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Understanding the Florida Flea & Tick Challenge Living in Florida means dealing with pests year-round. Unlike northern states, where winter provides a reprieve from fleas and ticks, our warm, humid climate creates the perfect breeding ground for these troublesome parasites 365 days a year. Florida pets face particular risks because: Fleas thrive in our humid [...]
As pet parents, we want nothing more than to see our beloved companions thrive through every stage of life. Just like humans benefit from regular check-ups, our pets need consistent veterinary care to ensure they remain healthy and happy for years to come. Annual pet wellness exams are a cornerstone of responsible pet ownership, providing [...]
As a devoted pet parent, walking into your veterinarian's office can feel overwhelming. You want to make the most of your time with the vet, ensure your furry family member gets the best care possible, and leave feeling confident about your pet's health. The key to a successful vet visit lies in asking the right [...]
Watching your beloved companion enter their golden years can bring a mix of emotions. There's pride in the beautiful life you've shared together, but also natural concern about what lies ahead. Understanding the aging process in dogs and cats helps you provide the best senior pet care possible, ensuring your furry family member remains comfortable, [...]
As pet parents in Westchase, FL, we know that taking our beloved cats and small dogs to the veterinarian can be one of the most stressful experiences for both you and your furry family members. At West Park Animal Hospital, we witness firsthand how veterinary visit anxiety affects our patients, and we strive to make [...]
Hyperthyroidism is a relatively common disorder in older cats with an average age of onset around 12 years. It occurs when the thyroid glands, which are located in the neck begin to produce too much thyroid hormone. For most cats this over production of thyroid hormone is caused from a benign enlargement of the thyroid [...]
Overview Chronic kidney disease is the most commonly diagnosed metabolic condition in senior cats affecting up to 80% of the older cat population. It is also quite commonly diagnosed on older dogs. Unlike in acute (sudden) kidney failure, the changes to the kidneys happen gradually, and often by the time the diagnosis has been made, [...]
In uncertain times like we are currently experiencing; we know you’ll have a lot of concerns and questions. As veterinarians, we’ll attempt to answer some of the common questions we’ve been receiving and address how our hospital is responding to this epidemic. We know the stress of a pet being sick during this time can [...]
Spring and summer bring many wonderful occurrences- nice weather, Easter egg hunts, and baby animals! From middle to late March into August and even occasionally September, our local wildlife will be carrying out their biological instinct and a lot of new babies will be making their way into the ecosystem. While they may look cute [...]
Today, we attempt to tackle the giant topic of pain management in our four-legged family members. In the grand scheme of veterinary medicine, this is actually a fairly recent concept and there is still a lot of research and work to be done. There are unfortunately also a lot of misconceptions about pain [...]