Living in Florida definitely has its perks. The year-round warm temperatures encourage the growth of a plethora of landscaping and garden plants that beautifully flourish in the Sunshine State. But what is seen as an attractive benefit for people, can be alluring risk to your pets. Much like a variety of foods, the plants that decorate and surround your home can prove toxic to your cat or dog when eaten. Because you can’t always know what your dog or cat will be attracted to, or consume, make sure to do your homework before adding plants to your landscape or indoor decor. Avoid including the following plants that could be risky for both dogs and cats:

• Aloe Vera – Understood to be a great salve for those sunburns that are so prevalent under the Florida sun, the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors in both dogs and cats.
• Begonias – Though very popular as a garden and container plant, pet owners should add this flowering bush with caution. Consumption can cause intense burning in mouth, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
• Cyclamen – Also quite popular both indoors and out, this flowering plant and its roots have been shown to cause fatalities in some cases. Intense vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation are the most common symptoms.
• Daffodil – This dainty spring-time bulb is highly toxic to both cats and dogs. If you have a dog who likes to dig, avoid adding daffodil bulbs to your garden as they are the most toxic part of the plant. Symptoms range from increased drooling, vomiting and diarrhea to low blood pressure, tremors and even cardiac arrhythmia.
• Hosta – This green, broad-leafed shrub is gorgeous to look at but it can also cause vomiting and diarrhea when ingested by either canines or felines.
• Lilies – Yes, lilies are extremely popular in Florida as well as the rest of the country, but are particularly dangerous to cats. Many types, including Tiger, Asian, Easter and Stargazer, can cause kidney failure in cats. Dogs are unaffected by the plant however. Make sure to check with your local landscaper before adding any type of lily if you are a cat owner.
• Milkweed – If your intent is to attract butterflies to your yard, then milkweed is your go-to choice. But where our winged friends can’t get enough of the flowering plant, it can be quite noxious to both cats and dogs. Symptoms of its poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and fatigue; which can be followed by seizures, difficulty breathing, kidney or liver failure, coma respiratory paralysis and even death.
• Oleander – Many people understand that this flowering shrub is poisonous to people but don’t consider its toxicity levels for pets. Dogs, cats and even horses are at risk from bloody diarrhea, colic, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors and even cardiac failure.
• Sago Palm – It should come as no surprise that Florida homes and landscapes has more than their fair share of Sago Palms as the area’s climate is perfect for the ornamental plant; but unfortunately, animals have been known to enjoy them too – as a tasty treat. Ingestion can cause vomiting, intestinal bleeding, bruising, liver damage and failure and possibly death.

By Emira Sanabria CVT / Lead Ophthalmology Technician

When your dog is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (higher than normal levels of sugar in the blood) the overall health of its eyes may be at risk as well. A high percentage of dogs will get cataracts as a consequence of this condition. Even dogs with well controlled sugar levels can develop cataracts. It may happen in a few months, few weeks or even overnight.

Cloudiness or white in the colored part of the eye may be the first indication of a cataract forming in the lens. A cataract is defined as an opaque area of the normally clear lens, and in dogs with diabetes they are the result of the excess sugar that is present not only in the blood but also in the tears and in the fluids that give the lens proper nutrition.

Dogs that have well-controlled diabetes, and did not have any other health issue that may prevent them to go under anesthesia, can get their lost vision restored with a cataract surgery. Other conditions that they need to meet are to have a functional retina and no damage in their optics nerves. They can also get lens implants to help them see objects up close.

Those cataracts are removed by Phacofragmentation, this involves a very small incision in the cornea and use of an ultrasonic device to fragment, and then aspirate the opacified lens. The surgery is done under general anesthesia and both eyes can be operated at the same time. The dog will go home the same day and come back to the clinic for re-exams and to control any complication that may occur after the procedure.

Dana – Veterinary Technician

Similar to people, when dogs and cats eat, the food is broken down into more basic nutrients such as proteins and sugars. The sugar enters the bloodstream and is taken in by our pet’s cells for use as energy. When this process does not happen due to a disease called diabetes mellitus, the blood becomes saturated with sugar and the body suffers from symptoms of high blood sugar. High blood sugar in a dog or cat is a value higher than 400 mg/dl. Normal glucose is between 80-120 mg/dl but it is possible to have high blood glucose due to other factors such as stress or after eating a meal especially if that meal is high in calories. Often, diabetic pets have a blood glucose level more than 700 mg/dl. When the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin to move the glucose into the cells or the cells no longer respond to the signal that the insulin is giving, the blood glucose levels rise. The excess sugar has to be removed from the body by the kidneys. This causes there to be glucose in the urine.

Some symptoms of diabetes in pets include excessive drinking and urinating, weight loss, increased appetite, cloudy eyes or cataracts, and chronic skin and urinary tract infections (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2019). Because the cells in your pet’s body are not receiving the glucose they need to make energy, the cells are basically starving. This can cause your pet to eat more and is often why they are overweight. Your veterinarian can test the level of glucose in both the blood and the urine if you suspect your pet may be diabetic.

By Noël Ziel, Lead Veterinary Technician and Medical Coordinator

This is a common question often asked in veterinary offices. With the advent of the internet and with pet owners becoming more informed about their pets’ care, it is easy to become confused and potentially read misinformation regarding flea and tick prevention. This article will focus on a certain class of drug called the Isoxazoline Class. These brand name products include Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica, Credelio, and Revolution Plus. All of these products treat and prevent flea and tick infestations. We will focus on this class because of their popularity and the recent FDA announcement.

What are Isoxazolines? The Isoxazoline class is a relatively new synthetic chemical class that was introduced in the 2010’s. This drug class has a broad spectrum of insecticidal and acaricidal activity. This means it kills fleas, ticks, and mites. The drug over stimulates the neurological system which causes paralysis and death of the flea, tick, and mite. Mammals have a much lower sensitivity to Isoxazolines, therefore this class of drug is considered safe for dogs and cats.

Because of how the drug works, the Isoxazoline class requires the flea or tick to bite the dog or cat to die. It is not a repellant. This class of drug has been studied and proven to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasmosis, which have the potential to not only be harmful but also fatal to the pet. Isoxazolines usually kill the tick faster than the tick can transmit the disease, therefore being effective in preventing the transmission of disease. Isoxazolines also have been successful in treating skin mite and ear mite infections.

By Noël – Lead Veterinary Technician/Medical Coordinator

Is my pet fat? You may have asked this question in the past, and if you haven’t, you may be asking it now. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), the stats are alarming. The APOP says that 60% of cats and 56% of dogs are classified as overweight or obese. The APOP also found that 90% of overweight cat and 95% of overweight dog owners failed to correctly identify the appropriate weight range for their animal. So what does this all mean? Why do the numbers increase every year? What are pet owners and veterinarians doing about it? Let’s trim the fat on pet obesity.

There are many factors that can contribute to obesity. One of the most common factors is overfeeding. We equate food with love. We love our pets, so we feed them a little extra food, extra treats, and even human food. Human food is much more calorically dense than pet food. So what seems like a small snack may actually be your pet’s entire caloric need for the day. If a pet is spayed or neutered, they have lower caloric requirements for healthy metabolism than a pet that is intact. For all of the health benefits associated with spaying and neutering, the lack of hormones tends to expand our pets waist lines. Weight gain is also gradual. It is not a sudden onset, so the weight tends to creep up and go unnoticed. When we see our pets every day, it may be hard to notice the few extra pounds. Busy schedules also mean less exercise. With all of the daily stresses and jam packed days, it may be hard to take the dog for that much needed long walk in the park. Or there may not be time to play with the kitty with their favorite cat toys. All of these factors can lead to a pet’s weight gain.

Lisa Feinstein DVM MPH

As Marijuana (Cannabis) is becoming more available and popular, pet owners are increasingly looking to use CBD oil on their pets. We are all hearing stories of CBD oil helping with chronic pain, epilepsy, and even cancer. Are these facts or fiction? Is CBD oil safe for our pets? Where do you get CBD oil for your pet? These are some questions I am being asked by pet owners.

For this article, I referenced Pet Poison Control’s website and their webinar on “Pots and Pets: Updates on Marijuana Intoxication in Dogs and Cats, “from September 25, 2018. They do these webinars because dogs (and occasionally cats) can get exposed to our pot based products (pot brownies, pot cookies, pot gummies), and Pet Poison Control is getting more phone calls every month as marijuana edibles are hitting the market. Marijuana (or Cannabis plant) is the plant itself, and THC and CBD oil are two of the 100 plus Cannabinoid compounds that are derived from the Cannabis plant.

THC is a psychoactive compound that induces a “high,” and higher levels of THC are, therefore, associated with higher levels of psychosis when consumed by people and their pets. CBD (also known as Cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound that is being researched for its medical uses in epilepsy and osteoarthritis. Unlike THC, CBD oil has a wide margin of safety. Synthetic Cannibinoids (nicknamed K2 or Spice) are an illegal recreational product that has severe nervous system effects and is not in legally marketed products.

Florida is home to a fantastic species of tortoise called the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus peolyphmus). This native species of tortoise can be found all over Florida making their homes in burrows in dry sandy areas. These tortoises are strictly terrestrial and are unable to swim. They rarely drink and get most of their water from their diet. Gopher Tortoises are called Keystone Species because their burrows house over 300 species of other animals as well. A tortoise will dig a burrow and live in it. The tortoise eats many broad leaf plants and grasses, and will deposit their manure in and around their burrows, which fertilizes the ground and grows new plants and grasses. When the tortoise moves on from the burrow, it has left behind a lush living space for other animals to enjoy and inhabit. This makes them a crucial member of Florida’s complex and delicate ecosystem.

Because of their importance and the mass urbanization of the state, Florida has listed Gopher Tortoises as a ‘threatened’ species. This means that they, and their burrows, are federally protected. It is unlawful to possess, harass, handle, or harm these tortoises and their homes. If you see one on your property, you may enjoy your friendly little visitor or resident from a distance. If you see one in the road, you are permitted to help it cross only in the direction it was headed and no further. If you see an injured tortoise, contact a wildlife center for instructions.

By Lisa Feinstein DVM MPH

Bufo Marinus Toads, also known as Cane toads, are a potential threat to your dog. These large toads produce a toxic secretion from glands in their jaw area and along the skin on their back. The secretion can cause hallucinations and even death if ingested in large amounts. The effects usually last about an hour. Reckless teenagers have attempted to get high off of the toads. Dogs on the other hand, with their play drive are only looking to grab it and play with it. However, the neurological side effects can be serious, especially in little dogs.

Bufo toads are also called Cane toads because they were intentionally released into sugar cane farms to kill pests. In Florida, they were released in the 1930s and 40s but they didn’t start to populate here until the 1950s and 60s when an importer accidentally released many from the Miami airport and other releases thereafter (Easteal, 1981) (Lever, 2001). They do very well in our climate and are mostly terrestrial (despite the name marinus), but do need water to breed like ponds, puddles and canals (which we have a lot of in South Florida).

If you happen upon a Bufo toad with your dog, leave it alone and steer your dog away from it. However, if you find your dog playing with a Bufo and he may have had it in his mouth, take your dog to the nearest hose or sink and rinse their mouth out in a downward direction. Lift your dog’s gums and lightly spray the water downward so that it is going towards the ground and not down his throat. If your dog seems dazed and abnormal, you should bring it to the veterinarian quickly. This is especially true for little dogs like Yorkies and Jack Russells whose body size will be more affected by the neuro toxin from the Bufo toad. They could seizure and even die if they absorbed a large amount. The veterinarian will give intravenous valium to suppress the brain’s hyperactivity and fluids to flush the blood.

We have a great parasite education article to share this month, please click below.

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Preventing Fall Intoxications

We may not have a traditional Fall here in South Florida, but we sure do see toxins that are common during the cooler months’ seasons. There are many that could be harmful to your furry family members. From chocolate and wild mushrooms to rat poison and mold, theses toxin that those items contain or can produce inside your pet can lead to life – threatening situations.

Pet poison helpline has put together a nice educational Fall newsletter that is a must read for pet owners during the holidays. Just click on the link below and make sure your pets are safe.

Happy Fall!!!

By Lisa Feinstein DVM MPH

Summers in South Florida can be very hot, with temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity close to 100%. It’s important to stay cool and out of the heat, especially at the hottest time of the day. Dogs and cats can also be affected by this heat, and we have to protect them from it and recognize the danger signs. Dogs especially are more at risk since they are taken on walks or in cars and get overheated.

Dogs don’t sweat all over their body like we do. They pant to release heat and sweat in isolated places like their paws. When running or walking your dog, take him out during the cooler parts of the day like in the morning before 7 am and in the evening after 7 pm. Don’t leave your dog in the yard alone and don’t ever leave them in a hot car. Some breeds are more susceptible to heat stress since they airways are less open for good air exchange. The brachiocephalic breeds which include Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese, and Japanese Chins are short-nosed and have thickened soft palates making it harder for them to get good air exchange. If they get hotter and pant, their throat becomes more swollen, making air exchange for difficult. I have heard of English Bulldogs dying when taken for a run. Their owners had no idea there was anything harmful and the dogs kept running until they passed out and died.

Is Your Dog’s Itchy Skin Driving You Crazy?

Lisa Feinstein DVM MPH

If your dog is scratching and itching himself, there are a lot of great medications that can help give your dog (and you) relief. Itching, licking and biting can cause damage to the skin and should be managed. The cause of the itch may be parasites (fleas, mites, lice, fungus), allergies (to environmental triggers like grass or pollen or to food reaction), bacterial/yeast infection, immune disease (like lupus), or psychological/habit (like lick granuloma sores). It is important for the pet to be examined to check for these since if the cause of the itching is not treated, then it will persist despite medicines to control it.

An itchy dog deserves a full skin examination. His coat will be thoroughly combed for evidence of fleas or flea dirt (essentially flea feces which are black coiled fragments that turn red with water). Even if you can’t find fleas or flea dirt, your dog can still be biting from prior flea bites- and you may need to comb your other animals since some dogs are so good at removing fleas (and evidence) that you can’t find them during your exam. If there are hair loss spots, the skin will be scraped and and examined under a microscope for mites and lice. A sample of skin or hair may also be pulled for fungal testing.

Pet Foods and Prescription Diets, Does my Pet need to be on one?

We are what we eat, as the saying goes. The pet food industry is booming, with new foods and supplements coming out all the time. Our pets are our family, so we want to feed them “all natural” and “organic” and “holistic” and “non GMO.” The pet food industry has responded to that demand. There are so many different pet foods out there now and it can get very confusing and very expensive. You may be wondering what really is best for your pet.

More expensive does not always mean better. Don’t be tricked into thinking that an expensive pet food is better for your pet. The older brands (Iams, Nutro, Purina, Science Diet) are solid, good companies that have been around a long time and have put plenty of money into nutritional research, not advertising. On the contrary, some newer brands spend a lot of money on advertising. They cost a lot more and they justify it by using marketing terms like “all natural” and “holistic.” In reality there is no legal definition of “holistic” in terms of pet foods; so any pet food can label its food as such. You have to remember they are marketing themselves to you who will be reading or listening to their advertisement, not to your pet who doesn’t read.

• By Lisa Feinstein, DVM MPH

  Veterinarians recommend monthly heartworm prevention and flea/tick prevention. You may ask “Why?” since we don’t take these and we don’t have them and our dogs and cats are living with us in our houses. Well, that’s even more of a reason your pets should be taking monthly heartworm prevention. Our pets are in our houses, sleeping with us in our beds, giving us kisses, and sometimes even sharing food off our plates. And the odds are that 25% to up to 50% of our dogs in the Southeast have parasites. A recent study (Blagburn 2007) showed 52% of shelter dogs carry parasites, with hookworms, roundworms and whipworms being the most common. Percentages are lower for owned pets, but they still are around 12% nationally and higher for the Southeast (www.petsandparasites.org).

  You may say “Yuck”, then “How does my pet get these worms?” Well, the term Fecal-Oral means poop to mouth and that’s what’s happening. Essentially your dog (or cat) is ingesting micro amounts of feces that have the parasites in it. The infected poop from one dog gets into your dog or cat’s mouth when he licks another dog’s rear end or when he licks his paws that are dirty after playing at the dog park. Another route of infection is through mother to puppy or kitten. And these parasites get into your dog and then get shed through your dog’s feces, making it possible for you, your family or your other pets to get infected. Fecal worms suck blood and cause intestinal inflammation, diarrhea and disease. Heartworms create lung and major heart vessel damage that can be fatal over time. If you get exposed to these parasites, they can create rashes on your body (cutaneous larva from hookworms) and migrant larvae can spread into your organs (visceral larvae from roundworms). Kids are easy targets since they don’t often wash their hands before eating and put their hands in their mouths.

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• Fourth of July Fireworks Phobia
• Dr. Lisa Feinstein DVM MPH

New Year’s is here. If your dog has a fireworks and loud noise phobia, you should be prepared. Some dogs get so scared that they can harm themselves and cause damage to the house and their surroundings.

What can you do to help your dog? If your dog is young, sometimes your dog will grow up without developing a fear of fireworks. If your dog and you are together on Fourth of July and there are fun people and food that day, the noise may not be remembered as a scary thing. However, the loud boom of fireworks, especially at night and home alone, can be remembered and reinforced as a very scary event for most dogs. It seems to worsen as these dogs age.

Fortunately you can plan for fireworks, unlike thunderstorms, which can have their own booms and shudders without much warning. If you are a naturalist and want to try natural products before medicating your dog, you could try a thunder jacket and an Adaptil collar, which releases calming pheromones. Put these on your dog 12 hours before the fireworks begin. You can even try them out days before Fourth of July to see their effect. They are safe but not reliable for fireworks or thunder phobia.

• By Lisa Feinstein, DVM, MPH

  Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas bring chocolates and flowers that we all enjoy, but make sure you keep them away from your pets. Dogs are attracted to the sweet, milky taste of chocolate just like we are, but unlike humans, dogs take longer to break down methylxanthines like theobromines in chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine and the smaller the dog, the more relative effect the amount of chocolate will have. The signs of chocolate toxicity range from mild exposure effects like diarrhea, panting, and vomiting to severe signs like seizures and cardiac arrest.

  The best thing is to prevent exposure or temptation for your dog. So keep chocolate off counter surfaces or coffee tables. Remember that even chocolate in wrappers is a potential threat; dogs have no problem eating the wrapper and chocolate all together. Also make sure you aren’t unknowingly feeding your dog any chocolate products like cereals, puddings, or baked goods.

  If your dog gets into chocolate, the key is knowing how much and what type. There are great resources to calculate out your dog’s risk. Have some idea of your dog’s weight, the amount of chocolate and the type of chocolate. If you have no idea how much your dog ate since the bowl is empty, err on the side of caution and calculate for what is the most that was possibly eaten. Then go online to websites that have a dog chocolate toxicity meter, like www.petmed.com/dog/chocolate-toxicity.

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Gwen B. Flinchum, MAg., DVM, Diplomate – ABVP Avian

There is a common misconception that I hear frequently from bird owners: “My bird is healthy, always has been, so I do not need to take it to a veterinarian.” What many people do not realize is that birds do not act sick until they are in the end stages of disease. In fact, we hear all-too-commonly: “My bird was fine yesterday but today is not acting right and is sitting on the bottom of the cage.” When a bird is brought into our clinic at this point there may be a 50% (or less) chance that we will be able to have success in treatment.

Therefore, we have compiled a list of considerations as to why your bird may not be as healthy as you think it may be. Hopefully after reading this list, it will be obvious as to why regular visits to an avian veterinarian are imperative.

Birds hide illness when they are sick. As previously mentioned, birds do not always show symptoms of illness when they are sick. This is because it is natural behavior for birds to expect that if they act sick they will be perceived as prey and will be an easy target for a larger animal to hunt and eat. Because a bird does not act sick, this leads the owner to believe (naively) that the bird is fine and does not need to see a vet. Nevertheless, a veterinary examination of a supposedly normal-acting bird may reveal symptoms of underlying abnormal conditions. For example, a veterinarian may recognize changes in weight, feather color and fecal consistency. These changes may not have been obvious to the owner, but would be considered by the veterinarian as “red flags” that could indicate potential health problems that need further investigation.

• Roses are red,
• Violets are blue,
• If I’ve got a pet, what do I do?

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and we know how much you love your pet! Chances are your furry family member is going to get some Valentine’s snuggles this year and maybe even a gift of its own. The human family members of your house may also be getting gifts this year, some of which may be highly toxic to your furry friends. Check out our tips on how to show your love without spending Valentine’s weekend in the ER. Do keep Valentine’s Day chocolate away from pets! Who doesn’t love a big box of chocolate for Valentine’s Day? Unfortunately, dogs are more than happy to help themselves to chocolate if given the opportunity! Calls involving pets ingesting milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and chocolate baked goods were the top three most common exposures handled by Pet Poison Helpline in February of 2014 and 2015. Chocolate ingestion by dogs can result in agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, tremors, and seizures, depending on the dose ingested. If your pet gets into chocolate, don’t despair! Know that Pet Poison Helpline’s veterinary experts are available 24/7 to help assess the risk and, if needed, to help your veterinarian set up an appropriate and individualized treatment plan for your love.

By Lisa H Feinstein DVM MPH

I have had the pleasure of raising chickens for the last 12 years. Not only do they produce fresh, organic eggs, they are also fun and personable. Each one has a unique personality. They all know me and follow me around in my yard. I let them out during the day and they come to me when I call them in to the coop. I even have a female wild turkey that wandered into my yard and has become a trusted part of my flock. She lays a giant turkey egg about three times a week, and it makes a great fried egg in the morning.

If you are interested in getting chickens, I offer a few pieces of advice to keep them safe and happy.

1. Buy Rhode Island Reds baby chicks from Grifs. They are nonbroody and have been bred over time to be very friendly with people. They lay large brown eggs. They will learn to trust you and follow you. Other breeds are more scared and difficult to gain trust. I also have an Aracuna who lays a blue egg and a turkey which lays a big speckled white egg. My Rhode Island Reds are the friendliest.
2. Another reason to buy from Grifs is that they sell female chicks which will become hens. You do not needs a rooster to have eggs, nor do you want a rooster. Roosters can be aggressive, will make your eggs fertilized, and worst of all, will cockadoodle at 4 in the morning. Sometimes a chick ends up being a male and grows up to be a rooster, and I have had to find a home for him.
3. Feed chick starter when they are young and then Egg Layer when they are mature. Provide fresh clean water every day (they dirty it quickly). The feed should be high protein (13 to 15%) and Calcium rich for good egg production. I get mine from the Cooper City Walmart. I also supplement with cracked or whole corn (Walmart feed section) and I feed them table scraps. They eat almost everything- fruit, vegetables, left over bread, popcorn or rice, corn cobs that my kids only half ate. They will peck it clean.
4. They also love grazing on grass- so let them out when you are home so that they can graze, get some exercise and have a dust or sun bath in the ground. Their favorite food in the yard is a tasty fat grub or beetle – and when one hen scratches at the ground and finds one, they all try to steal it.
5. Build a secure coop for them that shelters them from rain, sun, and most importantly- predators. Go around the coop with an acute eye looking for any way a raccoon can get it in- because they will find a way. I lost 2 chickens from a coop I thought was secure but wasn’t. The chicken wire or chain link has to be tight and strong and the holes no bigger than a baby’s fist. The perimeter has to be lined with stones so that a predator can’t dig in. The door has to be secure so it can’t be pried open by dexterous raccoon hands. You can buy ready made coops or build one yourself. Just make sure it has some perches and nest boxes and is protected from the elements and predators.
6. If you let your chickens out to graze during the day, predators can get them during the day. I have lost chickens to hawks, raccoons, dogs and even feral cats. I have learned the hard way to only let them out when I am home and can hear any distress calls. They can’t fly that well so unfortunately they are easy prey. Also they can fly enough to get over a fence into the neighbor’s yard, but they sometimes have trouble getting back into my yard. So I have had to be very protective of them while still letting them out because they need some yard time.
7. As far as veterinary care, chickens are hardy and don’t require much. However, I dewormed them once when one defecated a large round worm (I used piperazine). I have also had to suture bite wounds when they have been attacked- and they do amazingly well. Just make sure you use medications that are safe in chickens and you don’t eat that chickens eggs during that time. For other medical concerns, I have asked a bird veterinarian (like Dr. Flinchum) and consulted with on line forums.
8. Chickens can live up to 12 to 14 years in a happy, safe environment. If your house and yard are zoned to allow you to have chickens, you should consider having them. I am sure you would enjoy them.

Living in Florida definitely has its perks. The year-round warm temperatures encourage the growth of a plethora of landscaping and garden plants that beautifully flourish in the Sunshine State. But what is seen as an attractive benefit for people, can be alluring risk to your pets. Much like a variety of foods, the plants that decorate and surround your home can prove toxic to your cat or dog when eaten. Because you can’t always know what your dog or cat will be attracted to, or consume, make sure to do your homework before adding plants to your landscape or indoor decor. Avoid including the following plants that could be risky for both dogs and cats:

• Aloe Vera – Understood to be a great salve for those sunburns that are so prevalent under the Florida sun, the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors in both dogs and cats.
• Begonias – Though very popular as a garden and container plant, pet owners should add this flowering bush with caution. Consumption can cause intense burning in mouth, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
• Cyclamen – Also quite popular both indoors and out, this flowering plant and its roots have been shown to cause fatalities in some cases. Intense vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation are the most common symptoms.
• Daffodil – This dainty spring-time bulb is highly toxic to both cats and dogs. If you have a dog who likes to dig, avoid adding daffodil bulbs to your garden as they are the most toxic part of the plant. Symptoms range from increased drooling, vomiting and diarrhea to low blood pressure, tremors and even cardiac arrhythmia.
• Hosta – This green, broad-leafed shrub is gorgeous to look at but it can also cause vomiting and diarrhea when ingested by either canines or felines.
• Lilies – Yes, lilies are extremely popular in Florida as well as the rest of the country, but are particularly dangerous to cats. Many types, including Tiger, Asian, Easter and Stargazer, can cause kidney failure in cats. Dogs are unaffected by the plant however. Make sure to check with your local landscaper before adding any type of lily if you are a cat owner.
• Milkweed – If your intent is to attract butterflies to your yard, then milkweed is your go-to choice. But where our winged friends can’t get enough of the flowering plant, it can be quite noxious to both cats and dogs. Symptoms of its poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and fatigue; which can be followed by seizures, difficulty breathing, kidney or liver failure, coma respiratory paralysis and even death.
• Oleander – Many people understand that this flowering shrub is poisonous to people but don’t consider its toxicity levels for pets. Dogs, cats and even horses are at risk from bloody diarrhea, colic, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors and even cardiac failure.
• Sago Palm – It should come as no surprise that Florida homes and landscapes has more than their fair share of Sago Palms as the area’s climate is perfect for the ornamental plant; but unfortunately, animals have been known to enjoy them too – as a tasty treat. Ingestion can cause vomiting, intestinal bleeding, bruising, liver damage and failure and possibly death.

Though traveling during the holidays to visit friends and family should be enjoyable, the stress of perhaps not being able to take along our pets can be taxing. Many pet owners would prefer to take their furry family members along with them but it’s not always feasible that they do so. This holiday season, alleviate the guilt you may feel about leaving him/her behind by finding a dog boarding facility that will take perfect care of your dog. Ensure your dog’s well-being and your peace of mind by using these tips for finding a great boarding kennel:

• Schedule a tour – Getting a full understanding of where your pet is going to be kept will give you a number of cues as to how well the kennel is run. If they are hesitant about allowing you to take your time assessing both indoor and outdoor areas, you may want to consider elsewhere. Schedule a few days of doggie daycare beforehand in order to get a real sense of how well your dog copes with the new environment.
• Ask questions – Don’t be shy about getting a full description of everything the boarding facility provides. Make sure that you understand the daily routine in regards to how much exercise your dog will be getting, what overnight care includes and what the feeding and kenneling schedule looks like.
• Ensure the safety of your dog – Make sure that if your dog has any special dietary or medical requirements, the staff is well-educated and able to handle them. Safeguard the care of your dog by finding out what the protocol is in regards to emergencies.
• Be a witness – When visiting or touring the facility, take your dog with you. If he is fine socializing with other dogs, take some time to witness his interactions with both staff and dogs. Take special note of the facility’s supervision of dogs during play time. Do they interact with the dogs? Do they keep potential risky situations to a minimum? How many people are involved during play time?

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is safe for humans but toxic to dogs. It has been used as an ingredient in many sugar-free chewing gums (Orbit, Stride, Trident) for years, but its use is expanding to more foods, including some baked goods, desserts, even sugar-free peanut butters. The human food industry has recognized its benefits for preventing tooth decay and lowering sugar intake for human diabetics, but for dogs, xylitol can be lethal.

When a dog ingests xylitol, two major health crises occur. His pancreas responds to what it thinks is real sugar and releases too much insulin. This insulin surge causes the dog’s blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels causing hypoglycemia within 30 minutes of ingestion. This hypoglycemia can then cause the dog to get weak, collapse, and even seizure. The second major health crisis is xylitol’s toxic effect on the liver. The liver can suffer partial or total failure and cell death. This liver damage happens later (like 8 to 12 hours) than the hypoglycemia which is more immediate.

The best way to prevent xylitol toxicity is to block any access to foods and gums that contain it. Read labels – check and make sure you are not unintentionally stocking it for yourself or your pets. If there is a possible ingestion (like your dog went into your purse and you see empty Orbit gum wrappers), call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately. Describe how much you think your dog may have ingested. Inducing vomiting can potentially save your dog’s life by prevention of absorption of xylitol. Intravenous fluids with dextrose and monitoring of liver values should then be continued for at least 24 hours.

Furry, fluffy puppy dogs; huggably-adorable kittens. It’s hard to imagine the world without them, but the sad fact is that there are far too many of our furry friends in our country that don’t enjoy safe and loving homes. It has been estimated that there are approximately 70 million homeless dogs and cats in the US, many of them becoming dangerous and unhealthy while on the streets. This population of homeless pets taxes community resources and fills shelters and often ends tragically with the euthanizing of such animals. As a leading animal hospital in Davie, we have experienced the negatives of too many cats and dogs far too often to not take a stance. We believe that all pet owners should take seriously the responsibility of spaying or neutering their pets. Reasons for doing so include:

1. It protects the community and the existing pet population as a whole. As noted above, spaying and neutering keeps the population of stray pets at more manageable levels and keeps unwanted pets from having to be euthanized.
2. It costs less than you would think. The one-time cost is far less than the expenses incurred while caring for a litter of unwanted pups or kittens.
3. It keeps your male dog at home. Males looking for a mate are quick to roam and will do what they can to escape their confines. Neutering your male pet will reduce the likelihood of his escaping your home, keeping him safe and happy.
4. It keeps your female pet from going into “heat”. Female dogs go into breeding cycles about every six months; female cats have a much more complex breeding cycle, during which they can go into heat much more frequently than dogs. Spaying your female dog or cat helps eliminate her need to advertise for a willing mate, keeping her from howling and other behaviors that can be difficult to manage.
5. It keeps your pet healthier in the long run. Spaying and neutering has been shown to help reduce the risks of developing breast cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. And, contrary to popular belief, the procedure does not carry the risk of causing your pet to become fat.