Compassionate Hospitalized Pet Care in Charlotte, NC

What Is Hospitalized Pet Care in Charlotte, NC?

Hospitalized pet care means your pet stays with us for ongoing treatment and observation they can’t receive at home. This could involve IV fluids, injectable medications, advanced diagnostics, or just a calm environment where your pet can rest and recover under close supervision. Our team uses this option when a pet’s recovery depends on consistent monitoring or when they aren’t eating, drinking, or responding well to outpatient treatment.

When Does My Pet Need to Be Hospitalized?

Hospitalization is recommended when a pet:

• Can’t take oral medications or is vomiting
• Needs IV therapy or injectable treatment
• Is recovering from surgery and needs monitoring
• Is stable but showing signs of illness needing observation

Some pets require hospitalization for hydration, pain relief, or recovery from infections. In cases of continued/clustering seizures, in some patients with severe congestive heart failure, or critical internal conditions, we’ll refer you to a 24-hour pet care facility in Charlotte better equipped for intensive, emergency monitoring.

How Long Do Pets Stay in a Veterinary Hospital?

The length of stay depends on your pet’s condition and how they respond to treatment. For most moderate concerns, hospitalization lasts 1–2 days. We’ll always discuss this with you during the exam and update you daily. If overnight care is needed, and your pet is stable, Dr. Koballa may authorize a short stay with remote monitoring using our in-clinic cameras.

What Should I Expect When My Pet Is Hospitalized at Our Charlotte Clinic?

While hospitalized, your pet will receive personalized attention and the highest standard of care, including:

• A comfortable kennel setup in our open treatment area with full visibility
• Carefully timed medication administration
• Regular bathroom breaks
• Feeding and hydration support, tailored to your pet’s needs
• Consistent updates from our doctors
• Optional visits coordinated around your pet’s stress levels and condition
• A gentle, bonding-focused approach to reduce stress and promote healing

Can I Visit My Pet During Hospitalization?

Absolutely. Visiting your pet during hospitalization can be beneficial—but timing and stress levels matter. Our team will help you plan visits that work best for your pet’s recovery. Some pets thrive on seeing familiar faces; others may become overstimulated. We’re here to guide you on what’s best.

What Conditions Require Overnight Care for Pets?

Conditions that may require overnight pet hospital care include:

• Recovery from surgery
• Mild to moderate dehydration
• Infections that need ongoing IV medications
• Close observation after illness

It’s important to note: if your pet is unstable or at risk of sudden complications (such as seizure activity or severe respiratory distress), we’ll refer you to a critical care facility in Charlotte with round-the-clock veterinary care.

How Is Pain Managed for Hospitalized Pets?

At Charlotte Companion Animal Hospital, pain management is always customized. We use:

• Injectable and IV pain relief medications
• Sedation, if needed for rest or procedures
• Continuous reassessment of your pet’s comfort level

We believe that compassionate care includes staying ahead of discomfort—and Dr. Koballa personally tailors pain protocols to each case.

What Happens After My Pet Is Discharged?

Once your pet is stable and ready to head home, we’ll provide:

• Detailed discharge instructions for feeding, medications, and restrictions
• Guidance on when to schedule a follow-up
• Support from our team if questions arise

Our goal is to ensure your pet goes home when they can be comfortably and safely cared for. We handle the hard part so you can focus on helping them feel at ease.

Is 24-Hour Pet Care Available?

While we do not offer 24-hour ICU veterinary care, we do provide overnight pet hospitalization for stable pets who do not require emergency interventions or round-the-clock monitoring. These pets may stay overnight at our clinic under specific conditions. We utilize a secure camera system for remote monitoring during those hours.

We are always transparent with pet owners: there is no staff on-site overnight, and constant supervision is not guaranteed. Much like a boarding facility, incidental or unexpected events can occur, and we cannot be held liable for complications that happen during unstaffed hours. Dr. Koballa carefully evaluates each case to determine whether overnight care at our facility is appropriate—and if not, we will help coordinate a transfer to a 24-hour emergency vet clinic in Charlotte for more intensive monitoring.