Client Forms Lagniappe Animal Health

Welcome to Lagniappe Animal Health, formerly New Creations. This letter will acquaint you with our office policies and procedures. We strive for mutually respectful and thriving partnership with the wellbeing of your family and your pet’s health the top priority.

We are a privately owned small business offering comprehensive primary care to cats and dogs from birth throughout their senior years. Our doctor, Jennifer Ratliff, and staff work as a team, with a unified philosophy. We are a work family and want you to feel comfortable with each of us.

Office Hours

We will be open Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. You are welcome to drop your pet off on your way to work at no additional charge.

Veterinary Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)

We require yearly preventative well exams and heartworm testing. Patients of all ages with chronic health concerns and/or requiring daily medication and regular refills, may be required to follow up more frequently. For any prescription medications, including heartworm and parasite prevention products, a valid VCPR is required.

Appointments

Patients are seen by appointment. If you arrive without an appointment, we will do our best to work in as timely as possible. We will always do our best to schedule a same day appointment for an ill patient, but this may not be possible if it is late in the afternoon.

Please inform the person who is scheduling your appointment what you would like to discuss at that visit so that adequate time is allowed.

In the event of an emergency after hours, please contact the Animal Emergency Clinic in West Monroe at 318-410-0555.

Missed/Cancelled Appointments

We kindly request that you provide at least 24 hours cancellation notice so we can offer the time slot initially reserved for your pet to another family who needs it.

Late Arrivals

If you are running late for an appointment due to unforeseen circumstances, we ask that you please call our office to let us know that you are on your way, so that the staff can continue to see patients. Please be aware, notifying us of late arrival does not guarantee you will be seen close to your scheduled appointment time, and may result in a longer wait.

Waiting Room

Please keep all dogs on a short leash while in the clinic. Please keep all cats in a secure carrier for their safety. If you need assistance getting your pet into or out of our hospital, please let us know. We are happy to help.

Immunizations

Unless medically contraindicated, we advocate vaccinating all pets according to the schedule published by the American Animal Hospital Association. By law in Louisiana, pets MUST be up to date on their Rabies vaccination. This vaccine may only be given by a license veterinarian. Please note that due to safety and efficacy issues, vaccinations not administered by a veterinarian may not be recognized as valid by boarding or grooming facilities or other veterinary hospitals.

Aggressive Animals

We will do our best to safely and professionally handle pets that are aggressive. You may be asked to place a muzzle on aggressive dogs or give sedative and anxiety medications prior to your visit for the safety of you, the patients, and our staff.

Social Media

I understand social media platforms are provided to be informative and educational. I grant permission for my pets’ photo to be used in a positive way.

Payment

Payment is to be made when services are performed. Any estimate of charges for each procedure is only an approximation, and the final bill may be greater or less than this amount. Please feel free to discuss all aspects of your pet’s treatment and associated costs with a team member. We accept all major credit cards and Care Credit.

Complaint

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service or care provided by Lagniappe Animal Health, we want to know about it. You may express your concern to the veterinarian or practice manager. Unless we are aware of a problem, we are unable to correct it.

Thank you for entrusting us with your pet’s care.

Jennifer Ratliff, DVM

Jason Ratliff, Practice Manager

By typing your name below, this indicates that I read and understand the above stated policies. I understand that if I am not in compliance with the above state policies, services may be denied. 

We take pride in taking care of our guests. To ensure the safety of our guests and staff, we do require a current Rabies vaccine, per state law, and Bordetella vaccines. We highly recommend a distemper/parvo vaccine also. Your signature below releases Lagniappe Animal Health of any responsibility in the event you decline the recommended vaccines, and your pet becomes ill.

If fleas are seen on the pet, flea treatment will be administered at owner’s expense to protect other patients. A complimentary bath will be given if your pet stays more than 4 nights.

You are welcome to bring your pet’s personal belongings. While every effort will be made to return all items sent in good, clean condition, we are not responsible for lost, damaged, or soiled items.

If your pet becomes ill while boarding, Lagniappe Animal Health will make every attempt to notify you prior to performing any additional diagnostics or procedures that may be indicated. If they are unable to notify me, then only life saving measures will be performed at the expense of the owners.

Please inform our staff of any special requirements, medications, or health conditions that we need to know about to help insure a comfortable and safe stay.

Payment is to be made when the service is performed or when I take my pet home. I agree to pay in full for services rendered, including those deemed necessary for medical and/or surgical complications or unforeseen circumstances. Any estimate of charges for presently planned procedure is only an approximation, and the final bill may be greater or less than this amount. Please feel free to discuss all aspects of your pet’s treatment and associated costs.

Thank you for entrusting us with your pet’s care.

I authorize a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment with anesthesia for my pet. The nature and risks of this procedure have been explained to me. I understand that some risks exist with anesthesia, including death, and I am encouraged to discuss any concerns with my veterinarian before the procedure(s) are started. My signature on this consent form indicates that questions have been answered to my satisfaction. I authorize Lagniappe Animal Health to perform any additional diagnostics or procedures deemed necessary for any complications or unforeseen circumstances. I understand the risks and that the hospital team will do everything possible to reduce the risks to the lowest possible level. I will not hold Lagniappe Animal Health, the veterinarians, or any team member liable for any complications that may arise. Multiple procedures can result in extended anesthesia time and an increased risk of complications. Procedures will be performed in the best prioritized order, and the owner acknowledges that potentially not all procedures will be performed.

I understand that Lagniappe Animal Health requires Rabies and Bordetella vaccines for any hospitalized animals. We highly recommend distemper/parvo, leptospirosis, and influenza. Rabies is required by state law. All animals entering our facility will need proof of vaccines. If there is no proof of a current Rabies, then it will be administered at $15.00. A Bordetella vaccine is required to help protect against kennel cough while staying in a facility, $16.00

Bloodwork will be required (over 7 years of age) prior to anesthesia, but is recommended in all patients, including apparently healthy patients to help reduce the risks of anesthesia (detect systemic illness that may otherwise not be apparent). Any abnormalities can result in use of different medications or a cancelation of procedure. This is an additional cost of $79.00.

We believe in comprehensive pain management on all surgical patients. Proper pain medications will be administered in the hospital and sent home with each pet for further comfort. If indicated, antibiotics may also be needed at the time of a dental.

Payment is to be made when the service is performed or when I take my pet home. I agree to pay in full for services rendered, including those deemed necessary for medical and/or surgical complications or unforeseen

circumstances. Any estimate of charges for presently planned procedure is only an approximation, and the final bill may be greater or less than this amount. Please feel free to discuss all aspects of your pet’s treatment and associated costs.

Owner MUST initial ALL of the following: