What's New At VCA Hollywood!

Surgical Services Are Expanding – Meet Dr. Patrick Flynn, DACVS-SA

We’re thrilled to introduce Dr. Patrick Flynn, DACVS-SA, who will be joining our team in June 11, 2025. With his arrival, our surgical service will be available six days a week, giving patients and referring DVMs greater access to advanced care.

Dr. Flynn brings a decade worth of orthopedic and soft tissue surgery experience to Broward county. He will have a strong focus on increasing access to arthroscopic and fluoroscopic procedures, complex fracture repair, oncologic surgery, and soft tissue reconstruction surgery following trauma or tumor removal.

We’re very excited to have his expertise and passion join our specialty team.

Coming Soon: Dr. Jaymie Zweig

We’re also excited to share that Jaymie Zweig, DVM will be joining our surgical service this September, following the completion of her residency at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists. We look forward to welcoming her and sharing more about her background soon!

Heard the Buzz About Hi Flo O₂?

You may have heard the term high-flow oxygen therapy floating around lately—pun intended. This advanced respiratory support system allows us to deliver warm, humidified oxygen at higher flow rates, making it easier for patients in respiratory distress to breathe without the stress of more invasive methods. It is especially beneficial for conditions like pneumonia, pulmonary contusions, or upper airway obstruction—and it’s available right here at VCA Hollywood. Think of it as an oxygen upgrade, giving our critical patients more comfort and more support, faster.

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital-  24/7/365 Emergency & Specialized Care. 

 

The big bearded one never misses a change to visit the VCA HAH, but this year we are excited to announce that Santa returns to the "red carpet" for Free Pet Photos with your fur babies!

When: December 14th from 9am-12pm,

Where: VCA Hollywood- Annex

What: Free photos with Santa!!

Join us with your fiery feline and cuddly canine during our free pet photo event. This event has historically been offered on the last day of our pet food drive for Meals on Wheels of So. Florida's Companion Pet Program. in lieu of donations of food, monetary support for meals on wheels for pets, can be made online or (link) or during the event on Saturday, Dec.14th.

As always, one photo will be printed on site and digital prints will be made available online for downloading.

Santa never misses a stop off at VCA Hollywood to see your fur-babies. Check out his visit (caught on camera Dec 2020!) Not Even COVID Could Keep Santa Away.

Visit our Facebook page for great photos of some of the fur-families that joined in the fun as well as outtakes of the hilarity that ensues when Santa suits up with a lot of animals!

 facebook.com/VCAHollywoodAnimalHospital

*These collections are full of some "great shots" and also some silly, "feline in your face", "dog on your lap good" times. Enjoy!

Learn more about Meals on Wheel of So. Florida's Companion Pet Program.

Meals for Companion Pets Founded in 1999, the Meals for Companion Pets Program is a volunteer-driven effort providing pet food to homebound and disabled seniors in Broward County. Research shows that seniors with pets are less likely to exhibit depression, report feelings of loneliness and experience illness. But taking care of a pet – feeding, grooming and veterinary care – can be financially and physically burdensome to seniors. More often than not, a devoted animal lover with limited access to food will feed their hungry pet before they feed themselves. Pet food is provided through the generosity of local donors and grants and is delivered on the third Saturday of each month. Volunteers are always needed on the third Saturday of the month to pack & deliver food.

https://www.mowsoflo.org/meals-for-companion-pets

Meet Dr. Diez!!

Meet Dr. Adrienne Newball Diez

Staff Veterinarian DVM

Member of Broward County Veterinary Medical Association

Adrienne Newball Diez, a Puerto Rican native, knew at a very young age that her love and respect for animals would lead her to become "an animal doctor". Raised by a single mother in a home that values honesty, empathy, perseverance, responsibility and humility, she credits the support of her family as the key to reaching her goal of becoming a veterinarian.

Her passion for veterinary medicine solidified during a hands on experience with farm animals while earning her bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and finalized her goal with a clinical year at Oklahoma State University.

With a strong interest in ophthalmology, dermatology and oncology, her long-term hope is to further her training through the pursuit of a residency. While at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital Dr. Diez remains focused on building connections with our pet community and providing exceptional care to her patients.

When not in her white coat, Dr. Diez enjoys traveling, reading sci-fi fantasy novels and spending time with her family and three spoiled fur siblings.

Education: Ross University, 2024, DVM

Meet Dr. Regenbaum!!

Meet Dr. Tayla Regenbaum
Staff Veterinarian DVM


Member of the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association

Born and raised in sunny South Florida, Tayla Regenbaum was surrounded by a variety of pets during her upbringing and developed a deep passion for animals that drove her passion to become a veterinarian. After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, she went on to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University. Dr. Regenbaum now joins VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital, eager to gain experience and ultimately pursue a residency in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery.

Perfectly suited for a South Florida lifestyle, in her free time, Dr. Regenbaum can be found soaking up the sun at the beach, boating, or doing anything outdoors like hiking, golfing, or playing tennis. She also loves to cook, to travel the world, and to spend time with family. Dr. Regenbaum is also an advocate for conservation medicine and environmental sustainability. As she strives to integrate sustainable practices into her personal and professional life, we are excited to benefit from her innovation.

Education: Louisiana State University 2024, DVM

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital Hosts Free Eye Exams Event for Service Animals

 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital (VCAHAH) in collaboration with Animal Eye Guys (AEG) of South Florida is proud to announce a one-day Free Eye Exams Event for Service Animals. This event, scheduled for Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, aims to provide valuable eye care services to qualified working dogs in South Florida.

As part of the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program, VCAHAH and AEG will offer free eye exams to service animals, including BSO K9 Patrol Officers, Humane Society of Broward County Therapy Animals, Memorial Regional Hospital, Broward County Court House Canines, and more. These exams will be conducted by qualified veterinarians specializing in ophthalmology.

WHO/WHAT: 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital and Animal Eye Guys of South Florida to host Free Eye Exams Event for Service Animals.

WHEN: 

Sunday, May 19, 2024, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

WHERE: 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital
2864 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, FL 33020
954.920.3556

HOW:  Early registration is key to providing these exams.  

This event is part of the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program, which has been providing free eye exams for service animals for 15 years. The program is conducted by 250 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists from across the United States and Canada, including Puerto Rico.

 To qualify, qualified service animals must register online April 1-30th at https://www.acvoeyeexam.org/. Once registered, call 754-732-1792 to schedule an appointment.  

Who is eligible? Any active working animal that has been certified by a formal training program or organization or are currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization could be national, regional, or local in nature.  

Examples of active working animals are guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, emotional support animals, and search and rescue dogs. Pre-Registration is required 

 When are the exams? Exams are offered throughout the month of May and during this dedicated one-day event on May 21st at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital. 

Pre-Registration is required. 

 How to schedule an exam? Register online- April 1- 30th at www.ACVOeyeexam.org   

Then call 754-732-1792 to set an appointment.   

 "We are thrilled to be part of the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program and to provide free eye exams to our local service animals," said Dr. James Herrington, Medical Director at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital. "This event not only ensures the health and well-being of these dedicated animals but also celebrates their invaluable contributions to our community."

Media representatives are encouraged to attend this event to capture stories and photos of our local service animal community.

About VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital: 

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital is a leading veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care for pets. With a dedicated team of veterinarians and support staff, VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing exceptional veterinary care.

About Animal Eye Guys of South Florida: 

Animal Eye Guys of South Florida is a specialized veterinary ophthalmology practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions in animals. Led by experienced veterinary ophthalmologists, Animal Eye Guys of South Florida offers advanced eye care services for pes, including service animals.

Safety Tips SHARE!

Sometimes it is easy to forget the little things that can be risks to our pets. This is an excellent reminder for the holiday season. As we enjoy our treats let keep our sweet fur babies safe. 

 

Blister packaging is SECURE CLEAR & CONVENIENT

When we were asked for a more convenient way for our clients to manage their pet's medications- our pharmacy created a system that ensures more accurate tracking of medications administered by 

1. reduces errors at home
2. eliminates the hassle of opening traditional medication vial
3. makes the time to re-order, easy to see

We now offer blister packaging. 

Our blister packaging involves securely packaging individual tablets and capsules in clearly labeled compartments within a specially designed card providing an even more convenient solution for your medication needs. This service is available upon request and is particularly beneficial for clients who face challenges in opening medication vials or maintaining a consistent medication schedule.

We are very excited to continue to offer tools to help our humans better care for their pets.

There is more.....
Want one more way to stay
up-to-date on your pet's care?

Download our myVCA App and have your veterinary care right on your phone. Learn more and download the app now!

Or text us and we will send you a link that takes you right to your myVCA App page.

Making Specialty Pet Care Accessible.

 

Our specialists are making even more time available to care for pets.

The veterinary industry has seen its share of strained this year as general practitioners and emergency care facilities see a high volumes of urgent care cases on top of their typical case loads.

Specialty medicine has seen this same influx as well which is why our innovative team at VCA Hollywood created a wait-list tool to ensure our specialty patients recieved access to available appointment as soon as possible. Now, our oncology service has added more consultation times to make oncology care even more accessible to pets in need.


The goal of our Pet Cancer Care team is to ensure pets enjoy the very best quality of life. With the support and collaboration of the entire VCA Hollywood doctors and staff, they also have the best team possible to care for pet.

Learn more about Dr. Vazquez, DAVIM (Oncology) and the PetCancer Care Team 

Stay up-to-day on all of the great success stories we have had the privilege to share!

 MEET THE TEAM!

This year, we welcome four amazing veterinarians that not only have a tremendous passion for pet care, they each bring a unique focus to our practice that compliments our team.

Learn more about Dr. Crystal Ware, Dr. Alexandra Lovirnic, Dr. Corey Young and Dr. Veronica Alamo on our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see the softest side of patient care. (that is all of the puppies, kitties and snuggles we can get.)  

VCA Hollywood's Hotshots- Meet Michelle!

VCA Hollywood's Hotshots- Meet Michelle!

VCA Hollywood has a loads of hotshots!  We love to highlight our team whenever possible.

This month's special highlight is Michelle. 

Michelle has been with VCA since 2017 but with VCA Hollywood just 9 months and we are all so grateful she chose us!

Michelle joins us as a part of our Pharmacy Team who's location at the (literal) center of our practice though really mirrors their role in our ability to provide exceptional patient care.   Our pharmacy provides care for all of our client Whether GP or Specialty, whether on preventative or chronic medication they serve our in and outpatients even filling all of the medications for our hospitalized patients- not to mention our online pharmacy. 

It is a lot and Michelle has made the team whole. 

Get to know more about Michelle:

Background: Native Floridian who (Miami Gardens) but spent the last 15 years in CA.  

1. Cat or dog person?  

I love cats & small dogs especially, but have affection for most animals in general. I currently have 3 Shepherds and 5 cats.   

2. What is your favorite comfort media (book, show, movie, music, or anything else)? 

Video games! Especially ones that encourage crafting or are open-world. (Currently playing “Subnautica” and “Tears of the Kingdom”.

3. What is one thing you’re learning now or learned recently? 

“Taking care of yourself” is a lot harder than it sounds. It’s an active process (and you don’t suddenly “have it together” by 30 yrs. old) 

4.  What is one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit? 

Better posture (so my back will stop yelling at me) 

5.  If you could trade places with anyone for the day, who would you choose and why? 

Younger me (5 years younger than now) I think it’d be interesting to see younger me deal with today’s me with my responsibilities, vice versa (lol).

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VCA Hollywood's Hotshots- Meet Cristina!

VCA Hollywood has a loads of hotshots!  We love to highlight our team whenever possible.

This month's special highlight is Cristina.

Cristina is a bright light and happy presence in the our practice. She and Dr. Melanie Hnot, our veterinary dermatologist, go together like peanut butter and jelly and have a team that truly enjoys all that they do.

Cristina recently graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science (what an amazing accomplishment) and is working to continue her education on a path to becoming a veterinarian. 

Cristina also recently married the man of her dreams. Life is good. In the busy life she leads, she made the time to answer some fun questions for us.

Get to know Cristina:

1.    Your name/Position/Years working here

Cristina- Veterinary Technician-Dermatology

2.     What is an easy item on your bucket list that you haven’t done yet?

Go to Europe! Or Africa!

3.    Does your current car have a name? What is it?

Yes! Tiffany

4.    What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Treat others the way you wish to be treated”

5.    What song or album could you listen to on repeat?

Taylor Swift- Album “Midnights”

6.    What simple/everyday food do you refuse to eat?

YOGURT!! 

7.    What current fact about your life would most impress your five your old self?

I am currently applying to the vet school of my dreams and married to an amazing man

8.    What piece of advice would you share with your younger self?

Keep working towards your dreams, never give up despite how hard it is.

Free Eye Exams for Service Animals One Day Event!

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital and the Veterinary Ophthalmologist group, Animal Eye Guys hosted a day of FREE Eye Exams for Pre-Registered Service Animals in our community on Sunday, May 21st.

Sponsored by the ACVO - American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, this event was offered to support the goal of providing as many free eye exams as possible to qualified Service Animals across the U.S. and Canada throughout the month of May.

During this full-day event, we saw over 50 service animals that included individual handlers, canines from Memorial Hospital, therapy animals from the HSBC and Humane K9, BSO & Miramar canine officers, and search and rescue canines from Miami Dade and Hialeah. These are just a sample of the fantastic animals we had the pleasure to provide these sight-saving exams.

Service animals are essential workers and for us to play a part in providing these exams
aligns with the core values of VCA Hollywood Hospital and Animal Eye Guys of South Florida, who put pet health as our first priority.

This event is national in origin so while this one-day service has passed, every May these exams are available throughout the country by participating ophthalmologists every May. Registration for these exams is necessary and occurs every April.

Follow us on social to stay connected about future events.

 

Free Style Libre Recall

We recently received a recall notification for the FreeStyle Libre/FreeStyle Libre 2 Reader and notified owners that have purchased these products for their pet.

This recall does not affect any of the FreeStyle Libre family of sensors.

If you or someone you know has purchased these Readers, the FDA recommends you:

Stop using the FreeStyle Libre Reader and switch to a backup method ONLY if you experience any of the following:The Reader appears to be damaged or cracked

• The Reader appears to be damaged or crackedThere is visible swelling of the Reader
• The Reader gets too hot to hold
• The Reader is no longer able to hold a charge (for example, if it turns off unexpectedly or immediately after charging)
• You do not have the Abbott-provided USB cable and power adapter (charger)

If you have the Abbott-provided USB cable and power adapter AND you are not experiencing the problems listed below, you can continue to use the Abbott-provided Reader, USB cable, and power adapter.

If the Reader is damaged or a replacement USB cable or power adapter (charger) is needed, call Abbott's Customer Service at 1-855-632-8658 to request a replacement.

Complete recall information from the FDA is available here.

Free Eye Exams for Service Animals

 VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital (VCA Hollywood) and Animal Eye Guys (AEG) of South Florida will once again partner to offer the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam program.  

Now in its 14th year, this program offers free eye exams for pre-registered service animals during the month of May. VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital and Animal Eye Guys will host a one day event exclusively for these sight saving exams.

What:
Guardians and handlers of all qualified service animals are invited to VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital for a free eye exam provided by Dr. Robert Swinger, D.V.M., Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist and his team at Animal Eye Guys of South Florida.

When: Local Event date: May 21, 2023

Where: VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital

Pre-Registration is required

Register April 1- 30th  online at http://www.acvo.org/

Who:
Active working animals such as guide dogs, handicapped assistance animals, detection dogs, therapy animals, and search and rescue dogs that have been certified by a formal training program or organization or are currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization could be national, regional or local in nature. 

How:
Pre-Registration for these exam begins-   April 1st -April 30th at www.ACVOeyeexam.org

Once registered, call  754-732-1792  with the registration number to schedule your appointment in May.

Since the program launched in 2008, nearly 16,000 service animals have been examined.  In addition to dogs, other service animals including horses and even a service donkey named Henry have received free sight saving exams.  

A sampling of groups served since the ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam Event launched in 2008 include: Transportation Security Agency (TSA) and military working dogs from Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Puppies Behind Bars, an organization providing psychiatric service dogs to soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, local fire, rescue and police agencies, and also individual service animal owners and handlers who rely on these amazing animals daily.  

The event is primarily sponsored by ACVO.  Other non-profit supporters include the American Veterinary Medical Association, most state veterinary medical associations in the U.S. and Canada, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, and other national service animal organizations.  

About VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital
VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital has earned a solid reputation for offering the very best in veterinary medicine as well as the latest technological advances and therapies. Founded in 1947,VCA HAH features 21 veterinarians and more than 100 highly trained technical and support staff members. For more information, please visit http://www.VCAhollywood or call 954.920.3556. 

About Animal Eye Guys
Animal Eye Guys has proudly served the Hollywood FL area for everything pet related. There clinic is run by Dr. Robert Swinger, who is a licensed, experienced Hollywood veterinarian and Board Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist. Their team is committed to educating clients in how to keep their pets healthy year round, with good nutrition and exercise. Animal Eye Guys stays on top of the latest advances in veterinarian technology and above all, remembers that all animals and pets need to be treated with loving care in every check-up, procedure, or surgery. https://animaleyeguys.com/

About the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® is an approved veterinary specialty organization of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties, and is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Its mission is “to advance the quality of veterinary medicine through certification of veterinarians who demonstrate excellence as specialists in veterinary ophthalmology.” To become board certified, a candidate must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, a one year internship, a three year approved residency and pass a series of credentials and examinations. http://www.acvo.org/

This is NOT what's for dinner!

We have all heard the stories of missing socks or chewed up toys from a michievous pup. This is all humorous fodder for this meme's and social social media posts but when it is your pup, things can get serious. Today we have a happy tail to share about how, even the most careful owners can fall victim to the foe of a fast moving pup and their favorite toy. 

If caught early there can be options for care that are alternatives to surgery. Meet Gnocchi.

Case Study: Canine Foreign Body Ingestion ( A Success Story)

Gnocchi is a 3-year-old intact female Bulldog that presented to VCA Hollywood's Emergency Service for vomiting after ingesting a chew toy the day before. The family attempted to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide at home, but this was unsuccessful. On physical exam, Gnocchi had normal vitals with a mildly tense abdomen. X-rays revealed a large single foreign body in the stomach.

Gnocchi was placed under general anesthesia as soon as possible, and endoscopy (camera evaluation) of the stomach was performed. In the stomach, a large foreign body was found. Due to the rubber material of the toy, the toy was unable to be firmly grasped for retrieval. In addition, many of the edges were too large to be snared. Eventually, a small edge (later discovered to be the toe of the toy) was able to be snared, and the foreign body was successfully removed. On re-exploration, there was a large bleeding area, though it is unclear whether this irritation was the result of the foreign body itself or previous hydrogen peroxide administration.

Gnocchi recovered from anesthesia uneventfully and was given intravenous supportive gastrointestinal medications for the remainder of the day. She was discharged on a short course of oral gastroprotectants.

 
Take-Home Points
When offering a new toy or treat, dogs and cats should be supervised for signs that they may inappropriately ingest large portions that may become stuck in the esophagus (tube connecting the mouth to the stomach), stomach, or intestines. In some cases like this, minimally invasive endoscopy can be performed to retrieve the foreign body or lodged treat. However, surgery is the only option if the foreign body becomes obstructed in the intestines as the scope is only long enough to reach the front portion of the small intestine.

If you are concerned that your pet may have swallowed a toy or large treat, you should seek emergency veterinary assistance immediately. Possible symptoms include drooling, gagging, retching, coughing, regurgitating, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. If the foreign body has not passed into the intestines, then minimally invasive endoscopy may be an option.

Authored by: 

Melody Chen, DVM, MS

Practice Limited to Internal Medicine

melody.chen@vca.com

OUR SPECIALTY TEAM IS HERE WHEN YOU NEED US!

 

Specialty Care Appointments

We understand the challenges your clients can face in finding appointments for the advanced care you recommend. We are here to help. What we are doing. Our Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Department has expanded to provide greater availability for Ultrasound and CT services. Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services available Mon-Sat.  Internal Medicine & Dermatology With the growth of our Internal Medicine Department, Dr. Randi Fishkin, DACVECC, DACVIM and Dr. Melody Chen (Practice Limited to Internal Medicine) are able to provide IM consultations typically within five days of your referral. Internal Medicine Service is available Tues-Sat. Our Dermatology Department is currently booking appointments 6 weeks out. However, to ensure every dermatology client can be seen as soon as possible, we have a well-established waitlist protocol in place. Dermatology Service is available Tues-Sat. Oncology & Emergency and Critical Care Our Oncology Department's renovations are complete. Your clients are now welcomed into a state-of-the-art USP 800-compliant oncology suite, thus ensuring the safest administration of cancer care available.  Oncology Service is available Mon- Thurs. Our Emergency & Critical Care Department, overseen by  Dr. Randi Fishkin, DACVECC, DAVCIM is staffed 7 days a week for referrals.  Emergency and Critical Care Service is available 24/7, Sun-Sat. Our Surgical Service is available 5 days a week, Tues-Sat.