Dog Park Check - Poinciana: March, 2021

This is one of the largest parks we visit. The landscaping seems very well cared for and the fences appeared in excellent condition.  We did find a moderate number of samples here.  It’s important that we pick up after our dogs to help keep the park safe for everyone!

Poinciana's Dog Park

Fecal Float – Hookworms. These are almost certainly also present in the soil and all dogs using the park should be on a preventative for hookworms (HeartGard, ProHeart 6, etc.).

Direct – nothing found

Recommendations -

What your pet needs to be their safest at the Poinciana 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!   We usually recommend HeartGard 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.
• 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!
• 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:

WATER BOWLS: The plastic bowls that have been here in the past are gone which is good. You can use the metal drinking fountains. Shared bowls can easily hold water borne diseases like Leptospirosis and Coccidia. We also have FREE collapsible water bowls available at the hospital!

Leptospirosis is another disease that can be spread to humans but it can be easily prevented by making sure your dog is up to date on their vaccines. Also, providing clean drinking water and bowls to your dog will help reduce the risk.

Coccidia is a tough one to prevent as it is so easily spread by wildlife. As wildlife often use water bowls and puddles as baths, dogs should not be allowed to drink from unclean bowls or standing water. This will result in diarrhea. Medical treatment is required.

Remember that both Leptospirosis and Coccidia can easily be prevented by using a clean water bowl and fresh water. Again, if you’d like a FREE collapsible water bowl, stop by the hospital!

HOOKWORMS: Hookworms were found in massive numbers in one of the samples we ran. 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, Sentinel Spectrum, or ProHeart 6. Having your dog on a preventative is important! Hookworms can be spread to humans! For more information, give us a call.

HEARTWORMS: Mosquitos were 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, Sentinel Spectrum, or ProHeart 6. For more information about Heartworm prevention, give us a call!

ACORNS: The trees at this park are still small, but they still produce acorns. The trees will be quite beautiful when full grown. Unfortunately, dogs like to eat acorns that the young oaks produce 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.

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!

METHODOLOGY: We ran 3 samples randomly selected from the many specimens we collected. With each of the randomly selected samples, we did a fecal float checking for parasites. We also randomly selected one sample for a direct screen for bacteria and other microscopic issues.