PALMETTO BAY, FL — South Kendall Animal Hospital, located at 14201 South Dixie Highway in Palmetto Bay and serving pet owners across Miami, is helping local families stay ahead of illness with a full range of preventative care services for dogs and cats. The program centers on a simple idea: pets can experience significant health changes in as little as six months, so regular checkups give veterinarians more treatment options and a better chance of success, often at a lower cost.

Depending on age and health, pets may benefit from annual or semiannual wellness exams. During each visit, a veterinarian performs a nose-to-tail physical examination, checking the eyes, ears, nose, dental health, lungs, weight, skin and coat, joints, and abdomen. The veterinarian also reviews behavior, diet, and activity level, tracks health trends such as weight gain or loss, and recommends vaccinations or diagnostic testing when something warrants a closer look.

Vaccination schedules are tailored to age, health status, and lifestyle. Puppies and adult dogs receive protection against distemper, adenovirus 2, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, with Bordetella and Lyme disease recommended based on exposure. Kittens and adult cats are covered for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia, along with feline leukemia where risk is present. Rabies vaccination is required by law, and the hospital issues county rabies tags as proof of vaccination.

Parasite control is another core focus. Fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and heartworms can seriously threaten a pet's health, so the hospital recommends routine testing and monthly preventatives, with twice-yearly fecal tests and annual heartworm tests recommended, and a six-month heartworm injection available.

Microchipping and nutrition counseling round out the program. Microchip implantation is quick and permanent, helping veterinary hospitals and shelters reunite lost pets with owners, and is often timed with another procedure such as a spay or neuter to minimize stress. Nutrition guidance covers weight management, puppy, kitten, and senior diets, prescription diets, homemade diet development, and pet food label reading.

Located southwest of downtown Miami, off U.S. Route 1, the hospital is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

About Us

South Kendall Animal Hospital is a veterinary hospital at 14201 South Dixie Highway, Palmetto Bay, FL 33176, serving Miami and surrounding communities with preventative, diagnostic, surgical, dental, puppy and kitten, and senior pet care for dogs and cats. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit www.southkendall.com or call 305-238-2030.