Frequently Asked Questions

During your pet's first exam, our professional team at Three Trails Animal Hospital will conduct a comprehensive health check to evaluate your pet's overall condition. This checkup will include a full physical exam, screening for everyday health issues, and a detailed discussion about your pet's medical history. We will also provide guidance on nutrition, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and preventive care to ensure your pet's long-term well-being.

Three Trails Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary clinic offering a wide range of services tailored to your pet's needs. These include Preventative Care, Diagnostic Care, Veterinary Pet Surgery, Pet Dental Services, Pain Management, Laser Therapy, Senior Pet Care, and Exotic Pet Care. We also offer boarding, grooming, microchipping, health and travel certificates, nutrition and weight management counseling, behavioral counseling, and allergy and dermatology services.

Yes, we are happy to assist you in scheduling an appointment with your preferred veterinarian at Three Trails Animal Hospital. Our experienced team includes Dr. Rick Schrock, Dr. Emily Shearhart, Dr. Cheri Appling, Dr. Liz Vander Vennet, and Dr. Calla Reilly. If your chosen vet is unavailable, we will arrange an appointment with the next available doctor to ensure your pet receives timely care. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible while always prioritizing your pet's well-being. You can also book easily through our PetDesk app.

During your pet's first visit to Three Trails Animal Hospital, our team will perform a thorough physical examination and review their medical history with you. We encourage you to share any concerns, and we are happy to answer questions about preventive care, nutrition, and parasite control. First-time appointments may take a little longer since we want to learn everything about your pet's health. This visit allows us to create a personalized care plan that sets your pet on the right path to a long and healthy life.

Yes, Three Trails Animal Hospital provides safe and effective spay and neuter surgeries performed by our highly experienced veterinary surgeons. We recommend this procedure for all pets that will not be purposefully and responsibly bred, typically between 5 to 12 months of age. Prior to surgery, we conduct a thorough preoperative examination and blood panel to ensure your pet is healthy and ready for anesthesia. Spaying and neutering offer numerous benefits, including longer life expectancy, reduced roaming behavior in males, and prevention of unplanned litters.

Yes, Three Trails Animal Hospital provides official health and travel certificates to help your pet meet travel requirements. Our team will conduct a thorough health examination to verify your pet is in good health and up to date on required vaccinations before issuing the certificate. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, we ensure the process is handled accurately and efficiently so your pet can travel safely and with confidence.

Three Trails Animal Hospital is conveniently located at 600 West 23rd St S, Independence, MO 64055, between S Crysler Ave and S McCoy St. We are open six days a week: Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We are closed on Sundays.

Wellness exams are one of the most important steps you can take to protect your pet's long-term health. At Three Trails Animal Hospital, our veterinarians highly recommend scheduling a wellness examination once or twice a year depending on your pet's age and health status. These exams allow our team to monitor overall health, catch early signs of disease or pain, update vaccinations, and provide preventive care such as parasite control and nutrition guidance..

Vaccination schedules vary based on your pet's age, overall health, and lifestyle. Puppies and kittens typically require a series of boosters every few weeks during their first year, while adult pets generally need annual or triennial vaccines depending on the type. At Three Trails Animal Hospital, we carefully research and choose the most effective vaccines for each patient, including core vaccines such as Rabies, Distemper, and Parvo, as well as lifestyle-based vaccines like Lyme and Bordetella.

Watch for changes in your pet's appetite, energy levels, bathroom habits, vomiting, coughing, or unusual behavior. Early symptoms can sometimes be subtle, so if you notice anything out of the ordinary, it is important to bring your pet in promptly. At Three Trails Animal Hospital, our diagnostic services include digital X-rays, ultrasound imaging, an in-house laboratory, urinalysis, fecal testing, heartworm testing, and more.

Yes, Three Trails Animal Hospital uses advanced diagnostic imaging tools including digital X-rays and ultrasound to detect a wide range of conditions. Digital X-rays can identify fractures, tumors, foreign body ingestion, and organ abnormalities with reduced radiation exposure and faster, clearer results. Ultrasound imaging allows our team to visualize internal organs, detect pregnancies, identify cysts, and diagnose heart disease non-invasively. Our in-house diagnostic lab further supports rapid test results, which means faster diagnoses and quicker treatment plans for your pet.

Recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed. At Three Trails Animal Hospital, our advanced surgical suite and skilled veterinary team take every precaution to ensure your pet's safety, health, and comfort before, during, and after surgery. Most pets begin healing within days, and for routine procedures like spay and neuter, recovery is typically simple with minimal aftercare. Our team will provide detailed discharge instructions, pain management guidance, and post-operative support to help your pet heal comfortably and properly.

Scheduling a surgical consultation at Three Trails Animal Hospital is simple. You can call us at 816-252-5105 or book an appointment online or through our PetDesk app. Our team will walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have about the procedure, preparation, and what to expect. We offer a full range of surgical services including general and advanced soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, spay and neuter, mass removal, and surgical oncology, among others.

Yes, Three Trails Animal Hospital offers professional dental cleanings to maintain your pet's oral health. Our veterinarians recommend annual dental assessments, which can often be completed during a routine wellness exam. By age three, nearly 80% of dogs and cats are predicted to have some form of dental disease, which is why preventive dental care is so important.

Yes, if your pet is experiencing a dental emergency such as severe pain, a broken tooth, or signs of infection, we encourage you to contact Three Trails Animal Hospital right away. Our experienced team will promptly assess the situation and provide the necessary treatment to relieve pain and prevent further complications. Signs of dental disease that may require urgent attention include difficulty chewing, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, and persistent bad breath.

No, professional dental cleanings at Three Trails Animal Hospital are not painful for your pet. All cleanings are performed under general anesthesia, ensuring your pet remains relaxed and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Anesthesia also allows our veterinary team to perform a thorough cleaning safely without risk of movement or stress. Following the procedure, we provide pain management support and post-care instructions to aid recovery.

At Three Trails Animal Hospital, we recommend that senior pets visit the veterinarian at least twice a year. Since some pets are considered to reach senior age as early as seven years old, more frequent checkups become essential to detect and manage age-related health concerns early. Our senior pet care services are designed to help aging pets live longer, more comfortable lives through proactive monitoring, early diagnosis, and tailored treatment plans.

Three Trails Animal Hospital offers comprehensive pain management services for pets experiencing arthritis and joint discomfort. Our team creates personalized treatment plans that may include medications, Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMOADs), supplements, and lifestyle recommendations to improve your pet's comfort and mobility. We also offer laser therapy as a non-invasive treatment option that helps reduce pain and inflammation, regenerates cells, improves blood circulation, and increases endorphin levels to provide natural pain relief.

Yes, Three Trails Animal Hospital proudly offers veterinary laser therapy as part of our advanced treatment services. Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused light energy to penetrate deep into tissue, stimulating cell regeneration, improving blood circulation, and increasing the body's natural endorphins to reduce pain and inflammation. It can be highly effective for conditions such as arthritis, post-surgical recovery, soft tissue injuries, and chronic pain, and it requires no incisions or anesthesia.

Absolutely! Patients from Independence and neighboring communities such as Kansas City, Blue Springs, Sugar Creek, and Lee’s Summit are welcome at Three Trails Animal Hospital. Our location at 600 West 23rd St S, Independence, MO 64055 is open to new patients. Feel free to call 816-252-5105 or schedule your appointment online at your convenience.