So, you want Santa Claus to bring you a puppy or kitten for Christmas? DON’T DO IT. A commitment to a pet is a life-long commitment. The holidays tend to be the worst time to introduce a new pet into your family. So much is going on the pet becomes just another toy and is subject to several problems. The first is with small pets: hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Puppies can be played with for too long a time without eating or drinking and will pass out from having a low blood sugar. Another problem that is noted, is the fact that you cannot properly train a dog with many other people in the house and other activities. We now know that training puppies at 8, 9, and 10 weeks is essential to their development. Therefore, again this is a bad time to bring a pet into the household. I would suggest obtaining a new pet a month or two prior to, or after, the holidays. This will give you enough time to research a breed or type of puppy and be sure it will fit with your family.
Having said that and knowing that people will continue buying puppies for Christmas anyway, I have several suggestions as to what you should be looking for from a health standpoint. If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder, be sure to be able to visit the breeder and see the puppy’s parents. If the breeder will not allow this, I would not buy the puppy. If you appear at the breeder’s house and find that the house is dirty, smelly, and/or overpopulated by many puppies, I would not buy the puppy. All puppies should be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate, as is noted in Florida state law. Florida also has a “Lemon Law” for pets. You may have your pet examined by any veterinarian you wish within the first three days of purchase. Any problems that are noted should be paid for by the breeder or the pet store where you obtained the puppy, up to the cost of the puppy. Do not let breeders or pet stores tell you where you can and cannot have this exam performed, because you are protected by the Florida Lemon Law.
I will reiterate my first statement: if you plan on getting a pet over the holidays, don’t do it.
Signed,
David J. Smith, VMD
Veterinary Technicians
Missy
H
Head CVT
Missy first started at Bay Road Animal Hospital in 2003. She took the last few years off to pursue an interest in a specialty practice but rejoined the Bay Road team in early 2022. Missy received her AS Degree in veterinary technology from Penn Foster in 2013. With her many years of experience and advanced skill set she effortlessly moved up into our Head CVT position in August. When Missy is not working, she loves spending her time training her horses, participating in rodeos and spending time with her family.
Lela began working at Bay Road Animal Hospital in 1984 after she graduated from The University of Florida with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Forest Resource Conservation. While working at Bay Road, Lela received her AS degree in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College. She is a Florida native and lives in Myakka City with her husband, two boys, and many animals.
Daniella joined the Bay Road team in 2018. She started as a veterinary assistant, then moved into a scribe position and is now a veterinary technician assistant. She is currently enrolled in school and working towards being a certified veterinary technician. She loves to provide the customers and patients with the best care and support she can.
Gabby joined the Bay Road team in early 2022 as a veterinary assistant. She recently enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program at Penn Foster and is now working more as a technician assistant to help further her education. Gabby lives on a small farm east of Sarasota and has a variety of pets ranging from dogs, cats and guinea pigs to sheep and goats to even a gecko named Chip. When Gabby is not working or completing schoolwork, she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Missy HHead CVT
Lela WCVT
Daniella L,CVT
Gabby R,CVT
