FAQs

When you are looking for a veterinarian you should be able to count on superior care and excellent service for you and your pet. We at Simply Southern Animal Hospital, in the City of Central, have assembled an expert team of veterinary professionals to bring you the best possible health care for your pet. We have a state of the art veterinary facility which is clean, comfortable, and efficient. Call us to schedule an appointment and we will find a time that is convenient for you.

We recommend yearly physical exams, heartworm test, intestinal parasite screening and vaccinations for pets one to seven years of age. For pets over seven years of age, we recommend twice yearly exams. Dr. Hayes will check the health of your pet from head to tail and make recommendations to keep your pet healthy.

Bring in any medical history you have of your pet when you come to our clinic. It's best to keep a journal of your pet's health throughout his or her life, including behavioral shifts and weight loss/gain or changes in appetite. All information related to your pet is helpful to share with our team. Feel free to ask Dr. Hayes any questions concerning your pets health during your office visit.

In keeping your pets utmost health in mind, Dr. Hayes at times may recommend consultation with a specialist or make a referral for specialized procedures. He will guide you through this process, staying in touch with both you and the specialist.

Payment is expected when services are rendered. In order to focus on our patients' needs, customer service and minimizing costs, we do not bill. We accept debit cards, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover) checks and cash.

As a general rule, pets age approximately seven years to each human year. If a pet does not see their veterinarian for three years, it would be the equivalent of a person not seeing their doctor for 21 years! Because pets age much faster than humans, Dr. Hayes recommends an annual check-up for pets in good health, and more frequently if they are sick or more advanced in age. Blood work is recommended before any surgical procedure, to help ensure the pet does not have an underlying condition that may make surgery difficult or even dangerous for the pet. Annual blood work, such as kidney and liver panels, is also recommended in addition to heartworm testing, as these values can indicate many disease states that could be treated more effectively if diagnosed early.

Did you know that oral disease in pets can begin as early as one year of age? Studies indicate that without regular dental care, approximately 85% of pets will have some form of periodontal disease by three years old. Without regular cleaning, bacteria begins to collect and harden on the teeth, forming tartar. These hardened bacteria will not only cause disease of the teeth, mouth, and gums, but could potentially cause permanent damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Regardless of the age or condition of your pet’s teeth, Simply Southern Animal Hospital can help them live a longer, healthier life through routine dental care.

You should bring your pet to a veterinarian right away if you observe fleas, ticks, mites, or any other parasite on your precious pet. These parasites are not only repulsive, but they can also carry disease which can harm your pet or even a family member! Simply Southern Animal Hospital carries a full line of flea and tick preventatives, which have all been selected by Dr. Christopher Hayes based on the safety and efficacy of each product. Depending on the label of the preventative, many of the products we carry can be administered to puppies and kittens as young as eight weeks of age. Stop parasites before they infest your constant companion by placing them on a year-round preventative from Simply Southern Animal Hospital.