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Lyme Disease Prevention, Pet Cancer Awareness, Chip Your Pet,
National Service Dog Eye Examination, &
Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
May 1: National Purebred Dog Day.
May 5: Mayday for Mutts.
May 5 – 11: Be Kind to Animals Week.
May 31: National Heat Awareness Day.
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| In honor of National Heat Safety Awareness Day, here are some prevention tips and what to do if your pet gets overheated:
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- Never leave your pet in a car. The National Weather Service urges all pet owners to “Look Before You Lock” to prevent accidentally leaving your pet behind.
- Avoid walks during the hottest part of the day.
- Make sure to provide plenty of water and shade for animals who spend most of their time outside.
- Apply sunscreen to your pet’s ears and nose at least 30 minutes before going outside. Dogs with short hair, white fur, or pink skin are much more susceptible to sunburn.
- Know the signs of overheating so you can help your pet cool off before it is too late.
Some signs that your pet is overheating include:
- Excessive panting and drooling
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Mild weakness
- Stupor or actually collapsing
- Seizures
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
If you suspect your pet is overheated:
Cool him off immediately, offer plenty of water to drink & call Dr. Daniels!
727-584-8370
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| Microchipping is a simple, quick procedure performed by Dr. Daniels.
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| Many lost pets are never returned to their owners because they do not have any form of identification.
Microchips are a harmless way of permanently identifying your pet. Microchips must be registered with a microchip company to reunite you with your pet.
Why Microchip?
It is recommended that you identify your pet even if you don’t plan to let him or her go outside. Even “indoor” pets can get out by accident, and many lost pets are never returned to their owners because they have no identification. Collars and tags are popular, effective methods of identification, but they can come off. Microchips, which are implanted just under the pet’s skin, are one way to permanently identify pets.
What is a Microchip?
A microchip is a tiny electronic device—about the size of a grain of rice—that uses radio waves to transmit stored information when it is read by the right kind of scanner. Microchips for pets generally store a unique identification number. They do not need a power source, and they have no moving parts, so they do not wear out. Microchips are made of a material that is compatible with body tissues, so rejection and infection at the site are rare.
How is the Microchip put in my pet?
To implant the chip, Dr. Daniels inserts the needle just under the pet’s skin between the shoulder blades and pushes the syringe plunger. The entire procedure, like a regular injection, is very quick and does not require pain medication or anesthesia.
What happens when/if my pet is lost?
When a lost or injured pet is taken to an emergency room or shelter, he or she can be scanned for the presence of a microchip. If the pet has a chip, the scanner reads the pet’s identification number. If the chip has been properly registered, the shelter or hospital can provide the number to the microchip company, which maintains the owner's contact information. The microchip company then contacts the owner, and the pet can go home.
Is there maintenance on the Microchip?
You need to update your address and/or phone number if they change. Also you can ask us to scan your pet's microchip during regular physical exams to ensure it accurately transmits the identification number. Scanning is painless and quick!
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| Memorial Day,
the unofficial kick off to Summer!
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| Keep your celebrating safe for your pets with these 8 safety tips:
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Don't share your snack. Barbecuing is one of the best parts of Memorial Day, but remember that the food you eat may be poisonous to pets. Also don't let your pet pull food off the grill and get burned! Remind well-meaning guests not to sneak pets any table scraps.
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Keep alcohol out of reach. It may seem obvious, but alcohol is extremely dangerous to dogs. Even small amounts can cause them become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma, or even die from respiratory failure. This includes beer.
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Stay in the shade and make sure your pet has access to water. Pets are quick to dehydrate.
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Make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing a collar with address tags. Time spent outdoors comes with increased stimulation and stress for your pet. Increased stress means increased risk of bolting or escaping.
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Never leave your pet unsupervised around a pool or lake. Introduce them to water gradually and, if they haven’t swum before, fit them with flotation devices when on boats.
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Leave pets at home with white noise on during fireworks. The combination of large crowds, loud noises and bright lights can really scare your pet. While lit fireworks are an obvious burn hazard, the potentially toxic substances in unused fireworks can be hazardous as well.
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Skip the bug spray. Unless specifically designed for animals, insect repellant and sunscreen can be toxic to pets. If you’re spraying, do it far from your dog.
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Don't use citronella. Despite many of us thinking it is a safer option to repell bugs research shows citronella oils, candles, torches, and other citronella-based repellents are irritating to dogs. Inhalation can lead to respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, and ingestion can harm your pet’s nervous system.
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May 2019 Pet of the Month
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| |  I am Nala Faraone a one-year-old Boxer, whose owners thoughtfully picked me out as they were “ready to pour love on a four-legged friend”. I love to play with all of toys but my favorite toy is a squeaky blue toy dog and I will dig through my basket until I find it! I enjoy car rides anywhere but especially to parks, Grammy & Grampy’s, Largo Veterinary Hospital, and my favorite store Barklife. That’s right I like to shop! I take my co-pilot job in the car seriously and will happily takes over the driver seat when needed. When I'm not driving, shopping or searching for my favorite toy I love to cuddle and naps. Sometimes I spy on neighbors from my windowsill.
I am embarrassed to admit that I peed on my dad when I met my cousin, a big German Shepard. I was just too excited. When you meet me, I promise not to pee but I will give you the “wiggle worm” greeting. You can tell Dr. Daniels that I don’t eat junk food, just healthy treats for me. I am so spoiled that of course I sleep with my “paw-rents” but I also get my own Barkbox package; my parents even let me open it. My mom says, “Nala makes any day better with her sweet love and special personality”. Wow, I am a loved pup!
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Consider Adopting a Specially-Abled Pet
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| Adopting any pet makes you an immediate hero to your pet but adopting a pet with special needs requires a little more thought and planning.
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- Deaf and blind pets require owners who can learn specific training methods.
- Amputees can be predisposed to osteoarthritis and obesity and may require nontraditional exercise regimens or rehabilitation therapy.
- Pets with chronic diseases need owners willing to become experts in their peculiar home care.
- Retired working dogs need a strong hand and the patience that comes from knowing they’ve never known a true home before yours.
It’s not easy. It takes guts to commit to the needy. Nevertheless, many of us will not be dissuaded from taking them on. For some reason, those are the ones who strum at our heartstrings and beg to come home with us. Before bringing home a specially-abled pet:
- Get lots of advice. If you fall prey to the desire, you should know that you’re not alone. You’ll find plenty of allies if you seek them out: veterinarians, trainers, behaviorists and rescue personnel to name just a few. They’ll usually be your best resources for helping you.
- Research your prospective needy pet’s specific issues.
- Examine your finances. No pet is inexpensive, but some special needs pets require far more financial resources than others.
- Consider how much time and energy you'll have to dedicate. Some pets’ problems can be super time consuming.
- Determine if you are physically up to the task. Some pets — dogs especially, of course — can be physically demanding.
- Be honest with yourself. Remember, you’re taking on a big responsibility. Treat it accordingly.
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