Hollywood FL Vet Offers 5 Steps for Choosing Pet Health Insurance

5 Steps for Choosing Pet Health Insurance from Hollywood FL Areas Top Vet 1. Choose the right reimbursement type. All pet insurance plans use either a percentage of invoice or a benefit schedule to calculate reimbursement. Avoid companies' with percentage-based plans that limit your actual reimbursement by excluding common things like exam fees and instead look for one that has more extensive coverage. 2. Do Your Research. When considering a plan be sure you understand what is covered, what isn't and what the factors involved are that may cause your coverage to change. Some plans put complicated restrictions on coverage. 3. Less is not more Less may be more when it comes to design but not when it comes to pet insurance. The least expensive plans usually cost less for a reason, they don't offer as much and you pay more in the long run. Per-incident deductibles apply to every new claim you file before you’ll be covered. Annual deductibles need to be met just once each 12-month policy term for full coverage to kick in. Look for a plan that has have either an annual deductible or no deductible. 4. Choose a complete care plan or go à la carte. Not every plan offers wellness coverage. Wellness plan may include flea and heartworm prevention as well as vaccinations. Some only offer wellness it if you buy an expensive medical plan first. Consider a plan that includes individual medical and wellness plans. 5. Go with a company you can trust. There are a lot of pet insurance companies that are around until they’re not. Go with an established company you know has a good reputation and is recommended by someone that you trust. Feel free to call DPC Vet at (954) 989-9879 today if you have any questions about pet insurance or to schedule an appointment.

Hollywood FL Area’s Top Vet on Alternative Drug Free Pain Treatment

Hollywood FL Area’s Top Vet Offers 3 Alternative Drug Free Pain Treatment Options

If you have a pet that suffers from arthritis, old age or joint sprains, you may want to consider three alternative therapies; pet massage, acupuncture and veterinary laser treatments. All three are drug free, pain free, non-invasive treatments meaning no harmful or debilitating side effects that are sometimes associated with traditional therapies. Each therapy is a unique approach to providing a similar result —a reduction of joint pain and discomfort resulting in a more active and pain free life for your pet. Here is a brief rundown on how they work:

Pain Relieving, Stress Reducing Pet Massage Therapy

As humans we generally think positively of a massage. A therapeutic massage addresses specific muscle groups that relieves strain and provides a sense of stress free wellbeing. A professional pet massage does the same thing for your four footed friend.

Pet massage can:

• Increase circulation and the distribution of oxygen
• Boosts the immune system
• Releases endorphins

Animal massage has actually been practiced for over 4000 years to help work animals become more effective. Now you can use this ancient and proven system on your own pet.

Does Your Pet Deserve the Same Treatment as a Superstar Athlete?

When a pro football player has a back pain or a hip strain they can get immediate relief right in the clubhouse via laser therapy. Light energy has amazing rejuvenating qualities and has been used for decades on humans. Today, those same excellent light energy benefits are available for pets.

At DPC our trained veterinarians and technicians are equipped with the latest pet laser equipment. Your pet feels a mild warming that is applied to the affected area. This sense of warmth has often caused dogs to relax to the point that they fall asleep during the treatment. The results are amazing and long lasting depending on the underlying cause.

Eastern Medicine Finds Its Way to Western Veterinary Care

Used for centuries to treat both humans and animals, DPC is one of the few veterinarian clinics in the Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale area to offer pet acupuncture. It's not for every ailment but for those that can be treated it is very effective. Acupuncture can often be used to resolve:

• Chronic pain
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Respiratory problem

Talk to our professional staff to determine if acupuncture is appropriate for your pet. If holistic care is a concern of yours or if you simply want to provide your pet with pain free, drug free treatment call us today at (954) 989-9879 to discuss our alternative therapies.

Ft Lauderdale Area’s Top Vet on 4 Ways Dogs Improve Your Well Being

Ft Lauderdale Area’s Top Vet Offers 4 Ways Dog Ownership Can Improve Your Well-Being

Many people think that owning a pet will do nothing but increase stress. The pet will need food, attention, care, and vet visits, which increase costs and make any outing more difficult. However, dog owners have actually been proven to live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Here are a few reasons you should consider taking a trip to your local animal shelter:

Exercise Requirement

All dogs, even the tiny ones, need regular exercise. This demand to either go out to a yard and play fetch or go out on a walk will keep you active and healthy by insisting that you get up and get out.

A daily walk with your dog may not be an hour at the gym but even just getting up to take a stroll in the mornings can make you feel noticeably better and may actually improve your sleep. You can always walk other people’s dogs as well.

Smiling, throwing a ball for your dog, and laughing when they make a silly face may not do your body the same good a walk will but is does do your mind good. Smiling can actually make you feel happier as can laughing and, with a dog, every day brings a smile or a laugh.

Social Opportunities

Social interaction is extremely important for your mental and emotional well-being as humans are social animals. It can be tough to find an excuse to go out alone, however when you have a dog, you never have to go out alone.

Each day your dog brings you outside for a walk or a jaunt to the dog park, they are offering you innumerable social opportunities. They bring you out into the public eye and provide a ready-made icebreaker. You can bond with other dog owners or strike up a love-struck stranger who has stopped to pet your dog. Dogs bring you out and draw people in.

Unconditional Love

Another hugely beneficial aspect of owning a dog is the unconditional love they provide. Dogs can alleviate depression simply by waiting to greet you when you get home. Coming home to an empty house can aggravate preexisting depression as can a lack of affection. Dogs, regardless of what kind of person you are. A dog can serve as a warm cuddle buddy to curl up and watch your favorite TV shows with, which can do wonders for your mental well-being.

Stress Reduction

Dog owners have been shown to have lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of heart disease. Simply owning a dog acts as a stress reducer. The combination of love, exercise, and humorous antics makes a dog a ready-made companion with the added benefits of limiting your stress and improving your mood.

Furthermore, the act of caring for another living thing can ramp up your desire to live healthier and be better. Tending to your dog’s needs and seeing them blossom under your care is a reward in itself, acting as a wonderful way to decrease symptoms of several mental illnesses.

If you needed another reason to go out and adopt a dog, consider that dog ownership can help you live a longer, happier life in a multitude of ways. A dog will force you to stay active; they will love you no matter what, and they will help you meet potential new friends simply by going to the park.

Though dogs can complicate your life and, of course, require money for their food and care, the benefits of becoming a pet owner far outweigh the negatives. Somewhere near you, a shelter dog is waiting to make your life better. Get up and head to your nearest animal shelter to find your new best friend.

Image via Pixabay by taniadimas

Heartworm Ft. Lauderdale Top Vet Explains What You Need To Know

Heartworm—Ft Lauderdale Top Vet Explains What You Need to Know to Save Your Pet

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm is a type of roundworm transmitted by mosquitoes that lives inside blood vessels of the lungs the heart. It can be a very serious condition that in addition to the heart and lungs can also affect the central nervous system, liver, kidneys and eyes. If left untreated it can potentially be fatal to your pet

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of heartworm disease can be difficult to detect. They may be very subtle at first and include:

• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Coughing
• Lack of energy

As the worms increase so may the symptoms. It’s important to recognize them early on to prevent permanent damage or death.

Which pets are at the greatest risk?

Heartworm infections are increasing throughout the United States and are most prevalent in the southeast. Heartworm disease is more commonly thought of as a condition in dogs but can also affect cats bitten by a mosquito. Talk to your vet about how to mitigate the risks for your pet.

How is heartworm diagnosed?

There are simple blood tests that can usually diagnose heartworm quickly.

What can I do to prevent it?

ProHeart® 6 (moxidectin) is an injection that provides 6 full months of continuous heartworm protection in a single dose. One visit to our veterinary office can provide your pet with extended protection from heartworm disease. There are a number of medications that treat and prevent various heartworm in pets including pills, chewables and topical liquids. Those treatments generally need to be administered monthly and a missed dose could put your dog at risk for heartworm disease which is why we recommend ProHeart® 6 for many pets.

If you are concerned that your pet may have heartworm or are interested in prevention call our Davie Florida veterinary office today at (954) 989-9879 and schedule an appointment.

Benefits of Dog Massage Explained by Ft Lauderdale Canine Massage Therapist

The Benefits of Dog Massage Explained by Ft Lauderdale’s Top Canine Massage Therapist

You love a good massage and you can be sure your dog will as well. For many dog owners especially those with older pets surfing chronic pain canine massage is the ultimate in personalized care. If you are new to canine massage you should know that it is not a new therapy. There is evidence that dogs and other animals have been receiving massages from humans going back nearly 4,000 years. Undoubtedly those early massages were administered to enhance performance or as maintenance. We don't rely on animals to assist us like we did long ago but that doesn't mean that their bodies don't still need our care to give them long, comfortable lives.

Dog massage is not just petting and rubbing but intentional stroking of specific muscle and tissue groups designed to make changes in their physiology and emotional state. An effective canine massage can improve your dog's mood and demeanor, relieve stress and give relief to arthritic joints. You know how good you feel after a massage, your dog will feel the same way.

Benefits of a Fort Lauderdale Canine Massage

Not surprisingly, the benefits of dog massage are not unlike the benefits that humans experience from massage including:

• Improved mobility, mood and demeanor
• Improved circulation allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach muscles and tissues not regularly used by your pet.
• Dog massage boosts endorphin release (natural pain killers released by the brain). Pets with arthritis pain, sprains or simply old age will benefit from this drug free treatment that has no negative side effects.
• A canine massage will stimulate the lymphatic system increasing filtration and removal of cellular waste products. Further, it will enhance the transportation of nutrients and immune system components to the muscles.

Using a combination of compression and direct pressure a professional dog massage therapist can provide significant relief for dog's suffering from Lyme's disease, hip dysplasia and other conditions that hinder the pet's mobility. However, canine massage does not take the place of professional pet care. It is a drug free therapy but it has its limitations.

If you have questions regarding dog massages in Fort Lauderdale or think your pet can benefit from our expert dog massage therapist at DPC Veterinary Hospital, give us a call now. Your four-legged buddy will be glad you did.

New Veterinarian Joins DPC Veterinary Hospital in Davie

(Davie, FL) July 21, 2016

DPC Veterinary Hospital Welcomes Dr. Duke to their Clinic

The veterinarians and staff all are pleased to announce that Dr. Jessica Duke has joined the clinic and in July of 2016 will begin seeing patients at the Davie, FL office located at 6991 Stirling Road.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Duke to our clinic,” said Nancy Abecassis cohospital director at DPC. “She brings enthusiasm, poise and a kind, gentle nature with her to DPC.” 

Dr. Jessica Duke is native of Colorado. After finishing her BS in Biological Sciences at Colorado State University she travelled to St. Kitts to obtain her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. After completing her clinical year at Colorado State University Dr. Duke moved to Miami and worked for two years at Banfield Pet Hospital before joining DPC.

About DPC Veterinary Hospital

DPC is a full-service veterinary clinic in Davie, Florida. Since their establishment in 2001 they have placed the care, diagnosis and treatment of pets as their primary concern. They offer a comprehensive and compassionate approach when treating patients. Their pledge is to provide the highest quality of veterinary care at an affordable price. One of their main goals has always been to make a huge dent in pet overpopulation. DPC has spayed and neutered thousands of animals to date. If you are looking to establish a relationship with a caring veterinary hospital in your local community please stop by and see them soon.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact (954) 989- 9879 or visit http://dpcvet.com

Hollywood FL Vet Explains Importance of Regular Pet Dental Screenings

Importance of Regular Pet Dental Screenings Explained by Hollywood FL Top Vet

Your pet’s dental health is very similar to yours. The difference is you wouldn’t go months without brushing your teeth or even years without visiting the dentist. 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease by 3 years of age according to the AVMA.  Dental disease can lead to:

• tooth loss
• eating problems
• bad breath

Oral disease can also affect the functioning of your pet’s vital organs, including the kidneys, liver and heart. The good news is as a pet owner there’s a lot you can do.

Here are a few tips to help safeguard your pet’s oral health.

1. Provide your pet oral chews designed specifically for oral health, it’s an easy and effective way to help reduce the build-up of tartar on the teeth.
2. Become familiar with your pet’s teeth at an early age. Examine their mouth regularly and check for sensitive painful areas or lesions.
3. Use pet friendly toothpastes and rinses to reduce tartar and bacteria build-up.

The Importance of Regular Dental Consultations

To ensure your pets oral health, have your veterinarian complete a dental consult on a regular basis. A vet can determine if your pet requires a non-anesthetic dental cleaning or more extensive work under general anesthesia. Your pet remains awake during a non-anesthetic dental cleaning and it can be a great way for preventative care. A non-anesthetic dental procedure is a dental cleaning completed without anesthesia. However, not all pets are suitable candidates for this procedure, and your veterinarian will determine which is the best option for your pet based on their overall health condition. Anesthetic dental cleanings are often recommended when your pet is showing indications of more advanced oral disease. They may include; polishing, scaling, antibiotics, x-rays, extractions and blood work. Ask your vet which one is right for your pet

Pet dental work can be a serious medical procedure so always be sure that it is performed in a veterinary hospital, by a licensed vet. At DPC Veterinary Hospital in Davie Florida we offer full dental packages for your pet including a FREE consult. Call us today at (954) 989-9879 more information.