At Professional Pets Florida, our mission is to provide pet owners with the resources and knowledge they need to ensure their pets lead healthy, happy lives. In our ongoing effort to support and educate pet parents, we are excited to feature an exclusive interview with Dr. Elizabeth Shrode of Hickory Hill Veterinary Services in Tampa, FL. Dr. Shrode is a dedicated and compassionate veterinarian whose expertise spans a wide range of animal care topics.
Dr. Shrode earned her BA from Vanderbilt University, and then graduated from Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. She is the owner of Hickory Hill Veterinary Services, a mixed practice servicing small and large animals in the Tampa Bay/Central Florida region.
Her commitment to animal health and welfare is evident in her thorough approach to veterinary medicine, including preventive care, diagnostics, and treatment. In this interview, Dr. Shrode will address some of the most frequently asked questions from pet parents and share her insights on common veterinary issues.
Pet Obesity: How can pet owners recognize if their pet is overweight, and what steps can they take to manage their pet’s weight?
Pet obesity is a significant problem in animal health, just as it is in human health. The first step is educating pet owners about Body Condition Scoring (“BCS”), which is a tool we use in veterinary medicine to evaluate nutritional status and overall fat accumulation in dogs and cats. The BCS index ranges from 1 (emaciated/severely underweight) to 9 (morbidly obese with excessive body fat). The ideal weight for all pets is a BCS of 4 to 5, and these animals have a healthy amount of muscle and some fat, but the ribs and spine can be felt on palpation, and those bones are visible to the observer. Additionally, a pet with BCS 4 to 5 will have a waist when we look at them from above. There should be a noticeable abdominal “tuck”.
To manage our pets’ weight, I always recommend that pet owners discuss the quantity and type of food with their veterinarian. This is an ongoing conversation between the pet owner and veterinarian that should be occurring over the course of the pet’s life, as metabolic changes inevitably occur as our pets age. I find that many pet owners naturally follow the instructions on food packaging, which is generally higher than what is actually necessary for a healthy, balanced diet. Thus, owners unknowingly overfeed their pets without realizing the potential negative effects. Additionally, I recommend low calorie treats such as freeze dried meats and frozen green beans. Using treats as reward is a positive way for owners to bond with their pets and we certainly encourage that, with the focus being on positive reinforcement and bonding with low calorie treats fed in moderation.
Pet obesity leads to endocrine diseases such as diabetes, and also contributes substantially to development of osteoarthritis in our four legged friends. These are other compelling reasons to keep pets’ BCS in normal, healthy range.
Allergies: What are the common signs of allergies in pets in Florida, and how can they be effectively managed?
Our Florida climate is quite debilitating on animals in Florida, as our pets experience year round exposure to allergens in the environment. Common clinical signs are pruritis and atopy, medical terms for a sensation within the skin which provokes the animal to scratch excessively. Pruritis and atopy are the direct results of escalating inflammatory processes in the body. What we see at home are dogs chewing at their feet, licking excessively and seeking out surfaces to rub their ears and skin on. Lighter colored dogs will develop saliva staining on their paws from the licking and chewing. Additional clinical signs are hair loss, odor, flaking skin, greasy skin and reddened skin which could be anywhere on the body.
Approximately ⅔ of dogs in Florida struggle with this condition at some time in their lives. Moreover, some dogs not only experience inflammation due to environmental stimuli, but they also can develop food allergies, and may be susceptible to hypersensitivity reactions when they are bitten by parasites (fleas, ticks for example). Infectious causes of skin disease include bacterial and/or yeast infections, and in my clinical experience, most of these infections are occurring concurrently.
Treatment of allergies always depends on the underlying cause, and successfully identifying whether the animal has environmental/seasonal sensitivity, parasitic infection, food allergy, or whether we cannot determine the cause (ideopathic pruritis). Generally, I recommend to all pet owners that their animals get daily Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation and regular bathing with topical antimicrobial shampoos (chlorhexidine/miconazole). Other available therapies include antibiotic therapy in cases of underlying bacterial pyoderma, systemic antifungal medications, monoclonal antibody therapy (Cytopoint), Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitor therapy (Apoquel), steroids and laser therapy. It is important to remember that there is usually not one “smoking gun” that solves the problem, and as clinicians, we create a multi-modal approach to managing these cases.
Exercise Needs: How much exercise do pets typically need, and how can owners ensure their pets are getting enough physical activity especially in the florida heat?
Pets benefit from the physical and mental stimulation that exercise affords. There is not a bright line rule for how much exercise is sufficient for our pets, and your individual pet’s activity level and needs should be discussed in detail with your veterinarian. Exercise requirements are variable across breed, size and age of the dog. For example, a french bulldog needs little to moderate exercise and is at high risk for heat stress/heat stroke when his/her activity is too intense or for too long, whereas working breeds such as German Short Haired Pointers or Australian Shepherds have higher activity requirements to remain stimulated and mentally balanced. Due to the excessive heat and humidity in Florida, I do not recommend pets ever being left alone outside during the spring and summer months, and I do not recommend dogs being walked outside for longer than 10-15 minutes at a time. Making sure that plenty of fresh water is available at all times is critical. Unfortunately I have treated many dogs who ended up in the emergency room in critical condition with heat stroke, after their owners took them along for a run after work. Owners think this is a positive activity for their dogs and a way to help them get exercise and keep weight off, not knowing the high risk of heat exposure and exhaustion which sadly can lead to a systemic inflammatory response, and even death.
Vaccination Schedules: What are the recommended vaccination schedules for pets, and why is it important to adhere to them?
For cats, we recommend the feline FVRCP combination vaccine (feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia) starting at approximately 8-10 weeks of age, and with booster vaccine every 3-4 weeks until the cat is 16-20 weeks old. After that, cats should receive annual booster for the first year followed by a vaccine every 3 years throughout their lifetime. Cats also should be vaccinated for rabies at 4 months of age. For outdoor cats, we do recommend the feline leukemia virus vaccine due to potential exposure to infected outdoor cats.
For dogs, Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza are core vaccines and recommended to start at age 8-10 weeks, with two boosters 2-3 weeks apart, and then boostered annually thereafter. Rabies should be given at age 4 months and then boostered annually or every three years, depending on the vaccine product. Other vaccines are just as essential to an individual dog’s health, depending on the dog’s lifestyle and risk factors. These include Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Canine influenza. We strongly recommend all three of these non-core vaccines due to exposure to other canines and the severity of disease when contracted.
The reason it is important to adhere to vaccination guidelines is because the diseases these vaccines prevent against, are transmissible via exposure to other infected animals. We see many cases of parvovirus for example, due to unvaccinated status and this disease is many times fatal.
Common Ailments: What are some of the most common ailments you see in pets, and how can owners prevent them?
The most common health problems we see in pets in the veterinary hospital setting are gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, vomiting) and skin allergies. When changing diets, we tell owners to always remember to do this gradually over about a 10 day period of time. Abruptly changing diet brands or even the flavor of a same brand, can significantly upset gastrointestinal flora, and result in diarrhea and potentially even vomiting. The recommendation is to incrementally decrease the previous diet as you increase the new diet, about 10% each day.
As for skin allergies, we do see many pets affected by the environment in Florida and some even have food allergies. At the first sign of excessive scratching, we recommend a visit to your veterinarian so that the problem can be addressed early and appropriate course of treatment initiated, so that the inflammatory process is not allowed to continue to escalate. Pets with allergies can have a substantially improved quality of life with the introduction of supplements and medication if necessary to decrease the inflammatory process and keep them comfortable, especially through the spring and summer months.
Grooming: How often should pets be groomed, and what are some tips for at-home grooming or when searching for a groomer?
Pet grooming plays a vital role in skin health and overall health and well-being. As for frequency, this is variable according to whether dogs are long or short haired, single or double coated. As a rule of thumb, I recommend monthly grooming with a professional groomer, or twice monthly bathing at home with a good hypoallergenic oatmeal based shampoo or medicated shampoo in the case of skin infection and allergies.
Pet Anxiety: What are the signs of anxiety in pets, and what strategies can pet owners use to help alleviate their pets’ anxiety?
Signs of anxiety in dogs include lip licking, yawning, avoiding eye contact, trembling, panting, pacing, withdrawal from the owner, and even sometimes aggression. Signs of anxiety in cats include indiscriminate urination (outside the litterbox), hiding, suddenly becoming destructive of objects and furniture in the house, and lack of appetite.
Strategies to help alleviate anxiety are to first pay close attention to what your pet is doing and how he/she is acting, and do this daily. Being observant is the first step. Get to know their habits and patterns so that you know when they appear anxious. For cats, I recommend having multiple litter boxes in the home. Cats are very picky and easily become stressed when their litter is changed, there are not enough litter boxes (especially in multi-cat households) and when their litter is not cleaned at least daily. Introduce new animals to your existing pets very slowly and in stages. Allow them to sniff eachother under doors and/or through gates. In some cases, it is necessary to add effective supplements and pharmaceuticals for pets that are not responsive to behavioral modification support at home.
Spaying and Neutering Benefits: Beyond population control, what are the health benefits of spaying and neutering pets?
Spaying and neutering will overall increase your pet’s life span and improve quality of life. From lowering the risk of certain types of cancers, to eliminating pyometra (infected uterus), to decreasing tendency to roam to find a mate, spaying and neutering is extremely beneficial to all dogs and cats. Additionally, spaying and neutering prevents unwanted behaviors such as spraying malodorous urine, marking, roaming and fighting.
Specifically, health benefits to female dogs are eliminating risk of pyometra, which can become a life threatening infection of the uterus. Additionally, intact female cats have significantly higher rate of mammary adenocarcinoma which has a high mortality rate and low mean survival time. Intact female dogs also have lower incidence of this type of cancer, however it is still best to have your dog spayed. For males, neutering decreases the incidence of prostate cancer.
Senior Pet Care: What specific health issues should owners be aware of as their pets age, and how can they provide the best care for senior animals
Osteoarthritis (“OA”) is the number one health issue that affects our geriatric pet population. Many pets live for years with untreated or poorly managed OA, and owners are not aware that there is SO much we can do in veterinary medicine to support these patients, decrease their chronic pain, and improve their quality and length of life. I am a proponent of designing an individualized plan for each animal, consisting of multimodal approaches that incorporate several modalities of treating pain. This entails not only the use of pharmaceutical drugs (NSAIDs, gabapentin, amantadine, opiods, ketamine) but also high Omega 3/low Omega 6 supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, acupuncture, laser therapy, PRP (platelet rich plasma therapy), polysulfated glycosaminoglycan injections (Adequan), joint injections (steroids/hyaluronic acid, Arthramid, Spryng), exercise and rehabilitative therapy (e.g. water treadmill therapy, physical therapy).
Complementary to treating OA is nutrition and diet. Maintaining healthy body weight (BCS 4 to 5) in the geriatric patient is critical. They are more susceptible to OA with a high BCS, in addition to endocrine, gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. Maintaining pets on AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approved diets at the appropriate quantities is something owners can do to decrease the incidence of obesity.
At Professional Pets Florida, we are dedicated to ensuring the health and happiness of your furry companions during our in home pet sitting and dog walking visits. Should you have any further questions or require personalized advice for your pet’s unique needs, we encourage you to consult with your veterinarian. Remember, a proactive approach to pet care can make a significant difference in their overall well-being.
We hope this interview with Dr. Shrode will provide valuable insights for our clients and help them take the best possible care of their beloved pets.
If you’re looking for a compassionate veterinarian in the Tampa Bay area, visit Dr. Shrode at Hickory Hill Veterinary Services located at 326 W. Bearss ave. Tampa, Fl or call 813-373-5924.
