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FAQs

General Questions

Do I need an appointment?

We provide urgent care and accept walk-ins. The cost of urgent visits is higher than scheduled visits. If you come in with an emergency, a veterinarian or veterinary technician will quickly assess your pet's condition. True emergencies are always priorities, so your pet receives the immediate attention they deserves.

Where are you located?

We are conveniently located at 7815 Terrey Pine Court, Eden Prairie 55437. (see map)

From the North: 494 South to Hwy 212/5 West exit. Stay right at the split for Hwy 212 to head onto Hwy 5. Take a left on Eden Prairie Road (approx. 2.5 miles from 494). Take a right onto Terrey Pine Drive (one block.) Turn right onto Terrey Pine Court. Our building is on the left.

From the West: Take Hwy 5 East to Eden Prairie Road and take a right. Take a right onto Terrey Pine Drive (one block). Turn right onto Terrey Pine Court. Our building is on the left.

From the South: 169 North to 494 West. Take Hwy 212/5 West. Stay right at the split for Hwy 212 to head onto Hwy 5. Take a left on Eden Prairie Road (approx. 2.5 miles from 494) Take a right onto Terrey Pine Drive (one block). Turn right onto Terrey Pine Court. Our building is on the left.

From the East: 494 West. Take Hwy 212/5 West. Stay right at the split for Hwy 212 to head onto Hwy 5. Take a left on Eden Prairie Road (approx. 2.5 miles from 494) Take a right onto Terrey Pine Drive (one block). Turn right onto Terrey Pine Court. Our building is on the left.

What is "Urgent Care"?

Urgent Care helps prevent veterinary emergencies from occurring. A typical urgent case is a pet who has not consumed food or water for more than 24 hours. Other problems may include difficulties walking, eliminating or breathing. Vomiting or diarrhea will always contribute to these problems.

The most critical emergency we see is respiratory distress. If your pet's gums look blue, or it has to keep its mouth open to breathe, it should be seen quickly. Pets with respiratory distress will be treated first, even if there is another appointment in progress. We break away for all emergencies.

Pets that present with vomiting or diarrhea should be seen if symptoms exceed twelve hours or immediately if your pet is weak or depressed. Many of these will spend a day in the clinic for diagnostic work-up and supportive therapy. We have full in-house laboratory capabilities and digital radiography to determine the source of your pet's problems and to begin treatments that provide a quick and appropriate cure.

If you're not certain of the severity of your pet's problems, remember that the costs of examining and monitoring your pet for a day are often less than an emergency visit. We believe in the adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Please call on us if you have any questions.

How can I reach the clinic after hours?

If you call the clinic after-hours, you will hear a recording directing you to to BluePearl Veterinary Partners at (952) 942-8272. Call them with the concerns about your pet's condition. Prairie Village Pet Hospital is open at 7:30am Monday through Friday, 8:00am on Saturdays. Any communication after-hours is generally arranged between the veterinarian and client.

Can I visit my pet in the hospital?

Yes, we generally ask that you call first. We typically arrange visitation times during slower periods of the day. If your pet requires intense support, your visit may be in the treatment area. Otherwise, we arrange visits in one of our examination rooms. We ask that you limit your visits to 30 minutes so we can maintain a quiet, controlled treatment environment for your best friend.

Service Questions

What vaccines does my pet need regularly?

It depends on the age and environment your pet will be in. Younger pets need more vaccinations initially to prepare their immune systems to respond to a variety of different viruses and bacteria that could make them very sick and possibly die. Generally if your pet goes outdoors or has frequent contact with other pets, expect to use more vaccine options to provide complete protection. We tailor our vaccines to meet the individual needs of your pet. All pets should have current Rabies vaccine. If your pet does not have protection against Rabies and bites someone, the individual that is bitten can request immediate euthanasia of your pet to have it Rabies tested. That is sad, unfortunate situation that we try to prevent. We will go over the vaccines we think your pet should have based on its lifestyle and inherent risks.

Some of the non-core vaccines that we offer are those for Lyme Disease, Leptospirosis, Bordetella (or Kennel Cough), and Feline Leukemia.

Do you microchips pets?

Yes, we use the AKC Microchip System, which is a popular brand in our area. AKC has a 24-hour hotline to help contact owners of lost pets. A microchip is the size of a rice grain and inserted under the skin. Most pets tolerate placement of the microchip quite well.

What's the benefit of microchipping?

By microchipping your pet, you increase the likelihood of having your pet recovered. It is truly a lifesaver if your pet gets out of the house without an ID tag or collar. Most clinics, shelters and rescue facilities have electronic scanners that detect a variety of microchips and phone numbers to recovery centers to ensure the fastest return possible if your pet is lost.

What pet foods do you sell?

The veterinarian will recommend pet foods depending on the age and special needs of your pet. The amount of food may be as important as the type of food you feed. The most common nutritional problem we see is obesity, a condition caused by excessive caloric intake for your pet's age and activity. If clients find it difficult to measure feeding amounts consistently, we offer nutritionally balanced, calorie-controlled foods that help maintain your pet's ideal weight more easily.

Some pets have medical conditions, such as allergies, kidney disease or urinary tract disorders, which respond well to our prescription diets. All our foods are competitively priced and nutritionally balanced to meet or exceed AAFCO (American Feed Control Officials) guidelines. Make sure the veterinarian does a complete nutritional evaluation when your pet has an annual exam. If your pet requires a special diet, please call us first to be sure we have your preferred food in stock.

Do you treat reptiles, birds and other exotic pets?

We treat rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, gerbils and other small furry pocket pets. We do wellness exams, nail and teeth trims, or urgent exams. We do not routinely treat reptiles, fish, or insects. Any orphaned wild animals should be left alone initially so that parent animals can tend to them. If you feel human intervention is necessary please contact the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for further recommendations or care.

Special Concerns

What do I do if my pet has swallowed poison?

If we are open, bring your pet immediately to our clinic. Depending on the poison and how long it has been ingested, we may be able to remove the majority of it before it gets into your pets bloodstream. We do this by inducing vomiting to eliminate the material or administering activated charcoal to absorb any residual toxins. Bring all information regarding the ingredients of the suspected toxins with you to the clinic. Call us and let us know you are coming. We may give you the number of the Pet Poison Helpline,1 (800) 213-6680 to get information on the substance if we are not familiar with it. If poisoning occurs after our regularly scheduled hours, call BluePearl Veterinary Partners at (952) 942-8272.

When should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

We generally recommend your pet is sterilized at 6 months, however there are certain situations when we will spay or neuter your pet earlier or later. The doctor will discuss this with you if that's the case.

Isn't it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?

There are no proven health benefits from letting your pet get pregnant. Sometimes pregnancy and parturition can be dangerous, especially in smaller dogs. Raising puppies and kittens is a lot of work and there are a lot of unwanted pets looking for homes. Don't contribute to pet overpopulation. Make sure you have interested parties for the puppies or kittens before you consider breeding your pet.

Can I get Heartworm Disease?

Heartworms will not grow significantly in the human heart. Aberrant heartworm infections have been documented in humans, but life stages stall out and do not progress into full fledged Heartworm Disease.

How does a dog get Heartworm Disease?

The adult heartworm lives in the heart of dogs and cats. The adults produces small larva that circulate in the blood. It is the small larva that mosquitoes ingest and can transfer to other dogs or cats. We call an insect that transfers a disease, a vector. Heartworms can only be transferred by vectors, not from contact of saliva, urine or fecal material. Heartworm preventative kills the small larvae that migrate through the tissues toward your pet's heart after they have been bitten by an infected mosquito.

Heartworm preventative is not 100%, even when clients are diligent about giving it monthly. We test for Heartworm Disease yearly and recommend Heartworm preventative in all dogs and outdoor cats. We typically recommend giving heartworm preventative to your pet through the months May to November.

What are the signs that my pet may be ready for euthanasia?

The decision to euthanize a beloved pet is difficult, potentially confusing and emotionally draining. Your choice to euthanize a pet will impact others in your household, both animal and human.

Although the choice is yours, your veterinarian will help you weigh the pros and cons of palliative care vs. euthanasia, so you can decide what is best for your pet with confidence and conviction.

You and your veterinarian will probably address some of these questions as you formulate a decision, particularly if your pet has been diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness, or is a geriatric patient:

  • Has your pet lost interest in food or consumed far less water than usual?
  • Is your pet less responsive to your commands and affection?
  • In felines, does your cat hide for much of the day, avoiding food and contact, especially if prolonged hiding isn't typical for your pet?
  • Are there signs of acute problems, such as the appearance of blood in stools or urine, or an inability to withhold urine or feces?
  • Are your pet's gums unusually pale, or their breathing labored?
  • Has your pet been unusually lethargic for more than 24 hours, or experienced extreme difficulty in rising and walking.


These, and other signs, may suggest your pet's quality of life may have diminished and that euthanasia is an option. In most cases, our veterinarians will present you with options for palliative (or supportive) care vs. euthanasia. In some cases, the signs and symptoms you report may indicate an illness or temporary disability treatable with medication and adjunct therapies.

When in doubt, contact the clinic as soon as possible for an evaluation.