Nottely Oaks Animal Hospital

06/05/2026

☀️🐾 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE! 🐾☀️

Looking for a fun way to beat the heat with your pup? Join us at Dog Days of Summer for a day packed with fun and community!

While you're enjoying the festivities, be sure to stop by Luke's Place (right door to Safe Pet Project Thrift Store). We'll be providing:

💉 Low-cost/Free vaccinations for dogs and cats
🏷️ Free Microchipping to help your pet find their way home if they ever get lost

It's the perfect chance to check an important item off your pet's to-do list while spending a great day out with family, friends, and fellow animal lovers.

Whether your dog is ready to splash, socialize, or simply soak up the attention, we can't wait to see everyone at this year's Dog Days of Summer!

🐶 Bring your dog, bring your friends, and come say hello!

06/03/2026

We recently had the pleasure of meeting Gypsy! Unfortunately, she came to us with a painful broken toenail that needed treatment. To help keep her comfortable during the procedure, she was given a mild sedative injection. While new environments can be overwhelming, Gypsy was still feeling a bit anxious, so one of our team members, Hannah, sat beside her blanket to provide some extra comfort and reassurance.

Before long, Gypsy had curled up right in Hannah’s lap, proving that sometimes all it takes is a little kindness and a familiar sense of security. ❤️

At NOAH, we are committed to making every visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Whether it’s medical care, gentle handling, or a little extra emotional support, we’re here to help your pets feel safe, cared for, and loved every step of the way. 🐾

06/02/2026

🐾 Dan Update! 🐾
Many of you may remember Dan, a Safe Pet Project dog who came to us after a neuromuscular injury left him with very little function in one of his front legs. Despite the challenges he faced, Dan never let it dampen his spirit!
His new family recently brought him back for his yearly visit, and just look at him now! ❤️
Dan is doing fantastic. He may always have a little hitch in his step, but you'd never know it from the way he tackles life. He's happy, active, and full of personality—and that front leg certainly isn't holding him back.
One of the best parts of rehabilitation is getting to see stories like Dan's unfold. Watching pets regain confidence, stay active, and enjoy life with their families is exactly why we do what we do.
We're so excited to see how far Dan has come, and we can't wait to watch him continue to thrive. Keep being awesome, Dan! 🐶💪❤️
🐾

05/29/2026

🐾 Over the last few weeks, we’ve talked about how common arthritis is in our pets, signs to watch for, and ways you can help at home. But what does treatment actually LOOK like at NOAH Restorative Therapy?

We start with a comprehensive evaluation to assess where your pet is now, what their lifestyle looks like, and what YOUR goals are for them. From there, we look at ALL the angles of approach to managing arthritis and mobility issues to create a plan tailored specifically to both your pet and your family. 💙

That plan may include:
• Rehabilitation therapy (soft tissue body work, therapeutic exercises, laser therapy, acupuncture,etc...)
• Regenerative medicine
• Proper medications & supplements
• Weight loss and fitness plans
• Home modifications and exercise guidance

Arthritis management is never “one size fits all.” This plan looks different for each and every pet. Our goal is to improve comfort, mobility, function, and quality of life using the combination of therapies that best fits your pet’s needs. 🐶🐱

05/27/2026

🐱 Cats with arthritis don’t usually limp like dogs do… in fact, they’re often MUCH harder to read.

Instead of obvious signs, cats tend to quietly change their habits over time. You may notice:

🪟 Jumping less or hesitating before jumping
🛋️ Sleeping more or hiding more often
🧼 A messy or greasy haircoat from grooming less
🚽 Accidents outside the litterbox
😾 Becoming less social or more irritable
🐾 Moving more slowly or avoiding stairs

Many owners think their cat is “just getting older,” but arthritis is extremely common in cats — and there are many ways we can help improve their comfort and quality of life. ❤️

One of the BEST resources for learning to spot the subtle signs is Cat Arthritis Resources and Education, which has excellent short videos showing real examples of arthritic cats and the behaviors they may show:

If you think your cat may be showing signs of arthritis, we’d love to help evaluate them and discuss ways to keep them comfortable and mobile! 🐈✨

05/26/2026

🐾 We’ve talked a lot this month about arthritis in our pets and some things we can do at home to help… but how do we actually know if our dog has arthritis?

Many signs are subtle at first and are often mistaken for “just getting older.” Common signs include:

🐕 Slowing down on walks
🛋️ Difficulty getting comfortable or getting up after resting
🚗 Hesitating to jump into the car or onto furniture
🐾 Limping or stiffness, especially after activity
😴 Sleeping more or playing less
🪜 Trouble with stairs

Dogs are incredibly good at hiding pain, so these changes can happen gradually over time. The good news? There are MANY ways we can help improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life once we recognize the signs. ❤️ Cats are similar, but watch out for a post later on cat specific signs!

If you think your pet may be showing signs of arthritis, we’d love to help evaluate them and discuss options to keep them moving comfortably! 🐶✨

05/24/2026

🇺🇸 In honor of Memorial Day, our office will be CLOSED on Monday as we take time to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. ❤️🤍💙

If your pet is experiencing an emergency while we are away, please seek care at Mountain Emergency Animal Center in Blue Ridge.

We will reopen and resume normal hours Tuesday at 8:00 AM. 🐾

We hope everyone has a safe and peaceful Memorial Day!

05/21/2026

Mozch's Comeback Update! 🐾💖

A few weeks ago, we cast Mozch for a custom orthotic—and it is SO cool! This is designed to prevent wrist extension, helping protect her injured tendon while it heals. We will be able to change this as she heals to allow more normal range of motion.

Last week, after a short adjustment period to her new “accessory,” Mozch received a PRP injection directly into the torn tendon. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is made from Mozch’s very own blood, spun down to create a highly concentrated amount of healing platelets. This treatment is especially helpful for tendons, which naturally have poor blood supply and can be very slow to heal.

Right after her injection, we also performed shockwave therapy to help kickstart the healing process.

For now, Mozch is spending most of her time in her orthotic, staying leash-restricted, and doing only very gentle rehab while the PRP works its magic over the next 6 weeks.

She may not love the activity restrictions… but we sure love seeing her make progress already! 🐶✨ Stay tuned for another update soon!

05/18/2026

💙 Interested in attending the Grief Support Circle, but the current time just hasn’t worked for you? We’d love your input!

We are looking at future scheduling options and want to choose a time that works best for our community. Please take a moment to complete this VERY brief survey — it only takes about a minute!

Take the Survey Here

Thank you for helping us create a space that is supportive and accessible for everyone. 🐾

Thank you for taking a moment to share your input. I'd like to offer the Companion Animal Grief Circle at Nottely Oaks Animal Hospital in Blairsville, Georgia (2nd Wed of each month) at a time that feels most accessible for those who may choose to attend. This circle is a space to honor and grieve t...

05/15/2026

🐾 Easy Ways to Help Your Arthritic Pet: Part 3 — Appropriate Exercise 🐾

We used to think arthritic pets needed lots of rest. We now know the opposite is true — appropriate, controlled exercise is one of the BEST things for arthritic joints! Regular movement helps maintain muscle, reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and support overall quality of life.

Just like our friend Maverick, healthy movement habits start young! 💙 You can see Maverick as a puppy enjoying safe, controlled frisbee play.

Check out our other friends, Macaroni and Ava, during their adult adventures. While these activities are great for a young, athletic dog who has gradually conditioned for them over time, they would NOT be appropriate for many arthritic pets — even if those pets still want to keep going!

The key is consistency and moderation:
✔️ Regular leash walks
✔️ Shorter, more frequent exercise sessions
✔️ Swimming or underwater treadmill therapy
✔️ Sniff walks and gentle enrichment
✔️ Low-impact movement on stable footing

Things to avoid or modify:
❌ Repeated ball throwing or high-impact Frisbee
❌ “Weekend warrior” activity
❌ Rough play with sudden twisting and turning
❌ Jumping on/off furniture or into vehicles
❌ Difficult terrain, slippery surfaces, or obstacles

One important thing to remember: dogs will often push through discomfort in the moment and feel the effects later. Many pets don’t realize they’ve overdone it until the next day. Watch for signs of fatigue like slowing down, stumbling, lagging behind, scuffing nails, or increased stiffness after activity.

A slow, steady routine is usually MUCH better for joints than intense bursts of activity. Even puppies and young dogs with orthopedic concerns benefit from learning healthy exercise habits early in life — helping set them up for more comfortable adventures for years to come. 🐶🌲💦