Hospital Information

Meet Our Doctors

Dane Ratajski, DVM

Dane Ratajski, DVM

Cypress Lake Animal Hospital
Although originally from Baltimore, Dr. Ratajski achieved his undergraduate degree at Auburn University in Alabama.  After various pursuits (including spending four years umpiring Minor League Baseball!), Dr. Ratajski ventured down to veterinary school at Ross University on the island of St. Kitts. While in the clinic, Dr. Ratajski most enjoys internal medicine and surgery.  Outside the clinic, Dr. Ratajski is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, kayaking, snowboarding, hiking, and camping. Dr. Ratajski loves to travel, and has been to 45 states and 21 countries.

Tripp Cappelmann, DVM

Cypress Lake Animal Hospital
Dr. Cappelmann “Dr. Capp”  grew up in South Carolina and graduated from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.  Dr. Capp is passionate about both medicine and surgery and offering the absolute best care for all small animal patients.  In his free time he enjoys spending time doing outdoor activities with his family like hiking, fishing, and going to the beach.  He is thrilled to join this great team and excited for all that southwest Florida has to offer!
Paul Harper, DVM

Paul Harper, DVM

Cypress Lake Animal Hospital
Dr. Paul Harper was born and raised in Buffalo, NY.  He attended the Ohio State University for his undergraduate education and graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, Western New York Veterinary Medical Association, and the Niagara Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Harper also partners with our hospital to provide advanced surgical services, ensuring our patients can receive specialized care without being referred elsewhere. His areas of interest include orthopedic surgery (fracture repair, TPLO, MPL, etc), soft tissue surgery, and emergency/critical care.

Vicki Scott, DVM

Cypress Lake Animal Hospital
Dr. Vicki Scott is originally from New York and earned both her Master of Science degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Kansas State University. After graduation, Dr. Scott began practicing veterinary medicine in Lee County, Florida, where she spent six and a half years in general practice before opening her own veterinary hospital in 1991. She owned and operated the practice for nearly 20 years, building lasting relationships with clients and providing compassionate care to generations of pets. Today, she is proud to continue serving the Fort Myers community as a member of the Cypress Lake Animal Hospital team. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Scott enjoys spending time with her own furry (and shelled!) family, which includes six cats, two dogs, and a tortoise. Dr. Scott looks forward to building lasting relationships with clients while providing compassionate, high-quality care for their pets.

Abigail Uhrinek, DVM

Cypress Lake Animal Hospital
Dr. Uhrinek grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Vincent College before attending the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include diagnostic imaging, cardiology, and internal medicine. She currently has a cat named Elizabeth and is excited to welcome a poodle puppy soon. Outside of work, Dr. Uhrinek enjoys visiting Disney and Universal theme parks, spending time at the beach, and traveling.

Getting Ready for Your Appointment

We offer appointments 6 days a week! Please call  (239) 268-4343 to schedule an appointment, or use our virtual assistant Sophie in the bottom right corner to schedule an appointment online! 

Got Records?

Please bring your pet's health records to your appointment.

Questions? We Have Answers!

We encourage you to prepare a list of questions prior to your appointment. We're happy to share advice on grooming, diet, behaviors, and more.

Pro Tip: Take a Picture or Video

Take a picture or video! An itch, cough, or shake can be hard to describe, and our pets often don't do things at the vet that we see them do at home. A picture or video can really help our vets narrow down what's going on.

Snacky Pets Encouraged

If possible, don't feed your pet right before a visit. We may use treats to help your pet feel comfortable with us, and we want every appointment to be a positive one!

CONVENIENCE

  • Drop Off Appointments

    For your convenience, we offer “drop-off” appointments. This means you have the option to bring your pet in at the time that works best for you, and leave him/her with us for a couple of hours. Once the doctor has examined your pet, you will receive a call to go over the exam findings. From that point we will organize a pick up time for your pet.

  • Concierge Appointments

    Need some help getting your pet inside? We also offer concierge appointments: simply let the front desk know before your appointment that you would like help with your furry friend, and a member of our team will meet you at your car to help bring your pet inside!

ACCESSIBILITY

  • Virtual Assistant

    Our virtual assistant, Sophie, is available 24/7 to help with appointment requests, online food and medication refills, and other common questions. With Sophie, help is always within paw’s reach! Simply tap or click the blue icon in the bottom right corner to get started.

  • Off of US-41

    Cypress Lake Animal Hospital is conveniently located just off US-41 in Fort Myers, making it easy to reach from surrounding neighborhoods and communities throughout the area. With quick access from one of Southwest Florida’s main routes, getting your pet to their appointment is simple and convenient.

LESS STRESS, MORE TAIL WAGS & PURRS!

We know vet visits can be stressful — for pets and their people! At Cypress Lake Animal Hospital, we use a combination of comfort-focused design and gentle care practices to help every visit feel calmer and more comfortable for your furry friend.

Happy Visits

Sometimes a visit is just about building trust! We offer free Happy Visits during our regular business hours, which let your pet stop by for treats, praise, and positive experiences with our team — no exams required — so the clinic becomes a place they feel good about.

Calm Music

Soft, calming music plays throughout the hospital to help reduce stress and create a soothing atmosphere. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference for anxious pets.

PVPs (Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals)

For pets who need a little extra support, pre-visit pharmaceuticals can help take the edge off anxiety before they arrive. Used thoughtfully and safely, they make appointments smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.

Pheromones

We use calming pheromones throughout the hospital to help pets feel more relaxed in an unfamiliar environment. These scent signals are species-specific and naturally reassuring.

Quiet Exam Rooms

Our exam rooms are designed to be calm, quiet spaces with minimal distractions. Less noise and movement means pets can settle in more easily and feel secure during their visit.

Hospital Tour

Hospital Policies

Policies

For your protection and the safety of your pet and others, we require that all patients be placed on a leash, or contained in pet carriers. All pets are to be properly controlled while in the waiting room and the exam room.

We accept cash, Mastercard/VISA/Discover/American Express and CareCredit. Payment is expected when services are rendered. We will gladly prepare you a written estimate of services prior to the treatment of your pet if you desire. 

In urgent or emergency situations, a pet may require immediate stabilization or life-saving care before a full treatment plan can be discussed. This can include initial diagnostics, pain control, fluid therapy, oxygen support, or other appropriate interventions necessary to stabilize your pet so that further evaluation and treatment can be provided safely. In these cases, you will be asked to review and sign a stabilization consent form that outlines possible services and associated costs.

Please don’t hesitate to speak with us if you have questions about emergency care, financial policies, or how we handle urgent situations. Your peace of mind matters to us.

Payments

Payment options for hospital services include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and cash. 

We also accept CareCredit financing.