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Happy Holidays from the Largo Veterinary Hospital Staff!
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 | Tips for a great holiday pet photo:
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Pick a photographer who is pet-friendly. The photographer can be you! If you hire a photographer, make sure to let them know you want your pet included in the picture. (Laura Allen takes our office pet photos, click here for more info.) If you decide to take the photos yourself here's a great blog post for beginners.
Pick the right time of day
Before you get a holiday photograph with your pet, consider the time of day you're taking the picture. If your kitty naps all afternoon, get your picture taken in the morning, when she's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. If you have a spunky new puppy that you'd like in this year's holiday photo, naptime might be the perfect time to take the photograph, when he'll be a little less wiggly and may actually hold still for the picture.
Familiar settings are best
There's no doubt that the absolute best place to get a good pet picture is at home, where they are most comfortable. You can never predict how your pet will react if you take them to a studio to have a photograph taken, and a nervous kitty or dog can certainly ruin a picture session quickly. Most photographers are happy to come to your home, often for no additional charge, and it will be so much easier to get a good holiday picture with your pet. Taking pictures at home is also a perfect option if you want your pet to be in some pictures but not every single one -- you can quickly pull your pet into a few shots and then let them go on their way.
Consider an action shot
If you want a really great holiday photograph that includes your pet, realize that having them sit still next to your fireplace or Christmas tree may not be the best way to truly capture their personality. Instead, head to the park or your backyard and take some photos of your pet in their element -- running around and having fun!
 Visit our page for some great ideas!
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 | National Mutt Day is Dec 2nd
Here are 6 reasons why we all need a mutt!
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#6 They are unique The standard for breeding purebreds calls for breeding puppies whose appearance and temperament are of exactly the same quality every time. A mixed breed dog is awesome because without these standards, the dog is more unique.
#5 They are more flexible Mixed breeds tend to be more flexible and more middle-of-the-road because they are not as strongly programmed as purebreds. Mixed breeds are thought to adjust more easily to a variety of households and living conditions, whereas purebreds tend to be bred with a specific skill set in mind, such as herding or hunting.
#4 They can still compete Think you need to purchase a purebred in order to enter dog competitions? Think again...mixed breeds can compete in agility competitions through groups like the NADAC, amongst others. Also, being trained as a service or therapy dog is no longer limited to just purebreds.
#3 You can skip the puppy stage While many pet owners cherish the puppy stage, there are many others who don’t have the time and patience to train a new puppy. With a mutt from the shelter, you have the choice of adopting a young or adult dog over a baby. In these cases, the dog’s size and temperament will already be pretty set, too, so there will be no surprises in the future.
#2 They have fewer health issues There are many people who claim mixed breed dogs are healthier than purebreds. Mixed breed dogs are thought to be less likely to develop these illnesses because even if they are part, say, Golden Retriever, they have fewer Golden Retriever genes than a purebred one.
#1 Their awesomeness is contagious A mixed breed dog is for the adventurer in all of us. When purchasing a purebred dog, you’re buying a specific temperament that has been honed through strict breeding practices over a long period of time. With a mixed breed, a puppy especially, the unknown genetic line leaves all that up in the air. Appreciate the spontaneity behind this and that makes you awesome by association with the awesome mutt you’ve chosen to adopt.
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| Meet "Jazzmine" Lee
Our December 2014 Pet of the Month
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Hi, my name is “Jazzmine”, and I am Largo Veterinary Hospital’s December 2014 pet of the month. I am a 6 ½ year old Domestic-short-haired kitty. My mom thinks I am special as she adopted me as a stray. Something funny that happened to me was the time I fell off the bed while I was sleeping. Shhh…don’t tell Dr. Lutz or Dr. Daniels that my favorite treat is corn. My owners love me so much that they bought me my own climbing tree. A fun fact about me is that I like to play with straws. I am so spoiled that I get to sleep in bed with my mom and share her pillow.
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Tis' the Season for
Arthritis in our Pets
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Although many of our pets suffer from arthritis year around, cold and damp weather aggravates arthritis in dogs and cats. Arthritis doesn’t discriminate. It strikes our furry friends no matter their age. As attentive pet owners we notice changes in mood and activity, so if your pet isn’t feeling his best you may suspect a cold or stomach virus – but it could be arthritis. In fact, arthritis affects one in every five adult dogs in the U.S. and is one of the most common sources of chronic pain that veterinarians treat. Feline arthritis is more common in middle-aged and older cats. But any pet that is overweight is likely to suffer from arthritis.
Arthritis equals pain for your pet. Your pet can’t explain what’s wrong with him, so it’s important to watch for non-verbal cues closely and take even subtle changes seriously. Please review the signs of arthritis in cats and dogs. If you observe any of these signs for more than two weeks schedule an arthritis exam with Dr. Lutz or Dr. Daniels. The best thing to do for your pet in managing his arthritis is to get a diagnosis and start a treatment plan as soon as possible.
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