Business Details
35 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Veterinarian in Carmel, IN
Since 1991, Carter Veterinary Medical Center has been dedicated to providing exceptional veterinary care rooted in compassion, education, and technological innovation. Founded by Dr. David R. Carter, our practice prioritizes personalized attention for pets and their families across Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, and beyond. We combine over three decades of experience with advanced tools like our Accuvet CO2 Laser and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to deliver minimally invasive treatments, comprehensive wellness programs, and emergency care solutions.Our commitment to client education empowers pet owners to make informed decisions about preventative care, nutrition, and chronic condition management. As a family-owned practice, we uphold the highest ethical standards while maintaining partnerships with 24/7 emergency facilities to ensure continuous care. Our teams expertise spans soft tissue surgery, dentistry, regenerative medicine, and internal medicine for cats and dogs, reflecting our mission to enhance pets quality of life through compassionate, evidence-based veterinary practices.
Services
Allergies
Dental Care
Emergency Care
Laser Therapy
Vaccinations
Wellness Exams
Surgery
Radiology
Senior Wellness
In-House Pharmacy
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of veterinary expertise with specialized focus on laser surgery and regenerative medicine
- Our in-house laboratory provides rapid diagnostic results for timely treatment decisions
- We utilize cutting-edge Accuvet CO2 Laser technology for less painful surgical outcomes
- Our team provides 24/7 emergency referral services through trusted partner MedVet
- We emphasize client education about preventative care and pet health management
What people say
Helpful and caring
Compassionate and professional
Exceptional educational approach
Lifelong trust
Personalized attention
Services
Dental Care
Our comprehensive dental services include ultrasonic cleaning, diagnostics, and oral surgery using advanced equipment. We treat periodontal disease, perform extractions, and offer preventive care education. Our focus on early detection helps prevent systemic infections that can affect vital organs, ensuring pets maintain optimal oral health through regular check-ups and home care guidance.
Emergency Care
We provide immediate care for critical conditions like trauma, poisoning, and breathing difficulties during regular hours. Our team handles emergencies with priority triage while referring after-hours cases to trusted partner MedVet. We educate pet owners on recognizing emergency signs and preparing for unexpected situations through proactive consultations.
Laser Therapy
This non-invasive treatment uses targeted light energy to accelerate cellular regeneration and reduce pain/inflammation. We apply it for arthritis, wounds, and post-surgical recovery without anesthesia requirements. The therapy sessions last 3-6 minutes per site, offering drug-free pain management with visible improvements in mobility and comfort for chronic conditions.
Wellness Exams
Annual comprehensive check-ups include physical exams, bloodwork, and parasite screening to detect early disease indicators. Our exams emphasize client education about nutrition, behavior changes, and age-related concerns. We tailor vaccination schedules and preventative treatments based on individual pet needs and lifestyle factors.
Surgery
We perform soft tissue surgeries using CO2 laser technology for reduced bleeding and faster recovery. Our surgical suite features advanced anesthesia monitoring with sevoflurane and isoflurane gases. Pre-operative EKGs ensure cardiac safety while post-operative care includes pain management protocols and laser therapy integration for optimal healing outcomes.
People
Dr. David R. Carter
Veterinarian, Owner
Dr. Carter graduated from Purdue University Veterinary School in 1983 and established this practice in 1991. With expertise in emergency medicine, dentistry, and regenerative therapies, he has served Carmel's pet community for over 30 years. He created the J. Everett Light Veterinary Assisting program and emphasizes client education as core to veterinary practice.
Sandra Carter
Hospital Administrator
Sandra manages clinic operations with decades of experience supporting veterinary practices. As Dr. Carter's partner in both life and business since 1979, she ensures smooth administrative functions while maintaining the practice's family-oriented values and commitment to community service.
Elise Carter
Customer Service Manager
Elise brings hospitality expertise from bridal salon management to veterinary client relations. A Purdue history graduate, she enhances client experiences through personalized communication and operational improvements. She combines business acumen with lifelong animal advocacy to maintain the practice's compassionate service standards.
Blake Hamby
Veterinary Technician
Blake joined the team in 2014, progressing from kennel attendant to certified technician. Currently pursuing veterinary nursing credentials, he combines technical skills with genuine pet care passion. His experience with exotic pets and commitment to continuous learning reflect the practice's educational values.
Beth Jeglum
Receptionist
Beth brings 25+ years of early childhood education leadership to client interactions. Her background in program development and community service enhances client communication. As a therapy dog handler, she understands the human-animal bond from both professional and personal perspectives.
Questions
What constitutes a pet medical emergency?
Difficulty breathing, toxin ingestion, severe bleeding, eye injuries, bloated abdomen, vomiting with blood, seizures, or unconsciousness require immediate veterinary attention. Contact us at (317) 844-6868 for urgent guidance.
How often should pets receive dental care?
Annual dental exams are recommended, with professional cleanings as needed. Daily brushing at home using pet-safe products helps prevent periodontal disease, which affects 65-85% of pets over age 3.
Why are vaccinations necessary for pets?
Vaccines protect against contagious diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus by stimulating protective antibodies. Core vaccines are required by Indiana law while non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle risks.
What sets your practice apart from others?
Our 30+ years of experience combines with advanced technology like CO2 laser surgery and digital radiography. We emphasize client education about preventative care while maintaining partnerships with 24/7 emergency facilities for continuous care.
How do you handle senior pet care?
We provide specialized wellness exams focusing on age-related changes like arthritis, kidney disease, and cognitive dysfunction. Our team educates owners about mobility support, pain management, and nutritional adjustments to maintain quality of life.
Reviews (7)
Cameron Glascock
Apr 08, 2022
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My family and I have been going to Carter Veterinary for years. Dr. Carter is kind and highly informative when taking car of your pets. I can't recommend them enough!
Lindsay Christie
Mar 21, 2022
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Dr. Carter is extremely knowledgeable and thorough with his examinations. My Greyhounds love him and I know that they're in great hands!
Nick Greenthumb
Dec 26, 2021
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You'll see plenty of 5 star reviews, and I've had good experiences with Carter. However the last few experiences led me to make a change. Exp: Appointment at 8:00 am. Call to check up at 11:00 am. Not even looked at my dog yet. "sorry were busy" was the answer. A similar situation happened last time. Overall I suppose they are just too busy anymore. Carter knows his field that's for sure.
Priscilla Turner
Jul 19, 2021
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We took our 10 1/2 year old golden retriever to see Dr Carter and feel so good about choosing him. He spent a lot of time with us and explained liver function in aging dogs and dental hygiene.
Tate Felten
Jun 21, 2021
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I lived in Carmel and I just adopted a 5 year old cat named Cleo, as soon as I brought her home I noticed something was wrong. I asked around to my family friends about a good vet. They all suggested Dr. Carter's. It was super easy to make an appointment and they were all very nice! I took her there and found out she had feline cat herpies. So sad. They fixed her all up with some amazing medicine, low cost! I live now In Lafayette, IN. And I will continue and do continue to take my precious baby there! Would highly recommend!
Tammy Jenkins
May 09, 2021
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Mr Carter is Wonderful came out to our farm on a Sunday for an emergency with our horse diagnosed with EPM we lost our boy the next day. And Dr Carter checked up on us which I thought was so nice of him. We will definitely be using Dr Carter for our fur family vet
Hells Bells
Mar 30, 2021
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Doc Carter has been a god send. In all my years of sharing my life with fur babies, I have never felt so trusting in his capability and caring of my babies. We found Carter Vet Clinic after a near fatal scare with our babys Heart Complications. His office ensured direct involvement with the only cardiologist in the area and was sure to do follow ups until he was stable. He also took in our other baby not once, but several times for emergency care and gave us 7 wonderful weeks we would have not gotten with any other vet.
She succumbed to complications today and the office handled her last minutes with class and professionalism. The little things like calling for follow ups and big things like trying when there seems to be little hope puts Doc Carter way above the rest. He is instrumental in his educational teachings to what is going on and is honest with expectations. I cannot praise him or his staff enough.
She succumbed to complications today and the office handled her last minutes with class and professionalism. The little things like calling for follow ups and big things like trying when there seems to be little hope puts Doc Carter way above the rest. He is instrumental in his educational teachings to what is going on and is honest with expectations. I cannot praise him or his staff enough.
