Parkside Animal Health Center

Adventure Cat!

Do you have an adventurous, care free, moderately laid back, curious feline friend at home? If so, you may have the Purrfect candidate for a leash walking cat! 🤷‍♀️🐱💕 Having your cat on a leash can be very fun, giving them opportunities to explore the world outside as well as acompany you on adventures, but it takes both time and patience. Stay tuned for some tips and tricks if you think this sounds up your alley. 1. You will need the right accessories. Most cats do best in either an H-type harness that secures around the shoulders and chest, as opposed to around the neck, OR a vest style harness that has cushion and breathability around the neck. 🐱 2. Start by leaving the harness near your cats favorite lounge spot or food bowl, so that they can investigate and get to know it without it being on them 🥣 *Cats will almost always flop on their side and become a noodle when you put a harness on them without letting them check it out first. This is where most people assume that it will never work (again, patience is key!) 3. Have plenty of your cats favorite treat, whether that is temptations treats or turkey, it is important to reward them through the entire introduction process 🫘 *Reward your kitty any time you see them playing with the harness, and show them that it is a positive thing 4. Once your cat has an interest in the harness, begin fastening it on. Reward them immediately when they allow you to place it. Keep them in the harness for small periods at a time, so they can get used to the feeling of having it on. (keep rewarding them when you see them walking around and/or playing with their harness on!) 🎉 5. Most harnesses come with a thin leash, if not you can use a 4-6 foot leash to give some range. Attach the leash to the harness and let your cat get used to it. It may spook them at first, so make sure to praise them with a treat. Let your kitty wander around your house dragging the leash, and keep them in sight

HOPPY FRIDAY! 🦮🦘 We hope this cute video will JUMP start your weekend with a smile! 😂

Let’s talk about reverse sneezing! 🤧🐶 Reverse sneezing is an animal’s way of expelling an irritant or addressing a “tickle” that is slightly further down an animal’s throat, near the nasopharynx (near the soft palate). It often is caused by allergies, household products (perfume, cleaners, air fresheners), overexcitement, pulling too hard while attached to a leash, eating/drinking, and occasionally objects caught in the throat area (possibly a foreign body or a mass). This sensation can often throw an owner into a state of shock and cause concern. However, it is normally a fairly benign process to occur in animals (dogs in most cases). We had a client experience this recently, who was kind enough to allow us to share this video for informational purposes! (Don’t worry, their kiddo is doing great 👍🏼) If you think your pet is experiencing a reverse sneezing episode, or have any questions about what may be going on, the best option is to seek out your veterinarian to ensure that there is not other more concerning cause (such as coughing, choking or an asthma attack, especially if it has never happened before). ✅ Always make sure the tongue is pink- not bluish or white. In most cases the animal receives plenty of oxygen during episodes of reverse sneezing. A bluish, purpleish, or whitish change to the gum or tongue color can indicate a lack of oxygen, which is not a reverse sneeze and requires emergency care. ✅ To help interrupt reverse sneezing, you can massage the front of the throat beneath the chin or put a finger over the nostrils to encourage "mouth breathing" for a moment. However, this can be just as irritating for your pet as when somebody interrupts a human sneeze! ✅ Even if you confirm your pet is having a reverse sneeze, if it is on going or chronic it still makes sense to schedule an exam to look for underlying causes. ✅ It is helpful to search YouTube for other videos of reverse sneezing, since every dog looks and s

Do you have an adventurous, care free, moderately laid back, curious feline friend at home? If so, you may have the Purrfect candidate for a leash walking cat! 🤷‍♀️🐱💕 Having your cat on a leash can be very fun, giving them opportunities to explore the world outside as well as acompany you on adventures, but it takes both time and patience. Stay tuned for some tips and tricks if you think this sounds up your alley. 1. You will need the right accessories. Most cats do best in either an H-type harness that secures around the shoulders and chest, as opposed to around the neck, OR a vest style harness that has cushion and breathability around the neck. 🐱 2. Start by leaving the harness near your cats favorite lounge spot or food bowl, so that they can investigate and get to know it without it being on them 🥣 *Cats will almost always flop on their side and become a noodle when you put a harness on them without letting them check it out first. This is where most people assume that it will never work (again, patience is key!) 3. Have plenty of your cats favorite treat, whether that is temptations treats or turkey, it is important to reward them through the entire introduction process 🫘 *Reward your kitty any time you see them playing with the harness, and show them that it is a positive thing 4. Once your cat has an interest in the harness, begin fastening it on. Reward them immediately when they allow you to place it. Keep them in the harness for small periods at a time, so they can get used to the feeling of having it on. (keep rewarding them when you see them walking around and/or playing with their harness on!) 🎉 5. Most harnesses come with a thin leash, if not you can use a 4-6 foot leash to give some range. Attach the leash to the harness and let your cat get used to it. It may spook them at first, so make sure to praise them with a treat. Let your kitty wander around your house dragging the leash, and keep them in sight so they

National chip your pet month is May 2022! We all know that there are many situations that can separate us from our beloved pets, but having a microchip is a foolproof way for someone to be able to contact you when this does happen. * Collars and ID tags can easily be taken off when a pet is lost or stolen (can also be worn down and become illegible over time), but a microchip is a non-removable and fool proof form of identification for your pet. * A microchip has its own identification number (this unique code is only linked to your name and contact information), and when scanned at a vet clinic, animal control agency or shelter it will display the number. From here, we are able to search the microchip number and obtain either manufacturer information (which they would contact the owner) or owner information for us to call in hopes of reuniting to family. * Microchips are approximately the size of a grain of rice, and the implantation takes about 5 seconds. The injection occurs under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades, and is quick and painless! * Many communities will reduce the cost of pet licensing fees when they are informed that the pet is microchipped. * you DO have to register your information online or via phone in order to store your information, otherwise they just have an identification number in them, that links to no one. * A microchip is NOT a GPS device, it will not allow you to track the location of your pet! * Microchips can be implanted while an animal is under anesthesia for a surgery, where they would feel absolutely no pain, if this is one of your concerns. In the long run, microchipping your pet can save you the turmoil of having to question if your pet has been found after being separated from them. It also is a way to prove ownership over the animal legally. In most cases, microchipping only costs around $50, and no maintenance is required unless you change your phone number or address (which can be easily updated online or ov

Let’s talk about reverse sneezing! Reverse sneezing is an animal’s way of expelling an irritant or addressing a “tickle” that is slightly further down an animal’s throat, near the nasopharynx (near the soft palate). It often is caused by allergies, household products (perfume, cleaners, air fresheners), overexcitement, pulling too hard while attached to a leash, eating/drinking, and occasionally objects caught in the throat area (possibly a foreign body or a mass). This sensation can often throw an owner into a state of shock and cause concern. However, it is normally a fairly benign process to occur in animals (dogs in most cases). We had a client experience this recently, who was kind enough to allow us to share this video for informational purposes! (Don’t worry, their kiddo is doing great 👍🏼) If you think your pet is experiencing a reverse sneezing episode, or have any questions about what may be going on, the best option is to seek out your veterinarian to ensure that there is not other more concerning cause (such as coughing, choking or an asthma attack, especially if it has never happened before). ✅ always make sure the tongue is pink- not bluish or white. In most cases the animal receives plenty of oxygen during episodes of reverse sneezing. A bluish, purpleish, or whitish change to the gum or tongue color can indicate a lack of oxygen, which is not a reverse sneeze and requires emergency care. ✅ To help interrupt reverse sneezing, you can massage the front of the throat beneath the chin or put a finger over the nostrils to encourage "mouth breathing" for a moment. However, this can be just as irritating for your pet as when somebody interrupts a human sneeze! ✅ Even if you confirm your pet is having a reverse sneeze, if it is on going or chronic it still makes sense to schedule an exam to look for underlying causes. ✅ It is helpful to search YouTube for other videos of reverse sneezing, since every dog looks and sounds a

Your thirty seconds of calm 💗

As veterinarians, we generally geek out about ALL animal life, not just the companion animals. We suspect a good number of you do, also! The video clip is of a sea dragon at the San Diego Zoo, one of many incredible animals found in deep waters (along with sea pigs, sea turtles, whales, sharks, angler fish... ) We mention this, because we lost about 10 min completely absorbed in the little “deep dive” you can take by following the link below. It’s an incredible little piece of distraction, we hope you think it’s as cool as we did!! Click below to see what lies beneath, and to learn a little more about an incredible human feat undertaken nearly 60 years ago! https://neal.fun/deep-sea/

It’s “Wasn’t Me” Wednesday!! What things have you caught YOUR pets doing?!? Share stories and photos/video below - let’s get everyone laughing today!

Did you know it is the fathers that do the “childbirthing” in sea dragons, sea horses, and pipefish? To all of the wonderful men who have loved and provided for a child or an animal (or both!), we wish you a wonderful Father’s Day. Also, this is a neat story about other great dads of the animal kingdom! https://www.nathab.com/blog/the-9-best-dads-in-the-animal-kingdom/ Snippet of the sea dragon below was taken at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. If you have a chance to visit San Diego, it is an incredible must-see!

Your feel good moment for the day: Thanks, Ponyo, for being such an adorable patient for us today!! Feel better, little dude!! Update: unfortunately, Ponyo took a turn for the worse and crossed the Rainbow Bridge today. He was wonderful, and we send our deepest condolences to his momma, who loved him very much.

Ever wonder what goes on in the back of the clinic? Well lots of cheese and aww’s!

Here at Parkside we love to team up and help a lot of rescues. Well today the Denver Dachshund Rescue and Transport came in with PUPPIES!!!

It’s 6pm. The doors are locked. The exam rooms are dark. The doctors have finished their notes. Whisper is in bed. And the Parkside staff dogs are having a party!! Who knew how much activity happened after-hours?!?

This is Harvey at 9 wks old, a patient of ours that our assistant Adriana fell in love with A YEAR AGO and took this video clip. She just got to see him again today and was able to catch another video clip of him a year older, but just as adorable and lovable!! (Posted in the comments because FB won’t let us post 2 videos to our page at the same time) We love love LOVE getting to watch our patients grow up in great homes!!!

Any fun weekend plans with your dog? Did you know they allow you to bring your dog with you on the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad tourist train ride? Diggity loved her big day out!!! Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad

Didja know time!! If you know what you’re looking at in this pic, it will give you a really big clue to the answer to the question below. Fact: most animals and people can breathe through both the nose and the mouth (think about your typical panting dog). Question: what common pet animal can ONLY breathe through the nostrils???

Oh, Lollie - you are the BEST patient today!! This gorgeous girl is getting an antifungal bath today for a pesky case of ringworm, and she is being SO very patient with us!! We love her calm demeanor so much!!