Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Care in Slingerlands
The Animal Hospital has served the Capital Region since 1974 with a commitment to personalized, compassionate veterinary care. As a family-run practice, we prioritize building lasting relationships with clients and their pets while maintaining a small, focused client base. Our team treats companion animals, exotic pets, wildlife, and endangered species, combining hometown values with cutting-edge medical technology. Accredited by AAHA, we emphasize preventive care, advanced diagnostics, and Fear Free-certified practices to ensure pet comfort. Our services include laparoscopic surgery, geriatric care, dental procedures, and wellness programs tailored to each patient's needs.We actively engage in community outreach, including annual adoption events and wildlife rehabilitation initiatives. With decades of collective experience, our veterinarians and staff provide expertise in both routine and complex cases. Our facility features state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including digital radiography and therapeutic laser therapy. We maintain rigorous standards through continuous education and membership in the Veterinary Information Network. Our dedication to transparency, ethical practices, and client education has earned us recognition as the best veterinary hospital in the Capital District for eight consecutive years.
Services
Wellness Exams
Vaccinations
Geriatric Care
Dental Services
Laparoscopic Surgery
Digital Radiology
Therapeutic Laser Therapy
Behavior Counseling
Nutritional Guidance
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer Fear Free-certified veterinary care to reduce pet anxiety
- Our team has over 40 years combined orthopedic surgery experience
- We implement a patented laparoscopic spay procedure for faster recovery
- Our wildlife rehabilitation program treats 300-500 animals annually
- We provide 24/7 access to electronic medical records for continuity of care
Associations and certifications
- AAHA
What people say
Kind and courteous
Professional and adept
Genuine care for pets
Top notch care
Family vet vibe
Services
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams focus on preventive care through annual physical evaluations tailored to each pet's life stage. Veterinarians assess weight, lifestyle, and health risks while providing personalized vaccination protocols. Early disease detection remains our priority through thorough physical examinations and diagnostic testing recommendations.
Laparoscopic Surgery
This advanced surgical technique uses specialized instruments for procedures like spays and gastropexies through small incisions. Benefits include reduced pain, faster recovery times, and enhanced visualization of abdominal organs. Our team utilizes human-grade surgical equipment adapted for veterinary patients.
Geriatric Care
Tailored wellness programs address age-related changes in pets over seven years old. Services include periodic blood testing, nutritional counseling, and cognitive function assessments. Our approach focuses on maintaining quality of life through early detection of organ dysfunction and chronic conditions.
Digital Radiology
Our True Direct Digital Radiography system produces diagnostic images in four seconds without requiring patient sedation when possible. The technology enables rapid diagnosis of fractures, internal injuries, and organ abnormalities while minimizing patient stress during imaging procedures.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Licensed by New York State and federal agencies, we treat over 300 wildlife patients annually. Our facilities include specialized flight cages for raptor rehabilitation and outdoor habitats for recovering animals. Veterinarians collaborate with environmental conservation programs for species preservation efforts.
People
Dr. Lexi Becker
Owner/Veterinarian
Third-generation veterinarian who took over family practice in 2014. Specializes in small animal medicine and Fear Free-certified care. Graduated from Cornell University with focus on advanced veterinary technology implementation.
Dr. Jeremy
Veterinarian
Experienced small animal practitioner with expertise in orthopedic surgery and dental procedures. Actively participates in continuing education programs to maintain cutting-edge clinical skills.
Dr. Becky
Veterinarian
Specializes in geriatric care and behavioral counseling. Implements nutritional programs tailored to senior pets' changing metabolic needs. Regularly consults on complex internal medicine cases.
Dr. Caitlyn
Veterinarian
Focuses on preventive medicine and wellness programs. Certified in therapeutic laser applications for pain management. Provides client education on home care and early disease recognition.
Questions
What species do you treat?
We treat companion animals, exotic pets, wildlife, and endangered species including birds of prey and reptiles.
Are your veterinarians Fear Free certified?
All our doctors hold Fear Free certification to minimize stress during veterinary visits for all patients.
Do you offer after-hours emergency care?
We refer urgent after-hours cases to Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital or Upstate Veterinary Specialties.
What wellness programs do you offer?
We provide age-specific wellness exams, vaccination protocols, geriatric care programs, and nutritional counseling services.
Can I schedule appointments online?
Existing clients can schedule appointments through our online portal using their client ID number.
Do you participate in community outreach?
We host annual adoption events and maintain an active wildlife rehabilitation program treating 300-500 animals yearly.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Bruce L.
May 12, 2022
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Caring and Compassionate! Last week we had to make the hard decision to euthanize our loving old dog Tipsy because of many end-of-life health issues. We made an appointment, and when we got there, I called inside to say that we wanted to wait outside until the last minute to bring him in because he always became anxious and unnerved in the waiting room, and we wanted his last moments to not be stressful.
To our surprise, they offered to do the procedure outside, and brought out a blanket, some water and tissues. For 20 more minutes, Tipsy was able to bask in the sun (as he always liked to do) and enjoy every last minute! Dr. Melinda and Dr. Lexi, as well as all the vet techs, are wonderful, compassionate and caring, and we are grateful for having them for our dog's care.
To our surprise, they offered to do the procedure outside, and brought out a blanket, some water and tissues. For 20 more minutes, Tipsy was able to bask in the sun (as he always liked to do) and enjoy every last minute! Dr. Melinda and Dr. Lexi, as well as all the vet techs, are wonderful, compassionate and caring, and we are grateful for having them for our dog's care.
Cheri Zumbolo
Apr 28, 2022
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I live an hour away from The Animal Hospital and can't think of bringing my fur babies anywhere else! The staff is friendly and helpful. I know that no matter what doctor my dogs are being treated by that they are in good hands. The office is clean and inviting. Dr Lexi and her team will take great care of your fur babies.
Bonnie Kurtz
Sep 11, 2021
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I live in Columbia County, NY, but drove to The Animal Hospital for our kitty's vet care. Dr. Lexi and team saw her through a lot - in the end primary pulmonary lung cancer (she was a stray with a tough start in life). She lived strongly for more than a year past diagnoses given their counsel and referrals (cancer free). When it came time to let her move on - they were amazing. We stayed in a comfortable room with her for several hours as we talked through the choice.
Her last moments were quiet and loving - laying in a lap on a pillow that was her favorite. Her ashes came back in a lovely cedar box with a sympathy card containing handwritten notes from the team. We always felt The Animal Hospital cared for her - as I am sure they do for all their patients. Hard as this was - they eased our path.
Her last moments were quiet and loving - laying in a lap on a pillow that was her favorite. Her ashes came back in a lovely cedar box with a sympathy card containing handwritten notes from the team. We always felt The Animal Hospital cared for her - as I am sure they do for all their patients. Hard as this was - they eased our path.
Steve Daniels
Apr 03, 2021
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Best vets all around. Great staff. Everyone is very helpful and accommodate you with your pets needs. Highly recommend The Animal Hospital!
Susan Mopper
Mar 29, 2021
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I can't say enough about this place and the fantastic staff. Getting my first dog during a pandemic has been a huge challenge and the staff here has fielded many questions and taught me a ton even before I was able to come in and watch the visits. Although he has a primary veterinarian here, my Great Dane puppy has seen every vet at this clinic for one thing or another. All of them have been knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. Everyone I have met on staff has been kind and helpful. And to top of all off, the location is peaceful and beautiful.
John Sawyer
Dec 19, 2020
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Very pleasant people that work there.very very helpful and kind. I have never had one bad experience at this animal hospital
