Pet Health Topics

At Paws Bay Animal Hospital, we believe that educating pet owners is crucial for the well-being of their furry friends. Below, you'll find valuable information on vaccines, parasite control, nutrition, and behavior to help you provide the best care for your beloved pets.

Vaccines

Learn about the importance of vaccinations in preventing common diseases in pets. Our team at Paws Bay Animal Hospital can help you create a customized vaccination schedule for your pet.

We follow and update our protocols per the AAHA vaccination guidelines:

AAHA vaccination guidelines

Parasite Control

Numerous parasites pose health risks to our beloved pets. The most concerning include fleas, mosquito-transmitted heartworms, ticks carrying multiple diseases such as Lyme, anaplasma and erhlichia, as well as intestinal parasites like whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, giardia and coccidia, along with various mites. These parasites are particularly prevalent in the Tampa, Florida area, making prevention especially important. By understanding these risks and consistently using effective preventative medications, you can protect your beloved pets from unnecessary suffering and potential life-threatening conditions. Your veterinarian can guide you in choosing the most appropriate preventatives for your pet's specific needs and lifestyle.

Below are links to specific information for each risk:

Pets and Parasites - Pet Owner friendly site all about parasites

Heartworm disease

Companion Animal Parasite Counsel- view maps and information about various parasite diseases

Veterinary Partner - you can look up information about specific diseases, parasites, etc and get information published by veterinary experts

 

Nutrition

Get insights into the importance of proper nutrition for your pets' overall health. We can provide guidance on choosing the right diet for your pet's specific needs.

Behaviour

Behavior concerns with our pets can cause significant distress in the household. They can deeply impact the bond between owners, pets, and fellow housemates. It's important to understand that these situations are sensitive, and we encourage you to discuss any behavior concerns with your veterinarian. Our educational approach aims to provide you with evidence-based information and supportive guidance to address these challenges effectively. We're committed to helping you understand the underlying causes of problematic behaviors that may be affecting your pet's quality of life and relationships with their family. Below, we've provided links to information about commonly misunderstood behavior issues. By gaining knowledge about why certain behaviors occur, we can supportively guide you toward solutions that will enhance your pet's daily routine and overall happiness.

Separation Anxiety

Puppy training and socilization

Common 'naughty' behaviors

Fears and Phobias

Cognitive Dysfunction (canine dymentia)

Dental Health

Our comprehensive dental procedures are performed under general anesthesia with complete anesthetic monitoring. This allows us to obtain full mouth radiographs, which are essential for assessing the health of each tooth from crown to root. The majority of damaging dental disease exists below the gumline and cannot be properly evaluated without examining the entire tooth structure. If teeth are cleaned without this thorough examination, undetected pockets of disease and deep infection can continue to damage the gums, surrounding bone, and adjacent teeth.

In addition to our professional dental services, at-home dental care is a crucial component of your pet's overall health. We would be happy to provide personalized tips and techniques to help you maintain your pet's dental hygiene between visits.

Empower Your Pet's Health Today!

Take the first step towards providing optimal care for your pets. Schedule a consultation with our expert team at Paws Bay Animal Hospital.