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
