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. 

Are your dog’s days punctuated by bouts of intense scratching or sneezing? If so, he might have allergies. Experts estimate that nearly 20 percent of dogs will develop an allergy to something over the course of their lifetimes, and at Parkside Animal Hospital,  we take dermatology and pet allergies very seriously. Dr. Bertrand, Dr. Holden, or Dr. Hansford will inspect your pet’s skin at every preventive care visit, but please contact us between appointments if you suspect that your pet has an allergy. 

Parasites are common concerns for pet owners, and sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, these nasty little pests take up residence on our pets. When they do, they cause extreme discomfort, spread diseases, and inflict damage to the skin. 

Part of our pet preventive care at Parkside Animal Hospital is recommending safe, effective parasite protection for our patients at every wellness visit. 

Use this guide between appointments to help you spot and remove external parasites.

Got cabin fever? If you’re eager for new surroundings and pet-friendly family adventures, a little pre-planning can make traveling with your pet safer—and far more enjoyable. If it’s been a while since your pet’s last wellness and preventive care visit, a checkup may be in order to ensure that your pet is sufficiently protected from communicable diseases as well as fleas, ticks, and other parasites that he or she may encounter in a new environment.

Whether you intend to load up the RV, jam-pack a Prius or fly the friendly skies, here are some tips for safe pet travel from the team at Parkside Animal Hospital.

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. 

The law of cause and effect states that every single action produces a reaction. In the world of cat care, the law of cause and effect can be readily seen. While some cat owners shake their heads at the sight and sound of feline regurgitation, hairballs are part of the natural order of life.

One of the best parts of owning a pet is the mutually beneficial act of petting them. It feels good to them, of course, but snuggling and stroking a furry pet has proven to enhance human health, too. 

Equally important during your daily cuddle-fests is the opportunity to feel for any pet lumps and bumps. To be sure, knowing exactly what is normal for your pet’s skin and body condition can go a long way to staying in front of developing problems.

This past year the global pandemic has been on everyone’s mind, but you probably haven’t thought about your pet (including exotics) in this age of social distancing. 

You may have even heard more about the term zoonosis these days, which means a disease that can be passed from animals to people. House pets do carry their own illnesses, some of which can be transmitted to humans – Salmonella, for example.  

Many pet owners have asked about different viruses and other diseases and whether they can be transmitted to their human family. The team at Parkside Animal Hospital is here to explain more about zoonotic disease and how you can protect your entire family, pet family included.

Have you ever been sitting enjoying some quality time with your dog when they let out a weird, honking noise and appear to be struggling to breathe? 

This scary phenomenon is called inspiratory paroxysmal respiration, also known as the reverse sneeze. While it seems like something for dog owners to worry about, in most cases it is a common condition that occurs without serious repercussions in dogs. 

While most reverse sneezes are completely harmless, there are some cases where it could be a sign of something more. The team at Parkside Animal Hospital is here to help you understand more about the reverse sneeze and what it means: