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Shelby Hixon

Dr. Shelby Hixon

Veterinarian, DVM, CVA
License verified

Professional information

Designation
  • Veterinarian, DVM, CVA
About Vet

Hello! I’m Dr. Shelby Hixon. I want to start this all off by saying “Thank You!” to all those who saved a life (or more) during this crazy new reality of ours. For the past 5 years, I have been working as a general practitioner first, in a bustling private and then, in a bustling corporate practice. In the last year, I have watched the field of veterinary medicine become incredibly busy with everyone’s new furry family members. Unfortunately, many people cannot make it into their primary care practice or even nearby referral facilities on a timely basis because of this influx.

I saw a need within the community, as did all of the veterinarians available here on Vetster, to be able to visualize problems in patients as quickly as possible, determine who needs to be seen immediately, and decide what can be done for your pet while awaiting your appointment with your pet’s primary care veterinarian. I personally practice as a small animal integrative medicine practitioner, meaning that I utilize both the Western Medical approach, with which we are all familiar, while pulling information from my Eastern Medical training to give you a well-rounded diagnostic and treatment plan for your pet*.

To give you a little of my history, I completed my undergraduate studies as a student-athlete at the University of Alabama in 2012. There, I split my time between Division I NCAA Swimming and my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. I then moved on to complete my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2016. During vet school, I enjoyed the weeks I worked with military working dogs most. The passion and drive of these magnificent soldiers created in me a sense of gratitude and respect. After graduation, I continued working with my county’s police dogs, and over the last five years, I’ve found that my love for working dogs has expanded to working with all canine athletes, both in their prime and in their later years. After hearing of the wonders of acupuncture for aging pets and after helping an anorexic cat to eat using only a needle, I decided to explore alternative methods of medicine to work in conjunction with my modern veterinary medical knowledge. I became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2019 after graduating from what is now internationally recognized as Chi University. In 2020, I became Fear Free Certified because, well, I was already practicing with Fear Free ideals at the forefront of my thoughts.

On a personal note, sometimes I still swim! When I do, it’s usually at a Crossfit competition. I enjoy dock diving with my cattledog mix, Ayla, and going to restaurants and Crossfit competitions with my mastiff mix, Sasha, and my miniature poodle mix, Madeleine. I am licensed to practice in Florida. My passions in the veterinary field include, but aren't limited to dentistry, ultrasonography/radiology, and Fear Free Integrative Medicine. Practicing exclusively within the southeast, I have extensive knowledge and experience in choosing appropriate parasite control and in treating/managing chronic allergic skin conditions, amongst many other medically and/or surgically managed diseases.

*to the extent that the law of the state in which you reside allows for veterinary telemedicine.

Location
  • Palm Harbor, FL, US
Spoken languages
  • English
Species treated
  • Dogs (Canine)
  • Cats (Feline)
Licenses
  • Florida, US
Capabilities
  • Consult on diet, nutrition & exercise
  • Consult on general health & wellness
  • Consult on behavioral issues
  • Navigating nutrition from the new baby to the senior pet
  • Optimizing your new puppy or kitten experience
  • Tips and tricks on pet grooming techniques
  • Pet training, house training and litter box training

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