General Services at Santa Cruz Animal Clinic in Brandon, FL
Comprehensive veterinary care, including physical exams, vaccinations, microchipping, nutrition counseling, and emergency services to ensure your pet’s health and safety.
General Services
Physical exam
A physical exam is very important to help diagnose issues and diseases. Every small clue collected during an exam can lead to one or many other issues. Here is what a physical exam consists of:
Eyes: It is very important to check the eyes. The veterinarian will use an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to check the eyes for retinal diseases and cataracts. Some diseases of the retina can indicate other body function issues, such as infections and high blood pressure. The veterinarian may also use what is called a tonopen to check the pressure levels in the eyes, which can diagnose glaucoma.
Mouth: The veterinarian will visually check the mouth. The veterinarian will be looking for tarter build-up, loose teeth, abscesses, fractures, missing teeth, gum disease, tumors, and lesions. After this exam is complete, the veterinarian might suggest further testing or dental cleanings, depending on what the exam showed.
Abdomen: Palpating the abdomen checks a lot of the major organs and structures. This part of the exam will check the kidneys, liver, spleen, bladder, and intestinal tract. Characteristics they are feeling for are organ-size bladder stones, tumors, and intestinal abnormalities.
Skin: When the veterinarian is checking the skin, they are looking for a couple of things—parasites, abnormal growths, lesions, hair loss, and checking for fleas and ticks. Sometimes, the veterinarian will request further testing, such as cytology or biopsies, to get a definite answer.
Lymph Nodes: The veterinarian will palpate the lymph nodes to check their size, tenderness, and symmetry.
Nervous System: The veterinarian will test your pet’s reflexes and watch your pet’s behavior to check the Nervous System.
External Genitalia: The veterinarian is looking for certain things when checking the genitalia. Swelling, growths, color, and discharge are some symptoms they look for. The veterinarian will also check the prostate to make sure it does not feel abnormal.
Gait: The stance and manner of walking. The veterinarian will observe for lameness and inflexibility and palpate the joints. This is a good way to detect arthritis or other joint issues.
Canine
Rabies
Of all animal diseases, Rabies seems to be feared the most. Unfortunately, Rabies is always fatal. The virus itself attacks the brain. Most pets get exposed to Rabies by getting bit by a wild animal, particularly raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. To control this issue, the best way to prevent Rabies is to have dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated every year or three years, depending on the vaccine.
Canine Distemper
This is a highly contagious virus that is found wherever dogs are found. This virus affects the respiratory and nervous system and is many times fatal. Vaccination for this virus should start at 6-12 weeks of age since dogs have a tendency to catch this virus at an early age.
Adenovirus Type 1 and 2
Type 1 Adenovirus in canines causes infectious hepatitis, which sometimes leads to severe kidney damage. Type 2 Adenovirus in canines can sometimes be a complication factor in kennel cough. Vaccines are available that cover both types of Adenovirus.
Parainfluenza
This viral respiratory disease is often responsible or partly responsible for “Kennel Cough” in dogs. This infection can be severe in puppies. This particular virus is included in the distemper-parvo vaccine.
Parvovirus
This is a very contagious virus that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea ( which can have blood in it). It can affect all ages but is very deadly to puppies.
Bordetella
Bordetella is frequently involved in the kennel cough complex. This is a bacterial infection that can occur simultaneously with parainfluenza, distemper, adenovirus type 2 and other respiratory infection.
Feline
Rabies
Of all the animal diseases, Rabies seems to be feared the most. Unfortunately, Rabies is always fatal. The virus itself attacks the brain. Most pets get exposed to rabies by getting bit by wild animals, in particular raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. To control this issue, the best way to prevent rabies is to have dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated every year or three years, depending on the vaccine.
Panleukopenia(Distemper)
Sometimes called ” Feline Distemper”, Feline Panleukopenia causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. This particular disease is the most widespread cat disease, and it causes high death loss, especially in kittens.
Rhinotracheitis
This is a widespread viral respiratory disease. This virus can cause profuse nasal and eye discharge and is usually most severe in small kittens.
Calicivirus
Calicivirus can cause various symptoms, including excess salivation, fever, and mouth and tongue ulcers. This virus is usually less fatal than panleukopenia and Rhinotracheitis.
Feline Leukemia
This is a form of cancer in cats which is usually fatal. Feline Leukemia is caused by a virus that can cause tumor growth nearly anywhere in the body, as well as a variety of other symptoms. This virus does not allow cats to fight off other diseases and can die from secondary infections. This virus should be tested before any vaccine programs are started.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
This disease is caused by coronavirus. FIP is spread by direct cat to cat contact and contact with contaminated surfaces. FIP has 2 manifestations. These manifestations are wet and dry, and both have symptoms that are nonspecific, such as depression, rough hair coat, inappetence, fever, and weight loss. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, and it is considered fatal.
What is a Microchip?
The Microchip is a permanent way to ensure your pet’s safety. The microchip is usually implanted in the skin above the shoulders. The chip is very gentle to the tissues, and usually, there is no side effect from implantation. Each chip has a unique barcode. When your pet is scanned, the microchip number comes up, as well as the place you have your pet registered through. One call to the company your pet microchip is registered to and the veterinarian can get your contact information and reunite you with your pet
Flea and Tick Prevention
Fleas and ticks can be a big nuisance. They are both found pretty much everywhere but are more prevalent in certain areas. We carry a wide range of flea and tick preventions to serve your needs. Call the office today for more information.
Prescription Diets
We stock a very extensive range of Hill’s and Royal Canin prescription diets. Over many years, our veterinarians have developed great confidence in these diets as an adjunct to the treatment of a variety of diseases, including those affecting the kidney, heart, and liver. Additionally, there are diets for obesity, allergy, joint disease, diabetes, and cancer, which have all been shown conclusively to help the underlying disease process and which we, therefore, utilize regularly.
Nutrition Counseling
Proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects of your pet’s life. Nutrition can help prevent and control so many issues. For example, certain allergies, bladder and kidney stones, weight, diabetes, and the list goes on.
Did you know:
Over 60% of the pets we see over the age of 2 are overweight. Maintaining an ideal body weight can help improve your pet’s life expectancy by 20%. Most skin allergies can be caused by food allergies. Pets can become allergic to foods that contain way too much waste product. Many gastrointestinal disturbances can be linked to an inappropriate diet.
Emergency Medical Care
In the event of an emergency, when possible, a phone call ahead is very helpful. This allows our staff to prepare for your arrival and enables us to provide prompt medical attention. For after-hours, you can call our regular switchboard number (813) 685-7751, and it will automatically put you through to Florida Veterinary Specialist.
Emergency Referral List:
Blue Pearl Veterinary Specialist – Brandon
607 Lumsden Professional Court
Brandon, FL 33511
(813)571-3303
Open only evenings, holidays, and weekends
Animal Emergency Clinic of Brandon
693 W Lumsden Rd
Brandon, Fl 33511
(813) 684-3013
Open only evenings, holidays, and weekends