Business Details
48 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Pet Healthcare in Forest
Established in 1978, Ridgewood Animal Hospital has been a trusted leader in veterinary care for residents of Forest, Virginia. Our team of dedicated professionals specializes in medical, surgical, and dental services tailored to each pet's unique needs. With decades of combined experience, we emphasize preventative care, early disease detection, and personalized treatment plans. Our state-of-the-art facility supports comprehensive diagnostics, including in-house bloodwork, digital radiology, and ultrasonography.Certified veterinarians handle urgent care cases six days a week while maintaining partnerships with regional specialists for advanced treatments. We prioritize compassionate communication, ensuring pet owners understand every stage of care. Continuous pain management protocols and modern surgical techniques reflect our commitment to patient safety. Community trust is built through 40+ years of serving multi-generational pet families with integrity and expertise.
Services
Wellness exams
Pet dental care
Microchipping
Surgery
Vaccinations
Parasite prevention
Laboratory services
Emergency care
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- 40+ years serving Forest's veterinary needs
- 24/7 access to emergency specialists
- Comprehensive diagnostic capabilities on-site
- Customized treatment plans for senior pets
- Continuing education in veterinary oncology
What people say
Compassionate emergency service
Prompt appointment availability
Personalized care plans
Caring euthanasia support
Competitive pharmacy pricing
Services
Wellness Exams
Comprehensive physical examinations detect early disease signs in pets. Our veterinarians assess diet, behavior, and organ health while recommending tailored vaccination schedules. We emphasize preventative care through bi-annual senior exams and parasite control programs. Regular wellness visits help maintain pets' longevity and quality of life.
Pet Dental Care
Professional dental cleanings prevent oral disease transmission to vital organs. We utilize anesthesia monitoring and pre-anesthetic bloodwork for patient safety. Treatment includes tartar removal, gum disease management, and tooth extractions when necessary. Home care recommendations ensure ongoing oral health maintenance between visits.
Emergency Services
Six-day emergency veterinary care handles critical cases like poisoning or trauma. Our team includes dedicated veterinarians and technicians equipped for life-saving interventions. After-hours emergencies transfer to Animal Emergency and Critical Care of Lynchburg. Rapid diagnostic capabilities support immediate treatment decisions for stabilized patients.
Surgical Procedures
Advanced surgical services range from routine spays to complex orthopedic repairs. We employ modern pain management protocols including local nerve blocks and post-operative medications. Specialized techniques like Tibial Tuberosity Advancement address cruciate ligament injuries. Pre-surgical consultations explain procedures and recovery expectations for pet owners.
Internal Medicine
Specialized diagnostics treat chronic conditions like endocrinology disorders and cardiology issues. Our facility offers ultrasonography, endoscopy, and chemotherapy for complex diseases. Treatment plans combine pharmaceutical interventions with lifestyle modifications tailored to each patient's medical history and specific needs.
People
Dr. Jerry Lane
Veterinarian
Practicing veterinary medicine for 30+ years, Dr. Lane specializes in surgical oncology and pet longevity care. He personally developed the hospital's senior wellness program and remains committed to Forest community pet health.
Dr. Cristi Salmon
Veterinarian
Dr. Salmon focuses on preventative medicine and nutrition counseling for multi-pet households. With expertise in exotic animal care, she contributes to the hospital's avian and small mammal treatment protocols while managing puppy/kitten development programs.
Dr. Jessica Ross
Veterinarian
Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Ross leads diagnostic imaging services including echocardiography. Her clinical interests include endocrine disorders and developing non-invasive treatment alternatives for aging pets within their first year of care.
Terri
Practice Manager
As Licensed Veterinary Technician and Practice Manager, Terri oversees daily operations while handling complex patient care cases. With 20+ years at Ridgewood, she ensures seamless communication between veterinary staff and pet owners during critical treatment phases.
Gina
Practice Manager
Veterinary technician Gina manages pharmacy operations and medication counseling. She educates clients about heartworm prevention and tailors parasite control programs to regional climate challenges affecting Forest area pets.
Questions
What emergency services do you provide?
We handle urgent pet care six days weekly with referral to Lynchburg's 24/7 facility after hours. Our team stabilizes critical cases including poisoning and trauma incidents.
How often should pets receive wellness exams?
Annual exams for young pets and bi-annual checkups for seniors over seven years old help detect age-related health changes early through our proactive wellness program.
Are dental cleanings necessary for pets?
Yes, professional cleanings prevent systemic diseases from oral bacteria. We recommend prophylaxis every 1-3 years based on individual plaque accumulation rates observed during annual checkups.
What surgical options exist for joint injuries?
We perform Tibial Tuberosity Advancement procedures for cruciate ligament repairs using both traditional plating and minimally invasive arthroscopy techniques tailored to each patient's condition.
How do you support end-of-life pet care?
Our team provides compassionate hospice guidance and in-clinic euthanasia with memorial keepsake packaging. We offer post-procedure bereavement support resources for grieving pet families.
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