FAQs – Southlake Animal Hospital in Merrillville, IN
Southlake Animal Hospital provides full-service veterinary care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and exotic pets in Merrillville, IN, serving Crown Point and surrounding communities. We combine conventional veterinary medicine with holistic and integrative approaches to provide individualized care for your pet. This FAQ answers common questions about our veterinary services, specialized therapies, preventative care, urgent care, and what to expect when you become a client.
New Clients and General Care
Where is Southlake Animal Hospital located?
Southlake Animal Hospital is located at 3570 E. Lincoln Hwy in Merrillville, IN 46410. We serve pet owners throughout Merrillville, Crown Point, and surrounding communities in Northwest Indiana. Our convenient location makes it easier for local families to access comprehensive veterinary care for their pets.
What are Southlake Animal Hospital’s hours?
Our regular hours are:
- Monday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–6 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Because our hours vary by day, we recommend contacting us before visiting, especially if your pet needs urgent care.
How do I contact Southlake Animal Hospital?
You can contact Southlake Animal Hospital at 219-942-0909 or reach out through our Contact page. We can help with questions about appointments, veterinary services, urgent concerns, and your pet’s ongoing care.
How do I become a client of Southlake Animal Hospital?
New clients are encouraged to review our new-client information and fill out the new client form before scheduling care. These forms gather information about your pet’s medical history, current concerns, and healthcare needs so we can develop an individualized approach to veterinary care.
Can I meet with a Southlake veterinarian virtually for my pet’s care?
Yes. Eligible clients can meet virtually with a licensed integrative veterinarian online. Virtual appointments may be available for current Southlake Animal Hospital clients as well as pets with a diagnosis from another veterinarian. During the consultation, we can discuss your pet’s health, nutrition, wellness, and integrative care options, and we will let you know if an in-person examination or additional veterinary care is needed.
What makes Southlake Animal Hospital different from other veterinary clinics?
We combine conventional veterinary medicine with holistic and integrative approaches, including Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, acupuncture, Tui-na, veterinary medical manipulation, ultraviolet ozone therapy, and laser therapy. We also care for birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets in addition to dogs and cats. Our approach focuses on the individual patient and may incorporate nutrition, diagnostics, pain management, and complementary therapies as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Emergency and Urgent Care
What signs mean my pet needs veterinary care immediately?
Sudden or significant changes in your pet’s condition can require immediate veterinary attention. Concerning signs include difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, sudden weakness, inability to urinate, major injuries, loss of consciousness, or known or suspected toxin ingestion. For birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets, changes such as unusual inactivity, difficulty maintaining normal posture, or significant changes in eating or elimination can also be concerning. If you are unsure whether your pet’s condition is urgent, contact us or an emergency veterinary hospital for guidance.
Does Southlake Animal Hospital provide emergency veterinary care?
We can accommodate emergency cases during our available business hours, including same-day emergency or emergency drop-off appointments when available. We are not a 24-hour emergency animal hospital. When we are closed, we refer pet owners to Animal Urgent Care in Crown Point and North Central Veterinary Emergency Center in Highland for after-hours emergency treatment.
Services and Medical Care
What veterinary services does Southlake Animal Hospital offer?
We provide a broad range of veterinary services for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and exotic pets. Our services include wellness care and vaccinations, diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, critical care, cardiology, radiology, allergy and dermatology care, behavioral counseling, nutrition and weight management, pain and mobility care, microchipping, and palliative and end-of-life care. We also offer several integrative therapies that we can incorporate into individualized treatment plans.
How does holistic and integrative veterinary care work?
Holistic and integrative veterinary care considers your pet’s overall health rather than focusing only on an individual symptom or condition. We may combine conventional veterinary medicine with approaches such as acupuncture, Tui-na, veterinary medical manipulation, laser therapy, nutrition, and other therapies based on your pet’s needs. Our holistic and integrative veterinary care approach considers your pet’s medical condition, comfort, lifestyle, and quality of life when developing a comprehensive plan.
Can holistic veterinary care benefit birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets?
Integrative care can be considered for many species, including birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets. We consider each animal’s species, anatomy, physiology, environment, nutrition, and medical history when developing a treatment plan. Because exotic pets often have specialized healthcare needs, we encourage owners to seek veterinary care from a team familiar with their species.
What is veterinary acupuncture, and which pets may benefit from it?
Veterinary acupuncture uses carefully placed needles to stimulate specific points on the body and may be incorporated into treatment plans for pain, mobility concerns, and other conditions. We evaluate each pet individually to determine whether acupuncture may be a useful part of care. We provide veterinary acupuncture as one of our integrative treatment options.
What is Tui-na therapy for pets?
Tui-na is a therapeutic massage technique used in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine that involves specific hands-on techniques to address physical and energetic balance. We may incorporate Tui-na into an individualized treatment plan for pets with certain pain, mobility, or other health concerns. This gentle therapy can be used alongside conventional veterinary care and other integrative treatments.
What is ultraviolet ozone therapy, and can it help my pet?
Ultraviolet ozone therapy is an integrative treatment that uses ultraviolet light and ozone in a controlled therapeutic process. We can evaluate whether this therapy may be appropriate for your pet based on their individual health needs. We provide ultraviolet ozone therapy as one option within our broader integrative approach.
How can laser therapy help my pet?
Laser therapy uses focused light energy to treat certain medical issues, such as pain, inflammation, and tissue-healing concerns. We may recommend laser therapy as part of a broader treatment plan.
Does my pet need professional dental care?
Professional dental care is an important part of preventative veterinary medicine because dental disease can cause pain and affect your pet’s overall health. We provide veterinary dental care to identify plaque, tartar, gum disease, damaged teeth, and other oral health concerns. We can also recommend home dental care to help maintain your pet’s oral health between professional cleanings.
What diagnostic testing is available for pets?
We provide veterinary diagnostic services to help us identify and monitor medical conditions. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and needs, diagnostics may include X-rays, ultrasound, radiology, and other testing. Diagnostic information helps us make more informed decisions about treatment and ongoing care.
How do you approach pet nutrition and weight management?
We evaluate your pet’s diet, body condition, lifestyle, health history, and nutritional needs when developing nutrition or weight-management recommendations. We can help choose a species-appropriate diet, and monitor progress over time. Our pet nutrition guidance can be especially important for pets with chronic health conditions or changing needs as they age.
How does Southlake Animal Hospital approach preventative wellness and vaccinations?
Preventative wellness begins with regular veterinary examinations, appropriate vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition, dental care, and monitoring for early signs of disease. We tailor recommendations to your pet’s species, age, lifestyle, health history, and exposure risks. We may also discuss titer testing when evaluating whether an individual pet needs additional vaccinations. Learn more about our wellness and vaccination care.
Can you help with chronic pain or mobility problems?
Yes. We provide evaluation and treatment options for pets experiencing chronic pain, mobility changes, or other conditions that affect comfort and movement. Depending on the underlying problem, we may combine conventional medical care with acupuncture, Tui-na, veterinary medical manipulation, laser therapy, nutrition, and other integrative approaches. We focus on helping each pet maintain comfort, function, and quality of life.
Contact Our Merrillville, IN Animal Clinic
Southlake Animal Hospital provides comprehensive veterinary care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and exotic pets in Merrillville, IN, serving Crown Point and surrounding Northwest Indiana communities. From preventative wellness and vaccinations to diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, critical care, nutrition, and integrative therapies such as acupuncture and laser therapy, we offer individualized care for pets with a wide range of needs. If you are looking for a veterinarian in Merrillville or an animal hospital near you, call 219-942-0909 or visit our Contact page to learn more about our veterinary services and schedule care for your pet.