662-342-4899

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A warm welcome to Brooks Rd Animal Hospital clients!
We’ll be closed on Dec 24 & 25 in observance of Christmas.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs Desoto County Animal Clinic in Southaven, MS

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.

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FAQs

We get a lot of interesting questions at Heart of Desoto County Animal Clinic. The following are some frequently asked questions that may help answer any questions or concerns. Please contact us if you have any other questions or concerns about your pet.

What are the clinic hours?

Our hospital is open Monday through Friday from 7 AM – 5 PM. Closed for lunch from 12:30p – 1:30p daily. For after-hours care, please contact Pet Med Emergency @ 901-624-9002 or Animal Emergency Clinic @ 901-323-4563. 

What kinds of pets do you treat?
We primarily treat cats and dogs, but some of our providers will see small mammals and some reptiles.
What kind of pet health insurance do you have?
As veterinary medicine continues to advance in the level of care, technology, and knowledge, so does the increased cost of such outstanding veterinary care.Far too often, and understandably so, does the financial aspect of a treatment plan play a monumental role in how we treat our beloved pets.Our unwavering goal is always to offer the highest quality veterinary care but also ease the financial burden on the pet owner as much as possible.Pet health insurance allows the pet owner to pay a low monthly premium, on average $35-$70. In return, the pet owner is offered coverage in the form of reimbursement for non-routine veterinary care. Many pet health insurance carriers offer up to 90% reimbursement for veterinary costs! Some carriers also offer plans that cover routine care (i.e., vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, parasite prevention, etc.). One of the keys to getting the most affordable premium rates is when you sign up for pet health insurance. Generally speaking, the younger and healthier, the better. Age, per-existing conditions, and breed all play significant roles in determining the monthly premium. We strongly recommend pet health insurance and encourage all pet owners to at least look into the options out there. While we do not recommend any particular pet insurance carrier, we can provide a list below of carriers we have heard great things about:

Do you offer boarding, daycare or grooming?

We offer boarding on a limited basis as our facility is used primarily for medical care. We do offer day boarding. We offer bathing services but do not have professional grooming services.

Are Vaccinations Required?

Yes and no. State law requires that your cat or dog is vaccinated for Rabies, as this is a matter of public safety. If your pet were to bite someone or another animal, they are required to quarantine, and the type of quarantine required depends on the pet’s vaccination status. Fines from the County may also be incurred if your pet is not properly vaccinated for Rabies. Other vaccines fall into 2 categories: core or elective. If your pet is staying in clinic, core vaccines are required unless your pet’s medical condition prohibits vaccinating. We also offer vaccine titers if you prefer minimal vaccinations throughout your pet’s life.

My pet had this problem a month ago. Can’t I just get the same medication?
It depends on the problem, but most likely, we are going to require an exam for your pet again, even if they were diagnosed and treated for the same medical condition recently. Some medical conditions look similar, and by assuming it is the same condition, we may not be treating your pet appropriately. Certain medications may also result in resistance which can cause a lack of response or, worse, a more severe problem if given too frequently or inappropriately. An exam to ensure proper diagnosis is what is best to keep your pet healthy for years to come.
What are some tips for transporting my cat to the vet in a low-stress manner?

Place your kitty’s carrier in a common space in your home at least three (3) days before your visit and begin leaving treats in or just in front of the page to promote healthy activity around the airline. If you have a multi-cat household, bring some bedding with all the cat’s scent, and leave it inside the carrier or your car during the visit. After the visit, you can rub your kitty with this bedding to reintegrate them with their communal scent, making returning home a more relaxing event.

What is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and/or Urethral Obstruction?
  • Common in male cats – life-threatening
  • Signs can be straining to urinate with low or now stream, blood in urine, inappropriate urinations, vocal urinations, and can be more vague such as vomiting, inappetence, hiding/behavioral changes
  • Should be evaluated immediately – if we are not open go to ER
  • Can be a result of bacterial infection, crystals/stones, behavioral, or idiopathic cystitis (we don’t know)
  • Crystals/Stones can often be prevented by adding water to diet
What forms of payment are accepted?

We accept cash, all major credit cards, Care Credit, and Scratch Pay.

Do you offer payment plans?

Payment is required at time of service. While we do not offer payment plans, we do accept CareCredit (carecredit.com) and ScratchPay (scratchpay.com).

Do I need to make an appointment?

We see patients by appointment for service at our hospital. We do have several walk-in appointments available each day for sick pets. If you feel your pet needs immediate care and you do not have an appointment, please give us a call so we can assist you and your pet.

How do I travel with my pet?

USDA –https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travelPoison

Control –https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Is it REALLY necessary to give my cat or dog flea, tick, and heartworm prevention year-round?

Our weather is unpredictable, and even in the winter, we experience warm days. Flea, tick, and mosquito activity decreases with cooler weather but requires freezing temperatures over a sustained number of days for them to die. Intestinal parasites are a year-round occurrence, and heartworm prevention also controls these parasites.

Does Desoto County Animal Clinic authorize prescriptions through Chewy, 1-800-Pet-Meds, or other third party online retailers?

Desoto County Animal Clinic values our clients’ time, and we understand your need for home delivery options for your pet’s products and medications. We understand that online retailers offer a quick, convenient, and low-cost option for receiving your pet’s food, medications, and other products. Recent activity by some of these retailers has brought concern among veterinary providers. Most notably, these retailers have begun sending veterinary practices to refill requests that neither the client nor the practice initiated. While these requests are most often harmless, we often have to decline the ‘automatic requests’ due to:
❌ An incorrect dose
❌ An RX that would interact with another medication the pet is on
❌ A medication being harmful to that particular pet
If you are wondering why this would be the case, the answer is simple: Greed and Profits. These online retailers have long sought to erode the vet-client-pet relationship, as they view this as an obstacle to higher sales and revenue. These retailers wish to eliminate the competition by removing the requirement that a veterinarian sign off on your pet’s prescription, which could have harmful results, even for something as simple as heartworm preventative.

Desoto County Animal Clinic values the relationships we build with our clientele, and we believe in providing the best possible care for your furry family members. As such, we do not communicate with any third-party online retailers to “sign off” or confirm prescription requests. We are happy to provide you with a written prescription, which is your right, and which you may take to any physical or online pharmacy of your choosing. However, this prescription must be picked up in person (we cannot send this via email). We understand this may come as an inconvenience to you, which is why we offer the following solutions:

MyVetStoreOnline, our online pharmacy, which you may access on our website: desotoanimalclinic.net
Purchase heartworm and flea preventatives in practice
If you would like to purchase a product from the online retailer of your choice, please provide us 72 hours to create a written script, which you may pick up during normal business hours and utilize at your choice pharmacy.

Can you tell me about grain-free diets in dogs?
Grain-Free Diets for dogs are not recommended as they can deprive them of nutrients needed for normal bodily functions. Grain consumption, as with any other type of food, should be monitored without overfeeding.
How can I order food, medications, and preventatives for my pet?

By calling our practice @ 662-342-4899 Please note in-house Rx refills require 24-72 hours to fulfill.
Visiting our online store via our website: desotoanimalclinic.net