Spring into Animal Health!
As we welcome the fresh bloom of spring, we’re reminded that this season bringsnew beginnings—not just for nature, but for our beloved pets as well. With warmerdays ahead, it’s the perfect time to focus on your pet’s health, from allergyawareness to heartworm prevention and fun outdoor adventures. This quarter,we’re excited to share heartwarming success stories, hospital updates, and experttips to keep your pets thriving this season. Thank you for being part of the WinterPark Veterinary Hospital family—we’re honored to be your trusted partner in petcare, every season of the year!
-Your Vet for Life
The Winter Park Difference:
Medical Cases and Success Stories
Bentley and His Socks!
Bentley, a playful 4-year-old English Golden Retriever, gave his family quite a scare when he swallowed four socks whole! His worried owners rushed him to Winter Park Veterinary Hospital, where Dr. Newman quickly performed radiographs, revealing the socks lodged in his stomach and intestines.
Thanks to our specialized surgery equipment and dedicated staff, Bentley was able to have surgery that same day to safely remove the socks before they caused serious harm. After the procedure, he was hospitalized for a few days, monitored by compassionate veterinary technicians as he regained his strength.
Thanks to his owners’ quick action and our hospital’s ability to provide immediate treatment, Bentley is back home, happy and healthy!
Murphy’s Fresh Start
Murphy, a 7-year-old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, had been struggling with recurring ear infections for months. Nothing seemed to work with other vets, and when they were finally referred to a dermatology specialist for a deep ear cleaning, the wait time was three months—far too long for Murphy to continue suffering.
Dr. Alfonso carefully evaluated his case. Understanding the urgency, she arranged for Dr. Delaney to perform a deep ear cleaning that same week using our advanced video otoscopy and flushing equipment to clean Murphy’s ears thoroughly under anesthesia.
One month later, Murphy’s owners said he was a different dog—finally infection-free and feeling great. Thanks to quick action and specialized care, Murphy got the relief he needed without the long wait!
WPVH In the Community
At Winter Park Veterinary Hospital, we pride ourselves on being an independent, family-owned practice deeply rooted in the community. Our commitment to the families and pets we serve extends beyond our hospital walls. We are passionate about supporting local organizations, and giving back to our neighbors. This year so far we have have supported elementary schools in the area, wildlife conservation initiatives, as well as other Orlando businesses.
Winter Park Vet has supported or sponsored the following organizations this year:
- Brookshire Elementary Carnival Sponsor
- UCF Extern Program
- All Saints School Support
- Executive Association of Great Orlando Wet Nose Pals Newsletter Contribution
- Rotenberger Luppert Group Sponsor
Award Winning Care:
WPVET Recognized for Growth and Community Impact
On February 27, Winter Park Veterinary Hospital had a night to remember, bringing home two incredible awards that celebrate our commitment to excellence and community impact.
GrowFL “Top 50 Companies to Watch”
This prestigious recognition highlights our hospital’s growth, innovation, and dedication to providing top-tier veterinary care. Billy, our Practice Manager, Lindsay, our COO and a few members of our exceptional team proudly accepted this award.
Watermark’s Wonder Award for Favorite Local Veterinary Hospital
Voted on by our amazing community, this award recognizes WPVH as an outstanding business that supports LGBTQ+ values. Tawnya and Talon represented WPVET at the event, accepting this heartfelt honor.
We are beyond grateful to GrowFL and Watermark for these recognitions and for hosting such wonderful events. Most importantly, thank you to our incredible WPVET team—your hard work, passion, and dedication make this possible every day. Here’s to continuing our mission of award-winning care!
Important Tips for the Season
Spring Allergies & Your Pet: What to Know
Just like humans, pets can suffer from spring allergies—especially here in Central Florida, where pollen, grass, and mold are always in the air.
Common allergy symptoms your pets can exhibit:
- Itchy skin or excessive licking
- Watery eyes or sneezing
- Red, inflamed ears
- Frequent ear infections
Dr. Andrade, who regularly sees allergy cases, shares: “It’s very important to treat early on, as ear and skin infections can quickly develop secondary to allergies. In fact, allergies are the number one reason for ear infections. Though allergies are common and require life-long management, proper care can ensure your beloved pet stays happy and comfortable.”
How to Help Your Pet During Allergy Season:
- Wipe your pet’s paws and coat after outdoor walks
- Regularly clean bedding and vacuum your home
- Ask your vet about safe allergy medications or prescription diets
- Watch for early signs of discomfort—don’t wait for it to get worse
If your pet is showing signs of seasonal allergies, give us a call. Earlymanagement can prevent bigger health issues and keep your furry familymember feeling their best.
Easter Bunnies Are for Life, Not Just for a Holiday
As Easter approaches, many families consider gifting a baby rabbit as a holiday surprise. While they may seem like the perfect seasonal pet, rabbits require specialized care and a long-term commitment.
“Rabbits can live 10–12 years, making them a long-term responsibility,” says Dr. Los Kamp from WPVH. They also have strict dietary needs, with 90% of their diet consisting of grass hays. Many common vegetables, like spinach and kale, can cause health issues, and excessive fruit or carrots may lead to digestive problems.
Rabbits are also fragile animals. “If handled improperly, they can break their backs from kicking with their strong hind limbs,” Dr. Los Kamp warns. They are not ideal pets for younger children who may not know how to handle them safely.
As a prey species, rabbits instinctively hide signs of illness, meaning small changes in behavior can signal a serious health concern. Owners should be observant and prepared to seek veterinary care if needed.
For Easter time one can alternatively consider plush toys, chocolate bunnies, or even sponsoring a rabbit at a rescue. If a family is truly ready for a pet rabbit, research and preparation are key.
Adoption and fostering are great choices for those looking to add a new member of the family. WPVH supports local rabbit rescue, Orlando Rabbit Care & Adoptions (ORCA) which is another great resource if you are looking to adopt or foster a bunny. They have rescued over 100+ rabbits just last year and currently have many adoptable rabbits looking for their happy home!
Why Heartworm Prevention Matters— Especially in Florida
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects both dogs and cats. It’s caused by parasitic worms spread through mosquito bites— something very prevalent in Florida.
“I personally get at least one case a year, along with the other doctors,” says Dr. Cardenas. “It’s something that we see a lot of here in Florida.”
Because mosquitoes are active year-round in Florida’s warm climate, prevention is key.
There is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats or ferrets—prevention is the only defense. Florida pets are at risk all year. Talk to your Winter Park Vet about the right monthly prevention for your dog or cat and keep them protected.
In Cats:
- May cause a condition called HARD (Heartworm-Associated Respiratory Disease)
- Possible symptoms:
- Coughing or vomiting
- Sudden weight loss or collapse
In Dogs:
- Heartworms live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels
- Can cause lung disease, heart failure, and long-term damage
- Common symptoms:
- Coughing
- Tiredness
- weight loss
- Swollen belly due to fluid buildup
*For more information on heartworm in dogs and cats, please visit americanheartwormsociety.org
Staff Highlights
Meet Karli
Karli, a dedicated veterinary technician, joined us in May 2023. With a background in animal rescue and a passion for science, veterinary medicine was a natural path for her. She especially enjoys working with wildlife at WPVET, where every day brings something new and inspiring. Karli was recently accepted into Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St.Kitts, and we’re so proud to see her take the next step toward becoming a veterinarian!
Meet Taylor
Taylor, one of our friendly client advocates, has been part of the WPVET family
since March 2022. From a very young age, Taylor cared for the cats in her
home, thus, inspiring her lifelong love for animals. This led her into veterinary
care, and she says the best part of her day is greeting our wonderful clients
and their adorable pets. Recently, Taylor hit an exciting milestone—she got
engaged!
Updates for 2025
In our last newsletter, we shared the exciting news about acquiring the former Winter Park Pet Villa property next door. We’re happy to share that we’ve officially submitted paperwork to the City of Winter Park to begin the process of expanding our facility.
This expansion will allow us to better serve our clients, patients, and team members with improved space, resources, and services.
We have also implemented our Extended Hours of Care for the Weekends. This means more time for more care,. We are now open 8am-9pm on weekends for both wellness appointments and emergencies.
We’re grateful for your continued support as we plan for the future of Winter Park Veterinary Hospital, and we look forward to sharing more updates as we move through the next stages.