The Sandalfoot Animal Clinic and Bird Hospital

01/03/2026

✨New Year, New Me!✨

🦜This beautiful bird welcomed 2026 with a freshly trimmed beak.

💅 A bird’s beak is constantly growing, just like nails.

🍎 An overgrown beak can cause discomfort and interfere with daily habits, such as eating.

✂️ If your bird’s beak looks long, uneven, or cracked, it’s time for a visit to Sandalfoot!

📞 Contact us at (561) 488-1400 to schedule an appointment for a wing, nail, and/or beak trim, a wellness exam, or if you have any concerns about your pet’s health.

🔎 Check our website at the link in bio for a full list of services we offer.

📌 We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am-12pm.

12/31/2025

🌠Happy New Year from the Sandalfoot Animal Clinic and Bird Hospital!

🎇Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe and happy tonight:

-Keep pets indoors.
-Close windows and doors.
-Play calming music or white noise.
-Keep decorations out of reach.
-Provide a safe, comfortable space away from windows and doors.
-Extra cuddles!

🎆We hope you enjoy your evening, and have a great start to 2026!

📌We are closed tomorrow and return to regular business hours on Friday the 2nd.

📌We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am-12pm.

📌Contact us to schedule an appointment at (561) 488-1400.

12/30/2025

❄️Temperatures are dropping in South Florida!❄️

Tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday, we have lows in the 40s! 💨

Temperatures in the 50s and below may be too cold for your pets, especially if they are small, have a thin coat, and are not used to cold weather.

During this cold front, keep in mind the following:
🐶 Dogs: Short haired, senior, small, and brachycephalic breeds (short snout, such as pugs & frenchies), have difficulty regulating their temps. Use sweaters or coats when taking them outside, and keep a close eye to make sure they aren’t too cold.

🐱 Cats: If possible, outdoor cats should be brought inside. Check the perimeter of your car before starting it, as cats may use cars as shelter to stay warm.

🦜 Birds: Keep your pet birds indoors. Avoid drafts from windows, doors, and vents. Birds are very sensitive to the cold, so try to keep the room temperature stable.

❗️Watch for shivering, pale gums, lethargy, and decreased appetite.

📌Contact us at (561) 488-1400 to schedule an appointment.
📌We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am-12pm.

12/24/2025

✨Happy Holidays from Nala, Brando, and the rest of the Sandalfoot staff! ✨

While you’re celebrating, remember:
• Skip sharing chocolate, raisins, grapes, garlic, onions, and fatty foods with your pets
• Secure cords, ornaments, and tinsel
• Keep wrapping paper & ribbons out of reach
• Avoid keeping toxic plants in your home (refer to our earlier “harmful plants” post for a detailed list!)

📌We are closed on December 25th, and we will resume regular hours on the 26th!

🎄🎁🕎🐾🎉

12/12/2025

🍼Puppies and kittens receive antibodies from their mom’s milk. Within just a few weeks, these antibodies begin to decrease. This leaves puppies and kittens vulnerable to viruses and diseases. This time period is when vaccines are especially essential.

🐶🐱Puppy and kitten vaccinations are typically given as a series, which ensures that their immune system is strengthening after maternal immunity has faded.

🦠Vaccines prevent illnesses that are highly contagious, hard to treat, and extremely serious.

🪱 Deworming puppies and kittens is also very important. Parasites are often passed down from their mother and/or their environment. Early and frequent deworming is the key to avoiding long lasting issues from parasites.

📌Do you have questions about your pet’s vaccines or concerns about intestinal parasites? Contact us at (561) 488-1400 to schedule any appointment.

📌We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 12pm.

12/05/2025

According to the , December 4th is ! 🐆

Domestic cats and cheetahs share similar behaviors and biology. They purr, pounce, and they even get the zoomies!

📞 Does your cat need an appointment? Contact us at (561) 488-1400
📌 We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 12pm.

11/26/2025

Happy Thanksgiving 🧡

✅Wondering what your pup can safely eat from the dinner table? Check out this menu that we created to help guide you!

When introducing your pet to new foods, offering small portions is the key to avoiding an upset stomach.

Avoid offering:
❌Turkey skin & bones, gravy, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing, desserts, and any foods cooked with onion/garlic/chives. Each of these foods carry risks, such as choking hazards, salt, high fat content, etc. Stick to the safe foods (in small portions) listed on the menu to avoid issues!

🦃We are closed for the holiday (Thursday the 27th), and we will return to our regular business hours Friday the 28th.

✨We hope you have a fantastic holiday celebrating with your loved ones. We are so thankful to each of you!

11/21/2025

November is Pet Diabetes Month!

🐶🐱Diabetes Mellitus is a serious condition that can affect both dogs and cats.

There are two types of diabetes in pets:

1️⃣Type 1: The pet is unable to produce enough insulin (the hormone that balances blood sugar).
2️⃣Type 2: The pet is resistant to insulin.

⚠️Symptoms to watch for:
-Excessive thirst
-Increased urination
-Increased hunger
-Weight loss without dietary changes
-Lethargy
-Physical impairment, such as abnormal gait or limb weakness

🩷The good news? Diabetes is manageable with help from your veterinarian!

What we’ll do for your pet:
🤍Blood and urine testing to make an accurate diagnosis
🤍Begin insulin therapy upon confirmed diagnosis
🤍Help you adjust their diet to better manage their condition
🤍Monitor their blood sugar levels
🤍Offer unlimited advice and support!

Contact us at (561) 488-1400 to schedule an appointment. We are open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm, and Saturdays from 8am-12pm. We look forward to hearing from you!

11/20/2025

It is important to keep your pets up to date on their annual vaccines!

BREAKING: The Florida Department of Health in Broward County has issued a 60-day rabies alert after a raccoon killed near Interstate 595 in Davie tested positive for the virus.
https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/rabies-alert-issued-in-broward-county-after-raccoon-tests-positive/?FBWSVN

11/17/2025

These beautiful plants all have something in common: they are toxic to pets!

🪴 Dieffenbachia
🌺 Azalea
🌸 Oleander
🧡 Kalanchoe
🌴 Sago Palm (very common in S Florida!)
🌷🪻 Tulips and Hyacinths
❤️ Poinsettia
🌿 Mistletoe

This list does not include all of the toxic plant species. These are just a few examples.

All of these plants are toxic to dogs and cats, and most of these plants are toxic to birds too! Keep this in mind when choosing houseplants, and always keep a close eye on your pets when they are outdoors. Especially during the holiday season!

Symptoms of toxic plant ingestion can include: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abnormal heart rate, abnormal breathing patterns, seizures, etc.

If you believe that your pet may have ingested a toxic plant, please do NOT give any medications or induce vomiting without first consulting your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline®.

If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment at Sandalfoot Animal Clinic and Bird Hospital, please call (561) 488-1400.

We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am-12pm. We hope to hear from you soon!

11/14/2025

🩷🦟Heartworms🦟🩷

Heartworm disease is very serious and can quickly become fatal. It is transmitted by mosquitos, and just one bite from an infected mosquito can transmit the larvae to your pet.

As the weather begins to cool, it is important to remember that these infected mosquitos are still out there. You should continue (or begin) giving your pet their heartworm prevention each month.

If your pet has never taken any heartworm prevention, has missed a dose, or it’s been more than 12 months since their last test, book an appointment to get them tested for heartworms. The test consists of a simple blood draw (only 3 drops of blood!), and you will have results within ~10 minutes. *added bonus for extra peace of mind: the test also checks for Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, AND Ehrlichiosis*

Call us to book an appointment at (561) 488-1400. We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am-12pm.