Answers to some commonly asked questions…
We understand that owning a pet can be confusing when it comes to providing the best medical care. In this section you will find some commonly asked questions when it comes to your pets health. If you still have questions, feel free to call and talk to one of our knowledgeable associates and we would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.
To help you better understand heartworm disease, please use the following link:
American Heartworm Society
For more information on intestinal parasites and prevention, please use the following link:
You are driving down the road one afternoon and spot a dog on the side of the road, he looks hungry, lost and scared.
You pull over immediately to help the lost dog, but before you get out of your car please keep the following things
in mind when rescuing a stray animal.
-Safety First! Your personal safety is of the utmost importance. Never put your safety on the line to aid a stray
animal. You cannot rescue them if you are injured yourself! When pulling over, park your car completely out of
traffic. Use your hazard lights, let other drivers know where you are and what your intentions are. If it is
dark outside, use emergency flares if you carry them in your car. (If you are a natural-born rescuer, keep rescue
items on hand; cat carrier, leashes and collars, strong-smelling foods, animal first aid kit, heavy blankets,
phone numbers for veterinarians and a 24-hour emergency clinic)
-Act Slowly! Frightened, sick and injured animals may act unpredictably. Move slowly when approaching stray animals.
Scared animals have the tendency of running, the last thing that you want is for the animal to run out into traffic.
Even a small animal could inflict a painful wound, if you are bitten by an animal whose vaccination history is
not know, you may have to undergo preventative treatment for rabies. If you feel uneasy about the situation,
remain in your car! Call the local animal control office and let them know your exact location, description of
the animal and your name and where you can be contacted. If you leave the area, place food in the location given
to the animal control office. Animals are more likely to stay in an area if they have been fed there.
-Transport! If you are able to transport the animal to a shelter, head their way immediately. If you are planning
on keeping the animal at your home until you find the owner, call your local animal control and let them know
that you have the animal. Also call the SPCA or local animal shelter (local numbers can be found below) to let
them know that you have found the animal, the animal’s description, and the location the animal was found. Place
an ad in your local newspaper, put up signs at public places, ask around to friends and neighbors. (Don’t assume
that the animal has been abandoned callously. Accidents can happen to anyone, and there may be a frantic owner
looking everywhere for their beloved family pet.)
-Keep expectations realistic! After you have rescued an animal, you may think that the rest of the pet care community
would be willing to rescue it as well. Unfortunately, because of a shelter’s finances and the overwhelming amount
of abandoned animals brought to them on a daily basis, most sick or injured animals are euthanized to relieve
them from their suffering. These facilities must make the painful decisions on how to best allocate their inadequate
resources. If you decide to take the animal to a veterinarian for treatment, be sure that you are able to assume
full financial responsibility and ask all financial-related questions before treatment begins. Some veterinarians
have funds from donations set up for animals in need. However, there is usually a shortage of funds and an overwhelming
need. (For more information on the My Pet’s Hope Fund, click on the paw print on the left side of this page.)
-Think responsibly! Think clearly before rescuing any animal. Asking yourself these questions may help determine
what your plan is before acting on emotion alone;
-” Are you willing to put a lot of time and effort into looking for the owner and contacting the necessary facilities
to let them know the whereabouts of the animal?”
-“Are you willing to accept financial responsibility for the animal if the owner doesn’t show up?”
-“Are you willing to make this animal a part of your family and give them a forever home?”
-“Are you willing to return him to his original home if the owner is found a you have already formed a bond
with the animal?”
Polk County SPCA
5850 Brannen Road South
Lakeland, Florida 33813
(863)646-7722
Polk County Animal Services
7115 De Castro Road
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
(863) 499-2600
You just adopted the cutest puppy or kitten and you are having a blast welcoming them into your family. As joyful as
it is to bring a new little one into the family, there are also a lot of questions that you may have. “What do I
feed my new kitten?” “When do I have to bring my new puppy in for their shots?” “My new puppy doesn’t seem to be
feeling well, should I be worried?” New pets in the household can bring a lot of extra responsibility and a lot of
concerns.
Bringing your new pet into My Pet’s Animal Hospital can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with being
a new pet owner. Our puppy and kitten packages provide a healthy foundation to a lifetime of good health.
Our packages include:
-Thorough physical exam by one of our veterinarians during each visit
-Vaccination boosters as directed by the AAHA*/AAFP** guidelines
-Deworming each visit
-Fecal exam each visit
-Free sample of flea/heartworm prevention
-Nail trims
-Owner education on housebreaking, feeding, basic obedience
-Free bag of Royal Canin Puppy/Kitten food
Call and speak with one of our knowledgeable associates to set up your appointment to bring in your new pet today!
*American Animal Hospital Association
**American Association of Practitioners
planning our trip?
There are many laws and regulations you must keep in mind when planning your trip. Here is a list of websites
to visit that may answer some of the questions you may have. Changes in regulations is always a possibility,
so please review the most current list of requirements before your trip.
- USDA
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ - CDC
http:www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm - State of Florida
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/faq/idcapbif faq.shtml - APHIS Area Veterinarian-In-Charge:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal health/area offices/states/florida info.html - A list of known requirements for export to other countries:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/iregs/animals/#N
If you need additional assistance, please contact the office of the area veterinarian in charge.
for this procedure?
Click here for more information on subcutaneous fluids
