Health & Wellness

Living in St. Petersburg and greater Pinellas County means gorgeous year-round greenery — lush tropical landscaping, colorful flowering shrubs, and houseplants that thrive in our humid Florida climate. But that same beauty comes with a hidden danger for our pets. Many of the plants that line our neighborhoods, fill our yards, and decorate our homes…

Hurricane season in Tampa Bay is serious business. St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and the greater Tampa Bay area sit in one of the most hurricane-vulnerable corridors in the country. And while most of us have a plan for ourselves — bottled water, plywood, a packed bag — far too many pet owners reach hurricane season…

Aging Doesn’t Have to Mean Suffering When does a pet become “senior”? For most dogs, it’s around age 7 — earlier for large and giant breeds. Cats are generally considered senior at 10-11 years. At Community Animal Hospitals in St. Petersburg, our veterinarians Dr. Leslie Block, Dr. Craig Mullenax, and Dr. Mark Williamson specialize in…

Your Beautiful Yard Could Be Dangerous Spring in St. Petersburg brings an explosion of color — sago palms unfurling new fronds, lilies blooming in garden beds, and oleander lining fences and medians. They’re gorgeous. They’re also potentially deadly for your pets. At Community Animal Hospitals, our veterinarians Dr. Leslie Block, Dr. Craig Mullenax, and Dr.…

The Math Is Simple — Prevention Wins Here’s a number that gets every pet owner’s attention: treating heartworm disease in a dog costs between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on severity. Monthly heartworm prevention costs under $15 (depending on the prevention and the size of your pet). That’s less than a dollar a day to protect…

Why Spring Hits Florida Dogs Hard Spring in St. Petersburg means blooming flowers, freshly cut grass, and unfortunately, a surge in canine allergies. At Community Animal Hospitals, our veterinarians Dr. Leslie Block, Dr. Craig Mullenax, and Dr. Mark Williamson see a dramatic increase in allergy cases starting in March. Florida’s warm, humid climate means pollen,…

Every March, veterinary clinics across Florida see a surge in one particular complaint: itchy dogs. If your pup has been scratching more than usual, chewing their paws, or rubbing their face against furniture, spring allergies might be the culprit. Unlike humans who get runny noses and watery eyes, dogs experience allergies primarily through their skin.…

Florida’s heat is relentless, and your pet feels it more than you do. Dogs and cats cannot cool themselves as efficiently as humans. They rely on panting and limited sweat glands in their paw pads, which makes them far more vulnerable to dangerous overheating. At Community Animal Hospitals in St. Petersburg, we treat heat-related emergencies…