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 [...]
If you’ve ever reviewed a veterinary dental estimate and wondered, “Why does this cost so much?”, you’re not alone. It’s a common and fair question—and one we believe deserves a thoughtful, transparent answer. At St. Petersburg Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we’re committed to helping you understand the why behind your pet’s care. This post [...]
Dental disease in pets doesn’t always begin with obvious symptoms. In fact, many cases start quietly—perhaps with a bit of bad breath or subtle changes in eating habits. But left untreated, these early signs can evolve into serious pain, infection, and emergency conditions that impact your pet’s health and quality of life. At St. Petersburg [...]
How to Recognize and Manage Your Pet’s Stress Behavioral health is a vital part of your pet’s overall well-being- but it’s often misunderstood. Stress and anxiety in dogs and cats frequently appear as subtle behaviors mistaken for bad habits or personality quirks. In reality, these are signs of discomfort that, without proper support, can escalate [...]
