Keys Animal ER

10/08/2026

🐾 From Dr. Doug in Keys Life 🤍

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy. In his latest article, Dr. Doug Mader discusses veterinary euthanasia, what families can expect, and the care that goes into making those final moments peaceful.

📰 “Veterinary euthanasia” — featured in the October 8, 2026 Keys Citizen.

Thank you, Dr. Doug, for addressing a difficult subject with compassion and helping pet owners feel more informed during such an emotional time. 🤍

10/01/2026

🐾 Pet Obesity & GLP-1 Drugs

With medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro becoming so common in human medicine, pet owners are understandably asking whether GLP-1 drugs could also help overweight pets.

In this week’s Keys Life column, Dr. Doug takes a look at what we know so far.

Researchers are beginning to study GLP-1 medications in animals, but these drugs are not currently approved as weight-loss treatments for dogs or cats, and appropriate dosing and long-term safety haven’t been established.

For now, the basics still matter most: measured meals, appropriate exercise, regular weigh-ins, and a weight-loss plan developed with your veterinarian.
And an important reminder: never give your pet your own prescription medication.

📰 Featured in the October 1, 2026 edition of the Keys Citizen

10/01/2026

Some exciting local veterinary news! 🐾

Many of you may recognize Dr. Alison Millington, who works with us as a relief veterinarian at Keys Animal ER.

Dr. Millington has started Keys Mobile Veterinary Care, a new mobile veterinary service based in Islamorada and focused on bringing veterinary care directly to pets in their homes.

She’s getting everything ready now and will be sharing more information soon about services, scheduling, and the areas she’ll be serving.

We’re excited to see another veterinary option becoming available in the Keys and wish Dr. Millington the best with her new venture!

Give Keys Mobile Veterinary Care a follow to keep up with her updates. ❤️🐾

Spread the word! More information coming soon. Follow us to stay updated!

09/25/2026

🦔🐾 What Should Pet Owners Know About Leprosy?

In this week’s Keys Life column, Dr. Doug talks about Hansen’s disease (leprosy), armadillos, and what the risk actually looks like for people and pets.

While nine-banded armadillos can carry the bacteria associated with Hansen’s disease, simply seeing or being near an armadillo does not mean you or your pet will become infected.

Dr. Doug also covers:
- Why direct contact with wild armadillos should be avoided
- Why dogs are unlikely to develop classic Hansen’s disease
- A different type of mycobacterial infection that can occur in cats and dogs
- Why unusual skin lumps or lesions should be evaluated by a veterinarian

And as always with wildlife: admire from a distance and let them be.

📰 Featured in the September 24, 2026 edition of the Keys Citizen

09/24/2026

Happy Birthday, Dr. Fayth! 🎉🐾

We hope she’s enjoying some very well-deserved time away from the hospital, having a great birthday, and not thinking about the hospital for at least a little while. 😂

Thank you, Dr. Fayth, for everything you put into this place and for everything you do for our team and our patients.

Help us wish her a very Happy Birthday! ❤️

09/17/2026

🦌 Wooden Tongue in Key Deer

In this week’s Keys Life column, Dr. Doug discusses “wooden tongue,” a bacterial infection that can affect Key deer and cause swelling of the tongue and surrounding tissues.

Signs can include:

Drooling
Difficulty swallowing
Weight loss
A swollen or protruding tongue
Swelling around the jaw or lymph nodes

The important part is that several other conditions can look similar, so a proper diagnosis matters.

If you see a Key deer with a swollen jaw, excessive drooling, or a tongue hanging out, do not attempt to handle or treat it yourself. Report the animal to the appropriate wildlife authorities.

📰 Featured in the September 17, 2026 edition of the Keys Citizen

09/11/2026

🐾 What’s the Best Age to Spay or Neuter Your Dog?

There isn’t one answer that fits every dog.

In this week’s Keys Life column, Dr. Doug discusses how the ideal timing can depend on things like breed, size, s*x, growth, and individual health risks.

For many small and medium dogs, spaying or neutering around 6–12 months is common, while some large and giant breeds may benefit from waiting longer as they finish growing.

The takeaway: timing should be an individual decision made with your veterinarian, rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.

📰 Featured in the September 10, 2026 edition of the Keys Citizen

09/07/2026

🕷️ Jumping Spiders: Tiny Pets with Big Personalities

In this week’s Keys Life column, Dr. Doug takes a look at one of the more unusual pets people are keeping these days — jumping spiders.

They’re small, colorful, curious, relatively inexpensive to keep, and can be surprisingly entertaining to watch. Dr. Doug covers what they need for housing, feeding, handling, and what potential owners should know before bringing one home.

They’re definitely not for everyone, but for the right person, they can make a fascinating little pet.

📰 Featured in the September 3, 2026 edition of the Keys Citizen

09/05/2026

We don’t always get to meet people under the best circumstances, so it means a lot when someone takes the time afterward to share their experience with us.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted us with your pets and taken the time to leave a review over the years — And a huge thank-you to our team, who show up day and night, weekends and holidays, and put so much care into what they do.

Thank you 🐾

08/31/2026