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How We Test for Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
Joints. Most animals have them, with some being more flexible than others! While we all wish our four-legged companions could stay as flexible as a yoga instructor, there are a few inherited diseases that can cause immobility, pain, and inflammation in our pets’ hips and elbows. These diseases are commonly known as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. More common in dogs than cats, hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint doesn’t develop properly as the animal grows. In some cas

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Leptospirosis in Pets
Here in Florida, the rainy season has been unleashed upon us! With daily rain showers and the occasional weekend-long storm comes a lot of standing water and flooding - which can house several deadly diseases for our pets. One of the most dangerous of these diseases is Leptospirosis . Leptospirosis , or “Lepto”, is a zoonotic bacterial infection, meaning it can be transmitted to humans from our animal companions. In humans, Leptospirosis causes flu-like symptoms such as high

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Getting to Know Dr. Kermouche!
Dr. Kermouche has taken the full tour of NAH in 365 days! As she celebrates 1 year with us, Dr. Kermouche sat down with Marketing Coordinator Olivia to talk kindness, organization, and all things orange tabby cats during the next installment of our DVM Interview Series: Olivia : "What is your earliest memory of a pet in your life?" Dr. Kermouche : Being raised by two veterinarians, our home was always full of pets. One of those pets developed my great love for orange tabby ca

Lance Baltzley, DVM


What Does it Mean to be Fear-Free?
Did you know that multiple staff members at our Springhill location are Fear-Free certified professionals? This means that these staff members have gone through the Fear Free Pets training to know the best practices for alleviating fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. How do we do this? Let’s find out! Fear-free starts before your pet arrives at our hospital Preparing your pet for their visit to our hospital prior to their actual appointment time makes all the difference in the

Lance Baltzley, DVM


How to Care for a Pregnant Pet
Mother's Day is almost here! This year, we are celebrating by shedding some light on motherhood from the animal perspective. Spring and Summer are prime seasons for both intentional and accidental breeding in dogs and cats - meaning now is the perfect time to make sure you know how to care for a newly pregnant pet and help her start motherhood off right! So how do I know my pet is pregnant? One of the first (and most obvious) ways you will be able to tell your pet is pregnan

Lance Baltzley, DVM


What Are Heartworms, Actually?
You hear it every time you bring your pet for any visit: “What heartworm prevention is your pet on?” You know that question is a very important one, since heartworm disease can be deadly for your pet. But do you know why it is so dangerous? In honor of Heartworm Awareness Month this April, we are here to break down all the details of heartworm disease and why you need to keep your pet on their prevention for it. Heartworms are large parasites that live within the heart and

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Getting to Know Dr. Lebo!
One word synonymous with Dr. Nikki Lebo is 'compassion'. Whether it be welcoming a new puppy to the hospital or helping the family of a senior cat navigate their kitty's old age, Dr. Lebo always knows just what to say to make all of her clients feel comfortable and welcome in her exam room. Her gentle nature has long been a trait all of Newberry Animal Hospital has admired her for, which is why Marketing Coordinator Olivia was very excited to sit down with her and learn more

Lance Baltzley, DVM


K9 Veterans Day: A History of Military Working Dogs
Did you know dogs did not have an official role in the U.S. military until 1942? According to the U.S. Department of Defense, while canines became official members of the military as part of the Army K9 Corps that year, they had been serving alongside human troops for much longer. This K9 Veterans Day, we are celebrating the storied history of Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and how they became the highly skilled four-legged fighters we know today. The first dog to serve in the

Lance Baltzley, DVM


What is Periodontal Disease? The Truth About Your Dog's Dental Cleaning...
February is National Pet Dental Health Month! We are here to help you floss out any questions you may have when it comes to periodontal disease and how it affects your pet. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), periodontal disease is one of the most frequently diagnosed health problems in cats and dogs. This diagnosis is the reason you keep hearing your veterinarian encourage your cat or dog's dental cleaning. Signs of this condition include bad bre

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Bloodwork Helps Your Pet's Body Work!
Want your pet to be able to play like this their whole life? Annual bloodwork is one of the most important services we recommend for our furry friends here at Newberry Animal Hospital, and unfortunately is often one of the most declined services as well. Here are the main reasons why we recommend your pet get a full bloodwork panel done at least once a year: General Health In a nutshell, bloodwork is here to help your veterinarian gauge the health of your pet’s internal organ

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Everything You Need to Know About International Health Certificates
Happy New Year from us to you! With the start of 2023 also comes National Pet Travel Safety Day on January 2nd. To celebrate, we are shedding some light on international travel and how to prepare for traveling abroad with your pet! Over 4 million pets and live animals are transported by air worldwide every year, according to the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. With this many animals traveling together, it has become imperative for the United States a

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Getting to Know Dr. Morris-Roberts!
Dr. Jennifer Morris-Roberts has been a staple to our group of first-class Holistic veterinarians. With tons of acupuncture training under her belt, her expertise in both acupuncture and general veterinary wellness care can be felt in every age of pet she sees. Now, as she continues to grow here at Newberry Animal Holistic and Wellness Center, Dr. Morris-Roberts took some time to sit down with Marketing Coordinator Olivia to answer a few of her clients' most burning questions

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Why Does My Pet Need a Fecal Test?
Fecal testing is a routine wellness service that involves your veterinarian testing a pet’s feces for intestinal parasites that may be slowly affecting their overall health. Most pet owners understand why fecal testing is important in cases of diarrhea and other abnormal bowel movements, but what they may not know is how beneficial routine fecal testing is even when their pet’s poops are regular. What do fecal tests detect? Fecal tests are used to screen for several different

Lance Baltzley, DVM
Getting to Know Dr. Gruntmeir!
Looking for a great Local Veterinarian in Gainesville? Check us out!

Lance Baltzley, DVM


10 Tips for Tailgating with Your Dog
Happy Game Day, Gators! It’s officially time to pack the Swamp with Orange and Blue! Coming together with all your college pals for football season is always a fun time, and there’s no doubt bringing your four-legged friend along can make it even better. When planning to tailgate with your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure both their enjoyment and safety: 1. Make sure your dog is comfortable in crowds. It’s no surprise that not all dogs are great around pe

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Getting to Know Dr. White!
Most of you know Dr. Melissa White as one of the caring, detailed doctors at our Main Street location. In her first year, she has cemented herself as the acupuncture pro and one of the best pet dentists on our staff. As she celebrates her inaugural year at NAH, Dr. White took some time to sit down with our Marketing Coordinator, Olivia, to reflect on life as a veterinarian, what it took to get here, and what it means to truly help the world around you: Olivia: Dr. White, you

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Hot Summer Temps Can Spell Heatstroke in Pets
As temperatures climb to almost 100 degrees this week, there is no better time than now to remind ourselves of the danger of heatstroke in pets. Heatstroke can occur within minutes, so it is important to understand not only the symptoms of it, but also how to ensure your pet stays cool while summer temperatures continue to rise. Signs of Heatstroke in Pets According to Today’s Veterinary Practice, heatstroke in dogs is considered to be a body temperature of 104 degrees or hig

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Introducing: Our 3 New Doctors!
We are so excited to welcome 3 new doctors to our practice! Let's get to know Dr. McCormick, Dr. Campbell, and Dr. Phillips: DR. TAYLOR McCORMICK Dr. McCormick was born and raised in North Florida and is considered a double gator. She obtained a B.S in Animal Science from the University of Florida before pursuing her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. During veterinary school, Dr. McCormick obtained a certification in Shelter Medicine and is Fear-F

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Is Your Pet Struggling With Seasonal Allergies?
Spring is a beautiful time of year, but also the start of environmental allergy season for a lot of pets. Let's take a look at some of the most common signs of seasonal allergies and why even a little itching could warrant a trip to the vet. 1. Itchiness. It's not just in humans. If your pet is consistently scratching or biting at themselves more than usual, it may be a sign that they are struggling with seasonal allergies. Some pets may even itch certain areas to the point

Lance Baltzley, DVM


Any Smokers in the Family?
While we occasionally see emergency cases where a pet ingested nicotine, there is no antidote for nicotine poisoning. Between 20-100 milligrams of nicotine can be fatal to your pet, but if discovered and transported quickly enough for veterinary care, intravenous fluids and anti-seizure medicine is often used to keep the pet stable enough to flush nicotine from their system. Symptoms for nicotine poisoning range from vomiting, unsteadiness, drooling and lethargy to fast heart

Lance Baltzley, DVM
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