Frequently Asked Questions

No. Hueytown Veterinary Clinic operates on a walk‑in only model with the exception of surgical procedures for all veterinary services. This means you can bring your pet in at your convenience during our regular doctor hours — no scheduling required. We recommend arriving early if possible to minimize wait times, especially on weekends or during peak hours.

We’re open 7 days a week, including Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. Doctor hours differ from reception hours. Please see our Contact page for full schedules before visiting.

Puppies can begin vaccinations between 6–8 weeks of age. Kittens typically start vaccinations at 12 weeks of age.

Please call our team to schedule your pet for surgery. While we welcome walk-ins for all other forms of care, we practice surgery on a prescheduled basis only to better ensure the health and safety of all patients. Surgery is available Monday — Friday only (no weekend slots).

To ensure the safety and health of all pets, we require:

• Dogs: Rabies, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus), leptospirosis, keyscreen fecal, and Bordetella (kennel cough)
• Cats: Rabies, feline leukemia, keyscreen fecal, and core feline vaccines (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia)

Full details are available on our Pet Health Requirements page.

Yes. All boarding, daycare, and training guests must be on an approved year‑round flea/tick and heartworm prevention program. Proof of prevention will be requested at check‑in.

A fecal evaluation is a routine diagnostic test that checks your pet’s stool for intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and other organisms that may not be visible to the naked eye. Many pets with intestinal parasites show no obvious symptoms, so regular testing is an important part of preventive care—for your pet’s health and for the safety of people and other animals in the household.

There are two common types of fecal testing:

• Fecal float: This traditional test uses a solution to separate parasite eggs from the stool so they can be identified under a microscope. It is effective for detecting many common intestinal worms.
• Fecal KeyScreen (or antigen test): This is a more advanced test that looks for specific parasite antigens rather than eggs. It can detect certain parasites (like giardia) earlier or more reliably, even when eggs are not being shed.

In many cases, we recommend using both tests together for the most comprehensive screening.

Dogs are separated into play groups based on size, age, temperament, and play style to ensure a positive experience for all. We also offer individual play sessions for dogs who do better one‑on‑one with a staff member.

Puppies can be added to play groups or training at 12 weeks so long as they are current on vaccinations required at their age. The exact timing depends on your veterinarian’s vaccination schedule. Our team can help determine when your puppy is ready.

Absolutely. We welcome tours during our regular hours. No appointment is necessary — just stop by the Pet Lodge and a team member will be happy to show you around.

We use the PetDesk app for Pet Lodge reservation requests. You can download the app, connect it to our clinic, and request your pet’s stay directly from your phone. See Our App page for details and download links. We also take reservations over the phone.

All forms, including the New Client Form, Pet Boarding Form, New Pet Form, and Pet Lodge Waiver Form, are available on our Online Forms page. Completing them in advance helps speed up check‑in.

We accept all major credit cards, cash, and offer financing options through CareCredit, Scratchpay, and Cherry. Visit our Payment Options page to learn more.