Pet Beach Safety

Taking your dog to the beach can be a fun adventure, but it can also be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Before you go, be sure to check the local ordinances to make sure you are going to a dog-friendly beach. Make sure to pack fresh drinking water, food, a blanket, and a sun-shelter that your pet can relax under on the hot sand. Don’t forget, being safe is the key to having fun!

Fishing Safety

Fishing is a great summertime activity for you and your dog, but don’t forget to take every precaution for your pet’s safety before you go! Be mindful of fish hooks around your pet as they may get curious and hook their skin or even ingest the hook! Be sure you equip your pet with a life jacket too! We want your fun fishing experiences with your pet this summer season to be a happy one!

World Pet Memorial Day

Today is World Pet Memorial Day. The benefits of having pets are too numerous to count. They are our companions, our friends, and to some they are even considered family, but the one downfall of being a pet owner is that a vast majority of pets have a much shorter lifespan than their human companions. Today is a day to remember those departed pets and celebrate the time you had with them. What is the happiest memory you have of a departed pet?

Pets & Heatstroke

Working up a good sweat in the hot summer months may be good for you, but it can lead to heat stroke in your pet. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, such as Pugs, Lhasa Apsos, Boston Terriers and Bulldogs are at a highly increased risk of heat stroke because their facial structure can make panting, the body’s way of cooling off, ineffective. This increased panting can actually interfere with their breathing, which may develop into respiratory distress. Protect your pet and keep them cool as the weather gets warmer this summer.

Snake Story

As a veterinarian, I have the privilege to hear all the wonderful animal hero stories. Such as, dog's waking the family when someone has a seizure, dogs going to the phone when it is ringing in a deaf person's house, but I had never heard a snake story before.

One day a client relayed this harrowing story to me. "One night, my family and I were camping with our Hound dog. I got up early, about 5am, because she was barking and wouldn't stop. I got out my flashlight, and aimed it where she was pointing. There, with it's mouth completely open, was a Cottonmouth Snake, coiled around the bottom of the picnic table. If I would have gone over innocently to make coffee, and sat down, I would be a dead man. That Hound dog saved my life."

Hurricane Season is Here!

Hurricane Season is here! Planning in advance for a natural disaster is the best way to be prepared. The team at Kindness Animal Hospital recommends that you have at least a two week supply of food, especially if on a prescription diet and 3-4 weeks of medications on hand. If an evacuation occurs, you’ll be ready with all the necessities that you will need to keep your pet safe. If you have any questions regarding hurricane season and your pet…please call us at 239-542-7387. 

June is National Pet Preparedness Month

June is National Pet Preparedness Month! Ensure your pets are included in emergency evacuation plans and safety procedures. With owners caring for pets as true family members, the majority of owners stated they would take their pets with them in the event of a disaster including 76 percent of dog owners and 67 percent of cat owners, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2011 / 2012 National Pet Owners Survey. The following are helpful preparation tips and products manufactured by APPA members to keep in mind for the whole family should disaster strike.

Stock Food & Water
Ensure pets have a vast supply of food and water to last for at least three days if needed. Non-perishable canned or freeze-dried foods are great to pack up and easy for storing at room temperature. Visit http://stewartpet.com/our-products/freeze-dried-food/for a selection of easy-to-store freeze-dried foods by Stewart^®.

Provide Fido with Float Gear
In the case of a hurricane or flood, ensure pets remain safe, afloat and visible at all times. Click Fido into a floatation vest and check out http://www.kurgostore.com/products/Surf%252dn%252dTurf-.htmlfor dog life vests, coats and more.

Pack First Aid Essentials
Prepare for any situation with essential first aid items for pets including bandages, antiseptics, and other proper tools. Should a pet need minor wound treatment or stabilizing, be ready to go with a packed first aid kit. Visit www.PawFlex.comfor disposable, tough and fur-friendly bandages.

Ensure Pets are Identifiable
Should a pet get lost in a crowd or separated during the hustle and bustle of an evacuation, ALWAYS ensure pets are easily identifiable and able to be tracked down no matter where you end up. Double check pets are secure with identification tags and all emergency contact information is up-to-date including alternate contact information in case you are forced to evacuate your house. Visit www.PetHub.comfor tags with GPS and scanning capabilities.