FAQs

Spaying involves surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. Benefits include the elimination of heat cycles and the chance of pregnancy. It also helps reduce anxious behavior, drastically decreases the risk of mammary cancer, and eliminates the incidence of ovarian and uterine cancer.

‍Neutering involves surgical removal of the testicles. This procedure will make males less aggressive and help decrease anxious behavior. It also has the added benefit of preventing testicular cancer and drastically decreasing the occurrence of prostatitis (prostate infection). Studies have also shown that pets who have been spayed or neutered live 18-23% longer than their un-neutered or non-spayed counterparts.

We have an exceptional team of veterinarians who have extensive experience performing spay and neuter surgeries. To schedule this quick, minimally invasive procedure for your pet with little downtime please give us a call at (850) 909-0130 today!

At Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital in Inlet Beach 30A, we are able to perform many tests as they are needed for your pet’s care, including:

• Blood Tests
• Urine Tests
• Skin Scrapes
• Test for Viruses (Parvovirus, Feline Leukemia Virus, and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
• Heartworm Disease
• Fecal Examinations (Testing for the Presence of Hookworms, Whipworms, Tapeworms, and Roundworms)
• Ear Cytology
• Mass Cytology
• Skin Cytology
• Complete Blood Counts
• Chemistries
• Blood Gases
• Pancreatitis Testing
• Bacterial Cultures
• Fungal Cultures
• Comprehensive Thyroid Panels
• Tick Panels
• Vaccine Titers
• Cytology
• Histopathology

Laboratory testing is a valuable tool that is used in a wide variety of diagnostics in veterinary medicine. At Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital, we continually strive to offer the highest quality medicine and services to our customers and their pets. This is why we are proud to offer our in-house diagnostic laboratory services as an additional means of providing excellent and convenient care to our patients.

An ECG can provide us with a variety of information about your dog’s or cat's heart function.

1. Is the heart rate normal? An ECG allows us to make a determination of your pet’s heart rate. It can show whether their heart rate is beating at a normal pace, or if it is beating too rapidly or slower than normal for their breed. This can suggest medical issues that may warrant further investigation.
2. Is the heart rhythm normal? An ECG gives us a very accurate way to assess your pet’s heart rhythm. If there is an abnormality, the results of the ECG will allow us to diagnose the arrhythmia & potentially diagnose the underlying causes of that.
3. Does the pet's heart size appear to be normal? Enlarged heart tissue produces electricity differently than normal-sized heart tissue. With that said, an ECG can potentially suggest abnormalities in the size of a specific heart chamber. This method is not considered completely accurate but can suggest to us to do further investigations.

We perform pet ECGs in Inlet Beach 30A daily. No special preparation is required for this procedure.

To perform an ECG, your pet will need to remain still. They will either be standing or laying down on an exam table in our office. We apply electrodes to your pet’s skin, at the base of each of their four legs. We may also apply a special conduction gel or rubbing alcohol to your pet during this procedure. These applications can help electrical signals travel more easily to the ECG machine which would allow for better recordings.

Once the testing begins, we will keep your pet still for only a short period of time to get an adequate reading. Your pet’s electrical signals may be traced from a minute up to several minutes. The amount of time we trace is dependent on your pet’s cooperation and the abnormality we suspect.

Heartworm disease is very serious, but with early detection, your pet has a much greater chance of a full recovery. Regular testing is important because there are few, if any, signs of early heartworm infections. The test requires a small blood sample which allows us to detect the presence of any heartworm proteins, or antigens. An antigen test detects heartworm proteins which are released by adult female heartworms into a dog's bloodstream.

Your adult dog should be tested once per year for heartworms during their routine wellness visit. If you have a puppy under seven months, they can be started on heartworm prevention without a heartworm test, but they should then be tested six months after starting prevention and again six months later (followed by annual testing). Adult dogs (over seven months) who have not been on a heartworm preventive need to be tested before starting prevention. 

Dogs and cats become infected with heartworms when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Dogs and cats can only get heartworms from infected mosquitoes. There is no spread from dog to dog, dog to cat, or dog to human. 

Yes, as a pet owner, you can prevent your pet from getting heartworms! Preventive medication is extremely effective. During your visit, after your pet has tested negative for heartworms, we will recommend the preventive treatment best for you. 

For more information about heartworm testing and prevention or to make an appointment with your Inlet Beach 30A veterinarian, please call us today at (850) 909-0130.

There are two types of animal vaccinations - core and non-core vaccines. The core vaccines are those that your pet must receive, no matter the habits, environment, or age. Non-core vaccines are not required, but they may be recommended depending on your pet’s health, environment, and lifestyle. Here at Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital, we can do both core and non-core pet vaccinations in Inlet Beach 30A, FL.

We offer core vaccines for your dogs and puppies. These vaccines are necessary either annually or every three years, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation. If not vaccinated, your dog is vulnerable to diseases that have significant morbidity and mortality, and in almost all cases, vaccines offer great protection. The core vaccines are canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), canine adenovirus (CAV), and rabies.

These dog vaccines in Inlet Beach 30A are not required but should be considered if the pet has a risk of exposure due to lifestyle or geographic location. Non-core vaccines include canine influenza virus, canine parainfluenza virus (CPiV), Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough), Leptospirosis, and Lyme disease.

Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital offers kitten and cat vaccines as well. Most of these are recommended annually to triannually to keep your kitty healthy. The Core Feline Vaccinations include feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpes virus 1 (FHV1), feline panleukopenia, and rabies.

The non-core feline vaccinations in Inlet Beach 30A are optional. The need for these will depend on your cat’s age, lifestyle, and location. These vaccines include the following: feline leukemia virus (FeLV), Bordetella bronchiseptica, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Chlamydophila felis, etc.

Pet vaccines are necessary from the time your pet is a kitten or puppy. As with people, pets need vaccines in order to live a long and healthy life. So, protect your pets from disease, and schedule your visit today. Call us at (850) 909-0130 right now!

There are many potential reasons why your pet might need oral surgery. For example, they may need oral surgery to remove growths, repair oral or dental defects, and repair a jaw fracture.

Some oral tumors have no known cause. If oral tumors are detected early, surgical removal may be an option and result in a cure. Jaw fractures from trauma or disease also often require oral surgery to return the dog to a pain-free happy life.

Anesthesia is necessary for oral surgery. This allows us to treat your pet while they are immobilized and out of pain. Before anesthesia is delivered, laboratory tests are performed to determine the safest anesthetic protocol for your pet and the specific procedure. Your pet will be closely monitored during and after the procedure.

X-rays are a completely painless procedure. If your pet is calm and cooperative, we will not even need to sedate them. If your dog or cat has anxiety issues, a sedative or general anesthesia may be administered to allow them to relax.

Due to the recent developments in modern technology, X-rays are safer than ever for pets and humans alike. Digital X-rays only expose your dog or cat to a small dose of radiation, which is completely harmless.

Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital is aware that when your pet needs a digital X-ray, you may be concerned. While you may be worried about your dog or cat, rest assured that they are in good hands. Because of the incredible advancements of recent technology, you don’t have to wonder whether or not you are doing what is best for your pet when you bring them into our animal hospital in Inlet Beach 30A for a digital X-ray. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for your pet at our vet clinic!

Environmental allergies occur when there is an exaggerated immune response to an allergen. An allergen is a protein that comes from exposure to things like tree pollen, grass pollen, dander, and flea saliva. Your pet can develop antibodies to an allergen and then overreact to it. This leads to skin inflammation and itchiness.

Allergy testing can be performed on your pet to determine what they are allergic to. As with humans, intradermal allergy testing is considered the gold standard in dogs. If we observe a positive allergic reaction to a particular allergen, we know this is a trigger for them. An alternative method in dogs is blood allergy testing; however, in some pets, blood-based allergy testing may not give any positive answers.

Once we know what your pet is allergic to, we can consider desensitization therapy using oral drops or injections. This treatment is effective and helpful in about 70% of allergic dogs. Environmental allergies can also be treated with medication or medicated baths for symptomatic control. We will discuss your pet’s unique condition and work with you to determine the best treatment.

A food allergy occurs in your pet when there is an overreaction of the immune system to a particular ingredient in their diet. This can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms including inflammation of the skin, intestines, eyes, and respiratory system. Some signs of food allergies in dogs and cats include:

• Red skin or ears
• Dry skin
• Dandruff
• Oily skin and hair 
• Ear infections
• Skin infections
• Over-grooming cats
• Self-grooming in dogs 
• Hot spots
• Hair loss
• Gastrointestinal problems

If we suspect that your dog or cat has a food allergy, we may recommend a dietary elimination trial using a specific food for a period of time. This is considered a diagnostic test and should be performed under the supervision of a veterinarian. It is not simply a change of food. The best food will be determined based on your pet’s age, general health, previous diet, and the symptoms that are being exhibited. We may recommend a food that is composed of a hydrolyzed protein. This is a protein that is broken up into tiny molecules that the immune system is unlikely to recognize as the “problem ingredient”. In some cases, an elimination food trial using a single protein source may be recommended. We will work closely with you and your pet to determine the best way to determine and treat your pet’s food allergy.

At Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital, we understand how much you love your pet. No matter the reason for your visit, we will make sure your pet receives the best care available from professionals who truly care. To learn more about pet allergies and treatment or to make an appointment, call us today at (850) 909-0130.

Regular inspection of your pet’s mouth is important to catch dental disease in the early stages. Tartar may appear as a brownish-gold buildup on the teeth, close to the gum-line. Redness or bleeding along the gum line may indicate gingivitis.

A professional dog or cat dental cleaning removes not only the visible plaque and tartar on the teeth surfaces but also the bacteria under the gums. This eliminates potential sources of infection to the mouth and other organs and protects your pet from pain and tooth loss.

Procedures can vary depending on the tooth and the disease process. Prior to any extraction, a nerve block that lasts between 6-8 hours is provided to help minimize oral pain and discomfort.

With surgical extractions, we normally make incisions in the adjacent gum tissue to create a flap and provide access to the tooth. We often need to remove the bone that overlies each root, section the tooth into individual roots and extract each root separately. The alveolus (socket) is flushed to remove any debris, and the extraction site is closed with absorbable sutures.

In some cases, we can extract a tooth without the need for incisions and bone removal. In these cases, we carefully elevate each root individually and close the extraction site with absorbable sutures.

The risks associated with extractions depend on the tooth involved. Unlike people, dogs and cats do not experience “dry sockets,” and their recovery is quick. Aside from temporary oral discomfort and minor bleeding, most procedures go without complications, and these patients feel great.

Both local and general anesthesia will be used to minimize and control discomfort. The same narcotic medications used in people are used for dogs. Anti-inflammatory medication is also administered to decrease swelling and inflammation after surgery as long as your dog is a candidate to receive these medications.

As a result of excellent pain relief medications, most dogs recover with minimal discomfort and return to their daily routines rapidly. Most pets will eat the day of surgery or very soon thereafter. Feeding soft food is usually recommended until healing is complete. Recheck visits will be required to ensure healing is progressing as it should. Call us at (850) 909-0130 for more information and options.

Anesthesia is not usually needed for most ultrasound examinations unless biopsies are to be taken. The technique is totally painless and most dogs will lie comfortably while the scan is being performed. Occasionally, if the dog is very frightened or fractious, a sedative may be necessary.

In most cases, the fur must be shaved to perform an ultrasound examination. Since ultrasound waves are not transmitted through air, it is imperative that the hand-held probe makes complete contact with the skin. In some cases, such as pregnancy diagnosis, it may be possible to get adequate images by moistening the hair with rubbing alcohol and applying a copious amount of water-soluble ultrasound gel. But don’t worry, this is something we will take care of for you.

Since an ultrasound study is performed in real-time, the results of what is seen are known immediately. In some cases, the ultrasound images may be sent to a veterinary radiologist for further consultation. When this occurs, the final report may not be available for a few days.

Yes, veterinary cancer surgery is very common. Cancer is one of the major causes of morbidity in veterinary patients, and surgical removal of tumors is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by vets. In veterinary medicine, surgery is considered the most important component of treatment in dogs and cats with solid tumors because, in many cases, surgical treatment offers the best chance for improving your pet’s quality of life.

As with any procedure, every case is unique. Generally speaking, most pet surgeries are low risk; however, surgery does carry some risks and concerns. These range from potential complications to their prognosis for recovery. The good news is that veterinary medicine has progressed considerably over the years, so the risks are low for your pet to have any major complications from most surgeries. If your pet needs surgery, we will discuss any potential risks with you.

The time spent in the animal hospital after cancer surgery will vary from case to case. Your pet will either go home the same day or will need to stay 1-3 nights, depending on their recovery. Your pet will need to be eating, drinking, and able to walk on their own before we can discharge them.

Our ability to monitor your pet during surgery has made procedures much safer than they were in the past. Before your pet’s anesthesia, we will do a thorough physical exam. Blood testing to ensure the health of the liver and kidneys is important in reducing anesthesia risk. If any serious problems are detected, we may recommend postponing surgery if possible. We will ask you to make sure your pet has an empty stomach before surgery to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia.

The goal of your pet’s cancer surgery is to control or eliminate cancer in an attempt to improve quality of life. Successful surgical removal of localized cancer cures more of our cancer patients than any other treatment.

Like humans, pets do experience pain. While they may not show it in the same ways we do, you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications will vary based on the surgery performed. A major procedure will require more pain relief than a minor one. Dogs can take an oral anti-inflammatory the day after surgery and continue for several days to lessen discomfort and swelling. Cats, unfortunately, do not tolerate many standard pain medications. Recent advances have allowed for better pain control in cats. Before your pet’s surgery, we will discuss their specific needs and recommendations.

At our Inlet Beach 30A Animal Hospital, cancer surgery is often very successful, but it’s not always an option. The most common reasons we will recommend cancer surgery for your pet include:

• To confirm a diagnosis of cancer
• To cure cancer or improve the quality of life
• To provide pain relief or improved function for your pet
• To de-bulk a tumor

After your pet has had surgery, it’s important to leave the incision alone. If you have any concerns about healing, contact us as soon as possible. As far as what’s appropriate for your pet’s activity, eating, and rest, we will provide all necessary information before you leave our office. You can always feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

At Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital, our goal is always to do what’s best for your pet and your family. For more information about veterinary surgery in Inlet Beach 30A Florida or to make an appointment with your Inlet Beach 30A veterinarian, please call us today at (850) 909-0130.

Preventive appointments allow us to catch potential issues like tumors, skin infections, parasites, and other issues early. In turn, this helps you save time and money by avoiding complications and ensuring your pets stay healthy all year long. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) suggests an annual preventive care check-up for your pet. Schedule yours today by calling (850) 909-0130

Yes! If you would like a second opinion about any issues, regarding your pet, just contact us for a consultation. Our team will do a full examination of your pet and let you know what we think about their overall health or any specific concerns you may have. Our second opinion consultations are always judgment-free and there is no pressure to proceed with treatment. We want to make sure you feel confident in your choice of care for your loved one, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

For more information about our preventive pet care exams or to make an appointment with your Inlet Beach 30A veterinarian, please call us today at (850) 909-0130