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National Mutt Day is all about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. The day’s mission is to educate the public about the sea of mixed breed dogs that desperately await new homes and to celebrate the amazing characteristics that the mix of breeds creates in each individual dog.
Approximately 80% of dogs in shelters are mixed breeds. Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, they live longer and are just as able to perform the duties of pure bred dogs - such as bomb and drug sniffing, search and rescue and guiding the blind. There are millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs sitting in shelters, who are desperately searching for a new home.
If you cannot adopt a shelter dog on December 2nd please consider donating $5 to your local shelter!
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Have you ever wondered
what exactly is a Puppy Mill?
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A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding facility where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs.
Puppy mills usually house dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food, water or socialization. In order to maximize profits, female dogs are bred at every opportunity with little-to-no recovery time between litters. Puppy mill puppies, often as young as eight weeks of age, are sold to pet shops or directly to the public over the Internet, through newspaper ads and at swap meets and flea markets.
In a puppy mill, dogs are often kept in cages with wire flooring that injures their paws and legs—and it is not unusual for cages to be stacked in columns. When female breeding dogs reach a point of physical depletion and can no longer reproduce, they are often killed. This is hard to read about but important to be informed.
Because puppy mills focus on profit, dogs are often bred with little regard for genetic quality. Because of this these puppy often have both health issues and emotional problems such as anxiety.
There is no legal definition of a “puppy mill,” so don’t be fooled by pet store owners who show you “papers” or licenses to prove that their dogs are from humane sources.
-This info comes from the ASPCA but due to many people buying puppies as gifts for the holidays, we encourage you to be aware and consider rescuing pets from shelters.
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Your Pet Could Be Our Next
Pet of the Month!
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| To enter your pet into our monthly drawing to become Pet of the Month: Stop by our office and fill out a quick form telling us why your pet deserves to win. Or email us at info@largovet.com and we'll email you the form.
Winners receive a gift for you and your pet, a gift certificate to Largo Veterinary Hospital, a photo and feature in our newsletter, and your pet's name on our sign in front of the hospital.
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December 2017 Holiday Hours
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| Monday 12/25 |
CLOSED |
| Tuesday 12/26 |
CLOSED |
| Wednesday 12/27 |
CLOSED |
| Thursday 12/28 |
OPEN 7:30A-5:30P |
| Friday 12/29 |
OPEN 7:30A-5:30P |
| Saturday 12/30 |
OPEN 7:30A-NOON |
| Sunday 12/31 |
CLOSED |
| Monday 1/1/2018 |
CLOSED |
| Tuesday 1/2/2018 |
OPEN 7:30A-5:30P |
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| Are you unable to take your pet along this year while traveling? It's not too late to schedule your pet to board at Largo Veterinary Hospital during your winter travels. Click here to fill out our boarding release form and plan now for the holidays.
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Marijuana Intoxication on the Rise in Pets
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Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of pets intoxicated by marijuana presented to veterinary clinics. It is unknown if this is truly an increase in cases, if people are more willing to seek veterinary care due to changing attitudes about marijuana or if more potent forms of marijuana are prompting pet owners to seek medical attention.
Most marijuana exposures more than 10 years ago were due to ingested plant material, today exposures to edibles such as cookies, brownies, etc. Canibis concentrates such as wax and oils are also much more common. These products have much higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. While both dogs and cats are willing to ingest plant material, dogs are more likely to consume edibles.
The most common clinical signs in pets after ingesting marijuana in any form are “drunkenness” (where the animal may appear uncoordinated, dazed or sedated), depression or urinary incontinence. However, about 25% of pets become stimulated (signs include agitation, vocalization and high heart rate) instead. Animals that ingest edibles can be more affected and develop low blood pressure, low heart rates and low body temperatures and become comatose. There have even been some dog deaths after eating cookies or brownies made with marijuana butter.
Inducing vomiting in pets can decrease the severity of the signs. However, this must happen quickly after ingestion, as marijuana has anti-vomiting properties. Do not attempt to induce vomiting if your pet is already acting dazed or sedated. If your pet is unable to walk or cannot be roused after ingesting marijuana, please contact Dr. Daniels immediately!
Treatment of marijuana ingestion centers around making sure the heart rate and blood pressure remain normal. Very sedated animals may need intravenous fluids to help keep up their blood pressure, while agitated animals may need sedatives to decrease their blood pressure. Pets who are unable to walk or are comatose need to see a vet immediately. Prognosis in most cases is good, but ingesting chocolate along with marijuana can be more difficult to treat.
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7 Tips For Great Pet Photos
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Taking pictures of your best friend is not always easy. Pets, unlike humans, do not understand what we are trying to do and won’t just pose for the camera! Here are 7 tips that will help you help you get the most of your photo session.
- Use Natural Light: If possible always use natural light when taking your pet in picture. Avoid flash, as flash burst can, not only cause red-eye, but also frighten the animal. Instead try to go outside or, if it is not possible, in a room well lit by a large window.
- Keep the Eyes Sharp: Having sharp eyes is important in any kind of portraits photography.
- Go to Them: It is very important that you pet feels comfortable and at ease, so instead of forcing him to come to you go to him. Show us the way they see world! Sit on the floor or lie on your belly and remember to shoot from HIS eye level or below.
- Give Value to their Character: You know your pet better than anyone else, and a successful picture is one that conveys the character of its subject. If you have a lazy cat show him yawning, if your animal is of a playful type show him in action performing his favorite trick.
- Surprise Them: One of the most difficult things is to let your pet hold still. An easy trick is to let him play quietly and, once you have everything ready, let someone call for him or whistle. This will surprise him and caught his attention and you will have a few seconds to capture him in a nice and alert posture.
- Be Patient: Pet photography requires a lot of patience. No matter how excited your furry friend is, if you are patient enough, he will end up by relaxing and you will have the opportunity to get a decent shot.
- Experiment: Take your time and enjoy the session, try different approaches, angles and compositions. Shoot a lot you will have time to worry about the results later.
Visit Our Pet Photo Pinterest Board for More Ideas:
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My name is Nina and I am a 14-year-old Domestic Short Haired cat. My parents adopted me from the SPCA and I love them very much. I am a social lady, I like to sit at the dinner table with my family in my very own chair! One time they were taking a group selfie at the table and I had to be in it, so I jumped up at just the right time to be in the picture. My favorite toy is a blue fish filled with catnip. Shhh...don't tell Dr. Daniels but my mom shares bits of tuna with me, yum! I am so spoiled that dad even lets me sleep next to his pillow.
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We have relief for your dog's itching.
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| At Largo Veterinary Hospital we offer Cytopoint injections. |
| This is an innovative new therapy that targets itch at its source to help relieve the signs of atopic dermatitis in dogs for 4-8 weeks with a single injection. Cytopoint is prescribed to help reduce scratching, chewing, licking and biting at the skin. When the itch is controlled, the damaged skin can heal, so that you and your dog have a chance to enjoy the fun things in life again. Cytopoint is safe dogs of all ages and it does not burden the liver or kidneys. Make an appointment today and lets help your dog get rid of the itching. 727-584-8370
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Spoil Your Pets With These Gifts
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 H2O4K9: Designed for dogs, the twist top travel lid was made to fit a dog’s natural drinking style. The lid is BPA-free, the bottle is food grade stainless steel. Also durable, the twist top lid has no hinge points that can break if the bottle is dropped. The 18/8 stainless steel bottles are made for rugged use.
SUCK-UK CAT DJ PAD: Cardboard scratching deck for cats. A fun distraction for your cats! Comes with spinable deck and posable arm.
WOOF WASHER 360:
Attach Woof Washer 360 to any garden hose and add the dog shampoo of your choice to the dispenser. Woof Washer 360 makes the cleansing process gentler and faster; mobile pet grooming Woof Washer 360 washes hard-to-reach areas.
THERMO-KITTY SILL SEAT: The heated pad is thermostatically controlled to warm to your pet's normal body temperature when in use, bringing the ultimate feel of pleasant warmth to your pet. The Thermo-Kitty Sill is for indoor use and accommodates even the largest of cats up to 40lbs. The soft and cozy orthopedic foam base gives your pet extreme comfort.Click Here for More Creative Gift Ideas |
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Are you signed up for
FREE REWARDS
at Largo Veterinary Hospital?
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| 1000 points = $25 credit to your account
OR a free nail trim
Activating your account automatically gives you 200 points. Every dollar you spend on services or products = 1 point
There are more ways to earn points too, once you sign up we'll email you all the details! How do you sign up? Activate your VetScene Portal here:
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