Beachside Animal Hospital

06/12/2024

We are happy to announce a new option for your pet's visit...
🎊Drop-off appointments!🎉

Honestly, we've been doing this for a while now, just forgot to tell you guys...whoever is in charge of the social media page really slacked on that....👀🫣

Drop-Off appointments are scheduled every day and are convenient for those who can't take off work or don't want to schedule their whole day around a vet appointment.

🚗Simply drop your pet off in the morning.
💆They will get to spend the day in one of our elite canine/feline suites. Each complete with the highest thread count blankets, purest filtered water and their own personal care technician.

🩺Our doctor will take a look at your pet and call you with the plan/treatments moving forward.
🐶Then you simply pick up your pet and any needed medications at the end of the day.

🚫No need to plan your day around a vet appointment that can take up to an hour (depending on the visit).
🚫No need to take time off work or worry about getting seen due to a fully booked schedule.

Simply drop them off and pick them up later!

⚠️PSA⚠️

🐾Appointment is REQUIRED prior to drop-off
🐾Drop-off appointments are scheduled according to our current booking schedule and certain days may be unavailable.

06/11/2024

The fireworks are coming!
The fireworks are coming!
The fireworks are coming!

Or whatever Paul Revere said...

The 4th of July is fast approaching so if your pet has a history of storm anxiety NOW is the time to refill those medications!

Like right now...not a day before, not two days before.

We STRONGLY recommend getting your medication now for 3️⃣ reasons;

🎇 - Your pet may due for an exam in which case we cannot dispense medications and with our schedule booking out there is a chance we will be unable to work you in.

🐾- Some medications require what's called a 'Loading Dose'. This means it needs to be given several days to maybe a week prior to when you actually need it, otherwise, it will not be effective.

🐶- While we are currently stocked to the tips of our cabinets with happy calming drugs, due to high demand they can go very quickly.

Give us a call today if you need a refill, need an exam or want to discuss storm/firework anxiety medication with your pet!

06/07/2024

Recently we have had many questions in regards to why we don't approve prescription requests from outside pharmacies, most namely, Chewy.

While there is no doubt that Chewy offers the lowest prices when it comes to pet medication and supplies, it is significantly hurting your local veterinary clinics.

The truth is we can't compete no matter how hard we try.

The same medication we purchase 10 boxes of, Chewy can purchase for 1/2 the price we pay, hence why they can charge less than your local veterinary clinic. Because they pay less than we do.

However before you go to Chewy for your pet's prescriptions, we would like to remind you of our own online pharmacy that we have available.
Prescription diets and even most medications, like Apoquel are either the same price or even slightly less than Chewy in some cases.

And just a reminder, the CEO of Chewy made $35.2 million last year while your local veterinarian did not..and probably won't make that in their lifetime...or 10 lifetimes.

Just makes you want to ask yourself, who's really in it for the money?

06/05/2024

A wonderful post from Great Dane Love - A Central Florida Rescue, Inc. on the difference that fostering can make!

By getting involved in a foster program, you can;

🐶Give a dog the one-on-one attention that they might not get in a shelter situation

🐾Help teach them basic manners and social skills that can help them find (and keep!) a good home (p.s it *may* be yours!)

🐩You can help the rescue learn more about the dog and what he/she is like in a home environment

Fostering gives dogs a whole new way to see and experience love and gives new owners a chance to see their full potential and personality.

Contact your local rescue or shelter today and see if fostering might be ideal for you!

FOSTERING SAVES LIVES!!

Look at what love, quality food, love, medical care, lots of patience, attention, and did I mention L🐾VE, will do for a pup in need.

We can only save lives, IF we have foster homes. We are a volunteer-based group. We work for the love of the breed and slobbery kisses.

The rescue will cover the costs of medications, food, vetting, supplies for the foster. You supply the couch and love! (Couch not encouraged, but happens for some of us.)

Please consider fostering, and help us help more Danes in need.

All fosters must undergo a a vet check as well as a home visit. If you are interested, please include the name and phone number of your vet on the form. (It’s not on the form, but you will be contacted. 😉)

Please complete the following application if this sounds like something you would like to do. https://gdlcf.org/foster-application/

05/31/2024

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

☀️Be sure to wear lots of sunscreen if you're going to be out in the sun and make sure you and your best friends stay cool and hydrated!

Florida is not easing us gently into summer this year🥵 so we want to make sure our patients and their owners are staying safe.

05/29/2024

Good news!

The wires have all been uncrossed and our phones and internet are up and running again!

Our cat-trician sent us this image of what happened with our phone and internet lines this morning.
Don't worry, just a little tangle but our kitty electrician Keith got it all sorted..it just took a little bit. Being an electrician is a bit difficult without thumbs..at least that's what Keith says.

We appreciate your patience while we got this all sorted out!

05/29/2024

OH NO!

We are currently experiencing some technical difficulties and our internet and phone systems are down...then back up...then down again.

While we try to figure out who tinkled on the important wires, please be patient with us if you are unable to call in.

If you need to reach us, you can email us at [email protected].

Thank you.

05/28/2024

Today's post is sponsored by;

🦷Dental Radiography🩻 - Why do I need it?
"Because it sees what we cannot!"

Let's talk about Miss Shelby's story...

Miss Shelby came in for a regular exam to discuss her oral health. Her teeth were not terrible, but it was recommended she undergo a routine dental cleaning. Physical exam showed some mild tartar build-up and some inflammation on her gums (typical to see with mild dental disease), but other than that, no other issues noted.
(see image below)

What was expected to be a quick and simple dental cleaning ended up with NINE teeth being pulled.

Why?

Because, just underneath the gum line, where we can not examine without radiographs, showed multiple broken roots of most of Shelby's teeth.
(see below image)

If we had not taken these dental radiographs, we would have not seen the broken teeth. If we had not addressed these teeth they could have caused sweet Shelby to be painful in her mouth and it would have been an additional financial burden on mom since she would have needed another anesthetic procedure to remove those teeth.

Whether you're having your regular dental cleanings with us or elsewhere, always ask, "Is my pet going to get dental radiographs?"

05/22/2024

⚠️PSA⚠️

We will be CLOSED on MONDAY MAY 27th in observance of Memorial Day.

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday at 8:00am.
Our email and phone messages are not monitored during this time.

If your pet is having an emergency and needs immediate medical care, please contact Animal Specialty & Emergency Hospital.

While enjoying your nice long weekend, please do not forget the reason for this day.
To remember and pay respects to the brave and selfless women and men who have sacrificed their lives to ensure our continued freedom.

05/20/2024

Happy Monday beachside community!

If you notice hold times are a little longer than normal or your appointment is taking an unusually long time , please be patient with us.

Our two newest receptionists are not as fast as Mrs. Kim and tend to get distracted very easily.
They're doing the best they can though.

We appreciate your patience.

05/17/2024

Like Taylor Swift once said, "You can beat the heat.....in FLORIDA".

Summer weather is coming and with that weather comes rising temperatures.

This is one of the many reminders we will be posting to our beachside community of the dangers of heat related injury (HRI) in pets during this time. Here are some tips to help protect your pet during these coming months and rising temperatures;

~ Don't walk your pets in the middle of the day. Early morning walks, or evening walks are best. The concrete or asphalt sidewalks can get as hot as 160 degrees. If you can't walk comfortably on it barefoot, your pet should NOT be walking on it either. Burns on their paw pads can be extremely painful.

~ Don't leave your pets outside for extended periods of time and ALWAYS have fresh, cool water available. "But Lucky LOVES being outside and won't come in." Dogs have no idea that if they stay outside too long they can suffer from HRI. But we do.

If you are concerned that your pet is suffering from HRI contact your veterinarian immediately and follow the steps below to help stabilize your pet while you call.

1. Use a re**al thermometer and check your pet's temperature. Normal is between 99-102.5. Anything higher than 103 should be seen immediately.
2. Move your pet to shaded or air conditioned area, ensure cool (not ice cold) water is available. You can apply cool water to their paw pads and belly to help reduce their body temperature.
3. Do not attempt to submerge or cover your pet with cold water or use ice cubes. This can cause vasoconstriction, which means the blood vessels can shrink down decreasing blood flow and increasing dehydration.

05/14/2024

Happy !

To the dogs with the smallest bodies but the BIGGEST personalities...today is for you!

Did you know?

Chihuahuas are believed to be originated from the Toltec people of Mexico around the 9th century A.D. They were considered a rare breed until the early 20th century where they were officially recognized by the AKC (in 1904).

While we don't have any chihuahua Dogtors employed with us, we do have many chihuahua patients that we LOVE to see....even if they don't all love us. If we have seen your little chihuahua share a picture with us below! And be sure to celebrate your little beanie baby today with an extra walk and maybe some extra snackies!

05/13/2024

Beachside Animal Hospital is proud to recommend Wynwood Dog Food Co. as a fresh and healthy food option for your pets!

Formulated by board certified veterinary nutritionists, their food is always made fresh and local right here in the state of Florida!

They have a line of Complete and Balanced diets with various protein bases like lamb, venison, beef and turkey. (Dogtor Koa and Dogtor Assistant Raven recommended!)

They also have a condition-specific line of dog food for those pets with chronic health issues like liver disease, kidney insufficiency, urinary issues (like stones/chronic UTIs) and even allergies!

If you prefer feeding your pet a fresh food versus dry food this is what we would recommend!

Give us a call or send us a message on Facebook if you have any questions!

05/10/2024

Today is and not that we're biased, but it is the best day of the year.

1 out of 1 Dogtors agree 🐶

Dogtor Koa would like to see your GSDs! Share a picture of yours below!

05/06/2024

Happy Monday!

Whether you're coming to us from another hospital or have a brand new family member who needs care, we LOVE meeting new families and their best friends. New clients and new patients are always more than welcome to be a part of the BAH family.

With that being said, recently we have had an increased amount of no-call/no-show appointments for new clients and our already established clients. We understand that things happen and appointments can be easily forgotten, however when you no-call/no-show that takes the appointment away from a pet on our waiting list that could have been seen sooner.

Because of this, we have implemented two new clinic policies;

New Clients: You will be required to place an Appointment Reservation Fee prior to scheduling an appointment. This reservation fee will be applied to your visit when you come in and covers the cost of the physical exam. This is for new clients ONLY. If you need to cancel, a minimum 48 hour notice is required in order to have your reservation fee refunded.

Established clients: Should you no-call/no-show twice in a row, you will be required to place an Appointment Reservation Fee prior to scheduling your next appointment. This fee will be applied to your visit when you come in and covers the cost of the physical exam.

If you need to reschedule we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can accommodate. The need for pet care is increasing every day and our schedule is booking out further and further. Giving us ample notice will allow us to be able to get you in on your requested date/time.

We appreciate your understanding as we move forward with this new change and we will continue to provide the highest level of care for the two and four legged residents of the beachside area.

05/04/2024

Happy Saturday!
Happy Star Wars Day!

And May the 4th be with you all.

05/03/2024

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, an estimated 10 million pets are lost or stolen every year.

Before microchips, roughly 22% of pets were returned to their families, but after microchips, that number increased to 53%.

Microchipping is a simple, permanent, and inexpensive way to give your pet the best chance to find you if they get lost.

Here are the answers to some FAQ about microchips;

🐾A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted in between your pet's shoulder blades just underneath the skin. It does not require anesthesia and can be done in just a few minutes.
🐾Each microchip contains a unique ID number that is assigned to your pet and your pet only. It is NOT a GPS.
🐾A microchip does not require a power source or battery and lasts for the entire lifetime of your pet.

Should your pet get lost and picked up by either animal control or a good samaritan, they will be taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic. There, they will be scanned for a microchip. That little microchip can hold all your information so that when your pet is found, you can be contacted immediately.

Once you register your pet, that information is stored permanently. It is important that if any of your information changes (address/phone number/etc), you update it accordingly. Placing the microchip is only 50% of the process. The rest is up to you, as the owner to register and keep your information up to date!

Fun fact:
Microchips can travel from their original placement location. We've seen microchips show up on a pet's side, chest, and even their legs! This does not hurt your pet, however that is why when you see staff members scan your pet, they scan their WHOLE body, not just their shoulders.
You never know where you might find it!

Give us a call today if you're not sure if your pet is chipped (no charge for us to check for you!) or if you'd like to have your pet microchipped.

Why take the risk? Get your pet microchipped!

05/01/2024

📢GUESS WHAT📢

Beachside Animal Hospital now has in-house ultrasound services!
On Tuesday, Dr. Sobrino and the staff were trained on how to use our new ultrasound machine.

"What is the difference between x-rays and an ultrasound?"

🩻X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to showcase imaging of the pet’s body structure and highlight objects within. It's kind of like taking a photograph, a still image.

🎥Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of your pet’s interior systems. The sound waves bounce back and forth to create the imagery and give the doctor a "live" view in a sense of what's going on inside of your pet.

X-rays work best for diagnosing upper respiratory infections, enlarged hearts, and even bone abnormalities (like fractures or cancer).
Utrasound works best for soft tissue concerns, such as concerns for internal masses on the spleen or liver and even some foreign bodies that may not show up on x-ray.

At BAH, we are constantly improving and learning every day so that we can provide a gold standard of care for the pets of Satellite Beach. While also providing you, their owners, with the reassurance of the most advanced medical technology available in veterinary medicine.

04/29/2024

Happy Monday!

We are happy to announce that in addition to accepting Care Credit as a form of payment, we now accept Scratch Pay!

Scratch Pay offers easy financing options such as their new Take 5 plan with no interest, no credit check and approval within a few minutes of applying.

We understand that in the current economy, finances can be a sensitive subject and when it comes to your pet's health we want to make sure we are providing the best care possible without putting financial strain on your family.

You can visit Scratch Pay here for more information; https://scratchpay.com/

04/26/2024

Happy Friday!

Let's talk about desensitization!

🗣"But what does that mean?"

Good question. And Mr. Enzo here has happily volunteered to answer that question for you.

🐶"Desensitization is a big fancy word for helping pets like me, a puppy brand new to this world, less afraid of things I don't know. I've never had my nails trimmed before and honestly, the first time was pretty scary and I didn't like it. But the more my mom brought me in, the less scary it was because I knew what to expect. They give me ear scratches and I get to munch on these super crunchy treats every time. Now I know when it's time to trim my nails I know it won't hurt and I sit very still like a good boy."

Thanks Enzo!

Desensitization is important to start at an early age and will help set your pet up for success later in life.

If you have any questions, give us a call and speak with one of our staff members about what you can do at home to help make their visits with us less stressful!

04/22/2024

This week we celebrate the one year anniversary of Beachside Animal Hospital.

It has been an incredible year with many amazing milestones. We would like to take this moment to express our gratitude for the immense support from the local community. Because of your support we have been able to be there for 1,276 families and help support several local rescues like Hope for Brevard, Touch of Grey and the Humane Society.

We know how important it is to make sure your pet is receiving the highest quality care and to place that trust in a brand new animal hospital means the world to us. So thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, we are grateful.

Being a part of your pet's care is an honor and a privilege, and we look forward to providing that care for many years to come.

If we have seen your pet, or you have a memorable visit to share, please comment below. This week we will be highlighting some of your stories.

04/12/2024

Did you know? While cats are not the typical host for heartworms, they can still contract up to 2-3 heartworms which can live in the heart and lungs for 2-3 years.

Here's some of the most frequently asked questions about heartworm disease in cats;

❓: Is heartworm disease contagious in cats like in dogs?

💬: No. Because cats are not the typical host, heartworms are unable to reproduce, therefore larvae cannot be transferred from one cat to another.

❓: How do you treat heartworms in cats?

💬: There is no treatment for heartworm infection in cats. Heartworms usually live 2-3 years in a cat before dying, however even just one heartworm can cause irreversible heart damage and even sudden death in young cats.

Because there is no treatment for heartworm disease in cats, it's strongly recommended to keep your cat (especially an outdoor cat) on heartworm prevention. Products like Feline Bravecto or Revolution Plus are great options. If you do have an outdoor cat, it's recommended to check a heartworm test every year. While we can't treat for heartworm disease, we can help alleviate the symptoms and hope for a full recovery.

04/10/2024

Choose your heartworm prevention fighter! 🥊

Simparica Trio🧡
vs
Heartgard❤️

In the left corner, we have Heartgard, coming in strong with Ivermectin and Pyrantel to help protect against heartworms and intestinal parasites. While it doesn't protect against everything like fleas and ticks, Heartgard has a lot of experience under its belt. Mix that with the low cost, Heartgard is a very promising contender.

In the right corner, we have Simparica Trio. Now, Simparica Trio may not have as many years as Heartgard does but what it lacks in experience, it makes up for in broad coverage of all parasites. It is strong with Sarolaner, Moxidectin, AND Pyrantel. This makes it a great prevention for heartworms, fleas ticks, and intestinal parsites. It's definitely a quadruple threat.

Whether you're or , we recommend giving your pet heartworm prevention every single month. This will help protect them against unwanted parasites that may be dangerous to their health.

04/05/2024

Meet Lucky! A sweet (and lucky!) canine who was diagnosed with heartworm infection. Lucky underwent a surgical procedure to have heartworms removed from his pulmonary artery. While it's not a commonly performed procedure, Lucky had a large amount of heartworms and without surgical intervention, he would not have survived.

Read about Lucky's story here 👇
https://www.cuvs.org/blog/luckys_heartworm_removal_and_orthopedic_surgeries

If you have a pet that was previously heartworm positive and underwent treatment share your stories below!

04/02/2024

What is heartworm?

Heartworms are a parasitic infection that affects dogs and cats throughout the United States. They can grow up to 12 inches in length and live inside the heart and lungs.

Fun (and scary) fact: Heartworms can, in rare instances, infect humans as well. We are considered an atypical host.

🦟 Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, which, as you know, here in the state of Florida, are everywhere. There is no fence, door, or building that you won't find at least one mosquito.

🩸According to the AHS (American Heartworm Society), 27% of all heartworm positive cases reported in 2022 are due to poor owner compliance, meaning owners do not keep their pets on monthly preventative

🪱Heartworms can live up to five years in your pet's body. And the the more larvae deposited into their bloodstream by mosquitoes, the more crowded the heart becomes with these parasites.
After an infected mosquito bites your pet, the larvae travels through the skin to the bloodstream, where it hitches a ride all the way to the heart. There, it lives for about six months until it is a full-grown heartworm.

💉Heartworm tests available in veterinary medicine can only detect the adult heartworms living in the heart. This means it can take up to six months AFTER initial infection for your dog to test positive on their blood test.

💰When it comes to heartworms, it is better to be PROactive with monthly prevention, which costs about $10-$20 a month, versus REactive with heartworm treatment, which can cost about $1200-$2000.

04/01/2024

Mr. Enzo hopes you're having a good morning and also wanted you to know how much he's growing. Someday, he will be bigger than the treat jar! Just you wait and see.

03/26/2024

"Hey friends! Miss Tort here and I wanted to let y'all know that spayed is, in fact, most definitely cool 😎 ✌️.
So, if you haven't yet, give BAH a call and request the Sterilization Special.

They get you set up with the nicest accommodations and round the clock attention during your stay. It is truly a five-star experience."

Signed,
🐾Tort