06/17/2024
Today is the start of "Take Your Pet To Work Week"! Show off your pets at work! 👇
Now accepting new patients. Call 303-699-3344 or visit ParksideAHC.com to schedule an appointment vi
Parkside is a patient focused veterinary clinic located in southeast Aurora. We are proud to be accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association and love being part of a team with owners and their furry family members. Our Parkside staff has made a commitment to not only our owned patients but also the homeless pets in our community. We work closely with several rescue groups to get their fo
ster dogs ready for their new homes, which sometimes includes extensive care from our animal hospital. Some members of our team assist with spay and neuter campaigns in underserved areas of Colorado as well as abroad, helping to reduce pet overpopulation in the most desperate of regions. We believe our responsibility to pet health extends beyond our Aurora veterinary clinic, and strive to carry this out in meaningful actions. We would be thrilled to meet you and your pet – call us or email us to set up an appointment today! We have made veterinary medicine our life’s work because we love the animals in our care, and would like the opportunity to work with you and your furry family members.
Today is the start of "Take Your Pet To Work Week"! Show off your pets at work! 👇
June is "Adopt A Cat" month! 🐱 Show off your adopted felines and share their story!
Summer is just around the corner!
With the weather warming up, it’s no surprise that we want to take our furry friends on lots of outdoor adventures 🏕⛰🏜🎾 here are some things to keep in mind:
🚗 You should not leave your pet in a hot car. Pets can still suffer heat exhaustion, even with open windows.
🦮 Taking pets on long walks or hikes are great for exercise, but make sure they are not over heating and that they have plenty of access to water.
☀️ Try to take your pets out in the early morning or evening if possible, so the ground is not too hot and they don’t burn their pads or get sun burned.
🚣🏼♂️ If you take your pets on boats, for a canoe ride or along on your stand up paddle board, be sure they have a life vest.
🏕 Camping is always great fun with your furry friends, but be sure you bring enough food and water for them to last the whole trip. Also make sure they have a leash if needed and a warm place to sleep at night.
🎣 When fishing with your furry companion, make sure tackle boxes and hooks are secure, so your pet does not get caught up in a pickle or tangled in the line.
💦 Most importantly, make sure your pet is well hydrated and not panting excessively. Heat stroke can be life threatening and we want to keep our furry friends happy and healthy.
Happy National Chihuahua Appreciation Day! 🐾
Show off your chihuahua in the comments below and let's celebrate! 🎉
It’s National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day! 🐕🦺🐈🎒🧳🍖
Today is a wonderful reminder that we should always be prepared for an emergency or disaster and that includes preparing to protect our furry, feathered and scaly friends and family members.
👉 Keep in mind, that if you are not safe in your home during an emergency, your pets are not safe there either. Include them in your escape route plan.
👉 When preparing an emergency kit for yourself and family, include things your pet will likely need as well (have an extra leash, a bag of food set aside to take on the go, and something to comfort them)
👉 When making your evacuation plan, consider where your pets will stay. Look into shelters and hotels that allow pets (many don’t) and plan accordingly or have a fried or family member lined up for them to stay with temporarily.
April is National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month! ⛑🐕🦺🐈♥️🩹
Here are some tips to keep you prepared for your pets little bumps along the way!
🩹 Have a pet first-aid-kit prepared:
Having a kit set aside with things like tweezers, gauze, small scissors, med wrap, adhesive medical tape, alcohol wipes, peroxide, plain Benadryl, disposable gloves, a thermometer and an Elizabethan collar can really help save time and stress when your pet gets a boo boo. It will also help you to feel better prepared and keep the wound clean until you are able to reach your veterinarian.
⛑Always put safety first:
This means your safety as well as the safety of your pet. If your pet is fearful, they are more likely to bite. Getting them comfortable with a muzzle (just in case) is a good way to prevent an unexpected injury. Always use caution with restraint and familiarizing your pet with having their feet, face or ears and tail touched will greatly help them and you if you need to take a closer look.
🚫 What not to do:
Some ways of being prepared are knowing what not to do. If your pet is unconscious, do not try to put any water or food into their mouth. This can become a choking hazard and can add to the severity of the situation at hand. Do not try to restrain your pet if they are having an apparent seizure. Try to sit with them and remain calm. Don’t hesitate to call your local veterinarian to ask questions and be sure you are doing what you can to keep them safe and comfortable.
☎️ Never hesitate to call your pets health care provider or nearest animal emergency clinic if you have any questions or concerns about the health and safety of your pet. No concern is too small. Always be sure. ♥️
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 don't get tangled up 👀
6. Once your kitty is comfortable with the idea of a harness, you can start introducing them to the outside! 🌳
* start somewhere close, such as a patio or your back yard, and give them the option to have your open door so they can decide when they are done
* plenty of treats and praise while they are venturing out for the first time, so that they have as positive experience as possible
* let your cat decide how far they go, most cats prefer to sunbathe and lay in the grass, or explore the base of a tree in the park 🌳 as opposed to going on a brisk walk
As cats become more comfortable being in a harness outside, they will get excited when you pull out the harness or adventure backpack 🎒
Good luck, and Please feel free to share any photos/videos you get of your adventure cats! 🐈
Spring is in the air and it's a perfect time to start thinking of activities to do with your animals!
See below some ideas for what you could do with your furry friends! 🌸 🐥 💕
* Plan a puppy play date
* Have a spring photo shoot
* Go on some hikes, find new places to adventure
* Exercise together, go on a quick run, or maybe even try to create a home made agility course
* Use non-toxic paints or clays to create some fun spring artwork (try using paws 🐾)
* Take a trip to the lake, but don't forget those life vests if you're going on a boat
* Go camping and create a pup tent
The options are endless, and with the weather getting nicer (even if another big snow sneaks in) there is plenty of opportunity to find activities to share with your pets! 💐
Blech… Marley here does NOT want anything to do with Birch Sugar! 🍬
Birch Sugar has been proven to be the same thing as Xylitol, which as we covered earlier this week is TOXIC to pets. It is rapidly absorbed into the body and can cause vomiting, collapsing and seizures.
It is most commonly found in gum, candy, ice cream, gummy vitamins, human liquid gabapentin, breath mints and PEANUT BUTTER. 😮
When shopping for treats for you pets, please check the ingredients and stay away from anything that is labeled “sugar free” or “diabetic friendly” (especially peanut butter)
Please read the link below to learn more about what the negative effects of birch sugar on pets can be! And let’s learn together what we can do to protect our furry friends 💕
https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/animal-health/birch-sugar-is-the-same-thing-as-xylitol-and-its-toxic-to-dogs
Easter is just around the corner and spring is in the air!
While you’re out flower shopping, please keep in mind that most lilies are toxic to cats.
Easter Lilies, tiger lilies, daylilies and stargazer lilies are the biggest culprits— but it is best to keep all lilies away from your cats 🐱
Lilies can cause kidney failure in our cats. Just a bite of a leaf or petal, even licking the pollen can be detrimental!
If you see your cat come into contact please contact poison control and take to your nearest vet (even if that means an ER)!!
Please read the below link to learn more about Lily toxicity 🌸
https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/feline/lily-toxicity-cats
For the last day of Pet Dental Health Month, we wanted to talk about anesthesia.
All of our dentistry is done under full anesthesia (required by current medical standards), and we take this very seriously.
Just like when you have to undergo a procedure at a hospital, we also take every precaution to ensure safety in our patients.
Prior to the day of surgery, we screen lab tests to look for (and address) any
conditions that might increase the risk of anesthesia.
On the morning of surgery, each patient receives a full exam and a review of the records to make sure we are still in good shape to move forward. (Yes, sometimes even the day of a dental we find things that make us pause and reassess with a pet’s owner.)
Every patient under anesthesia has a number of emergency precautions put in place. All of our pets are intubated to protect their airway. Patients have an IV catheter placed as an emergency access port, as well as a way to administer fluids throughout the procedure.
We pre-calculate all of our emergency drug doses for each pet, and determine a plan the morning of the procedure with each pet owner in case of an emergency so we can react quickly and efficiently.
In addition, all of our anesthesia drug choices and doses are individualized based on each pet’s health status, age, breed, and previous history so we can use the lowest amount of the safest drugs possible.
Every pet has full monitoring, including oxygenation, heart rate, respiration rates, body temperature, blood pressure, and an EKG throughout their procedure.
We can respond quickly to small changes in values in order to prevent most bigger concerns.
After anesthesia, once the dental procedure is completed, we monitor our patients throughout their recovery period, helping them to maintain their warmth and get appropriate rest until they are ready to go home.
We spend the extra time, we take the extra steps, and we have the extra conversations with pet owners so we keep our patients as safe as possible while addressing their dental needs.
Questions? You're probably not the only one so feel free to ask. 👇
February is almost over...but it's still Pet Dental Health Month so let's talk about dental accidents!
Most pets don’t show any outward sense of distress/discomfort, so it is really important to peek inside their mouths from time to time at home. 🦷 😳
This dog had a badly broken lower canine tooth. The x-ray shows that the pulp, or center of the tooth, is broken completely open and exposed to the “outside world“, making it a source of pain and infection.
The tooth was removed surgically, confirmed via post-op x-rays, and closed with absorbable stitches to help it heal.
If you notice anything funky like this going on in your dogs mouth, get them in for an exam to be evaluated. They will appreciate it!
Did you know that February 20th is National Love your Pet Day? 🥳 (that’s today!)
Beyond the every day love and care you provide your pet, below are some ideas for what you can do to make them feel even more special on this day!
1. Upgrade their pet toys: finding a new or stimulating toy for your furry friend may be the perfect way to brighten their day! Try to find something high quality that will last a long time, as opposed to being shredded in a week 🧸
2. Spend quality time with them: our furry friends cherish the time they get to spend with us. Why not sit back and watch a movie with them? You could take them on their favorite hike. Or for cats, engage in play with their favorite toy for active play!
3. Give them a special treat: lots of pets get enjoyment out of getting homemade dog biscuits, snap peas, carrots (or other pet friendly vegetables), plain cooked salmon or even cooked eggs!
4. Get creative: have a photo shoot, teach your pet a new trick, have a doggie spa day- the options are endless
Moral of the story: your pets love spending time with you and they deserve to be reminded about how much you love them 💕
🐾 February is Pet Dental Health Month!🐾
Dental health is just as important for pets as it is for humans!
Did you know...most dogs have 42 teeth, and most cats have 30.
It is amazing what can happen when their mouths are not maintained regularly, whether that be brushing their teeth multiple times a week, or coming for annual/semi-annual dental cleanings.
Full mouth dental x-rays are standard with every dental procedure we do at Parkside Animal Health Center.
We evaluate all of the structures above and below the gum line, to make certain we don’t miss anything. See below examples of a typical Dog and typical Cat full mouth X-Ray!
Love is in the air, and Bixby the Chinchilla wants to know if you’ll be his Valentine? ♥️
A few reminders for today:
🍫 Chocolates are delicious, and a common gift on this day, but chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs— keep it away from them at all costs!
✋ Xylitol is found in many candies and gums, it is deadly to dogs, so please make sure your furry friends do not have any access to your sweets 🍭
🌸 Lillies and some other flowers are toxic to cats, and some varieties are toxic to dogs as well
🕯 Pets and open flames do not mix, and some scents can cause trouble for their sensitive noses. Keep candles on the romantic dinner table and out of pets reach, and extinguish when you’re not around!
We hope you have a beautiful And safe Valentines Day! 💕
Chilly and slick as it may be, snow can present such a fun opportunity for pets to show off their personalities! ❄️
Some pets get the zoomies and fly into snowbanks, some get pure enjoyment out of rolling around and making snow angels, while some prefer to stay inside cozy by the fire 🔥
This little pup enjoys going on snowy hikes with her dad and showing off how beautiful it can be with aesthetic photos 🥰 (look at those paw prints!!)
Show us here at Parkside what YOUR pets like to do on a snow day! 💕
To celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday, we wanted to share this fun link from the Audubon Society. In Colorado, we have both Common Ravens and American Crows. There are some fun notes and audio links in this article to help you learn more about these intelligent, amazing birds.
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-tell-raven-crow
It’s also no surprise that we all LOVE to take photos of our furry, feathered, or scaly friends.
In fact, I’d say, that since the invention of the camera phone, we’re all downright obsessed.
And for good reason! They are so cute, silly, and certainly entertaining. 🥰😍😂
So show us some love and post a picture of your photogenic (or not-so-photogenic) pets!
Trust me, we ALL want to see them! 📸🐶🐱🐭🐹🐰🐷🐸🐣🦆🐴🦎🐍🐢
We LOVE Mutts and what better way to bring in the New Year!
This beauty is Greta and she is a mixed breed love from the Bahamas.
Show us some of your favorite mutts below and share some of your favorite mixed breeds! 🥰♥️🐶🐕🐩🦮🐕🦺👇
Eat. 🦴
Sleep. 💤
Snuggle. 🥰
REPEAT!
Who can really fault this philosophy? 🐶
📢Pet Safety Tips for Holiday Decor 📢
The Holidays are here and will hopefully bring lots of cheer, but one thing to keep in mind before the end of the year...
Holiday decor can be very dangerous to our furry little ones. Here are some things to watch out for:
🎊 choking hazards such as tinsel, glitter, streamers or Christmas ornament hooks
🎁 ribbons or bows and wrapping paper can tangle up your pet
🎄water from Christmas trees can be harmful and garland pine needles can get stuck in noses
🌺 poinsettias and mistletoe are toxic to pets
🍫 keep holiday treats out of reach
🔌 cover cords from lights, so they aren’t chewed on⚡️
Please keep a close eye on your little furry friends this holiday season so we can help ensure a safe and happy end to this year.
The holiday season is here, and with it are many unexpected hazards for your pets that we wanted you to keep in mind. 🤔
🌿 Poinsettias, Mistletoe and Lilies are toxic to our furry friends
🎉 Holiday Decor to watch out for includes:
- Tinsel, Glitter, Streamers or Ornament Hooks can be choking hazards
- Ribbons, Bows and Wrapping paper can tangle up your pet
- Ornaments and Christmas lights are shiny and enticing, make sure to pick up any broken pieces and cover up light cords
🎄 Christmas Tree water can be dangerous for animals, if the water is stagnant it can cause bacteria growth.
🍭Keep Holiday Treats out of reach - do not share table scraps, as you do not want animals to ingest dangerous ingredients
🥂 Do not leave alcoholic beverages or ma*****na products unattended, since curious pets may sample them
🏠 Holiday Parties where guests are over can create a very stressful environment for animals. Make sure to close all doors (garage doors too) behind you to ensure that your fur babies aren't given to opportunity to escape. If your animal does better being isolated during these times, make sure they have a comfortable "safe zone" such as a kennel, bedroom or bathroom.
✅ To try and assist with stress levels, you can play calm music in the background for your pet. You can also use Feliway/Adaptil sprays, collars or wall plug ins. Thunder shirts are also a good option for our anxious friends, and can provide both comfort and a cute fashion statement!
💥Fireworks are common around New Years, and are very frightening for our animals. Keep pets inside during fireworks to prevent injuries. If your pet has a fear of loud noises, you can talk with your veterinarian about medications to help, and plan to stay around them during the holiday to provide comfort and reassurance.
The holiday season is a beautiful time to get together with family and friends. But remember, our pets are family too.
Lets do everything that we can to keep them safe! ❄️
That sleep Saturday feeling… 💤
When was the last time you double-checked your pet's microchip? 🤔
Inevitably, pets get out of the house or yard. Some slip out of their collar and leash from time to time. To ensure that your furry family members are able to be found, a microchip is highly recommended for their safe return to you.
💉 Microchipping is a safe and easy procedure, that can be done at your vet, where a grain-of-rice-sized microchip is inserted between the shoulder blades. It’s placed there with a needle and syringe and can be scanned at veterinary offices and shelters.
⛓ They will provide you with a link or brochure that has the information for where to register your pet online.
🔑 The KEY to successfully having your microchipped pet returned to you, is making sure the address, phone and name information are up to date. That way if your pet is found, they have the correct number on file to call and a correct address listed for you.
This link can help you update your microchip info:
http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org/
♥️ We want to keep your pets with you in the safety of your home. Please consider microchipping your furry friends or confirming that their info is up to date if they are already chipped. 🥰
Have a great day!
For all of the animals who bring so much into our daily lives, for all of the people who love and care for animals - today, and every day, we are thankful.
Wishing you all a beautiful Thanksgiving.
Winter is coming and we've already had some real snow! ⛄
That means it's time to share some winter safety tips to keep your fur babies safe:
❄️ If it's too cold for you, it is too cold for your animals - limit exposure during frigid days and provide a warm shelter for outdoor pets
🐱 Neighborhood kitties will often seek shelter under the warm hoods of cars during cold nights - giving a quick "thump" on your hood before you start your engine could help save a life.
🪄Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly, Musher's secret, or another similar product can help prevent chapped paws
🪄A quick mist of non-stick cooking spray can help prevent painful snowballs from packing between toes of longer-furred dog feet
🥾 Booties and Jackets can be great fashion accessories to ensure warmth in short haired animals
🧊 Ice can be super sharp on paws - try to encourage running and playing in areas without thick snow crusts or ice to prevent cut paw pads.
🚫 Antifreeze has a sweet taste that may be appealing to pets, but can cause kidney issues for them
🚫 Ice Melts can irritate paws and if ingested may be toxic (make sure you use pet safe products) - it is always a good idea to wipe or rinse off paws after walking through treated areas
🚫 Rodent Poisons are Toxic to animals - if ingested, this is always an emergency. If you have the product information, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435
Please keep a close eye on your furry friends to make sure that our year comes to a safe and healthy end!
Let's talk laser therapy!
Laser therapy/treatment can be used with (or in place of medication) to help manage pain, inflammation, and wound healing.
At Parkside, we use a class 4 K-laser which can help a pet with:
👉 Increased blood flow and bringing in more oxygen to cells that are involved in the healing process
👉 Muscle relaxation, reducing inflammation and endorphin release
👉 Promoting faster healing and repair in the body (including after surgery)
👉 Arthritis
👉 Tendon/Ligament injuries or traumatic injuries
When we treat your pets, a handheld wand (see picture) is slowly moved back and forth around the affected area, and produces a warm sensation.
Your pet will also look very stylish in their own pair of protective goggles (check out the photo below)!
We have many pets that come in every week, or sometimes even bi-weekly to get treatment, and most of them find the process relaxing and seem more peppy after!
We also provide treatment after all spays and neuters, to help start the incision site's healing process.
Contact us for more information about laser therapy treatment and pricing!
September 23rd is recognized as the official first day of Autumn, and we are all looking forward to the fall color changes, cooler temperatures and jumping into piles of leaves! 🍃
Show us your first day of fall adventure plans or previous fall photos so we can all live vicariously through each other and celebrate the changes/adventures we can experience during this time of year! 🍁
Pictured is Maya, and boy are we fall-ing for her!!🧡
Let's talk plants and pets! 🐈 🌱
As homeowners, we know that having house plants or even planted gardens gives off a very aesthetic and pleasing look.
But...
There are MANY plants that are common indoors that are toxic to both dogs and cats.
See below a list of some of the most common household plants that are toxic to animals:
🌱 Snake Plants- although they require minimal care for humans and are low maintenance, these plants will cause burns to the mouth, excessive drooling as well as vomiting if ingested due to the calcium oxalate crystals
🌱 Sago Palm- Beautiful, but with the cycasin found in their leaves, it causes severe liver failure within a few days of ingestion!
🌱 Jade Plant- Known as the 'lucky plant' for humans, it can cause vomiting, loss of balance and even depression in our pets which makes it not so lucky for them
🌱 Aloe Plants- many humans will use the gel in this plants leaves for medicinal reasons. But when our furry friends ingest or chew on this plant, it will cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
🌱 Lilies- This beautiful little flower can cause kidney failure in cats, even ingesting the smallest bit of pollen can cause kidney failure within a short period of time.
🌱 Pothos- One of the most aesthetically pleasing house plants you can find, unfortunately also contains high levels calcium oxalate, and will cause extreme GI issues as well as vomiting, and can occasionally lead to kidney failure.
There are so many plants that can be added to a home but also be potentially toxic to our pets, we could not possibly list them all.
But, please take a look at this link and do some research on plants, find out if the plants that are currently in your home are toxic or non-toxic! https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
If your pet does ingest a toxic plant, or you are concerned that they may have- please call animal poison control (888) 426-4435 to determine what steps can be taken to help them.
September is Happy Cat Month! 😺
It seems like a simple thing, but originally this holiday was created by the CATalyst Council to help spread education and awareness for one of the most lovable pets known to man- yes, cats! 😻
This month is meant to educate the public on the health, welfare and the importance of our furry friends.
Cats have served many purposes including patrol, hunting and being a loving companion. 🐈 🐈⬛
Things you can do to celebrate this month, are educating yourself on the needs of cats, and how to better their lives!
This could mean taking them to the veterinarian for a wellness check up, getting them proper mental stimulation (toys, treats, slow feeders, etc.), and showing them the outdoors, with an adventure backpack, stroller or leash and let them broaden their horizons! 🌳 💞 👩⚕️
If you prefer to help the cat community in other ways, you could visit your local animal shelter and see what supplies they need to maintain a happy stay for the cats there.
You could also donate money to the animal shelters in your area to make sure that the cats are able to thrive and live happily before finding their forever home. This month is the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of our fiercest and most loving companions! 🐱 🎉
Featuring: Sir Charles 💕
5001 S Parker Road #101
Aurora, CO
80015
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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
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
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.
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???
Mile High Animal Hospital of Aurora
E. Arapahoe RoadVCA Smoky Hill Animal Hospital
E Smoky Hill Road