Pet Emergency: What to Do

  1. Stay Calm
  2. Call (727) 786-5755
  3. Be prepared with info:
    • Type/Breed
    • Details of problem
    • Any changes
  4. Be aware. Pets may bite if ill or injured.

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday: 5:30PM-7:00AM
Weekend: Saturday Noon -
     7:00AM Monday morning
Holidays: Open 24 hours

Phone (727) 786-5755

Location

30610 US Highway 19 N,
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
One block north of Curlew Road on the west side Please call ahead for advice and so we can prepare your arrival.

Directions to
Veterinary Clinic

Click for larger map & directions


Pennies & Zinc

While any coin can choke a dog, pennies are particularly dangerous. Although sheathed in a thin coat of copper, pennies minted after 1982 are 97.5% zinc (5% before 1982). Why is this a problem? Zinc is toxic to animals resulting in severe anemia and kidney problems.

Other objects that contain zinc include zinc bolts, metals that have been galvanized, some ointments, zinc supplements, and certain board game pieces.

Symptoms can include:

  • Chronic vomiting, due to the fact that zinc affects the stomach lining
  • Diarrhea, if the zinc affects the intestinal lining as well
  • Excessive salivation and foaming at the mouth
  • Lack of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Pale gums and mucous membranes
  • Sudden collapse
  • Seizures
  • Coma, in rare cases and only if the amount of zinc ingested in high quantities