General Pet Health

Why Hydration Matters More in Florida As temperatures start climbing in Dunedin and across North Pinellas, dehydration becomes a real concern for our pets. By March, daytime highs are already reaching the upper 70s and low 80s — warm enough to increase your pet’s water needs significantly, especially during outdoor activity. At Dunedin Animal Medical…

Why Veterinarians Warn Against Retractable Leashes Walk along the Dunedin Causeway or Pinellas Trail on any given weekend and you’ll see plenty of retractable leashes. They seem like a great idea — give your dog freedom to explore while maintaining some control. But veterinarians and emergency rooms tell a very different story. At Dunedin Animal…

The Click Test: Are Your Dog’s Nails Too Long? Here’s a simple test every dog owner in Dunedin should try: walk your dog across a tile or hardwood floor. If you hear clicking, their nails are too long. It’s one of the most overlooked aspects of pet care, and it affects far more dogs than…

Why Ticks Are Already Active in Florida While pet owners in northern states are still dealing with the last of winter, Florida’s ticks never really took a break. Thanks to our mild winters here in the Dunedin and North Pinellas area, tick populations stay active nearly year-round — and by mid-March, they’re in full force.…

Why Hydration Matters More in Florida As temperatures start climbing in Dunedin and across North Pinellas, dehydration becomes a real concern for our pets. By March, daytime highs are already reaching the upper 70s and low 80s — warm enough to increase your pet’s water needs significantly, especially during outdoor activity. At Dunedin Animal Medical…

Why Veterinarians Warn Against Retractable Leashes Walk along the Dunedin Causeway or Pinellas Trail on any given weekend and you’ll see plenty of retractable leashes. They seem like a great idea — give your dog freedom to explore while maintaining some control. But veterinarians and emergency rooms tell a very different story. At Dunedin Animal…

The Click Test: Are Your Dog’s Nails Too Long? Here’s a simple test every dog owner in Dunedin should try: walk your dog across a tile or hardwood floor. If you hear clicking, their nails are too long. It’s one of the most overlooked aspects of pet care, and it affects far more dogs than…

What Is Giardia? Giardia is a microscopic protozoal parasite that infects the intestinal tract of dogs and cats. It’s one of the most common intestinal parasites veterinarians diagnose in pets across the United States, and here in the Tampa Bay area, our warm and humid climate creates conditions where Giardia thrives year-round. Unlike worms you…

Your home probably feels like the safest place in the world for your pet. But dozens of everyday items sitting in your kitchen, bathroom, and garage can be genuinely dangerous — sometimes fatal — if your dog or cat gets into them. At Dunedin Animal Medical Center, we treat pet poisoning cases more often than…

Coccidia are microscopic parasites that commonly affect puppies and kittens, causing diarrhea and dehydration. Learn how pets get infected, what symptoms to watch for, and how your Dunedin veterinarian diagnoses and treats coccidiosis.