Training Academy

Vance Harmon remains one of the nicest public dog parks in our area.  It is handicapped accessible, has a wonderful shelter, has nice paved paths, and seems well-maintained.  We found a large number of fecal samples there and encourage pet owners to pick up after their pets.  The gate to the large dog side was also broken resulting in that door not locking dogs inside the park.

Vance Harmon Dog Park

Fecal Results – No parasites were seen in the samples run (Roundworms, hookworms, and a variety of microscopic parasites have been found in the past and are likely still present)

Recommendations -

What your pet needs to be their safest at the Vance Harmon Dog Park –

• Be up to date on vaccinations including rabies, distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and Bordetella. You may wish to ask your veterinarian if the canine flu vaccine is recommended.
• Heartworm protection – mosquitos are definitely present in EVERY dog park. Mosquitos carry heartworms which can cause significant health problems for your dog! This can also help protect your pet from hookworms and roundworms. We usually recommend HeartGard Plus, NexGard Plus, or ProHeart products.
• Flea and tick protection – fleas and ticks are common when outdoors. They can also be carried by other dogs which share the dog park. They can live on plants, tunnels, and play items just waiting for your dog to come by! We usually recommend NexGard Plus or NexGard.
• Fresh water in a clean bowl – Most of the dog parks we visit have a source of clean, fresh water. That’s fine, but we recommend using a clean water bowl and not any which might be present. This will help minimize any exposure to Coccidia, a common microscopic parasite which can cause severe diarrhea. We have FREE collapsible bowls at the hospital. Stop by and pick one up!
• Your attention – Dogs not only enjoy interacting with their favorite humans, but need that attention to make sure they don’t get in to other trouble! Among other things, pay particular attention to what they’re putting in their mouths or eating, when they’re around other dogs, and when they’re around possible points of escape/egress.

NOTES:

POOP: There was a large amount of feces present. Please clean up after your dogs!

FENCING: The inner gate latch to the large dog side of the park was broken making it so the inner gate would open simply by pushing on the door.  While this park has a double-door entry making escape less likely, it does make it easier to get out of than normal.  We encourage this to be repaired in a timely fashion or for owners to use extra caution when using the park for the time being.

ROUNDWORMS: Roundworms were found in the past. Roundworms can be problematic. There are all sorts of reason why you don’t want your dog to get them. Roundworms can be easily prevented with HeartGard Plus or NexGard Plus. ProHeart is not labeled to treat or prevent roundworms.

HOOKWORMS: Hookworms were not found this time, but have been found in the past. Hookworm eggs can survive in the soil for years so once they are present, they will always be a threat! Hookworms can be prevented with products like HeartGard Plus, NexGard Plus, or ProHeart 6. Having your dog on a preventative is important! Hookworms can be spread to humans! For more information, give us a call.

SPIROCHETES: These were found in the past but were not found in the samples run. There are many types of spirochetes, spiral-shaped bacteria. One of the most problematic is Leptospirosis (see below). Other spirochetes can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Without doing a culture, we cannot confirm which exact type it is. Dogs can get these from contaminated water or soil. With the exception of Lepto (see below), the only way to prevent them is not to come in contact with them in the first place.

CLOSTRIDIUM: This was found in the past but was not found in the samples run. This is a bacteria which is found in healthy pets and humans, but can cause sickness and illness too. In fact, this is the bacteria family behind botulism, gangrene, and food poisoning! In dogs, it usually causes diarrhea (sometimes bloody) needing a veterinarian to help cure. It is suspected that 15-20% of diarrhea cases in dogs are clostridium related. Dogs come in to contact with it by eating contaminated fecal matter or contaminated soil. As with the spirochetes, we’d need to run further tests (a PCR panel looking for the genes) to know exactly which type we’re dealing with. However, the sample was from a very “soft” pile so there is a strong indication that it is a type which causes diarrhea. Like Spirochetes, the only way to prevent clostridium is to avoid it.

DOGGIE DRINKING FOUNTAINS: While we have posted concerns with the water vessels at the other dog parks, we have no concerns with the drinking fountains here! These are some of the nicest doggie drinking fountains we’ve seen! Their design prevents the drains from being easily plugged so contaminated water can easily flow away. There are also two of them on both sides of the park!

Unlike some of the other area parks, there are no bowls at this park holding contaminated water. We hope that continues! Such bowls can easily hold water borne diseases like Leptospirosis and Coccidia. Should these bowls appear, we strongly suggest not allowing your pet to drink from them. Draining them in to the grass and turning them over would prevent dogs from sneaking drinks. Do not empty them in to the drinking fountain as it may contaminate it.

Leptospirosis is spread by wild animals and can easily be passed to dogs. A simple vaccine can prevent it! This vaccine is usually included in the full vaccine series. (Remember that the vaccines need to be updated yearly to be effective.) Dog owners should take precautions and keep their dogs up to date on vaccinations! This is an easy one to prevent!

Coccidia is also spread by wild animals, but there is no vaccine for it. When dogs are exposed to Coccidia, it can cause intestinal issues including diarrhea. The only way to prevent Coccidia is to prevent your dog from being exposed to it. Use clean bowls and fresh drinking water. We have FREE collapsible water bowls available at the hospital if you’d like one! We’d also be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Leptospirosis vaccine and/or Coccidia treatment.

HEARTWORMS: Mosquitos are likely present and are present just about everywhere in Florida. Mosquitos carry heartworms which are VERY present in the local area. We have a lot of patients who are heartworm positive which can have a significant negative impact on quality of life and life expectancy! Heartworms can be easily prevented with products like HeartGard Plus, NexGard Plus, or ProHeart 6. For more information about Heartworm prevention, give us a call!

Prevention is the best strategy to keep your pet happy and healthy! Give us a call so we can ensure your pet's well-being before they head to the park!

ACORNS: Oak trees can drop lots of acorns. There are several beautiful oak trees providing shade to the park. Unfortunately, dogs like to eat acorns and these can make them sick. In fact, acorns can be toxic in larger quantities. Even single acorns can become an obstruction in the body and cause health issues. Much like mosquitoes, acorns are a fact of life in Florida. Again, it is important to monitor your dog to prevent eating acorns.

METHODOLOGY: We selected small amounts from the many samples we collected. We ran them using protocols which meet or exceed AAHA’s recommendations and standards. Depending on the method chosen, results may have been confirmed using artificial intelligence and/or a parasitologist.