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Fear Free Wellness & Diagnostic Services

You can entrust South Franklin Animal Hospital with fear free, friendly wellness and diagnostic services for cats and dogs. Based in Franklin, TN, we serve pets and their parents throughout nearby communities.

Small dog at a wellness exam at South Franklin Animal Hospital
Whether you want to bring your pet in for a pressing issue or just a standard check-up, our vets are here to help!

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
Dr. Sammons with a dog at South Franklin Animal Hospital
Veterinary team at South Franklin Animal Hospital
Dog running in the grass
Dog eating nutritious food

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. We offer at home cat sedation for anxiety.

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

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Ultrasound allows the vet to examine the internal organs of your pet in a painless manner with no known side effects. It can be used to uncover structural damage, deformities, or abnormalities to the heart, liver, stomach, kidneys, and other major bodily organs. Ultrasound can also capture real time movements of the organs, so functional abnormalities can also be found.

What happens during an ultrasound?

During an ultrasound, high frequency sound waves are pulsed into your pet’s body. They do not feel this and it does not cause any discomfort. The sound waves travel until they reach body tissue and are then relayed back to the device. The machine uses calculations based on the distance traveled to produce the ultrasound image. Many people relate ultrasounds to pregnancy exams to show the baby inside the mother, but it has many other uses.

What are ultrasounds used for?

Ultrasound technology can help to catch diseases and other health problems at early stages. This is important in helping your pet fight any diseases they may be afflicted with before the problem becomes serious. If your pet is sick bring them to see us and, if necessary, we will perform an ultrasound to help diagnose the problem.

Cat at the vet

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