Heartworm disease is a devastating parasitic infection that can lead to heart failure, lung disease, and other organ damage in affected pets. The bad news is that heartworms are rampant in hot climates like Florida’s; the good news for Odessa pet owners is that heartworm disease is entirely preventable.

Since April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to remind Odessa pet owners and all animal lovers about the importance of year-round heartworm prevention. Read on for valuable information from our team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital about protecting your pets from heartworm disease.

With March’s arrival, Florida’s mild temperatures invite our pets to embark on new explorations around the house and garden. But with these explorations comes the possibility of contact with hazards. Our pets are naturally curious, which can sometimes lead them into trouble.

March is Pet Poison Awareness Month, and the team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital is dedicated to helping you keep your furry family members safe. The key to understanding and preventing pet poisoning is about creating a safe environment and minimizing potential dangers. 

Pet hair is somewhat expected for cat owners, and for some may even be a badge of honor. What is normal though? How much should the average cat shed? Is increased hair loss a sign of a problem? A cat’s coat is definitely an insight into overall feline health. Understanding cat shedding can help pet lovers and your team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital take better care of your kitty. 

Hurricane season can bring serious concerns for the people and pets in the paths of these dangerous storms, which is why the compassionate team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital is here with valuable tips for pet storm safety. 

Caring Paws Animal Hospital knows first-hand how hot Florida summers can be, and when the temperatures rise, pet safety becomes even more important. Pet hydration is key to keeping our pets healthy—especially in late summer.

Heartworm disease is one of the worst parasitic infections your pet can get. Unfortunately, it’s very common in the southern and southeastern United States, including Florida. Spread via mosquito bite, heartworm can affect dogs, cats, and ferrets, but the disease is most dangerous for dogs. That’s because dogs are a definitive host for heartworms. The worms can complete entire life cycles and reproduce inside a dog’s body. 

All it takes is a single mosquito bite for your dog to be infected with this devastating parasite. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to prevent heartworm. The team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital would like to share our top heartworm prevention tips for dogs and cats. 

Summer is the season for backyard barbecues, Fourth of July fireworks, and trips to the beach! And while there’s nothing like enjoying our favorite outdoor activities with our animal companions by our side, it’s important to remember that our pets count on us to keep them safe, so we need to be mindful of summer safety hazards that could impact our pets. 

At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we want your fun in the sun to be safe and enjoyable for your pets. Here are some of our top pet safety tips for summer from our compassionate team.

Personalized, colorful collars and tags look great and provide one way to identify your furry family member, but they aren’t permanent. Collars and tags can come off or become damaged, and pets without identification are at a much higher risk of ending up in shelters if they ever become separated from their families.

Your pet’s annual wellness exam is the perfect time to get all your questions about pet health, behavior, and day-to-day needs answered. At Caring Paws Animal Hospital, we 

cover a lot of bases during veterinarian visits, so if you are ever unsure or need further clarification, our team encourages you to ask the following questions:

A day that’s all about love, affection, devotion, and soul mates is shockingly similar to every other day when you live with a pet, right? We might own our pets, but they own our hearts in a way that seems to surpass many human relationships. They offer unconditional love without complaint, and provide endless snuggles, kisses, and companionship. It’s time to ring in Valentine’s Day with your pet with even more love than you already give.