The vets who love your pets discuss trends, tools and topics influencing the practice of veterinary medicine today.

For more and more households, bringing a pet into your home doesn’t mean getting a working dog whose domain is a backyard doghouse or a free-roaming outdoor cat to deal with unwanted vermin: It means welcoming them as a veritable part of the family, with a place on the couch and spot in bed all their own. 

And as our furry, feathered and four-legged friends settle into their comparatively cushier and newer roles of being treated more like children and companions, veterinary medicine has kept pace with the expectations of care befitting those social changes. 

“In many ways, veterinary breakthroughs are actually outpacing human medicine when it comes to innovation and treatment options,” notes Dr. Alicia Eliscu of Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic. “As pets become more integrated into our families, we’re seeing an increasing number of pet owners explore every possible option to keep their furry friends healthy and happy. It’s an exciting time in the field, with new treatments and technologies emerging all the time to help us provide the best care for our pets.”

From investing in state-of-the-art medical technology to emphasizing how pet insurance can help avoid tough financial decisions in the face of medical emergencies, Central Florida’s veterinary experts are doing their part to keep Fido and Fluffy optimally healthy and cared for as they combine their tools and talents to optimize the health outcomes of every animal they treat. 

“The amount of new technology that is available to progressive practices today is astonishing,” affirms Billy Hess, practice manager for Winter Park Veterinary Hospital. “The skill of the veterinarian and care and compassion of the team are still the biggest factors in understanding patients’ and pet parents’ issues and providing a long-term solution: Technology is just one tool used to provide care.”

That technology can be invaluable when treating patients who can’t articulate what hurts or understand that sometimes necessary diagnostics can be scary. Central Florida’s pet experts have invested in a range of innovations, including CT scans for better imaging and minimal time under anesthesia, AI to help diagnose both internal and external conditions, in-house blood analytics, and cancer screenings with quicker results that mean not only identifying but also addressing issues faster. 

“By incorporating advanced diagnostic tools like ultrasound and digital radiography, we can detect health issues more precisely and at earlier stages,” says Hamlin Animal Hospital’s Dr. Naveen Kondru. “We’re also advancing treatment methods by adopting minimally invasive surgical techniques. These procedures reduce recovery times and enhance patient comfort, especially for more delicate or complex cases. By staying at the forefront of veterinary innovation, our goal is to continually elevate the quality of care we provide, tailoring treatments to meet each pet’s unique needs and improving their quality of life.”

Beyond technology, new medications are also offering new avenues of treatment, particularly in helping older pets find joint and arthritis relief—which is especially important, as Dr. Holly G. Brown, owner of Pet Pain Management Center, has noticed that pain-related problems are on the rise. 

“We’ve observed an increase in certain diagnoses and issues affecting companion animals: Recognizing these trends enables proactive measures to mitigate pet discomfort,” she notes, adding that while “certain breeds and animals are prone to unique risks, hereditary conditions and age-related factors requiring special attention”—French bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers suffer from respiratory distress and joint pain due to compacted skulls and flat faces; dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease, causing back pain and paralysis; larger dog breeds like German shepherds and Labradors are at risk for hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis—pain can befall any pet. “Common pain issues include post-dental pain from TMJ disorders and dental surgery complications, vertebral issues like degenerative myelopathy, herniated discs and spinal stenosis, arthritis and neurological disorders such as neuropathic pain, seizures and epilepsy.”

While veterinarians are both educated and experienced in providing all manners of health and medical care for the animals we love, it’s on pet parents to serve as their fur babies’ caretakers, stewards and advocates. Keeping a close eye on them is a lifelong safeguard against worsening symptoms.

“We emphasize proactive health management throughout your pet’s lifespan,” says Dr. Brown. “Kittens and puppies require monitoring for joint development, while adult pets need regular checkups and preventative care. Senior pets require management of arthritis, osteoporosis and cognitive decline. Watch for early detection signs such as changes in appetite or behavior, limping or stiffness, whining or whimpering, difficulty standing or walking, and increased sleeping or lethargy.”

Before even bringing a pet into your family, though, education is key to being the best forever home for them: That means researching what animal is best suited for your home and family dynamics, as well as making sure the needs and nature of a more exotic pet—from ferrets or sugar gliders to the wild animals requiring both a permit to own and care from specialized professionals—are fully met and thoroughly understood. 

“It is extremely important to research the breed and species of any pet before making the decision to add them to your family,” says Hess. “Pet parents can determine if a breed’s traits or issues—think energy levels and allergies—are something they can handle or if a different breed would better fit their current lifestyle. In addition, they can partner with their vet to proactively monitor issues as their pet’s age. In addition, exotic pets require species specific husbandry and care. The biggest issue we see in our exotic patients is husbandry: Many times, these issues can easily be prevented with a little research beforehand.”

No matter the breed or species of animal you’ve chosen to share your home with, Central Orlando veterinarians agree that investing in pet insurance can, as Dr. Sireesha Manne from Hamlin Animal Hospital points out, make sure “that you’re prepared to handle any health challenges that arise.”

“We highly recommend pet health insurance, particularly when coverage is established early in a pet’s life. … Starting a policy early is beneficial because pre-existing conditions are often excluded, so obtaining coverage when your pet is young and healthy provides the most comprehensive options,” Dr. Manne says. “It’s essential to look for a plan that fits your budget and aligns with your pet’s specific needs, factoring in breed-specific health risks, coverage limits and deductibles. The right pet insurance plan can provide invaluable peace of mind.”

Of course, longstanding expert advice like preventative care, proper diet and exercise, and diligently adhering to routine checkups all significantly factor into ensuring that your pet’s quantity of years is matched by the quality of their life—and a mutually rewarding human and animal bond for you both. 

“To ensure a long, healthy and happy life for your pet, regular checkups and preventative care are key!” says Dr. Katherine Savardi of Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic. “Routine wellness exams help catch potential health issues early. We also recommend staying consistent with flea, tick and heartworm prevention. A high-quality, well-balanced diet is essential—look for one that’s appropriate for your pet’s age, breed and any specific health concerns. Don’t forget the importance of mental and physical stimulation, whether through daily walks, playtime or puzzle toys. And finally, consider supplements like joint support for senior pets or probiotics for digestive health. The right combination of care and attention can truly make a difference in your pet’s quality of life!”

Resources

Hamlin Animal Hospital
Winter Garden | (407) 872-7772
HamlinVet.com

Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic
Orlando | (407) 297-7528
KirkmanRoadVeterinaryClinic.com

Pet Pain Management Center
Orlando | (407) 913-9876
PetPain.org

Winter Park Veterinary Hospital
Winter Park | (407) 644-2676
WPVet.com