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Whether you want to bring your pet in for a pressing issue or just a standard check-up, our vets are here to help!

Veterinary Services

When you’re in need of exceptional animal care in Franklin, TN, bring your pet to South Franklin Animal Hospital in Franklin, TN. Our office provides an extensive range of veterinary services to ensure your four-legged friend’s health is always optimal.

Animal Care in Franklin, TN | South Franklin Animal Hospital

Routine Preventative Care

It is important for your pet to receive routine checkups just like it is for you. A complete physical examination for your pet may uncover health issues or concerns. It allows us to make sure that your pet is healthy and also allows us to catch any health problems before they become serious. You should bring your dog or cat in for a checkup at least once a year, and once every 6 months for older pets. Especially when you think about how fast a pet’s metabolism and aging process occurs.

Bloodwork & Diagnostic Work

During the visit we will check your pets’ vitals, weight, make sure all vaccinations are up to date, and perform any necessary blood work. Blood work can help to diagnose heartworm and tick disease very common in our area. Tick borne diseases {Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, and Lyme disease} can be picked up by a simple 8 minute in house snap test {Idexx 4DX}. These diseases can be treated more easily when detected early. These diseases are 100% preventable with year round heartworm, flea, and tick prevention.

Blood work is also recommended to ensure our pet’s internal health. Routine, yearly blood work includes a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and urinalysis. Depending on age and/or concerns electrolytes, t4 level, or Cardiopet test may be performed.

Routine Fecal Flotation by Centrifugation & Fecal Giardia

Routine Fecal Flotation by Centrifugation and Fecal Giardia tests are needed not only for the health of your pet, but for the health of the family. Al ot of the parasites found in dogs, can be zoonotic {transferred to humans} in nature. Regular deworming is needed. The most important pet in the household that needs regular deworming is our feline friends. Cats come into contact with bugs, insects, and rodents that carry worms. NOT ONLY OUTDOOR CATS!!! INDOOR CATS ARE VERY UNDER DEWORMED!!

Starting in 2012, SFAH started doing all fecal flotations by a method called centrifugation. Although more samples are needed and may take 24 hours for results, this is the best method for intestinal parasite diagnosis. This is the method supported by the CDC for confirmation of parasites in animals.

Vaccinations

During this routine pet visit, vaccinations will be addressed as to each pet’s needs, environment, and age. This is called a risk assessment for vaccinations. Williamson County is an amazing place to live, but we are covered in wild life. Wild life brings diseases, such as Leptospirosis and Rabies. Leptospirosis is a bacteria shed in wildlife’s urine and in water. Rabies is a concern in all wildlife, but bats are a major risk for cats, indoors and outdoors. ticks, which bring all tick borne diseases. We want to ensure we protect our pets. Even small dogs can get these diseases. The only dog that would not be exposed is a 100% indoor dog, i.e. indoor grass. Only seen 2 maybe 3 in 20 years of practice. Young animal diseases become less important at geriatric ages, so communication with the veterinarian and owner team to agree which diseases are still of concern for vaccinations.

Heartworm, Flea & Tick Prevention

SFAH believes prevention is the key in taking care of our pets. Yearly, consistent prevention from parasites such as heartworm, flea, and ticks. Heartworms are 100% preventable. Transmitted by a mosquito, year a round coverage is a must. We are educated at SFAH on all preventatives and choose the superior products to offer to our clients. Most of our products are used by myself and my staff to see any side effects and results. Regardless, prevention for all 3 are needed year a round.

Preventative care as the best medicine will always be offered. If these tests/care cannot be performed now, consider at a later date.

Cat Vaccinations

We use Boehringer Ingelheim vaccines for vaccines that offer a small volume {1/2 ml}, pure vaccine for our pets. SFAH vaccines are also 100% guaranteed by this company to prevent disease processes in our pets.

We see virtually no “true” reaction to our vaccines. Expected adverse reaction [s] for any vaccine[s] can be lethargy, anorexia, and/or fever for up to 72 hours.

All cats must be risk assessed for their vaccination [s] needs. Indoor cats are at risk for serious diseases, and must be vaccinated.

Sarcomas that were first thought to be vaccination induced, are now known to be genetic and trauma based.

Rabies

Rabies is required by Tennessee and enforced by Williamson County Animal Control. Williamson County is still seen as a very high risk county for rabies due to our wildlife. Even indoor cats need yearly rabies vaccines. No reason not to prevent disease and zoonotic risk and complications.

Panleukopenia Virus

The more common name for this virus is “distemper”. It is a highly contagious disease which is why vaccination is recommended. Symptoms include fever, seizures, loss of appetite, and possibly death. Kittens are born with a natural immunity for the first few weeks of their lives. Vaccinations are a must in a timely series of 3 to 4 boosters. Your cat should get this vaccine yearly.

Rhinotracheitis

Caused by the herpes virus, Rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection that is highly contagious. The infection could prove to be fatal in young kittens, and chronic in adults. Kittens must be boostered in a series of 3 to 4 boosters, and yearly.

Calicivirus

Calicivirus is a virus that causes an upper respiratory infection. It is very contagious through contact with infected cats. Symptoms include fever, gum disease, mouth ulcers, sneezing, among others. More advanced forms of the virus are more severe and can cause fatality. Cats do not need to exhibit symptoms in order to transmit the disease to other cats. The contagious nature of this disease makes it important for your cat to receive a vaccination.

Chlamydiosis

This disease is much more prevalent in cats that live in a multiple cat environment. The most obvious symptom is usually conjunctivitis, and the disease is carried in the eye discharge of infected cats.

Feline Leukemia Virus

This is another virus that is spread through direct contact with an infected cat. For this reason the vaccine is highly recommended for outdoor cats, or cats that are frequently in contact with other cats. Indoor, solitary cats should still be vaccinated to prevent against the potentially fatal virus, but are not at as high a risk to contract it. FELV should be administered to ALL cats in a two series vaccine 3 to 6 weeks apart as a kitten, then annually for the first year minimum. Outdoor cats require testing yearly and vaccinated yearly.

Dog Vaccinations

We use Boehringer Ingelheim vaccines for vaccines that offer a small volume {1/2 ml}, pure vaccine for our pets. SFAH vaccines are also 100% guaranteed by this company to prevent disease processes in our pets.

We see virtually no “true” reaction to our vaccines. Expected adverse reaction [s] for any vaccine[s] can be lethargy, anorexia, and/or fever for up to 72 hours.

Benadryl is the only pre and post medication recommended for mild/moderate/sensitive adverse reactions. Ask us for a dose for your pet!

Distemper

This is a viral disease that is easily spread through direct contact and contact with bodily fluids or contaminated food and water. Puppies are the most susceptible to the disease and also have the highest mortality rate from severe cases or complications from the disease. Vaccinations have proven to be effective, so it is important to have your puppy vaccinated in an appropriate time {3 to 6 weeks}, a series of minimum of 4.

Parvovirus

This disease is more commonly referred to as “parvo” and is one of the leading causes of viral infections in dogs. It is highly contagious and transmitted by direct or indirect contact with contaminated feces. There are cardiac and intestinal forms of the disease, both of which are fatal in most cases when left untreated. All dogs and breeds are susceptible, but German breeds, pit bulls, and chow chows seem to be at higher risk. The vaccination is needed in an appropriate timed booster series of 4.

Coronavirus

Coronavirus is very similar to the intestinal form of Parvovirus in its symptoms. It results in vomiting and diarrhea, mostly affecting puppies. The difference is that Coronavirus, while still dangerous to your dog, is usually not fatal. Your dog can also be vaccinated for this disease with 2 boosters, and it is usually good for their lifetime.

ParaInfluenza

This is another component or contributor to the Upper Respiratory Tract Complex in dogs. It is also very contagious and can lead to pneumonia if not vaccinated. Component of all puppy boosters and yearly in all dogs.

Adenovirus Type 2

This virus leads to the infection commonly known as “kennel cough” or Upper Respiratory Tract Complex in dogs. It is very contagious, and is characterized by a hacking cough and a foamy white discharge. This disease is vaccinated in two directions, via nose and injections.

Bordetella

Bordetella is a bacteria that can contribute to kennel cough or Upper respiratory Tract Complex. Bordetella is highly contagious but usually not deadly, unless underlying condition or low immunity. Bordetella is prevented by intranasal vaccination yearly. **SFAH offers three routes from Bordetella. Intranasal is most common. Oral is used for fearful/anxious or dogs that have sneezing/reverse sneezing issues. Injectable for extremely fearful/anxious.

Leptospirosis

This disease brings on symptoms of fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, and depression and it could lead to chronic kidney or liver disease. This disease is transmitted by wildlife in their urine and therefore, can be harbored in any body of water. Williamson County is considered a high infected area. Vaccinations are a must for ALL dogs. 100% immunity is offered by two injections 3 to 6 weeks apart, then yearly.

For more information, visit https://stoplepto.com.

Rabies

Rabies required by Tennessee and Williamson County yearly for all pets. Highest risk is seen in cats, indoor and outdoor. Indoor cats exposed to bats is a real danger.

Canine Influenza Virus

This is a canine specific influenza seen in several states around us. Important to protect if high volume borders and/or traveling pets. This vaccine is two boosters 3 to 6 weeks apart, and then yearly.

For more information, please refer to our FAQs or visit https://www.dogflu.com/.

Wellness Lab Work

Wellness baseline lab work is recommended and offered yearly. The lab work consists of blood work and urinalysis. Blood work consists of a complete blood count {CBC}, Chemistry panel and urinalysis. Electrolytes and thyroid tests in 7 years and older. The lab work is performed in-house on Idexx state of art equipment for immediate & accurate results, reassurance of wellness, and if needed appropriate medications/treatments.

Regular, yearly lab work and bi annually for pets on medications or geriatric is an essential and comprehensive part of keeping your pet in good health well into golden years. Lab work at SFAH is catered to specific pet’s, concerns, medications, and/or disease processes.

On Site Lab Services

Our in-house Idexx veterinary laboratory features diagnostic testing for the following:

  • Procyte CBC machine for RBC/HCT and a WBC count with a 4 part differential
  • Chemistry Machine for full, mini, and therapeutic panels
  • Chemistry Machine for Electrolytes, Acid-Base levels, T4 level, Bile Acid level, and Cortisol Level
  • Idexx 4 DX Plus test for heartworm, tick diseases
  • Canine Specific Pancreatic {CPL} and Feline Specific Pancreatic {FPL} Tests
  • Idexx Feline CardioPet Snap Test
  • Urine Protein Creatinine {UPC} a measurement of protein loss in kidneys
  • Urinalysis and Sediment examination, Flexicult Urine Culture for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
  • Cytology-skin & ears, Skin scrape
  • Fecal centrifugation and floats for intestinal parasites
  • Idexx Fecal Giardia testing for all puppies and kittens

Behavior/Nutrition & Allergy /Dermatology Consultations

Consultation appointments are longer and more intensive to obtain all key information and discover the root cause for the complaint.

Puppy Training/Socialization Techniques

Puppy visits are considered part of these appointments since there is so much to go over with a new addition, such as crate training, feeding schedule, and socialization. If we can get off on the right foot with a new puppy addition, then they will be a well mannered addition to the family and to our practice. We follow a positive-reward based training with no direct punishment. We believe in structured crate training and feeding schedules. It is recommended that all puppies are socialized to a variety of situations, people, and objects.

It is recommended that all puppies undergo training or behavior counseling, especially for first time dog owners. We believe we can prevent future behavior issues and rehoming due to lack of training/manners. We can assist you in this process for your puppy. Puppies are not the only ones who need training, however. Many adult dogs need to undergo re-training/re-crating for a variety of reasons. Ask us if you have questions.

Behavior Concerns/Advice and Behavior Training Techniques

“Behavior concerns are any habits that your pet has that you cannot live with and/or you are over having a pet with no manners. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the most common cause of behavior problems and issues. Good news… we can help/assist. Bad news… you may need to be re-trained. Call us at 615-595-2337!

Behavior counseling may determine short and/or long term medications to help balance serotonin in your pet, but behavior modification must take place in home to see long term, real results.

Behavior issues do not have a cure, they are managed and supported. Behavior medications, diet changes, supplements can all have a multi-modal approach.

Nutrition by Royal Canin

Nutrition is really the most important concern or question we need to assist our owners. Diet is the #1 tier in ALL RECOMMENDATIONS/TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS!! SFAH supports Royal Canin for all the enormous research and white paper studies in all areas of concern with pet’s health. Royal Canin is the most superior of diets you can offer your pet. Based on your pet’s needs. Based on concerns/issues with certain size dogs and breeds.

No need to have supplements if you do not want to include it in your pet’s diet. Royal Canin can be recommended for preventative concerns/issues. Royal Canin can be recommended for specific areas, such as, dental disease or osteoarthritis. Remember to prevent is the best medicine/care. Ask us!

Allergies/Skin Concerns/Issues

Our pet’s chewing, rubbing face, and licking feet is one of the most common complaints owners bring their pets into the veterinary hospital. If not addressed in a complete approach most of the allergies and concerns will continue unresolved. Skin allergies that are most common in our area are: 1/flea allergy, 2/Inhalant allergies{ atopy }, and 3/Food Allergies.

Not only do ALL the allergies have to be addressed, but all secondary infections. At SFAH, we have a special interest in skin cases and allergies, so close communication and followup is key to the success of this frustrating, non curable, but treatable disease.

SFAH believes a multimodal approach offers best long term control of atopic dermatitis. Diet is a huge component. But not grain free, a proven diet like Royal Canin. Also correct topical therapy to heal, hydrate, and thicken skin/dermis.

We offer complete allergen testing via Spectrum for 55+ inhalant allergens and food allergens, to get to the underlying cause to desensitize through immunization therapy

Cat Vaccinations

We use Boehringer Ingelheim vaccines for vaccines that offer a small volume {1/2 ml}, pure vaccine for our pets. SFAH vaccines are also 100% guaranteed by this company to prevent disease processes in our pets.

We see virtually no “true” reaction to our vaccines. Expected adverse reaction [s] for any vaccine[s] can be lethargy, anorexia, and/or fever for up to 72 hours.

All cats must be risk assessed for their vaccination [s] needs. Indoor cats are at risk for serious diseases, and must be vaccinated.

Sarcomas that were first thought to be vaccination induced, are now known to be genetic and trauma based.

Rabies

Rabies is required by Tennessee and enforced by Williamson County Animal Control. Williamson County is still seen as a very high risk county for rabies due to our wildlife. Even indoor cats need yearly rabies vaccines. No reason not to prevent disease and zoonotic risk and complications.

Panleukopenia Virus

The more common name for this virus is “distemper”. It is a highly contagious disease which is why vaccination is recommended. Symptoms include fever, seizures, loss of appetite, and possibly death. Kittens are born with a natural immunity for the first few weeks of their lives. Vaccinations are a must in a timely series of 3 to 4 boosters. Your cat should get this vaccine yearly.

Rhinotracheitis

Caused by the herpes virus, Rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection that is highly contagious. The infection could prove to be fatal in young kittens, and chronic in adults. Kittens must be boostered in a series of 3 to 4 boosters, and yearly.

Calicivirus

Calicivirus is a virus that causes an upper respiratory infection. It is very contagious through contact with infected cats. Symptoms include fever, gum disease, mouth ulcers, sneezing, among others. More advanced forms of the virus are more severe and can cause fatality. Cats do not need to exhibit symptoms in order to transmit the disease to other cats. The contagious nature of this disease makes it important for your cat to receive a vaccination.

Chlamydiosis

This disease is much more prevalent in cats that live in a multiple cat environment. The most obvious symptom is usually conjunctivitis, and the disease is carried in the eye discharge of infected cats.

Feline Leukemia Virus

This is another virus that is spread through direct contact with an infected cat. For this reason the vaccine is highly recommended for outdoor cats, or cats that are frequently in contact with other cats. Indoor, solitary cats should still be vaccinated to prevent against the potentially fatal virus, but are not at as high a risk to contract it. FELV should be administered to ALL cats in a two series vaccine 3 to 6 weeks apart as a kitten, then annually for the first year minimum. Outdoor cats require testing yearly and vaccinated yearly.

Additional Services

Our animal hospital provides a complete range of veterinary services to ensure your pet is healthy at all stages of life.
Blue circular icon of lab test tubes

Wellness Lab Work

Blue icon of scale

Behavior/Nutrition Counseling

Blue circular icon of Ultrasound wand

Ultrasound

Blue icon of dermatology

Allergy/Dermatology Consultations

Blue circular icon of radiology

Radiology

Blue circular icon of microchip

Microchip Identification

Blue circular icon of tooth

Dental Care

Following the surgery, we’re here to monitor your pet to ensure they achieve a complete recovery. Our office is equipped with advanced veterinary equipment to track your pets’ progress as they heal.

Emergency Care

We refer pets who need urgent care to Nashville Veterinary Services (NVS). This practice specializes in emergency animal care and is available 24-hours a day. We trust them to take care of our patients as if they were their own!

Want to join the South Franklin Animal Hospital patient family? Send us a message or give us a call today!

South Franklin Animal Hospital
137 Alpha Dr
Franklin, TN 37064
SFAH Cell:
615-881-9924

Personal Email:
cherylssdvm@gmail.com

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Business Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Tuesday:
Closed

Thursday:
7:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday:
7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
*Closed the first & last of the month

Sunday:
Only Boarding from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM