vet inspecting a dogs eye at hawthorne animal hospital

Hawthorne Animal Hospital Pet Care FAQs

Hawthorne treats dogs and cats of all ages as well as pocket pets and exotics.

Because our pets can’t tell us when something is wrong, it’s up to pet owners to look for signs of a life-threatening condition. We recommend that you contact Hawthorne immediately for any of the following issues:

  • Any major trauma, such as a car accident or injuries from a dog fight
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Sudden collapse or seizures
  • The inability to stand or walk
  • Repeated vomiting, diarrhea or retching
  • A distended or bloated abdomen
  • Ingestion of a toxin
  • Crying out in pain with no sign of an external injury
  • Any abnormal behavior that could signal an illness or injury


Our hospital team can help triage your pet over the phone 24 hours a day. Please contact us immediately at 618-288-3971, and our nurses will guide you through the next steps to take. If your pet is in an extreme emergency situation, you are encouraged to come directly to our hospital in Glen Carbon night or day, but giving us a call when you’re on your way can ensure we’re ready to get you in as quickly as possible.

An accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition is crucial to delivering the appropriate treatment in the fastest manner possible. The emergency fee covers point-of-care testing that is administered as soon as your pet is in the exam room.

During the pandemic, 23 million Americans adopted a new dog or cat, and many of those new pet parents are located right here in the Edwardsville area. Like many veterinary clinics in the region, the rise in pet ownership has caused demand for all of our services to skyrocket. We are taking every step possible to keep your wait time to a minimum.

As part of our efforts to reduce wait times and increase social distancing, we are now offering wellness exams and vaccinations at The Dog House, located across the street from Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, and the recently reopened vet clinic in Troy, Ill. This allows the staff at the hospital to focus on emergency and urgent care as well as the treatment of chronic conditions while minimizing the time you have to wait for an appointment or sit in our lobby with your pet.

Dogs and cats age much more rapidly than their humans do. Even if your pet looks healthy, illnesses and other chronic conditions could be lurking undetected. When combined with a thorough physical exam, routine bloodwork can provide our vets with a full picture of your pet’s health. Our detection panels include heartworm testing, a complete blood count (CBC) to monitor your dog or cat’s immune system, and a blood chemistry analysis to determine your pet’s enzyme, hormone and glucose levels.

When we can identify serious health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver disease, early, we can tailor a treatment plan to better control symptoms and slow or even stop the progression of the disease.

An x-ray radiograph is one of the best diagnostic tools we have because it not only detects bone fractures, but also reveals foreign objects, abnormal masses and tumors, or damage to an internal organ, including the heart, lungs and stomach. Radiographs are read by a board-certified radiologist, and all images taken within 24 hours are covered under one fee.

Hawthorne Animal Hospital is the only veterinary clinic in the St. Louis Metro East that offers emergency services and hospitalization 24 hours a day. If your pet is in crisis in the middle of the night and requires surgery, our overnight team of experienced veterinarians and vet techs will rush your dog or cat to the operating room as soon as possible.

Hawthorne is the top referral pet surgery center in Madison and St. Clair counties. Our veterinarians have extensive experience in complex surgical procedures using the latest in cutting-edge technology. In addition to routine surgeries, including spays and neuters, some of our advanced procedures include:

  • Laparotomy (abdominal surgery)
  • Cystotomy (bladder surgery)
  • Tumor removals
  • Cranial cruciate repair (CCL) for ruptured ligaments
  • Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) knee surgery
  • Gastropexy for torsion and bloat
  • Perineal urethrostomy to treat urinary blockage
  • Advanced orthopedics

After a pet undergoes surgery, the hours that follow are the most critical to their recovery. Any pet who needs ongoing monitoring and care following a procedure is admitted to our 24-hour intensive care unit (ICU). Unlike other vet clinics where the staff clocks out at 5, we have a veterinarian and vet techs on staff both day and night. That allows us to chart your pet’s condition hourly, perform exams as needed, and provide immediate care if we see any signs of complications. Once your pet is discharged, your veterinarian will provide you with a custom care plan to continue any treatments and medications at home.

Most pet owners do everything they can to protect the well-being of their dogs and cats, but one thing they often neglect to check is their teeth. As pets grow older, their bad breath is considered more of an annoyance than a sign their health is at risk. However, the bacteria that lingers in the mouths of our furry friends can circulate through their bloodstream, endangering their heart, kidneys, and liver.

Regular brushing using a pet toothpaste can help prevent decay. In addition, for optimal dental health, we encourage every pet owner to schedule a yearly dental exam and cleaning at Hawthorne. During your pet’s procedure, which is done under sedation, your vet will remove plaque buildup below the gum line, examine the gums, tongue, and palate to look for signs of tumors or abscesses, extract any infected teeth to eliminate pain, and provide a thorough cleaning and polishing. Digital x-rays of each tooth are also performed so veterinarians can detect any hidden problems, from infected roots to hairline jaw fractures.

Heartworm, which is spread by mosquitos, is one of the deadliest diseases for dogs and cats, but also one of the most preventable. We recommend that every pet be on a monthly heartworm preventative throughout the year, including the winter months when mosquitos can hide in your home.

If your dog or cat is bitten by a mosquito carrying heartworm, the larvae will be transmitted through the wound and find their way to your pet’s heart. Once there, they mature and reproduce, enlarging the heart and blocking blood flow. By the time a pet owner recognizes the symptoms of heartworm disease, such as breathing problems, a persistent cough and a lack of energy, extreme and expensive measures must be taken to save the pet’s life. Treatment can include a combination of antibiotics and injections that costs pet owners hundreds if not, thousands of dollars, and requires a pet to rest for months at time.

Your dog or cat will need to be tested for heartworm disease during their wellness visit before they are prescribed a preventative.

Hawthorne offers one-on-one professional dog training at The Dog House in Glen Carbon. Our expert trainers will meet with you to discuss your pet’s issues and create a custom training plan to address their behavior. In addition to traditional manners training, we specialize in behavior rehab for dogs who display canine or human aggression.

We encourage you to talk with your veterinarian regarding any concerns about your dog’s problematic behavior as underlying issues may be agitating their anxiety or aggression. Your vet will discuss your pet’s case with our on-site trainers to determine if a team approach to behavioral modification would be best for your dog.

Ensuring your pet has regular wellness exams helps prevent health conditions down the road, which can be extremely difficult and expensive to treat. But we know preventive care costs can add up.

To make pet care more affordable—and even save you money each year—our Wellness Programs for dogs and cats cover your pet’s basic care, including bi-annual wellness exams, vaccines, preventatives, dental care, and nail trims for one low monthly fee and offers discounts for add-on services. Members also have our emergency fee waived if your pet needs immediate care. To find the right program for your pet, click here.

Hawthorne Animal Hospital, a small animal hospital and veterinary clinic, serves St. Louis Metro East area, including the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Troy, Alton, Granite City, Collinsville, Highland, Wood River, Roxana, Bethalto, Godfrey, Worden, and Hamel.

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