton of questions and Dr. Steelman was kind patient, knowledgeable and explained everything in great detail. I really feel that they gave my dog Indy the 1 on 1 care that I had hoped for. Staff is 10/10 from the receptionist to the techs to the doctor. I work with animals and I hear the good bad and ugly from my clients about the vets in the area and I picked accordingly. I clearly made a great choice. When you staff your business with people passionate about your pets, as well as teaching you how to be a great pet owner, it really shows.
June 19 · Addie Addelsons
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