If you love pets, Volunteer for this FREE Event.

If You Pets, Register now!

 This event is for kids, curated by pet lovers and guaranteed to be a great time. Scan the code, registered now. Join us for this life changing event.    

Join us for the Walk for the Animals- Miami- October 4th

 

We Hope You Join Us This Saturday!!

This Saturday, we’re proud to lace up our sneakers and join the Humane Society of Greater Miami’s Walk for the Animals—and we’d love for you to be part of it!

At VCA, our values go beyond the walls of the hospital. We believe in community, compassion, and connection—the same principles that guide how we care for pets and the people who love them. Supporting the Humane Society of Greater Miami is one more way we live those values, giving back to the families and pets who make our community stronger.

Bring your friends, your pets, and your energy, and come walk with us! Together, we can celebrate the bond between people and animals while supporting an incredible cause.

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. 

Team Member of the Month- Adriana!!!

Adriana has been a VCA HAH team member for a relatively short time but her impact has been strong. After completing a day at her 'other' job, Adriana begins her night shift with our evening crew of experts. Her efficient, pleasant, and dependable qualities are put to the test has she handles the different pace of the HAH at night. She is a star!!!

Adriana is wonderful with our clients and their pets (both having made a point to let us know!) She is the person we count on to deliver the finest care to our clients even in the wee hours. She does not let us down.

We are very pleased to recognize her as our Team Member of the Month for January and "Thank" her for all her hard work.

Dental Homecare Kits

Home Dental Care

C.E.T. HEXtra Chews -Provides antiseptic activity for up to 24 hours, in a delioucous chew your dog will enjoy.

C.E.T. TooC.E.T. Oral Hygyne Rinse-with the renewed antiseptic activity of chlorexidine and zinc gluconate, this plaque-fighting rinse also gives your pet fresh breath.
 

C.E.T. AQUADENT-Water  additive for your pet's water bowl, it helps prevent plaque accumulation and freshens your pet's breath. Just 2 teaspoons to a quart of water.
 

Tooth Paste-Specially formulated for pets. They are available in several tantalizing flavors to make brushing tasty and rewarding. 

C.E.T. Brushing Kit-Comes with C.E.T. tooth paste and a tooth brush designed with soft bristles, tapered heads, and come in a variety of colors!

January Patient of the Month- Gibby!!!

This month we recognize a HAH patient with a different sort of story for our monthly highlight.

Gibby, a 3 year old Cavalier Kings Charles, is a regular boarder with us. Because his dad travels often, he needs someone to watch Gibby and ensure he is taken special care of.

Over the last year, Dr.'s Patterson and Lukens have been his primary care giver and to say our staff has fallen in love with him -would be an understatement! Gibby even got in on the Santa pics this last year while he was boarding!

As it is so often true, our patients became like family to our staff and doctors. Gibby is a great example of that. While he is home with his family now we look forward to his Dad's next trip so we can spend time with our four legged friend.

Humane Society of Broward County- Walk For The Animals!!!

This year, VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital is proud to partner with the Humane Society of Broward County (HSBC) for their Annual Walk For The Animals.The HSBC provides shelter, aid and responsible adoptions to animals entrusted to their care while educating the community about respect and kindness to all animals. This annual fundraising event raises money for to fund the many community services that have been dedicated to our community since 1946.



This year we will be joining the local family of VCA hospitals in sponsorship of this event as well as coming out the day of to enjoy the festivities.  Please join us!!!



WHEN: February 28th


WHERE: Huizenga Plaza
                 Ft. Lauderdale

WHAT: Day of fun, food and fellowship to support our local Humane Society of Broward County and the many community services they provided.

October Patient of the Month-Ethy

Ethy, a 9 year old mixed breed dog came to see Dr. Shapiro because it was believed she had eaten a foreign object and was now vomiting and straining to defecate. Dr. Shapiro ordered x-rays and clearly saw material in her stomach that could be either food or the aforementioned foreign material. Since the material was still in her stomach, vomiting was induced in the hope of a simple fix but no significant amount of matter was expelled. Ethy was hospitalized with the hope that the material would pass or could be removal non-evasively by endoscope.

Unfortunately for Ethy, neither of those two things happened.  

When it was clear that the material in Ethy's stomach would not pass, Dr. Shapiro attempted a less invasive procedure then surgery, endoscopy- to scope out the foreign material. However, it quickly became clear that there was too much material in her stomach to effectively be removed this way and she was immediately brought to surgery.

In surgery, the contents of her stomach was removed-a foam mattress cover.

  Ethy recovered from surgery without incident and was maintained in hospital on pain medications and IV fluids. Soon she was bright and responsive and ready to tackle some appropriate foods and kept them down! 

 Today, Ethy is home, happy and healthy. She maintained her playful disposition throughout this ordeal and hopefully has out grown her taste of foreign "foods". However, one can never be 100% sure.  

 This topic has been popular lately as local and national coverage has shined a light on this very common problem. In our practice, GIFB (gastrointestinal foreign bodies) are very common. The contents of these GIFB are sometimes interesting like chess pieces or a toy mouse but they are all very serious problems. The question remains, 'why do pets eat foreign objects?' There are many answers.  

Pica (the appetite for substances largely non-nutritive) can be caused by teething, boredom, anxiety, nutritional deficiencies or even underlying disease- just to name a few. Each pet is different but the resulting problem is the same. If your pet has a fancy for objects other than traditional food, speak with your local Vet about what you can do to help!

Other sources for information:

 http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/pica-eating-things-arent-food

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/gastrointestinal-foreign-bodies

September Team Member of the Month- Mary!!!!

Mary has been a fixture at the HAH since 1995. I say fixture because many of you know her from her role throughout the years as a receptionist. Her name is synonymous for many with the caring heart of the HAH.   

However, lately she has been utilizing her skills as a phone operator in our very hectic phone room.  This important task is often challenging- when all 14 lines are ringing- but Mary is always pleasant to our clients and shows how truly she cares about how their needs and feelings. 

Now, Mary is not one to be boxed in so it has been no big surprise to hear reports of her up front assisting and interacting with clients. Her genuine joyous personality shines through with this GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. We are pleased to recognize her as this month’s Team Member of the Month!!!!

September Patient of the Month- Tori!!!

Every month we highlight a patient who’s experience at the HAH has touched our lives. This month’s patient is no different but the words that seem most appropriate to share her story have come more from our client then our staff.

Tori, spent 9 days with us recovering from a very complicated surgical procedure that required one of our senior doctors to perform on emergency. She was a wonderful patient and a very luck girl. When her family was asked permission to share her story, they quickly said yes! There words seem to say it all. 

Every morning I wake up to a 60-pound labradoodle sticking her big nose in my face and smothering me with kisses -- and then I thank God for the Hollywood Animal Hospital. Tori wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for Dr. Sessa and Nellie. No words can describe the admiration and love my wife and I have for both. We are blessed to have them in our lives and the lives of my dogs.

We also want to thank Kathy and all the wonderful staff at HAH, who worked so hard to save Tori's life.

On Memorial Day weekend, Tori jumped into the back of my SUV – like she’s done a thousand times before.  Only this time, she misjudged her jump and fell right on the back latch – rupturing her bladder and tearing her urethra.

Dr. Sessa performed two and a half hours of emergency surgery that night, while Nellie texted me updates and Dr. James Dee so kindly offered me his words of comfort. Tori required more than 100 internal stitches and another 100 stitches on the outside. She likely would have died that night had Dr. Sessa not operated.


After the surgery, while she lay unconscious, I knelt down beside her and kissed her not knowing whether I would ever see her again.  She spent eight touch-and-go days at HAH. I visited her twice a day, but at first I wasn’t convinced she’d ever come home again.

I have been bringing my dogs to HAH for 42 years and have witnessed one miracle after another. Quite frankly, I was concerned I may have used up my fair share of miracles.

But Tori did came home. She’s running again, playing again and, yes, giving me those morning kisses.

Our very special thanks for all your extra efforts on behalf of Tori. You saved our dog and touched our hearts.

Tori touched our hearts too. She was the sweetest patient and we are so pleased to recognized her as our Patient of the Month!!!

August Team Member of the Month- Stephanie!!!!

This month's Team Member of the Month is a firecracker!!! Stephanie has been a member of our team on-an-off for many years. After a move out-of-state to pursue an opportunity at another practice, Stephanie returned to the HAH in 2006. Since her return she has taken on many responsibilities and excelled with each. 

Stephanie is an excellent technician. She has specialized experience in surgery, x-ray and post operative care. What makes her team member this month is her attitude.

Her love for life and adventure has always been a part of her character but this vigor has been renewed in the workplace and her attitude toward teamwork has been example worthy.

"Stephanie has such a positive attitude and never sits still. During any down time she is sweeping and finding other duties to make herself productive."

"She is great with patients as well as their owners!"

We are grateful to have such a technically skilled member on our staff as well as someone that brings such a good attitude to the table.

 Thank you for all you contribute, Steph!!!
 

Stephanie is a member of the Gold Coast Roller Derby Team of South Florida

Stephanie is essential to our success of at the Stonewall Pride Events each June!!!

Cali Riding a Roomba!!

Water Intoxication in Dogs: Too Much of a Good Thing

Water Intoxication in Dogs: Too Much of a Good Thing

by Dr. Karen Becker

Responsible dog owners understand the importance of making sure their canine companion always has fresh, clean water to drink. But what a surprising number of pet owners don't realize is that it's actually possible for a dog to ingest too much water.

Water intoxication, which results in life-threatening hyponatremia (excessively low sodium levels), is a relatively rare but frequently fatal condition in dogs.  At highest risk are dogs that enjoying playing in the water for long stretches. But believe it or not, even a lawn sprinkler or hose can pose a hazard for pets that love to snap at or "catch" spraying water.

What Happens When a Dog Ingests Too Much Water?

Hyponatremia occurs when more water enters the body than it can process. The presence of so much water dilutes bodily fluids, creating a potentially dangerous shift in electrolyte balance. The excess water depletes sodium levels in extracellular fluid (fluid outside of cells). Sodium maintains blood pressure and nerve and muscle function.

When the sodium concentration in extracellular fluid drops, the cells start filling with water as the body attempts to balance the sodium levels inside the cells with falling levels outside the cells. This inflow of water causes the cells -- including those in the brain -- to swell. The central nervous system can also be affected. 

Symptoms of water intoxication include staggering/loss of coordination, lethargy, nausea, bloating, vomiting, dilated pupils, glazed eyes, light gum color, and excessive salivation. In severe cases, there can also be difficulty breathing, collapse, loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, and death.

Dogs Most at Risk for Water Intoxication

Any dog can develop hyponatremia, however, the condition is most commonly seen in dogs who will stay in the lake, pond or pool all day if you let them; pets that lap or bite at the water continuously while playing in it; and dogs that swallow water unintentionally as they dive for a ball or other toy.

The condition has also been reported in dogs that over-hydrate during or after exercise, as well as those that enjoy playing with water from a garden hose or sprinklers.

Water intoxication can affect any size or breed of dog, but smaller dogs probably show symptoms more quickly because it takes less time for an excessive amount of water to build up in their bodies.

Water intoxication progresses quickly and can be life threatening, so if your pet has been playing in water and begins to exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, it's crucial that you seek immediate veterinary care to save your dog's life.

Treatment of hyponatremia in dogs typically includes IV delivery of electrolytes, diuretics, and drugs to reduce brain swelling. With aggressive veterinary care, some dogs are able to recover from water intoxication, but sadly, many are not.

Preventing Water Intoxication in Your Dog

If your dog loves the water, make sure you're there to supervise his activity. If your pet is repetitively retrieving a ball or other toy from the water, insist on frequent rest breaks. Be especially vigilant on days when the water is rough.

Observe how your dog interacts with the water. If her mouth is open a lot -- even if she's holding a ball or stick in it -- understand that she's likely ingesting a fair amount of water. The same can be true of dogs that dive to the bottom of a pool to retrieve items.

Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of water intoxication and monitor your dog's appearance and behavior when she's playing in water.

After a period of hard play or exercise, use caution when your dog rehydrates. If he immediately laps up the contents of his water bowl, rest him for a bit before you refill his bowl. If your dog is very active, it's a good idea to have water with you when he exercises so that you can give him frequent short water breaks to keep him hydrated.

If your dog enjoys interacting with water from the hose or sprinkler, you should monitor that activity as well. Water from a hose or sprinkler is under pressure, and you'd be surprised how much a dog can ingest in a short amount of time.

A Word About Salt Water Toxicity

Excessive intake of salt water can result in hypernatremia, or salt poisoning, which is the opposite of hyponatremia. Initial signs of hypernatremia include vomiting and diarrhea, but the condition can quickly progress to neurologic symptoms like loss of coordination, seizures, progressive depression, and severe brain swelling.

Hypernatremia, like hyponatremia, is potentially life threatening, and immediate veterinary care is needed. 

If you take your dog to the beach, bring along fresh drinking water and offer it to him at frequent intervals so he won't be tempted to drink ocean water.

Posted: 08/06/2014 11:13 am EDT Updated: 08/06/2014 11:59 am EDT

Dr. Karen Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian. You can visit her site at: MercolaHealthyPets.com

Her goal is to help you create wellness in order to prevent illness in the lives of your pets. This proactive approach seeks to save you and your pet from unnecessary stress and suffering by identifying and removing health obstacles even before disease occurs. Unfortunately, most veterinarians in the United States are trained to be reactive. They wait for symptoms to occur, and often treat those symptoms without addressing the root cause.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-karen-becker/water-intoxication-in-dog_b_5633886.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592