Why Toy Breeds and Small Dogs Are at Higher Risk for Dental Disease If you share your home with a Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, or another tiny companion, you probably know their size doesn’t limit their personality. But here’s something many pet parents don’t realize: toy breeds and small dogs are significantly more prone to [...]
Pet Poison Control: Foods and Substances to Keep Away from Your Dog or Cat Even the most loving, vigilant pet owners can overlook hazards hiding in plain sight. From pantry staples to potted plants, many everyday items can be toxic—or even deadly—for dogs and cats. At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we treat [...]
Common Aging Cat and Dog Diseases: Symptoms to Watch For As dogs and cats grow older, their bodies—and needs—change. Some of those changes are natural parts of aging, while others may signal emerging health concerns. What may seem like "just slowing down" could actually be the early signs of a treatable condition. At St. Petersburg [...]
As pets age, their needs change—and dental care becomes more important than ever. Many senior dogs and cats live with chronic dental disease that often goes unnoticed. Left untreated, these issues can quietly impact their comfort, appetite, and even the health of vital organs like the heart and kidneys. At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & [...]
Why Non-Anesthetic Dentals Are Dangerous for Pets If you’ve seen ads for “gentle” or “non-anesthetic dental cleanings” for pets, you’re not alone in wondering if they’re a safer, less expensive alternative to veterinary dental care. We get this question all the time at St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, and we understand the appeal. [...]
If your dog or cat seems itchier or more uncomfortable as the seasons shift, you’re not imagining it—pets can suffer from seasonal allergies just like people. But instead of sneezing and watery eyes, their symptoms often show up as irritated skin, nonstop scratching, or ear infections that seem to appear out of nowhere. And here [...]
The Importance of Annual Bloodwork for Early Disease Detection Life moves quickly. One day you notice your jeans feel a little tighter, your child is suddenly taller than you, or you catch a glimpse of new wrinkles in the mirror. These changes happen slowly—so slowly that we often don’t notice them until they’re undeniable. It’s [...]
You brush your teeth every day, right? You still need dental cleanings, fillings, maybe even a crown or two someday. Now imagine your dog or cat—no daily brushing, no flossing, no warning signs you can easily see. It’s not a matter of if they’ll get dental disease. It’s when. At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & [...]
An underbite might give your pet a quirky grin—but behind that smile, there could be a medical issue hiding in plain sight. Underbites (mandibular prognathism) and overbites (maxillary prognathism) are both forms of malocclusion, which refers to abnormal alignment between the upper and lower teeth. While some cases are purely cosmetic, others can lead to [...]
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs and cats are more than just uncomfortable—they can be painful, recurring, and in some cases, even life-threatening. While they’re often treatable, UTIs are frequently a sign of an underlying condition and should never be ignored. At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we understand how concerning it is [...]
