There are several canine vaccinations that are vitally important for disease prevention. While we customize every patient’s care, we always recommend the canine parvovirus vaccination.

One of the most common diseases in dogs, parvovirus, can be effectively prevented throughout a dog’s life with routine boosters. 

There’s nothing quite like bringing home a new puppy. If it’s been a while since you last had a puppy or you’ve never adopted a puppy before, you’re in for a wild and rewarding ride. Of course, you probably have a ton of questions. From figuring out potty training to knowing when to spay or neuter your young dog, there’s a lot to learn. Take a look at these FAQs to prepare for your journey through puppy parenthood. 

A treat is just a treat unless, that is, it’s working to lift unhealthy plaque off the surface of the teeth. Then it’s more like medicine, although your dog doesn’t need to know that. While many dental chews are worth the money, not all dog dental treats provide the same health benefits. We’ll help you decide if dog dental treats are something to consider, or whether they’re not worth all the hype.

Fish swim, birds fly, and dogs, well, bark. Sometimes they go overboard, like when a bold squirrel gets too close or the delivery truck arrives. But excessive dog barking (when it’s simply out of control) can become a real problem for everybody. There’s a root to this behavior, and it deserves immediate, dedicated attention. We are here to help you get to the bottom of this issue so you and your dog can continue living together happily.

As a pet owner, it is important to be prepared. When it comes to your pet’s well-being, it’s always better to have a pet first-aid kit (and not need it), than the other way around. Emergencies typically happen when we least expect them, and being able to act quickly can make all the difference. The Parkside Animal Hospital team wants to empower all pet owners to acquire all the necessary supplies and know the basics of pet first-aid. 

While dogs are very intelligent, they don’t go from zero to trained in a day. Some breeds are more eager to learn and listen than others, but all have the capability of learning various commands. Working diligently with your dog on some basic commands will help establish your relationship as one of trust, obedience, and boundaries. 

As we head into the summer, certain pests like ticks become more prevalent in our wooded areas. The beautiful weather makes it hard to avoid the outdoors with our pets, but the increased risk for ticks makes it more important to be vigilant. Lyme disease in dogs is a serious infection that could cause significant health issues. Keep reading to learn more about this disease and how to spot it:

Cold and flu season is here, and while you can’t pass your “people cold” onto your dog, he can still catch a case of the canine sniffles. 

Dog health is important to us at Parkside Animal Hospital, and we’re here to help diagnose your dog’s symptoms so that you know if it’s just a common cold virus or something more serious. 

Dog kisses—some humans love them, while others cringe and turn away. There are those dogs, those especially drooly, slobbery dogs, that nobody wants to get near for a sloppy kiss. Why do some dogs slobber so much?

Dogs Drool for the Same Reasons People Drool

Think about a lemon or a sour pickle. Right away, saliva begins to accumulate in your mouth. You have to swallow to get rid of it (don’t spit!). When you aren’t thinking about sour foods, your mouth still stays wet from saliva.

Allergies have become the norm, but just because they’re commonplace doesn’t mean symptoms can be dismissed. Sure, mild reactions to dust, mold, smoke and bug bites can resolve on their own, but prolonged exposure to triggers makes matters worse over time. If a dog has a pollen allergy that isn’t addressed or treated, serious health problems may be afoot.