Pet overpopulation is a huge ongoing issue in South Florida, as many as 45,000 pets are euthanized in Broward county each year and 65,000 in Dade County.   Most of these animals are puppies and kittens, and many are pure breeds. There are simply not enough homes for all these animals.  This is why spaying and neutering is so important,  it is the only way to stop pet overpopulation .

Ticks are both miserable for your pet and for your household. They can be hard to deal with if the problem isn’t dealt with immediately. But what is a tick, exactly? They are technically classified in the spider family. They are egg laying creatures that feast on the blood of its host; unfortunately this may be your beloved dog. Because cats are constantly grooming and picking off any and all bugs, they do not tend to have a tick on long enough for it to become an issue. Ticks are known to carry a long list of diseases, including Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Without treatment, these diseases can lead to the death of your dog. Your dog can get ticks from simply being outside or in contact with another animal that has them. A major source of ticks comes from mulch.  The good news is preventive medications work very well. It is important to get your preventative medications through a top Florida veterinarian hospital, like DPC Veterinarian Hospital located in Davie, Fl. Buying products from your trusted veterinarian guarantees the quality of your tick prevention products.

Parvo is a very contagious viral illness that affects unvaccinated puppies and dogs. Unvaccinated dogs are at high risk of picking up the highly contagious virus by coming in contact with feces from an infected dog. Contact with infected dog feces can occur while taking your dog for a walk or going to the park. It is even possible for the owner to unknowingly bring the Parvo virus into their home on their shoes. Puppies may be exposed to the virus if they have been adopted from breeding kennels or shelters. They can also become infected by direct contact with an infected dog.

Fleas are tiny little wingless insects that unfortunately are everywhere. Florida has that hot and humid climate that fleas love to breed in! Your pet, even if it is an indoor pet, is not safe without preventive medications. Fleas jump from one animal to another, and your animal can pick them up from just a short walk outside. Although fleas are small, they can be very dangerous, that is why DPC Veterinarians and other Florida Veterinarians alike encourage you to learn about the preventive medications that will keep your beloved pets healthy.

What is heartworm exactly? They are parasitic worms that live in the lungs and heart of an infected animal. It is spread by misquotes through their bites and can potentially be fatal and extremely expensive to treat medically through a veterinary clinic. Taking preventive measures are a great, affordable investment for the well-being of your pet. Part of prevention is preventative medicine, which is available through your local Florida Veterinary Hospital. Below are three tips on Heartworm prevention to keep your pets safe and healthy!

It’s always best to find the right Animal Health Clinic before you need one, and it’s important for you to be comfortable with the Florida Veterinary Clinic you choose for your pet.

Just as it is important for humans to have certain vaccinations in life, it is important for your pets as well.  Vaccinations protect dogs and cats from contacting diseases that can sometimes be fatal.  Vaccines for dogs such as parvovirus, distemper, and even lyme disease build up a resistance in the animals immune system in case they are exposed to these viruses.  Cat vaccines like rabies and leukemia build up immunities against dangerous viruses.

Most likely your pets dental health was not part of your 2012 resolution.  DPC Vet and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are here to help change that because February is National Pet Dental Health Month.  According to the AVMA, “The odor from your pet’s mouth, might signify a serious health risk”.

DPC Veterinary Hospital in Davie, FL will be participating in the county’s Beat the Heat program for cat spaying and neutering, as well as microchip implantation and vaccinations. During the week of February 21-25th, 2012 the county will be sponsoring a program that will provide a $15 package for cat vaccinations and altering. If you are in the Fort Lauderdale area and have a cat in need of spaying or neutering, please contact the county as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Appointments are made through the county directly but the procedure is done here at our low cost spay and neuter clinic in Davie, Florida.  

Do you know the symptoms of Kennel Cough? Kennel Cough causes a dog’s throat to become inflamed.  It’s similar to bronchitis in humans. If you hear a cough or honking kind of sound from your dog, it is most likely kennel cough.  This cough often worsens after exercise, but the animal may still look healthy and eat.  If you think your dog has Kennel Cough, you can bring him or her to DPC Veterinary Hospital and clinic for a check up.