We are excited to begin providing our clients with an online portal to all of your pets' needs. Simply click on the Pet Portal link above and register to begin the creation of your own Pet Portal.
The personalized Pet Portal allows you to obtain access to your pets' records, request prescription refills, request appointments, and much more.  Once registered, we will even send reminders directly to your email account when your pet becomes due for exams, vaccinations, or other health services.
If you have trouble logging in, please reference our troubleshooting guide and do not hesitate to call us with any questions you may have about your new Pet Portal.

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News and Announcements 

     Visit our Staff page to learn more about Dr. Stuart, Dr. Rosado, Dr. Becker and other members of our Hospital team.  We also bid farewell to Dr. Willem van Deijck and wish him the best on his future endeavors.

     Did you know that nearly 35% of pets are overweight?  How about that for every extra pound of fat there is a mile of blood vessels?  Now, imagine how much harder your pet's heart has to pump for just a "few extra pounds."  Five extra pounds may not seem like a big deal to us humans, but to a pet their tiny heart will now have to pump that blood five extra miles!  Obesity can take valuable years off of our pet's lives as well as contribute to a variety of health problems, so why not commit to a weight-loss regimen for your pet?  Get those years back and make sure they are living as comfortably as possible now!

     Safe Haven is working with Hill's for their "Get a 'Better' Life" Challenge to bring you Safe Haven's Weight Loss Challenge.  This challenge will reward all those who follow their veterinarian's guidelines for weight-loss by entering them in a drawing for prizes.  All pet's who enter this challenge and come in for their monthly weigh-in will be eligible for prizes including coupons and low-calorie treats.  We will have one Grand-Prize winner, the pet that has the greatest percentage of recommended weight loss, who will win a free Wellness Exam, coupons, food, and even reimbursement on related weight-loss program purchases!  Eligible pets may reach their weight goal by diet and/or exercise alone.  For our obese canine friends where the ideal weight is not obtainable by diet and exercise alone, you may want to discuss Slentrol with your veterinarian.  Our goal is safe weight loss, not excessive weight loss, so be sure to stop in every two weeks to weigh your pet!  For more details, please call us at 386-446-9099.

Here are just a few of our Weight Loss Challenge Patients:

 

Pet Memorials



Click to view memorials or create a
lasting memorial to honor your pets life. 

Our condolences to Lt. Steve Birdsong for the loss of his partner, Hondo, a Belgian Malinois. Everyone enjoyed watching Hondo demonstrate his abilities at our open house and help our community understand the incredible force and intelligence of these animals as well as the importance of having a police K9 Unit in our community. Hondo’s passing is a loss not only to the police department but to our community as a whole.
     We are currently accepting donations in our office to cover part of the cost of four new dogs, or you can mail a donation for the K-9 unit or memorial to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Operations Center, 1001 Justice Lane, Bunnell, FL 32110, or to the Robert McCarthy substation, 17-D Old Kings Road, Palm Coast, FL 32137.  Mark "K-9 Unit" or "K-9 Memorial" on the donation and direct it to Maj. Steve Clair or Lt. Steve Birdsong.

Seasonal Suggestions

     While doing your spring planting, please keep in mind that many common plants can be toxic to your beloved pets.  Lilies, Sago Palms, Azaleas, Bird of Paradise, Oleander, Amaryllis, Rhododendron and many other familiar plants can cause adverse reactions to our beloved “other members of the family.”  Print a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants from the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control before heading to your local greenhouse to purchase your new landscaping and feel confident that you are creating a pet-friendly environment.

     Is your pet afraid of thunderstorms? We can help you develop a program to help “desensitize” your pet to the sound and sights such as playing a low recording of thunder or flashing a light to simulate lightning along with the use of positive reinforcement. Pheromone therapies like DAP and Feliway may also help lessen the stress during storms by calming your pet. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss this or any other methods that might be appropriate for your pet.  If your pet requires sedation during times of severe storming, please request this 24-48 hours prior to the storm so we have time to prepare these medications for your pet.



     Sometimes, there are uninvited visitors in our yards. There are many steps you can take to avoid chance encounters and be proactive in snake bite prevention.  While it may be uncommon, it is an unfortunately devastating occurrence and the potential is even greater now because there is a national shortage of affordable antivenin.  The first step in snake bite prevention is to keep your yard tidy and clear away undergrowth or any areas that may make a hiding spot for a snake.  Clean up areas that may attract rodents and therefore snakes as well.  As snakes can strike a distance equal to about half their body length, be sure to keep walkways clear of brush, flowers and shrubs to prevent a chance encounter.  When you walk your pets, keep them on a leash and lead them away from long grasses, bushes and rocks which may be hiding potentially venomous snakes.  In the event that your pet is bitten, being able to identify the type of snake that bit your pet can aid in the treatment. Learn about what snakes are common in your area and which are poisonous.  Indications that your pet may have been bitten include swelling, bleeding, intense pain, shortness of breath and weakness.   If you notice any of these symptoms, remove your pets’ collar if bitten on the neck, keep the bite location below heart level and contact us immediately. In no situation should you try to catch or kill the snake yourself.   University of Florida’s “Dealing with Snakes” for more information and to learn how to identify 6 of Florida’s venomous snakes.



     Here comes hurricane season! As the Florida storm season approaches, it is important to include your family pets in your hurricane preparation plan as well.  We recommend obtaining a watertight container to make your own pet disaster kit. This container should include a current photo of your pet, medical records, medications, food and water for at least 3 days, bowls, litter and litter pan, bedding, and appropriate leashes or harnesses. It is advised to set up an evacuation plan including securing an emergency shelter that will be able to accept your pets as well as you. In the event of an evacuation, never leave your pets behind in your home! For special needs pets that require prescription medications or are fearful during storms, please contact us in advance to make arrangements to help you through the storm If your household needs to utilize candles during a storm, please remember your pets safety.  Candles, while they may look like entertainment to a pet, can cause serious burns but can also be knocked over spilling hot wax and causing a fire hazard.  Please visit the following websites for further information and additional ideas for preparation:

Florida Disaster.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)