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.

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. 

No one knows your pet better than you. In fact, you understand them so well and anticipate their every need, that a regular doctor’s exam might seem unnecessary. In truth, it’s what you can’t see that can cause problems down the road. Because pets can’t tell you what hurts, they often suffer in silence until, finally, pronounced symptoms indicate a serious condition.

 Pet wellness exams give us the opportunity to care for your pet together. Not only can we update important vaccinations and parasite preventives, we can also help you provide the best possible life through consistent and clear communication.