River Road Animal Hospital

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, River Road Animal Hospital honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage, service, and dedication will never be forgotten.

As we spend time with family, friends, and our beloved pets this holiday weekend, we pause to reflect with gratitude on those who gave so much for the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful Memorial Day. ❤️🤍💙

05/22/2026

We will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday.

If your pet experiences an illness, accident, or emergency while we are closed, please contact:

📍 Priority Pet Urgent Care – Address: 3556 Leland Town Center Dr #130, Leland, NC 28451 Phone: (472) 213-8476

📍 Truss Vet Urgent Care – Address: 1303 Independence Blvd # A, Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 900-3763

📍 Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center –Address: 50 Greenville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: (910) 790-1070

We hope everyone has a safe and peaceful holiday weekend! ❤️🤍💙

05/13/2026

We have some exciting news to share! 🎉🐾

Our very own Dr. Derby has been nominated for the 2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards presented by Trupanion, and we couldn’t be more proud 💙

Dr. Derby shows up every day with compassion, dedication, and genuine care for both pets and their people. We see the difference she makes in the lives of our patients daily, and now we’d love to help celebrate her!

If Dr. Derby has ever helped your family, made you feel heard, loved on your pets like her own, or simply made a hard day easier, we would be so grateful for your vote and share 🩺✨

Vote for Dr. Derby here! https://vetappreciationday.trupanion.com/nominations/ca968221-21f8-4fb7-854c-246af79f2cac?si=ca968221-21f8-4fb7-854c-246af79f2cac&seed=128xhxhhW

Thank you for supporting our team and helping recognize someone who gives so much to this community 🐶🐱💙

Support Jennifer D of River Road Animal Hospital, Southport in the 2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards. Read their story and celebrate the veterinary professionals caring for pets every day.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there; whether your babies have two legs or four. 💐🐾

Today we celebrate the love, patience, comfort, and care you give every single day. From late-night cuddles and early morning walks to medication schedules and endless belly rubs, the bond you share with your pets is truly something special.

To all the mothers, grandmothers, pet moms, foster moms, and those remembering a mother today - we see you, appreciate you, and wish you a day filled with love.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at River Road Animal Hospital ❤️

05/09/2026

We’re so excited to share that Kodak “Bean” has entered the 2026 North Carolina Fourth of July Festival Dog Grand Marshal Contest! 🐾

Many of you know Bean from his daily shifts at River Road Animal Hospital, where he proudly greets clients, supervises snack distribution, and soaks up all the attention he can get. Now he’s hoping to represent our community as Dog Grand Marshal!

What we love most about this contest is that it also helps support a cherished local tradition. Every $1 vote helps raise funds to keep the festival thriving while celebrating the dogs who make our community brighter all year long. ❤️

If Bean has ever made you smile during a visit, we’d love your support!

Vote for Bean here:

Show your support for North Carolina Fourth of July Festival by voting for Bean in 2026 NC Fourth of July Festival Parade Dog Grand Marshall

04/30/2026

Heartworm Quiz Answers!

Let’s see how you did 👇

❌ FALSE – Heartworms are only transmitted by mosquitoes, not from pet to pet.
❌ FALSE – Cats can absolutely get heartworms, and it can be very serious.
✅ TRUE – Heartworms reproduce inside infected dogs.
❌ FALSE – Treatment is much more expensive (and risky) than prevention.
✅ TRUE – Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states.
❌ FALSE – Heartworms can live 5–7 years in dogs.
❌ FALSE – Pets are NOT immune after treatment and can be reinfected.
✅ TRUE – Year-round prevention is strongly recommended.

How did you score? Let us know!

The best way to protect your pet is simple: consistent, year-round prevention.

If you have questions or need to get your pet started on prevention, we’re here to help!

04/29/2026

Let’s close out Heartworm Awareness Month with a quick quiz!

How much do you really know about heartworm disease? Take a look at the statements below and decide: TRUE or FALSE?

Drop your answers in the comments (no peeking!), and we’ll share the correct answers tomorrow.

Heartworm disease is serious - but the more you know, the better you can protect your pet. ❤️

Stay tuned!

04/28/2026

04/27/2026

Tonight’s pain management lecture.

Did you know that the required number of hours of Continuing Education (CE) Hours required per veterinarian every year is 20 hours, but the 3 vets at River Road will accrue 400-600 hours??? Often during late night sessions going until 11pm.

As general practitioners that do a bit of everything, we do our best to keep up with all the new information across all the areas of medicine so we can do best for our patients.

04/25/2026

Many pet owners assume that heartworms are just another type of “worm” like those in your dog’s intestines, but that’s not true!

Here’s the difference:
* Heartworms live in the heart and lungs of a variety of animals, causing serious cardiovascular problems.
* Intestinal worms (like roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms) live in the digestive tract and usually cause gastrointestinal issues.

* Why this matters: Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites, not by ingesting contaminated soil or f***s like intestinal parasites. Without proper prevention, heartworm disease can be life-threatening, even in otherwise healthy pets.

Tip: Regular heartworm prevention is crucial, even if your pet never goes outside much. Mosquitoes can still reach indoor pets!

Protect your pet’s heart, not just their stomach. Now's the time to get your pet on year-round heartworm prevention.