Many people adopt pets before starting their family, or they want to add pets to their household so their kids can experience the joys and responsibilities of caring for an animal. Pets with short lifespans, including fish or small mammals, also help teach children valuable lessons about life and death. No matter your reason for [...]
Florida’s climate makes the state a paradise for people—and parasites, including the heartworm-disease-carrying mosquito. Each year, an increasing number of dogs and cats are diagnosed with this life-threatening but easily preventable disease. Sadly, many infected pets don’t survive. Since the average number of Florida dogs testing positive for heartworm disease has been 15,000 each year [...]
The dedicated people who work in veterinary medicine care deeply about animals and work tirelessly to make a difference every day. However, a veterinary career can be extremely rewarding—and extremely stressful. Veterinary professionals are at high risk for burnout, mental illness, and suicide. Our Wellness Animal Hospital team appreciates our caring clients, and many of [...]
Periodontal disease is a painful but preventable condition that can negatively impact your pet’s quality and length of life. After your pet eats, the food particles that remain in their mouth attract bacteria, which form deposits on their teeth called plaque. Minerals in the saliva precipitate and settle in these deposits, and harden into tartar. [...]
Every year, 38.5% of U.S. adults make New Year’s resolutions—most of which focus on health, diet, and personal wellness. Unfortunately, your pet doesn’t share your lofty ambitions, nor do they have any concept of wellness. So, you’re responsible to help build your pet’s healthy habits, effect positive change, and provide them with the best care [...]
Spaying or neutering your pet is important to help mitigate animal shelter overpopulation and to increase your pet’s longevity. However, deciding on the right time to spay or neuter your pet can be confusing, and some pet owners question whether they should have the procedure performed at all. Our Wellness Animal Hospital team wants to [...]
Are you already thinking about holiday gifts for your pet? Pets are not picky, and they are sure to appreciate a cozy new bed, food puzzle, or squeaky toy—any gift at all. Well, almost any. Unfortunately the holidays also bring potentially harmful food, decorations, and new situations that can be gifts your pet would rather [...]
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s 2018 survey, 55.8% of dogs and 59.5% of cats are clinically overweight or obese. These percentages have risen since 2010, when added pounds or obesity affected 43% of dogs and 53% of cats, making extra weight in pets a growing problem. With the currently available weight-loss tools [...]
Is your cat refusing to use their litter box? Inappropriate urination is an extremely frustrating problem for cat owners, and determining the underlying problem is important to stop this unwanted behavior. Our Wellness Animal Hospital team wants to help—we explain reasons why cats pee outside their litter box and ways to address these issues. #1: [...]
Back-to-school means a lot of new things for kids and pets—new wake-up times, new meal schedules, and new daily routines. All these changes can be especially hard on pets. Wellness Animal Hospital offers tips to allay your pet’s anxiety and prepare them for a successful school year. #1: Prepare your pet before school starts Think [...]