February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Turning away your nose from your furry friend’s bad breath? Attention! This might be a sign of a serious health risk for your pet to his/her gums, teeth and internal organs.

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some kind of oral disease by the age of 3.

While no one wants to be faced with the daunting idea of their pets going in for surgery, it’s important to be an educated pet parent, especially when it comes to anesthesia and the questions that should be asked in preparation.

An article we came across in the Huffington Post outlines some of the important items that should be addressed between vet and client prior to any major surgery. 

According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, more and more communities are developing pet-friendly shelter plans, but keep in mind that although some shelters, including those established by the Red Cross, will allow service animals in with their owner, many will refuse entrance to pets, so it’s very important to plan ahead of time for a safe place to go with your animal(s).

With the NFL and college football seasons now in full swing, it’s time to enjoy tailgating, get-togethers and grilling.  If your pet is an avid fan too and likes to be part of the action, it’s important not to give in to the temptation of throwing your pet something off the table or grill that was intended for human consumption,

You might be familiar with pet therapy programs at medical institutions, in which trained animals are brought in by owner-volunteers to cheer up hospital patients, but there’s now an increasing trend of patients getting visits from their very own pets.

A successful example of this program is taking place at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association posted some valuable tips for caring pet owners and we’d like to share some of them here with you.

While everyone likes to save money, it’s important to remember how critical it is to provide regular, ongoing healthcare for your pet and that an investment in preventive healthcare can actually reduce your long-term pet healthcare costs.

DID YOU KNOW?

An estimated 10 million pets get lost every year. Without any kind of identification, only 10% of these pets are returned to their families.

National Microchipping Month serves as a reminder to have your pet microchipped if you haven’t already, and equally as important – to register the microchip!

ith kids being out of school and the days lasting a little longer comes more leisure and play time, especially outdoors.  Many of us are also taking the time to do more work in our yards and around the house – including mowing the lawn, working the flowerbeds and tending to weeds.  All of this outdoor activity can mean more hazards for our pets – fertilizers,

Congratulations are in order! Dr. Sarah Evans has officially hit her one year mark here at Miami Veterinary Specialists. Through the last year, Dr. Evans has become well acquainted with the local Miami veterinary community and has become a great asset to our hospital. She is well-received amongst her patients and clients alike, and the relationships she has built with her patients over the last year are treasured and admirable.