Marathon Veterinary Hospital

04/19/2025

🐰🐾🐰 Important reminder about pets and Easter! 🐰🐾🥰

04/19/2025

☔️🌬💦🌊 Ears up everyone!! 🌊💦🌬☔️

Weather advisory for the Florida Keys this weekend calls for some inclement weather. Make sure your pets are secure inside and out. Storm anxiety is very common, and our pets look to us to make them feel safe.

It has been a real stunner of a week here in the Keys! We are going to see a little bit of a change here as we head into the weekend, and we have a SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY in effect for all Florida Keys waters. Easterly winds will increase to ~20 knots (or ~23 mph) and seas will build to 5 to 8 feet! These strong winds are expected to continue through most of the weekend (if not the whole weekend) so we encourage everyone to check future forecast updates at weather.gov/KeyWest

On the map we included, you can also see there is a Small Craft Advisory as well as a Rip Current Statement in the vicinity of Miami's area----we included these products on our graphic to share awareness that there are marine products in effect beyond our local area. For more information and forecast updates for the Miami area, head to weather.gov/Miami :)

04/18/2025

🐰🐾🐰 Easter Bunny Ears Friday! 🐰🐾🐰

Our amazing team just loves a special occasion to celebrate with our patients and our pets. The Bunny Ears make their way around the hospital spreading love and smiles everywhere! Happy Easter Weekend everyone! 🐰🐾🥰🐰

04/16/2025

🪱🦟 Parasites can kill — But you can protect! Now through June,
30, 2025, save on vital care for your pet! 🦟🪱

04/15/2025

⚠🐾⚠ Community Safety Alert ~ The Lowdown on Parvovirus in the Florida Keys ⚠🐾⚠

Dr. Doug gives us some very important information regarding Parvovirus and our pet's risks here in our beautiful home, the Florida Keys.

04/11/2025

🐢🌎 🐢 Keep your eye out! 🐢🌎🐢

It’s that time of the year again! Nesting season is officially in full swing throughout the state of Florida! One of our own Vet Techs, Nathan, often works with The Turtle Hospital and Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys doing the amazing work they do to help preserve and protect our sea life here in our unique ecosystem. You will see him around either under the ocean surface diving, or on land doing clean up or releasing rehabilitated species. We love all the work you do Nathan! 🐢🐠🌏

About 90% of all sea turtle nesting in the United States takes place on Florida’s beaches, which means it is critical that residents and visitors alike do their part to ensure that sea turtles have a safe and successful nesting season. By reading the tips below, you can do your part to make sure they’re made part of your beach routine from the months of May through October.

Don’t forget to share these tips with friends and family so everyone can work towards creating a safer environment for all sea turtles.🐢

https://conserveturtles.org/nesting-season-dos-and-donts/

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ALE6tmroB/
Bring your friends, your enthusiasm, and let’s make an impact! 🌎💙

🌊🐢 Help Us Keep Long Beach Clean for Sea Turtles! 🐢🌊

Join us for a beach cleanup on Long Beach in Big Pine Key—just in time for sea turtle nesting season! 🏝️✨ Every piece of trash we remove makes a difference for these incredible creatures. Let’s work together to keep their nesting grounds safe! 💚♻️

📅 When: Saturday, April 12th
📍 Where: Long Beach, Big Pine Key

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ALE6tmroB/

Bring your friends, your enthusiasm, and let’s make an impact! 🌎💙

04/01/2025

🐾🥰🥳🎉🐾 Happy Birthday Huck! You are an amazing 12 years young and counting! 🐾🥰🥳🎉🐾

03/31/2025

Black cats! Black cats!! We LOVE black cats!!!

Florida Keys SPCA

03/31/2025

Dr. Ryan assisted the Marathon Wild Bird Center, Inc. in the medical care of this pelican who unfortunately impaled itself on the outrigger of a boat. No vital organs were punctured, so he was able to suture the affected muscles and body wall together. Within just 12 days following surgery, the pelican was seen eating, drinking, walking and flying normally so the decision was made to release it!

The heroes at the Marathon Wild Bird Center, Inc. work tirelessly in the preservation of the avian species, as well as assisting with some other exotic species, here in our beautiful Florida Keys paradise. We appreciate all you do for them!

They are always looking for volunteers or donations so please reach out to them at (305) 743-8382.

Send a message to learn more

03/27/2025

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) details the importance of protecting our beloved pets (and humans!) from this debilitating disease. Living in the tropics with an abundance of wildlife here in the Florida Keys provides an ample breeding ground for this dangerous bacteria.

Here at Marathon Veterinary Hospital, we provide the necessary vaccines to protect your beloved pets. Call us to learn more on how to safeguard your family!

Spring is here! And with that comes a warning about Leptospirosis, a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria.

All dogs are at risk of leptospirosis, regardless of age, breed, lifestyle, geographic location, time of year, and other factors. The following situations can increase that risk:

➡Exposure to or drinking from slow-moving or stagnant water sources, like ponds, rivers, lakes, or streams
➡ Roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife or farm animals or urine-contaminated water sources)
➡ Exposure to wild animals (especially rodents) or farm animals, even if in the backyard
➡ Contact with other dogs (such as in urban areas, dog parks, or boarding or training facilities)

For more information on the signs of leptospirosis, how to prevent it, and more visit: https://bit.ly/4l4VuOn

03/26/2025

🔎🔐🏴‍☠️ Thank you KEY WEST Room Escape for an amazing team outing! With most of the staff familiar with escape rooms, you exceptionally challenged us!! The rooms were extremely sculpted and detailed and absolutely required a team effort to solve. Very entertaining and fun! Thank you for a wonderful time, we will most certainly be back again!! We love Key West adventures in our beautiful Florida Keys paradise! 🏴‍☠️🔐🔎

Thrive Pet Healthcare

03/25/2025

Furr-Ever Home Needed!!!

Black cats carry a sad stigma that just does not match these amazing cat's true personalities. This sweet girl needs to find a home to call her own, as well as many others that are being lovingly cared for by our heroes at the Florida Keys SPCA. How can you resist that loving inquisitive stare???

Florida Keys SPCA

Hummus is a 3-year-old black cat who has been with us since she was a tiny kitten back in 2023. Despite how wonderful she is, Hummus has been overlooked time and time again. Sadly, black cats often face unfair stigma, but we know there’s nothing unlucky about this sweet girl. Hummus is friendly, playful, and full of personality. She loves attention and will happily soak up all the pets you’re willing to give.

She’s spent her whole life waiting for someone to see how special she is, and we’re sure the perfect person is out there. Hummus would make a fantastic companion for anyone looking to add a little extra love to their life.

Come meet Hummus today at our Key West Campus, located at 5711 College Rd, or check her out online at https://fkspca.org/adopt/adopt-a-cat/. She’s been waiting patiently — maybe she’s been waiting for you!

03/22/2025

⚠🐾⚠ Community Safety Alert ~ The Lowdown on Hantavirus and the Florida Keys ⚠🐾⚠

Dr. Doug gives us some very important information regarding the much controversial topic of the Hantavirus, how it is spread and our risk here in our beautiful Florida Keys. Now you know!

# #

03/15/2025

It's National Catio Day!

Cats are very sensitive to their environments. By giving them cat furniture, or certain areas that they can call their own, you can decrease stress and provide much needed emotional enrichment. This will, in turn, foster the important relationship you have with your feline companion!

03/13/2025

🐾🇺🇸🐾 Celebrating National K-9 Veterans Day 🐾🇺🇸🐾

🇺🇸🐕‍🦺 On this day, and every day, we give our patriotic thank you, support and respect to all of our military working dog heroes and their families. 🐕‍🦺🇺🇸

Thrive Pet Healthcare

03/07/2025

⚠🐾⚠ March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month! ⚠🐾⚠

🐾⚠ We try our best to keep hazardous substances away from our pet family member, but not all toxins are obvious, and many pets are very determined to get to them. Two important factors in pet poisonings are the size of the pet, and amount of toxin ingested. It only takes a small amount to cause serious harm in a smaller pet. Accidental spills, dropped pills, and flowers or household plants can spell disaster for dogs and cats if they’re consumed. 🐾⚠

Here are some of the most common household toxins:

⚠ Over-the-counter medications ⚠ Even small amounts of ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or naproxen (Aleve) can cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers, as well as kidney failure.

⚠ Prescription medications ⚠ Anti-inflammatory and pain medications, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications are especially dangerous, due to the risk of neurological problems like seizures, elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

⚠ Chocolate ⚠ Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine, neither of which dogs can metabolize. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine there is, and the more toxic it is.

⚠ Xylitol ⚠ A sweetener used most often in sugar-free foods, xylitol causes a rapid drop in blood sugar, resulting in weakness and seizures.

⚠ Rodenticides ⚠ In some cases, pets may find and ingest the poison itself, and in others, particularly with cats, exposure may occur when a poisoned rodent is eaten.

⚠ Cleaners and chemicals ⚠ It may seem obvious, but most cleaning products and chemicals, from antifreeze to pool and hot tub products, are dangerous – and sometimes oddly appealing to pets.

⚠ Plants⚠ Lilies, tulips, daffodils, and sago palms are high on the list of houseplants and flowers that are toxic to pets, from bulb to bloom.

⚠ Foods: ⚠Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, and cherries top the list of foods that you need to grab fast if they fall on the floor.

⚠ Signs & Symptoms to watch for⚠ Pets who have been poisoned may behave strangely, or they may only exhibit mild symptoms. They can include: Vomiting, diarrhea (particularly with blood present), excessive drooling, inappetence, lethargy or restlessness, pale gums, seizure or tremors, or collapse.

Two resources we recommend all pet parents have on hand to learn the warning signs of accidental ingestion are:
Pat Poison Helpline: 855-289-0358 https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/
ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435 https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

03/07/2025

⏰☀️🐾 DON'T FORGET THIS WEEKEND IS SPRING FORWARD WITH DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME CHANGE!! 🐾☀️⏰

☀️⏰🐾This Sunday, March 9, marks this year's daylight savings time by setting our clocks forward one hour. One thing we overlook is that while we might lose an hour of sleep, our pets experience a shift in their internal clock as well. Animals are creatures of habit, and it is helpful to adjust your pet’s daily routine to avoid any anxiety they may experience. 🐾⏰☀️

Here are some helpful tips!

⏰ Instead of suddenly changing your and your pet’s routine, you should gradually adjust your and your furry friends’ feeding times, walks, and playtimes by at least 15-minute increments over a few days.

⏰ Stick to the new schedule: Once DST is here, try to maintain consistent feeding and walking time changes as much as possible. This will help provide not only you, but your pet with a sense of predictability and adjust to the new patterns you have established.

⏰ Be patient: It’s normal for you and your furry friend to experience temporary brain fog. After all, you wake up earlier, may be more restless, and may be generally thrown off by these new patterns. Be patient with yourself and your furry companions by offering extra love and reassurance.

⏰ Embrace the extra sunshine: While we might be feeling a bit sleep-deprived, the extra hour of evening sunlight can be a positive change. Take advantage of this time for extended walks, playtime in the backyard, or simply cuddling on the porch while enjoying the warm rays.

⏰Remember we as humans often rely on routine and stability, but our animals rely on us for the same thing. By helping yourself adjust to DST, you are ensuring a smooth transition for both you and your furry companion. So, on March 9 as we “spring forward,” let’s not forget to spring forward with our animal friends in mind too!

03/06/2025

Don't forget to support our beloved animal heroes at the Florida Keys SPCA! Amazing and VERY fun events all to help our animal friends get the forever homes they deserve!

🎟️ TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! 🎟️
Get ready for a night of laughter, music, and possibly one of the most dramatic showdowns in silent auction history… because Hero the Hotdog Maker is BACK! 🌭
Join us for our 17th Annual Spring Social presented by Hank's Hair Of The Dog Saloon on Friday, March 14th, 2025, at the stunning Truman Little White House!
🎤 ENTERTAINMENT & EMCEE 🎤
Back by paws-itively popular demand, we’re thrilled to welcome Carmen Jo Rodriguez & Michael Thomas once again as our evening’s entertainment. They wowed us last year, and they’re ready to do it all over again!
And of course, the one, the only, Steven Crane will be returning as our emcee! Last year, his comedy had guests in stitches, and he made people go absolutely wild over the legendary Hero the Hotdog Maker. Someone won it and, in a twist of fate, gifted it to him. Will he win a second Hero this year? Only one way to find out—buy your tickets!
🍾 WHAT’S IN STORE 🍾
✨ Champagne Welcome & VIP Perks
🍽️ Scrumptious Dinner by Catered Affairs (vegetarian options available!)
🎶 Live Entertainment by Carmen Rodriguez & Michael Thomas
🎭 Silent & Live Auctions (yes, including the hotdog maker)
🐾 Games, Fun & Supporting Homeless Animals!
🎖️ Plus, we’ll be honoring King Ben Hennington with our Champion of Animals Award for his incredible dedication to our island’s animals!
📅 EVENT SCHEDULE 📅
🕠 5:30 PM: VIP Champagne Reception, Appetizers & Silent Auction Preview
🕡 6:30 PM: Doors Open for General Admission
🎟️ TICKETS 🎟️
🐾 VIP Tickets: $175
🐾 VIP Table of 10: $1,750
🐾 General Admission: $75
Grab your tickets NOW at https://fkspca.org/event/spring-social/ before they’re gone!
For questions, sponsorships, or auction donations, contact Jennifer at [email protected] or 305-294-4857 (Dial 5 for the Development Director).