1. Hudspeth Animal Hospital
Sector: Small Animal Veterinary Medicine
Service Areas: Hudspeth Animal Hospital provides preventive wellness care including vaccinations and examinations, emergency veterinary services with 24-hour weekend availability, urgent care, diagnostic services, surgical procedures, dental care, laboratory testing, general medical treatment for companion animals, and pet boarding through The Pet Hotel facility.
Year Founded: 1968
Employee Count: Multiple veterinarians and veterinary support staff
About: Hudspeth Animal Hospital was established in 1968 by Dr. Eddie B. Hudspeth, a 1966 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine. The hospital continues his legacy of compassionate animal care while serving pets in Macon and surrounding Middle Georgia communities. The facility offers both routine veterinary care and emergency services, with 24-hour emergency availability on weekends. The practice welcomes walk-in patients for urgent care needs. Hospitalized pets receive care in a dedicated treatment area with close monitoring. The hospital also operates The Pet Hotel, a boarding facility for clients who travel without their pets.
Address: 510 Pio Nono Ave, Macon, GA 31204
Contact: (478) 742-8766 | [email protected] | https://hudspethanimalhospital.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday through Sunday 24 Hours
2. Plantation Centre Animal Hospital
Sector: Full-Service Veterinary Medicine (Small and Large Animals)
Service Areas: Plantation Centre Animal Hospital provides veterinary care for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, rabbits, pot belly pigs, and other pets. Services include wellness exams, vaccinations, surgery, preventive treatments, mobile veterinary services for farm and house calls, pet lodging and boarding, bathing services, anesthesia-free dental services through partnership with Animal Dental Care, reproductive services, and equine and livestock services.
Year Founded: Established full-service veterinary facility
Employee Count: Multiple veterinarians including Dr. Jeff Davis (1973 UGA graduate), Dr. Cindy Brown (2007 Tuskegee graduate), Dr. Jill Lancaster (2004 UGA graduate), Dr. Hayes Fyke (2010 St. George’s graduate), Dr. Shannon Elliott, plus licensed veterinary technicians and support staff
About: Plantation Centre Animal Hospital operates as a modern full-service veterinary medical facility serving Macon, Forsyth, and surrounding Middle Georgia communities. The practice combines companion animal care with large animal services for equine and livestock clients. The hospital offers mobile veterinary services for clients unable to bring animals to the clinic, providing farm and house calls throughout the region. Through partnership with Animal Dental Care, the facility provides anesthesia-free dental services for appropriate candidates. Dr. Jeff Davis offers reproductive services for both large and small animal patients, including semen analysis, estrus detection, artificial insemination, and semen freezing. The professional staff is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing preventative health care education.
Address: 6411 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31210
Contact: (478) 474-3616 | [email protected] | https://plantationcentreah.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
3. Forsyth Road Animal Clinic
Sector: Small Animal Veterinary Medicine
Service Areas: Forsyth Road Animal Clinic provides wellness visits and preventive care, vaccinations, general and specialized surgeries, ultrasound imaging, x-ray diagnostics, laboratory bloodwork, dermatology treatment, oncology consultation, chronic renal disease management, wound management, and routine medical care for dogs and cats. The clinic also offers grooming services.
Year Founded: 1990
Employee Count: Veterinarians including Dr. Cheryl Bettis and Dr. Glenn Deckert, plus veterinary technicians, assistants, receptionist, kennel technician, and grooming staff
About: Forsyth Road Animal Clinic has served the Macon community since 1990 and holds accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Dr. Cheryl Bettis, a 2011 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, purchased the clinic and brings expertise in dermatology, oncology, chronic renal disease management, ultrasound, and surgery. She previously worked in McDonough, Griffin, and Conyers before relocating to Macon. Dr. Glenn Deckert graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983 and owned a solo practice in the Richmond, Virginia area for thirty-one years before moving to Georgia. His main interests include all types of surgeries and wound management. AAHA accreditation indicates the practice meets standards above those required by law for veterinary care quality.
Address: 4941 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210
Contact: (478) 474-4829 | [email protected] | https://forsythroadanimalclinic.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Lunch 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM), Saturday 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
4. Riverside Animal Hospital
Sector: Small Animal Veterinary Medicine with Grooming and Boarding
Service Areas: Riverside Animal Hospital provides veterinary medical care for dogs, cats, avian, reptile, rodents, and exotic animals. Services include wellness exams, vaccinations, diagnostic testing, medical treatment, dentistry, ultrasound, surgery, grooming services, and boarding facilities.
Year Founded: Established Macon veterinary practice
Employee Count: Veterinarians including Dr. Shurling, plus veterinary, grooming, and boarding staff
About: Riverside Animal Hospital serves Macon and surrounding areas with comprehensive pet care including medical, grooming, and boarding services under one roof. The practice holds accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), indicating the hospital meets standards above those required by law. The practice philosophy centers on treating every pet as the staff would treat their own animals, providing the same love, attention, and care as though they were the owner. Dr. Shurling has earned recognition for patience and skill with anxious patients who find veterinary visits stressful. The hospital emphasizes client education to help pet owners navigate the challenges of animal care. The doctors and hospital staff strive to continue their education to bring patients high-quality care.
Address: 2121 Riverside Drive, Macon, GA 31204
Contact: (478) 746-4838 | https://riversideanimal.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday Closed
5. Middle Georgia Veterinary Emergency Center
Sector: Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Medicine
Service Areas: Middle Georgia Veterinary Emergency Center provides after-hours emergency veterinary care, critical care treatment, emergency surgery, trauma stabilization, diagnostic services, and urgent medical treatment for companion animals when regular veterinary offices are closed.
Year Founded: 2016
Employee Count: Emergency veterinarians and critical care staff, managed by Mr. Jeffery Jordan as Chief Executive Director
About: Middle Georgia Veterinary Emergency Center serves as the after-hours emergency facility for pets in the Macon, Warner Robins, and broader Middle Georgia region. The center operates as a shareholder-based facility supported by surrounding area veterinary practices. When regular veterinary clinics close for evenings, weekends, and holidays, the emergency center provides critical care for pets experiencing medical emergencies. Local veterinarians throughout Middle Georgia refer clients to this facility for after-hours emergencies. The center is equipped to handle trauma, poisoning, difficulty breathing, severe illness, and other urgent conditions requiring immediate veterinary attention. Pet owners facing emergencies outside normal business hours can access care without waiting until the next business day. The facility is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
Address: 4798 Russell Parkway, Suite 100, Warner Robins, GA 31088
Contact: (478) 997-6677 | https://www.midgavet.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Thursday 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM, Friday through Sunday 24 Hours, Open All Major Holidays
About Macon, GA
Macon, officially known as Macon-Bibb County, is located in Central Georgia near the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, 85 miles southeast of Atlanta. The consolidated city-county has a population of approximately 157,000 residents, serving as the commercial, healthcare, and cultural hub for Middle Georgia.
Veterinary Community: Macon and Middle Georgia support a robust veterinary community serving companion animals, livestock, and equine patients. The region’s mix of urban, suburban, and rural settings creates diverse veterinary needs from apartment-dwelling cats to horses on rural properties. The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens (approximately two hours away) provides referral services for complex cases and supplies many graduates who practice in Middle Georgia. Tuskegee University and Auburn University also contribute veterinary graduates to the region.
Regional Pet Health Considerations: Common veterinary concerns in Middle Georgia include heartworm disease due to the humid climate supporting year-round mosquito populations, tick-borne illnesses such as Ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease, heat-related conditions during summer months when temperatures reach the low 90s, and allergic skin conditions. The extended warm season (averaging 219 sunny days annually) means outdoor pets face prolonged exposure to parasites compared to northern climates.
Emergency Veterinary Access: Middle Georgia Veterinary Emergency Center in Warner Robins serves as the primary after-hours emergency facility for the region, supported by local veterinary practices as shareholders. Hudspeth Animal Hospital also provides 24-hour weekend emergency services. Pet owners throughout Bibb, Houston, Jones, and surrounding counties have access to emergency care when regular clinics are closed.
Cost of Living: Macon offers a cost of living approximately 24% below the national average, which extends to veterinary care costs that are generally more affordable than metropolitan Atlanta pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I take my pet to the veterinarian in Macon?
Most veterinarians recommend annual wellness exams for healthy adult dogs and cats, with more frequent visits for puppies, kittens, senior pets, and animals with chronic conditions. Senior pets (generally over 7 years for dogs, over 10 for cats) often benefit from twice-yearly exams to monitor age-related conditions. Puppies and kittens require a series of vaccinations during their first year. Your veterinarian can recommend an appropriate schedule based on your pet’s specific health status, breed, and lifestyle factors.
What vaccinations do pets need in Middle Georgia?
Core vaccinations for dogs in Georgia include rabies (required by law), distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Lifestyle-based vaccines may include bordetella (kennel cough), leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and canine influenza depending on exposure risk. Core cat vaccines include rabies, feline distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis. Cats going outdoors may need feline leukemia vaccination. The humid Middle Georgia climate supports year-round mosquito and tick populations, making heartworm prevention and tick-borne illness protection particularly important in this region.
What should I do if my pet has a medical emergency after hours in Macon?
For after-hours emergencies in the Macon area, contact Middle Georgia Veterinary Emergency Center at (478) 997-6677 located at 4798 Russell Parkway, Suite 100 in Warner Robins. The center operates Monday through Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and 24 hours on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and major holidays. Hudspeth Animal Hospital also offers 24-hour emergency services on weekends. Signs of emergency include difficulty breathing, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected poisoning, inability to urinate, severe trauma, seizures, or sudden severe pain. Call ahead when possible so the emergency team can prepare for your arrival.
How can I prevent heartworm disease in my pet in Middle Georgia?
Heartworm disease is common in Middle Georgia due to the humid climate supporting year-round mosquito activity. Prevention requires monthly heartworm preventive medication, available in chewable, topical, and injectable forms. Most veterinarians in the Macon area recommend year-round prevention rather than seasonal treatment due to the extended warm seasons. Annual heartworm testing confirms your pet remains negative before continuing preventives. Treatment for heartworm disease is expensive, lengthy, and carries health risks for your pet, making consistent prevention significantly preferable.
What should I look for when choosing a veterinarian in Macon?
Consider factors including the veterinarian’s credentials and experience, services offered, clinic location and hours, emergency availability or referral arrangements, staff communication style, and facility cleanliness. AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accreditation, held by clinics such as Forsyth Road Animal Clinic and Riverside Animal Hospital, indicates a practice voluntarily meets standards above legal requirements. If you have large animals or livestock, verify the clinic offers those services, as Plantation Centre Animal Hospital provides equine and livestock care while most Macon clinics focus on companion animals. Ask about appointment availability, payment options, and how after-hours emergencies are handled.