Animal Hospital of Tiger Point

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine's Day from AHTP and some of the adorable patients that participated in this month's themed photo booth!

02/14/2025

Spring break starts on March 17th for Santa Rosa County - if you have travel plans, call now to get your pets booked for boarding with us! Kennels fill up quickly and we’d love to spoil your babies for you while you’re on vacation 💙

02/12/2025

Does anyone else miss handing out Valentines to their friends at school? This litter of puppies came in the other day and we just could not resist making them into little AHTP Valentine’s Day cards 💘

If you love patient photos like these, you'll want to follow us on Instagram !

02/08/2025

Is the thought of trying to brush your pet’s teeth daunting? We have some tips on how to get started on adding it into your daily routine!

🪥 The ideal toothbrush has a long handle, an angled head, and extra-soft bristles. For smaller dogs and for cats, you can try a finger toothbrush that fits over the tip of your finger!

🧼 The best toothpastes for pets contain enzymes that help control plaque. We recommend checking VOHC.org’s list of approved products for the best option for your pet. They come in plenty of flavors to get your pet excited for brushing time!

🦷 The key to getting your pet to tolerate or even enjoy anything new is to start slowly; in this case, start by using a damp washcloth or piece of gauze to wipe the teeth, front and back, in the same way you’ll eventually be using the toothbrush. Do this twice-daily for two weeks or until your pet is familiar with the process, at which point you can switch to using the toothbrush with the bristles soaked in warm water. Brush daily for several days, and once your pet is used to this new aspect of the process, introduce the toothpaste.

🎁 Offering praise, treats, and/or a toy during and after the process as a reward will help your pet associate the reward with having their teeth brushed. Whatever you choose should be saved and only given during “teeth time” to keep it special for your pet.

❓ When in doubt, remember to keep it simple! Your pet doesn’t know what you’re up to, so making sure they’re comfortable with the process is the most important part of introducing dental care into their routine.

02/07/2025

02/06/2025

Happy “Gotcha Day,” Peter Parker! We’re so thrilled that you found your “purr”-ever home 💙

02/04/2025

February is Pet Dental Health Month, and AHTP has extended our traditional Dental Month discount to all year round! If you schedule your pet’s dental procedure within 30 days of receiving a physical estimate for their dental, you will receive a 10% discount on applicable charges. Just mention it when you schedule! Regular professional dental cleanings — under anesthesia and performed by a licensed veterinarian — are the most effective way to remove tartar and address underlying dental issues.

This month gives us the opportunity to really dive into the best ways to stay on top of your pet’s dental health. When allowed to fester, mere gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease and bone loss, and simple infection under the gum line can spread to the liver, kidneys, and heart. Early detection and a solid home care routine is key!

Watch for any of the following warning signs at home:
• Bad breath
• Drooling excessively
• Difficulty eating or chewing
• Swollen/bleeding/red gums
• Loose/broken teeth
• Changes in eating habits
• Pawing at the mouth/face
• Weight loss

If you notice any of these, or anything else that concerns you, give us a call so we can assess!

In addition to paying attention for specific issues, it’s important to set up a basic dental care routine at home. We recommend brushing your dog’s teeth three times weekly (at minimum) with a VOHC-approved toothpaste and soft-bristled or finger toothbrush. If brushing is challenging, you can try dental gel, wipes, or sprays until you find what is easiest for you and your pet. We recommend checking VOHC.org for a continually-updated list of approved products!

Dental care doesn’t have to be time-consuming, and it’s one of the easiest things you can do at home to maintain your pet’s health. Schedule regular check-ups and be sure to stay alert for any warning signs of dental problems at home.

Thanks to Veterinary Partner for so much good info on this topic: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=11934338

01/31/2025

It's Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, and what better way to celebrate than to make art with your dog?

What you'll need:

• Small canvas or cardstock
• Nontoxic acrylic paint - look for paint that is labeled as safe for kids.
• Masking tape
• Gallon zippered plastic bags
• Peanut butter, squeezy cheese, or something else spreadable - check the ingredients, as you'll want something without xylitol!

1️⃣ Prep your canvas
Tape around the edges of your canvas or cardstock. You'll remove this once the paint has dried for a more finished look. It also has the added benefit of making it easier to frame if you want to!

2️⃣ Apply paint
Squeeze various colors in dots, swirls, and lines onto your canvas. Depending on how your dog interacts with the paint, each application will look different! We recommend adding a minimum of three colors with a neutral shade (white or black) to create contrast.

3️⃣ Peanut butter your bag
Apply the peanut butter or other spreadable substance to the outside of your zippered plastic bag. Do this when the bag is empty, or your dog won't be the only one with their paw in the art! 😹

4️⃣ Place canvas in bag
Carefully place your canvas in the bag and seal it well; we want to prevent your dog from being able to accidentally ingest any of the paint.

5️⃣ Let 'em lick!
Put the bag on the floor and allow your pet to lick up all of the peanut butter! Keep this activity supervised - we don't want pets ingesting paint or plastic!

6️⃣ Remove canvas from bag & let dry.
Once all of the peanut butter is gone, take the bag away from your dog and cut it open to remove the canvas. Allow it to dry overnight, then remove the tape and admire your pet's artistry!

Share the results in the comments - we'd love to see them! 😻

01/29/2025

Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate! 🏮🧧🐍

01/28/2025

In case you needed the excuse to eat some cake, it’s National Chocolate Cake Day! 🎂 But don't share it with your dog - or your cat, for that matter!

In simple(-ish!) language, chocolate contains a molecule called theobromine that can cause toxicity when ingested by dogs and cats. Additionally, many chocolate products can also contain caffeine, which is another common pet toxin. When pets ingest too much theobromine, it can cause organ function changes that can radically affect their health later down the line, along with other potential issues - so call your vet ASAP if your pet has gotten into chocolate!

Your vet will want to know approximately how much your pet ate, when they ate it, and the cocoa content of the chocolate - dark chocolate can be more dangerous to pets than white chocolate, for instance. Symptoms of toxicity usually occur within 2-4 hours of ingestion and can include vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, heart issues, tremors, and seizures - so getting them seen by a vet is important!

Enjoy your chocolate cake today, and remember, sharing is caring - but not with your pets!

01/23/2025

❄️ HOURS ALERT (1/24/25): We are continuing to operate with caution, so we will have slightly shorter hours tomorrow, from 8am to 5pm. We hope to get back to normal hours soon!

01/23/2025

❄️ HOURS ALERT: Tomorrow is predicted to be icy! 🧊 We will open at 8am and close at 4:30pm to limit clients and staff having to be on the road after dark. Thank you for bearing with us as we navigate this weather along with you all!

01/22/2025

According to Animal Planet, the first recorded therapy dog was a Yorkshire Terrier. "Smoky" would accompany nurses to see incoming World War II battlefield casualties, and continued her inpromptu therapy dog work even after she and her owner, Corporal William A. Wynne, left the military.

Yorkies are remarkable little dogs, as anyone who's owned one will be quick to tell you - high-energy, stubborn, sassy, and bossy, they sure pack a terrier's huge attitude into their tiny bodies!

Do you think your Yorkie would be a good therapy dog?

01/22/2025

Further update - we will be CLOSED tomorrow and reopen Thursday.

❄️ HOUR CHANGE ALERT: Brr, it sure is chilly out there! We will be CLOSED tomorrow - if you have pets staying with us, rest assured that we will still have staff caring for them. Stay tuned for further updates, and in the meantime, stay safe and stay warm! 💙

01/22/2025

❄️ HOUR CHANGE ALERT: Brr, it sure is chilly out there! We will be CLOSED tomorrow - if you have pets staying with us, rest assured that we will still have staff caring for them. Stay tuned for further updates, and in the meantime, stay safe and stay warm! 💙

01/21/2025

❄️ HOUR CHANGE ALERT: We have been watching the weather like a hawk today and feel that it is best that we close at noon so that clients and staff can get home before the worst of the weather starts. Please keep an eye on our socials for our hours tomorrow - we will keep you updated!

01/20/2025

❄ HOUR CHANGE ALERT: Due to tomorrow’s projected inclement weather, we will be open shorter hours than usual, closing at 4pm. We will be here in case of emergency - don’t hesitate to call!

01/20/2025

Happy Martin Luther King Day — some pets don’t wait for non-holidays to need care, so we’ll be here 7am to 6pm, just in case you need us! 💙