An Ounce of Prevention
By Dr. David T. Smith, Sarasota Veterinary Center & Parkway Veterinary Center
to 7 years or more during 1
year of our life span, you can
see how important an annual
consider this: You would not let
your child go 7 years or more
without a checkup by their
doctor, would you?
pet to ensure that he or she is
tested yearly for heartworms and other parasites is an important part
can greatly contribute to good health and longer life spans for your
Dr. David T. Smith has been a veterinarian in Florida for 31 years. He now has
two veterinary practices—the Sarasota Veterinary Center on Cattlemen
Road, south of Bee Ridge Road next to the Burlington Coat Factory, and
Parkway Veterinary Center, located at 2847 University Parkway in Sarasota.
Dr. Smith is a past president of the Broward County Veterinary Medical
Association where he was previously the medical director of two emergency
and critical care centers, as well as several veterinary hospitals. More
recently, Dr. Smith is a past president of the Southwest Florida Veterinary
Medical Association. He can be reached by calling 941-377-3031 for
questions or inquiries or contacted online at www.drdavedvm.com.
Photo of puppy: ©pexels.com/Poodles2Doodles;
There are many diseases that your pets can catch just from walking
Lyme disease is yet another disease for which pets in risk areas
around large numbers of other dogs, such as at dog shows, boarding
When to Vaccinate
Vaccine programs are generally started between 6 and 8 weeks
few months and then annually, or in some cases—depending on the
consider that a dog or cat ages up
T
cas
t u
that
10 | January/February 2020 | www.SuncoastPet.com
/www.drdavedvm.com
/www.SuncoastPet.com