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Some Pets At High Risk for Diabetes

Some Pets At High Risk for Diabetes
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on May 21, 2012 in Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes affects more than 25.8 million people in the United States. This condition leads to heart disease, strokes and is a leading cause of death. Sadly, as our four-legged companions mirror what’s happening to us, some pets, especially our cats, are at increasingly high risk for this disease. Diabetes is a...
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DNA Testing For Pets

DNA Testing For Pets
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on May 8, 2012 in Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas For thousands of years, humans have selectively bred a variety of domesticated animals, creating many different breeds and unique types. While these historic farmers and breeders were focused on producing the highest quality of wool from sheep or the muscular build of a Rottweiler, they were unaware of other, more destructive traits that were passed on as...
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Is Sleeping With Your Pet Really Dangero...

Is Sleeping With Your Pet Really Dangerous Or Just Hype?
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Apr 24, 2012 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas Most pet owners don’t read or keep copies of the periodical, Emerging Infectious Diseases. But, when a newspaper cited this journal in an article describing the dangers of sleeping with pets, people took notice. When the same story was repeated hundreds of times, across all kinds of markets over 18 months, more and more individuals began to wonder of their pets...
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Beware of Gifting Living Beings this Eas...

Beware of Gifting Living Beings this Easter
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Mar 29, 2012 in Pets | 0 comments
Around Easter, many pet stores stock up on hot items including live chicks and rabbits. These animals are often given to young children as presents. After Easter the number of relinquished rabbits and chicks overwhelms many shelters. There is a current proposed bill in the Florida legislature that will result in extremely young and delicate chicks, ducks and bunnies being sold as...
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Feeding Cats Kibble Can Make Them Obese

Feeding Cats Kibble Can Make Them Obese
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Mar 21, 2012 in Pets | 1 comment
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas For many cat owners feeding their cats with a high quality dry kibble has been the standard. Some experts are now saying that these commercial diets are at the center of an epidemic of obesity and diabetes among our feline friends. So, how do you know what’s the purrrfect food for your kitty? To try and find an answer, veterinarians and nutritionists are...
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PGTV Program Takes On Senior Pet Care

PGTV Program Takes On Senior Pet Care
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Mar 9, 2012 in Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas Just as people are living longer than they did in the past, pets are living longer, too. In fact, the percentage of senior pets has nearly doubled in just over a decade, and there is every reason to expect that the “graying” pet population will continue to grow. Aging is a natural process. Although many complex physical changes accompany the golden...
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Keep Your Pets Safe In A Natural Disaste...

Keep Your Pets Safe In A Natural Disaster
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Mar 3, 2012 in Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas The recent streak of deadly tornadoes remind us that we must be prepared in case of a natural disaster. Our pets rely on our preparations and their safety is a big concern for us as pet owners. Here is some advice on the steps and supplies necessary to prepare your pet for an emergency situation: 1. Do not leave pets behind during an evacuation. If you must...
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Secondhand Smoke Harms Our Pets Too

Secondhand Smoke Harms Our Pets Too
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Feb 24, 2012 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
In the past 45 years, the number of smokers in the United States has decreased to less than 20% of the population and almost 70% of those current smokers want to kick the habit. Could an understanding of how secondhand smoke affects our pets help encourage more people to quit? The history of smoking tobacco may reach back many hundreds of years, but research in the 20th century has...
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One Lonely Betta

One Lonely Betta
Posted by Nana’s Home and Garden by Glenda Mink on Feb 10, 2012 in Blogging, Home/Garden, Pets | 0 comments
There was a time when Nana enjoyed three male bettas, each in a uniquely shaped vase – one an antique, as accents in the kitchen and great room.  A fourth display of the handsome Siamese fighting fish graced the corner of my former office desk. Actually, at one point, Nana had a total of five bettas.  The fifth was in a huge brandy sniffer-styled bowl holding seven gallons of...
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Pets Need Dental Care Too

Pets Need Dental Care Too
Posted by Marialice Quinn on Feb 7, 2012 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas Millions of pets do suffer from serious dental disease. These pets may also exhibit behavioral changes due to their pain. They are picky eaters, grumpy and even aggressive. Unfortunately many of these pets are relinquished to rescues or even euthanized. Like our teeth, dogs have an inner chamber of the tooth known as the pulp cavity. This hollow cavity (or...
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Scales and Tails Pet Festival to be held...

Scales and Tails Pet Festival to be held at DiOGi Park
Posted by Polk County Board of County Commissioners on Feb 7, 2012 in Charity/Volunteer, Entertainment, Pets | 0 comments
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners’ Parks and Recreation will host the Scales and Tails Pet Festival on Sat., Feb. 11 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Loyce E. Harpe Park in Mulberry (500 West Carter Road, next to the DiOGi Dog Park). This family event is free and open to the public. Free activities include live entertainment by Sunshine Serpents, pet contests, wiener dog...
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creating today Feb 02 2012

creating today Feb 02 2012
Posted by creating today on Feb 2, 2012 in Arts, Blogging, Creating Today, Health/Fitness, Pets, Religion/Spirituality, Uncategorized | 0 comments
The man who rows the boat seldom has time to rock it. - Bill Copeland creating aspiration, intent and perseverence… letting go into purpose; what steps will be boldly taken today? peace, love and joy…   www.creatingtoday.net  
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Bok Tower Gardens Hosts Bark Tower Garde...

Bok Tower Gardens Hosts Bark Tower Gardens’ Winter Dog Day
Posted by Bok Tower Gardens on Jan 9, 2012 in Charity/Volunteer, Education, Entertainment, Organization, Pets | 0 comments
Bok Tower Gardens is going to the dogs for good cause on Saturday, January 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the Bark Tower Gardens’ Winter Dog Day. Leashed and friendly dogs will be invited to visit to help support the Humane Society of Polk County which will receive 50 percent of the event proceeds. Dog admission, including a doggie gift bag, is $5 per dog. Regular human admission...
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Cold Weather Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe

Posted by SPCA Inc on Jan 3, 2012 in Organization, Pets, syndicated | Comments Off
Brrrr—it’s cold outside!  The following guidelines will help you keep your companion animals safe when the mercury dips. While the SPCA encourages pet owners to keep their cats and dogs inside at all times for their safety and health, if you or anyone you know has an outdoor pet, ensure they are brought inside during cold nights. If you are one of the many in the area who...
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Raw Food For Dogs: The Facts

Raw Food For Dogs: The Facts
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Dec 21, 2011 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Varga For a majority of pet owners, a quick trip to the local grocery or even pet superstore is the easiest way to pick up their pets’ food. People might debate favorite brands, but most will use some sort of commercial dry or canned diet for their four-legged friends. For a few pet owners though, preparing a meal for the family dog involves a little more work and...
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Make Sure Santa Visits Your Pet

Make Sure Santa Visits Your Pet
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Dec 9, 2011 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas Did you know almost 60 percent of pet owners will give their four-legged friend a holiday gift this season? Pets have successfully transitioned from the backyard to the beds; they’ve truly become an integral part of the family. This Howlidays remember that pets are not judgmental or materialistic! They simply enjoy “unwrapping” their gifts,...
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Happy Howlidays!

Happy Howlidays!
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Dec 3, 2011 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
By Dr. Mitsie Vargas The Holiday Season is usually known at our hospital as Pancreatitis Season because of the high number of vomiting cases we see each year. The main culprit is the abundance of rich foods and candies that go along with all the celebrations. Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. When pets consume foods that are extremely fatty (like the skin of turkey or...
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Pet Safe Thanksgiving!

Pet Safe Thanksgiving!
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Nov 24, 2011 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
This Thanksgiving Holiday is a great opportunity for pet owners to be aware of the myriad of hazards to go along with the holiday parties. The delicious smells of roasted turkey and baked goods may prove a very tempting opportunity for our pets to beg and steal way some foodstuffs. I always remind pet owners of the many foods that should be banned for pet consumption. These foods...
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Economy Affects Our Pets, Too

Economy Affects Our Pets, Too
Posted by Orchid Springs Animal Hospital on Nov 11, 2011 in Education, Pets | 0 comments
The sad state of the economy is affecting all of us, thus changing the way we spend our money. I’ve seen many pet owners try to save money by buying less expensive dog food, trying Internet pharmacies and skimping on monthly preventatives and grooming services. I am sympathetic to the plight of my clients but wanted to sound a word of caution when cutting corners on you pet...
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creating today Oct 18 2011

creating today Oct 18 2011
Posted by creating today on Oct 18, 2011 in Arts, Blogging, Creating Today, Health/Fitness, Pets, Religion/Spirituality, Uncategorized | 0 comments
There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known. Nothing you can see that isn’t shown. Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s easy. All you need is love, all you need is love… - The Beatles photo by joe dudek creating involvement, tenderness and cherishing… letting go into relatedness; how will treasuring...
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