Veterinary Medical Center of Indian River County

09/03/2026

🦷👀 Did you know that dental disease is one of the most common problems in pets? Prevent it by taking care of your pet's oral health at home!

Brush their teeth every day with special pet toothpaste and feed them dental diet food. And remember, only use VOHC-approved dental products to avoid tooth fractures.

09/01/2026

🚺🐱🐶 Spaying your female pet is an important step in helping keep them healthy. This procedure eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer, and uterine infections.

👍 In addition, spaying your pet decreases their mammary cancer risk, especially if the procedure is done before their first heat cycle.

📞Call 772-217-4771 if you have any questions!

08/31/2026

Standing in the pet store dental aisle, every package promises fresher breath. The truth is simpler: a toothbrush does the most work, and wipes and gels are useful backup rather than gimmicks. That minty smell can also mask early gumline changes you would want to catch. Our latest post breaks down what is actually worth buying.

Standing in the pet store dental aisle, where every package promises fresher breath, the real answer is simpler than the shelf makes it look: a toothbrush does the most, with wipes and gels as genuinely useful runners-up rather than gimmicks. Bristles physically sweep plaque off the tooth, wipes cle...

08/27/2026

🌡️🐾 If your pet is struggling to lose weight despite your best efforts, it's time for a veterinary visit. Our team at VMC IRC can help determine why your furry friend is having trouble shedding those extra pounds.

🩺🏥 Call us at 772-217-4771 to schedule your pet's workup and create a plan that works for their unique needs. We're here to help you and your pet achieve a healthy weight.

08/25/2026

😺💉 Protect your kitty from feline distemper (panleukopenia) caused by the feline parvovirus. Kittens are the most vulnerable. Contact with an infected cat's urine, f***s, or nasal secretions can cause this disease. Call 772-217-4771 to learn how to safeguard your cat's health.

08/20/2026

🚹🐾 Neutering your male pet is an important part of keeping them healthy. The procedure prevents testicular tumors and decreases their risk for prostate problems, perianal tumors, and hernias.

08/18/2026

🦟 Tick-borne Lyme disease used to be a seasonal concern, but is now a year-round threat. 😔 Protect your pet and yourself from this debilitating condition by contacting us at 772-217-4771.

Stay safe and keep your furry friend healthy! ❤️

08/11/2026

🚨🦨🐺🐿️ Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to pets and humans through an infected animal's saliva.

Once symptoms manifest, it's typically fatal. Protect your furry friend and your family from this deadly disease by vaccinating your pet. 💉

📞Call 772-217-4771 to schedule a vaccination appointment and learn how to keep your pet safe from rabies! 🐾

08/06/2026

Did you know that periodontal disease in pets can lead to some serious health complications? Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause your pet serious health problems, including:

- Swollen, bleeding gums — Gingivitis causes inflammation to your pet’s gums, resulting in swelling and bleeding, which can be extremely uncomfortable.

- Loose and missing teeth — When the tooth’s supporting structures are damaged, integrity is lost, the tooth loosens, and eating becomes painful for your pet. As damage progresses, the tooth can be lost, leaving an empty, sensitive socket.

- Chronic sinusitis — If the bacteria invade the roof of your pet’s mouth, a communication between their oral and nasal cavities may result, causing chronic sinusitis.

- Tooth root abscess — When bacteria attack the tooth root, abscessation can occur, typically resulting in a painful swelling and leaving your pet’s face looking malformed.

- Eye abnormalities — Your pet’s tooth roots are close to their eyes, and inflammation in this area can lead to abnormalities, such as draining eyes, eye infections, and potentially blindness.

- Cancer — Human studies link chronic periodontal disease to oral cancer, and an association is likely in pets.

- Organ damage — Periodontal disease bacteria can enter your pet’s bloodstream, causing systemic infection and damaging organs, particularly the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Call us, today, to schedule a check up for your pet!

08/04/2026

Teaching your dog to bark on command might seem like the opposite of what you want, but it can be a helpful step in training them to be quiet.

Let it out — First, find a stimulus that makes your dog bark naturally. It could be a knock on the door, a doorbell sound, or someone saying “Speak.” When your dog barks, reward them with praise and a treat.

Hold it in — Next, wait for a pause in the barking, say “Quiet” or another cue you choose, and offer a treat when your dog stops barking. Gradually increase the amount of time between barks before you give the “Quiet” cue.

Put it all together — Finally, practice the “Speak” and “Quiet” cues together until your dog can bark and then stop on command. This will give you more control over your dog’s barking and help them understand when it’s appropriate to bark and when they should be quiet.