Our Jupiter Health Maintenance Services
Native Palm Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital in Jupiter, Florida staffed by skilled and experienced veterinarians and pet care professionals. Beyond our comprehensive nose-to-tail wellness examinations for Florida pets, we offer a full range of services, including treatment for eye disorders, allergy and dermatology treatment, K-laser therapy, nutrition counseling, and more.
Whether your pet is a playful puppy or kitten, active adult dog or cat, or a senior pet entering his or her golden years, we use a personalized approach to high-quality pet care based on your pet's lifestyle and your expectations. At our animal hospital serving the pets of Jupiter, Tequesta, and Palm Beach Gardens, your pet receives the highest level of care available in a compassionate and welcoming environment. As a part of our commitment to your and your pet, we are here to address any concerns you may have.
Allergies and Skin Problems
in Dogs and Cats
Allergies are quite common in dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, typically due to fleas, but can also be the result of food or an inhaled irritant like dust or pollen. Most allergies appear after the pet is six months of age with the majority of affected dogs over age two. The most common symptom associated with allergies is itching of the skin, either localized or generalized. Other symptoms include respiratory distress (coughing, sneezing, and wheezing) or digestive problems causing vomiting, flatulence, or diarrhea.
Flea allergy is the most common allergy in cats. A normal cat experiences only minor skin irritation at the site of the bite. The flea allergic cat, on the other hand, has a severe, itch-producing reaction when the flea's saliva is deposited in the skin. Just one bite causes such intense itching that the cat may severely scratch or chew itself, leading to hair loss and open sores or scabs on the skin. The area most commonly involved is over the rump or base of the tail.
It is important to be able to identify the first signs and symptoms of allergies and dermatological conditions. These include:
- Scratching, licking, chewing or biting the skin, feet and ears
- Red, raised, scaly areas on the skin
- Bumps, crusts or pus filled vesicles on the skin
- Increased skin pigmentation
- Thickened skin
- Loss of hair
- Salivary staining (brown color)
- Head shaking
If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, please make an appointment to have him or her seen by one of our veterinarians at Native Palm Animal Hospital. We will evaluate your pet, determine the most effective method of treatment, and explain how you can prevent future problems. If left untreated, allergic reactions and skin conditions can become serious medical concerns.
Your Pet's Nutrition
Proper nutrition and a balanced diet, along with fresh, clean water, is an essential ingredient for your pet's overall good health. As your pet's caregiver, nutrition is the most significant health variable that you control. Feeding your pet high-quality food is one of the best ways you can protect his or her health and vitality. Although the differences between premium and budget varieties may not be apparent on their nutrition labels, they are in the quality of the ingredients. Both may contain the same amount of protein but be very different when it comes to digestibility and nutritional value. Making the best nutritional choices for your dog or cat not only effects general health, but will improve the quality and length of your pet's life.
To support your efforts, the doctors at Native Palm Animal Hospital perform a thorough body condition evaluation during every physical examination, and give recommendations based on what we see. We can also provide you with important information on proper serving size, nutrient needs, and feeding strategies for your individual pet. We will also help you navigate pet food claims so you can make the most informed choices.
Prescription Diets
Some pets have serious nutritional challenges or chronic conditions that benefit from a special diet. When that is the case, we may recommend feeding a special prescription diet. Making this change can have a significant positive impact on your pet's overall health and well-being.
Prescription diets benefit medical conditions such as liver disease, bladder and kidney disease, digestive problems, renal failure, food allergies, diabetes, and more. Native Palm Animal Hospital carries a diverse inventory of prescription foods and high-quality nutritional products. If your pet requires a prescription diet we do not carry, we can easily order it for you.
Behavior Counseling
Even with the right training and lots of attention and love, your dog or cat can develop bad habits or unwanted behaviors. Please don't make the mistake of believing that you and your family must live with these problems or worse, consider giving up your pet. Native Palm Animal Hospital offers behavior counseling for many of your pet's problems including inappropriate urination or defecation, urine marking, aggression, nipping and biting, separation anxiety, inappropriate chewing and barking, digging, chewing, and introduction of new pets into the household.
Causes of behavior problems can be environmental, such as a schedule change or introduction of a new baby or pet; learned, as a result of unintentional positive reinforcement; or genetic. Furthermore, any painful disease or condition, or degenerative changes associated with aging, can cause or contribute to behavior problems. For example, a pet that is fearful of children may become more reactive, irritable, and aggressive as conditions such as dental problems, arthritis, or an infection make him or her more uncomfortable or less mobile. Addressing the underlying medical problem or providing pain relief, along with behavior modification techniques, can often resolve some of these problems.
Our assessment begins with your pet's clinical history and a thorough medical examination. Before beginning behavior therapy, any medical problems that have been diagnosed will be treated. If our veterinarians and technical staff members cannot help with your pet's behavior problem, we can refer you to a board-certified animal behavior specialist.
K-Laser Therapy: Advanced Healing Options for Your Florida Pet
K-Laser, or cold laser, therapy involves the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to stimulate healing. Therapeutic lasers supply energy to the body as light is transmitted through the layers of skin and stimulates and accelerates the healing of damaged cells. K-Laser therapy is a painless procedure used for post-operative care, treatment of arthritis, skin wounds, and other selected conditions and causes no adverse effects on healthy cells.
During each painless treatment, the energy from the laser increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. In addition, it can accelerate tissue repair and cell growth, reduce scar tissue formation, and help the immune system fend off infection. Furthermore, laser therapy can improve circulation and nerve function in certain conditions. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved, allowing your pet to quickly return to his or her normal activities.
What Conditions Does Laser Therapy Treat?
Wound healing, including:
Skin conditions, including:
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Pain caused by musculoskeletal disorders such as:
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What You and Your Pet Can Expect
Pets typically do not need to be sedated for laser therapy treatments and the experience is usually pleasant and comforting. Most pets do not need to have their fur clipped. Improvement is sometimes seen after the first treatment; however, most pets require several treatments to achieve maximum benefits. Your veterinarian at Native Palm Animal Hospital will recommend a laser treatment plan specific to your pet's condition.
Referrals
The veterinarians at Native Palm Veterinary Hospital in Jupiter refer pets to specialists in certain cases involving internal medicine, cardiology, and neurology.
If you would like more information about Native Palm Animal Hospital's health maintenance services for your Florida pet, please send an email or call our Jupiter veterinarians at (561) 747-9991.