INDEPENDENT VETERINARY CARE IN CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA
For more than 40 years, Desert Forest Animal Hospital has cared for dogs and cats in Cave Creek, Carefree and nearby North Valley communities. Since 1984, generations of local pet owners have trusted our hospital for thoughtful veterinary medicine, clear communication and personalized care.
Today, Desert Forest Animal Hospital remains an independently owned veterinary practice focused on a simple principle: good veterinary medicine should consider the individual pet, the people who love them and the experience they have while receiving care.
Our team provides preventive and wellness care, dentistry, surgery, diagnostic testing, treatment for illness and injury, and same-day urgent veterinary care when available during regular business hours.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital has been part of the Cave Creek community since 1984. While veterinary medicine has changed considerably during that time, the qualities families value most in their veterinarian have not: experience, compassion, honesty, communication and knowing that someone is paying attention to their individual pet.
We are proud to be an independently owned veterinary hospital. That allows our doctors to approach medical decisions based on the needs of the patient in front of them rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model of care.
Our hospital currently focuses on the veterinary care of dogs and cats. We welcome patients from Cave Creek, Carefree, Tatum Ranch, Desert Hills, North Scottsdale and surrounding North Valley communities.
No two pets are exactly alike, and we do not believe their veterinary care should be identical either.
When we make recommendations, we consider factors such as your pet’s:
That individualized approach applies whether we are discussing a wellness examination, developing a vaccination plan, investigating chronic itching, evaluating a sick pet or helping a senior animal remain comfortable.
Our goal is to explain what we find, discuss reasonable diagnostic and treatment options, and help you make an informed decision for your pet.
Physical health is only part of a veterinary visit. For some dogs and cats, fear and anxiety can make receiving medical care extremely difficult.
Dr. Quinn Bauer is a Fear Free Certified veterinarian with a special interest in helping nervous, sensitive and previously fearful pets receive the veterinary care they need.
Depending on the patient and medical situation, a lower-stress approach may include:
Fear Free care does not mean that every pet will experience zero stress, and urgent medical needs must always take priority. It means that we consider a patient’s emotional state and use the least stressful safe approach available whenever circumstances allow.
Learn more about Fear Free veterinary care in Cave Creek →
Dr. Quinn Bauer earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona.
Dr. Bauer has a particular interest in compassionate, Fear Free veterinary care and enjoys working with pets who have previously been nervous, fearful or difficult to examine. She also has a strong professional interest in veterinary dentistry and continues to pursue additional education in dental care.
Her approach reflects an important part of our hospital philosophy: sometimes taking a little more time to understand an animal’s behavior can make both today’s visit and future veterinary care easier.
Dr. Bryan Hayter is the owner and medical director of Desert Forest Animal Hospital. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University, where his clinical interests included internal medicine, dentistry and dermatology.
During his veterinary training, Dr. Hayter also completed an internship experience at the San Diego Zoo, working with a wide variety of species.
Although Dr. Hayter does not routinely see patients at Desert Forest Animal Hospital, he provides ownership and medical leadership for the practice and supports the hospital’s commitment to thoughtful, evidence-informed veterinary care.
Having access to a broad range of veterinary services in one hospital can improve continuity of care and allows our team to follow a patient through different stages of life.
Services available at Desert Forest Animal Hospital include:
Explore all veterinary services →
Some of the most valuable veterinary care happens before a pet appears sick.
Routine examinations give us an opportunity to identify subtle changes, monitor trends in weight and physical findings, discuss nutrition and parasite prevention, evaluate dental health and decide whether screening tests are appropriate for your pet’s age and health history.
As pets grow older, these visits become especially important because conditions affecting the kidneys, liver, endocrine system, joints, teeth and other organs can develop gradually.
Preventive care does not mean performing every possible test on every pet. It means making thoughtful recommendations based on risk and looking for opportunities to identify problems at a stage when there may be more options for management.
Learn about preventive veterinary care →
A sick pet can be frightening, particularly when you do not know what is wrong.
Our veterinarians combine the physical examination and medical history with diagnostic testing when appropriate. Having access to in-house laboratory testing and imaging can help us investigate common concerns such as vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight loss, coughing, urinary problems, weakness and other signs of illness.
Depending on your pet’s condition, diagnostic options may include blood testing, urinalysis, digital X-rays, cytology and abdominal imaging.
We believe diagnostic testing should have a purpose. When we recommend a test, we want you to understand what we are looking for and how the result may influence the next decision.
Learn about our in-house diagnostic capabilities →
Not every unexpected illness requires a 24-hour emergency hospital, but some problems should not wait several days for an appointment.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital provides same-day urgent veterinary care during our regular business hours when staffing, patient volume and your pet’s medical needs allow.
If your dog or cat suddenly begins vomiting, develops diarrhea, becomes painful, starts limping, has an eye problem or experiences another unexpected illness or injury, call us at (480) 488-2010.
Calling ahead allows our team to understand what is happening and determine whether Desert Forest Animal Hospital or a 24-hour emergency facility is the most appropriate place for your pet.
We are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. Animals requiring overnight hospitalization, intensive emergency treatment or care outside our regular hours should be evaluated at an appropriate emergency veterinary facility.
Pet owners should understand what is happening with their animal.
We make an effort to explain:
Questions are welcome. Veterinary medicine can involve uncertainty, and our role is not simply to provide instructions—it is to help you understand the reasoning behind your pet’s care.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital is conveniently located on East Cave Creek Road and welcomes dogs and cats from throughout the surrounding North Valley.
We commonly serve families from:
Whether your pet needs a first puppy or kitten visit, ongoing preventive care, dental treatment, evaluation of a new medical problem or support through the senior years, our goal is to become a veterinary team you feel comfortable calling when you need us.
Yes. Desert Forest Animal Hospital is an independently owned veterinary hospital in Cave Creek, Arizona.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital has served the Cave Creek community since 1984.
Our current veterinary practice focuses on dogs and cats. We do not currently provide veterinary treatment for exotic pets.
Yes. We welcome new dog and cat patients. Call (480) 488-2010 or use our online appointment request form to contact our team.
Dr. Quinn Bauer is an individually Fear Free Certified veterinarian. Individual professional certification is different from facility-level Fear Free Veterinary Practice Certification. Our broader hospital team supports gentle, low-stress handling whenever the patient’s medical condition allows.
We offer same-day urgent veterinary care during regular business hours when availability and the pet’s medical needs allow. Desert Forest Animal Hospital is not a 24-hour emergency hospital. Call us first so we can help determine the most appropriate level of care.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital is located at 6554 E Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331.
We would be honored to learn about your dog or cat and become part of their veterinary care team.
Desert Forest Animal Hospital
6554 E Cave Creek Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
If your pet is sick or needs urgent care, please call rather than waiting for an online appointment request.
