Moving to a new place can be difficult enough without worrying about how it might effect your pet. As a result, many people are unaware that animal care in south Florida may vary from where they previously lived.

It can be confusing trying to determine exactly what your pet needs in his or her new environment.

The most common thing we notice at my office is that many dogs and cats coming from other parts of the country or the world are not on a heartworm prevention program. Heartworm disease is transmitted to dogs and cats via mosquito bites. The disease can be fatal in affected animals, but prevention is simple and inexpensive.

We recommend that you have your pet tested and begin your pet on a monthly heartworm prevention program soon after arriving in Miami. Most heartworm prevention programs also prevent infestation by intestinal parasites such as hookworms, and roundworms, all of which are common in South Florida.

Ticks and fleas are a problem here in Doral and it is advisable to put your pet on a preventive program soon after arriving. Since we do not have a cold winter here, these ectoparasites can present a problem year round.

Many newcomers are likely to be unaware of Dade County’s Rabies policy as well. Even if you have obtained a rabies vaccine elsewhere and your records state that it is a “three-year vaccine,” Dade County only recognizes it for one year. That vaccine will need a booster one year after the date it was given. Dade County also requires that you purchase a local Dade County Rabies Tag if you will be residing in Miami.

If we can be of any assistance to you or if you would like us to look over your pet’s records to see if he is protected against diseases that we see in Miami, feel free to stop by our office. We’ll be happy to review those records for you to make sure your pet stays healthy in his new environment.

Anjanette Cabeza, D.V.M., can be reached at 305 598 1234. She is a veterinarian at the Knowles Doral Centre Animal Clinic, 9589 NW 41^st Street.