Wellness Plans : Pet Care Tips

Your pet’s health is as important to us as it is to you!

On this page, you will find helpful articles and information on keeping your pets healthy and happy.

Canine Influenza Information

Canine Influenza, or Dog Flu, is a contagious respiratory disease affecting dogs -
not humans.

The ‘dog influenza virus’ is a Type A influenza virus that orginiated as an equine (horse) flu virus. It has now spread to dogs and can spread from dog to dog when they are in direct contact of an infected dog’s sneeze or cough, or from an contaminated dog bowl, and even from the clothes of their owners.

Dog Flu Symptoms

Because this is a relatively new cause of disease in dogs – almost all dogs that are exposed to the virus will become infected, but only 4 out 5 of the dogs will show symptoms. It is important to note that even the dogs that don’t show symptoms may still be carriers of the virus and could spread the infection to other canines.

Symptoms are similar to what we humans suffer with:

  • Coughing
  • Runny Nose
  • Fever

Canine Influenza Vaccine is available now

In May 2009, the USDA approved the licensing of the first influenza vaccine for dogs. Like the human flu virus, the canine influenza vaccine contains the inactivated whole virus.

The vaccine is intended as an aid in the control of disease associated with dog flu virus infection. Although the vaccine may not prevent infection altogether, early trials have shown that the vaccination may significantly reduce the severity and duration of clinical illness, including the incidence and severity of damage to the lungs. In addition, the vaccine reduces the amount of virus shed and shortens the shedding interval. This means that vaccinated dogs that become infected develop less severe illness and are less likely to spread the virus to other dogs.

YES, we carry the dog influenza vaccine! – Get your dog checked today! Call us at (813) 684-PETS (7387) if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.

Read more about the canine influenza virus at these resources:

Be Prepared for a Poison Emergency

Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to secure your home. Because of this, we urge you to be prepared.

Your animal companion should regularly be seen by a local veterinarian to maintain overall health. Know your vet’s procedures for emergency situations, especially ones that occur after usual business hours. Keep phone numbers for the veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and a local emergency veterinary service in a convenient location.

Poison Safety Kit

Always keep a pet safety kit on hand for emergencies. Such a kit should contain:

  • A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3% (USP)
  • Can of soft dog or cat food, as appropriate
  • Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medical syringe
  • Saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants
  • Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
  • Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid for the animal after skin contamination
  • Rubber gloves
  • Forceps to remove stingers
  • Muzzle. An excited animal may harm you
  • Pet carrier

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center : (888) 426-4435

When you call the center, be ready to provide:

  • Your name, address and telephone number.
  • Information concerning the exposure (the amount of agent, the time since exposure, etc.
  • If you know-what poison the animal was exposed to (have the product container packaging available for reference.)
  • The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved.
  • The symptoms your animal is experiencing.

Intestinal parasites

Many common intestinal parasites can be found in your dog and cat: roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Of the less common variety are giardia and coccidia. All of these parasites live in the gastrointestinal tract of your animal and can be a very serious threat to your beloved pet’s health when present in significant numbers as they leech nutrients and can cause your pet to become anemic from blood loss. When caught early, however, they are easily treatable and most are completely avoidable by giving your pet a monthly heartworm and flea preventative that also contains a dewormer.

Roundworms: Puppies can get this parasite from nursing on an infected mother dog. Adults contract roundworms by ingesting soil that has roundworm eggs in it (either by eating food off the ground or normal grooming behavior). They can also get roundworms by consuming a prey animal that is infected with roundworms. Veterinarians encounter these worms frequently and have a variety of dewormers available to rid your beloved “Fido” or “Mittens” of these parasites.

Tapeworms: Primarily contracted by ingesting infected fleas. When a flea jumps on your dog or cat and bites them it causes your animal to itch in that location. The dog or cat then chews at the area in order to relieve this itchiness and will swallow the flea. Usually these can be seen in the feces of the animal and present as little white pieces of “rice” that are moving!! (YUK!) Tapeworms (as well as your dog or cat’s comfort) is one of the reasons that monthly flea prevention is so important. Veterinarians have a variety of flea prevention products. Ask your veterinarian which product is best for your circumstances and needs. Avoid store bought flea products such as flea collars or shampoos. These products have minimal effectiveness and, unlike the products found at your veterinarian which contain growth inhibitors, the store brought products contain toxins which can be very unsafe for your animal.

Hookworms: Often contagious to people!! Hookworm eggs can live in the soil for years. Usually deposited there through the feces of infected dogs and cats, the worms can actually burrow through the bottom of the feet of your dog, cat, or even yours! From there they usually (but not always) make their way to the gastrointestinal tract where they latch on to the walls of the intestines with hook-like barbs around their feeding end. Easily treated with dewormers found at your veterinarian, these parasites are very common in Florida and pose a serious health risk when in sufficient numbers due to parasitic anemia.

Whipworms: Not common in Florida but still found occasionally. Eggs in the soil are the culprit for whipworm infestation. Your dog or cat will get the infested soil on their paw or other body part and will ingest the eggs during normal grooming behavior. Once infected, the worm makes its way to the upper portion of the colon and the ileum, where they burrow their heads into the lining of these organs and suck your pets blood. They can cause anemia and colitis (inflammation of the large intestine usually presenting as soft stool/diarrhea with possible blood). As with most common intestinal parasites, your veterinarian has a variety of dewormers that will treat a whipworm infestation.