Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Veterinarians in Gastonia, NC
Established in 1945 by Dr. Ben Dawsey, our hospital has evolved from a small facility to a 5000 sq ft full-service animal hospital, merging with Carolina Cat Clinic in 1991 to offer specialized feline care. Our dedicated team provides comprehensive services for cats, dogs, and pocket pets, including wellness exams, emergency care, surgeries, dental procedures, and boarding. We prioritize personalized attention through annual wellness exams, tailored vaccination schedules, and advanced diagnostic testing.Our feline-friendly clinic features a quiet atmosphere, separate waiting areas, and specialized handling techniques. With over 75 years of experience, we combine veterinary expertise with compassionate care to ensure pets thrive throughout their lives.
Services
Wellness Care
Vaccinations
Dental Care
Surgery
Boarding
Emergency Care
Nutritional Counseling
Avian Medicine
Microchipping
Parasite Prevention
Details
- Year established: 1945
Highlights and features
- Veterinary expertise since 1945 across two specialized clinics
- Feline-friendly environment designed to minimize cat stress
- 24/7 walk-in emergency care with no appointment needed
- Comprehensive services from wellness exams to surgical procedures
- Dedicated team trained in feline-specific handling techniques
What people say
Exceptional veterinary care
Feline-friendly environment
Experienced team
Stress-free visits
Comprehensive services
Services
Wellness Care
Our wellness care program emphasizes early disease detection through annual physical exams, diagnostic testing, and tailored vaccination schedules. Services include body condition assessments, parasite screening, and personalized nutrition counseling for pets at every life stage. Our veterinarians create customized health plans to ensure pets maintain optimal wellness through preventive measures.
Feline Vaccinations
We provide feline-specific vaccinations tailored to individual risk factors, including panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and feline leukemia protection. Our veterinarians develop age-appropriate vaccination protocols for kittens and adult cats, prioritizing disease prevention while avoiding over-vaccination through careful lifestyle assessment of each cat.
Surgical Care
Our surgical services include spaying/neutering, soft tissue procedures, and dental surgeries performed by skilled veterinarians using modern techniques. The Carolina Cat Clinic offers species-specific surgical environments with dedicated feline anesthesia protocols and post-operative pain management to ensure optimal recovery for cats.
Cat Boarding
The cat boarding facility features a dog-free environment with spacious accommodations, individualized attention, and medical monitoring for special needs pets. Clean, hygienic conditions and trained staff ensure cats receive proper care, medication administration, and environmental enrichment during their stays.
Emergency Care
Gaston Veterinary Hospital provides immediate walk-in emergency care for pets needing critical attention. Services include trauma treatment, poison exposure management, and after-hours urgent care without appointment requirements, supported by experienced veterinarians and diagnostic equipment.
People
Dr. Daniel L. Suggs
Practice Owner
Dr. Suggs oversees hospital operations with decades of veterinary experience. He ensures high standards of care while maintaining the hospital's tradition of personalized service since joining the practice.
Dr. Kathy Pearman Barbee
Lead Veterinarian
As lead veterinarian, Dr. Barbee directs medical protocols and mentors staff. She specializes in feline medicine and has practiced at the hospital for over 15 years, focusing on compassionate patient care.
Dr. Kayla Cristobal
Veterinarian
Dr. Cristobal provides comprehensive care with expertise in wellness exams and surgical procedures. She graduated from veterinary school with honors and brings modern techniques to patient treatments.
Dr. Catherine Gerstner
Veterinarian
Dr. Gerstner specializes in preventive care and geriatric pet medicine. With extensive experience in feline health, she develops customized wellness plans for senior cats and community education programs.
Tanya
Inventory Manager
Tanya ensures medical supply readiness across both clinics. She coordinates equipment maintenance and manages pharmaceutical inventory to support uninterrupted patient care operations.
Questions
What services does Gaston Veterinary Hospital offer?
We provide comprehensive services including wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgeries, emergency care, nutritional counseling, and boarding for cats, dogs, and pocket pets.
Is Carolina Cat Clinic part of Gaston Veterinary Hospital?
Yes, Carolina Cat Clinic operates as our feline-dedicated facility, offering specialized cat care while both clinics share resources and expertise under the same ownership.
Do you offer emergency veterinary services?
Gaston Veterinary Hospital provides immediate walk-in emergency care for pets needing urgent attention, available without appointments during operating hours.
How can I schedule a cat appointment?
Call Carolina Cat Clinic at (704) 865-5554 during business hours or use our online booking system to schedule cat-specific appointments.
What makes your cat boarding special?
Our cat boarding features a dog-free environment with individualized care, medical monitoring, and spacious accommodations designed to minimize feline stress and anxiety.
Are your veterinarians specialized in cat care?
While we treat multiple species, Carolina Cat Clinic's veterinarians receive specialized feline handling training and focus exclusively on cat-specific medical needs.
