Vetting the Experts 2021

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vetting the experts

Pets are treasured friends and family members — and we want to give them the best care possible. Meet some of the area’s most knowledgeable and personable veterinarians and specialists.

P H O T O G R A P H Y BY S C O T T BAC O N, K AT I E I V E S & K AT I E M C G E E

BRIGDON ANIMAL HOSPITAL Hunter Brigdon, DVM page 103 COASTAL EMPIRE VETERINARY SURGERY Paul M. Shealy, DVM, MS, DACVS Marcus Bradbury, DVM page 104 COASTAL VETERINARY ONCOLOGY Andrew T. Daters, MS, DVM, ACVIM page 106 LIVE OAK VETERINARY SPECIALISTS Jason King, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), cVMA, cVPP Michael Cocchiaro, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) page 105

HUNTEr BRIGDON, DVM Brigdon Animal Hospital 11911 Middleground Road • 912.231.3615 brigdonanimalhospital.com

Education: University of Georgia; DVM, St. Matthews University You owe it to your pet to … have an annual exam.

A common and preventable ailment is … dental disease.

Routine dental cleanings help decrease some of the extractions that may occur if cleanings are postponed.

Our recent innovation in animal medicine is … Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy. At Brigdon Animal Hospital, we use Arthrex products, which allow us to offer first-class pain treatment and regenerative medicine. We are branching out to stem-cell therapy soon!

My new favorite pet product is … MOVOFLEX. I feel like we are getting better results for joint support with this supplement than with glucosamine.

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COASTAL EMPIRE VETERINARY SURGERY Paul M. Shealy DVM, MS, DACVS Marcus Bradbury DVM, Practice Limited to Surgery 335 Stephenson Ave. 912.354.6681 vss.org • vss1@vss.org

Education: Shealy: BS, Clemson University; MS and DVM, Louisiana State University; Intern, Animal Medical Center; MS Residency, Auburn University; Bradbury: BS, University of the Cumberlands; DVM, Auburn University; Intern, Georgia Veterinary Specialist; Residency, Hope Veterinary Specialist Specialty Certification: Shealy: Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons; Bradbury: ACVS Board Qualified.

We’re proud to announce … that we joined the BluePearl family of specialty and emergency hospitals.

BluePearl is a well-known, respected team of more than 95 specialty and emergency hospitals with similar values and a mission to enrich lives through remarkable care for pets. In the coming months, we will begin transitioning to a new name, BluePearl Savannah.

Although our name may be changing, our commitment to excellent medical care remains the same.

A common and preventable pet ailment is … obesity. One of the best things an owner can do for his or her animal is keep them slim and trim.

We are excited to utilize … 3D technology, which improves our diagnostic capabilities and surgical planning. With 3D reconstruction of CT images, we can create 3D prints of bones and organs for presurgical planning and produce intraoperative implants.

We love practicing in Savannah because … pets are family here, and the pet-owning community appreciates the level of veterinary care available.

You’d never guess that Dr. Shealy … attends blue grass music camps around the country for expert banjo instruction.

Dr. Bradbury’s pet family includes … four French Bulldogs, two guinea pigs, a goldfish, tree frogs, a newt, a ball python and several chickens.

We give back to the community by … assisting animal care groups and pet owners with costs for care when appropriate.

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Live Oak Veterinary Specialists Jason King, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), cVMA, cVPP Michael Cocchiaro DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)

335 Stephenson Ave. 912.662.7544 liveoakvetneuro.com

What’s new at your practice?

King: Quite a bit, actually! We’ve got an ongoing expansion on the building, and we’ve recently added cardiology care to our available services.

Why add veterinary cardiology?

King: It started when my wife and I adopted a pet with a known heart condition. In the end, we weren’t able to get him the help he needed, and he passed away.

Cocchiaro: That’s when we realized that there was a dire need for this service here in Savannah. We started brainstorming and came up with our current process to try and fill that need for all pets in the region.

How did you two meet?

King: We were residency mates at Davis and worked together at the same hospital afterward. Since then, we’ve just kept in touch.

Cocchiaro: Can you believe it’s been more than 10 years since we finished residency?

King: Ha! Yeah, we’re old and seasoned now!

What do you do in your free time?

Cocchiaro: My wife and I have our hands full with 5-year-old twins and a Brangus cattle farm back home in North Carolina.

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ANDREW T. DATERS, MS, DVM, ACVIM Coastal Veterinary Oncology

335 Stephenson Ave. 912.355.5791 cvo.vet

Education: MS, DVM, Louisiana State University Specialty Certification: Oncology, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine I wish more people … were aware of how rapidly veterinary oncology is evolving. Every year we increase our ability to understand, diagnose and treat canine and feline cancer.

We are truly making a difference in extending your pet’s quality of life while they are being treated for what used to be considered devastating cancers.

You owe it to your pet to … learn what cancer treatment options are available.

For almost every situation, we can provide multiple treatment options.

One recent innovation in veterinary oncology is … electrochemotherapy. We are excited to offer this minimally invasive treatment that has little to no side effects.

I love practicing in Savannah because … my patient’s parents genuinely love their pets and are some of the most dedicated around. As pet owners, we are lucky to be surrounded by quality veterinary practices in the region. I am fortunate to partner with these veterinarians in their patients’ care and treatment of cancer.

My pets … Pixie and Boots enjoy barking at their friends walking by – and love it when they stop in the yard to play.

I chose oncology because … even though there are tough days, there are more days I give good news. I love helping improve the daily quality of life for my patients. We are an optimistic team that believes in health, healing and hope.

When I’m not in the office, … I am pulling clays for my son’s target practice or on the sidelines of my daughter’s soccer and basketball games.

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