Hairballs, Creative fitness, Poop scooping & more!

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Largo Veterinary Hospital

Your April 2020 Newsletter from Largo Veterinary Hospital

APRIL is

Canine Fitness &

National Heartworm Awareness Month

April 1-7: International Pooper Scooper Week.

April 5-11: National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

April 12-18: Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week.

April 12-18: National Pet ID Week.

April 8: National Dog Fighting Awareness Day.

April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day.

April 11: National Pet Day.

April 11: Dog Therapy Appreciation Day.

April 22: Earth Day.

April 23: National Lost Dog Awareness Day.

April 24: Hairball Awareness Day.

April 25: World Veterinary Day.

April 26: National Kids and Pets Day.

Meet Oregano Steriadis Our
April 2020 Pet of the Month

My name is Oregano and I am a 1-year-old Mackerel Tabby Cat who was adopted from an Orlando shelter by my mom Marianna. I am a busy young cat who loves to eat! Not only did I once pull over my 7lb bag of cat food I also got myself closed in the pantry. While I was in there I knocked over a bottle of olive oil and then tracked it all over the house. Mom says I smelled like olive oil for a week. When I’m not being mischievous, my favorite toy to play with is a fluffy pom-pom fishing pole. Please don’t try and put a collar on me, I become hysterical…it’s very embarrassing. Also, please don’t tell Dr. Daniel’s but my favorite treat is anything you want to share with me! My two favorite places to cozy up and go to sleep are under mom's comforter and the bathroom sink.

Proof That Dogs Look Like Their Owners

Funny Yoga With Pets Video

The Difficult Cat- A blog post about common behavior problem

How Do Cats See Human Faces?

Do You Scoop the Poop?

We are not kidding, Pooper Scooper Week is a nationally acknowledged full week not just a day. Surely it's no coincidence that it coincides with April Fool's Day!

But seriously, our dog's feces can contain a wide variety of bacteria & parasites, some of which can infect other dogs and some of which can also infect people. The risk to people and other animals is greatly reduced by prompt removal of feces and proper disposal.

If your pet poops, pick it up. There's no shame in being a responsible pet owner. Use a compostable plastic bag, seal it, trash it and wash your hands. Job done!

How to Prevent Potentially Fatal Feline Hairballs

BRUSH: Brushing you cat daily will reduce the amount of fur your cat swallows during self-grooming. After a brushing session, run a slightly damp paper towel or cloth over your cat’s fur to pick up any remaining loose hair.

TABS & PASTES Many products that are marketed as hairball alleviators are mild laxatives that help your cat pass the hair through his or her system. You can buy flavored treats that contain fiber and mineral oil for hairball prevention. Even chewable tablets are available in enticing meat flavors and can be found in all-natural, petroleum free formulas.

CHANGE CAT FOOD.Many pet food brands have lines specifically designed to help prevent hairball formation. Switching to a hairball-reducing food is one of the lowest maintenance ways to prevent them. Hairball reducing food formulas employ a two-pronged approach: fiber for digestion and supplements for coat health. Speak with Dr. Daniels before you decide to change your cat's food.

4 Heartworm Fast Facts

Since we have all been spending quite a bit more time at home and with our pets outside it's a great time to remind you to stay current on your pet's heartworm preventatives.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes.
Heartworms are long, spaghetti-like parasites that live in the heart or pulmonary arteries. ...
Heartworms are everywhere. Heartworm infection in pets occurs all over the world, particularly in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent, like Florida...all year.
Heartworms are 100 percent preventable.

Special Offers & Rebates at Largo Veterinary Hospital on Heartworm Prevention.

National Kids & Pets Day
Every Day This Month

Now that our human kids are home all the time for the next month, take this opportunity to assign pet tasks to your kids. Not only will this promote responsibility and help you out but your children and pets will strengthen their bond. Here are 10 things your kids can do to help out:

1. Walk the dog
2. Clean the litter box
3. Teach the pet a new trick
4. Play with the family cat or dog
5. Feed the pets
6. Be in charge of fresh water
7. Wash leashes, collars & pet beds
8. Wash water bowls
9. Bathe pets
10. Poop scoop the yard

The responsibility that a child can learn from caring for a pet is vital in their social development. Children that grow up with pets tend to be extremely nurturing and compassionate, making dedicated and loving parents and pet owners themselves.

-Colleen Paige Pet Lifestyle Expert & Founder of National Kids & Pets Day

Creative Canine Fitness

Here are some creative and fun activities you can do with your pets that will allow you to both burn calories and smile in these stressful times.

Dance Put on some music and dance or just jump up and down!

Hide-and-go-seek quietly go to another room or hide behind a door and call your pet's name. If you need to motivate your pup use bones as a reward when he finds you.

Blow bubbles This is a quick and easy game for dogs who like chase. Blow bubbles and then let your dog chase them. Then chase them with him.

Paddleboarding Stand-up paddleboards were designed for canine co-pilots. They can ride on the nose while you get a workout. If you struggle to balance the board, paddle on your knees at first to lower your center of gravity.

Run unleashed find a large field, an empty playground or a quiet road and let out your wackiest-stress relieving run with your pup by your side.

Stair-running If your dog is healthy enough to go up and down stairs, it’s a great workout for you both.

Join the Fun &
Stay Informed With Us On
Social Media

COVID-19 UPDATE at Largo Veterinary Hospital

Pinellas County has issued a "safer at home" resolution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so we have made the following changes to our daily protocol.

We are changing our appointments to "curbside" service.
Dog appointments: You will call the office once you are in the parking lot. A nurse will go over your dogs history by phone. The nurse will then come out to your car for your dog. You will need to have your dog on a leash and out of the car. The nurse will place one of our leashes on your dog. You will need to remain in the parking lot. You will receive a phone call once Dr. Daniels has examined your dog. We will then take a verbal authorization of treatment. Once we have all medications and charges ready, you will receive another phone call to go over the medications and we will take payment over the phone. The nurse will then bring your dog and medications out to your car. You will need to be out of the car to retrieve your dog from the nurse.
Cat appointments: You will call the office once you are in the parking lot. A nurse will go over your cats history by phone. You will need to have your cat in a carrier. You will place the carrier on the bench by the front door and a nurse will come out for your cat. You will need to remain in the parking lot. You will receive a phone call once Dr. Daniels has examined your cat. We will then take a verbal authorization of treatment. Once we have all medications and charges ready, you will receive another phone call to go over the medications and we will take payment over the phone. The nurse will then bring your cat and medications and place them on the bench by the front door for you to retrieve.
Picking up medications and/or food: You will need to call the office first. We will be taking payment over the phone. When you arrive in our parking lot, call the office and an employee will bring the medications and/or food out to the bench by our front door for you to retrieve them.
Routine wellness visits, meaning you are not having any problems with your pet, will be postponed for 30 days.
We will continue to see pets who are having any problems as well as puppy and kitten vaccine boosters.
Surgeries that are already scheduled will remain. If you need to schedule a surgery for your pet, call the office.

We will keep you posted on any changes that may occur and we appreciate your understanding during this time.

Largo Veterinary Hospital • 1120 Starkey Road • Largo • FL • 33771

http://www.largovet.com

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