Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals

07/01/2025

Happy Fourth of July from Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals! While we celebrate with fireworks and fun, the Fourth of July can be stressful and even dangerous for our furry friends.

Here are a few ways to help keep your pets safe:

🔒 Keep pets indoors: Fireworks can trigger fear and escape attempts. Set up a safe, quiet space inside your home.

🎧 Muffle the noise: Use calming music, fans, or TV to mask outside sounds.

🆔 Secure ID tags and update microchip registration: Make sure your pet can be easily identified should they get out of the house or leave your outdoor event.

💊 Ask us about anxiety support: For nervous pets, calming options are available.

🔥 Keep pets away from grills and fire pits: Hot surfaces and flames are hazards.

🍗 BBQ Food Safety for Pets:
🚫 No bones- Cooked bones can splinter and cause serious injury.
🚫 No fatty scraps- Too much fat can lead to pancreatitis.
🚫 No onions, garlic, grapes, or alcohol- These are toxic to pets.
✅ Offer pet-safe treats instead – Frozen peanut butter, carrots, or vet-approved chews.

🎇 Leave pets at home: Fireworks shows and crowded gatherings can be overwhelming and unsafe for our pets.

Enjoy a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday! Just be sure your pets enjoy it safely too!

06/27/2025

When Reggie suddenly became lethargic, stopped eating, and developed labored breathing, his family knew something was very wrong. With quick action and expert care from Dr. Whitlow at The Cat Doctors, he was diagnosed with FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). FIP is a serious viral disease caused by a type of coronavirus that primarily affects cats, known as the feline coronavirus. It often goes unrecognized in cats.

Common signs of FIP include:
❤️‍🩹 Loss of appetite
❤️‍🩹 Lethargy or withdrawal
❤️‍🩹 Rapid or labored breathing
❤️‍🩹 Unexplained weight loss
❤️‍🩹 Swollen belly (in some cases)

Thanks to an advanced treatment option and the dedicated support of our veterinary team, Reggie made an incredible recovery and is back to being his fun, playful self, chasing his brother around, playing fetch, chasing lasers, hiding toys, and giving his family plenty of snuggles!

Read Reggie’s full journey on our blog by clicking the link!

"Back in March, Reggie the cat became anorexic. He lost a lot of weight. He was not his normal self, he was very withdrawn. His breathing was EXTREMELY

06/23/2025

From helping with paperwork to keeping morale high, our four-legged friends take their assistant duties very seriously at Temple Terrace Animal Hospital! It's a hard day's work...err, as you can see, one of our "pet-sistants" fell asleep on the job. 🤣😉

📞 Tik Tak the cat is always ready to help Dr. Weiner and Brooke at the desk (with a side of snuggles).
📏 And we’re still debating… who’s taller: Jo-Mar or Gunner?
🖥️ Millie and Dr. Godzisz made the perfect pair during their visit.

We love the extra joy our patients and clinic mascots bring to the clinic, whether they’re here for care or casually supervising the front desk.

06/18/2025

📸 SCREENSHOT THIS!

🌀 Hurricane Season is Here! Is Your Pet Prepared? 🌀

Living in Tampa Bay means sunshine and sea breezes, but it also means being ready for hurricane season. If these last couple of years have taught us anything, it's that storms can form fast and Tampa isn't "hurricane proof".

Having a pet emergency plan in place is essential. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering at home, make sure your furry (or scaly or feathered) family members are safe and accounted for.

Check out our Blog Post for more in-depth information: https://www.tampabayvets.net/keeping-pets-safe-hurricane/

📍 We’re here to help you prepare. Reach out with any questions about records, medications, or planning ahead.

06/13/2025

Rainy days don't stop Winnie! ☔

This little ray of sunshine braved the weather and showed up to Tampa Palms Animal Hospital in her stylish yellow raincoat, ready for her visit and looking adorable as ever.

We love seeing our Tampa pets stay on top of their care, rain or shine! Thanks for brightening up our rainy day, Winnie! ❤️

Does your pet companion have a favorite rainy day outfit? Or maybe they just love the muddy puddles?! We'd love to see how our favorite patients dress or play on a rainy, Tampa Bay day! Share your photos below! 📸 ⬇️

06/10/2025

Thor the tegu visited Dr. Dutton at Cheval Animal Hospital, flexing his scales... and his organs! Thor, a handsome Argentine black and white tegu, came in for a diagnostic ultrasound.

Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive way for us to check internal organs like the liver, kidneys, heart, and reproductive system. This is essential care for exotic pets who often hide signs of illness.

🧠 Did you know?
🦎Tegus are highly intelligent. Some even learn their names and enjoy social interaction.
🦎They’re native to South America but are now found in parts of Florida (including wild populations).
🦎These omnivores can grow up to 4–5 feet long and have a strong bite.
🦎Some tegus even go through seasonal “brumation,” a reptile version of hibernation!

Thor was calm, curious, and totally cooperative! We’re proud to offer advanced diagnostic tools to keep unique pets like him healthy and thriving.

Check out our exotic animal services at Cheval, Temple Terrace, Pebble Creek, and North Bay Animal Hospitals! These locations are trained in exotic pet diagnostics, ensuring patients like Thor stay calm, comfortable, and well cared for.

06/04/2025

Say hello to Layla, a Temple Terrace Animal Hospital pup reminding everyone to splash safely!

In Tampa Bay, summer means beach days, puddle jumping, and long walks by the water. But even clear-looking water can hide harmful bacteria like Leptospira, which is spread by wildlife like raccoons, deer, opossums, and rodents.

Leptospira can live in warm, still water and infect dogs through drinking, swimming, or even licking wet fur.

The good news? There’s a vaccine to help protect your pup. If your summer plans include outdoor adventures, make sure your dog is protected from this preventable disease. Not sure if your pup's leptospirosis vaccination is up to date? Give us a call! Prevention is the key to happy, healthy pets this summer!

05/27/2025

Jackson rocked his blood draw like a total pro, and Lauren was there to cheer him on every step of the way! He was so proud to be the bravest boy and Lauren couldn't resist giving Jackson all the cuddles...err and treats 😉

Tampa Bay Animal Hospital's full-service lab testing allows us to test, diagnose your pet quickly, and to provide quality results fast. That means less time spent worrying and more time focusing on helping your pet feel their best.

05/21/2025

At Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals, our veterinarians provide the same level of care and compassion to your pets as we provide to our own.

📸Dr. Denitto gave Sammy a snuggle as he came in for his 9-month checkup and neuter.
📸 Dr. Welborn shared a quiet moment with his pup Millie before performing her spay.
📸Dr. Godzisz and Olive were perfectly twinning in their pre-op gear.

Spaying and neutering helps reduce overpopulation, lowers the risk of certain cancers and infections, and can lead to calmer behavior in many pets. It’s one of the most important steps you can take to support your pet’s lifelong health.

When you choose Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals, you’re choosing a team that treats your pets like family because they’re our family, too.

05/16/2025

With temperatures on the rise, it’s important to help your pets stay safe and cool. Be more like this golden cutie- happy, hydrated, and aware!

Heatstroke in dogs and cats can happen fast. Watch for:
• Excessive panting or drooling
• Weakness or unsteadiness
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• A bright red tongue and pale gums
• Collapse or unresponsiveness

If you see these signs, move your pet to a cool area and call your vet right away.

☀️ Never leave pets in cars (even for a few minutes)
💧 Offer plenty of water throughout the day
🐾 Protect paws from hot pavement (If it’s too hot for your bare hand or foot, it’s too hot for their paws!)
🧴 Use dog-safe sunscreen on exposed skin like the nose, lips, and ears
🌳 Take breaks in the shade and limit exercise during peak heat
🐕Short-nosed breeds, puppies and kittens, and senior pets need extra care in the heat

When in doubt, keep outdoor adventures early in the morning or after the sun sets.

Enjoy the summer sun SAFELY.

05/12/2025

At Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals, we’re proud to provide care for all of your furry, feathered, and scaled family members. Our teams at North Bay, Pebble Creek, and Temple Terrace locations are specially trained to treat a wide variety of exotic pets with the skill, compassion, and gentle handling they deserve.

🐹 Peanut the Guinea Pig got a perfect nail trim with Alexis and Kiana, who are both trained to care for pocket pets and their special needs.

🦎 Izzy the Bearded Dragon came in for surgery and x-rays with Dr. Bajc. For our smaller reptile friends, we use specialized dental radiograph equipment to capture highly detailed images. Izzy was an all-star patient!

🐓 Did you know we can draw blood from chickens? Emily, Jo-Mar, and Kiana worked together to help keep one of our feathered friends healthy.

If your pet has scales, feathers, or tiny paws, you can trust the team at Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals to provide the very best care.

📍 Exotic pet services available at:
• North Bay Animal Hospital
• Pebble Creek Animal Hospital
• Temple Terrace Animal Hospital

05/06/2025

George was so good for his ultrasound with Dr. Weiner. Throughout the entire exam, he was given extra love and support by his technician, Melissa, who even held his paws the whole time to help him feel safe and relaxed.

At Tampa Bay Animal Hospitals, every patient receives compassionate, individualized attention. Our highly trained team works carefully to ensure your pet feels supported and calm during every procedure.

Ultrasound is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art technology that uses sound waves to painlessly examine internal organs such as the heart and abdominal structures. It is a valuable tool for diagnosing illnesses, monitoring internal health, and performing pregnancy exams.

We are proud to offer ultrasound services at the following Tampa Bay Animal Hospital locations:
• All Creatures Animal Hospital
• The Cat Doctors
• Cheval Animal Hospital
• North Bay Animal Hospital
• Pebble Creek Animal Hospital
• Temple Terrace Animal Hospital

When it comes to your pet’s health, we believe that providing thoughtful, gentle care is just as important as offering advanced medical technology.