As pet owners, we want to do what’s best for our furry friends. We want to give them the highest quality of life and care they deserve. However, economic slowdowns can create a difficult financial situation, leading many pet owners to delay seeking preemptive or preventative pet healthcare. While this…
What is pulmonary edema? Pulmonary edema is an accumulation of fluid in the lungs that can cause difficulty breathing and other serious health issues. This can be caused by underlying medical conditions like congestive heart failure, kidney disease, diabetes, liver failure, pulmonary embolism and pneumonia. Treatment will depend on the…
What is diabetic ketoacidosis in pets? Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious medical condition that affects pets, particularly cats and dogs. It occurs when the body produces excessive amounts of ketones, which are toxic by-products of fat breakdown. Symptoms of DKA may include increased thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, lethargy, loss…
“Does my dog really need to get vaccinated?” You might think that you’re saving a few dollars by not getting your dog vaccinated, but failing to vaccinate can have serious health consequences for your animal companion. Vaccinations protect against potentially deadly diseases such as distemper, canine parvovirus, rabies and feline…
There are many possible causes of vomiting in pets. Common Causes of Vomiting in Pets Schedule an Appointment Eating something toxic or inedible (e.g. plants, garbage, chemicals) Eating too much or too quickly Overeating or obesity Change in diet or eating habits Intestinal parasites Bacterial or viral infections Motion sickness…
Eye infections are a common problem in both dogs and cats, and they can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are some of the most common causes of eye infections in pets: Schedule an Appointment Bacteria: Bacterial infections are a common cause of eye infections in pets. They…
Skin infections are a common problem in both dogs and cats, and they can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are some of the most common causes of skin infections in pets: Allergies: Allergies can cause inflammation and irritation on the skin, which can lead to infections. Common…
Diarrhea in Dogs & Cats Diarrhea is a common problem in both dogs and cats. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, infection, allergies, and stress. Poorly balanced diets full of unhealthy ingredients can disrupt the digestive system and lead to diarrhea. Consuming table scraps or…
Most Common Skin Disorders in Dogs and How to Treat Them Just like humans, dogs can suffer from a variety of skin disorders. Some of the most common include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrhea, and hot spots. While these conditions can be uncomfortable for your pup, there are a variety…
What to do if your Dog or Cat Ingests Ethylene Glycol Ethylene glycol is a sweet-tasting chemical used in many products, including antifreeze (coolants for motor-vehicle engines), de-icing solutions, solvents, and some cosmetics. Though it has a sweet taste, ethylene glycol is poisonous to dogs and cats. If you think…
How to Kill Fleas on Puppies If a mother dog has fleas, then fleas will most certainly infect the puppies, as soon as they are born. This can be detrimental to the puppies and the mother since fleas can carry tapeworm larvae or babies. If a puppy swallows a flea…
Ever wonder where baby chicks come from? You'll be happy to know that baby chicks actually come in the mail. Once hatched, baby chickens have about 3 days worth of nourishment in their bodies. When you PRE-order baby chicks on the Internet, they are shipped almost immediately upon birth. They…
WHY DO DOGS NEED DENTAL X-RAYS Dogs need dental x-rays for the same reason people need dental x-rays: To discover what is hidden from view. Pets cannot say “Hey Doc it hurts right over here”. Veterinarians must just stumble-upon a pet’s dental disease, sometimes with very little help from the…
Senior Dog Health Your dog is now 7 years old (or older). So what does that mean? With improvements to veterinary care and dietary habits, our dogs are living longer than they ever have before. But now we’re faced with a whole new set of age-related conditions. Extensive research on…
For a large part of the human population, cleaning of their pet's teeth is considered a luxury. It's assumed that toys and treats can replace the need for regularly scheduled & routine maintenance, performed by a veterinary professional. Bone loss is something that nobody considers when they think about dental…
The Cat Dentist Will See You Now At DAMC we have specialist veterinarians who focus on every area of your pet’s health. We even have veterinarians who specialize in you pet’s teeth! Why your vet may refer you to DAMC You might think "Can’t my regular vet handle my dog’s…
Bladder stones in dogs and cats are more common than many pet owners are willing to accept. However, there are things you can do to prevent them... or prevent them from returning. Most owners never suspect that their pet has bladder stones. If they suspect a medical issue, the first…
This fully engorged tick was found on a dog and fell off. It was put in a ziplock bag for two weeks. It’s been in the bag for 2 weeks with no air flow and started to lay eggs about 5 days ago, continuing to do so even still today.…
THE PAIN OF LOSING A PET For many people today, their pet is the most important being in their lives. No value can be given for the unconditional love that they give us. Nothing is better than knowing that someone will always be happy to see you, when you arrive…
The Fourth of July is coming up, meaning many dog owners will be dealing with howling, barking, and generally anxious dogs. It’s largely believed that Independence Day is the day when the highest number of dogs run away. But just what are the dogs afraid of? How to Keep Your Dog…
Dunedin Animal Medical Center & Pet Resort has the cleanest and safest pet boarding facilities in Tampa Bay. Pet Boarding and Dog Kennels in Dunedin Cat and dog boarding is available, with over 100 dog kennels to handle peak travel seasons, like Christmas. Our facilities feature: Large Runs for Room…
Many people may think that since the parvo vaccine was developed nearly 40 years ago, that parvo isn't an issue anymore. Nothing could be further from the truth. Parvo is every puppy and dog owner’s worst nightmare, and it's easily remedied with a vaccine, but many people still don't get…
Ear Infections in Dogs Ear infections in dogs are painful. Many dogs will shake their head and scratch their ears trying to relieve the discomfort. The ears often become red and inflamed and develop an offensive odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs. In chronic cases the ears may…
Tracheal Collapse in dogs is very common among smaller dogs - especially Yorkies. While it's determined to be the result of a genetic deficiency, it can be exacerbated with collars, when the dog pulls on it's leash. Tracheal collapse occurs most commonly in middle‐aged, small breed dogs, with the most…
Is your dog doing the 'butt-scootin' boogie'? If you don't address it soon, it could end up being a very expensive endeavor - to their health and your wallet. What are ANAL GLANDS? Anal glands are located on either side, and just below the anus of your pet. They excrete…
Sepsis is an infection which overwhelms the body, resulting in severe inflammation. Without treatment, it can escalate into Septic Shock, causing multi-organ failure (kidneys, lungs, liver). This condition normally occurs when a severe infection is not treated adequately or timely. How Pets Get Sepsis and Septic Shock Examples of situations…
Pancreatitis in Dogs Most causes of pancreatitis in dogs is unknown. However, several risk factors have been discovered. It appears that Miniature Schnauzers have a genetic predisposition to pancreatitis and other studies have show this tendency in Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Poodles, sled dogs, as well. An indiscretionary diet…
Cushing's disease is a result of the body producing too much cortisol (hormone). Cortisol is produced and stored by the adrenals: two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys. Dogs, cats, horses, and humans can get Cushing's disease. It is more commonly found in dogs, than in cats or horses.…
Intestinal Parasites Worms in dogs are a small part of a larger realm of intestinal parasites, which live inside the host animal’s gastrointestinal tract. Examples include roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms and protozoa, such as, giardia and coccidia. Common Intestinal Parasites in Cats and Dogs Roundworms (Ascarids) - Acquired by ingesting soil/feces contaminated by eggs and larvae,…
What is An Aural Hematoma? An ear infection can quickly evolve from an uncomfortable itch into an aural hematoma, as quick as a head a head shake. That's why it's important to address ear irritation as soon as it's recognized. An aural hemotoma is a collection of blood (blood blister)…
The MDR1 gene mutation is a disorder that inhibits the ability of many herding dog breeds to remove certain drugs from the brain. It can lead up to a buildup of toxins in the brain, which can cause adverse reactions to some common drugs, including seizures, tremors, disorientation, blindness, lack…
Long Term Health Benefits of Early Spaying Pyometra or pyometrea is a uterine infection, most commonly found in unaltered female dogs. It is a secondary infection that occurs as a result of hormonal changes in the uterus, also known as the womb, where a foetus develops. When Does Pyometra Occur? Pyometra is…
Arthritis & Osteoarthritis in Dogs Hearing that your dog has arthritis or osteoarthritis can be devastating, because we know that it is a progressive, degenerative disease that worsens over time. By the majority of estimates, 20% of all dogs (regardless of age) are affected by arthritis in some for or…
Pet Constantly Scratching? Open 7-Days a Week, 6:30am - 8:00pm Call 727-738-2273 or Click to Make an Appointment Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs Atopic Dermatitis in dogs (CAD, allergic dermatitis, canine atopy) is a hypersensitivity or over-reaction to a variety of commonplace and normally harmless substances in the environment. For the…
Schedule a Spay or Neuter Open 7-Days a Week, 6:30am - 8:00pm 727-738-2273 Spaying and neutering your pets has more benefits than just controlling the pet population, which sees millions of healthy dogs & cats euthanized in the United States each year, simply because there aren’t enough homes for them.…
Things to consider when feeding your pet. It's no secret that the United States has an obesity problem. Did you know that it also has a pet-obesity problem? When you look at pictures of people from the 1970s and earlier, you'll notice that everyone is thin and happy. Today however,…
What is Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a (spiral shaped) bacteria that lives in standing water and warm, wet soil, predominantly transmitted to dogs and humans through infected urine. Most commonly, indirect transmission occurs through exposure of animals to water sources, soil, food or bedding that is contaminated. Leptospires can penetrate mucous membranes (gums, sinuses) and…
What Is Coronavirus? The Coronavirus that we are hearing about on the news is NOT Canine Coronavirus. However, your dog or cat could transmit human (Wuhan, China) Coronavirus to you, through general contact, if they subjected to it somewhere else. The fact is that no dogs or cats have been…
General Information "The female ferret is called a jill, the male is a hob, and the infants are called kits." The ferret has been domesticated for over 2000 years. It was originally used for pest control and hunting in Europe (the polecat). They are members of the weasel family (Mustelidae),…
Recently, our Doctors here at DAMC have encountered an increase in FAX requests from what we consider to be questionable online pharmacies. We do not have the resources to research every pharmacy who sends us a prescription request, to determine if they are in the 3% minority of legitimate (FDA…
Does your dog's breath smell like rotten tuna in a hot dumpster? It doesn't have to, and it shouldn't. In fact, your dog's breath is a good indicator of their overall health. Most pet owners think that they cannot do anything about their dog's bad breath and are unsure when…
If your dog loves you, and is not used to you being gone for long periods of time, then leaving your dog home can make for an anxious pet. This is especially true in dogs who’ve been recently rescued or even bounce from household to household among family members. So,…
