Vets to You

01/06/2025

I don't think any human cases have been reported in Florida, but HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) has been detected since 2022 in 35 Florida counties, per FWC.
https://myfwc.com/media/fgjhguox/hpai-cases.jpg

This map is interesting, as you can watch the virus fly south in the winter. Can we call it snowbird virus? https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/77e38ab79bfe416ca6d72b796612ee83/

No cases have been reported in Sarasota County, but Charlotte and Manatee have seen cases in the past. The virus may occur in many wildlife species, so awareness is important here. If you raise birds, it's a good idea to make sure they're not coming in contact with wildlife where possible. Keeping your cats indoors is also a great idea.

12/02/2024

For the first time in over 5 years we are accepting new clients/patients for wellness services in Sarasota!!
If you have a friend/family member/co-worker you've been wanting to refer, now is the time to share our less-stress vet care!

11/27/2024

Henri's caretaker shared a progress shot just a few days after his first scabies treatment...a very easy topical application. Can't wait to see his final 'glow up' in a few weeks once he has gained some weight too!

11/22/2024

We have always had a soft spot for feral & community cats as their medical care often ends after spay/neuter. If you follow our page, you MITE even say we are drawn to Scabies cases! While it is an easily treated condition, sarcoptic mange is absolutely miserable, causing intense itching and forming cement like crusts on the skin. The secondary infections and debilitation can eventually lead to death. Today was Henri's lucky day! After seeing his photo and a caretaker's plea on social media we were able to treat him for Scabies as well as intestinal parasites! We can't wait to see how handsome he is under those barnacles!

10/11/2024

We hope you and your furries made it safely through hurricane Milton. We were incredibly lucky to not experience the predicted storm surge at our office off of the south SK bridge. After taking a day to clean up debris and return all of our equipment (and office kitties) that we evacuated, we are back open for our regular hours beginning tomorrow (Saturday 10/12)!

10/08/2024

We are closed for the duration of hurricane Milton and will reopen at the end of the week pending damage assessment. Our office is at the border of evacuation zone A just east of the south Siesta Key bridge so we will update you just as soon as we know after the storm has passed.
If your pet is having an emergency, Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch is open 24/7 through the storm!! Please stay safe!

Veterinarian

08/27/2024

A big thank you to our friends at Belspur Oaks and Rescue Garage for donating and storing 2 huge pallets of wet cat food which we distributed over the last 2 weeks to 8 colony caretakers, filling the tummies of ~ 100 feral and community cats this month! Most of time, the entire expense of feeding them is absorbed by these kind and devoted cat lovers so they were all super grateful for the support. It really does take a village!

08/26/2024

We are looking for the purrfect indoor only home for adorable Tortellini! We found her in the middle of a very busy road 2 nights after hurricane Debby. She is ~ 2 years old, super sweet and petite, with a gorgeous tortoiseshell coat. We just spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and removed an air gun pellet from her shoulder. She loves to explore, cuddle and is an avid biscuit maker! Message us for more details or to submit an adoption application.

07/17/2024

Update: Last chance to foster and socialize these 2 kitten cuties so they can live the bougie indoor cat life. It is a heartbreaking reality for trappers to have to return kittens when there are no fosters available.
We have some friends working diligently on their own to TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) various colonies in our area. I alerted them to a bunch near our home with multiple sets of kittens. We have been feeding them late night in preparation for the trapping to begin. They are in desperate need of fosters to help with socializing/caretaking the kittens while we try to secure rescue backing. These 2 boys were just neutered on Sunday and we would hate to have to send them back to the outdoor life but all shelters/rescues are filled to the brim with kittens/cats and so are we! They are skittish but tolerating handling. Mom #1 (also below) has been returned to her outdoor home.

07/07/2024

We went to the location we released Crusty Buns tonight at twilight to check on her. We weren't really expecting to see her but there she was right in a grassy field with another bun eating grass! When we approached she perceived us as a threat and quickly hopped away to hide in a little tree fort in the same bramble patch we left her. It really warmed our hearts to know she is still wild at heart and thriving. Next time we probably won't recognize her as her fur is almost grown in.

06/26/2024

Today was the big day! Miss Crusty Buns has been released in the wild! Just a hop, skip and jump to freedom!

Shared with Dropbox

06/22/2024

After 3.5 weeks of crate rest and recovery, Crusty Buns is almost ready to return to the wild! Her skin is looking great with fur growing back and her back leg injury is almost healed as well. We were worried she had a dislocation or fracture because she was non-weight bearing for the first 2.5 weeks and it was completely lax and off to the side but x-rays ruled those out and forced rest allowed it to heal on it's own. We want her to be set up for success so just a few more days and we have already scoped out a safe area for release with lots of bunny friends and a lush, protected habitat.

05/28/2024

After 2 painstaking hours of repeated warm water soaks we were able to remove the worst of the crusts from our little friend. They require extended time soaking to be penetrable as they are like cement initially. They get gummy over time but they are adhered to the skin which is very fragile and already being pulled tight.
SHE is not out of the woods yet but has to be feeling better already. You can see where we ended up today...she still has a ton of smaller crusts and a big section above her nose that needs to come off. A truly miserable affliction!

05/26/2024

Reason #37 why we might be late to your appt: We stop to help sick and injured wildlife whenever we come across them! This morning as we were leaving an appt in an apartment complex this little guy hopped gingerly across the parking lot right in front of us looking very sickly. He darted under a fence in the adjoining parking lot but once we saw him, we couldn't just turn a blind eye to his condition. We got out our nets and captured what we initially thought was a very geriatric bun but turned out to be a juvenile with a severe case of scabies. Sarcoptic mange is extremely contagious, uncomfortable and devastating to all kinds of wildlife including bunnies, raccoon, and coyotes (as well as cats and dogs). It causes intense itching and severe skin infections. Some affected wildlife can mount an immune response but many will succumb to the effects of this disease due to eventual dehydration and starvation. See comments for the microscopic video of one of these dastardly mites in action from a scraping we took from his hardened leg. We treated him with a simple topical medication and will monitor his progress before we return him to the wild. Tomorrow is bath day!

02/03/2024

After spoiling everyone else over the holidays, it's time to ! Stop by The Woven Home's market day where lots of local vendors including our very own super talented team members, Sara and Shyla, will be selling some of their incredible handmade creations! Grab a bite from the food truck and find some one of a kind treasures.
When: Saturday 2/3
Where: 10-4 5859 Murdock Ave. Unit A., Sarasota,

01/09/2024

Dr. Walker will be attending the NAVC's VMX Conference in Orlando beginning Sunday, 1/14 and won't be back in town taking appointments until Thursday, 1/18. This conference provides Continuing Education credits and keeps us up to date on the latest advances in veterinary medicine so we can take the best care of your furry family members!
If your pet has been having a small issue you are concerned about, let's schedule an appointment now before it turns into a larger issue then!
While Dr. Walker will not be available for appointments during this time, clients are welcome to contact our office during normal business hours to communicate a concern, get medication refills or schedule appts for his return! Rhys, Shyla and Sara will return calls, deliver Rx's and relay messages as needed and we will have urgent care and ER vet contact information available through all of our communication channels.

12/23/2023

Forget to fill Fluffy's stocking in the holiday hub bub? Remember they enjoy all the simple pleasures of life...