All Services

Nancy McIlwee’s Pet Grooming Service

AT BOULEVARD ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Nancy McIlwee has been an animal groomer for over 25 years and has been grooming dogs and cats at Boulevard since 1989. A standard grooming package includes a haircut and brush out, a bath, a pedicure (nail trim), cleaning and plucking excess hair out of the ears, and expressing the anal glands. She has always enjoyed working with animals. The veterinary staff at Boulevard allows her to get pets looked at as problems are recognized (skin conditions are much easier to see after a haircut). A native of West Virginia Nancy is active with the theater and arts guilds. Her long list of clientele keeps her very busy so call ahead to book appointments.

She can be reached at either:
919-828-7468 or 919-832-7610

To find out more about breed grooming standards, follow the links below:
Dogs: American Kennel Club
Cats: Cat Fanciers Association

Cat and Dog Boarding

“OLD-FASHIONED CARE”

It is important to leave your pet with someone you can trust when you can’t be there. The kennel staff at Boulevard works 365 days a year to make sure your pet is happy, comfortable, and well taken care of. Additionally, our boarding service comes with the added peace of mind of having veterinary staff overseeing and on call to take care of your pet. All dogs are walked 3-5 times daily in our scenic double fenced courtyard complete with fish pond and porch swing. The enclosure is surrounded by some of the oldest oak trees in Raleigh.

We have ample space to accommodate boarding guests of any size. Our outdoor runs provide a luxurious area for your pet to run, drink, eat, play, and watch other pets all from the safety of their own space. These accommodations are well ventilated, completely enclosed, and have a doghouse for your pet to enjoy. We also offer indoor climate controlled boarding for all sized dogs and cats. For our feline friends we have a limited number of luxury cat condos in a quiet area that offer climbing space and the solitude that most cats prefer.

We also offer a day boarding service that’s both fun for your pet and convenient for you while you are at work. We give your pet lots of love and play and will often allow social interaction between pets that have great social personalities.

Our kennel staff enjoys playing with each and every boarder that stays with us (old-fashioned care doesn’t carry any extra expense). For the safety and health of all our boarding guests we require that all boarders be current on vaccinations and free of worms, fleas, and ticks. On the day your pet is scheduled to head home we recommend they receive a grooming package that includes a bath and pedicure. We offer many additional services to accent your pet’s stay with us. In addition to a bath and pedicure, we would be delighted to brush your pet, clip out any matted hair, clean their ears, or express their anal glands.

Each pet is unique and comes with their own special needs. Many pets require medications, special diets, or special feeding instructions. Our kennel staff is trained to provide your pet with whatever care they need. Please feel free to bring your pets own food and don’t forget to pick up a new toy or treat for their stay with us.

BOARDING & BATH PRICING

Cat and Dog Boarding Price List (Per Night)

Day board: $16.50
Dog board: $27.50
Boarding for 2 or more dogs in one cage for each additional pet first pet pays full price: $25.50
Cat board: $18.90
Boarding for 2 or more cats in one cage for each additional pet first pet pays full price: $16.90

Bath Price List

Long hair cat: $26.90
Short hair cat: $22.90
Dog 0-25 lbs: $22.90
Dog 26-50 lbs: $26.90
Dog 51-75 lbs: $29.90
Dog 76-100 lbs: $32.90
Dog >100 lbs: $36.90
**Extra charges may apply for administering medications while boarding please inquire upon making your reservation.**

Pharmaceuticals, Diets

Our fully stocked pharmacy allows for easy prescription refills and one stop shopping for pet pharmaceuticals. Our pharmacy carries various formulations and strengths of drugs for ease of dispensing and accurate dosing. We carry drugs with the flavors that pets love like tuna, liver, or beef. We work very closely with various pharmaceutical companies to make sure our patients have the highest quality, properly stored, products on the market. Our prescription heartworm products our backed with a direct guarantee from the manufacturer themselves. A refill on most medications can be taken care of quickly and easily so the medicine your pet needs is simply a phone call away.

PET FOOD

No two animals are the same and neither are their dietary requirements. We offer the finest Hill’s maintenance diets to meet the different nutritional and lifestyle requirements of different pets. We have puppy and kitten diets for fast growing, young animals, adult maintenance diets that come in both regular and a light form (for those pets with a more sedentary lifestyle), and senior diets for our geriatric pets.

Studies have shown that diet is one of the easiest variables to control in optimizing patient health. We also feature various special diets to help patients who have different medical conditions. These special diets are available for animals dealing with allergies, brain diseases, endocrine diseases (diabetes), gastrointestinal disease, heart disease, joint disease, kidney disease, liver disease, obesity, and urinary conditions. Please ask us about which diet is right for your pet.

Your Raleigh Vet for On-Site Pet Diagnostics

Getting laboratory tests quickly means our doctors can begin a treatment plan immediately for your pet. Our facility is equipped with on site blood analyzers that allow us to get quick and accurate results on everything from a full chemistry panel to simple blood glucose checks on diabetic patients. The results of many common tests (heartworm tests, feline leukemia/FIV tests, intestinal parasite analysis) are available in a few minutes. We also utilize an external laboratory for more specialized lab tests. This laboratory provides us with results usually within 24 hours (with some tests taking longer). Once our doctors receive the results they will contact you to discuss a plan for optimal care for your pet.

THE LABORATORY

During your examination or appointment it may be necessary for your pet to visit our laboratory. Our veterinary lab is centrally located to each examination room for quick and easy access for your pet. Our trained technician staff will escort your pet to the laboratory where they will assist the doctor by having your pet’s blood drawn, assisting with advanced diagnostics, and providing assistance for in-depth treatment from our doctors. The laboratory is stocked with the medical supplies and materials needed to provide quick relief and treatment to our patients. Whether your pet needs simple grooming like a pedicure or anal gland expression, blood drawn for a blood panel, more advanced care like the diagnosis and treatment of a corneal ulcer, or an intra-venous catheter for hospitalization our doctors and technician staff will work together in the laboratory to take care of your pet.

DIGITAL RADIOLOGY

Often, our veterinarians will need to see radiographs (commonly called X-Rays) in order to get a better look at what is going on inside everything from cats to Great Danes. Radiographs are helpful for evaluating problems like lethargy, vomiting, coughing, and are essential for evaluating bone and joint problems. Having on-site state of the art digital radiology allows our doctors to view high quality images that makes diagnosis quicker and starting treatments for your pet faster.

If further investigation is required we will occasionally request an ultrasound or echocardiogram (heart viewing) procedure. These procedures are very similar to those that pregnant women undergo to produce images of children inside the womb. An ultrasound provides the doctor with more information and better imaging for certain disorders.

Comprehensive Cat and Dog Dental Cleaning

Regular dental cleanings are very important to the health and longevity of every pet. Keeping the mouth clean helps to prevent bad breath, tartar, tooth decay, gingivitis, and potentially help prevent heart disease and bacterial infections. A thorough dental cleaning will be performed while your pet is under full monitoring. The doctor examines any problem areas in your pet’s mouth and they will discuss with you if your pet needs additional dental work. Using home dental care in between yearly cleanings can help reduce tartar buildup and keep your pet’s teeth cleaner and mouth healthier.

Spay and Neuter for Dogs

OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN DOGS (SPAYING)

Ovariohysterectomy is the medical term for spaying a female dog. The procedure consists of surgical removal of both the ovaries and uterus. If the ovaries are not removed, the bothersome heat periods still occur even though pregnancy is no longer possible. Surgery is usually performed at 6 months of age; right before the first heat periods begin. Though it is routinely performed, ovariohysterectomy is a major abdominal surgery requiring general anesthesia and sterile operating technique. Prevention of pregnancy and heat periods are the main reasons for this surgery. This procedure can often be necessary for the treatment of severe uterine infections, ovarian/uterine tumors, and some skin disorders.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?

A healthier, longer lived pet for you and your family.
There will be no more heat periods.
There will be no unwanted puppies.
The uterine infections common in un-spayed older dogs rarely occur.
Mammary gland cancer seldom develops in dogs spayed before their first heat.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.) Will it make my dog fat and lazy?
A.) While there is evidence that spayed and neutered animals may have a slightly slower metabolic rate; obesity is caused by excessive caloric intake. Weight can be controlled with proper feeding and exercise.

Q.) Will it change my dog’s personality, disposition, or intelligence?
A.) Dog’s personalities do not fully develop until one to two years of age. If there is a personality change in a dog spayed at a young age, it would have occurred without surgery.

Q.) Are there any problems associated with spaying?
A.) A very small percentage of dogs have trouble holding their urine as they become older. This is normally controllable with medication.

Q.) Shouldn’t my dog have a litter first?
A.) There is no advantage in allowing your dog to have a litter of puppies. In fact, having puppies is more expensive than many people are aware.

CASTRATION IN DOGS

Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles; usually around 6 months of age. Such surgery is performed to eliminate sexual activities, render the dog sterile, and to prevent common testicular diseases. Castration usually reduces a male dog’s tendency to fight, roam, and their overall level of aggression. However, castration is not a replacement for obedience training by the owner. In older dogs, castration may be necessary because diseases and cancers of the testicle or prostate gland develop. Castration produces a healthier pet for both you and your family.

Spay and Neuter for Cats

OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN CATS (SPAYING)

Ovariohysterectomy is the medical term for spaying a female cat. The procedure consists of surgical removal of both the ovaries and uterus. If the ovaries are not removed, the bothersome heat periods still occur even though pregnancy is no longer possible. Surgery is usually performed at 6 months of age; right before the first heat periods begin. Though it is routinely performed, ovariohysterectomy is a major abdominal surgery requiring general anesthesia and sterile operating technique. Prevention of pregnancy and heat periods are the main reasons for this surgery. This procedure can often be necessary for the treatment of severe uterine infections, ovarian/uterine tumors, and some skin disorders.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?

A healthier, longer lived pet for you and your family
There will be no more heat periods.
There will be no unwanted kittens.
The uterine infections common to older cats rarely occur.
There is less chance of mammary gland cancer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.) Will it make my cat fat and lazy?
A.) While there is evidence that spayed and neutered animals may have a slightly slower metabolic rate; obesity is caused by excessive caloric intake. Weight can be controlled with proper feeding and exercise.

Q.) Will it change my cat’s personality, disposition, or intelligence?
A.) Cat’s personalities do not fully develop until one to two years of age. If there is a personality change in a cat spayed at a young age, it would have occurred without surgery.

Q.) Shouldn’t my cat have a litter first?
A.) There is no advantage in allowing your cat to have a litter of kittens. In fact, having kittens is more expensive than many people are aware.

CASTRATION IN CATS

Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles; usually around 6 months of age. Such surgery is performed to eliminate sexual activities, render the cat sterile, and to prevent common testicular diseases. Castration usually eliminates or dramatically reduces a male cat’s tendency to fight, roam, and spray urine (as well as the strong urine odor). Castrated males may still enjoy hunting activities. In older cats, castration may be necessary because diseases and cancers of the testicle or prostate gland develop. Castration produces a healthier pet for both you and your family.

Veterinary Surgery and Orthopaedics

We recognize that undergoing a surgical procedure requires special care for both you and your pet. We do everything we can to help provide you with the peace of mind that you deserve. Once a surgical procedure is determined to be needed, whether it be a routine spay/neuter or a more advanced orthopedic procedure, our doctor staff will discuss why the procedure is necessary and provide you with pre-surgical instructions. The morning of the procedure our friendly front office staff will go over a variety of options to customize your pet’s care. Each surgical patient is carefully monitored by the surgeon, our technical staff, and specialized surgical monitoring equipment throughout the procedure. We will give you a phone call after the procedure to update you on your pet, explain how they are recovering, and discuss any post-surgical management that is needed. With over 70 years of surgical excellence Boulevard Animal Hospital is the place to trust for surgical care.