Frequently Asked Questions

On this page find answers to some common questions of pet owners. For any additional questions we ask that you call the hospital.

Please contact us or seek medical attention immediately if your pet is experiencing any of the following signs:

• Altered consciousness
• Difficult, labored breathing or rapid breathing
• Pale-colored gums or tongue
• Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
• Refusal to eat or drink normally
• Straining to urinate or pass stool
• Attempting to vomit, but cannot
• Bleeding or hemorrhage
• Any wound
• Blood in vomit, stool or urine
• Blood from eyes, mouth or in saliva
• Any concern about the eyes or vision
• Non-food objects eaten or stuck on animal
• Exposure to poisonous plant or chemical
• Physically uncomfortable
• Won’t lay down
• Won’t get up or move
• Abdomen is bloated
• Obviously painful

Or, anything that causes you to doubt that your pet is okay.

• Do not panic – remain calm.
• Protect yourself from injury – pets in pain may scratch or bite. You may want to carefully wrap a large towel around your pet.
• A wooden board, blanket, floor mat, or padded ironing board can be used as a stretcher to transport your pet if they are too injured or weak to walk.
• Apply direct pressure to any area with active bleeding.
• In case of possible poisoning, seek immediate treatment and bring any product packaging.

You can bring your beloved pet to our facility and we can assist you with making arrangements for after care.

Please make a reasonable attempt to locate the animal’s owner. Safely confine the pet and contact local Animal Services by calling (727) 582-2600. For additional information please visit https://www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices/lost-found.htm.

Please be aware that as a private hospital, we do not have licensed wildlife rehabilitators on site but we can ensure that wild animals get appropriate treatment by licensed wildlife rehabilitators. Please contact us for advice and recommendations for any questions after hours.

Additional information/resources can also be found at: https://spcatampabay.org/wildlife-rescue-rehabilitation/.

If finances are a concern, please discuss this with a team member. He/she may assist you with applying for financing with one of our third-party financial providers.

The following list of animal charities and finance options has been compiled to help your research.

CareCredit knows pets are family too. That’s why we offer veterinary and pet financing to help keep your most cherished family members in top shape.
Scratch Pay – Provides pet parents with simple transparent payment plans. Get care for your pet now, pay later.
Trupanion – Medical insurance for the life of your pet. We do what it takes to help your best friend get better.

Angels for Animals – A non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations.

Brown Dog Foundation – The typical process takes anywhere from 2-5 business days, depending upon the requirements of treatment and, most importantly, the cooperation of the pet owner and doctor.
Canine Cancer Awareness – Due to the large number of recent applications, Canine Cancer Awareness, Inc. is temporarily suspending new financial assistance applications. (2/17/2015)
Cats In Crisis – Non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and humane organizations care for cats with chronic or emergency medical conditions through financial and fundraising assistance.
Cody’s Club – Provides funds to help offset the cost of radiation treatment. Also provides a support hotline staffed by owners who have had dogs with cancer.
Extend Credit – VCP has grown to become the veterinary industry’s leading and most comprehensive wellness plan management solution.
Fairy Dog Parents – Fairy Dog Parents is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps prevent dogs from being surrendered to shelters. We provide assistance with food, medical and general wellness needs of qualified dog recipients in Massachusetts.
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance – A nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
Frankie’s Friends – We save pets’ lives by providing grants to help with the cost of life-saving or life-enhancing emergency or specialty care for pets whose families cannot afford the full cost of treatment. In addition to Frankie’s Friends’ support, qualifying families are responsible for a portion of the treatment costs for their pets. The veterinary hospitals at which the pets are treated also assist by giving discounts. Special funding may be made available to support the care of certified working dogs as well as rehabilitation of sick or injured wildlife
Gracie’s Mission – Gracie’s Mission, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is staffed completely by volunteers. Our mission is to spread the word about holistic/alternative medical treatments for animals and to give financial assistance to people who want to take their pet to see a provider of alternative medicine for animals. In addition they must meet the guidelines of the grant program set forth by the Mission.
Ginger’s Legacy – The Cartwright Foundation provides financial assistance for a pet’s medical costs when without assistance a pet’s life or well-being is in jeopardy.
Land of Pure Gold Foundation, Inc. – Provides assistance with cancer treatment for all working dog breeds.
Help-A-Pet – Efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion.
Paws 4 A Cure – The mission of Paws 4 A Cure is to provide financial assistance to qualified families throughout the United States who cannot afford veterinary care for their beloved furry family members without our help.
Shakespeare Animal Fund – Anyone can apply for funds, but SAF offers assistance primarily to those on fixed incomes or with annual incomes below $35,000. Exceptions are made depending on circumstances. It is always a one-time grant.
The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund – Provides information and funding for pets with cancer.
The Magic Bullet Fund – Provides funds to dogs with cancer.
The Mosby Foundation – Provides funds for dogs fighting cancer.
The Pet Fund – The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care.
The Reidel and Cody Fund – Funding for animals with cancer.
Alley Cat Allies – For help with direct and hands-on care, and to connect with local resources for advice and support with stray and feral cats and kittens, use our personalized Online Assistance Form.
American Humane Society – The mission of American Humane Association is to ensure the welfare, wellness and well-being of children and animals, and to unleash the full potential of the bond between humans and animals to the mutual benefit of both.
ASPCA – The ASPCA works with local, state and federal legislators to help enact meaningful protections for animals. To report inhumane conditions and animal cruelty.
Best Friends Animal Society – Operating spay/neuter clinics in L.A. and Utah that offer discounted prices. Promoting trap/neuter/return (TNR) of community cats through our cat initiatives. Holding events in targeted communities to promote spaying and neutering of pit bull terriers. Supporting spay/neuter programming in Albuquerque, New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; and Jacksonville, Florida, via grants.
Humane Society of United States – HSVMA Rural Area Veterinary Services (HSVMA-RAVS) provides more than $1 million in free veterinary services to more than 8,000 animals in more than 40 communities. We go where no other animal services exist, including communities on Native American reservations.
Petco Foundation – We help animal-welfare organizations find lifelong, loving homes for millions of orphaned pets, as well as fund spay and neuter efforts, animal assisted therapy programs and humane education.
Petsmart Charities – To find low cost spay or neuter programs or emergency relief funds for disasters.
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) – Nonprofit Charity Organization that provides emergency financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companion when life-threatening illness or injury strikes. Seniors, people with disabilities, people who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue an injured or ill cat or kitten – any of these folks may need emergency financial assistance.
Kobi’s Fund – We also have a specialized dedicated fund (Kobi’s Fund) for cats with Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS) (also known as Injection Site Sarcoma).VAS is a group of cancers caused by vaccinations. 
Feline Outreach – “Feline Outreach is a charitable organization formed to promote the routine and medical care of companion animals, particularly cats.” Feline Outreach was founded by people who have diabetic cats.
IMOM – Mission Statement: Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged. IMOM has a special fund for diabetic cats)
American Animal Hospital Association – Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship. Available through AAHA accredited hospitals.
RedRover – “The mission of RedRover is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, RedRover can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care.

Yes, we provide preventative & routine care for your pet.

This includes wellness care, vaccinations, dentistry, spay & neutering, various other surgical procedures.

Please trust the knowledge and experience of our staff to determine the level of priority that is assigned to each patient.

Patients are seen in order of critical nature and not in order of arrival. There may be a delay in your pet’s visit with the doctor if another pet has been assessed with having a more critical need for receiving treatment.

Rest assured that your pet will receive this same special attention as more critical patients.

State law prevents a veterinarian from prescribing medication, diagnosing or treating a patient for whom he/she has not performed a physical exam.

In addition, it is not in the best interest of your pet to have treatment recommended without a physical exam performed. You will be asked to bring your pet to the hospital for a physical exam before the doctors or staff can make any recommendations.

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