JLaw – Dr. Sandra Truli Springer, Holistic Vet House Call Services

Tear Stains in Dogs

Help! My Dog has Tear Stains on Her Face

Does your dog have those unsightly brown stains on his or her face that make it look like your dog cries all the time? Is this a health problem?

Top 11 Reasons for Tear Stains

Infection
Corneal Ulcers
Glaucoma
Allergies
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or “dry eye”
medial canthal syndrome
extra eyelashes
eyelashes pointing in, instead of out
blocked tear ducts
tear ducts that never formed in the first place
inadequate lower lid anatomy to pool the tears

Bet you never know there could be so many causes of tear stains on the face. Some are more common than others and some affect some breeds of dogs more than others. Our veterinarians can diagnose the problem.

Once you have your diagnosis, then you can go about figuring how to fix the problem. Continue reading “Tear Stains in Dogs”

Seresto Flea & Tick Collar Works!

A Flea and Tick Collar that Works!

Seresto – designed for excellent mileage

Seresto is a new flea and tick collar from Bayer HealthCare, LLC. It is odorless, narrow, fits well, comes with a break-away safety function, and light reflectors. It prevents and treats ticks and fleas for up to 8 months on dogs and puppies 7 weeks of age and older and cats and kittens 10 weeks and older. Read more and apply for rebates at www.petparents.com

The Seresto Collar kills fleas. It repels and kills ticks. It is water-resistant* and comes in three sizes: cat, small dog up to 18 pounds, and large dog.

Important Note for Pets in Florida:

If you bath your pet more than once a month, replace Seresto after 5 months.

*Seresto is water-resistant and remains effective following a shampoo treatment, swimming or after exposure to rain or sunlight. Under normal conditions, effectiveness lasts for 8 months. In order to maintain an eight-month duration, dogs must not be bathed more than once per month. For dogs that swim once a month or more, the control duration is reduced to 5 months. (from the Seresto product brochure S13007)

Continue reading “Seresto Flea & Tick Collar Works!”

Comfortis Flea Pill Approved for Cats

Comfortis Flea Pill

The Comfortis pill to kill fleas has been very effective. However, the previous pills were FDA-approved only for dogs 5 pounds and greater. What about a teacup Yorkie? Or a tiny Chihuahua? Or a cat?

Finally, the maker of Comfortis, Elanco, has announced the Comfortis pill for for cats 2 lbs and greater and new smaller dog size for 3.3 pounds and greater. Continue reading “Comfortis Flea Pill Approved for Cats”

National Holistic Pet Day

Help us Celebrate National Holistic Pet Day

Herbal Remedies for Pets

one blue eye and one brown eye are typical of a healthy australian shepherd dog — Happy Aussie Smile

We have a full line of herbal remedies to treat many common ailments like arthritis, urinary incontinence, impacted anal sacs, skin allergies, separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, elevated liver enzymes, upper respiratory disease, and many more!Treating your pets with herbal medicine to complement pharmaceutical treatment or to replace drug therapy offers a balanced, natural option for treatment or a cure. Any time a natural treatment is available for your pet, we will let you know your options. Continue reading “National Holistic Pet Day”

June is National Adopt a Cat Month!

tan short-haired tabby kitten — Hi There!

The Catalyst Council Has Announced June is National Adopt a Cat Month

We support National Adopt a Cat Month!

The little black kitten, Sooty got a new home and some dog brothers to play with!

Check back later. We have a lead on another kitty that needs a home. Waiting for info…

Helping Your New Cat Adapt to Your Home

Most cats feel stressed when they enter a new territory- a new home environment. We can help with feline pheromone to help your new cat feel right at home. It is an all-natural product that humans cannot sense, but the cats sense it and feel right at home.

We also assess your new cat for stress. All-natural homeopathic remedies to put in your cats’ water dishes help with the stress of adjusting to a new household.

With a custom house call, Doc Truli can assess your cats’ environment and help you with flea control, litter pan placement, assessment of traffic areas and cat resource guarding. Call 877 DR TRULI to inquire about a home evaluation to reduce stress and intercat drama.

How Your Pet Can Help Other Pets

Join a Clinical Trial

If you are interested, and if your pet qualifies, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials at the University of Florida Veterinary Hospitals.

Doc Truli can let you know if your pet meets the qualifications to participate in investigational clinical trials. From investigational medication for pulmonary hypertension to medication that can potentially delay the onset of heart failure in dogs recently diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, to participation in a study of a vaccine cure for malignant melanoma. There are many opportunities to help extend the limits of scientific knowledge.

To find out what studies are available at UF and see if your pet might meet the criteria, see the link to The Veterinary Hospitals of the University of Florida Clinical Trials Spring 2012.

If you would like to make an appointment with Doc Truli, please call (877) DR TRULI

Top Ten Dog Breeds in Pinellas County, Florida

: APBT Puppy

Compare Doc Truli’s Top Ten Dog Breeds to the AKC Top Ten

Pinellas County Favors Different Breeds than the US as a Whole

First, let us point out, the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is the most frequently seen dog breed by Doc Truli in Clearwater, Florida, USA. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a Breed, but does recognize the less common American Staffordshire Terrier. Therefore, any Top Ten dog list for Pinellas County would be remiss in not discussing the special needs of the APBT.

The Labrador Retreiver and the Beagle enjoy the top middle of the pack on the national and local lists. The Chihuahua is the third most commonly seen kind of dog at All Pet Care Hospital, yet it ranks only #14 in registrations in the AKC in 2012.

brown and white short-haired chihuahua leans out of her cage for some attention and lovin' — Chihuahua!

Golden Retreivers, Bulldogs, Rottweilers, and German Shepherd Dogs are in the AKC top ten, but in the Tampa Bay area, we prefer Chihuahuas, American Pit Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Miniature Schnauzers in our Top Ten Dog Breeds.

Why Should You Care About Breed Specific Advice?

Why does it matter? Your dog’s main breed matters very much to us because we know, based on scientific research, what diseases your dog is prone to. We know what age to start looking. And we know which University genetics departments run which tests for your dog in order to screen for the problems in the first place. Early detection and knowledge of a potential problem frequently means a cure or a prevention of a full-blown disease in the future!

Call to schedule a breed specific consult today 877 DR TRULI

Breed Specific Examinations

sleeping black american pit bull terrier puppy stretches his front legs in preparation for a yawn — American Pit Bull Terrier Puppy

Dog Breed Specific Examinations Help You Focus on Your Dog’s Needs

If you have a purebred dog or a dog who identifies mostly as one or two main breeds, we can predict what problems he or she may be facing in the coming year. We now include as part of your annual physical, breed-specific history questions and breed-specific physical examinations for the top ten breeds of dog automatically at no extra charge during your yearly examination. We go over the results with you right away and give you specific suggestions for actions you can take to help your dog. If your dog needs further tests, we can make a plan – with projected costs – and you can schedule the tests out to fit your schedule.

Continue reading “Breed Specific Examinations”

2-Year Old Belgian Malinois Needs a Great Home

Read “Sierra’s” story

call 727-442-9111 to adopt this 2-year-old belgian malinois — “Sierra” Needs a Home

My name is Sierra but my new foster family likes to call me Honey, because I am a sweetie. I’m approximately 2 years old, UTD, Heartworm Negative, Micro-Chipped and Spayed.

I was found roaming a field in the Orlando area and brought to the scary shelter. I was going to be put down and this nice family saved me. I thank them for that but I don’t think that they realized how high energy my breed iswww.malinoisrescue.org (please read up on me before you consider adding me to your family). I had an argument with their German shepherd over some food. It made them scared we might have another argument around the kids (which I love) so they could not keep me. Continue reading “2-Year Old Belgian Malinois Needs a Great Home”

Top Ten Dog Breeds in Pinellas County Florida

We checked our records, and it’s official: American Pit Bull Terriers are the most common breed of dog seeking vet care in Pinellas County.

See if your dog made the top ten: Continue reading “Top Ten Dog Breeds in Pinellas County Florida”