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National Ice Cream &
National Lost Pet Prevention Month
July 4: Independence Day
July 11: All-American Pet Photo Day
July 15: National Pet Fire Safety Day
July 21: National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day, No Pet Store Puppies Day
July 31: National Mutt Day
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Hurricane Season is
June 1-November 30th
Make sure your and your pets are prepared
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Meet "Tag" Ferrazano
Our July 2018
Pet of the Month
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 I am a 3-year-old pure bred Vizsla. What do I like to play with the most? My humans of course! No matter what they are doing I want to interrupt and play. I can be mischievous and do things you wouldn't expect, like jumping on a trampoline. I don't have a most embarrassing moment because I am too cool to be embarrassed. However, mom and dad do laugh at the way I sit, because I kind of sit like a human. Dr. Daniels would be happy to know that some of my favorite treats are apples and carrots but don't tell her I also eat any food scraps that hit the floor. My favorite place to sleep is between my parents on their pillows!
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Rabies prevention is still a very real requirement for our pets. There are few public health threats as concerning as the spread of rabies. A bite or scratch from an infected animal can spread this deadly viral disease from animal to animal or animal to person.
In the State of Florida it is required by law that each dog, cat and ferret over the age of 4 months receives a rabies vaccination. In Pinellas County it is also required that you obtain a license for your pet. You can obtain a license from most local veterinarians or at Pinellas County Animal Services.
The most common carriers of rabies in Florida are coyotes, bats, foxes and – most frequently – raccoons (not squirrels!). Please keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations current. Health officials recommend a three-year rabies vaccine as the most effective means of protecting your pet from rabies.
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Why do Mutts Deserve a Day?
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 This special day was created to bring awareness to the 80% of dogs in shelters that are mixed breeds or "mutts". Most pure breeds that end up in the shelter are generally rescued quickly by either the public wanting a “less expensive” pure bred dog or by a pure breed rescue. 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. |
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 The 4th of July can mean fun, food, friends and fireworks for people. For our pets, it can feel more like an invasion! In fact, July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, which fill up quickly with animals who panic and flee the bright lights and loud noises of holiday celebrations.
Prepare for the worst-case scenario. If your pet is not wearing a collar with an ID tag, get one. You’ll also want to double check that your pet’s microchip registry is connected to the correct name and your current phone number and address.
If your pet gets nervous around strangers avoid bringing your pooch to over crowded events, parades, and other gatherings with a lot of commotion or people. A combination of heat, loud noises, packed spaces and scorching blacktop can not only be stressful, but harmful to your pet’s health. Better to leave them at home in a cool spot with lots of water. It’s especially wise to avoid bringing your pets to firework events, as they could panic and try to run.
Work them out. Be sure to give your pets lots of exercise during the day, so they’ll be a little worn out before the scary noises start at night. A nice long run or play session during the daytime will help with your pet’s overall stress and anxiety levels. Some pets may sleep right through the night time celebrations!
Head indoors before the fun begins. Don’t wait for the fireworks to be in full swing before taking care of your pet. It’s best to bring him or her indoors or put them in a cozy spot well ahead of the first boom of fireworks. Which brings us to…
Create a safe space. Pre-fireworks, create a safe, escape-proof space in your home. Lower the blinds, close the windows, provide a bed or crate where they feel comfortable, offer a special chew or toy to distract them and turn on the TV or radio to help mask the noises outside.
Give them a chill pill. If you’re really worried about a pet who stresses easily, talk to your Dr. Daniels in advance about anti-anxiety chews, drops or other remedies that can help your pet relax. There are plenty of prescription and homeopathic solutions out there that can help your pet get the extra dose of relaxation that he or she needs.
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Is it time to say goodbye to your pet?
It's hard to know the right answer
when it comes to euthanasia.
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Euthanasia is not a fun topic but sometimes we need to talk it through. How do we know how and when to schedule it, so that we have done right by our pets, and honored their places in our family? Here are some common questions on the topic:
What actually happens during euthanasia, and does it hurt?
Generally, Dr. Daniels will give your pet two shots. The first is a sedative for a gentle transition from consciousness to unconsciousness. The only sensation a pet will experience following this injection is falling into a deeper and deeper sleep.
How long will it take? It will likely last between 5-10 minutes.
When the family is ready, the veterinarian will then administer the second injection of another anesthetic that will cause the pet's heart to slow and then stop. Your pet will not be aware of this part of the process.
How do you know when it's time?
It's impossible to tell an owner when it is the "right" time but she may advise you to consider the quality of life your pet has and how well is daily pain able to be managed. If there is a type of disease involved he or she may be suffering from and how it is likely to progressing in ways we can't tell. It's also fair to consider what the family is able to endure; if they want every possible second with their pet and will undergo expensive or uncertain treatments, or if they want to forestall their pet's suffering. It's important that you and your Dr. Daniels can have open, honest conversations about euthanasia, to help guide this hard part of the process.
How can you honor your often very long term relationship with your pet? If you've made the decision to say goodbye it might benefit you to plan a day full of love. Go to the park or sit outside affectionately reminiscing. Give your pet a couple or their favorite forbidden treats. Snuggle, play, or just sit together.
What can we do to make this process easier for our pets?
At Largo Veterinary Hospital we have a quieter room with a back entrance, you can bring blanket or bed from home.
The most important thing is to help your pet feel calm and not increase their stress. Also, if your pet wears a collar, leave it on until they have passed, since taking it off can be significant.
And please stay with your pet through the process and to the end. It may be hard, it would be harder knowing that the last face that your precious one saw was that of a stranger.
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Join the fun; follow us on social media
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Activate Your VetScene ProActive Portal Now!
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What can you do with your VetScene ProActive Portal?
- Manage your pets’ health schedules, view upcoming appointments, or follow up on healthcare recommendations.
- Receive appointment reminders, newsletters, vaccination reminders via email and/or text messages.
- Gain 24/7 access to your pets’ information.
- Request appointments, make boarding reservations, refill medications, or ask general questions.
- Upload your pet's best photo, contact your clinic, and subscribe to Text Messaging.
- This service is available 24/7, which makes communication with your clinic convenient, quick, and easy.
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