It starts with your pet’s first visit. We’ll be there to do a full nose-to-tail exam and get your pet ready for a fun and exciting life.

Vaccines: We’ll ensure that your pet is put on a vaccine schedule so that they are protected at all stages of their life. Protecting your pet from parasites and illness is easier than you think. We’ll make sure you know about each vaccine, have reminders for the scheduling, and have a full understanding of the what and why behind each vaccine.

Nutrition: We’ll make sure that your pet is on the correct diet for their needs based on their species, breed, and lifestyle.

Preventive medicine: Protecting your pet from the likes of fleas, ticks, and heartworm is easier than you think. Ensuring your pet is protected could be a matter of life and death, and the importance of this cannot be overstated. Let us help you keep them protected for their entire life.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 70% of adult cats and 80% of adult dogs show symptoms of oral disease. It does not have to be this way. Being vigilant with your pet’s oral care will save them from a life of irritation and keep their overall health in a much better position.

Bad breath, plaque build-up, excessive drooling, sore or bleeding gums when eating or chewing, and decreased appetite are signs that your furbaby’s teeth may require veterinary attention. These things can be managed with annual cleanings in our office paired with at-home teeth brushing and care.

Digital X-rays allow us to see the unseen when your pet is not feeling their best, but the answer may not be able to be seen by the naked eye.

Using digital X-ray technology, we can now manipulate the digital images that we take off a pet’s systems. This has allowed us to detect hairline fractures and orthopedic conditions that were previously not visible. X-rays are routinely used to diagnose and examine broken bones, obstructions, arthritis, masses, and tumors. We also use digital X-rays to confirm pregnancies or detect ingested objects.

We want to make traveling with your pet easy. To ensure your pet’s health and safety, pet travel requires planning and preparation. We have experience assisting our clients with both domestic and international pet travel, and our certified USDA-accredited veterinarians are qualified to issue pet health certificates.

A current health certificate and history of vaccinations are recommended when taking your pet flying by air. Specific air travel requirements vary by airline and can change at any time. We urge you to contact your airline carrier for complete regulations prior to booking. Key considerations include:

• Health documents: Pet health certificate, vaccinations such as rabies, or other health requirements
• Size of pet: Determines if your pet can accompany you in the cabin or must travel in the cargo area
• Type of carrier: Restrictions on size, materials, labeling, and bedding
• Temperature: Airlines may restrict the transport of pets placed in their cargo hold based on the anticipated arrival and departure temperature
• Fees: Additional handling fees may be required for your pet
• Security screening/check-in: Details regarding extra time or requirements for checking in your pet

Laser therapy is a cutting-edge technique in veterinary medicine for managing many conditions, including chronic pain in pets. Forgotten Coast Animal Hospital uses laser therapy for post-surgical incisions, dental extraction sites, arthritis, soft tissue injuries, and wound care.

Cold laser therapy is a noninvasive procedure that uses light to stimulate blood flow and increase circulation. It is not a surgical laser that cuts tissue, but a laser with different wavelengths to help heal tissues.

Your veterinarian will first assess a pet’s pain management needs to determine whether he or she is a good candidate for laser therapy. It is not recommended for pets with cancer to have laser therapy as it could worsen or spread the malignancy. The doctor will create a custom treatment plan. Dogs and cats generally receive the greatest pain relief benefits from a series of eight to ten sessions, usually starting two to three times weekly, tapering down to weekly appointments.

Treatment sessions are tailored to each pet’s individual needs. Smaller dogs may only need eight to 10-minute sessions. A larger dog that suffers from arthritis in multiple joints may benefit from a longer, 30-minute session. During a treatment session, the pet reclines on a table or may even lie on a blanket on the floor. Your veterinarian may allow you to be present for these sessions, but you will need to wear special goggles to protect your eyes.

Pets that undergo orthopedic surgery may need up to six months of recovery time. Physical therapy helps the pet to recover and become active again. Laser therapy is a common adjunctive treatment that allows faster healing of the surgical incision, and also helps to relieve the arthritic pain.

Many arthritic pets respond positively to laser therapy. In fact, some pets even fall asleep during treatment sessions as it is the first time they are finally able to relax and not be in pain.

In addition to helping manage arthritis pain, veterinary laser therapy has numerous other applications. Treatment with a Class IV laser may help heal wounds, treat skin disorders such as lick granuloma, and help surgical skin incisions heal faster.