How safe is my pet’s procedure?
At Animal Medical Center, we only recommend those surgical procedures that are in the best interest of your pet. Each individual procedure varies from pet to pet and condition to condition. Typically, a physical examination, review of the patient’s medical history, and blood work are recommended for each pet that may have to be subjected to sedation or anesthesia. Our veterinarian will use this information to screen your pet for potential issues before beginning any procedure to help ensure the safety of your pet. As with humans, the older the pet, the more precautions need to be taken.
Although there will always be a minimal amount of risk associated with anesthetizing your pet, we take every precaution available to ensure that those risks are minimized, including most of the same fail-safe measures that your physician would provide if you were placed under anesthesia.
How often should my pet have an exam and blood work?
At Animal Medical Center, we believe that the best way to prolong the relationship you share with your pet and our patient is to identify disease processes early and prevent the progression of chronic illness before it becomes a problem. To keep tabs on your pet’s overall health, it is important to maintain annual exams and blood work. We recommend an annual examination by your veterinarian for healthy pets. Those pets with chronic disease or mobility issues may require examination on a more frequent basis. We also recommend annual blood work profiles to provide a continuous record for our veterinarian to identify trends and specific areas to focus on in an effort to prolong the duration and quality of life of our patients.
Why does my pet need a dental procedure?
Periodontal disease (disease of the structures around the teeth such as the gums, bone, and connective tissue) is one of the most common problems that we deal with on a daily basis at Animal Medical Center. Periodontal infections, tooth fractures, and oral masses can be sources of serious discomfort for your pet. Additionally, untreated periodontal infections can cause damage to major organs of the body including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Proper veterinary dental care can help prevent your pet from developing painful dental conditions and can extend their life expectancy as well.
What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?
Heartworms are a serious life-threatening, year-round parasitic threat to both indoor and outdoor pets. Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms are extremely common in the warm, moisture rich environment found in Mississippi.
Heartworm larvae are carried to healthy animals by mosquitoes that have previously bitten infected animals. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, the microfilaria, larvae of the parasites, will mature into adult worms. Adult heartworms can cause serious damage to the animal’s blood vessels, lungs, and heart, and may ultimately cause death.
The best course of action is to have your pets tested regularly for the presence of heartworms and kept on a heartworm preventative regimen for the rest of their lives. Having your pet on a monthly preventative treatment is much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. There are several options available for the prevention of this potentially life-threatening disease. Our doctors will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on their needs and lifestyle.
When is pain management recommended for my pet?
Recent research in veterinary science indicates that pets classified as mammals experience pain the same way that we do. Our pets typically try to hide the fact that they have pain. At Animal Medical Center, we offer pain management for pets who may be experiencing pain due to trauma, post-operative pain, and chronic pain caused by a progressive disease such as osteoarthritis.
Behavioral changes are the principal indicator of pain. If you notice increasingly diminished function and mobility in your pet, it could indicate chronic pain resulting from a progressive disability. If you suspect your pet may be experiencing pain, visit our experienced and compassionate veterinarian for an evaluation and treatment options. We offer both short term and long-term relief as needed.
What financing options do you offer or is payment expected at the time of service?
Animal Medical Center strives to offer compassionate, comprehensive veterinary care. In order to continue a high quality of service, payment is expected in full at the time of examination or procedure. We accept cash, credit cards, and Care Credit; no payment plans are available.