Southpaw Animal Health

4.8 (493)
15421 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Southpaw Animal Health

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.

Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions

Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.

Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.

How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?

Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 891
4.5 ASPCA 11,682
4.9 Embrace 16,346
4.9 Fetch 7,632
4.2 Figo 2,594
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 9,949
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,323
4.0 MetLife 615
4.8 Nationwide 21,403
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 112
4.3 Pets Best 12,014
4.6 Pumpkin 1,406
4.6 Spot 6,737
4.9 Trupanion 64,967
4.8 Prudent Pet 125

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

Getting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask

Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:

Tell me about your experience with [pet type].

Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.

How do you handle emergencies?

You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.

How do you communicate with pet owners?

Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?

Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.

Do you have any questions for me about my pet?

This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.

Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?

Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.

Reviews from Google

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Amber Welsch

Everyone is amazing! Dr. Drake has saved my sweet fur baby more times than I can count. Literally, saved his life. Love this entire office. I drive from Orlando to come here

posted: 09/15/2023

Amir Bitaraf

As someone who recently moved to the USA, finding the right veterinary hospital for my dog was a top priority and a source of stress. My worries were completely put to rest after our visit to Southpaw Animal Health. The moment we walked through the door, we were greeted by a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The staff as a whole was attentive, making sure we felt comfortable from start to finish. What impressed me most was the level of patience and care shown towards my dog. The team took extra steps to ensure he was at ease before proceeding with any examinations or treatments, which made the experience much less stressful for both of us. Every doctor we interacted with was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to thoroughly answer all of my questions. I left feeling well-informed and confident in the treatment plan for my pet. I can't recommend Southpaw Animal Health enough. Their blend of expertise and genuine compassion for animals made our visit exceptional. Thank you, Southpaw Animal Health, for setting a new standard in veterinary care!

posted: 08/26/2023

Shelley W

I have been going to Southpaw Animal Health for several years. Dr. Drake was the vet I usually saw. She now has three other vets working with her. I have seen Dr. Hannon and Dr. Cruz-Castro and have been very pleased with them both. They were very caring and understanding of what was going on with my dog.

posted: 10/09/2023

Woody Short

What a wonderful experience. They really do care about how your pet is doing and called me to follow up. I would recommend them to any pet owner. Such a great team and will bring my little fur friend there from now on :-)

posted: 10/17/2023

Shay Pasquotto-Sanchez

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Dr. Drake. She was brilliant and compassionate and was everything you want and need from your vet. I came to see her for a second opinion, however… I won’t be returning to my original vet. My pup will only be back to Southpaw. Supporting staff was amazing as well. Thank you all so much for making my Maddie feel so comfortable (and me as well, of course).

posted: 08/16/2023