Frequently Asked Questions | Animal Ark of Arcadia

What do I do if my pet is having an emergency?

If your pet is having an emergency during our hospital hours, please call us at 863-494-2101.

If your pet has an emergency after hours, please contact one of the following emergency facilities in our area:

Suncoast Vet Emergency 941-929-1818
Blue Pearl of Sarasota 941-923-7260
Blue Pearl of Fort Myers 239-947-0588
Veterinary Emergency Clinic 941-255-5222

Canâ€™t I just give my dog/cat a Tylenol or Advil to help with pain, rather than paying for more costly veterinary pain medication?

Never give your pet medication intended for people unless your veterinarian has prescribed it. Most over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), can have serious, potentially life-threatening side effects including liver damage and GI ulceration. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving any medication.

How do I know if my pet is in pain?

Some signs, such as limping are a clear indicator of pain, but some signs are more subtle. Look for symptoms such as excessive vocalization, lack of appetite, change in behavior or normal habits, and lethargy. Call us right away if your pet is showing signs of illness, injury, or pain.

When does my pet need bloodwork?

We recommend annual blood work to detect infections and diseases, helping us to prevent disease early on. In many situations, early detection is essential for more effective treatment. The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs. This annual blood test is convenient to do at the time of your pet’s annual heartworm test, but it can be done at any time of year.

How do I get my petâ€™s prescription medications?

Our in-house pharmacy has a large selection of prescription medications and therapeutic diets for your family pet. Our staff members can help you select the best medication, choose the proper dosage, and provide information on side effects or interactions. Contact us immediately if your pet experiences an adverse reaction, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding a prescription medication.

We also have an online pharmacy that can ship prescription medications directly to you. You can access our online store here and download our app for quick and easy refill orders.

My pet is really well trained. Does he/she need to be on a leash/in a carrier when we visit the hospital?

For the safety and protection of all clients, patients, and veterinary team members, we require all pets to be on a leash or in a carrier when they arrive at our office. While your pet is well behaved at home, away from home in a different environment they may not act the same. Also, you are able to control you pet in case another pet is aggressive or unruly. Cats need to be in carriers as they can try to run away either inside the office or outside near a roadway. We ask you to take these precautions in order to keep your pet safe.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, smartphone payments, CareCredit and Scratch Pay. Please note that payment is due at the time services are performed.

Do you offer any payment plans?

We do not offer payment plans for general procedures or emergencies although you can apply for credit services with Care Credit and Scratch Pay. We do offer wellness plans, which are monthly payments for yearly vaccines and heartworm prevention.

Whatâ€™s the best way to schedule an appointment?

To make an appointment with our animal hospital please call tel:+1-863-494-2101 to book a convenient appointment time, or use our online appointment scheduler to request a date and time.

Why should I buy flea/tick/heartworm preventives from a veterinary hospital when there are other, cheaper places to get it?

If you purchase preventives from sources other than a veterinary hospital or a website affiliated with a veterinary hospital, you don’t have any guarantee that the product is authentic or will work as well as the original. Also, if you buy your preventatives from a veterinary hospital, it will be guaranteed by the company and they will refund your money to you or replace the product for you.

Why should I bring my pet in for regular veterinary visits when he/she is healthy?

When you consider the cost of prevention versus the cost of treating a disease or condition, you’ll find that treatment is often far more expensive. For example, parvovirus treatment can cost upwards of $1,500-$2,000 vs a parvo vaccine that cost $24. Prevention is always the best medicine no matter the situation. During your normal yearly exam our veterinarian will perform an examination that may pick up on potential issues that you may miss. Also, it gives you as the pet owner a chance to ask any questions you may have about concerns or issues you have seen with your pet. Something as simple as drinking more than normal can be a sign of may conditions. We recommend exams and vaccinations be performed yearly as a preventative.

What vaccinations does my dog/cat really need?

Your veterinarian will determine which vaccinations are appropriate for your dog or cat, based on individual factors, such as lifestyle and health status. Veterinarians commonly recommend that dogs be vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, Leptospirosis and Bordetella or kennel cough. We typically recommend cats be vaccinated for Rabies, Feline Distemper and Feline Leukemia. Other vaccines are available upon request depending on your pet’s need

Should I vaccinate my cat for Feline Leukemia?

According to the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the FeLV vaccine is recommended annually for all cats who go outside where they have exposure to other cat with unknown vaccine history.

Why are vaccinations so important?

Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Regular vaccines keep your pet safe from preventable infectious diseases. During your pet’s wellness exam, our veterinarians will develop a vaccine schedule tailored to your pet that will prevent illness and disease.

How many months should my pet be on heartworm prevention medication?

Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can be fatal if left untreated. Our veterinarians recommend that all dogs be given year-round heartworm prevention, regardless of their lifestyle.

Why does my dog need a blood test before purchasing heartworm prevention?

Dogs can become extremely sick if placed on heartworm prevention while they have a severe heartworm disease. Even if they have been on heartworm prevention year-round there is always the possibility that the product may have failed for various reasons (your pet spit out the pill, did not absorb the pill appropriately, topical medicine was not applied properly, forgot to administer medication on time, etc.) and the earlier we can treat your pet for heartworm disease, the better the prognosis. Some companies will guarantee their product providing that you use the heartworm prevention year-round and are performing yearly heartworm test.