2021-10-06T01:19:53+00:00
Vaccinations
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Vaccinations

We offer a thorough and comprehensive vaccination program for all of our clients and we'll be glad to keep you informed and up to date with the most reliable information about keeping your and your pet safe and..

2021-10-06T03:54:23+00:00
Surgery
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Surgery

Pet surgery is now routinely performed thanks to skilled veterinarians and great equipment and we have both! The one thing we don't have is a policy of "We Can Do Any Surgery On Any Pet", and we'll explain..

2021-10-08T03:10:59+00:00
Pet Grooming
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Pet Grooming

While we don't do any grooming at Barks and Medication, we have a little pull with a conveniently located facility who has won Best Grooming in the Memphis Most contest FIVE YEARS IN A ROW!

2021-10-06T03:46:12+00:00
Nutrition
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Nutrition

Talk to our staff about the bad things going on in your pet's nutritional life (eating table scraps, getting WAY too many puppy treats, etc.) and learn how to make your pet healthier and happier with a longer lifespan

2021-10-08T03:08:36+00:00
Exotic Pets
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Exotic Pets

Barks and Medication  is one of VERY FEW Veterinary Hospitals offering experienced care for exotic pets. So, what is an “Exotic” pet? By definition, it is any animal that is not commonly owned but

2021-10-08T03:09:59+00:00
Emergency Care
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Emergency Care

Bads things happen to good pets and when they do, we'll be there to help.  If you are a registered Barks and Medication Client, we'll meet you at the clinic and either take care of the problem or try to stabilize...

2021-10-08T03:09:19+00:00
Dental Care
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Dental Care

The basic value of dental care is obvious- you have to have teeth, in good condition, to eat. So the question becomes, “How can I keep my pet’s teeth in good shape for as

2021-10-08T03:50:17+00:00
Check Ups
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Check Ups

Regularly scheduled checkups are absolutely essential to your pet's health and happiness. Most issues are more easily treated when detected early and unfortunately, many pets deliberated try to hide symptoms for as long...

Frequently Asked Questions

And The Answers You Need

Pets that are not going to be bred live healthier lives when spayed or neutered.  Neutering males is known to decrease aggressive behavior, decrease urine marking, reduce chances of prostate enlargement later in life, and eliminate the possibility of testicular cancer.  Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of pyometra (uterine infection), which is quite common, and greatly decreases the chance of developing mammary cancer later in life.  It also eliminates the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy.

Just like in humans, weight loss occurs through a combination of dietary changes and increasing activity.  Some overweight pets have difficulty exercising comfortably, so working on their diet first can be helpful.  There are several low-calorie foods available, including prescription diets that can keep pets full while lowering calorie intake.  Weight loss will be slow, usually ½ pound to 2 pounds monthly, depending on the size of the pet.  Pets with a healthy weight are less likely to develop osteoarthritis and illnesses like diabetes.

Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes.  The Memphis area has a large population of mosquitoes and sometimes they can come indoors. Letting your dog outside for potty breaks or going on a walk exposes him to danger. It only takes one mosquito bite to transmit heartworms.  It is far less costly to prevent heartworms than to treat them. It is also healthier for pets to avoid having to go through such a rigorous treatment.

Chronic ear infections can be one of the most frustrating situations that clients can deal with.  Some pets almost never get them, and others have them frequently.  Ear infections usually start as the result of allergies which create inflammation in the skin on the body and that lines the ears.  The ears are a moist environment with little airflow.  The canine ear canal is actually L-shaped, with a vertical and a horizontal component.  Treatment involves addressing the underlying allergies, as well as thoroughly cleaning and medicating the entire ear canal.  Success in resolution lies in thoroughly addressing and eliminating the problem, then taking preventative measures to avoid future infections.

Many exotic pets (birds, rabbits, hamsters, bearded dragons, fish) do not need yearly vaccinations but their lifespans are generally fairly short and thus, tend to age much faster than humans.  Exotic pets can have special needs, such as continuously growing teeth which can overgrow, sensitive tummies that require special diets, and very particular housing/husbandry needs.  Many exotic pets tend to mask illness until they are critically ill.  I recommend twice-yearly exams for these pets.

Allergies in pets are as common as they are with humans.  While many humans tend to sneeze and get itchy eyes, pets are frequently affected in their skin.  Signs of itchy skin include licking the feet, scratching, development of hot spots, darkening of the skin, and odor.  Some pets also have eye drainage and coughing.  There are many ways to manage allergies in pets, including oral medication, injectable medication, allergy testing, and hypoallergenic diets.

Declawing includes surgical amputation of the last digit of each toe in order to prevent nail regrowth.  As such, it is a major surgery and can cause significant postoperative pain. There are other considerations that, in our opinion, are more important than any reason a pet owner might have in deciding to request this surgery. Aside from the obvious pain and lengthy recovery time- and the expense of the procedure, this surgery leaves the cat defenseless in any fight with another animal and eliminates the cat’s ability to escape from danger by climbing. This surgery is not available from Barks and Medication, but we would welcome the opportunity to discuss alternatives with you.

There are literally thousands of diets available for pets now.  Things to consider when purchasing a diet include 1) Life stage of pet, 2) weight of pet in relation to ideal body weight, 3) ingredient list, and 4) AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) compliance.  Grain free diets are popular right now, but the FDA has found that these diets can be lacking in essential nutrients which can lead to heart disease.  Please consider speaking with your veterinarian about food recommendations for your particular pet.

While most pets won’t be getting teeth whitening or braces, oral health is a serious matter.  Tartar build-up occurs over time and can cause inflammation of the gum tissue and bone loss.  This can lead to significant pain and bad breath.  Regular preventative care and yearly dental cleanings can reduce the development of periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease is a progressive condition and tends to worsen over time.

It is fairly common for clients to express disdain at their pet eating its own stool.  Why do dogs do that?  Some young puppies are very mouth-oriented and learn about their environment through tasting things. There is also an instinctual component that goes back thousands of years to a time when females with a litter of pups ate their stools to help prevent detection by predators. Often this problem subsides over time.  For pets who continue this behavior, there are supplements made which can be added to the diet to discourage eating stool.  This trains pets to dislike the taste and avoid eating it in the future.  Many pets eat grass/weeds.  In small amounts, this can be normal behavior.  Plant material can help with fiber and stool passage.  Pets tend to eat grass sometimes when they have an upset stomach.  In these cases, the underlying cause of the stomach troubles needs to be investigated.

“Personally, I have always felt that the best doctor in the world is the Veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what is the matter…he’s just got to know.”

Will Rogers, American Film Star

“Perhaps one reason we are fascinated by cats is because such a small animal can contain so much independence, dignity, and freedom of spirit. Unlike the dog, the cat’s personality is never bet on a human’s. He demands acceptance on his own terms.” 

Lloyd Alexander, American Author

“Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character; and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.”

Arthur Schopenhaur, German Philosopher

Professional Pet Care

Pet owners trust us to look after the needs of their beloved companions. We are specialists committed to delivering the very highest of veterinary care and affection.

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