John McGrath has scheduled an Intermediate Obedience Class beginning June 7, 2012. John is an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and the intermediate/CGC is a more intense and focused training course than the basic. It focuses on sit/stay, down/stay, and improves upon general good behavior and intensifies the human-animal bond by teaching dogs to pay attention to their owners or handlers even with distraction such as people or other dogs. Once evaluated and certified, CGC dogs have the freedom to go a lot more places (such as nursing homes).

Call JM Canine Services at 407-399-1090 for more information or to schedule. Classes begin at 7:00 pm on 6/7, run for approximately 45 minutes, and are held once a week at Park Avenue Animal Hospital for 6 consecutive weeks. 

NOVARTIS, the manufacturer of many common OTC pharmaceuticals for human and animal use, has volunteered to stop production at their manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The closure is temporary, but a length of time has yet to be determined.

On the human side, the factory closure means a temporary interruption in the manufacturing and shipping of common brand names like Maalox, Excedrin, Theraflu, and Triaminic, as well as a number of prescription medications. On the veterinary side, the popular heartworm preventative Interceptor, and its sister product Sentinel, will be affected.  Park Avenue Animal Hospital has a limited stock of Interceptor available for clients who are in need of it immediately, and other heartworm preventatives are available in the event that our stock runs out.

The suspension of production at the facility is voluntary, and was done to facilitate Novartis's implementation of certain manufacturing process improvements.  These improvements are intended to address the possibility of rare instances of errors in the packaging of pharmaceuticals (both prescription and non-) produced at the facility.  The temporary supply disruption is not related to the efficacy or safety of the products themselves. If you have any questions about Norartis please contact the clinic.

Of 22 “Priority 1” cases listed by the FDA late last year, 13 cited Waggin’ Train or Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats or tenders, both produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., the records show.

Another three listed Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp. The rest listed single brands or no brand.

The internal report, overseen by the FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak and Response Evaluation, or CORE, group, is one of several ongoing assignments in which FDA regulators are seeking jerky treat samples and medical records of dogs that may have developed kidney failure, liver disease or Fanconi syndrome, which can lead to serious illness and death.

The recent complaints were filed from October through December by people in cities from California to New York, but the agency will continue to accept them.

“We still invite owners and veterinarians to submit complaints and samples,” said Siobhan DeLancey, an FDA spokeswoman. “The more information we have, the more likely we can find a link.”

The move comes as the FDA is under growing pressure from consumers and lawmakers to address rising numbers of illnesses blamed on the China-made treats. Before the warning was issued in November, the agency had logged 70 reports of illnesses tied to the treats last year. Since then, more than 530 additional complaints of illnesses and some deaths have been filed, officials said.

We proudly announce the addition of K-Laser Class IV Therapeutic Laser Treatments for advanced pain relief and enhanced tissue healing. Multiple studies and decades of use have not just suggested, but proven, that laser therapy can help to relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, increase range of motion, and ease the healing process in many types of acute and chronic injuries and ailments.

Laser therapy works by stimulating production of cellular energy in damaged cells. It also enhances cell membrane permeability (the ability for cell membranes to transfer molecules, which enhances the exchange of nutrients and wastes across the cell membrane), making the cells work more efficiently. This promotes the speed and the quality of healing, and improves elasticity of injured tissues. Laser therapy also modulates pain and reduces inflammation. It can be used immediately on acute injuries, over broken skin and over metal implants. Laser therapy can also help with the resolution of chronic complaints such as arthritis and other orthopedic ailments.

The K-Laser is an effective complimentary treatment for many conditions. Post-operatively, laser therapy can be used to reduce pain at the incision site and can promote regeneration of damaged tissue, leading to a faster, more comfortable recovery. Hot spots, abscesses, and other acute skin anomalies heal faster and with less discomfort after incorporating laser therapy into normal treatment protocols. Muscle pulls, broken bones, and nerve damage all see significant improvement after laser therapy, too.

The K-Laser is a low - level laser therapy tool that uses specific wavelengths of light to create a therapeutic effect. Laser therapy does not require any sedation or anesthesia and it can be used in conjunction with other methods of treatment. It is not a surgical tool, and does not cut, burn, or otherwise cause damage to tissue in any way. Patients experience a gentle warming sensation where the laser is used, and healing begins right away. Treatment is cumulative; while most patients see at least some improvement after just one treatment, multiple treatments will maximize a patient’s capacity for healing. The number of treatments is determined by the ailment itself, the chronicity (length of time it's been there), and the patient's individual response to therapy. Treatments generally last only 5-10 minutes, though each case may vary.

We offer laser therapy as an additional method of pain control for most surgical cases, as well as laser therapy packages for outpatient treatments. For more information on laser therapy and how it can help your pet, contact us here or call us at 407-880-9446. You can also view the "Benefits of Laser Therapy" video here.

Every day, thousands of lovable, loyal dogs are surrendered to our nation’s shelters — not because they’re bad, but because their owners just couldn’t take care of them anymore. Be a hero, and give a homeless dog the chance to find happiness and a forever home during American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month in October.

Dogs are fun-loving, loyal and make great sidekicks for all of life’s adventures — and animal shelters are filled with amazing dogs just waiting for a hero like you: large, small, mixed breeds, even purebreds. Save the day by adopting a homeless dog who’ll reward you with years of happiness and companionship. Visit your local shelter during American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month this October. There’s a loyal sidekick waiting just for you! To learn more, stop by the Park Avenue Animal Hospital.

Contest Terms and Conditions Page

Park Avenue Animal Hospital (PAAH)
Contest Rules
1. Entrants must send entries as required in the contest announcement in order to be eligible. Entries received after the deadline set forth in the contest announcement are ineligible, null, and void. PAAH will not be responsible for and will not consider incomplete or incorrect entries. PAAH is not responsible for entries that are sent but not received by PAAH for any reason.

2. All winners will be notified via e-mail and phone. If the winner does not respond to the notification within five (5) business days, another winner will be chosen. Failure to respond within five (5) business days shall mean that the winner forfeits the prize.

3. Only one entry per email address will be considered for contest entry, unless multiple entries are specifically allowed in the contest announcement.

4. All photos, drawings, text, and any other content or information (collectively and severally, "Materials") submitted by you to PAAH shall become the sole and exclusive property of PAAH, and PAAH shall have no obligation to preserve, return, or otherwise make available to you or others any Materials.

PAAH may use, reproduce, edit, display, transmit, prepare derivative works of, modify, publish, and otherwise make use of Materials in any and all media, whether now known or hereinafter created—throughout the world and for any purpose—without compensation to you of any kind.

5. By submitting Materials to PAAH, you represent and warrant that the Materials do not infringe any copyright, trademark, property rights, rights of privacy or publicity of any person, or any other right of any third party and that you have the full and unrestricted right to transfer the Materials to PAAH free and clear of any claims or encumbrances.

6. You acknowledge and agree that PAAH shall have no obligation to post, display, or otherwise make publicly available any Materials submitted by you.

7. You acknowledge and agree that Materials submitted by you may be made available by PAAH for viewing, rating, reviewing, and commenting by the public. You acknowledge that comments or ratings that you disagree with or are unhappy about may be published or otherwise become associated with Materials that you submit to PAAH. By submitting Materials to PAAH, you waive any privacy expectations that you may have with respect to the Materials.

8. You agree to hold PAAH and its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns harmless from and against—and hereby waive any right to pursue—any claims of any nature arising in connection with PAAH's use of the Materials submitted to PAAH and used in any manner in PAAH's sole and absolute discretion.

9. Contests involving evaluations of Materials submitted as part of the contest will be judged entirely in the sole and absolute discretion of PAAH. Decisions by PAAH are final.

10. All entrants and winners must be at least 18 years of age, unless otherwise stated or posted.

11. Winners may not request substitutions of prize winnings. All winners are solely responsible for any and all taxes and/or fees as well as all additional costs that may be incurred.

12. Neither PAAH nor its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, or assigns shall be liable for any warranty, costs, damage, injury, or any other claims incurred as a result of the usage of a prize by any winner. PAAH is not liable for any loss arising out of or in connection with any contest promoted by PAAH.

13. If the specified prize becomes unavailable for any reason, PAAH in its sole and absolute discretion may substitute a prize of like or equal value.

14. A contest is null and void in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law.

15. PAAH reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to terminate any contest at any time without prior notice.

16. PAAH reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to alter any contest rules at any time.

17. By entering a contest, you conclusively are deemed to have agreed to be bound by these contest rules and terms and conditions as well as by any rules specific to such contest. This is an irrevocable condition of entry.

18. In contests in which winners are picked at random, the odds of winning depend upon the number of entries received and cannot be determined in advance. In contests in which winners are chosen based upon skill or accomplishments, winners will be selected by PAAH on the merits of each entry, in PAAH's sole and absolute discretion.

19. No purchase or payment of any consideration is necessary to enter the contest.

20. Each contest will state a deadline for entry and the date when the winner(s) will be announced. A list of winner(s) may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped (first-class postage) envelope to PAAH and requesting the list.

21. PAAH reserves the right to condition the award of prizes upon the execution by the winner(s) of a publicity release. Notwithstanding this reserved right, entry is conclusively deemed to be permission by the entrant to use the entrant's name (without compensation to the entrant) if the entrant is a winner to publicize the contest and otherwise, as determined by PAAH, unless prohibited by law.

22. PAAH reserves the right to require the winner to execute an affidavit of eligibility as a sworn document and provide other proof of eligibility as a condition of receipt of the prize or award.

It's that time of year again! Time to celebrate, give thanks and be humble and aware of our blessings. We are blessed to be a part of the Apopka Community and look forward to seeing you and your pets during this holiday season.

Our Holiday Hours

Closed Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 27, 2008
Open Christmas Eve Day - Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Closed Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25, 2008
Open New Years Eve Day - Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Closed New Years Day - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Look at the comic below and come up with something funny for the characters to say. Submit your caption for a chance to win.  The funniest caption will be published in the Apopka Chief and Planter newspapers, as well as on our website – As an added bonus, you may also opt to have your own pet drawn, starring alongside our very own Seaver, as the one delivering the joke.

Enter here to submit your captions.

*Artist may reserve the right to edit text for capitalization, grammar, or to fit within the confines of the comic strip.

Dates: Submission from 12/8/08 – 01/31/09
Caption will be chosen and winner will be announced 02/01/09
Comic will be published in Chief/Planter on/about 02/09/09
Winner MUST have pet’s photo submitted by 01/31/09 to be included in comic – Otherwise, only the winning caption will be featured.
One submission per household, please.

Almost 80 percent of adults brush their teeth at least twice a day, according to the American Dental Association, but most completely ignore the dental health of their pets. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, sponsored in part by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

"More than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by the time they're three years old. This can lead to serious health problems," explained Dr. Brook Niemiec, a board certified specialist in veterinary dentistry. "Make sure every veterinary checkup includes a thorough inspection of your pet's teeth and gums, and a discussion on how to keep them healthy and clean between visits."

• Look for signs of tooth decay and oral disease by inspecting your pet's teeth regularly. Bad breath, discoloration and tartar are all indications of problems that could lead to serious health risks with the potential for not only damaging teeth and gums but internal organs.
• Regular visits to your veterinarian should include a complete checkup of your pet's teeth. Your veterinarian should clean plaque and tartar off your pet's teeth if necessary. When tartar—created by the mixture of food debris, saliva and bacteria in the mouth—is allowed to build up it can accumulate between teeth and gums causing tooth loss, and result in an infection that could enter the bloodstream and spread to the heart or other internal organs.
• Brush your pet's teeth daily or at least weekly. While most dogs or cats will not immediately accept a dental hygiene regimen, it can be successfully introduced with patience, particularly if you start when the pet is young.
• To acclimate your pet to dental health, start slowly using plenty of praise and treats. Begin at a time when your pet is relaxed and massage the outside of their mouth with your finger. Then give them a taste of pet toothpaste—poultry-flavored is the most popular—and then slowly introduce a toothbrush to their teeth. Begin brushing in short intervals, working up to about 30 seconds a side.
• Dogs don't accumulate as much tartar on the outside of their teeth as they do the inside, so focus your dental hygiene attention there.
• Feed your dog or cat crunchy food, or at least a mix of hard and soft foods. The abrasive texture of kibble can help keep teeth clean, while soft food can cling to your pet's teeth and lead to decay. Also consider crunchy treats, which also help clean teeth.
• Chew toys for dogs and rope toys that cats can chew are not only immensely entertaining for your pet, but also keep teeth clean and breath smelling fresh.