Meet Oscar, Our November Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Oscar, our November Pet Of The Month!

This fabulous feline is three years old, and loves to clown around for the camera. He even hams it up during his vet visits. When he's not providing gems for his very own Instagram account, you'll find Oscar snuggling with his mom, or taking a much-needed catnap. Because being a social media star can be exhausting!

Congratulations, Oscar and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Should I Declaw My Cat?

By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Earlier this year, New York became the first state to ban the declawing of cats. This came as a surprise to many pet parents who remember a time when the procedure was fairly routine. In recent years, however, veterinarians have begun to question declawing, and many clinics, including mine, no longer declaw cats.

During the declaw procedure, the last bone of each toe is removed. This alters the cat's natural footfall, which can result in both orthopedic and soft tissue pain. More and more practitioners have begun to suspect such pain may contribute to common problems such as lameness, obesity, litter box aversion and aggression.  If you are considering declawing your cat or kitten, ask your veterinarian about alternatives. Since Florida may follow New York's lead in 2020, the time to do your research is now.

Can We Stress Out Our Pets?

According to a recent study, the connection between pets and the people who love them may be far more intense than originally thought. While stories of how pets emulate their owners have always circulated freely, researchers in Sweden have found pets often learn and internalize one of the most commonly seen conditions of our time - stress.

When a human or an animal experiences stress, the steroid hormone cortisol is released into the bloodstream and absorbed by hair follicles. Cortisol levels in studied dogs were found to have no correlation to the dogs' activity levels or number of hours spent in training, but rather to the cortisol levels of their owners. Similar results have also been found between cat owners and their cats. If you feel your pet is exhibiting signs of stress, he or she should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible.  That said, it is also worth examining your own state of mind, and perhaps scheduling a little extra down time.

Meet Nate, Our October Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Nate. He's our October - or shall we say "Dach-tober" - Pet Of The Month!

Nate is a 12-year-old Dachshund who was found wandering in the streets as the housing market collapsed. When no one claimed him, the family who found him decided to provide him with a loving forever home. He wasted no time wriggling into everyone's hearts and even alerted his mom to a venomous coral snake in the backyard. Who says little dogs can't be heroes?

Congratulations Nate, and share with all your friends - you're our "Dach-tober" Pet Of The Month!

It's Disaster Preparedness Month!

It's Disaster Preparedness Month!

Across the country, September is Disaster Preparedness Month. And here in South Florida, that means making sure we're ready for the possibility of a hurricane. When storms approach, our local authorities diligently remind us how to prepare. But what about our pets?

Regarding emergency supplies, allot at least two to three gallons of water per pet. Each pet should have at least a week's worth of food and medications on hand before a storm arrives. Cats require at least a week's supply of extra cat litter per cat. A kiddie pool filled with sod can be kept indoors so dogs have a place to answer nature's call without the risk of going outdoors during a storm. If you plan to use a public shelter, bear in mind that Dade County only has two pet friendly shelters, and you must register to use them ahead of time. You can do this at any time by visiting www.miamidade.gov/hurricane or calling 786-331-5354. Pet owners are solely responsible for the care, feeding and walking of their pets while in the shelter. Be sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date, and bring proof of their vaccination status and registration.

With a little forward planning and due diligence, South Floridians can weather the worst of the season - and look forward to our beautiful winters!

Dental X-Rays And Pets

Dental X-Rays And Pets
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Most of us are accustomed to our own dentists routinely recommending dental radiographs as part of a routine dental wellness plan. It has only been fairly recently, however, that veterinary professionals began seeing the potential of dental radiology for the early detection of dental disease in companion animals.

Unlike human teeth, less than 20% of canine and feline teeth are visible above the gums. The other 80% of the tooth is hidden from sight, and is usually where dental problems begin. And unlike human patients, dogs and cats have a remarkable tolerance for dental pain. It is often not obvious to pet parents that their pets are suffering until secondary problems occur. By including x-rays as part of a routine dental cleaning, your veterinarian can diagnose disease and decay before your pet's health is compromised, and before the expense of treatment becomes difficult for pet parents to manage.

Meet Josie, Our August Pet Of The Month

World, meet Josie, our August Pet Of The Month!

Josie is a nine-year-old Yorkshire Terrier mix who is the apple of her mama's eye! When she's not showing off on social media, Josie enjoys playing with her four-legged sister and being the model lap dog.

Congratulations, Josie and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!